Fix for "Game won't start" on Windows 10

[Ken]

It is a SecuROM issue on Windows 10 that prevents the game from starting, but I managed to make it work.

-FIX FOR WINDOWS 10-
Right-click "RedRiverLauncher.exe" (This is the SecuROM DRM)
Choose "Troubleshoot Compatibility"
Choose "Troubleshoot Program" after it does its detecting phase.
Tick box "This program worked in earlier versions..."
Tick box "This program requires additional permissions"
Click Next
Choose "Windows Vista Service Pack 2"
Choose "Test Program"

The program should now launch and run fine. If you still get a crash back to desktop you will need to install up-to-date GFWL.
Found Here - http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/Live/PC/DownloadClient

DO NOT try to sign into GFWL from the desktop or start it. Let the game start GFWL by itself ingame. I also have GFWLClient.exe and GFWLive.exe set to Windows 8 compatibility and to Run as Administrator.

You DO NOT need to make any compatibility changes to RedRiver.exe. Also DO NOT install Red River in another Steam Library. Install it in the default Steam Library.

[Perelandra]

EDIT: Yes it is working!

[Ken]

It does work on Windows 10 - I am using it on Windows 10...

Maybe this didn't work for you, for whatever reason, but it certainly got the game running on Windows 10 for me, after I spent around 6hrs trying to come up with a solution. For people that try to launch the game and get absolutely no response, SecROM is what's generally at fault, which I found my way around using the method above. If you are getting a black screen then you are having some other issue, as it does launch and then crashes for you.

[Perelandra]

I wonder how this game should work, when the DRM files missing (in this case the "secdrv.sys"). Or you using a different version and not the steam edition?

[Ken]

I am using the standard Steam version, installed in the default Steam directory, running on Windows 10. All I've done is the method above. I went from it doing nothing at all when trying to start, to it now starting completely fine. If you are getting a black screen and then crashign back to desktop I think maybe it is some other issue.

[Ken]

I don't know if this will make a difference for you, but I also have GFWLClient.exe and GFWLive.exe set to Windows 8 compatibility and to Run as Administrator. Maybe your crash back to desktop from the black screen is GFWL failing.

[Perelandra]

No the game worked fine for me on Windows 8.1. Only since the update to Windows 10 it doesnt work.
The thing which should probably work on most of theWindows 10 machine is the following instruction posted at the MS forums:

Originally posted by "MSDN":

A workaround is to copy secdrv.sys from a windows 8 / 8.1 machine, self sign the driver, and enter into testsigning boot mode.

You can do this manually or use 3rd party programs to do it.

First copy secdrv.sys from a windows 8 machine to c:\windows\system32\drivers. You can also download it here. Same file as the one I got from a vanilla windows 8.1 install v 4.3.86.0 md5 3ea8a16169c26afbeb544e0e48421186

Then self sign the driver. You can use a program Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider to do this: http://www.ngohq.com/?page=dseo

Or read about doing it yourself here. You will also need to make the certificate.

Then enable TESTSIGNING boot mode by opening an admin command prompt and typing: bcdedit -set testsigning on

Now safedisc games should work.

You will get an annoying watermark in testsigning mode. You can remove it using this program. Or read about removing it manually here.

I tested secdrv.sys and the above programs in Windows 10 Pro x64 and confirms that it does work.

[Perelandra]

Originally posted by Mearehear:

I don't know if this will make a difference for you, but I also have GFWLClient.exe and GFWLive.exe set to Windows 8 compatibility and to Run as Administrator. Maybe your crash back to desktop from the black screen is GFWL failing.

Okay let me try it on my machine.
It doesnt work too for me. Can you please tell me which version of GFWL you are using? I using the 3.5.88.0 (you can find it in the control panel --> programs and features)

[Ken]

I have a different version of GWFL. For the two items listed under uninstall programs I have -

Microsoft Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable 3.5.95.0
Microsoft Games for Windows Marketplace 3.5.67.0

Make sure you uninstall GFWL (both of those items) and reboot your PC before trying to install again. This is the link I used to install GFWL http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/Live/PC/DownloadClient

Screenshots of the default Steam Red River working on Windows 10.
http://i.imgur.com/0bRZg6t.png
http://i.imgur.com/AqPkSKS.png

[Perelandra]

Originally posted by Mearehear:

I have a different version of GWFL. For the two items listed under uninstall programs I have -

Microsoft Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable 3.5.95.0
Microsoft Games for Windows Marketplace 3.5.67.0

Make sure you uninstall GFWL (both of those items) and reboot your PC before trying to install again. This is the link I used to install GFWL http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/Live/PC/DownloadClient

Screenshots of the default Steam Red River working on Windows 10.
http://i.imgur.com/0bRZg6t.png
http://i.imgur.com/AqPkSKS.png

Awesome it works now! The problem is the GFWL Client. There are two versions on the MS server: a full package (which i installed before) and the web installer (which you recommend). ONLY THE WEB INSTALLER WORKS!
The game works now great for me. Thank you for your workaround. I never thought this would be working, because the missing DRM files. Thank you, youre my personal hero today

[Ken]

More than welcome! I have added that info to the opening post to help others now too! I am glad it is working for you :)

[71st_Mastiff]

they need to fix this as Im not going to play around with trying to get it to work. They sold me Anon working game !!!! BS Steam !

[sarah]

Y'know what, I think I'm just gonna torrent this or use a cracked version. This is too much work.

[_Chan_]

This thread should be sticky

[katie kat]

i have windows 10 and never had this issue it seems so weird that so many people have this issue

[Sir_0v3rk1ll]

Originally posted by HardCoreKlaus:

No the game worked fine for me on Windows 8.1. Only since the update to Windows 10 it doesnt work.
The thing which should probably work on most of theWindows 10 machine is the following instruction posted at the MS forums:

Originally posted by "MSDN":

A workaround is to copy secdrv.sys from a windows 8 / 8.1 machine, self sign the driver, and enter into testsigning boot mode.

You can do this manually or use 3rd party programs to do it.

First copy secdrv.sys from a windows 8 machine to c:\windows\system32\drivers. You can also download it here. Same file as the one I got from a vanilla windows 8.1 install v 4.3.86.0 md5 3ea8a16169c26afbeb544e0e48421186

Then self sign the driver. You can use a program Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider to do this: http://www.ngohq.com/?page=dseo

Or read about doing it yourself here. You will also need to make the certificate.

Then enable TESTSIGNING boot mode by opening an admin command prompt and typing: bcdedit -set testsigning on

Now safedisc games should work.

You will get an annoying watermark in testsigning mode. You can remove it using this program. Or read about removing it manually here.

I tested secdrv.sys and the above programs in Windows 10 Pro x64 and confirms that it does work.

very bad idea to upgrade from 8.1. best thing you can do as a gamer to avoid problems is do a clean install of widnows 10 pro 64 bit. never ever upgrade. always has problems one way or another