[PC] Game refuses to load

[Squirminator2k]

I was part of the beta-testing where the game ran perfectly fine. However since the beta ended I have upgraded my graphics card and now the game utterly refuses to run.

During beta I had a GeForce 8600. I'm now using an ATI Radeon HD 4800 and when I go to run the game I get the usual "Preparing the launch Alien Breed: Impact . . ." window that Steam displays. Then it vanishes and the game doesn't load.

In an attempt to remedy this problem I have done the following:

Deleted and re-downloaded the game.
Deleted the game, manually purged the game from my hard drive and system registry, and re-downloaded the game.
Updated my graphics card drivers.
Made sure my old graphics card is no longer listed in the Device Manager.
Shouted obscenities at my monitor.


None of these things have worked. The game simply refuses to load. Any idea why?

My system specs:

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6320 @ 1.86GHz (2 CPUs), ~1.9GHz
2048MB RAM
ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series graphics card
Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit

[Cathulhu]

Did you try launching the exe manually?

[Squirminator2k]

Hadn't considered that - I'll try it in a moment.

Edit: Running the .exe displays the message "Error - Steam must be running to play this game!", which is odd because Steam is running.

[SupSuper]

Since you switched from Nvidia to ATI, I'd suggest checking if you still have stuff like PhysX (http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/physx_system_software_uk.html) installed, it might've been removed when you uninstalled the old drivers.

Also since you were part of the beta-test, maybe you still got old beta versions of the game lying around in the Steam folder messing things up?

[Squirminator2k]

I removed everything on my computer associated with the beta before I installed the full version, and PhysX still seems to be installed.

[DrMelon]

Does the game produce any running logs in its directories? I find that most of the time, these will help with self-diagnosis.

[CaptainVic]

I'm having the exact same problem as the original poster. I get to the splash screen, and it just hangs at that point. What's going on here?

Edit: I should add that I'm playing the Demo version of the game.

[Chuckles]

Please could you download "DebugView" from here:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896647.aspx

And leave it running when you try to launch the game.

Send me a copy of the output and I'll try to determine what the issue is.

Cheers,
Charles

[CaptainVic]

00000000 0.00000000 [3100] ~~~[CpuPowerMonitor] value:cbc1 msb:fffffff9 lsb:3c1 power 7.507812
00000001 0.00008793 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:7.507812, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000
00000002 0.00018655 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:0.000000, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000
00000003 4.97950363 [3100] ~~~[CpuPowerMonitor] value:cb2e msb:fffffff9 lsb:32e power 6.359375
00000004 4.97956324 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:6.359375, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000
00000005 4.97969246 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:0.000000, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000
00000006 9.98708153 [3100] ~~~[CpuPowerMonitor] value:cad3 msb:fffffff9 lsb:2d3 power 5.648438
00000007 9.98714066 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:5.648438, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000
00000008 9.98722649 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:0.000000, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000
00000009 14.99467182 [3100] ~~~[CpuPowerMonitor] value:cb4a msb:fffffff9 lsb:34a power 6.578125
00000010 14.99473190 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:6.578125, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000
00000011 14.99481773 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:0.000000, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000
00000012 20.00238991 [3100] ~~~[CpuPowerMonitor] value:daa0 msb:fffffffb lsb:2a0 power 21.000000
00000013 20.00249672 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:21.000000, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000
00000014 20.00265884 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:0.000000, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000
00000015 22.38453293 [1980] Game update: AppID 22620 "Alien Breed Impact: Demo", ProcID 4632, IP 0.0.0.0:0
00000016 23.98435974 [4632] AlienBreed Log Start
00000017 23.98437119 [4632] appInitTiming
00000018 23.98439407 [4632] GetCommandLine
00000019 23.98440933 [4632] MakeNamedMutex
00000020 23.98444557 [4632] InitSteam
00000021 24.09158897 [4632] CheckMutex
00000022 24.09159851 [4632] GuardedMain
00000023 24.09165001 [4632] PreInit
00000024 24.09167290 [4632] Creating thread pool threads
00000025 24.23706245 [4632] Creating perf trackers
00000026 24.23711014 [4632] Checking resolution
00000027 24.23811913 [4632] Handling game explorer integration
00000028 24.25486374 [4632] Initialising system settings
00000029 24.25749588 [4632] Getting compatibility level
00000030 24.34748077 [4632] Init RHI
00000031 24.36045647 [4632] InitializeRegistrantsAndRegisterNames
00000032 24.37137413 [4632] Creating streaming texture manager
00000033 24.37143517 [4632] Creating asynch IO manager
00000034 24.37171936 [4632] Init Physics
00000035 24.37176323 [4632] Hardware PhysX enabled, loading installed DLL
00000036 24.37230873 [4632] Creating FNxAllocator
00000037 24.37232590 [4632] Creating FNxOutputStream
00000038 24.37234306 [4632] Getting cooking library
00000039 24.38387299 [4632] Creating QuickLoad extension
00000040 24.38389206 [4632] Creating wrapping allocator
00000041 24.38390541 [4632] Creating SDK
00000042 24.39218903 [4632] NVAPI:
00000043 24.39222145 [4632] bLhThunkInit: failed assert: lhThunk.pfnGetDisplayConfigBufferSizes
00000044 24.39223480 [4632]
00000045 24.39225578 [4632] NVAPI:
00000046 24.39226913 [4632] bLhThunkInit: failed assert: lhThunk.pfnQueryDisplayConfig
00000047 24.39228249 [4632]
00000048 24.39230156 [4632] NVAPI:
00000049 24.39231491 [4632] bLhThunkInit: failed assert: lhThunk.pfnSetDisplayConfig
00000050 24.39232635 [4632]
00000051 24.39234352 [4632] NVAPI:
00000052 24.39235687 [4632] bLhThunkInit: failed assert: lhThunk.pfnDisplayConfigGetDeviceInfo
00000053 24.39237022 [4632]
00000054 24.67194176 [4632] Initialising cooking
00000055 24.67196846 [4632] Initialising quick load
00000056 24.67198753 [4632] Setting skin width
00000057 24.67200279 [4632] Setting mesh creation synchronicity
00000058 24.67201614 [4632] Setting legacy flags
00000059 24.67203140 [4632] Getting default cooking parameters
00000060 24.67204666 [4632] Setting cooking parameters
00000061 24.67206383 [4632] PhysX init done
00000062 24.67207909 [4632] Creating DLC manager
00000063 24.67209625 [4632] Cleaning file cache
00000064 24.67261314 [4632] appPlatformPostInit
00000065 24.67589378 [4632] appPlatformPostInit done
00000066 24.67672539 [4632] PreInit Complete
00000067 24.67682838 [4632] Displaying splash screen
00000068 24.67690086 [4632] VerifyShaderSourceFiles
00000069 24.69464302 [4632] GetGlobalShaderMap
00000070 24.69467354 [4632] Loading shader cache: ..\AlienBreedEp1Game\CookedPC\GlobalShaderCache-PC-D3D-SM3.bin
00000071 24.70524025 [4632] LoadStartupPackages
00000072 25.02755547 [3100] ~~~[CpuPowerMonitor] value:db8d msb:fffffffb lsb:38d power 28.406250
00000073 25.02761459 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:28.406250, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000
00000074 25.02772331 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:0.000000, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000
00000075 28.81950569 [4632] Assemble reference token streams
00000076 28.82455063 [4632] Adding objects to the root set
00000077 28.82944298 [4632] Creating the engine
00000078 30.03479958 [3100] ~~~[CpuPowerMonitor] value:db9f msb:fffffffb lsb:39f power 28.968750
00000079 30.03486061 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:28.968750, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000
00000080 30.03498459 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:0.000000, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000
00000081 35.04307556 [3100] ~~~[CpuPowerMonitor] value:dae8 msb:fffffffb lsb:2e8 power 23.250000
00000082 35.04314041 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:23.250000, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000
00000083 35.04323578 [3100] ~~~[EnergySaving] CurrentPower:0.000000, EPU Staus:1, Facotr 0.000000, CurrentSaving:0.000000, TotalSaving:0.000000, CumulativeSaving:0.000000

[CaptainVic]

Here is the log I got from BebugView:

http://pastebin.com/p4kS9BWM

EDIT: Sorry about the double post, I thought my first post was rejected for being too lengthy.

[Swolenator]

I just downloaded have the same issue it minimizes the game to taskbar but I let it go for 2 or 3 minutes and it came up when I clicked it on taskbar. btw demo

[Swolenator]

hmm i thought i replied but I download demo when I start it just minimizes to taskbar I let it go for like 2 or 3 minutes clicked it and it came up

[Swolenator]

nvm that didn't work still just minimizes

[Squirminator2k]

Here's my log. It looks like some system files are being reported as missing. I wonder if this is to do with the hardware change? Could Alien Breed still think I have my old GeForce card...?

[DrMelon]

Here's my log. It looks like some system files are being reported as missing. I wonder if this is to do with the hardware change? Could Alien Breed still think I have my old GeForce card...?

It's possible you'll need to really purge your system.
A quick search of the NVidia forums turns up this software:
http://www.download3k.com/Install-Driver-Cleaner-Professional.html

I don't know if its any good though. Best take it with a pinch of salt.

[Chuckles]

Here's my log. It looks like some system files are being reported as missing. I wonder if this is to do with the hardware change? Could Alien Breed still think I have my old GeForce card...?

The point at which it's failing is the first time it tries to use PhysX after trying to initialise it. A failure here normally means that the PhysX initialisation failed.

Please could you try running the program
steamapps\common\alien breed evolution_ episode 1\Binaries\windows\UE3Redist.exe
that you can find in your Steam Client folder. If this ran successfully on install of Alien Breed, it'll ask you if you want to uninstall - click yes, wait for the uninstallation to finish, and then reboot and run it again. If something went wrong on the initial installation, just follow the installation instructions, then try running the game again.

Cheers,
Charles

[Chuckles]

Here is the log I got from BebugView:

http://pastebin.com/p4kS9BWM

EDIT: Sorry about the double post, I thought my first post was rejected for being too lengthy.

Not too sure what's going on there - your version gets considerably further, past the areas where I've seen (and fixed) issues in the past. Could you send me a dxdiag from your machine please?

Click the Start button and select Run from the menu
Type dxdiag in the box that appears
Click on the 'Save all Information' button and send me the file it creates.

Cheers,
Charles

[Squirminator2k]

I never responded to this thread at the time, but the UE3Redist worked and the game opened perfectly.

Of course, now I'm having the exact same issue with Monday Night Combat. Lovely.

[preotolla]

Tabs dont seem logical or necessary to me. Someone might benefit from them I suppose.

[hedepoesy]

I was playing not to long along, wanted to play but my saved game isnt showing up on the saved game list, yet it still does on the deleted list.

Im currently using Temp Patch 17th September and running Windows 7

[ziger]

So yeah, I started out having issues with the game crashing after the info screen, but it magically started getting all the way to the "continue" button. Imagine how estatic I was that it got that far! So I clicked continue, and the computer shuts down. No warning, no errors, just shuts off as if some one had yanked the power cable. So I turned the computer back on, and it boots up with out issue. So I try again. "Continue"- pewwwww... The computer shuts off again.

So I have to ask: what in your code could do such a thing? How could so many people have issue with this game?

[Plasma]

Ziger, what's your computer specs? As in, what Operating System, graphics card, those kinda things.