HI,

I am a bit confused about extracting the mod zip folders and putting them in the data folder...

Sometimes the mod folder will have textures/meshes/sounds etc etc as well as a .esp file....Do I put the textures in the data file too? Should they be in the folder or take them out. There are already texture folders in the data file so I am a bit confused...It always gives me the overwrite option.

everything in the data folder, (meshes. textures. sounds, .esp/.esms. music)

Ok, but if I have a (eg) Staff Pack and it includes meshes etc do I leave them in the staff pack folder (unzipped) or take all the files and folders out and drop them in the data folder

Sorry - I am totally rubbish with PCs

Just extract it all into the Data folder as it is (the .esp/.esm, the textures/meshes/sounds folders, etc. etc.) and when asked to overwrite, select "yes". Its not actually overwriting the entire folder, its just adding in the new files.

XengYou is mostly correct, assuming that the mod in question uses traditional directory structuring. No all do. Thankfully, most readme/instruction text files will included detailed install instructions, especially if the mod uses odd packaging. Always read the readme.

Assuming you plan to keep doing manual installs for the short term, I recommend unpacking to a non-game folder, checking its contents, and only after all seems well copy it over to your data folder. (You can alter a mod's file structure from non-traditional to tradition so long as you know what you're doing.)

Better yet is to become familiar with one or both of the two premiere mod management utilities, OBMM (Oblivion Mod Manager) and Wrye Bash. Learning to use those will make installing and removing mods much easier. Wrye Bash is the more full-featured of the two, especially when it comes to conflict detection and solving. But both have their advantages and disadvantages. OBMM is the easier to grasp, and many mods come packaged as OMOD, or are at least OMOD-freindly. But many mods are BAIN (Wrye Bash) friendly too these days. And almost any mod can be converted to an OMOD or BAIN package.

The chiefest problem with installing mods manually is that when you need to remove them it becomes a nightmare. You have to know where everything it installed went and then go there and manually remove it. And if it replaced existing files you'll need to find those original files and copy 'em back. Both OMODs and BAIN make removal a snap, and BAIN largely solves original-file-restore issues.

-Decrepit-

Ok - cheers guys.

No problem.

In short, just follow the same format used in the Data folder. Texture files go into the Texture folder, mesh files go into the Mesh folder etc. Esp and esm files are just found loose in the main Data folder, as are BSA archives and sometimes some ini files. If a mod has a sub-folder inside one of the main folders, like Textures/My Mod, then copy the whole thing over.

This is kind of a guide-like post. I suggest taking your time, immersing yourself into the modified game. The sooner your prepare your setup, the smoother the experience will be.

Intro to Modified Oblivion - http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/index.php?page=intro_to_mods
A List of File Extensions - http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/index.php?page=list_of_file_extensions
Preparing for Mods - http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/index.php?page=preparing_for_mods <-- See the Wrye Bash page for updated Wrye Bash instructions. I will update this page soon, sorry
Wrye Bash - http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/index.php?page=wrye_bash
Downloading Mods - http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/index.php?page=downloading_mods
Multiple Downloads, Which Version to Choose - http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/index.php?page=multiple_downloads
Installing Mods - http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/index.php?page=installing_mods
OMOD Installation - http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/index.php?page=omod_installation
Finishing the Installation - http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/index.php?page=finishing_the_installation
>> Load Ordering - http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/index.php?page=load_order
>> BOSS - http://tesivpositive.animolious.com/index.php?page=boss

If you have any questions at all about information on the site or mod-usage in general, please ask. Also, use the RR section at the bottom of the page. Some of your questions may be answered on other pages, but I think I linked most of the relevant pages here.