I've been playing Oblivion on my computer for some time now, but I'm starting to think that power attacks are not working. Are they supposed to look any different than regular attacks? I have the requisite skill to perform both standing and side to side power attacks with blades, but holding in the button simply makes my characters swing repetitively. I can see no difference in the visuals, nor in the speed of the attacks. as far as I know, I have never achieved a disarm, either.

Thanks for your time.

Yeah, they are supposed to look different, you're getting a bug.