What is a Clean Install? (Oblivion)

[Ann Ominous]

I regret starting a new topic, but searching for "Clean Install" turned up too many results. So here is the opportunity for someone to make an easy to find post telling what it is and how to do it. If there is such a post among them many, please link it.

[ritualclarity]

Clean install is just that a clean install. Fresh, new. Just like you would do on a new computer first time you install a game.

 

 

[perfectioncat]

Here

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Installation_(computer_programs)

[Ann Ominous]

Clarification, When a clean install is recommended when updating a MOD, i.e. Lovers with PK, do them mean remove all elements of Lovers with PK, or it and all MODs related to it, or all MODs, or reinstall Oblivion and all? If having to asking makes me a bimbo, then a bimbo I am . 

[ritualclarity]

I am not a heavy Oblivion gamer however there might be different levels of "Clean" that is required. There should be specific instructions on what to do in regards to "clean install" if not and it is on this site you should contact the support form of that mod. They will be able to give you more detailed instructions and perhaps cover things that might have been assumed as common knowledge.

 

Generally in FNV/FO3 where I am playing most of the time it means that I remove the mod that I am replacing. Completely remove and delete the files. Then load the new version of the mod. Every once in a while I am required to create a "clean save" as well.

[gregathit]

There are two possible issues you could be talking about.  A clean install - Ritualclarity has addressed this quite well in the post above so I won't talk about it further.

 

Another item is a "clean save" (which RC just briefly mentioned) -  this is where you remove the old mod version completely, then start the game and load your current saved game, once it is loaded then you make a full manual save (NO auto or quick saves!!!!) and finally exit the game.  Your saved game is now "cleaned".  Generally this is plenty for Oblivion.  With Skyrim there sometimes are more steps with how it handles scripts and such but that is a horse of a different color.

 

Once your saved game is "cleaned" you are then free to install the new version of a particular mod and should have no issues.  This is really the best way to upgrade as it clears your current saved game of any traces of the old version.  If you start a new game you can obviously skip this step. 

[D_ManXX2]

A clean install means no third party mods installed. only oblivion + official DLC's and patched to latest version of game.

Clean save see post grega above me.

 

[ritualclarity]

There are two possible issues you could be talking about.  A clean install - Ritualclarity has addressed this quite well in the post above so I won't talk about it further.

 

Another item is a "clean save" (which RC just briefly mentioned) -  this is where you remove the old mod version completely, then start the game and load your current saved game, once it is loaded then you make a full manual save (NO auto or quick saves!!!!) and finally exit the game.  Your saved game is now "cleaned".  Generally this is plenty for Oblivion.  With Skyrim there sometimes are more steps with how it handles scripts and such but that is a horse of a different color.

 

Once your saved game is "cleaned" you are then free to install the new version of a particular mod and should have no issues.  This is really the best way to upgrade as it clears your current saved game of any traces of the old version.  If you start a new game you can obviously skip this step. 

 

A clean install means no third party mods installed. only oblivion + official DLC's and patched to latest version of game.

Clean save see post grega above me.

Correct me if I am wrong when you do a "clean save" you  have removed all records of the mod. That also means all progress of that mod as well. !?

 

Our new users might need to understand this. If they are enjoying a game and have put a great amount of time in that particular mod (not the complete game) they might not want that progress to be removed and have to start over. I generally test the mods and play "as is" unless there is some game breaking action that requires me to make changes during my play through. I rarely "upgrade" mid game.

 

In such a case they may decide to continue to the end of the quests the mod created if there are no problems with the current game, and wait until they are ready for an "update" .

[gregathit]

When you do a clean save you remove all traces (records or whatever) of THAT mod(s) that you disabled\deleted.  Thus your save is now "clean" of it.  It doesn't have any impact on anything else, but it does as you say erase your progress in that mod.

 

Unfortunately some updates do require a clean save.  The mod author "should" point out when a clean save is required and when one is not........but not all of them do. 

[Ann Ominous]

Thanks to all for their replies

[Emily]

Simply install it on different directory and folder names.

It always works for clean installs.