I purchased Fallout 3 Game Of the Year Edition via Steam. I, to weeks of repeated attempts(include clean full reinstalls), to no avail can get windows live to run. Is there any way I can obtain the content that I have purchased or am I basically screwed? I have had massive problems with Windows Live. It seems completely absurd and actually monetarily detrimental to a company to offer purchases through a system that only works for a select few. What happened to "license key + web download"? I have also spent several hours over a week or so trying to find a way of a regular (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!STANDARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) way to login to windows live via the web to obtain downloads that I have purchased to result in nothing but fruitless absolute purple faced frustration! If there is no alternative I plan to request my money back and I also intend to avoid any games using this service as if it were the black plague.

Its GOTY why hook up to live. You have all the DLC why bother.

I don't where you are and I gather you have a pc because you brought Fallout3 GOTY edition through Steam. Why did you brought through Steam? You should of brought the hard copy of the game.
As for Windows Live, its crap. Its clear as mud, muddled (same thing) and you have to jump hopes something through them. I only brought couple of download contents and one game from Steam which is a small download compare to those dlc's.

It was noted on a fallout support forum for Steam. I have found that indeed the content is downloaded and installed. It just wont "load". I have even tried to force it via the Data Files menu without success.

EDIT: btw I found this out via the fallout wiki and hence noticed I have all of the ESM and BSA files or so it appears in a commons directory along side all the other content.

Um... Why are you answering a question with an unrelated question? Steam... Because Bethseda made it available via it, because they dont have hard copies available anymore, at least in my region. Are you suggesting its MY fault that their software does not work because I purchased an offer they worked out with a third part or perhaps you are just daft?

Windows Live being crap is apparently fully evident. Why bethseda has provided their content through it is beyond me and part of my gripe.

Although, as from my other response, I apparently have the content. It just will not "load" even when forced. So regardless of WL or not Im still at square one, meaning, nowhere and no "DLC".

So I found a "work around" for the time. If I start the game without going through Steam the expansion packs show up. What svcks is that if I want to change any major aspect of the game system (not in game) mechanics I have to fire up Steam, adjust, quit and restart. Annoying but at least it appears to be working.

I suppose my suggestion to Bethseda(ID?) is to avoid offering this sort of setup. Fine if you sell it online via the likes of steam but for the love of whatever, PLEASE, offer or make it blatant an easy method of starting the game while bypassing all the junk.

On another note I apologize for perhaps the acidic nature of my initiating post but take into consideration buying three games in a pak (morrowind, ES4 and FO3) only to have the issues with one of the games which happens to be the most desired. Point being, merchants need to provide setups that result in no "hoop jumping" for customers or we are likely to get irritated and just bail to someone else.

Thanks.

Apparent Solution: Avoid Steam execution and start the application manually. (That is of course if it allows as many will refuse to start outside the steam application.)

Does it work now?

Even the retail GOTY edition will not install the DLC by default ~Its optional content. To have it in the game you must open the launcher enter the DATA section, and check-mark (to include) any (or all) of the optional DLC additions you wish to include into the game.

I installed FO3 GOTY from Steam and I think all DLCs instantly worked for me...

Same here. There is an item you need to click on the first page that pops up before the game and inable the DLC. Took me a while to figure it out.