Error Initializing Video Mode

B

BeigeFury

First time out of the vault
I just bought Fallout 2 this morning, and was excited to finally play it again. Now it's giving me crap about errors initializing video mode. I've never had this problem before, and would love suggestions to fix it. Talk simply though, I'm not very computer savvy.

A few details about my particular computer:

I run Windows XP, I have one Video Card, which is a ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO.

Please help.
 
I think this is an ATI problem, though I may have a solution.
Since you should patch your game anyway, use the Unofficial Fallout 2 patch, it is the best one.
After you have installed the patch you will find a file called ddraw.ini in your fallout folder. Open it with notepad and scroll down until you find the graphics section.
Code: 
[Graphics]
;Set to 0 for 8 bit fullscreen
;Set to 4 for dx9 fullscreen
;Set to 5 for dx9 windowed
;A dx9 mode is required for any graphics related script extender functions to work (i.e. fullscreen shaders)
;Modes 1, 2 and 3 are no longer supported
Mode=0
Where it says "Mode=0" you need to change that to say "Mode=4", save and that should be it.

If this don't work for you, check out this thread for more suggestions, but really, do try with the patch first.
 
To install that patch you need to be able to INSTALL Fallout 2, the bug I have occurs when I try to so much as install it. I tried altering ddraw.dll, but it was read only, so I'm pretty confused about what to do.

Thanks anyway.
 
Manual installation seems a bit too complicated for my simple mind to comprehend, but I'll give it a try.
 
Sorry for the double post, but I'm completely lost with this manual installation. I was never great with computers, but this is making me realize how futile my skill with technology really is.
 
What part is confusing you?

You should go with a humongous install.
If you are going for the patch later you can skip step 2 (fallout2.exe).

If you have trouble with step 4 just post where you installed the game and someone here can help you with what to write.
 
Well I#ve made a folder in Program Files called Fallout 2, posted the contents of the program/win from the CD-ROM into it, but I don't understand what I do now. I need to rename SOMETHING, but it's just so... confusing.

I really need to find a room-mate who's good with this stuff.
 
You are still on step 2 right?
Then you need to rename the file Fallout2.___ to fallout2.exe

Then on step 3 you should do what it says for Humongous Installation.

Step 4:
Create a new text document in your fallout2 folder.
Copy and paste the following into that file:
Code: 
[sound]
music_path1=C:\Program Files\fallout 2\data\sound\music\
music_path2=(CDROM):\data\sound\music\

[system]
critter_dat=C:\Program Files\fallout 2\critter.dat
critter_patches=C:\Program Files\fallout 2\data
master_dat=C:\Program Files\fallout 2\master.dat
master_patches=C:\Program Files\fallout 2\data
Where it says music_path2=(CDROM), you are supposed to change (CDROM) to your cd-drive letter.
Save.
Now rename this file to fallout2.cfg

Then try to install the patch.
 
Thank you, I get it now. Cheers for your help, when I'm done I'll tell you if it's still being dick-like.
 
Well we have a change, now it says "Error Initializing Video Mode 640x480", I even did the compatability thing and changed the name of ddraw.dll. This is so aggrevating I punched my wall. Now I'm typing with one hand. Ow.

You guys have been super helpful so far, no joke, is there anything else you can suggest?
 
Wait a minute... What do you mean about changing the name of ddraw.dll? I never said that!
Please read the first post I made in this thread again.

If you have installed the patch there will be a file called ddraw.ini that you need to open in notepad and change the setting I wrote about.
But don't change anything with ddraw.dll.

Also, in my first post I linked to another thread dealing with the same error you are having. The last post there said the ddraw.ini thing works. Before that it was mainly suggested to change display drivers, though that didn't work for everyone.
 
I found this today, while having the same issues with my Fallout 2 download. I got the manual download to work, and I have the FALLOUT2 file downloaded correctly, with that developer guys head as an icon, but whenever I try to open it tells me I need to have the CD in to play, when I know I do. I can't play it at all, because it's not registering the CD in my disk drive.

I have the Fallout 2 folder saved in my program files with the FALLOUT 2, Fallout2.cfg, data folder, and master.dat folder files in it. Am I doing anything wrong?
 
Look at what drive letters are specified in the config file and change them to match your drive if necessary.
 
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