I have an older model HP Desktop 1657c with Windows XP Service Pack 3, 2 gb RAM, etc. I've loaded and played other DVD games; this is the first time it has done this. It runs and plays Oblivion GOTY edition without a problem and works normally with movies, music cds, data cds, etc. According to what I can figure out, it should be able to run Fallout 3 no problem. I recently bought a copy of Fallout 3 GOTY edition and the system refuses to recognize the Fallout 3 disc 1. It will read and recognize Fallout 3 disc 2, but inserting that makes an error message pop up telling me that it can't find Fallout 3 and I need to install; please insert disc 1.
When I insert the disk 1, it moves a little bit and then stops and nothing happens. If I open up My Computer, it looks as if there is no disc in the DVD drive.
If I start the system with the disc 1 inserted, it doesn't start up and I can hear the disc 'clicking' as if it is trying to read it, but the screen remains black with just a blinking cursor. As soon as a open the DVD drive door, it starts up normally.
I thought I had a bad disc, so I put it into my laptop (with Windows 7) and the disc installed Fallout 3 without a problem. I'd just play on the laptop, but it doesn't have enough oomph to run the game without lags and video freezes; the laptop's hardware is inadequate for Fallout 3.
As far as I can tell, there is some sort of issue with recognizing the Fallout 3 disc1 that does not apply to Fallout 3 disc 2; how is the formatting on the disc of Fallout 3 GOTY different from the formatting of a disc like Fallout 3 disc 2 or Oblivion GOTY and what can I do to address this problem?
I've been all over Microsoft and tried downloading the 'fix-it' diagnostics, tried reloading drivers, double checking the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers (and trying them on different settings just to be sure), etc., all to no avail. I searched this forum and found a lot of advice for people who had problems going from XP to system 7, nothing I found helped me, though.
Any hints or suggestions appreciated!