Help with patches (Fallout 2)

[lagoni]

Hi

First of all, how do I install patches? I've tried several random ones (because I'm not sure which ones help), but I can never really understand where they are supposed to be installed and sometimes they seem require another patch as well.

Right now, my problems are the missing kids (European version) and that the game crashes whenever I on the map meet the three robots killing two men (I think). Can patches fix this?

Last but not least, can I use my saved games from the currently un-patched version when patched? I would hate to start over again...

I tried searching the forum, but couldn't find anything that helped exactly this.

Thanks.

[GawainBS]

First, you should determine which version you have. I had this written on my CD. It also appears in one of the bottom corners of the mainscreen, allthough with the patches you've installed, this can be faulty.
Going by memory, you'd need the 1.02 UK patch. There should be a readme on how to install it. I think you just have to extract it.
The childrenpatch also needs to be extracted to a certain directory.

Most of the time, savegames of different patches aren't compatible.

[Kheros]

Yes 1.02 UK patch for EU version and you can't use saved games with other versions.

Second, I'd advice all to use Killap's unofficial megapatch from NMA, it has everything in it to work on high-end systems and fixes far far more than a simple childrenspatch/worldmap/encounterbooster would (it has all that and more.)