Portal 2
algon6004 Dec 15, 2012 @ 2:52pm
P2 won't download properly.
Steam doesn't seem to want to download this game for me. When I attempt to install, it tells me the game files will take up 127 MB, which is obviously too small, and then it actually only downloads 46.9 MB. When attempting to play from there, I get a missing executable error.

Clicking on the error message takes me to this woefully unhelpful page: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8676-EFLX-7453&l=english

Verifying game cache downloads one or two files, less than 10 MB, and fixes nothing. I've deleted appcache and ClientRegistry, to see if that would help, but it didn't.

My drivers are all up to date. Other Source games (e.g. HL2) run fine, as does Skyrim, so I don't really think it's my rig. I used to be able to run it fine when it first came out, but I chose to uninstall. Now it seems I won't be able to play it again. Anyone have any ideas or similar problems?
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Showing 1-15 of 21 comments
tesco Dec 15, 2012 @ 3:08pm 
Maybe check your disk space? If not try deleting everything in your steam directory except for the .exe and steamapps. If you have any steam skins make sure to save that folder also. Hope that helps
tesco Dec 15, 2012 @ 3:15pm 
Note that this will reset all your settings on steam to defualt so just a heads up
Last edited by tesco; Dec 15, 2012 @ 3:16pm
The Deadly Bum Dec 15, 2012 @ 4:27pm 
the same thing is happening to me right now. I accidentaly deleted some portal 2 files and then the game didn't work. I uninstalled it the reinstalled it and it only installed 46 MB of it. and it's still says "failed to start game (missing executible)." You must have deleted some of your files. It also keeps bringing me to a website that says "The specified article does not exist or you do not have permission to read it."
Last edited by The Deadly Bum; Dec 15, 2012 @ 4:37pm
algon6004 Dec 15, 2012 @ 6:57pm 
Still 529 GB free, so no issue there. And I cleared the steam directory and let it reload everything. Still nothing.
tesco Dec 15, 2012 @ 7:24pm 
Does it say that the download completed or is paused? If it's paused try to unpause it by right clicking and clicking resume. If not try contacting steam support about it. Sorry I can't help you more.
bryonhowley Dec 15, 2012 @ 9:42pm 
Not really sure what to say for you to try ether. I did a backup of my Portal 2 game and then deleted it and did a complete re download and the re install worked just fine. Downloaded the game in about 30 minutes and I was playing it shortly after that so the download worked correctly and it downloaded just over 11gb. Have you tried changing the Steam server to a different one it might be worth a shot. I can't really say what else to do sorry.
fountainboi1035 Dec 16, 2012 @ 9:49am 
I'm getting the same thing on mine, I'm running Windows 7 with plenty of resources. I noticed that the shortcut doesn't point to a file on my comp, just a link at Steam. When I access the .exe in the game install folder, it still doesn't play. When I click either the .exe or the shortcut with the link, it briefly pops up 2 processes (in the task manager) related to Steam and Portal 2, but after about 2-6 seconds, both disappear. I contacted support about 2 weeks ago, and they refuse to answer me.
Toasty Dec 16, 2012 @ 12:41pm 
click on library.
right click on portal 2.
properties.
veryify the integrity of the game cache.
fountainboi1035 Dec 16, 2012 @ 6:05pm 
did that, many times. still nothing.
Zabaj1 Dec 26, 2012 @ 1:33am 
I'm getting the "missing executable" error too. I contacted Steam support several days ago, they told me to defrag (even if i told'em I had already done that) and, when I replied (after reinstalling it) that the game wasn't still running, I got no answer.
I am supposing that Portal 2 is sharing some libraries with other games (I own Half Life 2, for example), since even if I delete the portal 2 directory in steamapps/common, Steam is downloading only 150 MB.
Last edited by Zabaj1; Dec 26, 2012 @ 1:34am
tesco Dec 26, 2012 @ 3:15pm 
You are most likely correct on your assumption that portal 2 is sharing binaries, i've noticed it myself. Most likely your going to have to go into your steam apps folder and delete some of the GCF files related to the source engine and any that say Portal. When you try to launch any of your source games the files should automatically download.
Zabaj1 Dec 26, 2012 @ 3:29pm 
I was thinking about deleting all source games, but I heard that Portal 2 used a different version of that engine. Anyway, I'm doing it now, I'll let you know.
Zabaj1 Dec 28, 2012 @ 3:03am 
Ok, I deleted and reinstalled all Source games - including Portal 2 - and it is now working properly.
BUT while I was doing this, the Steam support service asked me to do another thing: to repair the steam client service.

If you want to try (I think it is less "painful" than reinstalling all Source games) you have to run the following command as an administrator (Start>Run...)

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\SteamService.exe /repair"
And then reboot.

Note that if your Steam directory is different, you'll have to change it in the command.
Let me know if it works!
Last edited by Zabaj1; Dec 28, 2012 @ 3:05am
tesco Dec 28, 2012 @ 12:26pm 
Just a heads up thats for a 64 Bit OS.
If you have a 32 Bit OS then remove the (x86) From the command and it should work
Zabaj1 Dec 28, 2012 @ 12:43pm 
Yeah, you're right, I forgot to mention it.
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Date Posted: Dec 15, 2012 @ 2:52pm
Posts: 21