Whenever I download a mod, it never shows up in the oblivion data files when I go to play the game. I can save the file in the oblivion data file, I can extract it there and so on, but it never works. Can anyone help me out here?

Make sure you activate the mod through the Oblivion launcher or using OBMM or Wyre Bash

You need to read http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/ :goodjob:

If you are using Vista or Windows 7, you shouldn't install your game in the C:/Program Files folder. Create a new folder like C:/Games and put it there instead.

ummm if you are just saving the zip or rar to the oblivion data directory that is wrong. save to say desktop and then unzip to a folder read the readme it will tell you how to install most of the time they will have an esp and folders that you need to move to the data directory. learn to use wyre bash and or OBMM they take the head ache out of installations and removals. Go to tesIV:positive spend some time reading and looking at the site.

Umm. What?


Windows XP. Will be getting a better computer soon though.

Ok, I will try that.

Why not? I have and it works perfectly for me as it does for everyone else.

I don't think you are authorized to speak for everyone else. Windows User Account Control can cause problems if you install to the Program Files folder. I've heard of people having problems even without mods.

Hmm, so I wonder why there's an almost daily post from people who run into problems using mods when they install it there. I guess their computers are just haunted?

The problems with the Program Files folder are due specifically to Windows assigning permissions differently there. Regular users by default do not have write or modify permissions on folders in Program Files. Changing the permissions on the Oblivion folder would work just as well to resolve any UAC problems with mods, but it would be a bit more complex than telling people to install somewhere else (or maybe not. Kids these days don't understand directory paths...). Playing on an administrator account doesn't always fix things either. UAC still likes to ask for confirmation on things that require at least that level of permissions. That breaks lots of programs.

Well i am the only one using this computer so i have a Admin account, maybe that is why i can install and use it in the Programs Folder. :shrug:

Wrong.

I'm also using the only account on this PC, and you are still incorrect in your assertion anyway. For many, many users. I know it's not just me, because a] it says so at the Oblivion FAQ page, and b] I've had to tell many, many people on these very forums - and elsewhere - that installing the game somewhere else might solve their problems... and it did.

So, yeah.

Breton Paladin, i am not saying that those who reported having problems like that are wrong...far from it actually. BUT, i do not have any problems like that and was surprised to see it mentioned. So i asked as to why that could/would cause problems, that is all.

Just because you can use the Program Files folder doesn't mean that the UAC won't cause problems. To save a future headache, jut reinstall Oblivion into a different directory.

What you said was this:



(emphasis mine)

So I was responding to that.

And incidentally, if you have disabled UAC, and that is why it's "not a problem" for you? Please don't recommend that others do that - it would be irresponsible. Playing fast and loose with security is fine if it's just you. Well, actually, it's not fine, but it's your prerogative. But it is bad advice, pure and simple.

And yeah, you pretty much have to do one or the other, for Vista or Win7 not to have issues. AFAIK, and as far as I've read, thus far.

I never suggested anything Breton Paladin, but let us discontinue this before we get off topic. :rolleyes:

Is that problem there for windows XP as well? If so, I havent noticed it, unless that is why I have been haaving trouble downloading mods.

No, it's not a problem with XP. It appears that Microsoft took a major step backward when they released Win 7 and found that the easiest way to close all the security loopholes was to lock everything down. Win 7 treats you like a blooming idiot and drives me nuts. Just a bit of a rant... I've had far too many dealings with Microsoft over the years, including the privilege of paying to report bugs in their "professional" products. Grumble, grumble, grumble...

Anyway, your problem seems to be a bit of confusion about downloading, extracting and then activating mods. You need to download the mod somewhere outside of the Oblivion folder structure entirely and then extract the zip file into the data directory (that unfortunately doesn't apply to all mods, but is a general rule). Once you've done that, you need to actually activate the mod for the game to see it. It's recommended you use something like OBMM to manage all this. Also have a look at http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/ - I believe someone included a link in a previous post. Start with downloading mods, then look at installing them - all in the left menu bar.

If you're still having trouble, post again with the exact mod you're trying to install and I'll see if I can step you through it.

No it's not a problem with XP, so I wouldn't worry about that.

What I think might be happening is when your extracting the file its giving a folder that all of the contents are in. That won't work for Oblivion because it checks only the data folder for "esp" and "esm" files, not sub-folders. You'll have to look in that folder for the .esp or .esm file, and put that in the data folder. Also if there's a mesh or texture folder you'll have to put those into the data folder as well.

Did you move the .esp to the data folder also?

I understand what you are saying with dont install it into the Oblivion folder at all, but earlier today I downloaded a mod, and for once it worked. And then I downloaded 8 other mods you needed for it to work. What I did: Downloaded it into the Oblivion general folder, then extracted it to the data folder. Once I did that, I new icon appeared, taking me to a new installation, wich I completed, and then I was able to use the mod. The mods that I managed to install: Kvatch Aftermath, Cyrodiil Upgrade Resource Pack files 1-7, and the newest addition of the Cyrodiil upgrade resource pack (files 1-7 were base files that you needed to install before any upgrades)
However, that process has not worked with any other mods.


Yep, with every mod I have tried to install.

Just extracting the folder to data will not work all of the time, it depends on the folder substructure of the package. You need to examine the substructure to see how it needs to be handled.

Or you could read the README included in most mods, and use Wyre Bash or OBMM. Much easier that way.

I do read the readme, but it generally isnt very helpfull. I have OBMM, but it doesnt seem to be doing anything.

It works for thousands of other people. Have you read the README included with OBMM? Installing a mod is usually a simple 3 step process:

1. Make mod into OMOD
2. Select OMOD from list and install into
3. Change load order or run BOSS

I don think I've ever had to click more than 5 times to install a mod with OBMM, its very well made.

Well I am a complete newb at mods... I am absolutely sure I have no idea how to do the first 2 steps, but I think I can do the 3rd if I understand what you are saying...