Incoming noob question

[Lt. Victory]

So I have this computer, and it ran Dark Souls just fine, no problems, all flowers and sunshine. Then the hard drive died. I got a new one (the exact same hard drive, same company, etc) and Dark Souls no longer works. It instantly goes to "Dark Souls has stopped working" and crashes. Please offer suggestions for things I could do or patches I could install or rituals I could perform to get my favourite game working again! Thanks in advance!

[EleventhStar]

I'd start with verifying game cache, then reinstalling the game if that doesn't work.

[Lt. Victory]

reinstalling right now, what does verify the game cache mean?

[Horse of Mass Obliteration]

Verifying cache checks for broken or modified files and redownloads and replace them.

To your problem.
Have you downloaded games for windows live?
Upgraded graphic card drivers?

Also make sure you're human also try abandoning any covenant you are in and go to the church and ask for pardon, then go home and try start the game. But ofc, before that try re-/installing GFWL.

[Lt. Victory]

well GFWL installs automatically with the first time setup when i play the game.
graphics and audio drivers are updated. the actual graphics card is the same as when i played it before on the old hard drive, so it can handle the game. Reinstalled the game just now, no luck :(

also im a buddhist so i guess its just karma coming back with the middle finger haha

[Novi]

Uninstall GFWL marketplace + redistributable. Find and download new version. If you're on windows 8 run it in win 7 compatibility mode and with admin rights, otherwise run it as is. It should also prompt you to install sign-in assistant so do that too. If it still crashes right away, verify the game cache (right click on game in steam, find it in properties).

[Lt. Victory]

Novi. You sir, are why I still have faith in humanity. Game is working just like it should after doing your suggestions. Thank you! You are truly appreciated!