When I try to launch fallout 1 an error message pops up telling me it can't find master data file. The message also asks me to make sure the fallout CD is in the proper directory. I have never downloaded a game before and am new to this. I have no idea how to fix this or where to begin. Please help and sorry for the stupid question.

Have you tried re-installing the game?
Are you running XP or vista?

make sure you weren't running some silly patch, the game is fully patched as is, the only patches you'd be interested in using would be fan made ones.
also, if it's vista, make sure you're running the program as an administrator.

thank you for the help. I tried re-installing and now I am coming with an error initializing a video mode. I was able to get past this before, however the same steps I made before aren't working. I moved falloutw.exe into the same folder as the res patch 1.3, but it's not working. When I did this earlier the video mode error went away, however I was then asked to insert a cd to launch the game. Thanks again.
I am using xp sp2.

Try running the game in 256 color mode.

What will running the game in a different color mode help in it stopping asking for a CD?
Doesn't make any sense buddy.

I was replying to the color mode problem.