Please, I really need help: updating CPU drivers and running Fallout 3

**morteduzionism** · November 02, 2009, 08:02 AM

I don't know if any have heard but Fallout 3 GOTY seems to cause a lot of people problems.

From what I've seen through my research it's mostly people who don't meet system requirements, haven't updated GFWL or are having problems with the 2nd disc.

I'm not having any of those problems.

I have a single problem preventing me from playing the game:

fallout3.exe has experienced a problem. We're sorry for the inconvenience...
AppName: fallout3.exe
AppVer: 1.7.0.3
ModVer: 1.7.0.3
ModName: fallout3.exe
Offset: 008038c9

I first played the game on a system with these specs:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
XP SP3
8600GT
1GB RAM

I would get a crash in the same place every time. At first it was when, as a baby, I approached the toy chest. For some inexplicable reason that stopped. The next and current crash point is right after Amata wakes you up and the character enters the hallway. Once the guard says, "There he is! Stop right there!"...crash

Both cases are exactly the same. As long as I avoid a specific trigger (toychest/guard's speech) the game didn't crash.

I then built a new rig:
AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor
XP SP3
9800GTX+
2GB RAM

I'm getting the same crash in the same spot with the same error message.

I've tried numerous fixes.

I've rolled my GPU drivers back, lowered graphics settings, played the game in a window, reformatted the hard drive, erased all signs of F3 (from the registry & searching files/folders), exchanged the game for a new one, multiple defrags and installed with the patch and without.

Nothing has worked.

As I said, I've only made it out of the vault once and that was...crazy. I'd just tried to install a new HD that wouldn't format so I reinstalled my old one. The game was still there and I decided to play it. That's the only time I made it out of the vault. I restarted to play for real and it's been crashing in the same spot ever since.

I've tried my hardest to research "Offset" errors but I haven't really found anything. The only thing I found seems to imply they're related to the CPU but I really don't know for sure.

When updating my drivers the only one that doesn't seem to change "versions" is the CPU.

Here's what's happening:

I. Current Processor driver version: 1.0.0.0
1. I go to my mobo's website and downoad the latest chipset drivers
2. An installer, that says version 2.0, is installed in my C:\Program Files\AMD\AMD Processor Drivers folder
3. I click the installer and a box appears and I am walked through a successful installation of new drivers (a message says it was successful)
4. I go to check my CPU drivers they're still 1.0.0.0

II. AMD Dual Core Optimization Utility
-It's basically like the problem with updating my drivers. I downloaded the utility and a folder was created in the C:\Program Files\AMD folder but do I need to do something else? There's no installer or anything just two readme files and an icon.

III. Uninstalling CPU drivers
-Same issue. I tried to "uninstall" my CPU drivers like I did when I rolled back my GPU drivers. I clicked the uninstall button and restarted my computer-as prompted. When the computer came back on the same 1.0.0.0 drivers were present and once again when I tried to install the 2.0 version I got a message that the install was successful but the version remains 1.0.0.0

The program Driver Agent says my CPU drivers are current.

Currently I'm experiencing this crash on a system that has nothing on it but an OS (with all updates), AV (AVG free 9.0), Driver Agent, a partial install of CoH Gold Edition (F3 was crashing before I started this install) and Fallout 3. No Nero. No ffdshow.

I even tried to play the game with my AV disabled...I still got the crash.

I somewhat doubt that it's my CPU drivers since I was experiencing the same exact crash on another CPU and I'm currently experiencing the same crash on a newly exchanged game.

The only pieces of hardware that have remained constant are the hard drive and DVD player. Could one of those be the problem? Eventhough I haven't experienced a single issue with them before? I also ran chkdsk and nothing was reported.

One point to mention: during one of the numerous times of trying to get the game to play I defragged my HD installed the game...got the crash...and checked my HD...it had went from totally blue to almost completely red...on one play through. That's only happened once though. On other occasions I get the crash and the HD is fine afterwards. I don't know if that's relevant but I wanted to mention it.

Noone from the Official Bethesda forums seems to even have a clue what's going on. The only response I've gotten is for someone to agree that it is a "weird" issue. I've emailed Bethesda Tech Support so now I'm waiting to see what they say...

The last thing I can think of is to update my CPU drivers but as I just explained...I'm having problems doing that.

So to recap:

1. Anyone have any ideas as to what's causing the crash?
2. Anyone can talk me through updating the CPU driver?

I've included a dxdiag with the hope that it'll help.

dxdiag...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Freddie** · November 02, 2009, 09:22 AM

I'm playing Fallout 3, can you tell exactly where and when this trigger (I take it's at the start when you in Vault 101) so I can replicate it. It maybe a in game bug.

There are no such things as CPU drivers.

**morteduzionism** · November 02, 2009, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Freddie

I'm playing Fallout 3, can you tell exactly where and when this trigger (I take it's at the start when you in Vault 101) so I can replicate it. It maybe a in game bug.

There are no such things as CPU drivers.

Absolutely! It's right after you take the G.O.A.T and the "three years later" white screen comes up.

The white screen disolves with Amata saying, "wake up! wake up!"

She goes on to tell you that your father has left the vault, Jonas is dead and gives you the 10mm pistol...she leaves.

After you collect your stuff (baseball cap, bat, glove, etc) you leave the room...there's a guard right there and he yells, "he's over here! stop right there!"...fallout3.exe has encountered a problem

Every single time.

If I turn to the left and run to the end of the hall...it's fine right up until he says his lines.

If I just peek out of the door...it's fine until he says that line.

If I just stand there nothing...

I've tried to just run past him...

I've tried to blow his head off before he can say the line...

I've tried moving around in the room (opening the empty drawers, etc) just to alter something to see if that'd do the trick...

No CPU drivers!? ummm...so what did I download from my mobo site? If that's the case how do I install that Optimizer utility? Or at least how can tell if it's installed working?

Originally Posted by ChaobSiroc

What do you mean by "CPU drivers" ?

AMD Processor Driver Version 1.3.2.0053 for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 (x86 and x64)

Something like that. Isn't that a driver for a CPU? That isn't the specific one I'm referring to but...you get the idea, right?

**Top-Tier-Tech** · November 02, 2009, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by morteduzionism

AMD Processor Driver Version 1.3.2.0053 for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 (x86 and x64)

Something like that. Isn't that a driver for a CPU? That isn't the specific one I'm referring to but...you get the idea, right?

Ah, ok.

"This package is a user friendly localized software installation"

That's optional software that can help boost performance. There really isn't any such thing as a CPU driver.

**morteduzionism** · November 02, 2009, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by ChaobSiroc

Ah, ok.

"This package is a user friendly localized software installation"

That's optional software that can help boost performance. There really isn't any such thing as a CPU driver.

Oh, ok...

So I can stop "looking" for CPU drivers?...lol

That doesn't change the underlying issue though. Even if I chose to use the software...I still don't know how to install it.

**Top-Tier-Tech** · November 02, 2009, 10:47 AM

What do you mean by "CPU drivers" ?

**atraps** · November 03, 2009, 08:42 AM

It could be that your hard drive has bad sectors. Try scanning it with something like HD Tune.

Also, do you have mods installed? Even something like ArchiveInvalidation Invalidated can cause problems.

**morteduzionism** · November 03, 2009, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by atraps

It could be that your hard drive has bad sectors. Try scanning it with something like HD Tune.

Also, do you have mods installed? Even something like ArchiveInvalidation Invalidated can cause problems.

I'll check when I get home.

I'm not challenging you but...would a bad sector only show up in one game? Wouldn't that cause some problems in some other function of the CPU?

I don't have mods.

I finally found an obscure post from a year ago detailing the exact same problem down to the place where the crash occurs. It was identical.

This person seems to imply that either playing the game on "default" settings or leaving the keymapping (reassigning buttons) set to default...while in the Vault was the way to fix it. They must've been so excited to finally play the game that they fumbled the keyboard...because the explanation was a little hard to understand.

I just got off the phone with Bethesda (actually talking to someone)...he couldn't see anything from the dxdiag that stood out...

...so they want me to send a save game...

...so much time/effort...

**atraps** · November 03, 2009, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by morteduzionism

Wouldn't that cause some problems in some other function of the CPU?

Yes it most likely would (if by CPU you mean the computer), but it doesn't hurt to try at this point.

Are you using the same saved game you first created, or did you try a fresh playthrough after you reinstalled?

I'm not sure how the Goty edition works, but on my version if I loaded the DLC files in the Fallout 3 Launcher, create a saved game, then loaded the same saved game without the DLC files it causes problems. You may want to double check this.

Also try using a game saved right before you exit the vault. Something like this, and see if that works.

**morteduzionism** · November 03, 2009, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by atraps

Yes it most likely would (if by CPU you mean the computer), but it doesn't hurt to try at this point.

Yes, cpu=computer. I'll try it when I get home...thanks again.

Are you using the same saved game you first created, or did you try a fresh playthrough after you reinstalled?

Whenever I try a new solution I always start a brand new game...sometimes with a fresh install too.

I'm not sure how the Goty edition works, but on my version if I loaded the DLC files in the Fallout 3 Launcher, create a saved game, then loaded the same saved game without the DLC files it causes problems. You may want to double check this.

I thought it might've been linked to the install-order too. Nope. I think I've tried every combination of install methods to no avail.

Also try using a game saved right before you exit the vault. Something like this, and see if that works.

That's the problem...lol...I can't get out of the vault!

You know the part "Three Years Later?" Right after you finish the G.O.A.T. I can't get any farther than that.

Amata wakes you up. She gives you the pistol...as soon as I leave that room...crash. EVERY SINGLE TIME...

**atraps** · November 03, 2009, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by morteduzionism

That's the problem...lol...I can't get out of the vault!

Try this then. It's one of my saves saved just outside of the vault.

**CDMan477** · November 03, 2009, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by morteduzionism

I just got off the phone with Bethesda (actually talking to someone)...he couldn't see anything from the dxdiag that stood out...

...so they want me to send a save game...

...so much time/effort...

It does suck when you get a new game and you can't play it for days or weeks due to issues like this. It took a week and a half to get Med II running for me when it first came out. I have to say though that that is some good service from Bethesda. I've rarely heard of companies allowing phone correspondence to help customers solve issues. Good luck, hope your playing within the next few hours.

**CDMan477** · November 04, 2009, 07:48 AM

^I'd give him one just before exiting so that he can modify his character however he wants. Although, considering the issue he's having, he'll probably have CTD's at other locations in the game as well.

**morteduzionism** · November 04, 2009, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by CDMan477

^I'd give him one just before exiting so that he can modify his character however he wants. Although, considering the issue he's having, he'll probably have CTD's at other locations in the game as well.

Problem resolved...

...

Almost two weeks of constant crashes because I was remapping the buttons...

I loaded up the save, right before leaving the room, reset the buttons to default (WASD)...blam! As if the crashes were never happening...

...I had some minor problems installing/playing Oblivion...what I went through with Fallout 3 i don't consider on the same level as people unable to install the 2nd disc and being forced to do it in Safe Mode...so I won't complain too much...

But I saw a common sentiment repeatedly expressed on the official forums: Bethesda ships broken games and rarely does jack to fix it

I saw people saying that some of the issues people were having had been present in Bethesda games since Morrowind...and if they hadn't fixed it by now...

...what's going to happen with TESV?

**atraps** · November 05, 2009, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by morteduzionism

Bethesda ships broken games and rarely does jack to fix it

I disagree. For me Fallout 3 works great. Even the first shipped 1.0 version was solid compared to other games' 1.0 version like the TW series...

**Gunodd** · November 04, 2009, 06:37 PM

Never had any trouble with Morrowind, Oblivion or FallOut 3. Just saying. Also, TES:V? Vvardenfell? A new TES GAME?! HOLY JESUS MOTHER OF HORSES WEEEEEEEEE

**Freddie** · November 05, 2009, 09:09 AM

I know this was happing on your old PC so you should seriously consider doing a full clean install of Windows XP i.e format the drive, wipe it clean and load Windows back onto it again. I can't replicate this fault on my PC so I don't think it's a game issue is more likely something in the games engine is conflicting with your hardware.

**morteduzionism** · November 05, 2009, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Freddie

I know this was happing on your old PC so you should seriously consider doing a full clean install of Windows XP i.e format the drive, wipe it clean and load Windows back onto it again. I can't replicate this fault on my PC so I don't think it's a game issue is more likely something in the games engine is conflicting with your hardware.

I was working from a clean XP install...seriously...

Like I said, I found that other person having the exact same problems. The exact same crash in the exact same place...

The same solution that worked for him worked for me...

**ShXIII** · February 19, 2010, 06:07 PM

I just wanted to say thank you for the fix, I have been beating my head on this problem for about 4 months trying multiple fixes. I finally came across this forum and tried the reset keys to default and it worked perfectly. I noticed it was crashing as soon as the game attempted to show "Press V for Vats" well I had the key originally remapped and it was crashing on the little pop up, unfortunately I never got the chance to see the pop up because of the crash. Thank you so much now I can remap the keys to what I want and it seems to be working ok.