Hi, I recently installed Fallout on Windows XP from the original game CD (which I bought back around 1998). I was able to get the game started, but when I enter combat and am injured, the application gives an error and the whole screen goes black. No amount of Alt-Tabbing, trying to open in-game menus, moving the mouse, etc. will clear the screen. The game is still running -- I can hear the sound -- I just can't see anything. I've tried disabling my graphics card (or chip, rather -- it's a laptop), and various other tactics haven't worked. Does anyone have any suggestions?

This only happens when I'm injured -- when a creature strikes and misses, there's no problem. I note that an application error window gets popped up, but I can't read it because the whole screen is black.

And, is there any reason to think this might not happen if I re-bought the Fallout trilogy from gamesas?

Thanks.

Odd, I haven't seen that particular behavior before.

You might try reinstalling, but using the WinNT installation instructions found here:

http://gamesas.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=117

What version of DirectX do you have? And have you updated your video drivers?

Thanks Chris. I installed using those NT instructions (humongous install). My DirectX is 9.0c, and I just updated the drives for my Mobility Radeon 7500. Still no luck.

Hmmm. You might try this unofficial patch:

http://nma-fallout.com/forum/dload.php?action=file&file_id=1169

It allows higher resolution and since changing the way the screen buffer is written, it might fix your problem.

pax,
-Chris

On XP it works fine for me running in compatability mode, selecting Windows 95/98 mode.


* For some versions of Windows you may need to ENABLE compatability modes. See this:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279792


For XP SP2 compatability mode should already be available. If you see Metal Maniac, let him know I'm looking for 'em.

Those strategies didn't work, but I just downloaded the sfall patch:

http://timeslip.chorrol.com/sfall.html

... and it looks like the problem has vanished.

Thanks for the advice.