Forum:Fallout 2 Tech Help Please?

First of all, I'm using an Acer TravelMate 4600 laptop, running Windows XP.

I have a couple of issues here. First of all, the graphics...or lack thereof. My systems tells me to try running my graphics at a 16bit rate in order to run the game. So I change it, and nothing happens. It won't let me past the autorun screen.

Second issue is this: "Fallout 2 needs the disc in the drive in order to run." Did I mention the disc was already in the drive at the time that message popped up!?!

I've consulted the manual on the game disc, and I try doing what it tells me to, but nothing seems to be working. Is it possible that my laptop doesn't have updated drivers? Do I need the latest version of DirectX? I only installed the DirectX 4 driver that's on the disc itself.

It's very frustrating, as I'm a huge fan of Fallout 3, and I'm chomping at the bit for New Vegas.

If anyone can help, I'd greatly appreciate it!

"Bingo bango bongo I don't want to leave the Congo, oh no no no no; bingo bango bongo I'm so happy in the jungle I refuse to go...." If you can finish the song, or have named your dog "Dogmeat", you've played way too much Fallout 3!


 * I don't know anything about your specific system stuff but I did some googling and came across this topic. It is a bit old though. Something about compatibility mode, have you tried that? I have a mac so I don't know where that would be. If the graphics look weird and colorful or gray then you could try switching your system settings to the '256 color' option for when you play the game. Then just switch it back later. I'm not sure about the disc drive, maybe if you tried using the "run" option for the disc (instead of clicking on the game's icon) it may start the game? Also try taking a look at this thread. There are many patches on No Mutants Allowed, although I wouldn't know which one to point you to. I'd just do some reading around and see if you find a solution. 03:05, August 5, 2010 (UTC)
 * For the CD problem, you can just get a no-cd crack. They're all over the place, just scan for viruses before unpacking any archived files.
 * For the CD problem, you can just get a no-cd crack. They're all over the place, just scan for viruses before unpacking any archived files.




 * I had the same freakin' problem with the colors, though. Metalspork's compatability mode/256 colors mode sounds like a good solution. MFToast - talk 05:20, August 22, 2010 (UTC)


 * I'm not familiar with having color problems in FO2, but I can still provide some information about color in Fallout.


 * Fallout / Fallout 2's engine is coded to take information directly from your graphic card. This is because back in the day (1994 - 1997), there were no game engines like DirectX available. Also, Fallout's engine only allows for 8-bit (256 colors) indexed images. (Not the generic 8-bit color palette; Fallout uses a custom one). Not all of these colors will be available from the generic 16-bit color mode, which will cause some graphics to be a little wierd if run in that mode. Also, some movies and image files used in-game are governed by custom color palette's, so your computer has to be ready to accept all color input from the engine. Just ignore warnings like this if your desktop / laptop tell you that. I would definitely say that compatibility mode is the way to go in the future for anyone who has problems / concerns. Ghouly89 (Talk) 21:36, August 22, 2010 (UTC)