I have a functional (i.e. pretty stable < 1 ctd/hr) install, includes full FCOM with associated mods, BC, UL, the big quest mods, QTP, etc etc, very close to the 255 esp/esm limit. Most mods have been converted to omod version and the build has been BOSS'd, Bashed and tested after every half dozen or so mods activated by OBMM, starting with the full FCOM install over only Bethesda content (SI, KotN and all dlcs). I have a twin 3.2 GHz (overclocked to 3.72), 6 GB of Ram, twin 1 GB graphics cards, physics co-processor - so the rig is fine (and I know that some of this is wasted with Oblivion) but I run Windows 7 (upgraded from the truly horrible Vista) and I have a D2D version of the game, since I 'lost' (meaning can't find) my Oblivion DVD during my last move. SI and KotN yes, MW and expansions, yes; OB, no.

Learned to my cost that obse does not work on a D2D version and there are several obse requiring mods I want to use (saved my last 20 esp slots for them). I am running Oblivion outside of Program Files to avoid those issues (thank you Microsoft). I have bought another dvd and wish to install that version on my PC so I can run obse and the mods that require it. I would very much prefer not going through the entire reintall again - particularly if I have to regenerate all those omods (and while I now like Wrye, I don't think that I am Bain ready). I understand that there may be work arounds for this and there are people on this board who will know the answer, if that knowledge is available. So, I have considered two options:

1. Install the dvd version - plus Bethesda content? - in a different path, then simply copy over my data folder from the D2D install, then install obse and activate the new mods in that version.

2. Back up the data folder (which I am likely to do anyway), then install the dvd version over the D2D version, copy back the data folder, etc.

So my questions are: will either of these work? If not, what might/will? What will I need to install & where? What do I need to backup and then, I hope, copy back?

Thanks for any help on this.

One of those methods might work, perhaps with a bit of other shuffling things around...

But I'll just add, in case it ever appeals to you in future, that using BAIN rather than OBMM for *at least* the vast majority of your mods means you don't have to worry about this kind of thing in any way, shape or form, ever again. It helps you out along the way, provides insurance of the best kind available...

All in all, it's well worth the tiny bit of extra effort that goes into setting up your BAIN packages in the first place.

Sorry, a bit of a sidetrack, I know. But, having recently discovered and adopted this installation process myself, I want to let others know, so they can also benefit, particularly with "FCOM++"-type setups.

Anyway, best of luck, whatever you decide.

If you've created OMODs for anything, the first thing you'll want to do is copy all your omods in the "\Oblivion\obmm\mods" directory to a safe location. Then, after you've installed the game and OBMM again you can drop those files back in that folder and re-activate any mods that need to be reinstalled.

After that, I'd copy the Data directory somewhere else (if you have the room), uninstall the game, clean out the existing folder, then reinstall again. Run the game at least once in vanilla mode to set up the registry, INI and save folders.

Copy your Data folder back in place....probably choose NOT to overwrite anything since it shouldn't be necessary...and then do some tests.

Before you uninstall, make a backup of your Oblivion.ini from "My Documents/My Games/Oblivion". The game will generate a new one for you, but you might want to do a comparison between the existing one and the new one.

Thanks showler, will take all that excellent advice. As for Bain, I'll consider it seriously if these approaches don't work - just have too much time invested in omod generation to just abandon them if there is an easy work around. If not, well that is always a good time for the next step up.