Mods Not Working [Oblivion using default data files instead of requested]

[swashberry]

I'm sure you've heard this whole song and dance before, but I'm having a problem getting a straight answer and frankly I'm sick and tired of Google, Nexus, and everyone else avoiding the question.

I'm running Steam under Windows 8.1 and I finally got Oblivion working. Everything's fine. The game looks gorgeous, runs beautifully. Only problem is that the body replacers and other mods I downloaded aren't loading. I have them selected in Data Files, all of the data files are in place (I've done this a million times, trust me) and yet the mods are being ignored.

Now, someone suggested using Oblivion Mod Manager, but all that does is give me a menu and a convenient installer. I'm not sure how this is supposed to help, so if anyone can give me a quick how-to that would be fantastic. Otherwise, general advice is welcome. Thank you all for being patient with me.

[BarbarianHeart]

Are you sure you made an x-mark next to the name of the mod under the data files tab of the start-up game menu? Also it is important to make sure you have the correct game patches and any other mods that the mod you are trying to use depends on. If you are getting your mods from Oblivion Nexus (the only place I get my mods from) it should tell you in the mod description what you need in order to have the mod work.

The Nexus also has lots of articles and tutorials all about how to install and even make your own mods. Just browse the web site.

I use Wrye Bash to install my mods (it has a special folder where you can drop in the zip files. That way, if a mod doesn't work out you can uninstall the whole thing with one click instead of hunting down the individual files in your game data), and Nexus Mod Manager to adjust the load order (because it is way simpler to do it there instead of with Wrye Bash). Wrye bash also gives you a "bashed patch" file that lets you merge different leveled lists from different mods.

Better Oblivion Sorting Software (BOSS) can help you with load order issues for popular mods, but it will often not have data for newer mods or not as popular mods so you will still have to figure out the best load order for them by trial and error (BOSS will tell you what mods it has no data for when you run the program).

I can go on and on about using mods with Oblivion, so I hope I am not confusing you. I have been playing since before the game was on Steam. I still have the origional game disks, but I bought the game from Steam because it was an easy way to get all of the DLCs.

If none of my post is helpful or you have more questions just post here and I will try to help you. :)

[swashberry]

Originally posted by BarbarianHeart:

Are you sure you made an x-mark next to the name of the mod under the data files tab of the start-up game menu? Also it is important to make sure you have the correct game patches and any other mods that the mod you are trying to use depends on. If you are getting your mods from Oblivion Nexus (the only place I get my mods from) it should tell you in the mod description what you need in order to have the mod work.

I've used the same mods for a very long time. I've installed and re-installed them about a dozen times each. This problem is, thus far, unique to the Steam version of Oblivion.

The mods in question are Robert's body replacers and Slof's horses. All they really do is replace meshes, so they're not super complicated. I also make a habit of backing up my Data (Files) folder into a compressed file before installing foreign mods. It's my own version of "not having to hunt down individual files."

I previously heard that the problem might be the Program Files folder on my computer. Apparently Windows doesn't like even like programs run as admin messing with that, so I moved my Steam installation into another folder. No change.

The only symptom of the problem is the mods not activating, so I'm sorry if I can't be super helpful :-| I'd like to go through the game a bit so I can observe if any of the official DLCs that came with my copy of the game are working properly.

[swashberry]

Quick update: I've just discovered that my expansion packs are still active even though I disabled them in Data Files, which means not only are my mods not activating, but the game is simply using the default data files settings no matter what I tell it to do :-| I'm not sure if that makes diagnosing the problem any easier, but I'm getting pretty annoyed because I feel like the game is failing at something basic.

[BarbarianHeart]

I, too, am using the Steam version of Oblivion while running 248 mods (including Robert's bodies and Slof's horses), all from Oblivion Nexus and all of the expansion packs (Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine, Battlehorn Castle, Frostcrag Wizard's Tower, Vile Lair, Thieve's Den, Horse armor, Spell Tomes, Mehrune's Razor, The Orrery).

So, it is very puzzling to me why you can't get your mods to work. How did you disable the DLCs in the data files? Are you talking about the data menu you get when you first start the game?

[swashberry]

Originally posted by BarbarianHeart:

I, too, am using the Steam version of Oblivion while running 248 mods (including Robert's bodies and Slof's horses), all from Oblivion Nexus and all of the expansion packs (Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine, Battlehorn Castle, Frostcrag Wizard's Tower, Vile Lair, Thieve's Den, Horse armor, Spell Tomes, Mehrune's Razor, The Orrery).

So, it is very puzzling to me why you can't get your mods to work. How did you disable the DLCs in the data files? Are you talking about the data menu you get when you first start the game?

Yes, I open the game, the launcher comes up, I open the Data Files menu, and I uncheck all of the mods/expansions I don't want, in this case leaving only Oblivion and my texture replacers active.

[BarbarianHeart]

There is someone calling themselves ferretlaw who seems to be having the same problems that you are. I am trying to wade through the post; there were others posting and trying to help this person (but it is getting kind of late in the evening for me here. Hope I can stay awake lol).

[BarbarianHeart]

Hmmm... they said at the other post to not have the Oblivion master file activated, but mine is and everything I have installed is showing up in my game. :P Mysteries upon mysteries.

[BarbarianHeart]

Ok, ferretlaw didn't have the mods installed correctly it seems. Wrye Bash is a really scary-looking piece of software which has been abandoned by it's creator, but until somebody comes up with something better it really is the best way to install mods.

I don't use Bain (never figured out how to work the sucker). After you install Wrye Bash (and do get the stand-alone version) there will be a folder that appears called Oblivion mods wherever you have your steam games installed. When you open the folder you will see 2 folders, one called Bash Installers. To install mods, drop the zip files containing the mods into the Bash Installers folder. Then open Wrye Bash and click on the Installers tab. If the files in the zip file are packaged correctly you will see the file name in bold type (if the type is faint, it means the file can't be read and you need to repackage the zip. 7 zip is free software that lets you manage zip files). Some files with alternative choices, like the Robert's body mod with it's underwear and nude versions, will need to be repackaged in a zip file that you make yourself unless the default version of the mod is the one you want. To install the mod, right click on the file icon for it to open the menu and choose install. All of the files in the zip folder should appear on the right. This means that the mod is installed. Next, click on the Wrye Bash mods tab and checkmark all of the mods you want to run to activate them. All of the mods should be in your game now. (This is how I do it). :)

[BarbarianHeart]

I need to go to bed. If you still have problems/questions I will check this discussion again tomorrow and try to help. :)

[urmom]

Have you tried rebooting your computer?

[nashbem]

Very, very late reply.. but for anyone having this problem, here goes.
Just had this problem myself after modding this game for so long, lmao. Turn Archive Invalidation on in NMM.

[Alkpaz]

Originally posted by nashbem:

Very, very late reply.. but for anyone having this problem, here goes.
Just had this problem myself after modding this game for so long, lmao. Turn Archive Invalidation on in NMM.

OBMM has that option as well (think under utilities), redirect BSAs.

[Repomeister]

What does turning "Archive Invalidation On" translate to if you are installing manually? I install manually. Yes, I respect your opinion about how wonderful the mod installers are and I understand if you can't/won't answer my question. WHAT does NMM's switch for archive invalidation actually DO? So if a person is stupid and clumsy like I am and chooses to manually install their mods, they can be sure to do this final step. Every now and then in a "README.TXT" file for a mod the author will add install instructions and mention editing the ArchiveInvalidation.txt file.

[Dingo Dash]

***SOLUTION***

Steam's Oblivion version sticks to .BSA mesh and texture files that are more recent than any replacer you'll find on the nexus. Change their datation to an older one using programs like this:

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/filedatech.html

Or this:

https://www.softpedia.com/get/System/File-Management/?utm_source=spd&utm_campaign=postdl_redir

All kudos goes to Striker879 on the NexusForums

Original topic:
https://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/449885-replacers-not-working/

[WickedRequiem]

Any advice/guide on how to use those programs for oblivion?