I just spent a few hours adding mods to my fo3 game thinking I would be smart and install them all (the ones that I want) but not necessarily activate them all at the same time. Needless to say, it didn't quite work the way I was hoping it would. Got so messed up between all the patches and the FOIP additions and whatnot I pretty much screwed up whole folder I think.

Anyhoo....I've uninstalled and reinstalled and now I have a fresh new fo3 folder waiting for me to screw up again. Initially, the mods I'm interested in adding are

EVE,
FWE,
WMK,
CRAFT and CALIBR,
MMM,
Project Beauty HD,
DarnUI
and a couple of others. I also plan to install the archiveinvalidated, windowsgame disabler and FOSE....plus the FOIP options for some of the above.

But even referring to 3-4 different websites on installing mods and load order and so on, I still find it a somewhat intimidating process. Out of the above, can anyone give me some advice on which to tackle first and then perhaps in what order would be good to test?

I also realize the best thing for me to do is to install one, test it to make sure it works and then try the next.

There's a whole bucketload more mods I want to install but even these main ones are giving me a headache. Especially taking into account the FOIP esps and how they inter-relate to one another.

Thanks in advance,

Salty

Just take a look at the http://fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4968. If you scroll down on the description page you will see 100% the exact load order and files you need(if you have all DLCs that is).
Installation order doesn't matter, it's only important that you first install DarnUI a11 before installing the FWE DarnUI patch.

Also you dont need Games for Windows Live disabler if you use FOSE. You also dont need the standalone Archive Invalidation tool, it's integrated in FOMM.
As for tools you really only need FOMM and FOSE.

You also dont need to download the CRAFT and CALIBR standalones, they're included in the FWE package.

Yeah that was one of the pages I was using before. But question in point...where it says CRAFT and CALIBR esms, what about the other additional craft/calibr esps that go with them? Can they go directly after all the esms? And also regarding Project Beauty...there are also additional PB esps, where exactly should they go? I know the esms have to all go first, but then?

Just setup the files exactly like in this load order. All those additional files that aren't covered there (like the optional CRAFT and PB additions), should be loaded behind DarnifiedUIF3.esp and before FO3 Wanderers Edition - Main File.esp

FOMM's package manager can effectively install most mods out there much quicker and easier than maually installing.

Install only one mod at a time!!!! As you have already found out, installing multiple mods at once is a recipe for disaster.

1) Open FOMM then click package manager
2) Click the tab "Add New", then navigate to the folder that you saved your download and open said file.
3) click the tab activate.

Don't panic if it take a while to do. FOMM sometimes appears to freeze during this process depending on the file.

As far as where to start, that is entirely up to you.

Something else for you to think about: some of the best mods out there REQUIRE FOSE to be installed as well, including the ones you have already listed. Check the description pages for these mods on the nexus for mod requirements first.

EDIT: Damn I really should learn how to type faster.

@ Kai -Ok cool, that at least gives me a baseframe from which to work from. Thanks.

@ Formerly - FOSE I was also installing. Thats actually rather easy. Just a copy/paste of the files. I presume though that the "src" folder thats extracted with the rest of the FOSE files also needs to be copy/pasted yeah? Because thats what I've been doing so far.

In regards to FOMM, I think I need a dummies guide for dummies. It is correct that when I open up package manager, I do indeed click on the rar/7z compressed file or should they be extracted first? Cause sometimes its worked with the "un-extracted" file and sometimes I've found I've needed to extract first.

You dont need the src folder from FOSE(but it doesnt do any harm if its there, just ignore it).

In regards to FOMM you need to be careful how you use the package manager, many mods are sadly not set up in a way that you can simply install with the manager.

There are basically three different possibilities:

1. You have a *.fomod file (FWE and Darn UI both have that). That's the most simple to install. Just click add new and select the .fomod file and you will be guided through the installation.

2. You have an archive, *.zip or *.7z or something like that. Before installing it, open the archive and take a look at it. If you only see a "Data" folder in there, you should usually be okay with installing it with FOMM. If you open the archive and see something like this:
XYZ.esp
\Textures\
\Meshes\
\Sound\
etc... then this is a fomod ready archive and you can also install this via the FOMM package manager

3. If you see anything else, like only one single folder that isnt called "Data" or a clust[censored] of various folder with wierd names or basically anything that doesnt fit the structure at all that I posted above, you shouldnt install this right away via FOMM. In this case extract the files into a folder, and open the ReadMe to see exactly how it has to be installed.

Personally I extract all archives first into an own folder before installing them(except for .fomod archives). I then take a look at the folder, make sure the structure is ok and then add it via "Create from Folder" in FOMM.