Updated May 8th. [WIP]


Please note:


First things first, this is just an accumulation of several members fixes/workarounds including one or two of my own. I am not claiming to be the one who discovered all of them. Just trying to consolidate the info in one place.



Tips/Suggestions/Observations:

1. If you have 2 HDDs, I have found moving the systems Page File to it's own drive (2-5GB partition.) separate from the OS seems to lead to smoother play.

How to move the page file on:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307886

http://maximumpcguides.com/windows-vista/move-and-optimize-windows-vistas-paging-file/



2. Download and use the http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=3808. (READ THE IMPORTANT NOTES!!)

3. If saves appear to freeze while loading, do not interrupt it. (Ctrl+Alt+Del) It can take up to 5 minutes when the game decides to be finicky.
Actually, if you do Ctrl+Alt+Del, and task manager pops up, I'm quite confident if you just close it down again, and let the game alone it will load eventually. This happens on both my rigs. If Ctrl+Alt+Del doesn't pull up the task manager, there is a good chance it is truly frozen, but not always. (After 5 minutes it's very likely.)

4. The Gamebryo engine has always been picky about some background apps running while playing. It's suggested to run a clean boot. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/331796 This will stop most programs from running in the background utilizing resource, freeing them up for the game engine. AV software should be disable, if not this way, at least manually while playing.

You are aiming for 150-200ish MB for XP, and 800-1000ish MB for Vista. Those are good target numbers, but just get it as low as possible.

5. Make sure you have the latest http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=D5692CE4-ADAD-4000-ABFE-64628A267EF0&displaylang=en and http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=333325FD-AE52-4E35-B531-508D977D32A6&displaylang=en installed and is working properly. Some people have had it installed, but reinstalling it over itself solved issues for them.



Issues/Solutions:

Issue 1: My DLC downloads kept stopping with a "The server does not support http....."

Solution: Don't open anything while it's downloading, just walk away til it's done. (I noticed every time I opened a browser to go online, or Windows Explorer..(To pass the time.)..anything, it would interrupt the download and give me that error.) This is apparently an HTTP issue, but I can seem to download anything else without issue, and I can download a poop load of stuff without issue. Just not with GFWL.



Issue 2: The runtime error on exit.

Solution:

First make sure you have a good install of http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=D5692CE4-ADAD-4000-ABFE-64628A267EF0&displaylang=en and http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=333325FD-AE52-4E35-B531-508D977D32A6&displaylang=en

If that fails:

Disable GFWL (DLC needs to be moved to offline mode if you have them.)

Disable: I have found the simplest way to disable GFWL is to rename the GFWLive.exe to GFWLive.exe.bak. This way when/if new DLC comes out it's as simple as removing the .bac from the name to get GFWL back up. (I've had issues with other methods.)

Default install: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games for Windows - LIVE\Client\GFWLive.exe

Moving DLC to offline mode: (Not officially supported, but it works fine.)

First you must make Hidden files and folders viewable.

XP:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/hiddenfiles.mspx

Vista:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial130.html

Windows 7(RC):



Now navigate to:

XP:

C:\Documents and Settings\[YOUR USER NAME HERE]\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Xlive\DLC\425307d6\00000002

Vista:

C:\Users\[YOUR USER NAME HERE]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\XLive\DLC\425307d6\00000002

There will be 1-3 folders inside. (Depending on what you have.) These are the DLC folders.

OA and The Pitt:

Open each folder and move the DLC files (3/DLC) from each Content folder to the Data folder in the Fallout 3 directory. (6 files total.) If you Copy/Paste them, make sure to delete the originals, or rename the DLC folder. Otherwise you will have 2 entries for each DLC.

Broken Steel:

BS is a little different, as there are a few bik files that also need to be moved. Follow the same instructions as above, but then copy the 5 bik files to the Data\Videos directory.


Then enable them using http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=640 The Data Options in the Launcher will not work correctly without GFWL.



Issue 3 and 4: CTD upon entering the Pitt - Missing DLC radio signals.

Solution:

Apply offline mode as described in Issue 2.

Disable the TP (Or other DLCs depending on the issue.) with http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=640.

Load last save.

Save right away. Quit game.

Re-enable the Pitt/OA with FOMM, start game, load last save. (Continue is fine.)



Issue 5: Ammo press bug

Solution: Download http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5586.



Issue 6: Crashing (Codecs)

Solution:

You can try manually searching for the bad codec with http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Codec-Packs-Video-Codecs/InstalledCodec.shtml. (XP & Vista.)

XP:

Try using http://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm or http://www.cccp-project.net/. Note: You will have to add Fallout 3 to the ffdshows "do not use with" list in the config utility for K-Lite. (Found through the Start>All Programs>K-Lite method.)

Or

You could make a system restore point, and use http://nightmare2013.brashendeavors.net/.

Keep in mind this is going to make some things not work properly. It will set XP back to default codecs. (The system restore point is to undo it.) At worst, you may have to reinstall some things.

If the game works now, you need to weed out the codec that is the issue. (Install each program one at a time, then test.)

You can always just restore your system to the previous state, so don't worry.

Now, if you do use it, when it asks SP1 or SP2, just select SP2. I have used it with SP3 several times and there are no issues.


Vista:

Use http://www.free-codecs.com/download/vista_codec_package.htm



Issue 7: Crashing (2+ core CPU)

Solution: Try adding this line to the [General] section of the Fallout.ini.

iNumHWThreads=2

And change the 0 to 1 for this line

bUseThreadedAI=0



Issue 8: Patch 1.4 put me back to level 1

Solution: Use http://timeslip.chorrol.com/fomm.html to move the Fallout3.esm back to the top of the list.



Issue 9: Crashing/Freezing (Windows 7 + Nvidia card)

Solution: Try http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=980768&hl=nvidia.

Issue 10: Hitching/Stutter

Solution:

1. Try deleting your Temp files.

2. Use InstalledCodecs (Link above in Issue 6) Look for ArcSoft 3GP Splitter, ArcSoft Audio Decoder HD and ArcSoft 3GP Splitter. All three of them are DirectShow Filters. Disable them.

Issue 11: VATS lag (Workaround)

Solution: Download and install http://camstudio.org/. And be sure to get the Camstudio Lossless codec to. (To install it, decompress the zip folder, then rightclick the camcodec.inf file and select install.)

Now go into the region section, and select Fixed Region. Put 1's in all 4 boxes then select OK.

Now under options, tick 'do not record audio' then select Video options.

Choose the CS lossless codec for compressor.

Put Quality to 1 with the slider. Then for the Max Frames slider, leave to the far left.

Before playing Fallout 3, run Camstudio and start it recording. When you are done, stop recording, and just Cancel out of the 'save file' part.

This had no noticeable impact on game play on my rig, but removes the VATS pause.



Issue 12: Crashes (Misc)

Solution:


1. If you have an Asus Xonar soundcard, you need to turn OFF the GX function in the Xonar Audio Center.

2. Try removing ASUS gamerOSD and/or smartDOC

3. Restore default control scheme.

4. Try reinstalling the latest http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2DA43D38-DB71-4C1B-BC6A-9B6652CD92A3&displaylang=en



Issue 13: DVD does not see disk. (Workaround. Needs 2 PCs on a network.)

Solution:

The work around is to install it on a PC that can see it. Run the FalloutLauncher.exe so the game creates the 3 ini files needed. (Guess at what you think it will run at on your rig, and select that. Low-Ultra button, and set the desired resolution.) Now, share that DVD drive over the network.

You will have to add the http://www.home-network-help.com/share-file.html.

Then install Fallout 3 through the network to your rig.

Copy the 3 ini files in My Documents\My Games\Fallout3 folder to the new installs My Documents\My Games\Fallout3 folder.

Run the game from the Fallout3.exe not the FalloutLauncher.exe.. (Avoids disk check.)

You can manual edit the ini files to adjust the settings, or rerun the first install and copy the new settings over again.



Issue 14: Crashes (VATS/On saving. After updating from 1.4 to 1.5)

Solution: A full uninstall/reinstall of both GFWL and Fallout 3. Let GFWL do the updating from 1.0.



Issue 15: Can't move once BS has initiated and you are in the hospital bed.

Solution: Open the console (~ key) type showracemenu and chose one of vanilla races.

If you used a mod to age, or change your character after creation this can happen.


Good luck.

I didnt understand clearly

1) Move your DLC to offline mode...how i can do that?

2) Move (Not copy/paste) them to the Data folder for offline mode...in my xlive folder i cant see any DLC folder

I have uninstall GFWL completely from add-remove and i have run a utility with the name GFWL Disabler to run the Fallout.

any link to "Quarn's utility"?Im running windows Vista, and the problem is only to OA, in the Pitt i have 1 or 2 randomly crushed, nothing serious,

disabling gfwl live is not an acceptable solution

they made us use it in the first place for achivements and accquiring these dlc, now it has be be disguarded?

no, instead of customers trying to fix this problem bethesda needs to provide a solution for their product that they broke

My solution so far...i used the console to transfer my player to quest point (movetoqt), i went all the way back to the "crash" point....weird but the game didnt crash...so i continued my game and (at last) finished the OA.

So what i can say?...i had tried again from the normal "way" to finish the game but again the game crash with the Runtime Error in this specific point (when i was trying to go out of the trenches)

Apologies, I have added links to a better description of offline mode.



I agree we shouldn't have to, but if it gets me playing, and with a better experience, I'm happy to do it. Also, GFWL is here to stay, so don't expect it to be removed, fixed, maybe, but not removed. I prefer it gone all together.

You are welcome to wait for a fix, but many of us would rather take a few minutes and play now. :shrug:

For me. I can play O:A without a hitch, saving/loading working. But the Pitt crashes after I talk with Wernherr and walk towards the slavers. I've moved the files and tried several of the fixes mentioned in this thread and others but with no luck. The fallout gameworld works as it should, no crashes anywhere including O:A, but as soon as I near the slavers, it crashes.

I play on vista, it's upgraded to 1.4, no cracks and no mods applied. GFWL is on but I always play offline.

Chances are that's over the "deleted" creatures. The new version of The Pitt removes the four offending spawns in a http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa150/JustinCoherent/Fallout%203/fixd.png. You can either delete ThePitt.esm and its .bsa's then re-download the fixed version or if you're savvy with http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=637 , you can operate on your current version to bring it up to date using this http://download456.mediafire.com/ymidwmcxld4g/wjlzhygzxmm/ThePittFix+%5BOfficial%5D.esp.

To operate (should you choose)

• Open FO3Edit
  
• R-click in the Masters/Plugin window "Select None"
  
• Check ThePitt.esm only
  
• Click "OK"
  
• Allow FO3Edit to fully load
  
• R-click ThePitt.esm in the left panel and choose "compare to"
  
• Navigate to the plugin linked above and double click it
  
• Fully expand the difference plugin's tree in the left panel so all five records in the Worldspace group are visible as pictured above.
  
• With the "View" tab selected in the right panel, R-click the DLC02DisableCreatureMarker, 0100BA2E, and select "copy as override into" and select ThePitt.esm and click "OK"
  
• Drag/drop the edits over the conflicting records from right to left into ThePitt.esm for all four red entries
  
• Close FO3Edit and save the changes to ThePitt.esm

After doing that (≈ 1 minute - GFWL hassle) your Pitt will be exactly as good as updated without DL'ing it all over again (≈ 45 minutes + GFWL hassle)

thanks wolfpup, for the help i got any CTD down to about every hour to hour and half from every 3-5mins

You are welcome. Definitely an improvement.

I kept crashing at the point when I meet Mex. Started a new game after the updated...same thing. A review of one of the posts got me thinking...maybe there was a mod conflict somewhere. I run a lot of different types of mods, some are my own, some are from others. Sooooo, I unloaded the mods and tested from a save point just before Mex. Surprise surprise it ran!

I assumed it might be a script in one of the companion mods I was running since the Mex encounter involved dialog. Further testings narrowed it down to two mods I had downloaded. One was a fix for a companion mod I was using, the other was a utility to enable some animations on command. I dont know why there was a conflict; I suppose I can explore that later. At least my own mods work (YEA RAMMSTEIN RADIO! Something surreal about hearing "We all live in Amerika" when you first enter the PITT!). I did find a crash later when I entered the scrapyard. The PITT CRASH FIX mod fixed that. I've played about 2 hours into the mod and noooo problems.

Bottom line, I originally didn't think any of the mods were conflicting and would cause the crash at the PITT. I was wrong. Come to find out two were. Not sure why; could be a convention issue or the way dialog is initated. Anyway, if youre having an issue, you might disable a few mods and go vanilla.

Good luck!


Oh, if you suffer from the runtime crash like I do, dont forget to do a defrag every now and then or you'll have a whole nuther set o' problems. Between my modding and recent mod crash testing, I was beginning to see a little red in my defrag anolysis

I am having an issue where when i start the game it gets to the birth part and it takes awhile to get to the boy or girl part, then after i choose boy it gets to the first sentence of kathrine then just sits there, i have followed number 6 and 7 of the solutions as you told another member and i still have it i have reset all my codecs disabled all my codecs and added the lines in the ini file. i have even did a clean boot and still have the problem

*Reminder bump*

Hello, and thanks for all the useful info! :goodjob:

I've a question regarding the use of the CamStudio for the VATS slowdown issue. I have tried it myself and indeed it does seem to work on my system as well. Only problem is that my mouse cursor becomes exceedingly slow when in menus or in the pipboy. Is there an option that I'm not seeing that can alter this? I have already tried using the "Cursor" options in CamStudio to no avail. I suppose that I could simply alter the FALLOUT.ini/FalloutPrefs.ini file(s) to compensate by increasing mouse foreground acceleration.

Any help is greatly appreciated..!

I'm using the settings that the unofficial fallout patch fix adds for the mouse acceleration fix.

I to get a slower mouse in the menus with Camstudio running, but it's not too bad. Is yours really bad?

I think the ini tweaks would be the only fix. I have a G7 mouse, so I can adjust the DPI on the fly and it helps, but not everyone can do that. (I have to turn it back down once in game, so I just stopped doing it, as it's not to bad without it as mentioned.)

Oh, and you are welcome.

Hi,

My problem is that my keyboard does not work at all after I updated to 1.5. Does anyone have the same problem?

I'll try all these trick about crashing but man this is insane!

nice, very complete.
any news on crash on exit with BS installed. And yes i am playing offline with fomm/fose, but no ufop3 until quarn gets an update with an .esm version (esp has that crash at girdershade).

huh what does playing offline from GFWL do? and if the game still crashes online or offline how do you fix it. i think i read your supoosed to move or copy files over to another folder. but im not sure if that works or not. im playing online since i don't understand how to go offline since i downloaded the newest DLC from GFWL directly. and had the problem were if wouldnt download the last 100 mb. but a GFWL resprestitive helped me fix it so i can download the rest. but now im or been geting the exit game crash. and im no expert on windows files/programer type person im just a avrage gammer who rather play the game with out bugs or problems. if theres any i usualy wait for a patch fix to fix this but the lastest 1.5 patch doesnt seem to work. i did what he told me to do delete the stuff in the newest DLC cashe folder. but that still didnt work, and i unstalled the game reinstalled the game and still crashes on the game exit. for now im going to be playing windowed mode instead of ful screen and using the ctrl - alt - del thing till they get a newer fix patch for this.and as far as the game this my first time playing the pc version of fallout 3. since i was an idiot and listened to the guy at gamestop and bought the ps3 copy first when it first came out. so im playing the pc version im at doing misc quest/mission and exploring before i finnish the main story line or do the new DLC the pit and the OP ach thing. and i heard people been having a variety of problems with the new DLC with contining there storyline game.

First, thank you for the "herculean" consolidation. No small effort, indeed!

My mistake was thinking I had the system down pat after going through the FGFFWL embroglio (only one of those Fs stands for "for".) I moved all the files into the game folder. But, what are these "BIK" files? Oh, well. just throw these in there, too.

WRONG!

Another trip to the forum and I found out what video files (bik) were. DUH!

Haven't had a problem since then :fallout:

Hey!

I Have a bug and i want helpo

Maybe you can?

http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=991403

I can acces to BS content
(I'm in offline mode, I Moved everything, no mod conflict, I have the 1.5 patch, and BS is the firston the Fomm list)

Can you help me please?

btw, did u move the .bik files to the video folder in the data folder?

Yes, I moved "2 weeks later .bik" "B09.bik" "B27.bik" "B28.bik" and "B29.bik" in the video folder

I'm wondering. when I went to move the bik files, it said the "two weeks later" bik was already in the videos folder in my data folder. Did it already transfer, or do I have to overwrite it? The one in the data folder already is also larger than the one from the "XLive" folder I pulled the other one from.

I also noticed that there are "1 year later, 3 years later, 6 years later, and 9 years later" bik files in there as well.

Broken Steels 5 bik files? If put in dat/video they want to overwrite existing, what happens to original 2 weeks if you want to start a new game? didn't go ahead with overwrite can u enlighten me

Got the game Saturday and was suffering from random crashes. The fix I used was to run the game in windowed mode (not perfect but game is much more stable).

N.B. Sometimes crashes a min or so after 1st load up but after that it seems ok.

Hope this helps some people. It's a good game once you get it working.