Reinstalling STEP, in need of advice

[viper37]

Hello,

 

Thanks to the developpers for these wonderful mods, thanks to those who wrote the comprehensive guide.

 

So, I had STEP installed before, but I was plagued by CTDs and missing textures, so decided to reinstall everything, but before, I got a few questions.

 

First off, I'm starting with a clean install this time.  I deleted everything and redownloaded Skyrim, then made a full backup before thinkering with it.

Also, here are my specs:
- Asus Maximus VII Hero (Intel Z97)

- Bios 1104 (latest release so far)

- Gigabyte Radeon R9 290x (latest non beta AMD drivers from April)

- Intel Core i5 4670k

- 12gb DDR3 Ram (16gb total, but I use 4gb for a RAM drive)

- Creative SB Recon 3D

- Skyrim with all expansion packs (Dawnguard, Heartfires, Dragonborn, High-res)

 

 

Now to my questions:

 

 

 

• [*]I noticed that there is now a specific section for STEP:Extended (don't know how I stumble upon it, but it's out there, somewhere...), with all the mods I should install for this with their instructions.  Unless mistaken, I think it's the aim for 2.3, where STEP will list only CORE options and STEP extended will be a pack above that.  As for now, today, what should I do: Install the CORE patches only, then go to the STEP page and follow the instructions?  Install all the STEP mods (core&extended) in the order they are listed in the guide?

 

 

[*]Some mods have a specific patch for Skyrim add-ons.  When I install them, Mod Organizer will ask me if I want to merge the patch, or create a new name to create a new mod (ex: I will get two listings in MO: Mod 1 and Mod 1: Dawnguard.  I assume I should merge the patches and not create a new mod?

 

 

[*]Load order: I read here that I shouldn't trust Mod Organizer's "suggestions" about mod's orders and should instead stricly rely on STEP guide detailed instructions.  I also read that install order is not the same as load order, so I am a little confused here:  if I follow the guide to the letter and add the proper metarules, should I disregard Mod organizer's suggestions?

 

 

[*]Once everything is installed, I need to create a bashed patch.  I should also refresh this patch everytime I change the mods.  Now to my question: When I install supplemental mods, not part of STEP: Extended, should I include them in my bashed patch?  EX: my load order ends with STEP Bashed patch, then is followed by Hialgo GPU boost, Detailed mine map markers, etc or it ends with STEP Bashed patch?

 

 

[*]Textures.  Currently, I'm playing on a 24" monitor.  Sooner more than later, I intend to use Steam's new streaming options to play on my HTPC with a bigger tv.  Should I install 2k textures whenver I get the option, (or simply higher resolutions than STEP baseline when given the option)?  Will I see a definite improvement without too much of a performance hit or should I simply not bother?  I'd say on my current setup (well, playing on 7950 before today), the 1k textures looked really, really good compared to base Skyrim.

 

 

[*]ENboost.  The guide gives some options while the forum threads give all kind of info all over the place... and, well, I'm lost. So here are my past settings under [MEMORY]

 

ExpandSystemMemoryX64=true
ReduceSystemMemoryUsage=false
DisableDriverMemoryManager=false
DisablePreloadToVRAM=false
EnableUnsafeMemoryHacks=false
ReservedMemorySizeMb=512
VideoMemorySizeMb=
EnableCompression=false
AutodetectVideoMemorySize=true

 

are these good?  Should they change for my hardware?

 

 

 

That is all, thank you :)

Edited August 22, 2014 by viper37

[EssArrBee]

Ignore STEP 2.3.0 we haven't really gotten into making that release ready yet. 2.2.9 hasn't been out to long as is good to go.

 

Yes, merge.

 

You can trust the PMOP suggestions, but for the STEP guide we have tested the order and the error is fine. MO lists the potential for conflict not an actual conflict. LOad order is right pane, plugins. Install order is left pane, mods. LOOT takes care of the right pane, STEP takes care of the left pane.

 

Load order always ends with Bashed Patch, then the SkyProc patches. You recreate those patches every time load order changes. Something like Hialgo boost doesn't count, only mods with ESP/ESM files.

 

Bigger monitor does not mean you need bigger textures. Higher resolution means you need bigger textures.

 

Your ENBoost settings look fine to me. You could even set compression to true and see if you get any stutter. If not, leave it true.

[viper37]

Ignore STEP 2.3.0 we haven't really gotten into making that release ready yet. 2.2.9 hasn't been out to long as is good to go.

 

Yes, merge.

 

You can trust the PMOP suggestions, but for the STEP guide we have tested the order and the error is fine. MO lists the potential for conflict not an actual conflict. LOad order is right pane, plugins. Install order is left pane, mods. LOOT takes care of the right pane, STEP takes care of the left pane.

 

Load order always ends with Bashed Patch, then the SkyProc patches. You recreate those patches every time load order changes. Something like Hialgo boost doesn't count, only mods with ESP/ESM files.

 

Bigger monitor does not mean you need bigger textures. Higher resolution means you need bigger textures.

 

Your ENBoost settings look fine to me. You could even set compression to true and see if you get any stutter. If not, leave it true.

thank you very much, but I have another question that I forgot:I found a guide for using Steam Workshop mods manually with Mod Organizer.  Should I even bother with that or will MO automatically take care of it?Thanks again,

[Nozzer66]

You probably only need to worry about that if you're adding any mods that are only on Steam, but not Nexus.

 

None of the mods in STEP Core or Extended are in that category.

 

However, I think if you use the REGS pack there may be a few Steam only mods in that.

[viper37]

I was asking because the mods I want are Steam exclusive, three of them, minor ones:

- Improved quest books

- Detailed mine map markers

- Changes syntaxes

 

I'll try them as it is, if I still experience crash, I will follow the guide and report my findings.

Thank you.

[warace]

not sure where to ask this but here goes. i have installed the entire step program and forgot to install skymills and skyfalls which is far up the mod list .  is there a way to install it in the appropriate place without uninstalling all the others?

[Nozzer66]

Yep, install it now and drag it up the left pane list till it's where it should be.

[warace]

and im assuming that will not overwrite any essential meshes/textures installed by previous mods in the list?

Edited August 25, 2014 by warace

[viper37]

and im assuming that will not overwrite any essential meshes/textures installed by previous mods in the list?

With Mod Organizer, all mods are installed in their seperate categories.  "Installed order" is your left pane, that means anything conflicting with Skifall&Skymills installed after would overwrite that mod.  Just stick with STEP installed order by dragging your folder to the right place, run LOOT, follow the instructions for the patches and re-run LOOT, and you'll be ok.

[viper37]

So I finished installing STEP extended + a few other mods.  I used 2k textures in most places, it looks great.

 

I haven't played much, just stayed in my home in Solstheim for now.  I have however, a few small problems, nothing critical, just annoying.

When I talk to a follower, say to access his backpack, he speaks as he should, but the mouth won't stop moving after that.  No sound, just lips movement.Anybody would know, of the top of its head what I did wrong?  I did not have this problem before, so it's something I did wrong.  I followed all of STEP instructions to the letter this time.

 

Also, a couple of weapons appear misplaced:

Serana has a dagger, but sometimes, you'll see the sheated dagger going through her arm.

My character has a double handed sword on its back, but it conflicts with my imperial cape, it goes halfway through the cape.

 

I have listed all my mods below, but I think it could be related to immersive weapons and immersive armor mods.

With Dual Sheat weapons, I made sure to install all the appropriate patches.

 

 

When I installed my mods, I proceeded that way:

- Follow STEP guide to the letter

- Ran Loot

- Installed the STEP Patch

- Ran Loot

- Created the bashed patch

- Installed&run the other 3 patches

- Installed my supplemental mods

- Subscribed to my Steam mods (Improved quest books, Detailed mine map markers, Changes syntaxes)

- Ran Loot

- Launched SKSE through MO, loaded my saved games wich contained my previous STEP install + all these mods.

 

 

 

 

 

# This file was automatically generated by Mod Organizer.Skyrim.esmUpdate.esmUnofficial Skyrim Patch.espDawnguard.esmUnofficial Dawnguard Patch.espHearthFires.esmUnofficial Hearthfire Patch.espDragonborn.esmUnofficial Dragonborn Patch.espSkyrim Project Optimization - Full Version.esmFunctionalHomes.esmLanterns Of Skyrim - All In One - Main.esmHighResTexturePack01.espHighResTexturePack02.espHighResTexturePack03.espUnofficial High Resolution Patch.espFunctionalHomes - Dawnguard.espFunctionalHomes - Dragonborn.espCutting Room Floor.esp83Willows_101BUGS_V4_LowRes.espGuard Dialogue Overhaul.espORM-Arvak.espAuto Unequip Ammo.espFootprints.espMapseller Dragonborn.espBetterQuestObjectives-DBForevertoMisc.espMark Books as Read.espClamsDropPearls.espDawnguardRuneWeaponsFXSReplacer.espMoss Rocks.espMoss Rocks_DB.espRainbows.espChesko_LoreBasedLoadingScreens.espBetterQuestObjectives-Hearthfire.espChesko_WearableLantern.espBFSEffects.espNausicaa's Tweaker.espBeards.espConvenient Horses.espDead Body Collision.espDragonShoutVoice.espDual Wield Parrying_SKSE.espDr_BandolierDG.espTraps Make Noise.espFootprints - Ash.espBardRequestBreak.espAnimated Weapon Enchants.espElemental Staves.esptowConversation.espRaceMenu.espAppropriately Attired Jarls Redux.espMapseller Dawnguard.espBWS.espHothtrooper44_Armor_Ecksstra.espmintylightningmod.espLock Overhaul.espBrows.espParalyze.espRaceMenuPlugin.espWeapons & Armor Fixes_Remade.espWeapons & Armor_TrueOrcish&DaedricWeapons.espADS.espClothing & Clutter Fixes.espRadiant and Unique Potions Poisons and Booze.espComplete Crafting Overhaul_Remade.espFunctionalHomes.espDragon Falls Manor.espSkyrimCoinReplacerRedux.espBreezehome_Fully_Upgradable.espExplosiveBoltsVisualized.espDistant DetailHF.espBring Out Your Dead.espSMDropLitTorch.espSPTConsistentOlderPeople.espShootingStars.espSkyUI.espDual Sheath Redux.espTradeBarter.esphqsnow.espSlightly Reduced Distance NPC Greetings.espSoul Gems Differ.espSpousetocustomhome.espA Simple Marriage Mod.espThe Dance of Death - Ultimate Edition.espTraining Dummies XP.espBirdsHFclean.espSDO Full-LOD - Waterfall Effects.espDr_Bandolier.espPoint The Way.espHearthfireChimneys.espRealisticWaterTwo.espTraining Dummies XP Dawnguard.espfFastTravelSpeedMult_4.espWetandCold.espAOS.espIHSS.espDeadlySpellImpacts.espdD - Enhanced Blood Main.espImproved Combat Sounds v2.2.espWetandCold - Ashes.espWhen Vampires Attack.espaMidianBorn_ContentAddon.espBetterQuestObjectives.espAmazingFollowerTweaks.espVendorSaleDelay-Gone.espThieves Guild Requirements.espNonEssentialChildren.espBetterQuestObjectives-AFTPatch.espBetterQuestObjectives-Dawnguard.espImmersive Weapons.espUnique Uniques.espHothtrooper44_ArmorCompilation.espCartographers Map Markers.espOblivion Gates v3 without Markers - Skyrim + Dawnguard DLC.espRealisticWaterTwo - Legendary.espSFO - Dragonborn.espTheChoiceIsYours.espBetter Skill and Quest Books Names.espRun For Your Lives.espSkyrimImprovedPuddles-DG-HF-DB.espChild Adoption.espSDO Full-LOD - Whiterun Trundra Creeks.espGR123 Castle.espRooq_Bathing_TwoCell_HearthFires.espAlchemyOrganization.espAutomaticItemStorage.espSkyrim Flora Overhaul.espPilgrimsDelight.espThe Paarthurnax Dilemma.espMapseller.espHoldBorderBanners.espPortable Campsite.espBlockSparkles.espGildergreen Regrown.espSDO Full-LOD - Giant Campfires.espPlayerHomeMapMarkers.espTheChoiceIsYours_Dawnguard.espChesko_Step418_SN.espBreezehomeLadderFix.espNoxUE2.00.espImproved Closefaced Helmets_Legendary.espiHUD.espknownspells.esprandomthunder.espSTEP Extended Patch.espBashed Patch, 0.espDual Sheath Redux Patch.esp

 

Edited August 29, 2014 by Kelmych

[viper37]

When I create the bash patch, should I include all of my mods or only those who are part of my STEP Extended setup?

[viper37]

Redone the bash patch + all the steps that follow.  Still the same (minor) issues.

 

For the moving lips bug, I wonder if it's an issue with Face-to-face and Amazing tweak.  One of my mod is misplaced, maybe?

Edited August 26, 2014 by viper37

[d3v]

Have you tried upgrading your mouse driver?

[viper37]

I double check to be sure, but I have the latest (and only) Windows 8 driver for Microsoft Natural Wireless Ergonomic keyboard and mouse.

[viper37]

Could it be a problem with Fuz Ro D-oh?  Some kind of conflict with another mod, or the fact that my saved game did not include this mod before?

Edited August 29, 2014 by viper37