New To Oblivion Mods

[gezzaq]

Hey All,

I know this topic has been covered extensively over the years so my apologies to ask again...Just some background, I have been a console gamer for many, many years, and have only now started on PC games. Long time fan of Oblivion and decided to try on my laptop. Downloaded Oblivion GOTY edition and its crashes in Kvatch. I have downloaded OBMM and installed correctly, I have added OBSE and the Unofficial Oblivion patch correctly as far as i can tell and the game crashes on startup, I have seen numerous fixes but I am VERY green when it comes to mods and programming overall... IS there a simple and straightforward way I can fix the above problem?

Thank you all so much for you help!!

[WhateverWorks]

Go to My Documents>My Games>Oblivion and delete all of the text files (or backup your save and delete the entire folder, this would be better imo). They are setting files, and they sometimes get corrupted when you're installing and uninstalling some mods. The game will automatically remake them when it boots next time, but bad .ini files cause crashes on startup. Also, make sure you learn about archive invalidation. It is also an important part of Oblivion modding, OBMM has the feature built into it but you still have to use it. It doesn't do it automatically unless you set it up to upon exit.

Oblivion modding is actually very simple and straightforward, but there's a learning curve to it. I use about 60-70 mods, including some very large ones (my Oblivion file is 35gb). My game almost never crashes, and I don't experience bugs. But it took a LOT of trial and error to get to that point.

If you're using mods besides the unofficial patch, or trying to, you'll need to say so to get proper help. No shame in it if you're trying to get Exnems or HGEC working, but those details are relevant if you're having issues.

[gezzaq]

Hi Whateverworks!

Thanks so much for your quick reply, Ive downloaded the steam version so its not in the My games folder, can i use the properties tab in steam and go into browse local files and see the txt files in there? I know when i get the hang of all this it will be fine but at the moment i just want to throw the laptop out the window! LOL.

Thanks again mate!

[gezzaq]

Just for your info Im using the Unofficial Oblivion Patch from Nexus, and OBSE from Nexus, and Oblivion Mod Manager from Nexus too.

Cheers

[WhateverWorks]

What version you use is irrelevant. EVERY version of Oblivion stores its .ini files in My Documents. Under My Games. The game itself can be installed wherever, but regardless of where the game installs it still puts your .ini/settings files in My Documents. And those files can cause crashes on launch when they get bugged from mods (in my experience only when archive invalidation isn't done but that's just me), they can be safely deleted as they will be remade the next time you launch the game.

[gezzaq]

Thanks for explaining the really simple things whateverworks, I have lots to learn, I deleted the files and backed up my saves but the issue is still there... when i added the mods I followed a youtube tutorial and I did the archive invalidation step, i meant to mention that in a previous post. Just to let you know the sequence again

Downloaded OBMM extracted and created:

I then added UOP. then I added OBSE,

If its of any value, this is the youtube i watched:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmELLYYGfu8&t=335s

Thanks again Whateverworks!

[BigRowdy]

Took me a whole summer because I knew nothing about modding..but in the end I made a lively world I love to be in.

I might ADD this was like 13 years ago and there was little help that was easily understood.

[gezzaq]

Thanks BigRowdy, Ive treid another method I found online in a text format, copied and pasted UOP into data folder, and copied and pasted OBSE into Oblivion folder, adjusted the load order in OBMM to the suggested order, ticked boxes and made sure ive done the archive invalidation step, it now loads up to the main menu but crashes when i select "Continue from last saved game"

Ive scoured thru online forums and I must say Ive learnt a lot in the last 48 hours...!! I just want to play this bloody game!!!

Is there a step Ive missed?

Thanks all for help and education on this issue

Gez

[gezzaq]

One other question, Im already about 2 odd hours into the game, Do I need to start a new game since Ive now modded Oblivion? Or can i continue existing game... Thought this might be the issue possibly!!

Cheers

[BigRowdy]

When you add mods you need to start a new game because mechanics have changed and the old save will conflict.

[WhateverWorks]

No, you can play previous saves. That doesn't matter. But you NEED to reset your .ini files and do archive invalidation if you're going to. I have kept the same saves going for YEARS while regularly changing my mod setup.

[BigRowdy]

I dont know what mods you have selected but installing with OBMM is really easy. Just download the OMOD form of the mods you want openn OBMM open your downloads and drag each mod into OBMM. (note not all mods have an OMMOD but every mod has an installation guide either in its description on nexus or in a text in the 7zip.)

Get 7zip if you dont have it winrar sucks.

[WhateverWorks]

You can also use OBMM to create omods from regular zip and rar files you download on the nexus. Though sometimes you might have to extract and re-archive them with the correct file pathing.

[BigRowdy]

Originally posted by WhateverWorks:

No, you can play previous saves. That doesn't matter. But you NEED to reset your .ini files and do archive invalidation. I have kept the same saves going for YEARS while regularly changing my mod setup.

I would go with this guy. I however made all my changes years ago. If I add or remove a mod I just usually let wrye bash handle it.

But I Think Whateverworks is way better at modding than me, so take his advice over mine.

[WhateverWorks]

It's worth mentioning that SOME mods will break your save if you remove them and load the save. But the UOP is not one of those mods, and those mods are very much in the minority. You can make an OOO save, play for 20+ hours, remove OOO and still play the save. You'll just lose any items or spells you had through the mod. Also cosmetic mods like Roberts males and HGEC will 100% break your save if you don't install them correctly or don't use archive invalidation after installing each cosmetic mod.

[gezzaq]

Ok guys thanks!

Since i manually added the files into the Oblivion data file for UOP, and manually added the OBSE files into the main Oblivion directory, when i open OBMM it just has the esm and esp directories under "mode" and nothing in the RH box, all of the list is ticked and archive invalidation has been done on all lines. Ive deleted the ini files each time before launching.... Is there any sort of diagnostic or mod that can be used to see why the crash happens when i go to load a game or start a new one? Or does anyoe know of a Tech person that i can pay to remotely access my pc and get a fix??
thanks again for your help and patience guys!!!