Windows 7: Fallout 2

Sarael's fix was a great start for me. Explorer was definitely the problem, but the bat file example would 1st kill explorer, 2nd start fallout, 3rd start explorer and go back to my desktop. From there I would see the fallout program was running in the task bar, but explorer re-started already so there was the psychedelic crap again. I did one fix for it to work correctly and a second fix for aesthetic reasons. I'll discuss this in a way that anybody can handle it.



First, open notepad and copy and paste this text:

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
fallout2.exe
pause
start explorer.exe

Save it as fallout2.bat and make sure under the "save as type" selection to pick "all files" and not text. Save it in the same folder where fallout2.exe is located. Set a shortcut on the desktop or wherever to this file. That way you can change the icon and avoid having to look at ugly.

explanation:

taskkill - kill task, kind of obvious

/f forces the program to quite because explorer.exe is a persistent *******.

/im specifies what image name you are trying to kill (in this case explorer.exe)

fallout2.exe - run what ever execs you want.

The pause requires that you press any key before executing the next command. Thus, no restarting of explorer until you have ended your fallout session.

You don't need "start" in from of executables to run them, but if you want the command window to auto close after running it, you'll need to put "start" in front of any programs that will remain open after the batch file is finished.

There are other reasons why you need to save it in the same folder than just shortcut beautification. When I used the correct file path and tried to execute the bat file from the desktop I got an error stating that the fonts wouldn't load. There is a workaround for this easily available on the web, but who cares, my way is cleaner and faster.

This method will work for any old games that are having similar issues. Sarael mentioned Starcraft for example. A lot of hardcore gamers also shut explorer down along with any other unnecessary tasks before graphics intensive games.

Create the following .bat file, the instructions are all over this thread.

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
pause
start explorer.exe

Make the icon on your desktop, run whatever game you want running, tab out, run the bat, tab back in. Runs great, and you don't need to make new bat files for every game with the rainbow issue.

This worked awesomely. Thank you very much.
One thing to add. The .bat file that you make has to be placed in the root directory of the game and then make a shortcut of the .bat file and place it on your desktop. Then double click the shortcut and it runs great.
THANKS AGAIN.

Or in case anyone who really doesn't want to make a whole bunch of .bat files you can just push Control+alt+delete and load up your task manager. then go to processes, then find explorer.exe (probably near the top most likely) end that process. (note that you will have to load to process up back again once you have finished playing your game to return windows back to normal) it should remove the task bar and the background icons (not hurting them just removing them from your sight) after that click file on task manager and go to run and find your Fallout 2 application file and run it. should load up the game!!! here is a simpler version of what i just said

1. open task manager
2. close explorer.exe in process window
3. go to file and run game application
4. play game and when done reload process explorer.exe by putting explorer.exe in the run window
there now go have some fun!!!

Everyone, there is a much easier way of doing this:
There's a mod for editing the resolution of the game (must be version 1.02 or higher)

Simply download the zip file: No Mutants Allowed :: Files
Extract it on a folder of desktop.
Read the f2_res_README and follow the prompts.

If you have followed directions properly, you should adjust the bit depth of the game from 6bit to 32bit.
This fixes the problem with incorrect colors, as stated by OP.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any troubles.

misterS, thank you so much! I installed Fallout Trilogy before and I was not able to play FO2 (the reason for purchasing the Trilogy) at all because of color corruption. Now I can enjoy this classic! Thanks again!

You are most welcome mate!
I know EXACTLY how good it feels to get that game going after so long.

If anyone wants a leg up in the game (10 for agility, int, per, etc) I have a modified game file (that for the life of me I don't know where I found), please feel free to contact me.

Happy Gaming

Worked perfectly on my Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit! I was downloading and tinkering with patches for hours that I found scaterred online, stumbled upon your post and got it to work in seconds. Thanks Yoast

Sarael's post works great, thanks!!

I am very glad that this worked for many of you or at least pointed you in the right direction.

Just felt that I'd mention that if you download and install that "Restoration Project" from No Mutants Allowed - Your Post Nuclear News Center! that it fixes the problem as well.

After you do a clean install of Fallout 2 V 1.02d and install the Restoration Project to the install directory, you can start the game and go into the "Options" button on the main screen after the intro videos. From there, at the top, there should be a new button I believe called "sFall" and you can play with your resolution and bit depth options in there! Been using in on a brand new computer and works fine.

Of course, you can just still with the tried and true Task Manager to open or close explorer.exe!