I recently bought a new computer and a copy of oblivion for it. I have several character on my Xbox version and I'm trying to recreate them by using consol commands to set my stats how they were on my xbox versions. but the console command box doesn't pop up when I hit ~ is there something I'm doing wrong, a window I need to be in, or a file in the directory I need to edit to use the commands? I'm running vista if that might have anything to do with it and I read the sticky abouve trying to find info there. I created a thread in the tech support section but no answers and it's also about another issue I have. Could someone please help me out this is really frusterating.

Try downloading "ring of console" mod if you can't fix the problem.
Read the section on vista: http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Console

The problem might be the key you are pressing.
You should be pressing ` (above the tab key), but it sounds like you are pressing ~ (above R-shift).
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that that might be your problem.

Hope it helps.

For some reason known only to Microsoft, They disabled the ~ key on the Media Center Edition. I think unplugging the infrared pickup will restore the key. But f you don't want to do that, try the ring of console mod suggested by Lainge.

or you simply may be waiting to be prompt with a window in the game after you hit ~
when in fact the only thing that shows up is a white, vertical line. no window
this= |
is what it would look like, so you would type ShowRaceMenu and this is what it will look like
showracemenu|
then press enter.

Thanks guys I'll try some of those.

Edit: Ok I got the ring or console mod. I'm guessing the problem is what bben said (His sig is so true). I have little knowledge of computer hard/software so I wasn't about to try his idea though. Thank you for your help I have a character on my Xbox Version that I managed to get to lvl 50 and I was really bumming at the thought of putting another 250+ hours into another trying to get their stats back up.