If I am speeking out of turn, I apologize... I don't know if this issue has already been addressed.

Reading the forums, it seems that most crash problems are caused by out-of-date graphics cards. The common experience people seem to relate is:

• they experience the crash,
  
• they try to trouble-shoot on their own,
  
• they scour the forums and FAQs for clues,
  
• they do DXDiag and upload to the forums,
  
• someone at Bethesda has to review the dump
  
• only then is it discovered that their video card is incompatible.

It seems to me that a small change could save some users an enormous amount of time, confusion, and grief.

The Launcher could automatically check the graphics card for capabilities (ie pixel shading, DX version, etc) and pop up a user-friendly, descriptive error message if the graphics card is missing a feature that Fallout requires to run.

I thought about this exact same thing earlier. I was reading an issue where someone had to change some .ini settings based on their processor. Why cant launcher make these fixes when it detects video settings?

Oh, Bethesda, that would be too easy. I just love telling people their Intel chipsets are incapable of running the game, and their storebought pcs have psus too weak to upgrade to a proper card. :facepalm:

It's a great idea, but I think the responsibility falls to us to tell people. They're not going to code something like that into the game at this stage.

They already made this, it's called the minimum requirements. Most people aren't smart enough to check em though :facepalm:

Exactly. The minimum requirements are clearly listed on the dvd-box.
It's the buyer's "fault" so to speak, if they don't check it out...

Now when problems arise and the pc exceeds the minimum requirements that's another story...
And unfortunately the latter's quite common....

Yes, but reading the requirements for PC can be a troubleshooting task in itself. People may not know that a 9600GT is worst than a 8800 Ultra. Yes it is not the developer's fault, but some responsibility needs to lie on the Graphics card maker.

Maybe a sticker that say High-end for great cards, Mid-range for common PC users, and Casual for the casual gamer.

I have been seeing this issue since the beginning of PC Gaming. Not having hardware required. Unfortunately, how would one handle new cards that come out? My 4890, which can run this game on Ultra High is defaulted by the Launcher to Low. However, my 8800GT, which was contemporary to the game, was recognized and set to High. I can't see game companies patching their launchers every 6 months or so for every card generation release.

So, until Omniscience is Assured, we will just have to assist folks to come to understand that there are differences between PCs.

I seem to find a lot of posts that have no solutions. And its no wonder when a bug list like this exists, http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Fallout_3_bugs

It is a outstanding amount of bugs, almost astonishing, but if you only tackle the main quests the bulk of the bugs are not a problem(if u target the main quests i can complete the game without a crash in less then 12hours), unless you explorer the map and take on the minor side quests you will never find these problems discussed from link above(not for me if only main quests are tackled, but that's not the problem i have, i want to explorer all the map completing all minor quests, see below link)

Link :: http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1041445&st=0&p=15109834&#entry15109834. Would love some feedback as why some appear not to have any problems, but quite a few do

Oh btw Bethesda support here really suxs, it does not exist, they suxed out our cash and don't give a cr@p now

Perhaps if you stopped insulting them they would have better support. Don't use the restroom where you eat your food.

I mean, if I noticed how everyone reacted to the problems, you'd be damn sure I'd only work on the problems reported by friendly people.

Besides, I'm tired of hiring the Talon Mercs to whack people...

I wasn't suggesting that Bethesda should check against a library of compatible graphics card models (although that would be pretty simple given that most machines are internet connected, and the library could be maintained as a web service).

What I was suggesting is that the launcher could ignore the graphics card model, and use DirectX to check the graphics card for required features. The video card exposes all of its features via DirectX. If the video card doesn't support a particular feature that Fallout needs to run, it would be so, so simple to check for that feature within the launcher.

If DXDiag can query the graphics card for a feature, then so can the launcher.

Well, since no one who posts in the Hardware Forums actually works for Bethesda, or is paid by anyone to provide assistance, or is in anyway beholden to one who posts here with a problem, nor has the ability to actually put their hands on a posters PC, the Community Sourced help here is pretty good.

All we can do is provide solutions to problems that we know have worked for others in the past and for most folks, gets the game running. This is unfortunately leaves some folks who are unable to play the game. However, I can guarantee that if I had access to the folk's machines who can not get this game to run no matter what they supposedly try, I could get this game to work on their machines.

No one from Bethesda is on these forums (Except for Gstaff and some other people).

All people that post on the hardware support sections are regular members, and are spending THEIR time trying to help YOU. Don't you think you should be thanking them for doing that job for free, not spitting in their faces?

Believe me, if you have typed out the steps for a Dxdiag out as many times as all of us, you would want to demand a paycheck

This, I have typed that so many times. It is like a ritual to me now, I type the same words every time.

"My Controls", "My Personal Notepad" is your friend. I keep dxdiag instructions there as well as cache clearing for the xbox 360 and a few miscellaneous links that are handy.

Don't quite know how you misinterpreted what i had written there Allstarn (maybe English isn't your native tongue), "Oh btw Bethesda support here really suxs, it does not exist, they suxed out our cash and don't give a cr@p now" but you are not Bethesda nor are those comments directed at you, and just like those that contribute here so did i here, maybe you never clicked the link? http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1041445 topic has 600 views with no Bethesda support(not talking about support from users, which has been discussed here that there is no support from Bethesda which i already figured out).

That's what I am saying. There is no Bethesda support of the forums. If you want Bethesda, you should call them, because there are no Bethesda support members on this forum (except for gstaff)

I'm thinking your english isn't that good either. Because I can't really figure out what you mean here.

You want Bethesda's help, or do you want the fans help?
Don't crap where you eat as the adage goes.

Don't tell me your disabilities, go cry to mum tell and some one who cares

What does that even mean? I dont think there was anything in there about a disability, just stating that these forums are more for the other consumers to help each other out and not for the real staff to come here and help.

Those that hold a brain of flea, i guess they just can't be helped.

My first original post is focused to Bethesda. Why?? I'll explain to those with no brains, post has over 600 views with no support from Bethesda(did not take much to realize there is no support from Bethesda). Absolutely pathetic support, this is not freeware. Any product you purchase its usually crooks and scams where you would expect such treatment and those that support such behavior really makes you wonder what motives they have to support it

You insult us, yet we have told you several times that the devs dont visit this forum, only the community manager. I dont know why, they are busy with other things, and most things here can be helped by the numerous people here who know a lot about the game and how to fix the problems with it.

Why cant you read, i wont waste my breath here any further



Did not the above allready cover this from my first post, i already know there is no support

Closed for review.

It will stay closed.