Adventurers and elsewise:

I picked up the 5th Anniversary Oblivion Steelbook (domestic North American version, if it's relevant) amongst a mess of clearance items at a local big box store for $10 a little over a month ago (mid-January). I haven't installed it as of yet, which is what's prompted me to inquire about a technical detail that I hope will not be too much of a groaner.

I'd like to keep the Steeler in as good condition as possible (so much stuff in there, the map & manual and everything; it's a business to get the darned thing closed without intentionally slipping on the plastic cover to do it! ) and would prefer not to have to open it and yank out the proper play DVD each time I play the game, once it's installed. I do the same basic thing when I buy a game whose install/play discs come in paper sleeves or in a DVD slimcase (say, like Dawn of War or F.E.A.R. or pretty much any Command & Conquer that I can think of that EA's put out), and that's taking the necessary play disc and plopping it in a slim jewel optical case, to be used as the 'play workhorse container', and the actual packaging stays on my software library shelf (along with any install discs not necessarily needed for playing that particular game). This is for me even more important, seeing as IMHO the Steelbook is really nice looking and the map I definitely want to protect as best as possible (ideally by keeping it in the Steelbook case).

My question, barring any longer a message, is thus: when fully installed, what of the two DVD-Roms (I know the 3rd disc is a video DVD) used in installation of the 5th Anniversary Edition are needed afterwards for playing the game once properly installed?

Thanks for listening!

-Boe.

Disc 1

For future reference, it's almost always disc 1 for games unless you're specifically prompted. The other discs almost always contain only resources or the programs to add an expansion or something.

The only disk needed after install is the Oblivion one (disk 1) as this has the disk check for the game on it and it is only accessed once during startup -- That said If you want to keep your disk in pristine condition make a backup copy of disk 1 using any DVD copy program -- THe game will launch fine with a backup copy that you make and this is completely legal according to Bethesda's EULA they allow you to make a backup copy of the disk ( though they do not allow you to use a digital copy by using an emulation program - it must be a physical backup if you want to stay within the EULA )

That way you make the backup and use it when playing and keep your originals pristine inside their box -- If the copy ever goes bad (gets scratched etc.) destroy it and make a new backup to use from the originals. Doing this reduces the chance of your original getting scratched by leaving it in the dvd drive.

Death's Soul, JDFan, good afternoon!

Thanks for giving me a yell so quickly. I had a feeling it was Disc 1 (the main install disc) that Oblivion required.... I still remember the days of the single CD-Rom for the disc check. I think I started into regular gaming with Diablo, the first Starcraft and the Westwood C&Cs, as I still have my old install disc & boxes, but I haven't played any of them in while.

The main reasons I wanted to ask about which one was necessary for regular play were my aforementioned desire to keep the Steelbook and extras within in good shape, and that I'd never played or owned Oblivion prior to getting my copy of the 5th Anniversary version. (I recall that Diablo 2, depending on which type of install and whether or not the expansion was installed, used different play discs.)

Thanks for filling me in on the details I requested, in any case! Looking forward to giving TES IV a go this afternoon, now that I've got my info straight.

-Boe.