Issues With ALL Fallout Games

[Towelyey]

Hello, I recently switched computers and haven't been able to enjoy any Fallout games since. I reached out to Bethesda, but I thought I would post something on the forums as well, in case someone can help me. If I get an answer from Bethesda, I'll share it here in case anyone else has these issues, too!

So, I was playing on an old, outdated personal computer gifted to me as a child, and now I am playing on a family-owned Alienware 15 R4 that was recently put through a master reset. Here are the specs of the computer if this helps:

OS: Windows 11 Home (64-Bit)
Processor: Intel(R) Core(™) i7-8750H CPU @ 2.20gHz
Memory: 16.0 GB
Graphics: 1. Intel(R) UHD Graphics 630 2. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
Storage: 802GB Free

I have tried to download and play every Fallout game I possess (except for Fallout 76, but that's a whole different problem, so let's not focus on that). Below, I have posted my results. If anyone knows what's going on, I would really appreciate the feedback.

Fallout
- Press “Play” (screen gives options: Play, Readme, Tech Support, Exit)
- Error,
- “Failure initializing input devices”

Fallout 2
- Press “Play” (screen gives options: Play, Readme, Tech Support, Exit)
- Error,
- “Failure initializing input devices”

Fallout Tactics
- Press “Play” (screen gives options: Play, Readme, Tech Support, Exit)
- Error!,
- “C:\dev\phoenix\display\directx7\dd7_display.cpp(715): **fatal error**; Could not
create primary and back surfaces”
- Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library,
- “Runtime Error! Program:
D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\FalloutTactics\BOS_HR.exe
abnormal program termination”

Fallout 3
- Press “Play” (screen gives options: Play, Options, Data Files, Tech Support, Exit”
- *shows game loading screen*
- *the game is minimized automatically and I am left with my desktop with Fallout 3 still running and music playing in the background*
- *press on Fallout 3 as it’s minimized, shows the game quickly but returns to the desktop just as quickly with music still playing*

Fallout New Vegas
- Press “Play” (screen gives options: Play, Options, Data Files, Tech Support, Exit”
- *shows game loading screen*
- *the game is minimized automatically and I am left with my desktop with Fallout New Vegas still running with NO music playing*
- *press on Fallout New Vegas as it’s minimized, shows the game quickly but returns to the desktop just as quickly with NO music*

Fallout Shelter
- This game works fine, I have my old vault saved to my account, and good to play

Fallout 4
- Press “Play” (screen gives options: Play, Options, Support, Exit)
- *the game completely loads to the main menu with music and I can see on my screen “press any button to start” with the suit of power armor in the Red Rocket gas station”
- *I try pressing every button on my keyboard but it does not work*
- *I right-click on my mouse, and the game is minimized and I am left with my desktop with Fallout 4 still running with music still playing*

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
- This game works fine, I have my old characters saved to my account, and good to play

[The Inept European]

Look for one of the posts sdack has responded to and read their excellent guide.

[The Inept European]

I found the link

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3241230342

[sdack]

My first guess would be the GTX is not the primary GPU for gaming. Check the Nvidia Control Panel and set it there.