Oblivion won't start up!

Okay, so I downloaded The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Deluxe Edition) for PC, from Steam.

I load up the Oblivion launcher - looks like this:
http://www.overclock.net/attachments...-oblivion1.jpg

I click on Play, and moments later a small blank black box appear at the top left of my screen, then the whole screen goes black for a second, and then I get the general Windows error message "Oblivion has stopped working. Checking for a solution to the problem" etc. etc. It never finds a solution.
I have tried loading it a billion times with no luck. It does the same thing every time.

Now I have checked the graphics options, and if anyone is familiar with the game on PC you'll know that straight away when you start the launcher for the first time, it will automatically scan your hardware to optimize performance. It did that, but then it said "Video hardware unrecognised. Video quality settings defaulting to medium quality".

Now I thought this was something to do with my graphics card (specs below) but I looked up on google and found that other people with the same graphics card can run oblivion just fine. Then I found this nifty online program:
Can You Run It

I tried it, all my hardware passed for running Oblivion, except my OS, Windows 7, which said next to it "Unfortunately Windows 7 was not available when this product was released, so it is not OFFICIALLY supported. In some cases if the product runs on Windows Vista, it may also run on Windows 7. Please review the publisher’s website for more information."

So, going by the above statement, is it suggesting that Windows 7 is UNOFFICIALLY supported? Is so, what do I have to do for it to be supported unofficially? I couldn't see anything on the website. Links highly appreciated!

I have a fairly new system. I have never had any problems before. My PC can run Crysis, I'm pretty sure it's good enough to run this... My computer's main specifications are below:

Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600)
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs)
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series

Thank you to anyone who can help me, I have no idea what the problem is. My PC easily meets Oblivion's minimum system requirements.

Sorry if this is in the wrong area or anything, I'm new to this forum and this is my first post

Try creating a shortcut to the game (or use one it already cerated) and set the compatibility settings in the shortcut properties to run as administrator and emulate Windows XP. See if it runs then...

IF you find a workaround pls post back..I'm seriously considering buying the game but not if it wont work on Win 7..I have 64 installed...

Okay I fixed the problem, it was my graphics card drivers! Which I thought were up to date. But then my friend gave me a link for ATI Radeon drivers and it worked, no problems anymore! Thanks for the responses, fseal I did try that before I posted, but I couldn't find an option on the shortcut to change the compatibility.

So yeah it does work on Winodws 7 simmo, just make sure your computer can handle it and that your drivers are up-to-date!

ickymay said:

this is a very old thread but relevant to windows 7 and oblivion so I will add this :

another solution that worked for running oblivion in windows 7 where you get the error message "Oblivion has stopped working. Checking for a solution to the problem" then no other helpful clues , is right click the main oblivion.exe and click the compatibility tab and tick the box "disable desktop composition" ?

this worked for me , hope it helps someone

I only made an account to thank you for that solution. I tried everything but this is the only thing that worked. Thank you very much!!

Compatibility Settings fixed this problem...

ickymay said:

this is a very old thread but relevant to windows 7 and oblivion so I will add this :

another solution that worked for running oblivion in windows 7 where you get the error message "Oblivion has stopped working. Checking for a solution to the problem" then no other helpful clues , is right click the main oblivion.exe and click the compatibility tab and tick the box "disable desktop composition" ?

this worked for me , hope it helps someone

This worked for me too! Thanks for posting this tip!

I found the problem! I had the same problem, I just switched to windowed mode so it worked. Hope this helps :)