Hello Oblivion programmers. I'm begging for assistance with mods. I am literally on my knees here.

I received Oblivion for PC as a gift, including the shivering isles and the other bonus version on the same disk. I enjoyed playing what I've since learned is called the Vanilla version but found the creatures a little repetitive and totally weird that bandits became more powerful as I levelled up. So I stumbled upon the idea of mods, which I didn't know existed a few days ago, and decided I'd like to play with the OOO and MMM add ons based on what I've read. Problem is I'm lost. I'm researching what to do to install but there's so many pages with old info and link that don't work and versions that conflict with others, and literally EVERY page I read with advice on installing these mods are written in 90% acronyms that I don't know. esp, omod, bsa, wyre, plugins... basically it's impossble for a 13 year old to follow what to do. And any slip up and everything crashes and you lose your saves and have to reinstall everything thing.

Are there a simple and plain english directions on adding OOO and MMM to my Oblivion game or am I gonna stay vanilla forever?

I don't want to give up, these two mods really sound like they improve the game.

Ok, I'm not going to be able to go through all of this with you, but the first things to do will be

a) Read the FAQ here on this sight, familiarize yourself with all the different types of file you'll be using and the methods used to install them. This http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki/index.php/Oblivion_Mods_FAQ is also useful as well.

b ) Install Wrye Bash, Oblivion Mod manager (aka OMOD), Better Oblivion Sorting Software (BOSS) and Tes4lodgen (they can all be found by searching for them at Tesnexus). Follow the installation instructions on the readme's and doing so will be a piece of cake.

c) Once you have done this, find the threads on this forum for the mods you want to install. There you will be able to find up to date installation instructions and links to the latest versions of the mods you wish to install.

Here are the current release threads, with up to date info and links:

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1159634-relz-oscuros-oblivion-overhaul-133/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1165282-relz-martsmonstermod37b3-public-release-3-relz/

hmmm, when I downloaded OOO yesterday, the link said I was getting 1.32 but the file was named OOO1.3. So I'm now not sure which version I'm running, and apparently it's important to know since the version of MMM I install depends on the version of OOO that I'm using. (You'd think there would be a simpler way!)

How can I tell what version of OOO was actually installed? The About link on the download is blank.

You should be able to tell it from the name of the archive, the readme or by checking its description in the launcher. So if the file was named 1.3 that's probably it. Really old.

I'd recommend starting over from scratch.* Install OOO 1.33 Complete, patch to 1.34 Beta 5. Install MMM 37b3. Run BOSS to get the correct load order - and check the log for comments.

* Although not strictly necessary - you can install 1.33/1.34 Beta 5 over 1.3.

And I would get OOO up and running first

before you add MMM which is much hard to install once again and use the MMM OMOD installer has well which will make the MMM install easier..

It was intimidating for me at first too and I am many times your age, so if I could do it it should be easier for you. Anyway, couple ways to go with this:

OBMM or Wrye Bash, or both. You can get what you want working just installing through OBMM. Wrye Bash you could leave for later when you REALLY want to get creative with using many mods. OBMM was easiest for me at the start.

So, to start with, as Corepc wrote, install OOO. This is simple:

Get OOO 1.33 Comnplete from the link Arkngt posted (link to OOO thread).

Create the OMOD file which is a format that OBMM uses for its mod files. OBMM you can download from here http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2097 get the full installer version, easier.

Look through the readme for it (or look at help when you run it) as to how to create an omod from the OOO files you downloaded. Nice thing is they are already setup for this process.

Install OOO - I recommend full install. Read the manual for OOO that comes with the download as to the options you will have. Install OOO.

Download BOSS http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=20516 download the installer.

After installing, run BOSS to sort the load order and play.

Once you have that going and understand more download MMM files (second link in Arkngt post) and install that. MMM has an OMOD installer so it will be as easy as OOO.

Then when you know more you can look at Wrye Bash. Nice thing is you only need to download two files for Wry Bash, the Python03a which installs the programs you will need and the Wrye Bash 291 installer which installs Wrye Bash. Then just learn to use it. There is a pictorial guide for this somewhere which makes it easy.

Post back if you have questions and people will help you.

I am so bummed. I gave up on MMM. It needs 1.34 Beta 5 of OOO and while it seems simple enough to do the auto install of 1.33 , there's no instructions on what to do with the latest beta. So I said, forget about it. I'll just enjoy OO0, the latest non-beta version. So I reinstalled Oblivion, installed the unofficial patch, then OOO... and it crashes. Who knows how to fix it.

This sux.

....and MMM itself requires a bunch of mods. I can't believe anyone actually does all this.

I guess I should start simply. I'm going to uninstall and reinstall Oblivion (only the 3rd time today) and then only do OOO 1.3. Do I need any patches or will OOO take care of it all? Patches go first or OOO? (I did the unofficial patch first last time but didn't end well.) Patches through whatever that omod thing is too?

I don't even get what omod is supposed to do.

If you don't know how to perform a simple mod upgrade installation, it was probably best you leave MMM behind. You could've learned everything you needed to about installing the patch from reading the install instructions for 1.33, seeing as the core architecture of the mod was not even changed.

http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/?page=site_about it contains valuable information on the basics of modding. I suggest you read up and make sure you know how to perform rudimentary installation of a simple mod, and also on how to use OMODs, before you continue to play with your setup.

As for your problem, we need a load order. Just telling us you are crashing doesn't help us much. Click on the Import/Export button in OBMM, select View Load Order, then copy-paste the contents.

Well I'm still having the same problems, even with just OOO 1.33 using the auto-install, and doing do with the full version.

The game doesn't crash right on launch, I can get through a little of the beginning with the emperor but as soon as his guards start to fight the red robe dudes while I watch, Oblvion crashes.

My load order is...

Oblivion.esm
Oscuro Oblivion Overhaul.esm
Unofficial Oblivion Patch.esp
Oscuro Oblivion Overhaul.esp

My install order (for the 4th time) is...

Oblivion off the DVD
Unofficial_Oblivion_Patch_v3_2_0_Installer_Version-5296
OOO 1.33

I'm running Windows 7, and it's the 64 bit version whatever difference that makes.

Did you use the OOO exe installer if so then it does not work correclty under Windows Vista or Windows Seven has stated in OOO thread



Same applies to Windows 7 has well

Did you install the game outside the program files directory has well ?

You should use either OBMM or BAIN (Wrye Bash's installer) for installing mods and it's quite easy to install OOO 1.34 Beta 5 either way (or manually for that matter). Just make an OMOD of it with OBMM and install over 1.33. I'd recommend using OBMM for 1.33 as well, i.e. the OMOD-ready version. The next OOO will be based on a bsa (much as the latest MMM) so you'll need to get rid of all the loose files when updating to it, which is much easier if using OBMM or BAIN.

It most definitely does not. What it contains are compatibility versions for several other overhauls. Do what Arkngt said about using OMOD to install OOO.

Also, with you're crashes; is Oblivion updated to the latest official patch? If you have the GOTY edition fully installed (i.e. both disks) this shouldn't be an issue, but otherwise, you'll need to grab the official patch and use it to update your game.

Every time you have a problem and fix it you learn more about modding Oblivion, so it is not a bad thing. We all start out that way, it's just life. Just ask if you don't understand something.

To start with do what Prettyfly wrote, if you have the Game of the Year addition make sure you install both CDs. If not get the official Oblivion patch.

Install OBMM as I wrote earlier.

Install BOSS as that will give you information about your install and sort the mods correctly.

I just wanted to check quickly before I go to school. Thanks for all the info peopl, I'll give it another try.

Some replies....

- I do have GOTY but didn't install the second disk. I'll do that.
- I did use the exe installer so I guess that's it.
- I did install OBMM but have no idea how to install a mod using it. "Just make an OMOD of it with OBMM and install " Might sound easy to you but it's not english to me and there's no "install something" button on OBMM. But I will try again.
- I did install in the programs directory so I guess I have to change that.


So I'm going to un-install everything again and try this...

- install both GOTY disks, not in the programs directory.
- apply the unofficial patch
- install OBMM
- somehow figure out how to instal OOO 1.33 using OBMM, not the exe.
- if I figure that out with the obmm software, add in OOO 1.34 Beta for bonus points.

Am I missing anything? I have no idea where bain comes in. I've seen the wrye bash link a few times but it always has %20 in the URL and goes to a dead page so I've never seen it and no idea what it does, if it does anything other than obmm.

OP, Do what he says and follow that link to tesiv positive.

Have a look at these three pages in particular:
1. http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/?page=intro_to_mods
2. http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/?page=guides_mod_installation&subpage=complete_installation_guide (don't worry about everything detailed here - just look at the basic preparation up to page #3)
3. http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/?page=guides_mod_installation&subpage=ooo_installation_guide
4. http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/?page=guides_mod_installation&subpage=mmmforooo_installation_guide (if you feel like it, but the first three links are probably best for now).

:)

Since you're new to all this, you might want to take things a tad slower. First install the entirety of both GOTY disks in, as you now know, a directory other than Program Files. Before adding any utilities or mods, launch the game and goof around long enough to make sure all is well and that you have no underlying hardware/software issues. Don't worry about making game-play mistakes since you won't be saving anything (I'm talking game-saves here) you want to keep and continue on with. Once you know that the game is successfully installed and relatively stable, THEN add in your key utilities, such as OBMM and OBSE (you'll need it sooner or later, likely sooner), maybe even Wrye Bash as some suggest. With those and whatever other utilities you decide on installed, but before you attempt to add any game-play mods, again launch Oblivion and make sure all's well. Only then would I start adding mods like OOO.

In fact you might want to start with something smaller just to get a feel for how it's done. Maybe a teeny-tiny graphics enhancer that contains only a few files and overwrites nothing. (The mod files just load instead of the vanilla equivalents housed in one the official BSA. No permanent harm is done should things go wrong.) You might start out by installing a small mod that is already in OMOD format to get a feel for how the process works. Once comfortable with that, find another small mod that isn't in OMOD format and create your own OMOD.

A good way to learn what OMOD structure should look like is to copy an already OMOD'd mod into the appropriate sub-directory (normally \Oblivion\obmm\mods), launch OBMM, right-click on the mod you added, and from the context menu select "extract to folder" (that might not be exact, but it'll be close). NOTE: don't worry about actually installing the mod. We're using it as a learning tool. Don't extract it into your working Oblivion installation. Create a directory elsewhere to house the extracted OMOD.

Using your file-manager of choice, navigate to the newly extracted OMOD. It will be your model for how "basic" OMOD structure should look. Taking it one step further, return to OBMM and use the CREATE function to turn your extracted OMOD back into the real thing. (Warning, name the new OMOD slightly different from the original so one doesn't overwrite the other.) Activate your newly made OMOD and see if all's well.

I know this all sounds overly complex. It's not really. Take things nice and slow and don't move on to more advanced operations until the easy stuff is mastered. In the long run taking your time is actually quicker because you are not constantly backtracking to correct mistakes.

Good luck in any case.

What I hate is when I make a mistake, I have to uninstall everything, delete the left over folders, reboot the PC (all to get a clean install again). Reinstalling the game, then patches, then obmm.... every mistake takes 45 minutes to try again. Longer if I have to download something new.

OK, simple

When you finish installing OBMM, you will need to do the following:

If you do a clean install of the game as suggested, you will need to run the game ONCE before starting OBMM as it needs the oblivion ini file.
So start the game, choose new, and when you get the character creatin screen just quit the game. This is enough to get OBMM running.

Now, start OBMM. First thing to do is enable archive invalidation.
In OBMM click Utilities button, choose archive Invalidation.
BSA redirection should be chosen.
Click Update now. Exit screen.

Next you create the omod for OOO 1.33. Make sure you download the OOO_133_Complete.7z file (last file on the Planet Elder Scrolls link).
Now, in OBMM click create button, click Add Archive button, browse to where the downloaded OOO_133_Complete.7z file is, select it.
Don't panic if nothing happens for a minute or two, it is a big file.
The first screen that will pop up is a warning about esp files in subdirectories. Click yes to continue.
The you will be asked to inport omod conversion data. Click yes.
Now the files will appear in the window.
Click Create Omod and wait 5,10, 15 minutes for it to finish.
When done, you now have an omod for OOO 1.33. Double click it to start installation. Choose the full installation since you will install the Beta patch next. Choose options you want (take recommended ones to start with, explanations are in the readme).

Next, make sure you downloaded the OOO_134_Beta5_Patch.7z file from the same link as the complete version (it is the fifth file down in the downloads list).
To create omod from this do the following (as above):
Click Create
Click Add Archive
Browse to where the Beta5 file is and select the OOO_134_Beta5_Patch.7z file.
Now since the beta archive dos not have omod conversion data, fill in the block for Name (Call it OOO 1.34 Beta Patch5). Everything else you can leave empty.
Now click create omod.
This one will be quick.
Double click to install (it will overwrite the complete install with the newer files.
Close OBMM.

Here is where you would run BOSS to sort your load order.
To do this browse to the Oblivion\data directory and doubleclick BOSS Update Masterlist.bat to get the latest. Then doublclick BOSS.exe.
When done, start the game and you will have OOO loaded and working.

MMM we can do when you are ready. It is as simple as OOO (just more options with all those extra files)


As for Wrye Bash go to this link:
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=22368

Dwonload Wrye Python03a file
Download Wrye Bash 291 Installer version.

Run the Wrye Python03a file first.
Then run the Wrye Bash 291 installer.
You probably need to read up on the documentation is you are moving your Oblivion installation dorectory, I have not done this, I install in the default locations, easier for me, but then I don't use UAC in Windows 7.

And, as Thomas Kaira pointed out, check out and read through this guide http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/?page=site_about

With OBMM and BAIN you would not need to do that anymore as you would add/remove mods through them and it will clean up the files for you. Welcome to modded Oblivion

Aye, but you'll get past that stage. Once OBMM, and especially Wrye Bash, are mastered, it becomes exceedingly difficult to Bork your game to the point it must be reinstalled from scratch. About the only thing that might lead to that (barring file/directory corruption) is altering vanilla BSAs, (PyFFi meshes, replace meshes and textures with high-res alternates, etc.), somehow get it wrong , then realize you forgot to backup the originals. In other words, you'd have to really work at it. In any case, such things are way beyond you at the moment.

Once you're at the point where all mods are installed by either OBMM (OMODs) or Wrye Bash (BAIN packages) almost any mod mistake can be backed out of without harming the basic game. With OMODs you might need to deactivate and re-activate certain mods if the misbehaving mod overwrote their files. With BAIN even that is not needing, since Wrye Bash is sophisticated enough to notice missing files and restore them. There's of course a bit more to it than that, but the gist of it is that at some point your current hassles will disappear.

-Decrepit-

That's what readmes are for. :deal:

Yeah I know. Just daunting when everything has a read me filled with info that isn't in english, which tells you to get other apps/whatever which also have non-english read-me, which lead to other pages no made for newbies. It's like everything is only made for the already-experience... though I did get some links here that'll help me learn.

Of course, I didn't intend to learn about modding.... I just wanted to play Oblivion with OOO and MMM. I guess to do that, I have to learn. (Sure hope it's worth it!)

They aren't terribly simple mods to start of with, so if you want to use them its fairly essential to do a bit of learning. I certainly didn't start on mods that complicated.