I have used companions for a long time to play Oblivion. I now use mainly CM Partners companions. Recently I have noticed a very strange glitch. When entering combat the companions I have used recently basically lose their heads - literally. The head disappears and is replaced by a space with a large pink fluorescent flame shape next to it. After combat, the head usually returns to normal after a while. The head is normal some of the time so I don't think there are head meshes missing. I do use a range of mods though and I have tried quite a few recently so some of those may be the problem. I am not sure how to copy my list of mods here with OBMM. Thanks for all suggestions.

http://sites.google.com/site/oblivionpoinfo/troubleshooting/postlo

Try using Refscope to check their inventory.

Almost sounds like there is an item in their inventory, set to the "head" or "hair" slot that is equipped during combat, and unequipped afterward.

Might be an interaction between a mod and some of the bashed patch options to make unplayable items playable.

It may also be a bound armor spell that is not finding the proper resources...

Oooh, good thought. The Daedric Helmet used in Bound Helmet spell is pointy enough to look like a flame if it's missing the texture and coming in that funny pink color.

I was just thinking that instead of an inventory item it could be a pre-combat spell that is being cast so that may be bound armor. However, why would bound daedric helmets not work properly for companions? I am pretty sure there is a normal helmet mesh and texture in my game because the Daedra use them. Do companions use different resources for bound armor? Thanks for the help.

No, and posting your load order would still be helpful...

Yah, I'm having difficulties posting my load order using OBMM. It does not come out right. I also don't use Wrye bash (shock, horror!). I should mention that I do use Exnem female body and some cosmetic mods including Cobl races.

What do you mean by "it does not come out right"? Post it here. We will figure it out somehow. Post it in "spoiler" tags if it is long.

Edit: It should just be a list.

Female body mods often include new female versions of armor. If it is a female companion that is losing her head, then it might be an issue with the armor replacer.

Use "Export" "View load order" to get your load order from OBMM.

My instructions have been wrong for so long...

Showler, both companions who suffered this problem were females.

I'll try to post my load order here. Hope it makes sense.

Oblivion.esm
Mart's Monster Mod.esm
Cobl Main.esm
piCore.esm
CM Partners.esm
BurningItemsMasterF.esm
Unofficial Oblivion Patch.esp
Mart's Monster Mod.esp
Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse Imperial Armor.esp
Mart's Monster Mod - Extra Wounding.esp
Mart's Monster Mod - Looting NPCs & Creatures.esp
Mart's Monster Mod - Slof Horses Complete.esp
Mart's Monster Mod - Knights.esp
Mart's Monster Mod - Shivering Isles.esp
Mart's Monster Mod - More Passive Wildlife.esp
Mart's Monster Mod - Dungeons of MMM.esp
Mart's Monster Mod - Farm Animals.esp
Mart's Monster Mod - Less Bone Loot.esp
Mart's Monster Mod - Less Reavers.esp
Mart's Monster Mod - Spawn Rates - Reduced.esp
Cobl Glue.esp
Cobl Si.esp
Cobl Races.esp
Cobl Races - Balanced.esp
DLCShiveringIsles.esp
DLCHorseArmor.esp
DLCSpellTomes.esp
DLCOrrery.esp
Knights.esp
phinix-waterfix.esp
No psychic guards v1.2.esp
PureImmersion.esp
piHealthVanilla.esp
spMerchant.esp
Adventurers_1.0.esp
Conan Swords - Atlantean Fur Scabbard.esp
SetsunaDummyTraining.esp
RealisticForceMedium.esp
More Magicka x3.esp
Auto Repair.esp
CM Partners.esp
CM Partners NPC.esp
Elves Of Lineage II.esp
X.Moon.Elf.esp
Creature Diversity.esp
!BurningItems 0.4.esp
ScriptIcon_Replacer.esp
EnchantmentRestore.esp
EnchantmentRestore_Wells.esp
bgMagicEV.esp
bgMagicEVStartspells.esp
bgMagicShaderLifeDetect.esp
bgMagicEVPaperChase.esp
bgMagicLightningbolt.esp
IC WF Lighthouse Fire.esp
Anvil_Dock.esp
Cheydinhal_Pines.esp
AmbientTownSounds.esp
MidasSpells.esp
JCapes!20.esp
CCR - Capucine.esp
Ren_Soya_KD's.esp
CNRP Brumav02.esp
AoC Armoury of Conan.esp
Apachii_Goddess_Store.esp
Slof's Oblivion Robe Trader.esp
No Glow Grass - Shorter.esp
Regional-Bounty-Decreasing-v1.2.esp
Adrenaline Fuelled Archery- Bow Sway.esp
Repair_Recharge.esp
Zira's Medieval Horse Clothes.esp
Fishing in Cyrodiil.esp
IWR-Windows.esp
IWR-Lights.esp
IWR-Shutters.esp
PTArtifacts.esp
Vampire Hunting - Order Of The Virtuous Blood.esp
Order of the Virtuous Blood Expanded v0.3.esp
WellDiver.esp
xulAncientRedwoods.esp
xulAncientYews.esp
xulArriusCreek.esp
xulAspenWood.esp
xulBlackwoodForest.esp
xulBrenaRiverRavine.esp
xulCheydinhalFalls.esp
xulChorrolHinterland.esp
xulCloudtopMountains.esp
xulColovianHighlands_EV.esp
XulEntiusGorge.esp
xulFallenleafEverglade.esp
xulImperialIsle.esp
xulBeachesOfCyrodiilLostCoast.esp
xulLushWoodlands.esp
xulPantherRiver.esp
xulRiverEthe.esp
xulStendarrValley.esp
xuldarkforest.esp
xulTheHeath.esp
xulPatch_AY_AC.esp

The load order does not include Omods such as Exnems.

http://sites.google.com/site/oblivionpoinfo/stabilization/outdatedmods http://sites.google.com/site/oblivionpoinfo/prep (link and install instruction toward the middle of the page.) It needs help...