AC4BFSP.exe Is Not Responding (Black Screen Error)

[lilstevie505]

Hello,

I recently purchased and installed AC4 on my Dell Inspiron 17R-7720, which runs Windows 8 (I haven't updated to 8.1). I already have the UPlay launcher installed for AC2, which runs perfectly . Every time I've attempted to start the game with Steam or UPlay, I get a black screen and a spinning wheel. The screen then goes white and I get "AC4BFSP.exe is not responding." I've tested the cache data, uninstalled/reinstalled .exe files based on Steam troubleshooting, and searched other message boards. If anyone knows how to fix this, I would be eternally grateful. Thanks!

[Spawk]

Here are some general troubleshooting tips:

Make sure your system meets the minimum system requirements
Update your video card drivers or roll back to a previous version
Update DirectX and Microsoft Visual C++
Make sure your computer is using the right graphics processor
Make sure your CPU or GPU aren't over / underclocked
Make sure your laptop power settings are set to high performance
Reset your 3D settings in your video card control panel
Run the game and Steam as administrator
Update to the latest Windows Service Pack
Disable your antivirus program (Especially crappy ones like McAfee)
Disable cloud sync in Uplay
Disable proxy connection in Uplay's network settings
Reinstall PunkBuster
Disable the Windows Aero theme
Disable multiple monitors
Update your audio drivers
Run the game in compatibility mode
Install the game to your default Steam folder on the C: drive
Run a virus / malware scan

[lilstevie505]

Hey Spawk,
thank you for the list of advice. I tested out as many of these as I could, and the only problem I found was related to the video card. Based on systemrequirementslab.com, the only area where my computer comes short is the video card--they've been inaccurate because it's a weird card before.

Anyway, can you tell me, based on this info from System Requirements Lab, if my video card is the issue? Thank you!


Minimum: Nvidia Geforce GTX 260 or AMD Radeon HD 4870 (512MB VRAM with shader Model 4.0 or higher)
You Have: GeForce GT 650M
Video Card Click here for the latest Video Card drivers.

Features: Minimum attributes of your Video Card

(First column of numbers are required, second are what I have)
IPixel Shader version 4.0 5.0
Vertex Shader version 4.0 5.0
Dedicated Video RAM 512 MB 2.0 GB

[Spawk]

Your video card (barely) exceeds the minimum GPU requirement for the game, so that is not an issue. What video card driver version are you using?

[lilstevie505]

I think that may have been the issue--I thought my video card drivers were up to date, but I'm now downloading new ones. Thanks again, and I'll keep you posted.

[lilstevie505]

Okay, just updated video card drivers--I'm still getting the same result. Any other suggestions?

[Spawk]

Originally posted by lilstevie505:

Okay, just updated video card drivers--I'm still getting the same result. Any other suggestions?

Panic.

Or try updating to Windows 8.1.

[lilstevie505]

9.18.13.697 is the version, by the way.

[Spawk]

The latest Nvidia driver is 337.88.

http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

[lilstevie505]

Just finished installing Windows 8.1, and I'm currently downloading 337.88. Hope this will finally resolve the situation

[iggy1eco]

Going back to driver 314.22 helped for many people and many been having problem with AC with latest patches. Others still dodged a bullet. Unless you're a FPS guy, going back to that driver may screw you and will be faced with a hard choice. Otherwise, it may be very worth a look.

Checked Nvidia forums about latest drivers and AC and saw people mentioning 314.22 solved thhe issue. This solution is around somewhere here on steam discussions too.

[lilstevie505]

Okay, thank you Cerealkiller. I'll test 337.88, and if that doesn't work, I'll roll back--how does one do that?

[lilstevie505]

Great news--it's finally working! I think the Nvidia Driver update was the issue. Thank you Cerealkiller for kicking in some advice late, and thank you thank you thank you Mr. Spawk!

[Spawk]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-19kMXEBw8&index=43&list=PLrwnbK575LBwY-5xnAgG7f24iNqB_vv14

[iggy1eco]

Welcome. Glad it worked for you.

[willomally1]

Just updated to the new beta nvidia driver and it's at least booting up and goint to menu