Fallout 3
From ErrorWiki
Troubleshooting
DLC will not work
Symptoms: I think I installed the DLC, but it just doesn't work at all.
Problems that cause this error:
Problem 1: You might have done something wrong?
Solution: Check this tutorial if you want to know 'how' to install a DLC of Fallout 3: TODO
Problem 2: You don't have patch 1.1 or higher installed.
Solution: Install the latest Fallout 3 patch for your system (UK or US, ..). This patch can be found on the official website:
http://fallout.bethsoft.com/
The DLC will not work properly without the 1.1 patch.
Problem 3: /
Solution: Download, install and use Fallout 3: Mod Manager (Found: http://www.fallout3nexus.com/ ) to enable your DLC.
Not a cryptographic message or the cryptographic message is not formatted correctly. (Exception from HRESULT: 0×8009200D).
Symptoms: During the installation you get this error.
What: Windows Live DRM is causing these problems.
Problems that cause this error:
Problem 1: Windows Live DRM
Solution: See if you can download another file. Bethesda should have fixed the problem by now.
Emulator detected! Please deactivate virtual drive and emulation software.
Symptoms: You enter the disc but can't install the game because this error appears.
Symptoms: You installed the game but can't run it because this error appears.
What: An emulator copies (emulates) the functions of a system, using another (different) system. For example: A Gameboy emulator allows users to play gameboy games on an ordinary computer. The latest games use Securom protection to prevent people from using illegal games. Many download sites offer the game as an "image" file which can be mounted on a virtual drive. Securom has now blacklisted some of these "virtual drive" software.
Problems that cause this error:
Problem 1: You are using an illegal version of the game.
Solution: Buy the game?
Problem 2: You have an emulator running which is detected by Securom
Solution: Disable the emulator
Problem 3: You have burning software installed which is blacklisted by Securom.
Solution: Remove the burning software OR disable it's image drive feature.
Problem 4: There is no real problem.
Solution:
1) Right click on your DVD-Drive containing the Fallout 3 disc and select explore.
2) Double click on the setup.exe located in the DVD folder you just opened.
3) Follow the install instructions.
If this error occurs when trying to run the game.
Solution: Install the latest Fallout 3 patch for your system (UK or US, ..). This patch can be found on the official website:
http://fallout.bethsoft.com/
If the problem persists:
Solution: Contact Securom.
Emulators: Daemon Tools, MagicIso, ... (Nero is known to cause problems too)
Game crashes when reaching level 21
Symptoms: Reaching level 21 = crash
What: Patches up to 1.4.06 do not support level 20+ titles etc.
Problems that cause this error:
Problem 1: Your patch does not support level 20 + titles and so on.
Solution: Install patch 1.5 to solve this issue.
If you are using unofficial mods and patches, you might want to look here: http://thenexusforums.com/index.php?showtopic=125185 .
You need Fallout 3 DLC: "Broken Steel" to be able to get from level 20 -> 30
Fallout 3 does not appear to be installed and the installer could not be found. Try exploring to your DVD-ROM drive and selecting setup.exe to install the game.
Symptoms: You were trying to run the game using Steam.
Problems that cause this error:
Problem 1: Steam did not had the required permissions on your system.
Solution:
1) Exit Steam.
2) Right click your Steam icon (Or steam.exe file) and select "Run as Admin".
This game is currently unavailable - NOD32
Symptoms: You were trying to run the game and this error came up.
Problems that cause this error:
Problem 1: NOD32 is blocking Fallout 3
Solution:
You got Fallout 3 via Steam
Add the game folder (default location for steam versions: C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\fallout 3) to NOD32 exclusions.
(How ? => Find Out )
Then, verify your GCF Cache files:
1) Start Steam.
2) Navigate to your My Games tab, right-click on the game and select Properties > Local files tab > "Verify integrity of game cache..."
3) Wait until the process is finished.
4) Test the issue
You didn't buy Fallout 3 via Steam
Add the game folder:
default location XP: C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Fallout 3) to NOD32 exclusions.
default location Vista: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bethesda Softworks\Fallout 3) to NOD32 exclusions.
(How ? => Find Out )
Unable to use Games for Windows Live
Symptoms: LIVE menu option is greyed out
What: Games for Windows Live.
Problems that cause this error:
Problem 1: Problem with the patch
Solution:
1) Install the latest US patch. Found: http://fallout.bethsoft.com/
2) Then install the latest UK patch. Found http://fallout.bethsoft.com/
It seems that installing the US patch and then installing the UK patch right after, solves the problem.
If the problem persists:
Solution: Contact 'Games for Windows Live' or 'Bethesda Softworks'.
An error (-5004 : 0x80070002) has occurred while running the setup
Symptoms: This error occurs while trying to install the game.
Problems that cause this error:
Problem 1: Installshield
Solution:
1) Rename C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\InstallShield\
2) Reboot
3) Try Again
Solution:
1) Deactivate your virusscanner.
2) Try again.
Solution:
1) Deinstall your virusscanner
2) Install the game
3) Reinstall your virusscanner
Fallout 3 has stopped working
Symptoms: You were gaming and suddenly the game crashes with the error message mentioned above.
Problems that cause this error:
Problem 1: Outdated Videocard and/or Soundcard drivers
Solution: Go to the website of your video/soundcards manufacturer and download the drivers for your system.
Problem 2: Problem with the patch
Solution:
1) Install the latest patch for your system (UK or US). Found here: http://fallout.bethsoft.com/
