OOO Missing Mesh, Invisible Essential NPCs, Atatar Glitch, Custom-made Merchant Issue, Mod requests

Alright, so first let me get a little introduction out of the way. I was here in these forums probably about a year or so ago..I don't know, I loose track. Anyways, I experianced some problems with Oblivion on my comp, and tried for months to get it to work and it never would, so I basically gave up and left the community.
Well, recently my comp was wiped clean (svcked! but on the brightside...) so now, whatever prevented Oblivion from not working is now gone, and so I am back playing it again.

Before I avoided OBSE and OOO...OBSE sounded too complicated (though I now have discovered it's not) and OOO...well I played the xbox version of oblivion for a loooooong time and never thought it needed any of those fine tuning things that OOO does. Well, upon my dismay, it turns out OOO has corrupted some of my meshes. I didn't believe it was OOO when I first saw a graveyard filled with exclamation points, and a castle filled with those same things, but after spending a long time, turning all my mods of and checking which one caused it, I found OOO caused the most missing meshes. (yes, there are still a few, but I rarely see them so it is not as bothersome). I was browsing through some of the forum posts that were posted about a year ago, and noticed someone had a similar problem, there wasn't much help there for me, so I would like to see if anyone knows now.

now, a second problem: I have not found which of my mods is the culprit here, but all the essential NPCs have turned invisible...not like they literally go missing from the game, but it's like they used a spell of invisiblity on themselves that lasts indefinately. Usually this doesn't happen until after completing a specific quest, which I thought was the most odd thing. Sometimes they turn invisible after taking their quest, as well. so got any help on that one?

A third problem: I have a feeling this is because of a mod as well, but in Atatar (aylied ruin for fighters guild quest: Azani Blackheart) just in the second chamber, right when I enter is a big square room, with lots of those cages that hide Varla stones. at the far opposite end of the door I came from is a switch, not far to the left of that switch is a gate. I'd imagine by pushing that button it is SUPPOSED to open that gate...however, it does not. I have scanned over the entire dungeon (or atleast what i could access) for alternate routes or another switch, and sadly, all I have found is another gate with the button on the opposite side of me. So I am 99% certain I am supposed to go through the gate with the button that does nothing. If you have any fixes, ideas, or a console command to make me walk through walls, then let me know.

this problem list just goes on and on! I got a fourth problem, this is more of a mod made by myself. But I would liek to take a minute here and say, I did not just freak out and immediately run to the forums to see who could help. First of all, the forums aren't sending out emails, apparently, so it was really hard to recover my password, I actually had to stop and try and remember it for a minute, so I couldn't just get right on the forums. Second, I actually have enough brains to use Google to try and help me out, unfortunately these problems listed did not get results, thus is why I am here asking for help. (believe me, I had several more problems, but I have a brain and was able to use problem solving skills and/or Google to fix it myself)
anyways, on with the problem

I made a simple mod, I don't plan on releasing it, but if you are curious, it is just an NPC that sells custom-made potions with strange effects, and some rather odd spells too. anyways, I got him set up, put the AI packages in, gave him his merchant chest, filled it up with the items I wanted...but, when I tested the game, everything worked! except prices...
The items he sells are practically god items, but I didn't want to cheat exactly, so I made them super expensive and a limited supply of them, but, when I loaded the game up, and tried bying, the items are not super expensive, they are EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE.

I did my math; 1 item = 15k x 166% (of the normal price) = 24900 coins

however in game, the price is more like 75k. I checked the items in the CS for their price, and made sure the auto-pricing button wasn't checked and still I come up with the item tons more coins higher than it should be. rather frustrating if you ask me.

finally, one last thing. Not so much a problem, but a request. Every time someone leaves this community for any extended amount of time, they always come back asking for what the new hit mods are. Well, guess what I am doing? if you haven't guessed it, feel free to take a moment and think about your life and what you (haven't) accomplished.
Now, I think it is rediculous the extent of programs available to help modify Oblivion, but I think it is annoying, I feel terrible when I junk up my computer with crap (sorry, no offense to their creators). So, If you are using any GREAT mods that use either OBMM or OBSE let me know. (Yes I am using Deadly Reflex, LAME, and obviously OOO)

* a quick side note, I have been looking for amazing weapons and armor. Instant gratification ones are fine, but if there are any mods that make you have to do a quest for these weapons/armor, then PLEASE don't hesitate to put those down.

thank you everyone for taking the time, and having the attention span to read this wall of text! It is very much appreciated

OOO doesn't have missing meshes, so my guess is that you haven't installed all the resources. Make sure you install http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1082120-relz-oscuros-oblivion-overhaul-133/ (and I'd recommend the 1.34 beta 5 patch as well).



That sounds like it could be the A-Bomb bug. Do you have lots of play hours with your current char? If so, you might have hit that bug - which you can fix with Wrye Bash (and some other utilities).

I do not have a lot of hours, it was Friday (Apr. 2nd) that I installed the game and hardly had any time to play. I think in total between the the little amoutn of time I played on the weekends and with the large amount I played yesterday I totaled 7 hours. I would really not like to have to download Wyre Bash...but...if that is what will fix this, I suppose I have no choice.

No, then it's not the bug - so you don't have to download Wrye Bash (it's an excellent utility, so you might want to use it anyway). Hm, it was a long time ago I did Atatar so I'm not much help on that.

Well it is alright. I would just wait until later to complete it but I have Oreyn following me everywhere...invisible...
In the mean time, might you have any help for my other issues, or perhaps your favorite mods?

Your post was too long for me to read through really. :) You should post your load order as you have some weird issues (invisible NPCs), preferably via Wrye Bash as it gives version numbers as well, but as you don't use it you can do it via OBMM instead (Import/Export > View load order > Copy/paste).

erm...well it has been a long time since I had to do load order, remind me what exactly load order is? and how to go about getting it...I thought I saw "load order" in OBMM but, not entirely sure what that is.
EDIT: sorry just read that above, guess I was in too much of a rush to finish 2 sentences, ha ha.
give me a minute.

Load order:

It is the list of plugins installed to your Data folder ordered by "date modified," older plugins loading first. That is the order in which the game processes the plugins.


You should really read the mods FAQ at the top of this forum. LO is really, really basic, and you need to understand it somewhat before you start adding multiple mods, more than the UOP.

LOAD ORDER:

Oblivion.esm
BetterMusicSystem.esm
AWS-Core.esm
Diverse Wisps - Base.esm
HorseCombatMaster.esm
Arena_BattlesV1.1.esp
Level_Rates_Modified_x2.esp
OOO-ThiefGuild_Difficult.esp
newlifedetect.esp
A Very Silly Slaughterfish Mod.esp
Living Economy.esp
OOO-Potions.esp
OOO-Dangerous_Traps.esp
OOO-Armor_Perks_WearRate_Repair.esp
OOO-Combat_Skills_Perks_Marksmanship.esp
OOO-DLT_Immersion.esp
HaydoxRapier.esp
bgMagicEV.esp
bgMagicEVStartspells.esp
bgMagicItemSigil.esp
bgMagicBonus.esp
bgMagicEVShader.esp
bgMagicEVPaperChase.esp
bgMagicAlchemy.esp
bgMagicLightningbolt.esp
bgMagicPotionNumberSoulGemValue.esp
Pegasus Armor Set.esp
bladesfactionmod.esp
Deadly Reflex 5 - Timed Block with no damage or durability changes.esp
DeadlyReflex 5 - Combat Moves.esp
FiveBlindMiceBeta.esp
3 Alternative Stories.esp
Diverse Wisps - for Vanilla.esp
TRN One of the Gang.esp
Wings of Tyrael.esp
Birthsigns Reimagined.esp
KDQ - Rural Line Additions.esp
Kragenir's Death Quest.esp
Rideable_Crab.esp
Versa's Item and Flora Overhaul.esp
Atroyen.esp
BHC_Expanded.esp
Enhanced Key Functionality.esp
Enhanced Key Functionality [Shivering Isles].esp
QQuix - Rock, rock, rock your ship - V3.esp
MidasSpells.esp
Darker_Caves-8944.esp
RC43 Christmas.esp
PWISpells.esp

That's quite a mess for a load order.
Run your mods through http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=20516 addressing any comments it reports.
You also say that your using Oscuro's but there's no esm or esp shown with your listing?

Your load order is out of whack, plus you don't have OOO's esm or esp (which you must as the game wouldn't load otherwise, so I guess you missed them). Update OOO to the latest version (see link in post above) and use http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1085156-boss-better-oblivion-sorting-software/ to sort out the load order.

ah yes, the thing I missed most when I use to be part of the forums
"You seem to be having problems with Oblivion, well use program X"
"Well if you use Program X you need program Y to help it run better, so much better that you just NEED to get it."
"Well program X and Y are essential to have, but program Z is needed too"
"Yes, along with programs X Y and Z, I highly recommend getting program A"
"Program A? I think Program B works extremely well if all four of those programs!"
"Ha, program X Y Z A and B are terrible (but keep using them anyways) me and a team of people just made program C which can do all of which X Y Z A B can do, so long as you have them!"

just make a universal program that runs Boss, Wyre, OBSE, OBMM, and god only knows what else. doesn't Wyre need a program in itself to run? I think these programs are getting a little out of hand. I have a brain, is there not a way to manually adjust the load order?

as for OOO, it wasn't smart, but I removed the .ESM and left the other OOO .ESP files on on purpose. the .ESM is there, just not active. Surprisingly everything else seems to be working, and I don't have any of those missing meshes...or...atleast I think everything is working.

Fine.
We quite obviously don't want sound advice or help. :banghead:

Well, best of luck.

Ntom - yes I remember you.

All those missing meshes - and invisible NPCs could be the result of not having archive invalidation invalidated (a feature of both OBMM and Wrye Bash). does this means you are just dumping mods in the data folder manually?

That would really be a mess.

Read first posts http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1084204-bain-mod-installation-projects/ on installers.

and your argument about the amount of utilities holds more water with Morrowind where there really are many tools.

With Oblivion you are looking at Wrye bash, OBMM, BOSS, and Tes4edit, teslodgen. to do basic modding of your game. The rest really only for optimization (you not there yet) or modding (again not where you are yet).

5 tools. Yes there is a learning curve. Yes you are required to learn.

That should not even load. Where is the rest of OOO, the main plugin? I do not recognize even half of those mods, but those that I do recognize are...wherever. That just makes no sense... I think you should do a little reading before installing mods. You need BOSS, seriously. I want you to read through my guide, skimming it is fine. If there is a concept you do not understand, please ask. It will introduce you to a number of utilities and terms that should help you now and in the future. I am writing a better, more general version of that guide right now. I really wish I had the installation part done because that is what you really need to read right now.

For now, at least get BOSS. It should take care of most of your load order for you. However, you really need to reinstall OOO as well.


http://sites.google.com/site/oblivionpoinfo/walkthroughs/baininstallguide: please do not read the sections I said to "skip" yet, just so that you do not get more confused than you already are
Part I - read in its entirety
Part II - follow the link for BOSS and then scroll down a bit for the installation instructions, also download and install 7-zip if you do not have it (the link is there as well)
Part III - skip
Part IV - must read
Part V - read, please, and follow the links to get the OOO 1.33 Complete OMOD
Part VI - read this just to learn about installation order, you do not need to bother with BAIN at this point
Part VII - skip
Part VIII - read starting at "choose the right plugins"
Part IX - skip
Part X - read the BOSS portion
Part XI - read if you want
Part XII - read if you want


Edit: @Psymon: It sounds as though Ntom does not want to install another program, and installing Wrye Bash (for BAIN) requires several. Cover the basics of modded Oblivion first. Also, Ntom does not need to do anything about Archive Invalidation with OBMM's BSA Redirection. Let Ntom stick with OBMM and BOSS for now. Those two utilities should be enough for now.

then next on the forums comes the overeaction with miscommunication. I was literally thinking in my head about how someone is going to react to what I said.
I can almost predict peoples reaction, which was one reason I left forums...all forums in general.

Anyways, don't get me wrong, I really appreciate the help, but if you read the post I said I don't want to download a ton of programs. I know I can adjust load order manually on OBMM, I just need to know how exactly I should adjust it correctly.

Modding oblivion is anologous to building a house - you are building an installation.

You are not going to build a house without tools - no miracle stories to buoy you up.

Like I wrote Morrowind is more furstrating because there are competing tools with it (harder to choose at times). With Oblivion it is these 5 tools.

Leaving all forums!?!

Reminds me of the Rime of the Ancient Mariner:
To get along, go along ... To go along, get along

Ntom, I am asking you to skim my guide, not to download any programs (outside of BOSS) so that you can learn how the LO and installation order works. That is all. BOSS, however, supports over 10,000 plugins, and it really is not a complicated program to install. Extract the BOSS archive in your Data folder and you are done. The only possible thing you may need to do is download the Microsoft C++ library update, but that is an executable and there aren't any configuration options. Once BOSS is installed, you will not have to worry much about load ordering. Post your load order here after running it so that we can check it over.

Edit: Actually, I will just write up the steps you need to take to get BOSS working and OOO in the proper state right here. Hold on for a minute or two. (Most of this information is on my site. I just need to pull the few things relevant to what you want to be able to do.)

While you wait, if you do not already have OOO 1.33 complete downloaded: Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul (OOO): http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=3953 and OOO 1.34b5 Patch (if you are using OOO FULL). If you are using OOO LITE, the 1.34b5 update does not support the LITE versions, but there is also an update for that version: http://devnull.sweetdanger.net/mods/OOO_LITE_133b_patchesp.7z.

Well, first, either install all of OOO or none of it. It's not modular in the way you are trying to use it and that is guaranteed to have problems.

If you don't want to use BOSS, you can still take advantage of the knowledge base of it.\

Go to this website: http://better-oblivion-sorting-software.googlecode.com/svn-history/r794/masterlist.txt

Search for the mods in your list by "ctrl-f" and entering the name of the ESP or ESM. There will be hints after each entry as well.

What you want is to get them in the same order as they are in that list.

if you do not already have OOO 1.33 complete downloaded: Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul (OOO): http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=3953. If you are using OOO LITE, the 1.34b5 update does not support the LITE versions, but there is also an update for that version: http://devnull.sweetdanger.net/mods/OOO_LITE_133b_patchesp.7z.

Download http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=20516
# Install BOSS:
1. Move the main BOSS archive to the Data ("Oblivion\Data") folder
2. Choose "7-zip">"extract here"

Edit: had an accident with my laptop...

BOSS
2. Run BOSS (click on BOSS.BAT)
3. Read the BOSS LOG: After running BOSS, the BOSS LOG popped up. The BOSS LOG file contains lots of compatibility information and other info making it worth every minute it takes to read through it, thoroughly.
4. Do you have unrecognized files? (at the bottom of the log file) If so, leave the log file open and keep reading, else close the log file and you can skip to "Bash Tags." BOSS recognizes over 8000 plugins but there are many more plugins available on the net.
>> note: If BOSS does not work (i.e., the log file does not open), go post about the problem in the BOSS thread on the gamesas forum. The BOSS LOG file is located in the Data folder if you need to double-check.
5. If you want to have your unrecognized plugins to the BOSS master list, you need to post them in BOSS's gamesas thread:
* Do not just past a bunch of unrecognized plugins in your post.
* Add links for each plugin to its mod page from wherever
* It is even better if you have some insight on where the mod should be placed in the masterlist
* It is even more helpful if you can give information on compatibility issues or Bash tag suggestions, if applicable

Excerpt from first post of current BOSS thread 04/03/2010
TROUBLESHOOTING:

Won't run: Using BOSS version under 1.51:
Update to version 1.51

Won't run: BOSS not extracted (unzipped) to ...\oblivion\data but a sub-folder or the Oblivion folder.

All BOSS files must share the same folder as your mods.

Check you have:

* BOSS.exe
* BOSS.bat
* masterlist.txt

in your ...\oblivion\data folder.

Won't change load order: OS is Vista and Oblivion is installed in Program Files.

Install Oblivion outside the Program Files folder where possible. Otherwise temporarily deactivate UAC.

Won't Change load order and generating a blank text file: OS is Windows 7:

Give group or users name: BATCH controls of the Oblivion folder


Won't change load order: Wrye Bash's load order locking feature is enabled.

Disable before changing load order.

A text box flashes up but disappears.

Run BOSS.bat not BOSS.exe

Tomlong-

My first post is about the use of installers period (yes slanted to BAIN, but still).

I kind of agree with both Ntom and Shikishima - either you accept that you have to use tools or you don't really want help.

No point in downplaying the point that to use many mods you will need all 5 of those tools. Ntom is correct in that.

BOSS download is very small and puts 4 files in the data folder. Run the Boss.bat from the data directory and it will sort your list in 10 seconds and GIVE you advice about anything missing. Do it by hand in OBMM is not practical UNLESS you know what esp should go where. 10 minutes to download BOSS and sort your order? Priceless!

This is your quickest abd best step. Export your order in OBMM if you want to go back to it.

Tomlong site is REALLY the way to go to get this from one place.

Wrye Bash? Two downloads, Wry bash and the one file installer for Python. 10 Minutes.

Why the tools? Would you rather walk 10 miles to work everyday or drive there? OK, don't answer that.

alright, first of, I have to thank you a lot! It may take some time, but I will manually go through the list and sort my mods according to this list. Thank you a lot for this.

Now, anyways, to save everyone (mostly myself) a lot of frustration, I will just get BOSS. First though, I am manually solving my current problem, but for later, future reference I will have BOSS on hand.

you could be the next Billy Mays.

Well, if it comes down to it, Having to need all 5 programs I will either A) just not use the mods that make me have to use all 5 programs (I'm going to say 6 since there is Python) or B ) just not play anymore, I went nearly a year without the game and didn't die or get a sickness from lack of...so I think I'd be fine without. Besides, I have other games on my comp or fun and less aggrivating.

I hear you brother. Modded oblivion takes some work but if you are a lover of it, there is no other way than using the tools. But OH WHAT A GAME IT IS when you finally get it right. Completly different from the original.