I'm posting just so I can get an idea about how to proceed without either frying my system or breaking the disc itself. Within the past hour, the game has frozen 7 times, almost always after taking a shot in V.A.T.S.
Honestly, Idk why it is doing this so frequently as it used to only happen once in a while. It is 2011, this problem should have been fixed years ago. The disc is pristine and unsmudged/unblemished. Please help me out on how to work around this.

Try deleting the games data utility and then reinstalling, or start a new save game.

Won't this lose all of his progress? I'm just starting to get into this game...well, I have many hours into it and the game freezes up when I try to go into my house (Megaton). I just did get out of another pickle. Game is starting to frustrate me. Looks like eBay might have another posting. :verymad:

I feel your pain... I'm new to Fallout too, bought the GOTYE a few days ago and am loving it but these constant freezes are frustrating the hell out of me. I've read several posts on not dropping items/selling all your gear but honestly I don't have much. Just got to level 13 and The American Dream (main quest endgame) is nigh-on impossible.

It amazes me that such a (deservedly) acclaimed game is experiencing such major issues making the game unplayable, years after its release.

Surely there must be a fix???