The method I follow is roughly around this model :
- ESM files first (they are loaded first anyway but it doesn’t hurt forcing the order)
- Official plugins
- Unique landscapes 1
- Textures modifications
- Weather modifications
- Light modifications
- OOO mods
- MMM mods
- PJ compendium
- Supreme Magicka
- other Spell effects
- New armors and weapons
- New NPCs
- Unique landscapes 2 (some UL mods have to be installed at the end, some at the beginning)
- New Quests (ruin tail, etc…)
- Utilities
There are also exceptions. If you look at my list, some mods do not follow this model and are placed earlier or later. You will need a lot of trial and errors activating and deactivation mods to fine tune them, but this should get you started.
Also, if you are using OBMM, an easy way to get a list of your mods is by looking for the Plugins.txt file under : Local Settings\Application Data\Oblivion.
The suggested load order above should be considered just a guideline for a start. You will have to tweak your list depending on your particular mix of mods.
The most useful utility I found for troubleshooting load orders is TES4View. Among other things, it has the distinct advantage to show you all mods involved in a conflict, which is invaluable information when you have to make an informed decision about how to reorder mods.
As a matter of good practice, download a mod to skip the tutorial part of the standard game – such as A New Beginning – and always keep a saved game with no mod activated except that one. That will save you a lot of time if you need to activate / deactivate groups of mods or play around with the load order.
Also, make good use of OBMM’s load order import/export feature. It allows you to save a particular arrangement of mods, and return to it later if you mess up your order.
More tips about the load order at : devnull.devakm.googlepages.com/loadorder