"Failure Initializing Input Devices"???

[The White Zach Smith]

I recently purchased Fallout from Steam and installed it only to find an error that says "Failure Initializing Input Devices" pop up whenever I try to start it. Unlike some people I wasn't even able to start the game once. Any help/support would be greatly appreciated as I have been wanting to play this game for a long time now.

[jvt]

I have the same issue with both Fallout and Fallout 2

[Mimura]

"On startup, fallout crashes with a 'Failure initializing input devices' error
In ddraw.ini, in the [input] section, change BackgroundKeyboard to 1 and see if that fixes the error. If it doesn't change BackgroundMouse to 1 too."
Source: http://sfall.sourceforge.net/FAQ.html

[Boba Fuck]

what the ♥♥♥♥ is "ddraw.ini"

[R34P3R641]

could anyone tell my where the ddraw.ini is? or how i could fix this problem?

[Crazed Possum]

Originally posted by R34P3R641:

could anyone tell my where the ddraw.ini is? or how i could fix this problem?

my guess is direct draw. maybe a direct x problem.

[R34P3R641]

but i need to know where the ddraw.ini file is. Then fix it by doing what Mimura said I couldn't find it anywhere (i can play the game its just my friend can't and im trying to help him)

[[xxx] zoomer]

I had this "Failure Initializing Input Devices" on Windows 8.1,
here is a workaround that worked for me:

1. Navigate to the game files as described: Right-click Fallout in your Steam library and click Properties. Go to the Local Files tab and choose 'Browse Local Files...'
2. Create a shortcut for falloutwHR.exe file
3. Right-click on the shortcut, select Properties
4. Select the Compatibility tab, then check "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" checkbox and select "Windows XP Service Pack 2". Click OK.
5. Launch the game from the created shortcut.

Note that after the first run game will run without error from Steam directly.

[B1ackjack]

Originally posted by xxx zoomer:

I had this "Failure Initializing Input Devices" on Windows 8.1,
here is a workaround that worked for me:

1. Navigate to the game files as described: Right-click Fallout in your Steam library and click Properties. Go to the Local Files tab and choose 'Browse Local Files...'
2. Create a shortcut for falloutwHR.exe file
3. Right-click on the shortcut, select Properties
4. Select the Compatibility tab, then check "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" checkbox and select "Windows XP Service Pack 2". Click OK.
5. Launch the game from the created shortcut.

Note that after the first run game will run without error from Steam directly.

Didn't work for me. Win 8.1 x64

[Some Possum Thing Idunno]

I'm also having the same problem on Win7(64 bit).

[DarmanKyale]

http://steamcommunity.com/app/38400/discussions/0/810919057004088388/

[Maple]

Originally posted by xxx zoomer:

I had this "Failure Initializing Input Devices" on Windows 8.1,
here is a workaround that worked for me:

1. Navigate to the game files as described: Right-click Fallout in your Steam library and click Properties. Go to the Local Files tab and choose 'Browse Local Files...'
2. Create a shortcut for falloutwHR.exe file
3. Right-click on the shortcut, select Properties
4. Select the Compatibility tab, then check "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" checkbox and select "Windows XP Service Pack 2". Click OK.
5. Launch the game from the created shortcut.

Note that after the first run game will run without error from Steam directly.

I know this is an old thread, but I had the same problem and this worked for me, thank you very much!

[BreakinBenny]

If I were you guys, I wouldn't really trust compatibility mode. I instead get {LINK REMOVED}this and possibly Fallout Fixt.

[Matty Tarantino]

hey sorry this is an old thread, but I've been searching everywhere for a fix on this.
i downloaded the fallout fix, changed the backgroundkeyboard and mouse to 1 and I've changed the name of ddraw.ini but i still get Failure Initializing Input Devices, I've pretty much read everything on how to fix it but it refuses to work.
is there any chance i can fix this or should i just give up forever? lol

[Obsidian Gold]

Funfact: I got the original games on CD. Installation on my Win 7 64bit System is easy and the games (Fallout, Fallout 2) work right away without any issues. But the Steam versions are just somehow totally messed up.

[JBrown247]

Works for me on Win 7 64. Try running steam in admin mode.