
                FALLOUT: A Post-Nuclear Role-Playing Game
                     Readme File - 9 November 1999
                               Version 1.1



       TABLE OF CONTENTS

       1.0 Installation
       2.0 Manual Errata
       3.0 Troubleshooting
       4.0 Contacting Interplay
       5.0 Product License



------------------
(1.0) INSTALLATION
------------------
The reference card included with your Fallout package contains all the
installation instructions necessary to get you up and running.  Basic
instructions and more details on disk space are also included below:

The Fallout website will contain the latest patches and fixes.  We
recommend that you check there before installing the game for the
absolute latest updates.
                                 http://www.interplay.com/fallout


(1.1) SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
-------------------------
The Win95 version of Fallout requires:
  Pentium(tm) computer
  16 megs of RAM
  Win95
  DirectX 3.0a or higher
  Monitor and video card capable of displaying 640x480 256-colors
  2x CD-ROM drive
  Mouse
  5 megs of hard drive space (plus space for save games)

The DOS version of Fallout requires:
  Pentium(tm) computer
  32 megs of RAM
  DOS 5.0 or greater
  SVGA (VESA compatible) card and monitor
  2x CD-ROM drive
  Mouse
  5 megs of hard drive space (plus space for save games)

Recommended systems (both DOS and Win95):
  32 megs of RAM
  4x CD-ROM drive or better

The various installation levels will install larger versions of the
game to your hard drive:

* Small     (4 megs: executable, config and support files)
* Medium    (91 megs: adds music)
* Large     (277 megs: adds creature graphics and animations)
* Humongous (661 megs: installs everything!)
     The install sizes are slightly larger under DOS.

For both versions it is recommended that you use the largest possible
installation option for your hard drive.  The more room Fallout has on
your hard drive, the faster the game will play.

In addition, when you run Fallout, you will need around 20 megs of
free hard drive space for files that are created when playing and
a save game.  Save games take up more space the longer you have
been playing.  Each save game slot starts around 2 megs in size,
and will get larger the more areas you have explored.


(1.2) DOS INSTALLATION
----------------------
Run INSTALL.EXE on the Fallout CD-ROM to install Fallout DOS.

Run SOUND.EXE from the installed directory on your hard drive to
configure the sound card (the installer should have done this when
it was run).

DOS machines with the minimal amount of RAM may want to use the
BOOTME program to create a boot disk that will help alleviate
problems.  See the BOOTME.TXT file in the BOOTME directory.


(1.3) Win95 INSTALLATION
------------------------
If you are using autoplay, the autoplay menu will appear shortly
after you place the Fallout CD-ROM into your computer CD drive.  The
autoplay menu will allow you to install DirectX, view this readme,
install the game, play the game and uninstall the game.  Autoplay
will want to install DirectX 3.0a if a lesser version of DirectX is
detected or DirectX does not exist on your system.

If you have autoplay disabled, you will need to manually install
DirectX before you can run setup and install Fallout.  If you have
not installed DirectX 3.0a or higher, do that now.  You can install
DirectX off of the Fallout CD-ROM.  Open the DirectX3 directory and
run DXSETUP.

Run SETUP.EXE on the Fallout CD-ROM to install Fallout Win95.

To uninstall, go to Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs, select Fallout
and click on the Add/Remove button, or use the autoplay menu.

The uninstaller only removes the files installed by the installer.
Any files created after install (config file, save games, etc.) must
be removed by hand.


(1.4) ONLINE MANUAL
-------------------
There is an online manual on the Fallout CD-ROM.  The online Manual
is an Adobe Acrobat 3.0 file.  You must have a reader installed to
view the manual.  We have included a Win95 and DOS version of the
reader.

Installing the Reader - Win95
  To install the Win95 version of the Adobe Acrobat reader, open
the Fallout CD-ROM.  Open the Manual directory.  Open the Adobe
directory.  Double-click on AR32E30.EXE file.

To View the Manual - Win95
  Open the CD.  Open the Manual directory.  Double-click on the
MANUAL.PDF icon.

Installing the Reader - DOS
  Change drives to the CD-ROM.  Change directories to MANUAL/ADOBE.
Run ACRODOS.EXE.

To View the Manual - DOS
  From the installed directory on your hard drive, run the DOS
version of the Adobe Acrobat reader.  Open the MANUAL.PDF file
on the Fallout CD-ROM in the Manual directory.



-------------------
(2.0) MANUAL ERRATA
-------------------
After the manual went to print, we found the following errors
or made the following changes to Fallout:


(2.1) MOVING MULTIPLE ITEMS
---------------------------
When moving multiple items, you can now type the number of items to
move.  This is especially useful when trading money for items.  Use
the keyboard to enter the number of items to move, use the backspace
key to make corrections.  You can enter a maximum of 999.  Press
ENTER when done.


(2.2) HIT POINTS PER LEVEL
--------------------------
Page 5-21 of the manual is in error.  The actual number of hit
points gained per level is 2 + (Endurance / 2).  This simple chart
will show the different HPs gained per level for each point of EN:

ENDURANCE  HPs GAINED        ENDURANCE  HPs GAINED
    1          2                 6          5
    2          3                 7          5
    3          3                 8          6
    4          4                 9          6
    5          4                10          7


(2.3) ITEM HIGHLIGHT PREFERENCE
-------------------------------
When set to the On position, items on the ground that can be picked
up will be highlighted with a yellow outline.  If set to Off, the
game will be slightly more difficult since you will have to make the
decision as to whether or not the item can be picked up and placed
into your inventory.  This preference defaults to On.


(2.4) LEVEL GAIN NOTICE
-----------------------
When you gain a new level, you will see a LEVEL icon just above the
interface bar.  This is to make sure that you know that your character
has just been promoted in rank.  When you enter the character screen,
the notice will disappear.


(2.5) ADDICTION NOTICE
----------------------
If your character is suffering from chem addiction, a notice will
appear above the interface bar.  As long as your character is
addicted to a chem, this notice will remain.  If your character is
addicted to more than one chem, you will only see one ADDICT sign.
Review the KARMA section on the character screen to find out details
of your character's addictions.


(2.6) STARTING COMBAT
---------------------
Left-clicking on the weapon button to get the targeting cursor will
automatically freeze movement and start combat.  You can also start
combat by pressing the 'A' key.  This is very useful if you want to
attack a fast moving enemy, or sneak up behind a target.


(2.7) SKILLS
------------
The base level of Unarmed is 65% plus the average of Strength and
Agility.  Starting characters will have a 70% skill.

The Not So Complete Skill List starting on page 3-10 of the manual
is incomplete.  The following two skills should have been included:

Melee Weapons.  The use of weapons in hand-to-hand combat.  Covers
the use of knives, spears, crowbars and other items that are held
in the hand.  Initial level: Starting Melee is equal to 55% +
(1% x the average of your Strength and Agility).  Average
characters will have a 60% skill.

Throwing.  The skill of using muscle-propelled ranged weapons.  If
a spear is thrown at someone, it will use this skill instead of
Melee Weapons.  This covers the use of throwing knives, grenades,
and rocks.  The maximum distance a weapon can be thrown is based
on your Strength and the max range of the weapon.  Initial level:
40% + (1% x Agility).  Average characters will have a 45% skill.

              
(2.8) PERKS
-----------
The following changes have been made to the Perk list starting on
page 5-24 to 5-33 of the manual:

Awareness: This Perk only has one rank.  It will give detailed
information about any critter that you Examine.  You can see
their exact hit points, and information about any weapon they
are equipped with.

Lifegiver: To clarify, this Perk gives +4 HP per rank everytime
you gain a level.  EX: If you have two ranks in Lifegiver, you
will get +8 HP in addition to the HPs from your Endurance, when
you go up a level.


(2.9) THROWN WEAPONS
--------------------
If you throw a weapon, an identical weapon will automatically be
replaced from your inventory, until you run out of like weapons.
This applies to grenades, thrown knives, spears and rocks.


(2.10) EXIT GRIDS
-----------------
The portion of a map that takes you to another area is called
an "exit grid."  The green exit grids take you to another map
in that location, while the brown exit grids return you to the
world map.


(2.11) HEALING RATE
-------------------
Your character will heal a number of hit points equal to your
healing rate every _three_ hours, not every _six_ hours as
stated in the manual.  This happens when you rest or travel.


(2.12) BARTER
-------------
Just to clarify pages 4-31 and 4-32 of the manual regarding
Barter, here are a couple of important notes:

 * The total value of the items on the barter tables are
   displayed.  These are the values after modifiers
   based on Barter skills and reaction.

 * You can make as many offers as you want without angering
   the person you are bartering with.



---------------------
(3.0) TROUBLESHOOTING
---------------------
These are tips to help improve the performance of Fallout on your
machine.  Also be sure to read the Interplay Productions Reference
and Troubleshooting Guide pamphlet that came in your Fallout box.


(3.1) DIRECTX 3.0A ("MISSING DINPUT.DLL")
-----------------------------------------
You must have DirectX 3.0a or higher installed to play Fallout.  If
you see the "Missing dinput.dll" error when you attempt to run
Fallout, you do not have a recent version of DirectX installed.

To install DirectX from the Fallout CD-ROM, change directories to the
DirectX3 directory and run DXSETUP.EXE, or use the Autoplay menu.


(3.2) DIRECTX 5.0
-----------------
We have also provided DirectX 5.0 on the Fallout CD-ROM for users
who wish to install it.  If you are having driver-related problems,
you might want to try installing DirectX 5.0.  However, we have not
done extensive testing with it since it was released so close to our
ship date.

To install DirectX 5.0, go into the DirectX5\directx folder on the
CD-ROM and run DXSETUP.EXE.


(3.3) S3 ViRGE VIDEO CARDS (SLOW GAMEPLAY)
------------------------------------------
Video cards with the S3 ViRGE chipset, such as the Stealth 64 3D 2000,
may perform poorly under Fallout.  You should attempt two things:

 * Install the most recent drivers available from your video card
   manufacturer.  Often, updated drivers will fix many of the older
   incompatibilities.  Contact your manufacturer, or check their
   website, for more information about their drivers.

 * Use the default S3 drivers (S3 PCI VIRGE) from the Win95 CD.


(3.4) WINDOWS NT
----------------
Currently, Fallout will not install to a Windows NT platform.
A version of the installer that will install to Windows NT is
being planned, and will be available from our website.

While Fallout does not officially support Windows NT, it will run
as long as you have Service Pack 3.  This is required since the
Win95 version of Fallout requires DirectX 3.0a or higher.  You can
get Service Pack 3 from Microsoft.


(3.5) DOS MACHINES
------------------
The DOS version of Fallout is very memory intensive.  Your system
memory useage should be as small as possible (minimal memory
resident programs and drivers, just enough to run the game.)  The
BOOTME program provided on the Fallout CD-ROM will help you
create a diskette with an AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS that is
"bare bones."  If you find you are having problems running the
DOS version, then you should use the BOOTME program or make your
own minimal boot files.


(3.6) DIAMOND STEALTH 3000 & MONSTER 3D CARDS
---------------------------------------------
If your system has both a Diamond Stealth 3000 and a Monster 3D
video card installed, then Fallout will not install if you run
the Win95 setup program.  You can try these tips:

 * Download the latest manufacturer drivers from Diamond.
   This has been tested, and seems to fix the problem.

 * Disable the Monster 3D video card.

 * Run the DOS installer and play the game from a DOS box.


(3.7) GENERAL SLOWNESS UNDER Win95
----------------------------------
If you are playing the Win95 version, and find the game to
be running slowly, you can try these tips:

 * Adjust your Read Ahead cache for your CD-ROM drive.
   You may experience glitches with movies depending on your
   particular CD-ROM drive.

 * Install and run the DOS version from a DOS box.

 * Reinstall the Win95 version, but use a larger installation
   size.  Slow gameplay with a small installation version is
   probably the result of slow CD-ROM access.



--------------------------
(4.0) CONTACTING INTERPLAY
--------------------------

 TECHNICAL SUPPORT
TROUBLESHOOTING DOCUMENTS ONLINE!
Interplay Productions Technical Support now offers trouble-
shooting guides with complete installation and setup 
instructions as well as information that will help you 
overcome the most common difficulties.  If you have access 
to the World Wide Web, you can find these at 

http://www.interplay.com/support/

Here you will find troubleshooting information on as well 
as information on regular system maintenance and performance.
 DirectX                http://www.interplay.com/support/directx/
 Joysticks              http://www.interplay.com/support/joystick/
 Modems and Networks    http://www.interplay.com/support/modem/

(For game-specific information and additional troubleshooting, 
visit our main page at http://www.interplay.com)

If you have questions about the program, our Technical Support 
Department can help. Our web site contains up-to-date 
information on the most common difficulties with our products, 
and this information is the same as that used by our product 
support technicians. We keep the product support pages updated 
on a regular basis, so please check here first for no-wait 
solutions: http://www.interplay.com/support/

If you are unable to find the information you need on our web 
site, please feel free to contact Technical Support via e-mail, 
phone, fax, or letter.  Please be sure to include the following 
information in your e-mail message, fax, or letter:

-Title of Game
-Computer manufacturer
-Operating system (Windows 95, DOS 6.22, etc.)
-CPU type and speed in MHz
-Amount of RAM
-Sound card type and settings (address, IRQ, DMA)
-Video card
-CD-ROM
-Mouse driver and version
-Joystick and game card (if any)
-A copy of the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files from your 
 hard drive
-A description of the problem you're having

If you need to talk to someone immediately, call us at 
(949) 553-6678 Monday through Friday between 8:00AM-5: 45PM, 
Pacific Standard Time with 24 hours, 7 days a week support 
available through the use of our automated wizard.   Please have 
the above information ready when you call. This will help us 
answer your question in the shortest possible time. When you call 
you will initially be connected with our automated wizard.  For 
information pertaining to your specific title, press "1" on the 
main menu and listen carefully to all prompts.  All titles are 
listed alphabetically.  After you have selected your title, the 
most common difficulties will be listed.  If the difficulty you 
are having is not listed or you need additional assistance, you 
may press "0" on your games main menu, and you will be transferred 
to a Technical Support Representative.  No hints or codes are 
available from this line.  You must call Interplay's HINT Line 
for hints, tips, or codes at 1-900-370-PLAY (1-900-451-6869 $1.25 
in Canada only). You must be 18 years +, have a touch-tone phone, 
and the cost is $0.95 per minute.

Hints are available for this title via the hint line. 


Interplay Productions Support Fax: (949) 252-2820
Interplay Productions Technical Support
16815 Von Karman Avenue
Irvine, CA  92606
HOW TO REACH US ONLINE
INTERNET E-MAIL: support@interplay.com
WORLD WIDE WEB: http://www.interplay.com
FTP:     ftp.interplay.com


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UK & remaining European countries
Virgin Interactive
Customer Support
74a Charlotte Street
London
W1P 1LR
Tel: 0171 551 4266
Fax: 0171 551 4267

All Other Territories outside Europe, N. America & Canada
Contact your local distributor for support as listed in 
your game manual. 

---------------------
(5.0) PRODUCT LICENSE
---------------------

SOFTWARE USE LIMITATIONS AND LIMITED LICENSE

General Product License.   This copy of Fallout (the "Software")
is intended solely for your personal noncommercial home
entertainment use.  You may not decompile, reverse engineer, or
disassemble the Software, except as permitted by law.  Interplay
Productions retains all right, title and interest in the Software
including all intellectual property rights embodied therein and
derivatives thereof.  The Software, including, without limitation,
all code, data structures, characters, images, sounds, text, screens,
game play, derivative works and all other elements of the Software
may not be copied, resold, rented, leased, distributed
(electronically or otherwise), used on pay-per-play, coin-op or other
for-charge basis, or for any commercial purpose. Any permissions
granted herein are provided on a temporary basis and can be withdrawn
by Interplay Productions at any time.  All rights not expressly
granted are reserved.

Acceptance of License Terms.   By acquiring and retaining this
Software, you assent to the terms and restrictions of this limited
license. If you do not accept the terms of this limited license,
you must return the Software together with all packaging, manuals
and other material contained therein to the store where you
acquired the Software for a full refund.





Copyright 1997 Interplay Productions.  All rights reserved.
Fallout is a trademark of Interplay Productions.

Win95, Windows 95, Windows NT, DirectX are copyrights of
Microsoft Corporation.

