How do I open a backpack in fallout 1?

Use your right mouse click. You should see the options.

Press "I" button or click the INV for inventory aka backpack, same goes for Fallout 2

Need more help? Press F1 for all the control options

Thanks, I tried this but I'm using a laptop that doesn't have the RMB. I have a program that lets you ctrl + click, but fallout doesn't seem to recognize this. I can use M in the gameworld to cycle cursors but not in the inventory screen, so in other words I'm stuck with the hand.

Anyone have any ideas of how I can workaround this?

This game is great, BTW. I had previously played Fallout 2 and have been playing Fallout 3 lately, so I decided to get the original and give it a go. I can understand people [censored]ing about Fallout 3 a little more now, not that it isn't a good game, but Fallout is perhaps one of the best RPGs ever. Reminds me a lot of Arcanum (which I am also a big fan of).

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you but are you talking about your inventory or are you referring to the backpack you can purchase? If you're referring to the backpack you can purchase, I wouldn't bother. It doesn't reduce your carry weight or do anything very special other than allow you to sort of organize a bit better. If you can't open them up I wouldn't really worry about it.

I meant, the backpack you can purchase, sorry for the ambiguity. I definitely won't be bothering with them again. Unfortunately, before I figured out I couldn't open the backpack I placed the bug and wire that Killian gives you inside. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to work for Gizmo instead. :chaos:

You'd be surprised at just how fulfilling this will prove to be, just be sure you talk to everybody in town first!