dragon wench, can you help?

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 1:10 pm

I used to have a couple of mods recommended by you, for faces and hair, but I lost 'em when I had to uninstall the game because the comp bust. I know there are a lot of mods out there, but the ones you suggested were good, and I trust your judgement, so I wonder if you could post links for me to the most appropriate ones?
If it helps, I have version 1.2.0201, I have Windows XP, NVidia GeForce 6800 LE.
I know I'm being a pain in the ass, but I'm not exactly computer literate, and at my age I don't feel I could face learning....

fable · Post by **fable** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 1:43 pm

You don't remember the mod names, I take it? And the names aren't in the sticky mod thread, with recommendations by some of us? Because that's the first place I'd suggest looking.

Otherwise, if you can provide some ideas about the names, I'll try to help with suggestions.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 2:58 pm

Oh dear...
I'm in the beginnings of a re-install myself, and having had my own computer crash, I can't recall precisely which I might have recommended...

But:
You might try the cosmetic mods listed on [url="http://amito.freehostia.com/Oblivion/OB-mods-Part2.htm"]this page.[/url] This is where I get a lot of my recommendations from, Arwen's page is one I trust implicitly.

I notice that one link there, TNR, doesn't work.. If you have trouble finding another download site, let me know and I'll email mine to you if you like.
(the only other download for that I've seen for TNR comes in an OMOD format.. which I find a pain to use, my versions are the standard manual install type of mod)

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 3:37 pm

Thanks, dragon wench!

I'll take a look there! You are an angel. Anything you trust is good enough for me.

No, Fable, I haven't a clue! But thanks anyway - I appreciate your kindness.

fable · Post by **fable** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 3:55 pm

Eh, TNR is what I use, as well, in any case. Think I may have got the recommendation from the same page.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 3:56 pm

You're welcome

One thing I forgot to mention (I'm multitasking and have several Oblivion mods downloading as I write

):

Make sure you take a look at: Arwens Oblivion MODs Load Order

Load order is very important...

fable · Post by **fable** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 4:31 pm

For load order, I recommend Wrye Bash. It's not the easiest tool to get the hang of, but it really does ferret out such problems as patches loaded before mods, and mods missing parent mods.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 4:54 pm

Or, if you don't want to go through installing [url="http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionUtilities.Detail&id=44"]Python[/url] (Wrye Bash requires it) you could also try using [url="http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2097"]Oblivion Mod Manager[/url] instead. However OMOD does need .NET 2.0, it's easy to install, but bear this in mind.

fable · Post by **fable** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 5:02 pm

Python's installation has been simplified nowadays, and pretty much handles all the details itself, as does Wrye's own installation. It's detailed here. A lot less traumatic than I first installed it years ago.

OBMM is a fine tool, and I'd never denigrate it, but it doesn't do one-tenth what Wrye does. It's best used in my (admitted limited) experience to convert/create OMODs. Still, I'm willing to be educated.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 5:12 pm

fable wrote:Python's installation has been simplified nowadays, and pretty much handles all the details itself, as does Wrye's own installation. It's detailed here. A lot less traumatic than I first installed it years ago.

OBMM is a fine tool, and I'd never denigrate it, but it doesn't do one-tenth what Wrye does. It's best used in my (admitted limited) experience to convert/create OMODs. Still, I'm willing to be educated.

True... I don't recall Wrye making me cry when I last installed it, unlike previous attempts..

I actually use OBMM for load order if I don't want to use Wrye for whatever reason.. I have yet to figure out its OMOD function...

fable · Post by **fable** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 5:37 pm

dragon wench wrote:I actually use OBMM for load order if I don't want to use Wrye for whatever reason.. I have yet to figure out its OMOD function...

The nice thing about OMODs...? Some of the more complex mods actually run scripts when you install them as OMODs that let you configure them for specific in-game needs. I was able to choose the Dark DarNIfied font this way, as well as a few other options.

OMODs also let you add a select number (I'm not sure how many) mods than you can normally run and hit the limit. Because neither you nor I would ever do that, would we?

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 6:13 pm

fable wrote:The nice thing about OMODs...? Some of the more complex mods actually run scripts when you install them as OMODs that let you configure them for specific in-game needs. I was able to choose the Dark DarNIfied font this way, as well as a few other options.

OMODs also let you add a select number (I'm not sure how many) mods than you can normally run and hit the limit. Because neither you nor I would ever do that, would we?

Heh!

Yeah... I keep hearing great things about OMODs... I just have to sit down and determine how I can actually use them. Still... I've more or less gotten my head around Wrye Bash, so with patience I can probably do this too

To be honest, this time around I'm actually aiming for a *relatively* small number of mods (see my Unique Landscape thread) with a high impact.. I'm hoping to create an interesting game experience that won't crash or become unplayable. We'll see..

Eh... but so as not to thread highjack.. Fljotsdale, if you have any questions or encounter any problems with your install.. do post, and we'll help you out

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:42 am

Um... the Mods I had before didn't need all that... it looks too complicated for my tiny confused old brain...

But I appreciate the advice... honest...! :speech:

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 12:34 pm

Fljotsdale wrote:Um... the Mods I had before didn't need all that... it looks too complicated for my tiny confused old brain... But I appreciate the advice... honest...! :speech:

Heh!

In that case don't worry about it then. If you aren't adding huge numbers of mods you'll probably be fine anyway

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:23 am

Um. Well. I got the Natural Faces download ok, but Windows says it can't do anything with it. I had a look at Wrye Bash and shuddered. And I've looked at a few other places Windows found and they don't seem any better. I'm feeling very:-

:speech:

It was much easier with the ones I had before... I think I'll just give up and crawl away... NOT the way of the Hero, I know...

fable · Post by **fable** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:53 am

Fljotsdale wrote:Um. Well. I got the Natural Faces download ok, but Windows says it can't do anything with it.

What does Windows exactly say?

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:17 am

Fljotsdale wrote:Um. Well. I got the Natural Faces download ok, but Windows says it can't do anything with it. I had a look at Wrye Bash and shuddered. And I've looked at a few other places Windows found and they don't seem any better. I'm feeling very:- :speech:
It was much easier with the ones I had before... I think I'll just give up and crawl away... NOT the way of the Hero, I know...

lol!

I sympathise... Wrye Bash can be very painful at first, it has taken me months to work through its intricacies and I'm still only about 50% of the way there

Anyway, I'm wondering if it's simply that you don't have the unzipping program required to open the file.
You might try [url="http://download.cnet.com/ZipGenius-Standard-Edition/3000-2250_4-10179818.html"]Zip Genius[/url], it's a universal zip application, it's free, and it has no spyware. It's also reasonably straightforward to use

.
I suggest downloading and installing Zip Genius, then, right click on the mod, you should see a menu that gives you options to use Zip Genius.. I find the easiest method is to create a folder on your desktop with the name of whatever mod you are unpacking. Drag the mod into the folder: right click > "Zip Genius" > "Extract Here."

I hope that makes some sense

I've used Zip Genius for years, and I've found it to be excellent when unpacking any game mod.

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:12 pm

fable wrote:What does Windows exactly say?

I can't get the thing back that it said originally, I'm afraid, but it was words to the effect that Windows couldn't do it; but now when I try to OPEN it, it's saying: "The file you are downloading cannot be opened by the default program. It is either corrupted or it has an incorrect file type. As a security precaution, it is recommended that you cancel the download."

But I HAD downloaded it! When I click on SAVE instead, it says I already have it saved.
So...

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:14 pm

dragon wench - I'll give it a go! Thanks!

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:26 pm

"The file you are downloading cannot be opened by the default program. It is either corrupted or it has an incorrect file type. As a security precaution, it is recommended that you cancel the download."

This definitely sounds as though you lack the required unzipping program. I don't recall much about those messages having a warning about continuing the download, but it's been a long time since I've seen a message like that