"PLAY" button has been changed to "INSTALL"

[ctiel]

Help! When I click play it only shows the "Please stand by" panel or (rarely) the bethesda logo panel then it crashes.

I did everything in Step 1 (of the Ultimate Guide) and when I downloaded the GFWL the "PLAY" button has been changed to "INSTALL" and says "FO3 does not appear to be installed and the installer can't be found. Try exploring to your DVD-ROM drive and selecting setup.exe to install the game" even though I installed FO3 using Steam. And I can't click anything other than "Play", "Tech Support" and "Exit". I tried downloading the disabler and disabled the GFWL but it didn't revert my launcher back to normal. (I selected the "Fallout 3 GOTY" folder in the common folder in the Steam Apps).

I also have deleted the files in MyGames but I restored it and put it back there. Also the Fallout.ini file had already been edited since I downloaded it (and I don't know if it's supposed to be like that). I tried changing the bUseThreaded=1 to 0 and deleted the code below it (the code you're supposed to add) but my launcher still says "Install".

It's been days since I've downloadedthe game and I really want to play. Please help me! Thanks!

[PorcusGrunzus]

In the Fallout 3 folder is a file called GDFInstall.exe.
Click and run it.

This usually runs automatically once the game is installed the first time by Steam.
But anyway, try. Should fix it.

[ctiel]

Originally posted by † LucYfer †:

In the Fallout 3 folder is a file called GDFInstall.exe.
Click and run it.

This usually runs automatically once the game is installed the first time by Steam.
But anyway, try. Should fix it.

When I run it a window will appear saying:
Adding game failed: 0x80070002
Note: This will fail if the game has already been added. Make sure the game is removed first.

Then when I click "ok" another one will pop up and say:
Adding GDF binary failed
GDFInstall.exe /? for a list of options

I think there was third window that popped up after the second one but I was clicking so fast that when it popped out I accidentally clicked something (although I don't know if they're connected). Anyway, it didn't fix my launcher but are there other possible fixes for this? Thanks for your help!

[PorcusGrunzus]

Well, seems like something in your game and the registry is messed up...

Maybe try a reinstall?

Or just screw this and run the game via FOSE. You cant use the FalloutLauncher then and set up your game correctly so its not really recommended...

Anyway, screw GFWL, download the FO3 GFWL Disabler. Dont install the damn GFWL runtime, totally a waste of time, seriously. In your case it even made it worse for whatever reason.
If you are using modded FOSE FO3, GFWL doesnt work anyway. Its not like you need it.
http://www.nexusmods.com/fallout3/mods/1086/?

Alternatively you can also use TTW, FO3 runs in the FNV engine then.

Also maybe use the updated unofficial fallout 3 patch. No clue whether you want to play modded or not but this is a must have in my opinion, even for first time players.

[CrypticEthos]

try to verify your game files

[ctiel]

Originally posted by † LucYfer †:

Well, seems like something in your game and the registry is messed up...

Maybe try a reinstall?

Or just screw this and run the game via FOSE. You cant use the FalloutLauncher then and set up your game correctly so its not really recommended...

Anyway, screw GFWL, download the FO3 GFWL Disabler. Dont install the damn GFWL runtime, totally a waste of time, seriously. In your case it even made it worse for whatever reason.
If you are using modded FOSE FO3, GFWL doesnt work anyway. Its not like you need it.
http://www.nexusmods.com/fallout3/mods/1086/?

Alternatively you can also use TTW, FO3 runs in the FNV engine then.

Also maybe use the updated unofficial fallout 3 patch. No clue whether you want to play modded or not but this is a must have in my opinion, even for first time players.

Thanks for taking the time to help me but I think I'll just reinstall. I tried opening FO3Edit and it didn't recognize my Fallout.ini. I tried verifying like Trumps said and 1 file failed to validate. It reaquired it but still didn't work so I tried again but now it says all files successfully validated. I think my Fallout 3 is too messed up now. Anyway, thanks again!