Can't start the game at all!

GimrigzGimrigz Join Date: 2012-10-31 Member: 164809Members
in Technical Support
First, the technical stuff:

Cpu: i7 3770
GPU ATI hd 6850
Ram: 8gb
Monitor: Dual monitor setup (Main native res is 1080p)
OS: Windows 8 Pro 64 bits



Hey folks! After installing the game, at first start, I immediately couldn't start the game. My main monitor turned black, with a mouse cursor available at the middle, which I was able to move. Clicking away from the black screen would immediately cause a crash. I then came here and tried the following fixes:

1) Deleting NS2 folder in %appdata% and the shaders folder and checking file integrity: no dice
2) Total reinstall (while deleting files not in /common/): same problem
3) Installing the DIRECTX redist and PHYSX, despite being on ati: not working.
4) Doing all of this all over again with reboots in between every parts, nada...

I am really at a loss at this point. I can't get past this screen, get into the console or see any logs at all (besides the one describing by gpu). I have no clue what to do! I want to play! Please help :(
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Comments

  • esotericizmesotericizm Join Date: 2012-10-28 Member: 164192Members
    I get the same issue, Is this a windows 8 thing? I'm also running windows 8 pro
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  • GimrigzGimrigz Join Date: 2012-10-31 Member: 164809Members
    Please, post your tech specs to help the others put the finger on the right issue! I suspect hardware problem, but Win8 might be it.
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  • esotericizmesotericizm Join Date: 2012-10-28 Member: 164192Members
    edited October 2012
    AMD 965 Black Edition @ 3.4GHZ
    8GB DDR3 1333
    AMD 6850
    Windows 8

    Was playing a few builds ago perfectly fine and it appears OP has same video card as me. I'm running the latest beta drivers from AMD's website which I installed around 12 hours ago.
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  • GimrigzGimrigz Join Date: 2012-10-31 Member: 164809Members
    I am not running beta drivers, but we are indeed on the same GPU. What gives....
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  • esotericizmesotericizm Join Date: 2012-10-28 Member: 164192Members
    Mind posting your crash log? It's obviously a GPU issue as it looks as if it crashes after trying to initialize the GPU

    Date: 10/31/12
    Time: 14:42:43
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Build 227
    Steam initialized
    Render Device: AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series (8.17.10.1169)
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  • GimrigzGimrigz Join Date: 2012-10-31 Member: 164809Members
    I am attemping an other download, I will post it ASAP. Good call!
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  • GibbyLOLGibbyLOL Join Date: 2012-07-26 Member: 154371Members
    edited October 2012
    Fixed the black screen on launch.
    1. run dxsetup in drive/program files (x86)/steam/steamapps/common/natural selection 2/redist/directx/
    Its about half way down.
    2. Delete the files in drive/users/user/appdata/roaming/natural selection 2 **NOTE YOU NEED BE ABLE TO SEE HIDDEN FOLDERS SINCE THIS IS A HIDDEN FOLDER.
    - On win7 to show hidden folders click on organize>folder and search options>view check "show hidden files, folders and drives under hidden files and folders.
    3. Delete the folderC:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Natural Selection 2\ns2\shaders
    4. Go on Steam, go to Natural selection 2, right click>properties>local files> verify integrity of cache
    (this will re-download the files you just deleted, but it will be the correct files this time)
    Then it will give you a message saying it's done. Then you're all set, good to play NS2.

    Edit: I fixed step 3. (for sure this time)
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  • GimrigzGimrigz Join Date: 2012-10-31 Member: 164809Members
    Already tried all this, does not work.

    here's my log:

    Date: 10/31/12
    Time: 01:05:44
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Build 227
    Steam initialized
    Render Device: AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series (8.17.10.1151)
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  • GibbyLOLGibbyLOL Join Date: 2012-07-26 Member: 154371Members
    <!--quoteo(post=2002106:date=Oct 30 2012, 11:56 PM:name=Gimrigz)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gimrigz @ Oct 30 2012, 11:56 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2002106"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Already tried all this, does not work.

    here's my log:

    Date: 10/31/12
    Time: 01:05:44
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Build 227
    Steam initialized
    Render Device: AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series (8.17.10.1151)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Re-read step 3, trust me. You need to delete the shaders folder, and let steam download those files again. I fixed it because I had the incorrect directory before.

    Fixed the black screen on launch.
    1. run dxsetup in drive/program files (x86)/steam/steamapps/common/natural selection 2/redist/directx/
    Its about half way down.
    2. Delete the files in drive/users/user/appdata/roaming/natural selection 2 **NOTE YOU NEED BE ABLE TO SEE HIDDEN FOLDERS SINCE THIS IS A HIDDEN FOLDER.
    - On win7 to show hidden folders click on organize>folder and search options>view check "show hidden files, folders and drives under hidden files and folders.
    3. Delete the folderC:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Natural Selection 2\ns2\shaders
    4. Go on Steam, go to Natural selection 2, right click>properties>local files> verify integrity of cache
    (this will re-download the files you just deleted, but it will be the correct files this time)
    Then it will give you a message saying it's done. Then you're all set, good to play NS2.

    Edit: I fixed step 3. (for sure this time)
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  • GimrigzGimrigz Join Date: 2012-10-31 Member: 164809Members
    As I said, I had already done that, to no avail =/
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  • twilitebluetwiliteblue bug stalker Join Date: 2003-02-04 Member: 13116Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    Is there a "Windows 7 compatibility mode" in Windows 8?
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  • esotericizmesotericizm Join Date: 2012-10-28 Member: 164192Members
    Yep Same error log as me. I've got no idea's on where to go from here.
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  • GimrigzGimrigz Join Date: 2012-10-31 Member: 164809Members
    Now, I did some testing: I figured with alt the alt tab issues that were reported that it could be a dual monitor issue of some sort. I put my Radeon as the sole monitor output and I got the same issue. I then tried to use my HD4000 to start the game and it would crash as well, with the log being almost identical (radeon being switched by HD4000).

    I am starting to think this might be a windows 8 issue.
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  • esotericizmesotericizm Join Date: 2012-10-28 Member: 164192Members
    hmm Thats interesting, I originally thought it was a Windows 8 Issue. Some confirmation that this is being looked into would be nice...
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  • esotericizmesotericizm Join Date: 2012-10-28 Member: 164192Members
    Still having no luck, I'm tempted just to go back to windows 7 to see if that works.
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  • WhosatWhosat Singapore Join Date: 2006-11-03 Member: 58301Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--quoteo(post=2002137:date=Oct 31 2012, 01:13 PM:name=twiliteblue)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (twiliteblue @ Oct 31 2012, 01:13 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2002137"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Is there a "Windows 7 compatibility mode" in Windows 8?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I remember seeing a user here on the forums mentioning that doing exactly that fixed it. Windows 7 Compatibility mode in Windows 8.

    Whoop quick googled it: <a href="http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6832-compatibility-mode-use-windows-8-a.html" target="_blank">http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6832-...indows-8-a.html</a>
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  • esotericizmesotericizm Join Date: 2012-10-28 Member: 164192Members
    Yeah I've tried that along with the other suggestions. None seem to work...Getting pretty depressed haha
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  • Cheesy2kkCheesy2kk Join Date: 2012-10-02 Member: 161287Members
    edited October 2012
    Yeah, it was me, with the Win8 problem, i fixed it just by starting NS2.exe with compability mode out of the folder.. BUT after latest updates, my NS2.exe seems loading an old version.. and the Steam start isnt still working.. i am trying this methode but i dont think it will work

    Edit: this solution isnt working for me neither.. trying to redownload the whole game..
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  • WhosatWhosat Singapore Join Date: 2006-11-03 Member: 58301Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited October 2012
    its a long shot but try installing this: <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3387" target="_blank">Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package (x86)</a>
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  • esotericizmesotericizm Join Date: 2012-10-28 Member: 164192Members
    Okay so I have solved my Issue. Not sure if this will help anyone else but it was a huge facepalm moment for me.

    Mumble overlay....Disable it or any other overlay you maybe using...Tested by re enabling it and it crashed straight away. Turned it off and I get straight into the menu.

    Hope this helps someone else.
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  • WhosatWhosat Singapore Join Date: 2006-11-03 Member: 58301Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    Woohoo congrats! Have fun playing! :)
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  • Cheesy2kkCheesy2kk Join Date: 2012-10-02 Member: 161287Members
    My solution now, just redownload it :X working without compability mode now and steam on
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  • GimrigzGimrigz Join Date: 2012-10-31 Member: 164809Members
    I was running mumble as well during testing, I turned it off and it worked. Thanks Eso.

    Devs might want to put a notice up in the sticky as this seem to be a recurrent issue for people and mumble is quite popular!
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  • esotericizmesotericizm Join Date: 2012-10-28 Member: 164192Members
    <!--quoteo(post=2002620:date=Oct 31 2012, 07:16 AM:name=Gimrigz)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gimrigz @ Oct 31 2012, 07:16 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2002620"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I was running mumble as well during testing, I turned it off and it worked. Thanks Eso.

    Devs might want to put a notice up in the sticky as this seem to be a recurrent issue for people and mumble is quite popular!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Glad it worked mate, Was a major Ahhh moment when I thought of it. Just FYI you are fine to run mumble as long as you turn the overlay off in the settings.
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  • GimrigzGimrigz Join Date: 2012-10-31 Member: 164809Members
    Confirmed! It is strictly the overlay causing the game to crash.

    Thanks again! With all those Win8 re installs, it's easy to forget to disable it (since it usually is as it causes issues with many games on my rig).
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  • DamDSxDamDSx Join Date: 2004-08-10 Member: 30506Members
    Glad you guys fixed it, but I dont use anything with overlay, I dont use anything for that matter, clean, no background apps running system, and it still crashes.
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  • esotericizmesotericizm Join Date: 2012-10-28 Member: 164192Members
    The Issue we were having is different to what most people are having trouble with, We couldn't even get to the main menu let alone join a game. Your issue seems alot more widespread though so I would expect the dev's to hopefully come up with a solution soon.
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  • DamDSxDamDSx Join Date: 2004-08-10 Member: 30506Members
    Yea, realized that after I posted :)
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  • GibbyLOLGibbyLOL Join Date: 2012-07-26 Member: 154371Members
    I disabled all my start-up applications through msconfig, just to make sure nothing was running that wasn't supposed to be. I've never heard of Mumble though, glad you found the fix.
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