So after re-installing, patching, updating and version checking every mod I have four times over the last week I finally found what mod was causing a drop in framerate and eventually a corrupt save game bug (it was a companion mod for the record).

Now I'm too scared to add another mod. I'm afraid that if I add another mod I'll corrupt everything and I'll have to start over again from scratch. It's like I've constructed a gigantic house of cards and now I'm afraid to add another card because the whole thing might topple down and then I'd have to start over again.

It occurred to me that I could just back up my install directory. It's not like I don't have the hard drive space. But surely there's a better way to do this?

Has anybody tried something creative, like a version system (SVN or Subversion or something)?

Keep backups of your save games, and install everything via BAIN. That should do the trick in the future.

BAIN instead of OBMM? I'll give it a shot...

Yes, BAIN effectively provides a near-foolproof buffer against that fate, and others. The clarity and resulting sanity if offers cannot be overvalued, either.

The only mod I am aware of, where you need to manually muck about after installing then uninstalling it via BAIN, is the latest version of OBGE. Or perhaps it is only that plus OBGE Liquid Water.

In all other cases that I am aware of, installing and uninstalling is invariably logical and transparent.

Interesting. Everybody goes on and on about OBMM but I don't remember reading much mention of BAIN. Or maybe I'm just being oblivious as usual.

There's a pun to be had somewhere in that last sentence but I'm going to be the bigger man here and pass it up.

Oooh ... I thought the object of the game was just to keep adding mods until it all breaks, deleting them all and starting again, and never actually playing the game!

;)

I too have never tried BAIN so I guess I should check it out.

That happened to me thrice now, princess.

I'm considering learning how to use BAIN because the house of cards situation described by OP has been persistent over the years, usually after a really good long run.

I'm afraid of BAIN.

There. I said it.

I'm afraid of BASH and MASH. They're big and complicated and come with readmes that are larger than some books, and I don't understand most of it. The interface is full of boxes and isn't very friendly.

OBMM has been around forever and is just about installing mods, on the face of it (yes it does more, but the more doesn't every get in the way). You drag and you drop or you click 'create' and 'add archive' and that's it. You don't have to move things in directories or navigate menus or click this to do that and look at this submenu.

I broke my Oblivion install on Sunday by installing too many new mods at once. I deactivated the OMODS and activated them one by one running the game each time to check it still worked. Problem solved.

Has anyone written a BASH/MASH/BAIN For Dummies manual? I could convert it to eBook form if so, and maybe loose my fear of what I'm sure are lovely and helpful tools.

But they scare me.

The best guide out there (and it's linked and recommended in the Wrye Bash thread).

http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35230

Bash wants to be your friend, don't be afraid. :teehee:

That is the object of the game!

The secondary optional goal is to every three months or so post on the boards about how you've never finished the main quest and are finally building a mod list and new character with the express purpose of finishing the main quest at last!

The current flavor of such posts is to mention that this will be your final playthrough before Skyrim.

:)

Fear is the mind-killer.

It has a steeper learning curve, yes, but guaranteed that once you've overcome the initial shock, you'll never want to go back.

Well if you are also afraid of words and a few grammar mistakes then you may not like http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1084204-bain-mod-installation-projects/. it is just BAIN and not things like bashed patches.

There is a reason why these are so widely used - they work. Get them to work for you.

How would converting it to ebook help?