Full version, Steam, Vista: Does not launch

[CGameProgrammer]

I pre-ordered the game on Steam a few days ago, and just downloaded it now (didn't pre-download it). When I clicked Launch, it presented some license agreement dialog, which I clicked Yes on, and then inexplicably it installed the Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable, which is an odd thing for a game to install. (I have the actual retail Visual Studio 2005 on my machine anyway.) But after that, nothing happened. And if I click Launch again, it always just displays the steam message "Preparing to launch Bioshock...", then it goes away, but nothing actually gets launched, as far as I can tell from viewing Task Manager. (It might be possible a program is getting run but immediately quits.)

This is annoying. I don't mind having to wait for them to get these problems straightened out, though why they didn't discover them before launch is beyond me, but I want the devs to be aware of this problem if they're not already.

[scottboy76]

hey just a thought,
a) have you tried just running the bioshock.exe in programfiles/steam/steamapps/common/bioshock/builds/release

b)i know you've just downloaded it but it doesn't hurt to check the integrity of the files, goto steam, right click bioshock, choose properties, goto local files tab, click verify integrity of game cache.

if not, hang about in here for eternity waiting for 2K to respond...

[CGameProgrammer]

Oh, and my system specs are: Vista Business Edition, 256 MB GeForce 7800 GT with NVidia's drivers from July 26 2007 (Monday's ones are only for 8XXX series), 1 GB RAM, 14 GB free hard drive space (after installation).

[Squishy]

Install this (yes for Vista 32).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

I had the same problem and now it runs fine.

[CGameProgrammer]

Actually, Scott's suggestion of running the executable worked, surprisingly. God knows why running it from within Steam failed. I think it's 2K's fault and they rely on the current working directory as being the path to Bioshock.exe, which it may not be if the game is launched from within Steam.

[Squishy]

I won't argue with you, as the game really should "just work". I'm glad you resolved the issue.

[JKVM]

Running bioshock.exe from the folder didn't help for me. I installed the latest DirectX, drivers, and all. I'm running XP Pro.

[CGameProgrammer]

If it's any consolation, my character was only able to swim 20 feet before the game crashed, so you've only missed a short swim, JKVM.

[Squishy]

Post more specs.

I run Vista 32 and XP pro on the same PC. I had a hell of a time with Vista, but now it runs fine. XP just worked for me.

Me:
Core2 6800 @ 3.4 GHZ
8800GTX
Audigy 2 ZS (lol)

Vista:
Latest Nvidia beta drivers
Latest creative drivers
Installed Direct 9C! from websetup
Installed the C++ redistruble from the Bioshock dir.

Finally, after hours of screwing with centered timings and resolution change, it runs fine.

XP:
Same hardware as above, same driver version. Works fine.

Just trying to help, post your hardware and drivers specs and what you've done so far.

[grendyll]

Hi all,

Same issue, click launch bioshock in Steam window and I get "Preparing to Launch Bioshock..." dialogue and then nothing. No errors or entries in system event log.

I've updated to August Direct X, updated video and audio drivers.

My system:
Athlon 64 3000+
Nvidia 7600GS with new Beta drivers
SB Audigy ZX
1.5 GB RAM