Need help - GOG version of Fallout 3 crashes

[Kaludram]

Okay, so this is my first attempt at getting help, so please be patient.

 

Stopped playing Fallout an aeon ago, so I decided to try Fallout 3 for the first time while I was sick over the holidays.

 

I found a copy of Fallout 3 GOTY on GOG that was compatible with Windows 10 (which is what I am running). I downloaded and installed it to the default path:

 

C:\Program Files (x86)\GOG Galaxy\Games\Fallout 3

 

Computer specs are basic, non-gaming laptop:

 

Processor: Intel Core i3-5020U CPU @ 2.20GHz, 2195 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)

Graphics Card: Intel® HD Graphics 5500

I recognized that the graphics card would be a problem (even though I am running Skyrim without problems on the same machine), but I tried it anyway. Got to the main menu, but the game crashed as soon as I selected New Game.

I installed the Intel HD Graphics Bypass Package (https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout3/mods/17209/?tab=description&BH=0) mod files--first just d3d9.dll and then the Fallout.ini file also. I tried to launch the game with just the dll file and with both installed, but now the game crashes when the launcher tries to start up the main menu.

The launch menu is detecting the mod correctly. It lists the graphics card in use as NVIDIA GeForce 7900.

I have tried running the launcher and game in compatibility mode (Windows XP SP3), as admin, and in windowized frame as suggested by other troubleshooting posts. I have tried every resolution setting available from the launcher menu (default detection is medium). No joy.

Any help would be great.

[M48A5]

You have installed the game in the worst possible location there is.

 

The game is completely under the control of Windows Account Control and that prohibits any changes to be made to the game files.

 

You need to get the game installed in a location that is outside of "Program Files" and ensure that the game files are not set to "Read Only".

 

That is the only way any changes can be made the game files.

 

Your processor is a little under-powered for the game, however, it should be fine if you limit your graphics to medium and limit the number of mods you attempt to run.

[Kaludram]

Thank you for the feedback.

 

I uninstalled the game and Galaxy, re-installed everything fresh from GOG, and got the same results.

 

Current game path: C:\GOG Games\Fallout 3

 

The Launch menu seems to work fine and detects the correct graphics card before the mod and then a NVIDIA card after the mod. The game crashes at the Please Stand By slide of the main menu.

[M48A5]

According to the game specifications on on the Fallout 3 box, the minimum GPU should be 2.4GHz. However, I have read that some people have claimed to have gotten the game to run on a slower GPU. It might be that you just don't have enough GPU/RAM to run the game on a Windows 10 laptop.

 

The articles here https://wiki.nexusmods.com/index.php/Fallout_New_Vegas_Game_Information may be of some help. It's for New Vegas but applies to Fallout3 also.

[HadToRegister]

I use the GOG version of Fallout 3 as well.
For one, don't use the 4gb patch, Gog has already patched FO3, also don't use the FO3 stutter remover, that will actually cause More crashes than it prevents.

I had the same problem, I could play the game, but if I tried to start a new game I would CTD immediately.

Also, none of those "guides" worked worth a damn for me, I tried the Compatibility mode stuff etc, I'm currently running it with No compatibility Mode turned on, and I'm not running it as an admin
I'm also running it with Reshade with it's D3d9.dll and 112 mods.

 

And I can't for the life of me remember how I got it working and I wish I had documented it, because now I'll have to go through the same thing again if I ever uninstall/reinstall.

[Kaludram]

According to the game specifications on on the Fallout 3 box, the minimum GPU should be 2.4GHz. However, I have read that some people have claimed to have gotten the game to run on a slower GPU. It might be that you just don't have enough GPU/RAM to run the game on a Windows 10 laptop.

 

The articles here https://wiki.nexusmods.com/index.php/Fallout_New_Vegas_Game_Information may be of some help. It's for New Vegas but applies to Fallout3 also.

 

On closer inspection of the Fallout 3 specifications on GOG's website, I am guessing this is the problem. Although a Core 2 duo is in the recommended specs, the minimum specs cite a 2.4 GHz Pentium processor requirement. I'm guessing the way this has been modded by GOG, the 2.4 GHz requirement is still fundamental to the processor needs.

 

Guess I'll have to try this on a different machine. Not like there is a lack of computers at my place... :dry:

On closer inspection of the Fallout 3 specifications on GOG's website, I am guessing this is the problem. Although a Core 2 duo is in the recommended specs, the minimum specs cite a 2.4 GHz Pentium processor requirement. I'm guessing the way this has been modded by GOG, the 2.4 GHz requirement is still fundamental to the processor needs.

 

Guess I'll have to try this on a different machine. Not like there is a lack of computers at my place... :dry: