Hi~ I've been playing Oblivion for about a year now, but I'm brand new to mods. I've downloaded several from Planet Elder Scrolls (http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.List) and I've been following the directions on the Oblivion Mod FAQ (http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki/index.php/Oblivion_Mods_FAQ#How_do_I_install_mods.3F) but things aren't working.

Right now I'm trying to install the Shadowcrest Vineyard mod (http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=5474).

First, I tried installing it manually by cutting and pasting it from my Downloads folder to Oblivion's Data folder, then started up the game. No change.

Then I downloaded the Oblivion Mod Manager and turned the Shadowcrest mod into a .odom file, followed the instructions on the FAQ (to the best of my ability--I don't think my version is the same as the version on the FAQ), and started up the game. There was no change suggesting anything had worked, but when I went to load a saved game, a message popped up, telling me something along the lines of, "This game is based on data no longer available. Some objects may no longer be available. Continue?" I selected yes, loaded the game, and found that nothing had changed. (There's supposed to be a letter in the Skingrad Chapel.)

So...anyone willing to walk me through this? I'd appreciate any help. This is a whole new world for me and I'm totally lost...

do you have Oblivion Patch 1.2.0.214 if you dont download and install

I've been trying to download the patch (Shivering Isles version, since I have the expansion), but it keeps telling me the Old File isn't found, whatever in the heck that means. Any words of wisdom on that one? If it helps, I have the GOTY edition.

Thanks for replying.

i think goty version already patched download and install obse http://obse.silverlock.org/
start game with obse launcher look if mod is working

When you start up the game, the inital screen, there's uhm ... Data Files I think? When you click on that, it should have your installed mods in there. Are all those checked?

You need to activate your esp files so that the data you pasted can be accessed correctly in-game. Tools such as OBMM (Oblivion Mod Manager) help with this. If you have a lot of mods BOSS will help you with load order.

After converting it into an omod file, did you then activate it?

Yes I remember doing that a long time ago.
The "Old File" isn't found because it is looking for a file with a certain name and size, in order to update it, but you don't have that file. If you have the Game of the Year edition then your game is already updated to the latest version.

To check simply start the game and you should see the version number on the lower left corner of the screen. If it reads something like v1.2.0416, then you are up to date, no need for the patch.


Try this site for dealing with mods:
http://tescosi.com/wiki/Oblivion:Mod_Installation

But I expect that you failed to "Activate" the files once installed.