Simple Fix for Max Payne Not Starting Up!

[Trancent]

Before trying a million patches, compatibility settings, registry tweaks and other nonsense that will just end up wasting your time follow these simple steps!

Step 1, open up task manager. Right click your start bar or press ctrl+alt+del and click 'start task manager'
http://gyazo.com/f36ef247ca858839dd786af8750564ec

Step 2, find STEAM.exe (STEAM.exe *32 in 64 bit windows) and right click, go to 'Set Affinity...'
http://gyazo.com/30858bfa139e86932aaf009d53d19310

Step 3, set the number of cores to one, it doesn't matter which one. Click OK.
http://gyazo.com/712a57f1a0b09cb12536d8352d9a52f5

Step 4, return to Steam and run Max Payne!

Step 5, have fun with a classic game!

Step 6, reset Steam.exe to all cores when done playing.

This is not a permanent fix and must be done each time you want to play but its really not a big deal. Doesn't break anything, takes 10 seconds, you wont even be able to tell a difference and Steam is the only thing affected, not the game itself. This is an OLD game not designed for current systems, get over it and just follow the steps.

I would still recommend installing the widescreen and sound patches if you are having difficulties with those but they are not part of this fix.

In case you were wondering, I am running Windows 7 64 bit.
Core 2 Quad CPU
Radeon 6950 video card with newest drivers and Catalyst (still requires this procedure)

[Skexer]

This should be stickied, good guide. for all the ppl coming here raging about their game not working.

[Zeke & Sil]

Tried. Won't let me access it. And Valve is a piece of ♥♥♥♥ for letting this game stay on the store if half the people trying to run it can't.

[simon_bouchard66]

Try changing the exe compatibility mode.
Right click on maxpayne.exe or maxpayne2.exe in the Steam installation folder : C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Max Payne. In the Compatibility tab, check compatibility mode for Windows 98. This is what I did to have both games working. Good luck!

[phonzeh]

Amazing, this fix worked for me after all the others didn't.
Thank you so much for posting this!
Sticky this thread.

Windows 7 64bit
Core i5 2400
ATi HD6850
Catalyst 14.6 Beta drivers

[Trancent]

If this guide works for you please comment so it stays at the top of the discussions!

[Insane Squirrel]

worked

[pavlej]

worked, thanks!

[SIN]

None of the recommendations work. Setting to single core, patching, compatibility mode settings, nada. When I hit play it says playing and show up in the tm list but nothing else. windows 8... as for the old game BS I guess the original doom, finial fantasys, wolfenstiens, and others don't count, they work just fine without any BS changes and they are ancient by a decade earlier than Max payne. Sales of this game are nothing more than a scam.

[$Ṕ€☾Tℝ€_DNA 👻]

Thank you
It worked

[INSOGNIAC]

The fixes above didn't work for me, I had to do a little more. I hope it helps you too!






****************** STOP THE GAME FROM RUNNING!!!! *******************


> Open Task Manager (right click on taskbar), under Background Processes in the Processes tab find Max Payne, highlight it and click "End Task".

>>> Completely close Steam by using the Task Manager or right clicking and selecting "Exit" on the icon in the System Tray.



>>>> Start by opening "File Explorer"

1. Go to the game file
- Usually (C:) > Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > common > Max Payne > maxpayne

2. Highlight & RIGHT click on game file maxpayne, select "Properties".
3. Click on Compatibility tab
4. Check "Run this program in compatibility mode for:"
5. Select "Windows 98 / Windows Me" from the drop down menu.
6. Under Settings check "Run this program as an administrator"
7. Click "Apply"
8. Click "OK"
9. Launch the game from Steam.
10. Also I advise you to change the Resolution, Graphic and other settings before launching.



IMPORTANT
I've noticed the Steam Overlay and the Windows button do NOT work. I haven't found a fix yet, hopefully this will inspire others to try.


Happy Gaming!

[Starwhite]

So instead of setting the compability mode once that fixes that problem for ever, i't simpler to do that hassle every time you start the game? Friend tried this and many others, nothing worked. I tried compability mode and it worked perfectly.

[marcos.prime99]

Nem todo herói usa capa. kkkkkk

[Mkay]

I love you, man!

[ARTm]

nope
it's not helped to me

[darkje]

Originally posted by arykovartyom:

nope
it's not helped to me

try the 2020 fix from the guides section.