BioShock & Microsoft Visual

Angelina · Nov 28, 2008

Greetings,

I just recently bought a new computer, and a few days ago I decided to install a BioShock demo through Steam. Everything went right just until I decided to try the demo for the first time. In the loading process, I see BioShock logo, and then the screen goes black and nothing happens: no visual, no sound, nothing, and I have to close the program / process.

I saw in Steam board, BioShock section, advices to solve some problems, and one was to uninstall the Microsoft Visual C++, and the game would reinstall them again automatically in the reinstallment process. The problem is that the game won't install nothing at all, and, in truth, not even starts, cause it goes all black just like I said previously.

Few questions here: a) I can't remember right, but it seems my computer already came from the store with two versions installed of Microsoft Visual C++: Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package (it didn't said the version, but I presume it was x86) and Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package (x64). Is this Microsoft Visual C++ an important software to my computer? Should I reinstall it by manual means through Microsoft Website? I don't know if it is related with the uninstallment of this software, but I started to have a few crashes in Internet Explorer after I unistalled Microsoft Visual C++; b) Which version should I install? I see so many: 2005, 2008, x86, 64 Bits, Redistributable Package versions and SP1 Redistributable Package versions; c) After I solve this problem with Microsoft Visual C++, any tip to resolve my problem with BioShock demo?

Here's my computer:

- Asus P6T DELUXE
- Intel CORE i7 920
- GAINWARD GTX 260 LIMITED EDITION 896MB GDDR3 PCIe 2.0
- 6GB Gskill DDR3-1333 Tri Channel
- SAMSUNG SPINPOINT F1 640GB SATA2 16MB CACHE HD642JJ
- Windows Vista Home Premium 64 Bits

My graphic card has the latest drivers and my windows also have all the latest updates.

If someone could give me guidelines, I would be very appreciated. I don't understand very much of computers stuff, I confess.

Regards & Kisses,
Angelina

PS: Sorry my bad English; I didn't knew If I should posted my questions in the 'Game' section or in 'Software'. Pardon me for any mistake....

sygnus21 · Nov 29, 2008

I wouldn't have "uninstalled" those programs, but since you did, reinstall the latest version, which would obviously be 2008, and since you have a 64bit OS, then that's the one you want. If you have SP1 installed, choose that package.

Now as to Bioshock, once you have everything reinstalled. Go here: Download details: DirectX Redist (November 2008), install and try Bioshock again. If it still doesn't work, look at you v card drivers.

My other suggestion would be to do a System Restore, in fact I’d try this first, before trying to figure out what files you need to reinstall. Look here: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html. Use “Method One” and follow the instructions.

Choose a restore point prior to when you did those uninstalls. If you have a successful restore, then all you need to do after that would be to update your DX files by going to the link I provided.

Good luck, and be careful about uninstalling system files.

Angelina · Nov 29, 2008

Hello Sygnus21,

Thank for you kindest explanations.

Yesterday, while I was waiting for some answers here in the forum, I went to MS website and installed Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package x86 / 64, and even installed SP1 versions for both - don't know if there is a problem of having the 'normal' version and 'SP1' at the same time installed. There is?

DirectX I guess I have the latest, but I will try also that. This is the error the BioShock demo gives:

Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: bioshock.exe
Application Version: 1.0.0.0
Application Timestamp: 46c2290a
Fault Module Name: bioshock.exe
Fault Module Version: 1.0.0.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 46c2290a
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Offset: 0045f44f
OS Version: 6.0.6001.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 2070
Additional Information 1: ebc5
Additional Information 2: 08d4ab8e4e9a9fd4f9c1950fabae5eb1
Additional Information 3: 20e5
Additional Information 4: dec8312b55671699db378dc8e99b339c

I hope this might help in something and allow a better analysis of my situation.

Kisses & Regards,

Angelina

fieseler · Nov 29, 2008

i had a similar problem, not sure how i fixed it tho (something to do with xfire i think). i used to get around it by alt-tab out then tab back in again, but it might not be the same problem.

Angelina · Nov 29, 2008

Hello fieseler & sygnus21,

I guess the problem is solved. The demo already runs without a problem : )

Since the computer is new, I only have it for one week, I thought the guys in the store had made all the updates of DirectX, but it seems they didn't. I just made the update of DX, and the demo runs perfect.

Thank you both for the tips.

Regards & Kisses,

Angelina

sygnus21 · Nov 29, 2008

Glad to see you got it running. In the future, be careful about uninstalling "Microsoft" system files. And always be wary of some of the on-line advice, some can lead to bad behavior as you found out. But that comes with experience

Bioshock is a great game, and I encourage you to get it. Great story, game environment, graphics, music, and artwork. If you can't tell, I love that game.

Good luck

fieseler · Nov 29, 2008

bioshock is real decent, dunno why ive only just decided to get it. Although patching it was a pain,but at least now i can read the subtitles (especially when atlas is speaking, i can never understand what hes rambling on about)

BioShock & Microsoft Visual

Angelina

New Member

My Computer

System One

sygnus21

Here to learn

My Computer

System One

Angelina

New Member

My Computer

System One

fieseler

My Computer

System One

Angelina

New Member

My Computer

System One

sygnus21

Here to learn

My Computer

System One

fieseler

My Computer

System One