How do I install mods?

[Hexot]

Never done it, the questions in the title umm yeah, thanks.

[Ogre420]

Simplest answer... CKAN!

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/90246-the-comprehensive-kerbal-archive-network-ckan-package-manager-v1160-13-dec-2015/

CKAN will install and update mods for you

[NROL-32]

A better question is "Do you want viruses?"

[returntospace]

hmm ive spent a good part of 2 hours trying to get one mod to work, KAX, with firespitter and regardless where in GameData i place the files and module manager or if i use KCAN the parts just dont load, and module manager patches applied is always 0. ideas?

[Ogre420]

Module manager should be directly IN the Gamedata folder, the other stuff should have their own sub folders under the Gamedata folder.

You can do a CLEAN install of KSP (Delete and re-download from STEAM) and then let CKAN do the work. (Remember to MANUALLY delete the KSP folder before re-installing)

If that don't get you up and running then your having other issues then with the mod installation.

[returntospace]

hmmm ive tried both those things and niether worked. i can imagine CKAN didnt work since the version of KAX it mentioned it had only supported KSP 1.0.4 but im on 1.0.5. The curse version says it supports 1.0.5 though so i'm not sure why its not working

my gamedata directly http://imgur.com/fp6y947

[Ogre420]

CKAN shows Kerbal Aircraft eXpansion as available for istallation in 1.0.5 even though the mod says it's for 1.0.4

It's probably the mod maker forgetting to update ALL the places that are seeing the version number.

[returntospace]

ok: clean install and ckan yet still nothing http://imgur.com/hSywgFL

[Ogre420]

You installed module manager AND other mods?

And remembered to MANUALLY delete the KSP directory before re-installing?
(Sometimes junk gets left over from a STEAM install that could screw up future installs.)

If so then something screwy is going on.

[returntospace]

okay looks like i needed to have installed firespitter separately from the dependencies that ckan chose. the firespitter parts are showing but not kax

[Ogre420]

Are you in SANDBOX mode when looking for parts?

[returntospace]

yeah, starting a new game each time. I've got ckan working tho so gonna have a tinker with that

[Ogre420]

CKAN is the best mod installation assistance program I've found, in ALL the other mod installers I had to go through afterwards and check manually for instances of multiple module manager and other discrepancies after the install.

As the OP stated they have never done this before and CKAN causes fewer headaches for new modders.

[returntospace]

i've sorted this but turns out KAX wasnt really the mod for me. ty for your time and yeah i agree with @vaprak CKAN seems like a decent enough mod manager

[Ridiculous floating swan thing]

why has that guy not commented on his own post yet

[Supra_Oatser]

If you don't favor CKAN.
Take mod contents and place the mod folder (Gamedata > Mod File) inside KSP Gamedata folder.