Hopefully BG and TOTSC are arriving in the post today, but should i install BG then TOTSC or wait until i've played through BG a bit?

I would go ahead and install TotSC right away. It will boost the xp cap to 161,000 for one thing. It also applies all of the previous BG1 patches.

In addition, I would get the TotSC patch and possibly the direct x 7 or direct x 8 beta patches as well depending on what your system is running under.

Install it right away! TotSC adds additional areas and quests that are an enjoyable and rewarding diversion to the main story.

<font color="cyan">As they said, install it asap!</font>

install it when you install bg1.and if you have a fast connection,you should download dark side of the sword coast.

<font color="cyan">That's bad advice....no beginner should download Dark Side, as it would totally ruin BG1+TotSC for the first time. Only once you've completed BG1+TotSC should you play MODS.

It's great, but only once you've already played</font>

I would advise playing a game with Tales installed first, then try Dark Side. Dark Side arguably has too many unbalancing items, although I see Team BG now has a patch that makes the game harder. But anyway, I think Dark Side is best after you've played the official game quite a bit and are looking to breathe some new life into the game.

<font color="cyan">

Echo.....

<marquee>ECHO......</marquee>
<hr=1> ECHO.....

<marquee>echo....</marquee>

;) </font>

Thanks for your advice, i haven't receiaved it yet.

But i won't be able to install it until, my Cd/DVd drive works, at the moment it reads CD-RW, adn DVD's but not CD-Roms or CD-R's, which is a pain

<font color="cyan">I'd get that sorted asap!</font>