Oblivion Mod:Configuration and Management

This section on mod Configuration and Management is originally from TESCOSI, and covers a wide range of topics related to using mods, including Configuration, Optimization, Stabilization and Installation, catering to all experience levels. The primary purpose is to help users get comfortable with building and managing optimized and stable modified setups.

Intro to Oblivion and Mods

Introducing modified Oblivion...

• System Requirements — System requirements for Oblivion and recommended specs for modified Oblivion
• Installed Folders — An introduction to the directories created during Oblivion's installation
• Intro to Mods — An introduction to Oblivion mods
• Intro to Mod Conflicts — An introduction to the different types of mod conflicts
• Mod Management — A quick introduction to the common methods and tools used to manage mods
• Acronyms — Common acronyms related to Oblivion and their meanings
• Hardware Analysis — Information about Oblivion with respect to consumer hardware (if you're thinking about upgrading...)
• Plugins — An introduction to plugins: types, dependencies, etc.

Guides

• Uninstalling Oblivion — A guide to help successfully and cleanly uninstall Oblivion
• Installing Oblivion — A guide to help successfully install Oblivion (Strongly recommended for users of Window 7 and Windows Vista)
• Reverting to Vanilla Oblivion — A guide for reverting the modified game to the out-of-the box state
• Complete Installation Guide — A complete guide to setting up modified Oblivion

Programs and Utilities

Programs and utilities to use with Modified Oblivion

• Programs and Utilities — List of commonly used programs and utilities with links to locations at which they can be downloaded
• BOSS Userlist Manager — a.k.a BUM, BOMM's successor, a companion to BOSS for keeping track of personal edits to the BOSS masterlist
• Better Oblivion Sorting Software — a.k.a BOSS, "the" load ordering utility
• The Elder Scrolls Construction Set — The official TES plugin-designing tool
• LAA Patch — the Large Address-Aware patch, a patch for allowing Oblivion to use more than 1.8GB of RAM
• Oblivion Mod Manager — a.k.a OBMM, the most widely used mod management tool
• Oblivion Script Extender — a.k.a OBSE, a modder's resource extending Oblivion's scripting functionality
• Python File Format Interface — a utility for optimizing meshes, usually referred to as PyFFI
• TES4Edit — a tool for editing, comparing and browsing plugin records
• TES4Gecko — a tool for doing various sorts of plugin edits
• Wrye Bash — the most versatile utility available for managing both mods and saved game profiles

Guides

• Importing and Exporting a Character Face — A character modification guide (*requires TES4Edit*)
• Adding Ren's Hairs to the Drow Races — An example of adding custom hairs to a custom race (*requires TES4Edit*)
• Creating an Override Patch for an Existing NPC Face — An example of creating a patch to override a vanilla record via a Bashed Patfch import (*requires TES4Edit and Wrye Bash*)
• BAIN Tutorials — This a collection of screenshot-aided tutorials about how to setup and use BAIN.
• Preparing for Mods — This guides steps through the setup of this site's most recommended mod management utilities

Mod Downloads

Where and how to download mods

• Mod Package Contents — A look at the structure of downloaded packages and installed mods.
• Types of Mods — An overview of the different types of mods available for download and how their contents and changes compare.
• Where and How to Find Mods — Introduction to well-known mod information and mod upload sites.
• Online ReadMes — Links to ReadMes for various mods
• Official and Unofficial Oblivion Patches — A listing

Guides

• Choosing from Multiple Downloads — Tips for choosing the best option of multiple downloads for a mod given your installation preferences.
• Searching TESNexus — A guide to taking advantage of the search options available at TESNexus.

Mod Installation

The ins and outs of adding mods to an Oblivion setup

• Mod Installation — Introduction to the process of installing mods
• Mod Settings Configuration — A common step required after installing a mod's files to the Data folder
• Common Installation Errors — Common errors made during the installation of various popular mods
• BSAs and Archive Invalidation — Special installation concerns with regards to BSA files
• BAIN Installation — How to install mods with Bash's automated mod installer
• Manual Installation — How to install mods manually
• OMOD Installation — How to install mods via OBMM
• BCF and OMOD Info Downloads — BAIN Conversion Files and OMOD Info for various mods mentioned around the site
• OMOD Scripts and Script Templates — Scripts for various mods and script templates to help users create their own OMOD scripts

Guides

• A General Order for Installing Mods — A guide to expedite the process of figuring out when to install what, with lots of mods
• A Graphics Overhauling Guide — A guide to help with beautifying the game
• Example BAIN-Friendly Repackages — Example conversions of various mods
• FCOM Installation Guide — A comprehensive installation guide for FCOM.
• MMM+OOO Installation Guide — A comprehensive installation guide for the compound overhaul MMM+OOO.
• OOO Installation Guide — A comprehensive installation guide for Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul.

Post-Installation Management

• After Changing a Modified Setup — Steps to take prior to launching Oblivion after modifying a modified setup.
• Load Order — Introduces plugin load order and the additional plugin states afforded by Wrye Bash's features.

Guides

• Bashed Patch — A guide to the configuration categories of Bash's magic patch
• How to Post Your Load Order — With and without utilities
• Wrye Bash's Plugin Status Indicators — A quick reference for the Bash File view's color-coded indicators

Running Oblivion

Tips for running Oblivion (with mods installed)

• Running Oblivion — Launching the game and in-game considerations
• A List of Playing Aides — These are helpful mods and resources to use during gameplay
• Console Commands — What are console commands? What are some useful examples?

Guides

• Before Running Checklist — This small list of pre-run steps can help boost performance and stability significantly
• First Run Guide — A recommended set of steps to take before running a new modified setup the first time
• Updating Saves — How to update and repair saves when after changing a modified setup

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting facts, tips and resources

• Troubleshooting — Facts users should know, newbie recommendations, intro to troubleshooting guide
• Technical Support Library — a.k.a the "PCS Library", a collection of crashes, problems and solutions
• Problem Indicators — A "more concise" version of the PCS Library
• A List of Troubleshooting Aides — A list of mods and utilities to aid in troubleshooting during gameplay

Stabilization and Optimization

How to stabilize and optimize Oblivion (with and without mods)

• Oblivion.ini — Oblivion's configuration file
• Stabilization and Optimization — Tips and resources
• Stabilization and Optimization Mods — These mods fix Vanilla bugs, help with memory management, etc.
• Popular Outdated Mods — Do NOT use these!! Upgrade to a new version (or variant) or use an alternative.

Guides

• How to Regenerate the Oblivion.ini — Steps and considerations for regenerating the game's configuration file
• BSA Repacking — Steps, tools and considerations for repacking BSA files
• Basic Plugin Cleaning — Quick steps to clean a plugin
• Plugin Merging — A guide to help reduce your plugin count
• Merging Ren's Beauty Pack and Robert's Male Body — A plugin merging example (*requires TES4Edit*)

File Manipulation

• Downloading and Extracting Files — How to download and extract files with common browsers and archivers
• File Extensions — A list of file extensions

Input and Input Devices

• DirectX KeyMap — A table of the directX key codes

Utilities

• Large Address Aware Patch — Information about the LAA patch that allows 32-bit executable to use more than 2GB of memory.