A lot of the mods I've tried to install recently are not showing up in game.

First, let me say that I've installed a few mods already and I know how to install them. The mods I am currently trying to install are not any more complicated then the ones that were successfully installed already. Second, I read all the comments on a mod before I download it...just to make sure it works relatively well. When I try to install a mod that doesn't work, I don't get any errors and the game loads and works fine, but the mods just don't show up.

Here is what I've tried...

I've tried adding different mods from different makers to make sure it's not just one kind that causes a problem. I've tried removing the previous mods, in case it was a conflict. I've also tried searching online for a fix to this problem, but I have yet to find an answer.

I only have a handful of mods currently installed, so I know I don't have too many. Nothing on my computer has changed since installing the first mods (operating system, game version, etc.). Do mods only work for certain versions of the game or only for the version the mod-maker has maybe??? That's all I can figure. I'm not sure what else it could be!?

Any solutions? Any suggestions? I am dying to add this new content!

Try running OBMM's conflict detector. Random's FCOM Helper is useful in load-ordering mods. A good load-order sometimes cures the "it doesn't work" syndrome.

You don't say if you are using OBMM or OBSE. Many mods will not work without OBSE - but usually they cause the game to CTD on start rather than just 'not work'

In what way do your mods 'not work?' do objects from the mod not show up in the game? do they cause a crash? Do they cause strange colors or shapes? Or are they like some of my ex employees who just called in sick because they didn't want to work? It's easier to fire mods than employees.

Are you using Vista or XP? Vista has some extra security that sometimes interferes with mods.

Then, a list of some of the non working mods would be helpful. As would a load order - the game data load list is not a load order. you need OBMM for that.

Instructions for getting a load order for posting from OBMM - If someone has a simpler one please let me know.

How to get a load order list to post using OBMM

A load order list is needed for troubleshooting - The list in the Oblivion data list is not always in the order that things are actually loaded.

How to get your load order list into a post using OBMM

If you don't have OBMM, it is a great tool for managing mods as well as moving them in the load order and finding certain kinds of conflicts. It has many other capabilities, but this post is just to show how to get the load order list into a post for troubleshooting.

First, of course you have to have OBMM (Oblivion Mod Manager) it's available free from the author's site here: http://timeslip.chorrol.com/

Look in the column on the left side, find the heading “Oblivion mod manager”
To download, click on the download just below the heading.

A new page will open with a list of different ways to install – pick the self installer.
Save the file, the best place is a separate folder you make mine is on the desk top and is oblivion downloads\OBMM. The main folder is called Oblivion Downloads. Then a subfolder inside that is called OBMM)

After it has downloaded, open that folder and find the file you just downloaded. It will be named obmm.zip. Click on it to start the install. It should automatically find your Oblivion and install itself in the right place. It will also give you the option of creating a desktop icon, a Quick launch icon. I recommend only the desktop icon.

Then the options for associating files – select all of these.

When it finishes installing, OBMM will start automatically.

It will start with a list of your mods on the left pane in their current load order. Active mods will be checked and inactive will have an empty check box.

To copy the load order, look on the right, you will see a box with 'Import/Export'. Click that.
Then select the first option, 'View Load Order'

A new window will open with only your active mods listed in their load order.

Use your mouse to highlight the entire list, then left click on the highlighted list.

A box will open with Cut, copy paste.

Select copy – DO NOT SELECT CUT!

Now you can close the window and close OBMM (This might take a few minutes as OBMM takes a while to close.)

Go to where you want to put the load order list – I recommend creating either a text document or a word processing document and naming it load order and the date
(load order 6-22-08.txt)

Then open that document, place your cursor at the beginning and right click. Select paste.

This should copy your load order into the document.

Now, to get the load order into a post, open the forum, find where you want to place the load order list and paste it. The copied text will be inserted where you place the mouse cursor.

Thank you both for the quick responses. I was not using OBMM, OBSE or FCOM Helper. I just downloaded OBMM and FCOM Helper after reading your posts, but I will wait to install and mess with them for a day or two because I am too tired tonight to comprehend much

So far, when the mods have 'not worked' they have just not shown up in game...like I never installed them in the first place. I haven't gotten any errors or triangles, etc. I am using Windows XP, so there shouldn't be a problem there.

The version of Oblivion that I have is 1.11. I've tried installing the 1.2 patch, but got an error (probably because of the no-cd crack for the oblivion.exe file)...would the no-cd crack be why some mods aren't working maybe??? I hate using CDs! I don't have the Shivering Isles Expansion, but I do have some of the additional official items like horse armor and the thieves den.

Some of the mods I have installed successfully are: Ren's Beauty Pack, Leon's Hair, Slof's Goth Shop, the Dwarf Race.

Some of the mods I've had trouble with are: Throttlekitty's Hair Pack, Zira's Horse Ranch, Zira's Shadow Armor (and other Armors) and the Dremora Race.

Again, with many of the mods I've had trouble with, I've tried uninstalling all the other mods, but they still won't work even on their own.

Anyway, thank you for the suggestions. Ben, I will look at everything and try what you suggested in the next day or two. Should I install a couple of mods that are known to not work when I post the load order list?

Many of recent ones are done with CS 1.2.x, thus it makes the mod works only if the game version is 1.2 or above. Do not use no-disc crack(with it, you cannot patch your game, and you cannot use any OBSE-required mods). Instead, if you have enough HDD space, make a disc image file, mount it using virtual disc drive like Daemon tools(it's ok as long as you have the disc).

Thanks for the input. I've had a lot more success installing mods since reading your suggestions. I'm going to reinstall Oblivion this weekend and update it...which should take care of the majority of the remaining problems. Yea!