How do I unpack BSA archives?

[spiric0m]

I was playing this game alot long time ago, it was a non-steam version. I had no problem with installing mods on it. Meanwhile over there I noticed that some folders are missing. They are inside these BSA's, right? How do I extract them properly? Or I shouldn't even bother and this version of the game will give load errors anyway?

[Nephilim]

You could use this:

http://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/12189

You shouldn't need to unpack any bsa files just to play the game or use mods. I've never had to. Maybe if you were modding the game in some cases you might want to do that.

Do you get load errors when loading a savegame or when loading a mod in the construction set? If you get it when loading a savegame it is probably because the save relies on a mod that no longer exists. If you get errors loading a mod in the CS you can ignore them usually. You always get errors when loading mods in the CS.

[spiric0m]

Thanks, I'll try this out.

[EgoMaster]

If you're talking about an error like "this mod was created with an earlier version of BSA files", you have to choices:

- First, use Morrowind Code Patch to improve stability and change BSA file dates to original.
- Install mods.
- Then install Wrye Mash
- Note the names of the mods that give "this mod was saved with an earlier version" error.
- Open mod in Wrye Mash, find the option to update with current version of BSA files and viola!

OR

- Use Morrowind Code Patch to improve stability and change BSA file dates to original.
- Edit morrowind.ini and allow "yes to all".
- When errors start to show up, ignore all of them with a single click. This has no known disadvantages, since the error is simply trivial, probably aimed at developers. The game, and the mod will run anyway.

If you're receiving an error because the mod uses a custom BSA file and and the game can't find it, then use a small program called BSAreg to automatically register it to morrowind.ini.

If you're receiving a different error, then extracting BSA files will do nothing more than increasing load times. Try installing the mod again or make sure the files are in the right place.

If you still want to extract BSA files, there should be a utility called BSA unpacker, but I don't know where to find it, since I never needed it. Try Google or the Nexus.