Fallout 3 Patch Problem

[jzsang]

Foremost, I have a legitimate copy of Windows Vista and Fallout 3 (DVD version). Additionally, my drivers are all up to date.

Anyways, for some reason, when I try to upgrade my version of Fallout 3 to the latest version (1.0.0.15), the patch's .exe, which I have now downloaded and tested from three different web sites (including Bethesda's own), launches the game instead of installing the patch. What's going on?

Notes:

-I've tried installing the patch with the both DVD in and with the DVD out. The game interestingly launches either way.
-I've hovered over the Fallout 3 icon in my Window's Games screen. Despite many attempted updates, verison still remains 1.0.0.0.

Similar problem:

http://www.bethsoft.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=912371&pid=13255575&st=0&#entry13255575

 

[jzsang]

Anybody?

Should I just not worry about installing the patch and wait for the next one?

 

[Khalaq]

Check to see if your .exe file has actually been updated, already. The latest patch updates the game, for me, and then tries to launch the game after it has finished patching. Since the patching is already done, I can then safely kill the process and be done with it.

Once your .exe file has been updated, you should be able to run the game using either fallout3.exe or falloutlauncher.exe. A desktop shortcut to fallout3.exe should now skip the disk-check which is driving so many people crazy.


-Khalaq

 

[Guest]

This is not a solution to the problem. You just say what you did(and it does not have any sense because you do not have the same problem).

I got the same bug while patching. After klicking on the patch i see two progress bars, there is a console window popping in for a few seconds, and then fallout 3 launches. But unpatched.

I checked the fallout3.exe version - its not patched.

I allowed full access for every file and folder.

the files are not Read-only.

I've reinstalled the game, and tried to patch it clean, with same result.

I tried different patches from different sites - no result.


So, what the F**K!?!

The patch is 1.5.

 

[Khalaq]

This is not a solution to the problem. You just say what you did(and it does not have any sense because you do not have the same problem).

I got the same bug while patching. After klicking on the patch i see two progress bars, there is a console window popping in for a few seconds, and then fallout 3 launches. But unpatched.

I checked the fallout3.exe version - its not patched.

I allowed full access for every file and folder.

the files are not Read-only.

I've reinstalled the game, and tried to patch it clean, with same result.

I tried different patches from different sites - no result.

[expletive deleted]

The patch is 1.5.

Actually, I did offer the solution to the exact same problem you are complaining about. I had to deal with this mess and found a workaround. It seems I wasn't understood in my previous post, however, so I will try to explain things more clearly.

1) After starting the patching process, you should see two progress bars. The object is to get them to completion. This will be a pain in the neck because of what happens next.

2) Once the patching executable is almost complete, a dialogue window will pop up, and then the game/patcher will try to launch the OLD Fallout 3 executable. DO NOT LET IT. You want to cancel the launching process, thereby closing the Fallout 3 application. If the application is running, the patcher will not be able to save the changes made and the executable will revert to 1.0.0.

3) Once you have closed the Fallout 3 executable, you will be able to go back to the popup window (part of the patching) and finish out the process. As it completes, it will update the executable. It will not be able to do this if you haven't killed the Fallout 3 process, so make sure the Fallout 3 executable is NOT running.


Successful patching of this game requires knowledge of how to kill specific processes while leaving others alone. Why is it such a hassle to patch this game? Because the distributors were foolish enough to include SecuROM as part of the software package, and the developers can't be bothered to fix what appears to be a software conflict.


-Khalaq

 

[Judder]

How do you cancel the old Fallout 3 executable from opening, or at least close it with closing the patcher?

 

[Khalaq]

How do you cancel the old Fallout 3 executable from opening, or at least close it with closing the patcher?

You go into Task Manager, click on the tab at the top that says "Processes," and then you look for the Fallout launcher process. Once you find it, select it and "kill" it. You will get a dialogue popup that asks you if you truly want to kill the process. Click on "OK" or "Yes" or "End Process," whatever your version of Windows requires.

Once the launcher/Fallout executeable is closed, you can go back to the patcher dialogue box and finish/save the changes.


-Khalaq

 

[Judder]

I tried that but it closed down the patcher as well. I thought I'd give you a step by step just incase I'm doing something wrong.

1) I open Fallout3_1.7_English_UK.exe
2) A message comes up saying "Fallout3 is about to be updated to version 1.7"
3) I click OK
4) The 2 progress bars fill up and once the bottom one is full the game launches un-patched
5) I press ctl alt and delete and bring up the Task Manager (this is how it looks)

6) I click on processes and end fallout3.exe and NOT Fallout3_1.7_English_UK.exe
7) The screen goes black for a second then both programs are gone.

I'm really not sure what I'm doing wrong, it might just be my computer.
Judder

ps. Thank you for the swift reply to my last post, it's much appreciated.

 

[chrisb2009]

I have to agree with Judder. I have done everything I can to make this game work. I bought Fallout3 on PC and it had a 2-4 second delay when I entered V.A.T.S I had no idea what to do. In the end I updated my Nvidia graphics card driver, problem solved. However I bought the add-ons(the pitt and operation anchorage) Now when I go into V.A.T.S it's back to the 2-4 second delay. I try to update it to v1.7 but it just auto starts 75% of the way through and then encounters an error, This is so frustrating. Please can someone help me. I am running:

Windows Vista Home Premium x64 bit.

2.9ghz processor

580gb Hard Drive

521mb Nvidia Geforce 9800GT

All the latests drivers and windows update.

and the latest FO3 v1.7 update (even though I can't update it, it's downloaded ready to go)

I know that there is a simple solution and that I have to either turn something on or off or I need to update something. I un-installed and re-installed the game and the add-ons, But still the same error crap. I tried to "KILL" the fallout.exe so I could install the v1.7 update but it just closed the whole lot down.

You can contact me via e-mail.

christopherjbray@hotmail.com

I hope someone can help me and understand what I'm saying.

Thanks

Chris

 

[Guest]

Update Windows Live and your patch should go through. I've done it twice on two different computers.

 

[chrisb2009]

I downloaded both v1.7 FallOut3 patches (US and UK) neither of them worked. I get 75% into updating it and then the game starts to run on it's own. I press CTRL ALT DEL and is says the patch is not responding so I close FO3 and the patch updater closes too. I have updated my Nvidia graphics card driver and and Windows Live v3.0 and still no luck. V.A.T.S still has a 2-4 second delay and now when I exit the game stops responding.

Please Help

 

[kdmsant]

Same problem here with windows7, i cant find anyway to solve this... by the way, Khalaq, thanx for trying to help out but your solution sounds 100% stupid and 0% effective

 

[Razortoe]

I'm the Anonymous poster above (apparently it didn't go under my newly signed up name, so whatever).

Since I didn't mention before, I'm running XP SP3.

Anyways, after updating Windows Live, I also had that problem with the game launching during the patching process. But I didn't kill the patch. I killed the game and the patch seemed to recover and finished normally. At least that's what I remember from when I installed it on my son's computer the other week. I've been running the game under 1.7 patch (and no expansions) since then with nary a problem. Well, that's not exactly true because I get a blue screen when I set the graphics settings too high, but I can live with that.

Just be wary of killing only the game process. You also probably have to do it somewhat quickly. Both my computers either lock up or crash when I exit the game directly or ALT+Tab while in the game. So I am guessing that if the game process gets too far, it will make Windows unstable when it dies. I don't know for sure and I'm not willing to test it

 

[rahooblack]

this is a very stupid problem, i've tried the solution of killing the fallout 3 launcher by task manager but it doesnt work 🙁
but i tried something else i removed fallout3.exe and fallout3launcher.exe from the default folder and put it somewhr else so tht the game cant launch and i installed all the patches and it worked fine, all patches installed and after tht i put them back, i guess it worked coz none of the patches updates those removed files
but here the version of fallout 3 doesnt get updated so i cant be sure

 

[Kilcunda]

I've got the same problem here, but I've been able to update to 1.0.0.15 in the past. Running Vista 32 bit. I've got no idea what the problem is, but it's driving me insane, especially with add-on compatibility.

For the above post, to check which version you're running, either right click on the .exe and go in to properties or start the game, click settings then display - The version will be shown in the bottom left corner.

 

[Guest]

I am not sure if it worked but what i did is went into my fallout 3 folder. right clicked on fallout3.exe went into properties/security. then I set the file to allow write/modify but not to allow read/execute. so if the problem was with the game launching that will fix it. I am not sure that is the problem tho. It did not work. The patching has nothing to do with the game launching. I have full privileges to write on all files in my Bethesda folder. the game is not installed under program files and it still wont update. The main reason I want to patch is because I am getting the bug where you are stuck in vault 87 because of the finding the garden of Eden quest bug.

 

[dakotablues1]

Idon't know what the fuss is all about; I have updated fallout3 starting with v1.4 through v1.7. I let the updater finish, launch the game then close it out from the GAME main menu. After that, I go to the file location (for me; C:\Program Filesx86\Bethesda\Fallout 3) find the executable and make a new desktop shortcut from that to launch from. Currently, that exe is @ v1.7.0.3 Try that.

 

[noelmasson]

If you are having problems with the 1.7 Patch, then you're using "Game of the Year Edition".

To fix it, uninstall Fallout 3 by inserting DVD1 and running setup, selecting remove (you will have the option to keep your saved games!).

Then goto Control Panel>Programs and Features (for Windows 7 users). On the left you will see "Turn Windows Features On or Off" - click it. Click on the [+] box next to Windows .NET Framework 3.5.1 to expand the selection and tick the two empty boxes that appear. The click OK and wait patiently until it silently installs the required features.


Once the installation is removed and you've updated the .NET framework, run setup again from DVD1 to create a clean installation. Choose a SIMPLE installation rather than custom. When this has completed, do not run the game.

Insert DVD2 and run setup. When this has completed, run the patch making sure you have dowloaded the correct one (I'm using the UK version of the game so I use the UK patch!).

WHen the patch has installed it will exit. Cancel any other messages.

Re-insert DVD1 and select Fallout 3 from Start Menu>Games.

All done and dusted!

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey