Hey, there. I just installed the GECK, and I'm struggling with it. I... am... a... noob.

Please excuse me for asking some noob questions.

1) I've updated my copy of Fallout to version 1.7, but apparently, the GECK has only been updated to 1.5. Will that cause any problems?

2) When I tried to install the program, it told me I was missing a file: libvorbisfile.dll

I can't even start the program. Can anyone tell me what this is and where I can get it?

Thanks very, very much. I've been wanting to use the creation kit for a long time, but I can never quite seem to get it started.

-- NoobNoobNoob

1) My GECK.exe file version is 1.5.0.19 and I have patch 1.7 installed and everything works.

2) I recall you get the missing dll error when GECK is installed to the wrong folder. It needs to be in the same folder as Fallout3.exe and libvorbisfile.dll.

I got the game through Steam, and I followed the directions by saving the file to this directory:

C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout 3

I don't see liborbvis in the folder, though. Should I download it separately? Do I need something like this?

http://xiph.org/downloads/

I would love to start building things, but I still can't get the GECK started.

-- NoobNoobNoob

Wait a minute! When I use the Search function for Windows XP, it tells me libvorbis.dll is in there! It's in the same folder: C:\ProgramFiles\steamapps\common\fallout3

Why doesn't the program recognize that it's there? Why won't it start?

-- NoobNoobNoob

Okay, I can see there are two copies of the game here: one in ProgramFiles\steamapps and another in ProgramFiles\Valve\steamapps. I've kept the one in the Valve file and deleted the other one.

I copied the dll file from the first folder and pasted it next to the other dlls in the second folder.

I *think* that should work... but it doesn't.

Any advice? (Other than giving up, of course. )

-- Noob

The patches being 1.7 and 1.5 is fine, no problem at all they are independant of eachother. (for the most part) The missing file is because you are installing to the wrong spot. Install to the Fallout3 folder. The GECK needs to be in the same folder as Fallout.exe, then it should work.

ProgramFiles\steamapps? This suggests that you've installed Steam directly into Program Files. The game is in 2 locations? I bet it's not working because the steam and/or install is a total mess.

You can see where Fallout 3 thinks it's installed by checking the registry:
1) Start -> Run OR Windows+R
2) "regedit"
3) Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Bethesda Softworks\Fallout3
(note that there is 2 similar keys (folders) in here, Fallout3 and Fallout 3 (note the space))
4) The data of the REG_SZ Installed Path value is where Fallout 3 should be installed.

This registry key may play a part in locating the missing dll file. If geck uses this value, and the dll is not there it will fail. I however think GECK just looks for it in the working directory, which should be where geck.exe is. This registry key should help you sort out that install mess of yours though.

IT'S WORKING!!! THANK YOU!

(I've been wanting to use this since the game first came out!)

-- Noob