I have this funny feeling someone will say this has been asked already, but I tried searching for it and didn't find anything, so if I did miss something I apologize.

I was wondering though if you could install Oblivion in 2 separate locations so you could run a perfect Vanilla version OR a heavily modded one that probobly replaces alot of Vanilla files.
Assume there is enough HDD space to do so, and multiple HDDs if needed.

The only reason I could think of for no would be that both versions would keep the same folder for saved files and such. I think.

And I think this would go in the Mods section since it's more mod related than anything else >.>

You can use multiple profiles to do that.

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?app=forums&module=forums§ion=findpost&pid=15910691 <-- ignore the thread's name

You can't have 2 installs. Multiple profiles work for plugins, but not for texture replacers and the like. But nothing stops you from archiving your vanilla install for later use. For example, you install the game, and whatever patches / DLCs you consider to be the vanilla experience. Archive the Oblivion folder with 7z to Vanilla.7z. Then mod the game however you want. Later, if you want to bring back the vanilla game for whatever reason, you rename your game folder to something else, and unpack your archive. Should work, in theory.

I seem to always be very tired when I answer this question. If I was not clear enough in that thread, try this post: http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1087608-the-black-plague-of-tamriel/page__view__findpost__p__15897379. You can manually implement save profiles by using the save path line in the Oblivion.ini too.

Alright I checked the links, thanks but I really don't run many mods atm so I can just manually uncheck them all.
What I am interested in now is the save path line...

Does anyone know what would actually happen in this scenario?
Vanilla install C:/ProgramFiles/Bethseda/Oblivion (With save path set to C:/MyDocuments/MyGames/Oblivion)
Mod install E:/ProgramFiles/Bethseda/Oblivion (With save path set to E:/MyDocuments/MyGames/Oblivion)

I kinda switched into hypothetical mode sorry lol. Because the only issues are the texture replacers (for me). I could try backing up the vanilla install and switching like manymoose said but that seems like a rather large bit of work...

My other option I suppose would be to boot into my other OS and have one install there and the other in my main OS... but I don't know if there would still be any issues.

Oblivion ran without registry entries for me... had to add them to use TES4Edit, but it would seem to imply that if you just copy Oblivion\ to Oblivion2\ it should run; if not, removing the registry entries might fix it (but break TES4Edit, if you use that). They'll share the same Oblivion.ini and save games (multiple user profiles gets around this, as described above) but will have different Data\ folders so you can switch your mods around. Worth a try, at the very least!

Oh! may i ask here about similar situation to not open new thread? I ran Oblivion on Win7 without registry entries too. And i added this in my registry


But TES4Edit still says: "Could not open registry key: \SOFTWARE\Bethesda Softworks\Oblivion\"
Is there something i missed?

http://www.tesnexus.com/articles/article.php?id=285

Two valid installs of Oblivion, one modded one not, uses a batch file to switch back and forth.

The batch file just renames two full copies of the game, and in the end, that's all you need to do.

Install the game, and copy the directory. Copy the directory under your documents folder also.

When you want to switch just rename the directories.

There are registry entries, but they're just for system paths and stuff. Everything the game needs is in the Oblivion directory.

Haha, yeah, I ran into the same issue a few weeks ago when I jumped from XP 64 to Win7. The 64-bit version runs 32-bit apps in virtualization, with their own isolated registry. Go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\

...and create your Bethesda Softworks\ and child keys there.

If you are computer savvy, you may try what I did:

Partition your hard drives and install multiple copies of Windows OS (e.g. dual boot).

I have 3 partitions:
Windows 7 64 bit - gaming only
Windows XP 32 bit - Gaming non-Oblivion
Windows XP 32 bit - Internet browsing

This way just reboot, choose what system you want. Everything is independent.

We'll I have a dual boot running already actually lol

Win 7 64 - Main
Win 7 64 - Backup (in case of a virus or what not)
Win Vista 64 - For those games I haven't moved over to Win 7 xD

So yeah, I suppose I could just do things that way. But would I be able to install both versions on the same partition in diff folders? I try to keep all my programs on my TB drive incase I have to wipe an OS drive for some reason...

Yes.

I would probably stay away from that. In the older days before dual boot I just kept copies of the Bathesda Softworks and My games folder that went with a config on another drive. Then I would copy back and forth between the configs. Took 10 minutes to switch but it was sweet.

AAA!!!11 Thanks, man! :bowdown:

Ok I haven't figured out how to get the quotes to work BUT
@ Showler: How did I miss your post?! That is exactly what I was looking for thank you ^.^
Even if all it does is rename things >.> I'll try it out later this week and post the results incase anyone else gets curious about this