Like everyone else that's been posting on here about all the issues with the game crashing and locking up requiring a hard reset, I have had the same issue. I was literally STUCK in the Helios array trying to salvage the 5 solar array panels and get back to Nellis Airforce Base to install them. I was able to get the 5 array panels but it would lock up after that, sadly that's where I saved last. So I thought I was in an endless loop. Luckily I had a separate save RIGHT before I went into that area and was able to use that one. So I thought I was just not going to be be able to do that quest.

Went and managed to complete a few other minor quests, then decided to try a rather large one, requiring me to fast travel to a location. Upon arriving there were some enemies and Boone started to take care of them, INSTANT freeze. I realized that the freezes hadn't started to happen until after I got Boone. I decided to leave my companions sit somewhere while I went off and progressed through the game.

I should note that I have two companions; Boone and ED-E.

After leaving both of them somewhere ( at a base you can fast travel to easily) I first tried to take out a group of Lakelurks. Where the game HAD frozen up on me consistently. With no companions I did not have any issues. Reading elsewhere in these forums about a known bug with the Helios Array Area, I decided to try and go back there to finish that quest, was able to get the arrays and fast travel back to Nellis no problems at all. Thinking that I was having good luck I decided to try the quest where you have to raise the B-52 Bomber from Lake Mead. Again reading that was a horrible bug that was broken somehow I decided to try that one with out a companion along. Was able to complete it easily and without a single freeze up or glitch. Feeling lucky I ended up grabbing ED-E and bringing him with back to the Helios Array and with JUST ED-E and it did not freeze there, after I did the mission called Sunshine Boogie. (The one where you have to get the arrays for Nellis) and the game didn't freeze then.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO........................

Here's the work around, leave your companions somewhere safe.

I'm not sure yet if BOONE!!!!! is the culprit, or not, but I've been running around doing a bunch of missions with JUST ED-E and haven't had any issues now.

My stats look something like this.

Game time : 31.10.02
Level 21: Restorer of Faith

S.P.E.C.I.A.L. 7 -7 - 5 - 5 - 7 - 6 - 7

Skills ... not going to bother... sorry...

XP 33328 / 35700






Good luck to all those that are stuck -
Chris

Let me know if anyone has found out something like this, with leaving companions some where.

There are a lot of game-breaking glitches and disappearing companion bugs revolving around them. I never heard of this before. It seems that for you companions are a fix. Bravo on your find good sir.

Update -

Tried running around with Boone, and it locked up again after about a minute. I believe it locked up when Boone tried to attack something, because he said " You can't get away from me" like he does when he attacks and then it froze.

So, I'm thinking that there is a bug with Boones code somewhere. I haven't run around with any other human companion, but I don't have an issue with ED-E, so.

Chris