[FIXED] Fallout New Vegas executable does not run

[benky]

The launcher runs fine but when I click play it just closes. When I go into my files and run the .exe it doesn't even show on Steam that I'm playing New Vegas for even a split second. I have no mods installed. I've deleted every single folder and file with "fallout" in the name from my computer. I've tried running on compatibility mode for Windows 7 and for Windows XP, running as an administrator, I've put the Steam executable in the New Vegas directory, I've made sure my graphics drivers are updated, and I've verified the files and reinstalled and turned my computer off and on again many times. I have no clue what caused this problem or how to solve it. I've had the game for years and have played it a lot. The last time I played it was maybe 4-5 months ago and when I reinstalled it about a week ago it wouldn't run. I can't think of anything in my power that has changed on my computer since then other than time. I am pulling out my hair and my teeth and everything that can be pulled out. I'm not sure if this is relevant information but for some reason Fallout 2 doesn't run either lol. If anyone has any ideas I will do anything to hear them, I am so desperate...

EDIT: There is no error message or black screen

[cheshirm]

many forum threads about amd drivers causing issues. if you have an amd, do a forum search for amd. lots of suggestions.

[benky]

Originally posted by cheshirm:

many forum threads about amd drivers causing issues. if you have an amd, do a forum search for amd. lots of suggestions.

I have NVIDIA, I remember reading a lot of those posts though but none them apply to me unfortunately

[cheshirm]

I have nvidia latest driver and win 11. game works still.

so what changed since you last played? windows updates? graphics card driver updates? new programs/apps/monitors running?

check windows event viewer and windows reliability history. might be a game crash event or system related errors.

check your windows system files. open a command prompt and run these commands:

sfc /scannow
dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
sfc scans and repairs Windows system files
dism fixes corrupt files in the Windows system image, use it when SFC can't repair files

without an error msg, could be anything at all.

go to the steam game folder. run the launcher.exe from there. sometimes an error msg appears not hidden by steam (like missing library or your antivirus)

finally seems there is a window setting Address space layout randomization (ASLR) that some app turns on that causes this game to fail:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/22380/discussions/0/4362374548291481829/?tscn=1713564924

[benky]

Originally posted by cheshirm:

I have nvidia latest driver and win 11. game works still.

so what changed since you last played? windows updates? graphics card driver updates? new programs/apps/monitors running?

check windows event viewer and windows reliability history. might be a game crash event or system related errors.

check your windows system files. open a command prompt and run these commands:

sfc /scannow
dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
sfc scans and repairs Windows system files
dism fixes corrupt files in the Windows system image, use it when SFC can't repair files

without an error msg, could be anything at all.

go to the steam game folder. run the launcher.exe from there. sometimes an error msg appears not hidden by steam (like missing library or your antivirus)

finally seems there is a window setting Address space layout randomization (ASLR) that some app turns on that causes this game to fail:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/22380/discussions/0/4362374548291481829/?tscn=1713564924

sfc and dism didn't seem to work, I tried the ASLR fix and that didn't work either, HOWEVER there is now an error message when hitting the play button on the launcher: "Application load error 5:0000065434"

[cheshirm]

you have steam on one drive and games on another?
copy the steam.exe into the game folder temporarily then try the launcher

sfc and dism do not work? opened a command prompt WITH admin permission?

[benky]

Originally posted by cheshirm:

you have steam on one drive and games on another?
copy the steam.exe into the game folder temporarily then try the launcher

sfc and dism do not work? opened a command prompt WITH admin permission?

sfc did find some corrupted files but it hasn't helped with launching at all
Copying steam.exe into the directory makes it so when I click play it doesn't launch the game, but after a few seconds restarts the launcher, and the error code no longer shows. I've put the game in the drive where Steam is located before as well and it doesn't help. :(

[cheshirm]

you played many hours before so something has changed.

check antivirus log. see if game launcher or game is blocked.

check windows security/controlled folder access. maybe it is on. add exceptions for the game launcher and game.

check windows one drive. maybe it is on and moving the game .ini/save files

in the steam falloutnv folder is a redists folder.
run the two .exe installers with admin permission.

then try game again

did you check for that ASLR setting?

[benky]

Originally posted by cheshirm:

you played many hours before so something has changed.

check antivirus log. see if game launcher or game is blocked.

check windows security/controlled folder access. maybe it is on. add exceptions for the game launcher and game.

check windows one drive. maybe it is on and moving the game .ini/save files

in the steam falloutnv folder is a redists folder.
run the two .exe installers with admin permission.

then try game again

I've allowed New Vegas through my antivirus and my firewall, added full exceptions for the launcher and the executable. I disabled OneDrive about a year ago. Ran both installers with admin perms too, nothing seems to have changed. Still no error code anymore and pressing play on the launcher simply closes and reopens it with steam.exe in the Fallout New Vegas folder. HOWEVER just now I got it to work somehow. I have been turning compatibility mode on and off every now and then to check if it would fix it (before when I was playing New Vegas I did not need it to be turned on so every step of the way I would try with and without compatibility mode). Somehow uninstalling my current antivirus (Malwarebytes) and reinstalling Windows Defender, then running FalloutNV.exe then asked me if the program ran correctly, which it has only done a few times before during my days of trying to fix the game. Clicked on no and it asked me to test with compatibility mode on with Windows 7 (which it has asked me many times before) and I clicked yes and ran it again just in case and it worked. Not 100% sure EXACTLY what fixed the problem but thank you. steam.exe still in the Fallout New Vegas folder (scared to take it out now lol) but it works.... thank the lord...