I have the game installed on steam but when I try to install the G.E.C.K after I have downloaded and extracted and clicked on the application file I get the message "This has failed to start because libvorbisfile.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem." I have tried re-installing but still receive the same message.

You've put the files in the wrong place, they need to go in the New Vegas directory.

Program Files/Steam/SteamApps/Common/Fallout NewVegas

Yes

Thanks.

Well, that is deceptive. Most people would expect the .exe that they downloaded to be an installer, not the program itself. Not having any instructions stating this makes it unlikely that anyone who doesn't already know is going to figure it out.

Yeah, this is a common misconception. I did the same thing once or twice.

The NV GECK is so buggy, you can think of this as a litmus test to weed out the people who can't either figure it out or post a polite request for help

I just installed the GECK to the proper location and it still cannot find said file despite it being right there in the same folder. Kind of at a loss as to how to fix this.

EDIT: Ok, wtf... if I activate the GECK from within the folder it works, but if I try to use the desktop shortcut it cannot find the file in question....

Why are you using a desktop shortcut anyways? Pin it to your start menu or just run geck.exe

You can use a desktop shortcut.

In the shortcut properties, on the shortcut tab, there is a textbox "Start in:". Put the pathname to the FNV folder in that box.

Ordinarily, in Windows Explorer if you copy the GECK executable then paste shortcut, that pathname is already there.