TF2 launch error: "Can't find background image materials/console/startup_loading.vtf" RESOLVED!!!

[RoadSurfer (Hex Omega)]

Make a symbolic link for the ENTIRE steam folder, vs. just the SteamApps folder. I can finally play TF2 again!

[Nz17 #StandWithUkraine]

Thank you so much! This is exactly the solution I was looking for. I have actually tried to install and run the Steam for Linux client twice, and both times (now and a few months ago during the beta) I had this problem. Whenever I tried to start Team Fortress 2, I'd get an error message complaining about either "media/valve.bik" or "materials/console/startup_loading.vtf" being unavailable. Now I know to create a symlink to the Steam directory and not just the SteamApps subdirectory. Too bad I couldn't have remembered this the second time - it would have saved me a lot of suffering! So I thank you, and I hope I find this thread faster if it happens again. ;)

[iWinFlips]

Found this programme very helpful:

http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/1035036-Steam-SSD-Optimiser-now-available

[deekay]

This isn't helping me... What is a symbolic link? How do I set this up?

[RoadSurfer (Hex Omega)]

Check out the link above