OK occasionally i run into the problem of a crash, and it is sometimes more annoying then I wish it was. Occasionally I run into the problem of it crashing and unable to be minimized. so my screen is frozen and I can't do anything so I have to force shut down my PC cause I can't see my desktop cause Fallout won't disappear. Anyway I could force close fallout when this happens? Or Force it to minimize? All help accepted, thanks.

does the sound keep playing?

What are your specs?

Load order?

yeah usually the sound keeps playing. Sometimes the screen gets deformed to, all colorful.
Intel Dual Core 2.5Ghz
4 Gig ram
Windows XP pro
Nvidia Geforce 9800GTX+

Anything else you want to know ask.

And all ESM's first, all ESP's next.

Ok... well there could be two causes of this that I've personally found, 1 is the multi core fix and 2 is the archive invalidated freeze. It's probably the archive invalidated freeze since you only have two cores to begin with... but give the first fix a try, and always backup your fallout.ini file before you edit it (very important).

1) Follow the direction in this article -> http://www.pdsys.org/blog/post/2009/02/07/Fallout-3-VideoDisplay-Freezes-sound-keeps-going.aspx, if you have questions about the article then private message me, or come back here and post your questions here.

2) If you use archive invalidated (most people do), then it very well could be the culprit. To test to see if this is the case, simply go into your fallout installation folder = c: program files/bethesda/fallout 3. Find archive invalidated exe, and run the program. When it pops up, hit deactivate. Then test the areas that cause the problems, if the problem is resolved then you have the culprit.... unfortunatly, this issue is as of yet unresolved. Quarn, the author of the mod cannot be reached as of late and his mailbox is full. So you're stuck trying to deactivate Archive invalidated, then going through cell, saving once you're through the trouble area, reactivate archive invalidated and continuing to play. It is not a solution, but it will get you through some of the trouble areas. Be warned, that it will cause some mods to malfunction, especially those whom are graphically oriented, such as Darn UI, weapon texture mods, and so on. You can follow the progress of this issue here -> http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1173633-fallout-3-and-freezing-with-modern-cpus/page__st__20

To test these areas without having to reboot your computer after every freeze, go into your fallout 3 launcher menu. Hit the "Options" button, and put an X over the 'windowed' option under mode settings (bottom left hand corner of the options menu). That way, if it does freeze, you won't have to reboot. Just do a ctr+alt+del and click on fallout 3... and you know. Know that when you do switch it back to fullscreen, the resolution may be changed to something different, so adjust this to your preferred setting before continuing. Good luck.

I actually have a custom Fallout.ini file, and I do use archive and these troubled cells aren't always crashing, it is only sometimes. Doesn't always happen at that exact spot.

did you test to see if the multi core fix helped alleviate the prob? If not, then turn off archive invalidated in a known trouble spot.

There are several other solutions, but they had no effect on my rig whatsoever. Here's a short list for the xp user.

1. Closing all unnecessary processes through task manager.
2. LAA Enabler
3. Update to the latest drivers for you GPU CPU etc etc.
4. Skullptura fix -> This fix will ruin your in game progress, it's only if you want to start a new game, which I'm guessing you don't want to.
5. Download latest k-lite codec pack

How many mods are you running? Can i get a list?

There is no designated trouble spot, really it seems to be where a lot is happening at once. a lot of animation or something along those lines. my load order is the following though:
Fallout3.esm
CRAFT.esm
BrokenSteel.esm
Anchorage.esm
Zeta.esm
ThePitt.esm
COMM.esm
PointLookout.esm
Enhanced Weather - Rain and Snow.esm
TheInstitute.esm
AbbreviatedEffects.esm
norepairneededv2.esp
Craft - Activation Perk.esp
AQFH.esp
AQFH2.esp (this is the mod I am playing now and where I am having these crashes most)
1PipboyPDA.esp
Pip-Boy StealthBoy Addon.esp
NightmareRealm.esp
Fellout-Full.esp
Fellout-Pipboylight.esp
Fellout-Brokensteel.esp
Fellout-Anchorage.esp
Fellout-Zeta.esp
Fellout-PointLookout.esp
UndergroundHideout.esp
CS_LightsaberQuest.esp
Dragonskin Tactical Outfit.esp
DragpmslomBonusPack.esp
Enhanced Weather - Rain and Snow in Fallout.esp
Enhanced Weather - Weather Sounds in Interior.esp
Enhanced Weather - Radioactive Rain and snow plugin.esp
Realistic Interior Lighting.esp
Realistic Interior Lighting - BS.esp
Realistic Interior Lighting - OA.esp
nightvisiongogglesft.esp
SniperZooming.esp
NotSoFast.esp
HZ_XM586UR.esp
3EFdrg.esp
MyWeaponry1.esp
Auto Aim Fix v1.1.esp

You know now that I look at my load order...I don't know what some of these do lol.

Try lowering your game settings. Or follow this guide if you really want to tweak out your fallout 3 game -> http://www.tweakguides.com/Fallout3_1.html



Ok, well... you may want to go to A Quest For Heaven's main thread (page) to see if you can't get help there as well.



Err... well that's not so good. I didn't recognize some as well.

I gave you some recommendations so far, but the most imporant is using FO3 edit to see if your mods are conflicting with each other. I'm sure you've read a bit on how to install mods and whatnot, there are some good sticky's here on this site you should look through. If you don't know how to use FO3 Edit, then please read Miaxs_Tome_of_FO3Edit_Noir_v1.1 (just do a google search and you'll find it). It will give you a rundown on how to make mods work well together. Another good place to look for help on you load order is Arwen's site -> here is her load order: http://amito.freehostia.com/Fallout/FO-mods-order.htm

Good luck.