I have supected for a while now, that Codecs are one of the major the reasons that this game does not run for some folks or crashes after the cut scenes. This is a thread to investigate codec differences. I will post my codecs in the next post here and you can compare what you have to what I have. Now, I have a decent sized list because I have the K-Lite Codec Pack installed, however other than that, only the stock codecs. My game runs flawlessly, only one crash so far and that was near the exterior of Rivet City. Other than that no issues.

This program can easilly list your codecs and let you manage them. Also, there is a reset utility that lets you remove all isntalled codecs but the stock ones. Thanks to Wolfpup for finding Installed Codecs.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Codec-Packs-Video-Codecs/InstalledCodec.shtml.


Disable all codecs first, then try the game, if it works, then you may want to enable half of them, see if you have a problem, try the other half. Then you can narrow it down to the problem codec.

Or, just reset them all to stock.

The following tool only works on XP, Nightmares codec reset utility resets XP to default codecs. Installing K-Lite will replace most if not all the ones removed to play most media out there with Windows Media Player and other Players.

http://nightmare2013.brashendeavors.net/

Also, Winamp has been reported to be an issue, particularly with ogg files being associated with it. Make sure they are associated to Windows Media Player. This also goes for mp3 files, those need to be associated with Windows Media Player. FFDshow is also a suspected problem, however I have it with K-Lite, so maybe that is an alternative for folks who need this.

So, if you are having issues running the game, see if your codec list is the same as mine. What ever is different, then use the Installed Codec Program to disable them and see what happens. Note, there may be codecs in my list that have the same name as what you have, but since they are provided by K-Lite, they are stable and non-interfering.

These are the codecs I have, from my DXDIAG. Note, most of these are provided by the K-Lite Package, so maybe you can reset your codecs, then use that package. But, try the game after the reset first. Again, these may have the same name as what you have, but mine are from K-LIte, so they are stable and non-intrusive.

------------------
DirectShow Filters
------------------

DirectShow Filters:
WMAudio Decoder DMO,0x00800800,1,1,,
WMSpeech Decoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
Mpeg4s Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,
WMV Screen decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,
WMVideo Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,
Mpeg43 Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,
Mpeg4 Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,
WMT MuxDeMux Filter,0x00200000,0,0,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
VP6 Decompressor,0x00800000,1,1,vp6dec.ax,6.04.0002.0000
ffdshow Video Decoder,0xff800001,2,1,ffdshow.ax,1.00.0005.2079
Full Screen Renderer,0x00200000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
CoreVorbis Audio Decoder,0x00800000,1,1,CoreVorbis.ax,1.01.0000.0079
ffdshow raw video filter,0x00200000,2,1,ffdshow.ax,1.00.0005.2079
ffdshow Audio Decoder,0x3fffffff,1,1,ffdshow.ax,1.00.0005.2079
DV Muxer,0x00400000,0,0,qdv.dll,6.05.2600.5512
Mpeg Source,0x00200000,0,0,MpegSplitter.ax,1.00.0000.0005
Color Space Converter,0x00400001,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
WM ASF Reader,0x00400000,0,0,qasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
AVI Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
WMT Audioanolyzer,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
VGA 16 Color Ditherer,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
Indeo? video 5.10 Compression Filter,0x00200000,1,1,ir50_32.dll,5.2562.0015.0055
Windows Media Audio Decoder,0x00800001,1,1,msadds32.ax,8.00.0000.4487
RealVideo Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,RealMediaSplitter.ax,1.00.0001.0002
MONOGRAM AMR Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,mmamr.ax,1.00.0001.0000
AC3 Parser Filter,0x00600000,1,1,mpg2splt.ax,6.05.2600.5512
WMT Format Conversion,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
StreamBufferSink,0x00200000,0,0,sbe.dll,6.05.2600.5512
WMT Black Frame Generator,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
MJPEG Decompressor,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
Indeo? video 5.10 Decompression Filter,0x00640000,1,1,ir50_32.dll,5.2562.0015.0055
WMT Screen Capture filter,0x00200000,0,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
Microsoft Screen Video Decompressor,0x00800000,1,1,msscds32.ax,8.00.0000.4487
MPEG-I Stream Splitter,0x00600000,1,2,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
SAMI (CC) Parser,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
CyberLink Video/SP Decoder (PDVD8),0x00800001,2,3,CLVSD.ax,8.01.0000.1608
MPEG Layer-3 Decoder,0x00810000,1,1,l3codecx.ax,1.05.0000.0050
MPEG-2 Splitter,0x005fffff,1,0,mpg2splt.ax,6.05.2600.5512
MP4 Source,0x00600000,0,0,MP4Splitter.ax,1.00.0000.0004
ACELP.net Sipro Lab Audio Decoder,0x00800001,1,1,acelpdec.ax,1.04.0000.0000
FLV Splitter,0x00800001,1,1,FLVSplitter.ax,1.00.0000.0004
Internal Script Command Renderer,0x00800001,1,0,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
MPEG Audio Decoder,0x03680001,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
_ VSO Preview Filter,0x00200000,0,1,VsoVprev.ax,3.00.0000.0041
WavPack Audio Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,WavPackDSDecoder.ax,1.01.0000.0484
File Source (Netshow URL),0x00400000,0,1,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
WMT Import Filter,0x00200000,0,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
DV Splitter,0x00600000,1,2,qdv.dll,6.05.2600.5512
Bitmap Generate,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
Windows Media Video Decoder,0x00800000,1,1,wmvds32.ax,8.00.0000.4487
MONOGRAM AMR Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,mmamr.ax,1.00.0001.0000
Video Mixing Renderer 9,0x00200000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
Windows Media Video Decoder,0x00800000,1,1,wmv8ds32.ax,8.00.0000.4000
MONOGRAM Musepack Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,mmmpcdec.ax,0.09.0001.0002
Haali Media Splitter,0x00800001,0,1,splitter.ax,1.08.0122.0018
Haali Media Splitter (AR),0x00400000,1,1,splitter.ax,1.08.0122.0018
WMT VIH2 Fix,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
Record Queue,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
MP4 Splitter,0x00600001,1,1,MP4Splitter.ax,1.00.0000.0004
Windows Media Multiplexer,0x00600000,1,1,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
ASX file Parser,0x00600000,1,1,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
ASX v.2 file Parser,0x00600000,1,0,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
NSC file Parser,0x00600000,1,1,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
File Source (Monkey Audio),0x00400000,0,1,MonkeySource.ax,
ACM Wrapper,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
madFlac Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,madFlac.ax,1.08.0000.0000
Windows Media source filter,0x00600000,0,2,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
Video Renderer,0x00800001,1,0,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
Frame Eater,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
MPEG-2 Video Stream anolyzer,0x00200000,0,0,sbe.dll,6.05.2600.5512
Line 21 Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,qdvd.dll,6.05.2600.5512
Video Port Manager,0x00600000,2,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
WST Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,wstdecod.dll,5.03.2600.5512
Video Renderer,0x00400000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
Haali Video Renderer,0x00200000,1,0,dxr.dll,
RealMedia Source,0x00600000,0,0,RealMediaSplitter.ax,1.00.0001.0002
WM ASF Writer,0x00400000,0,0,qasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
FLV4 Video Decoder,0x00400000,1,1,FLVSplitter.ax,1.00.0000.0004
WMT Sample Information Filter,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
VBI Surface Allocator,0x00600000,1,1,vbisurf.ax,5.03.2600.5512
Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Decompressor,0x00800000,1,1,mpg4ds32.ax,8.00.0000.4487
File writer,0x00200000,1,0,qcap.dll,6.05.2600.5512
Haali Simple Media Splitter,0x00200000,0,1,splitter.ax,1.08.0122.0018
WMT Log Filter,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
WMT Virtual Renderer,0x00200000,1,0,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
DirectVobSub,0x00200000,2,1,vsfilter.dll,1.00.0001.0005
RealAudio Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,RealMediaSplitter.ax,1.00.0001.0002
Avi Splitter,0x00600001,1,1,avisplitter.ax,1.00.0000.0009
DirectVobSub (auto-loading version),0x00800002,2,1,vsfilter.dll,1.00.0001.0005
MONOGRAM AMR Encoder,0x00600000,1,1,mmamr.ax,1.00.0001.0000
DVD Navigator,0x00200000,0,2,qdvd.dll,6.05.2600.5512
Overlay Mixer2,0x00400000,1,1,qdvd.dll,6.05.2600.5512
Haali Matroska Muxer,0x00200000,1,0,splitter.ax,1.08.0122.0018
AC3Filter,0x40000000,1,1,ac3filter.ax,1.03.0001.0000
AVI Draw,0x00600064,9,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
.RAM file Parser,0x00600000,1,0,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
MONOGRAM AMR Mux,0x00600000,1,1,mmamr.ax,1.00.0001.0000
DC-Bass Source,0x00400000,0,1,DCBassSource.ax,1.01.0001.0000
WMT DirectX Transform Wrapper,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
G.711 Codec,0x00200000,1,1,g711codc.ax,5.01.2600.0000
MPEG-2 Demultiplexer,0x00600000,1,1,mpg2splt.ax,6.05.2600.5512
DV Video Decoder,0x00800000,1,1,qdv.dll,6.05.2600.5512
Indeo? audio software,0x00500000,1,1,iac25_32.ax,2.00.0005.0053
Windows Media Update Filter,0x00400000,1,0,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
ffdshow Audio Processor,0x00200000,1,1,ffdshow.ax,1.00.0005.2079
ASF DIB Handler,0x00600000,1,1,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
ASF ACM Handler,0x00600000,1,1,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
ASF ICM Handler,0x00600000,1,1,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
ASF URL Handler,0x00600000,1,1,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
ASF JPEG Handler,0x00600000,1,1,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
ASF DJPEG Handler,0x00600000,1,1,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
ASF embedded stuff Handler,0x00600000,1,1,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
9x8Resize,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
WIA Stream Snapshot Filter,0x00200000,1,1,wiasf.ax,1.00.0000.0000
Allocator Fix,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
SampleGrabber,0x00200000,1,1,qedit.dll,6.05.2600.5512
Null Renderer,0x00200000,1,0,qedit.dll,6.05.2600.5512
VP7 Decompressor,0x00800000,1,1,vp7dec.ax,7.00.0010.0000
MONOGRAM Musepack Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,mmmpcdmx.ax,0.03.0001.0002
WMT Virtual Source,0x00200000,0,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
madFlac Source,0x00600000,0,1,madFlac.ax,1.08.0000.0000
WMT Interlacer,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
FLV Source,0x00600001,0,0,FLVSplitter.ax,1.00.0000.0004
StreamBufferSource,0x00200000,0,0,sbe.dll,6.05.2600.5512
Smart Tee,0x00200000,1,2,qcap.dll,6.05.2600.5512
Overlay Mixer,0x00200000,0,0,qdvd.dll,6.05.2600.5512
Avi Source,0x00600001,0,0,avisplitter.ax,1.00.0000.0009
AVI Decompressor,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
Uncompressed Domain Shot Detection Filter,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
AVI/WAV File Source,0x00400000,0,2,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
MPEG4 Video Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,MP4Splitter.ax,1.00.0000.0004
QuickTime Movie Parser,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
Wave Parser,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
MIDI Parser,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
Multi-file Parser,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
File stream renderer,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
XML Playlist,0x00400000,1,0,wmpasf.dll,9.00.0000.4503
WavPack Audio Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,WavPackDSSplitter.ax,1.01.0000.0323
ffdshow subtitles filter,0x00200000,2,1,ffdshow.ax,1.00.0005.2079
Mpeg Splitter,0x00400001,1,1,MpegSplitter.ax,1.00.0000.0005
RealMedia Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,RealMediaSplitter.ax,1.00.0001.0002
AVI Mux,0x00200000,1,0,qcap.dll,6.05.2600.5512
MPEG4 Video Source,0x00600000,0,0,MP4Splitter.ax,1.00.0000.0004
Line 21 Decoder 2,0x00600002,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
File Source (Async.),0x00400000,0,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
File Source (URL),0x00400000,0,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
WMT DV Extract,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
WMT Switch Filter,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
WMT Volume,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
Haali Video Sink,0x00200000,1,0,splitter.ax,1.08.0122.0018
Stretch Video,0x00200000,1,1,wmm2filt.dll,2.01.4026.0000
AC3File,0x00600000,0,1,ac3file.ax,
Infinite Pin Tee Filter,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.05.2600.5512
QT Decompressor,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
MPEG Video Decoder,0x40000001,1,1,quartz.dll,6.05.2600.5596
Indeo? video 4.4 Decompression Filter,0x00640000,1,1,ir41_32.ax,4.51.0016.0003
Indeo? video 4.4 Compression Filter,0x00200000,1,1,ir41_32.ax,4.51.0016.0003

This is a way to stop FFDShow issues if you have the player. Note, the K-Lite version, which does not usually cause problems, does not have the same configuration

Tbh I had a codec problem with Oblivion which pissed me off cause it kept crashing and Bethesda never fixed it.


I think it just speaks volumes about what a lousy developer they are if they end up doing the same thing here and not fixing the issue. It shouldn't be our job to fix the game for them but they should patch it so we don't have all these codec problems (if it is the problem with Fallout 3 aswel) I mean no other game has these problems.

I'll give them a month and then I'm going to get my money back.

Did not work for me.CTDs are still the same.

This is the part I was referring to in the other thread.

I admire the OP for trying, but I think he is approaching it the wrong way. Applications who need codecs and DirectShow filters can do several things. First they can enumerate which codecs and DirectShow filters are present and select the ones appropriate and stable to do the job. If none of these are present the application can opt to select one installed by the game. This is doable and not rocket science. The devs might also investigate if the code using these codecs and DirectShow filters is stable by debugging it. Just mentioning two possibilities. The dev team did not chose to solve this issue in Oblivion and didn't think it was worth doing it for FO3.

If the OP did something like this for Oblivion then I would applaud him, because the game isn't supported anymore. But in this case the ball should be played by the developers and not by its customers.

I agree with the direction and instructions with the OP, but the entire issue with Winamp doesn't seem to be at all possible. You should not need to change file associations. It's almost as if you're suggesting that Winamp loads up with the game trying to run the files in which case it does not.

I've mentioned this in response to a previous post you did before in another thread. FO3 uses DirectShow like in Oblivion, whatever program is designated to load the file should not be what is at fault (if it did, foobar2000 on my system would be up to no good). Problem with the Winamp logic is that it does not install any 3rd party filters from what I understand so in this case, file associations ultimately should have no say here.

Here is the problem, file associations are what tells the computer what program to launch when a file wants to be played. If the file starts looking for Winamp, then Windows Media Player can not process the codec like the game expects. the game has to wait until the PC can get things sorted out, then boom, game crashes due to taking too long.

Now, when you re associate a file, you are not stopping Winamp, or any other program from playing that media.

Besides, how many media files out there use ogg extentions? None that I have ever used.

MP3 files have to be associated with Windows Media Player, has been since the days of Morrowind, and that has a bigger impact than the obscure ogg files. And, it never stopped people from using Winamp to play their MP3s

That doesn't sound right at all :/

So, you are blaming me for trying to help?

Just like to add that in the AC3 Filter app that came with K-Lite, I switched the "Default audio renderer" under the system tab to "Use WAV Out by default" and the stuttering radio fault went away - for now. That's on a Vista system, without ALchemy (as that bombs the program out) with an Audigy.

Hope that helps somebody.

That makes sense as Vista does not use DirectSound. Thanks for finding that.

Been a log time gamesas game player here. I consider Morrowind to be as much a classic as the greats like Civilization and Master of Orion. The one thing I do know from these games is that all games, not just gamesas ones, are buggy as hell at release, and patches post release almost always take weeks to roll out. Some games like Moo2 NEVER got all the bugs patched, despite being a large seller. If you bought the game before the first patch, then you only have yourselves to blame. I mean, you wouldnt install XP without the service paks, would you? There hasn't been a peice of software out in years that didn't have problems at launch with people who had problems running the gambit from install to CTD to frame rate issues. Things will settle out, just have a bit of patience, some one will figure things out soon.

Anyways, following the advice here in this thread, and others, I have eliminated maybe 75% of my CTD's by disabling fast travel saves and using the freeware codec sniper ( http://en.utilidades-utiles.com/download-codec-sniper.html ) to find out which codecs were broken. I had a slew of em. Updated every broken codec, including FFDshow and now things are very playable though I still get CTDs talking to some seated guy in Moriarty's in megaton. maybe my solution might help a person or two out

Sys specs:

XP Pro SP 2
Intel C2D e8400 3.2ghz
2GB corsair Ram
bfg GT7950 512
Audigy integrated mobo

Try turning down the sound hardware acceleration to basic on the sound tab of the DXDIAG tool.

Start>Run>(type) DXDIAG>Sound tab

Perhaps I've misread you, but it is entirely possible to disable ffdshow filters on specific executables via the K-Lite package via

Start > All Programs > K-Lite > Configuration > ffdshow audio decoder

, then modifying the values manually.

It should also be noted that there have been several cases where program association has not caused issues until ffdshow was enabled, wherein the game would be unreliable. Is this a combination problem, or one triggered exclusively by either party?

At any rate, it's nice to see you on the Fallout forums, CCNA. I'm sure anyone that has done so much for the Oblivion forums can at least whip things into shape over here.

Thanks for trying. I'm suspecting a codec problem too as the one time I managed to get the game to run up to menu was when I renamed the /Data/Video/ folder so no intro could play... course this wouldn't have done me much good once the first cut-scene was reached, and is not (in my opinion) a solution.

Gonna try to match your codec list tomorrow (tired after about 30 hours attempting to fix)
..on the plus side I now have more codec management programs than I ever knew existed

I disabled all my codecs with the InstalledCodec tool and enabled them in portions until I found the only two needed to stop Fallout 3 from immediately crashing. The only codecs required to run the game on my system are "ffdshow Audio Decoder" and "MPEG-I Stream Splitter". Although this stops the game from instacrashing, it still does not fix the random freezes inside the game itself. And that is hardly a codec problem. I have played games for a while and those random freezes just reeks of memory handling issues. Possibly memory leaks of some sort related to loading smaller instances in the game like for example houses.

On an unrelated note, it is completely mind boggling that Bethesda haven't sorted out the codec issues their games seem to be having. This was a major issue for many PC gamers on Oblivion and the developer should make damn sure it didn't happen again. They need to abandon whatever system their games are using for audio and video playback and use what EVERY OTHER developer is using. Because those systems work out of the box, unlike Bethesda games.

yup, I've said this about the codec packs giving problems with this game engine even with oblivion. I dont think the way the developers made this game is entirely open-ended so-to-speak for any codec pack other than default ones that ship with most graphics cards and whatnot to be compatible with the game. I'm no developer so I couldnt say for sure but thats just my pick. Mainly the problem causers are k-lite and ffdshow

I had horrible crackling/popping music on the pipboy (announcers were fine) with absolutely ZERO third party codecs (not even DIVX) installed.


Installing k-lite basic fixed it.

hey some people has it work for them, some people not so much but its a more likely cause for issues relating to those codec packs is what I meant. Glad it helped you out though.


edit: I on the other hand dont bother with those things. I consider the crackles and pops an effect of being out of range really (I only hear it on the radio) since I think thats normal that the developers put in but I could be wrong either way it makes sense for me even if it is a buug im hearing

Yeah Thanks 2 this post i got The game Working just fine no crashes after doing this,
New Catalyc Center For my Ati Card and drivers
and just like this post, updated my Codecs
but now i only occured 1 new problem (yesterday was doing fine :S )
A cant load Any Save Game i can start a new 1 but i cant load the saves
i still cant get that 2 work right any1 know a solution of this???

Hi

I am using the Klite Package
and I'm still crashing
I delete them, and i Still Crash
a Full WIndows Re-do and I still Crash

Check my Post, for Full Details
< 2 Much Crashing, Hurts the game >

It crackles and pops even when you're inside the station when you're afflicted by the bug.

When it's fixed, it's crystal clear when you're close; and gains a slight underlying hiss the farther you go away.

*edit*

It should be noted, that I was crashing before I had the codecs, and after. They did fix the audio bug though, which makes the radio bearable to listen to.

I had the problems you listed above.
i just removed the arcsoft media converter and the game ran purfectly (well.. it crashes every 4 - 6 hours but thats acceptable)
also you might want to check all your media converters, i didnt have arcsoft on mine i had media converter for philips but it had the arcsoft logo when uninstalling.
this also fixed my 'not responding' error that i get every minute or so on oblivion.