Description:

This is a guide I decided to write mostly for myself to aid me in reinstalling a full FCOM Oblivion game setup, to keep track of all of my favorite mods, and to force me to learn more about using OBMM, OBSE, and Wrye Bash. But I thought I would expand upon it and make a beginners level instructional guide for anyone that is new to Oblivion with zero to very little modding experience. This way anyone new to modding can enjoy a full FCOM modded game without spending months to find all the correct file patches/versions/etc... As well as become more knowledgeable about Oblivion modding in the process.


The "Install Guide" is a MS-Word document only. (Sorry but I tried PDF and it destroyed all of the DL links.)


This is STILL a work in progress but I think it's good enough to post at this point. Comments and help is greatly appreciated to make this a great resource for all modders especially those new to modding. Also if I need to be giving credit where credit is do please let me know.


Table of Contents:

Section 1 - Introduction

Section 2 - Getting your PC ready / Housekeeping
2.1 - Backing up
2.2 - Removing Oblivion Installation
2.3 - House Keeping

Section 3 - Downloading
3.0 - Pre-Download Setup
3.1 - Game update files
3.2 - Utility files
3.3 - Optimization files
3.4 - Unofficial Patches
3.5 - FCOM core files
3.6 - OOO support files
3.7 - FCOM supported mods

Section 4 - Installation
4.1 - Unpacking your files
4.2 - Install Oblivion, Patches, & Add-ons
4.3 - Install Wrye Bash
4.4 - Install Oblivion Script Extender (OBSE)
4.5 - Install Oblivion Mod Manager (OBMM)
4.6 - Install General Performance Mods
4.7 - Install FCOM Core Files
4.10 - Customizing your FCOM install with MMM and FCOM options
4.11 - Adding FCOM Supported Mods

Section 5 - Using Oblivion Mod Manager (OBMM), Basics
5.1 - Getting familiar with OBMM
5.2 - Choosing your Archive Invalidation Settings
5.3 - The Stuff mods are made of, Mod files & Folders
5.4 - Creating and Activating OMOD files
5.5 - Checking OMOD Data Conflicts in OBMM.
5.6 - Activating, Deactivating, Editing OMOD files

Section 6 - Using FCOMhelper

Section 7 - Using WyreBash, (Basics)
7.1 - Creating a Bashed Patch

Section 8 - Troubleshooting
8.1 - File Installation Hangs Up or Will Not Start

Section 9 - Tweaking your game performance

Section 10 - My Favorite/Installed Mods


To Do List

Add screen shots of directory file structures and utility ussage

New sections that still need to be added:

General trouble shooting, graphics related CTDs, mod CTDs, General tweaking
Add screen shots
Using Wrye Bash, Basics (needs work)
More stuff, managing saved games, etc….
Add Trouble shooting section
Add Tweaking section
Add change log (version histor) to end of document.
Add credits to end of document.



Change Log

v0.7
(01/07/09)
Updated all DL links, and revisded install instructions for MMM. I would recommend updating your MMM to version 3.6beata3. The additional 3.6beata2 patches and fixes are no longer required and have been removed from the DL and install sections. New versions of almost all of the utility files are out since the last posting of this document, I'd recommend checking all the DL links and upgrading to the newest versions of all the FCOM core files & addons you may have installed.

v0.6.1
(11/15/08)
Posted PDF version of the guide, (Unfortunately all DL links were disabled in the PDF version)

v0.6.1
(10/7/08)
Added alot more Mods to "My favorite/installed mods list"
Checked/updated current versions of all mods.

v0.6
(9/28/08)
Updated and revised the OBMM "creating OMODs" section
Wrote the OBMM "conflict report" section
Updated & revised the Wyre Bash "Creating a bashed patch" section
Reformated entire document to ease following of directions
More spelling & grammar corrections
Added a TON of Mods to "My favorite/installed mods list"
Checked/updated current versions of all FCOM mods and most of "my installed mods list".

v0.5
(9/4/08)
Added files: Francesco's Optional New Items Creatures and MMM 3.6b patches
Fixed Francesco's installation sections.
Completely OVERHAULED MMM install section (should be good now, I hope)
Added Customizing MMM & FCOM section (still needs work)

v0.4
(9/2/08)
Wrote OBMM basic instructional guide.
Fixed some more spelling
Added more Tips & Comments.

v0.3.2
(9/1/08)
Minor grammar/spelling changes.
Added new instructional line to WarCry installation section.

v0.3.0
(8/28/08)
SERIOUS UPDATE IN VERSION 0.3
Previous versions were missing the DL links for the MMM v3.53 core mods files.
These links have been added.
Install instructions for WarCry and MMM have been completely redone.

v0.2
(8/27/08)

v0.1
(8/26/08)
Initial release