Downloading Disc to pc windows 7

[EDIT:   "it doesnt say anything about installing "

All PC games have to be installed (some very old games or basic games may run from the disk).  ]

Yes, well FO3 has a lot of issues, but it may help your cause to give full details of what is, or is not happening,

along with  your system specifications, including brand and model graphics processor.

• MS dropped support for GFWL a few years ago and this could add to the problems, but you should be

OK if you are off line when launching the game.

• Install the most recent (rather old, but maybe newer than the one that comes with the game) GFWL software anyway.

Download: Games for Windows Software Setup 3.5 - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

• Fallout Script Extender is require for some mods, but it also disables GFWL, so this may help as well if you

continue having issues with GFWL, but you do need to get the game installed first.

http://fose.silverlock.org/

• More....

1. Install using Vista sp1 compatibility mode ( If already installed you should be OK just changing the

Fallout3.exe and FalloutLauncher.exe in the games install folder ).

• To install in compatibility mode close the install/setup window after autorun  launches the installer .

Then  go to - Start / Computer . Next,  R/click on the DVD drive, and click open - and R/click - setup.exe  -

then Properties ,  and set compatibility to  Vista sp1,  in this case .

Tick run as administrator as well, just for luck.

Now start the install directly from the setup.exe .

a) It may benefit to not installing to the default location - Program Files( X86). Particularly if you are going to

mod the game, as this helps prevent some 'permissions' issues.

Make a new folder for your games. In the C: drive will do, but if you have another Partition or HDD that is even better.

b) Patch the game. I have only gone as far as 1.5, but they go to 1.7. Be sure to use the correct language version (there is a UK and US English version). Patch 1.6 & 1.7 mostly address issues with  Mothership Zeta & Point Lookout expansion packs.

( Recent re-release disk based versions may be pre-patched)

2. The game has a problem with quad-core processors

Open up the  fallout.ini  file in   My Documents\My Games\Fallout3  (make a copy first for backup)

Find the line:

bUseThreadedAI=0   (Open the ini file with notepad - Click Edit - then find - copy this line and paste it into the find what  box)

change it to:

bUseThreadedAI=1

Add another line (hit Enter on keyboard)  after it and insert:   (copy and paste the next line)

iNumHWThreads=2

This will limit the game to 2 cores and prevent the engine bug from causing the game to freeze.

------- For people who still crash --------

Instead of iNumHWThreads=2, change it to iNumHWThreads=1

3. Download and install the Windows 7 Codec Pack - This will fix an issue with ffdshow codec.

http://www.windows7codecs.com/

If you still have problems visit  FO3 Nexus - the best site for all things Bethesda

The Nexus Forums