I tried to amend the int file as instructed. the game now runs as before it would CTD during loading fallout logo. however now the game crashes when i select a gender for my character in the begging of the game? any advice?

I am using the wind live goty edition. Should i just buy it on steam?

Does fallout vegas have these issues>?

You might not have a video card that can run the game. You don't really have any 3D until that part of the game.

However, did you install it in Program Files or Program Files (x86)?

It doesn't matter, the Steam version still requires GFWL. As CCNA mentions, maybe your hardware isn't good enough. You should post a DXDiag of your system.

I am running an fx4100 asusgfx550ti and 8gb ram. I have now got as far as the goat test but ive had about 6 crashes to get there, it crashed at the goat so i had a break.

The FX4100 is a quad-core and the game doesn't like those. They can cause crashes. At the top of this forum is a thread that will tell you what to do in order to get the game to only use 2 cores.