I bought the freaking collection for 25 bucks, popped it into my computer, and tried downloading FO2 off of it's main menu. It gave me four options:

Small
Medium
Large
HUMONGOUS

I chose large. It completed the download, and told me to click on the shortcut to play it. When I attempt to do so, it says, and I quote: "Couldn't find/load text fonts" in a small grey box with a big red 'X'. When i attempt Small or Medium it does the same. I tried Humongous but it failed midway, giving a similar message. I am highly disapoiinted and would greatly appreciate it if someone could lend a hand.

NOTE: I have Adobe Reader 9, so I'm sure it's more than enough. My OS is XP, which apparently works with this game. Yet still I can't play.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

BIS FO Editor "Couldn't locate/load text fonts" error
------------------
To fix this problem change the mapper2.cfg file's [system] section to the following:
[system]
critter_dat=H:\Games\BlackIsle\Fallout2\critter.dat
critter_patches=H:\Games\BlackIsle\Fallout2\data
master_dat=H:\Games\BlackIsle\Fallout2\master.dat
master_patches=H:\Games\BlackIsle\Fallout2\data
Where H:\ is the letter of your HD, and Games\BlackIsle\Fallout2\ is the path to the editor. You should manually locate your executable/data files and change the path accordingly.

Fallout 2 "Couldn't locate/load text fonts" error
------------------
Same thing as above except fallout2.cfg is the file you want.

Well, I'm not so good with computers so this is kinda confusing. Mind giving me a step-by-step process on how to fix this?

On second thought, that isnt very helpful and i can't even work out what its supposed to mean.

First things first, install the patch. http://www.nma-fallout.com/forum/dload.php?action=file&file_id=704

Then set compatability modes to win98. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-windows-vista-compatibility-mode/

Ok, I'll install the patch. Thanks. And btw, I have XP not Vista...

Its worth doing anyway, and the methods pretty much the same.

Alright. Well the patch download is about to start. So when I have the patch and have changed compatibility to Windows 98, I can play FO2?

Oh, also, I'm using the compatibility link you gave me, and it's a tad bit confusing. Where do I find this "installation directory"?

Somebody please help. I really want to play...

Something like that:
C:\Program Files\BlackIsle\Fallout2

Okay I went there but still have no idea what to do. Again, a step by step process on how to get the game to work would be the most effective, considerin I have little knowledge of doing things like this...

Is your Windows XP completely up to date? All service packs etc? If so then idk because it installed and plays just fine one my pc. Win Xp pro 32. Also the high rez patch makes it much more crips looking. Just try uninstalling and reinstalling with humongous. I know anything under huge install requires the disk in the drive to play if I remember.

Go to your fallout directory (C:\Program Files\BlackIsle\Fallout2), right click on the .exe file, select "properties", then the tab "compatability", tick the box "Run this program in compatability mode for", then select windows 98 from the dropdown list.

Then see if it works properly.

Gotcha. But inside properties of 'Fallout 2' It has only three tabs, General, Sharing, and Customize.

Oooookay I see the .exe file now, it wasn't labled .exe I had to find it manually. Alright, changed it to 98. Thanks for all the help, here goes nothin...

Okay... when I go to play, it now says:
"you're trying to use sfall with an incompatible version of fallout
was expecting fallout v1.02 US"

So... what now?
I hate to sound so aggravating, but I was really excited about this and I'm now very disappointed...

Crap.
I cant find anything. I dont know what to do.
All i can think of is to Uninstall, make sure you delete everything then reinstall.

I give up. I'm throwing this piece of [censored] disc away and never thinking about fallout 2 again.

*tried to edit, couldn't so I replied*

I got it to work. Thanks for all of your help Calgone.

Hells yeah! How'd you get it to work? Hope you enjoy!

Dunno, just tried to humongous option again and it worked... need a bit of help in it. I need a gun. I cant kill squat with this spear. But the 10mm pistol costs 800 caps! I really need some kind of small arm...

All I can say is Good Luck! The game isn't easy. Perhaps put points into Stealing and you could steal a gun from someone. You can pretty much rob anyone you come across. Just save your game first!

SWEET! I tagged stealing I loved stealing, so effective in FO1. Wish it was in FO3

Well there is Pickpocket in Fallout 3 just no actual skill. Stealth skill is the main factor for it I think.

I meant I wish pickpocketing was as effective in FO3