# Weird Fallout 3 problem - technical issues
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-fallout-3-problem-technical-issues/660806
**Category:** The Game Room
**Created:** [June 12, 2013, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-fallout-3-problem-technical-issues/660806 "2013-06-12T13:34:38Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2013, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-fallout-3-problem-technical-issues/660806/1 "2013-06-12T13:34:38Z")
I know this is backwards, but I actually played Fallout: New Vegas before Fallout 3.
Anyway, here is my deal:
Fallout: New Vegas ran beautifully on my computer. I had to turn off some of the high-end graphic aspects, but I was able to run it on what I’d call medium settings and it loaded quickly and played smoothly. Beat the game from start to end with, I think, zero crashes or glitches.
So, I bought Fallout 3 at the Steam sale last summer for $5.
Crashes and will not run. Full disclosure: I thought maybe it was Steam or something, so I then bootlegged the game(remember, I have bought it legally) and tried that version. Same error.
The game installs fine, loads to the opening screen. I choose, “New Game” or whatever and the opening cinematic plays. “War. War never changes…” and so forth.
As soon as it attempts to load the non-cut scene graphics, the game crashes to the desktop immediately and that is the end of the story.
I have successfully run Elder Scrolls IV and as I said, Fallout: New Vegas.
Anyone have any idea how it is possible that New Vegas runs perfectly while Fallout 3 can’t run at all?
My system:
[Toshiba laptop model Satellite L775](http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/laptops/toshiba-satellite-l775-review-50003960/)
I know the review above says gaming isn’t the machine’s forte, but here is what I’ve run smoothly:
Portal and Portal 2
Half-life 2
Far Cry 2
Fallout: New Vegas
Elder Scrolls IV(have not tried V)
Darksiders 1 and 2
Bioshock
Anyway, anyone know what might cause this?
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### Author:  [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2013, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-fallout-3-problem-technical-issues/660806/2 "2013-06-13T19:02:59Z")
This is actually a very very common issue. See if the fix here helps:
> **[Steam Community :: Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/)**
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### Author:  [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-fallout-3-problem-technical-issues/660806/3 "2013-06-15T19:25:16Z")
Thanks. In the end, [I actually got it working with this solution.](http://forums.techgage.com/showthread.php?t=5052)