Game won't 'quit.' Can't kill process, access is denied. Can't connect to servers.

[Friendly Killbot]

Playing the game normally until recently. Game will no longer connect to servers. Once I quit the game, the process won't terminate. Using task manager to kill process results in 'access is denied' on an administrator account. Opening the file location or viewing the file properties, once the game is in this state, takes me to System32 or just 'Computer' instead of the expected DarkSouls2 directory.

I have done a full reinstall of the game, including manually deleting the %appdata% darksouls folder and steam folder, and a full reinstall. Didn't help.

Until recently whenever the game 'quit' it gave a runtime error, which was annoying but I just dealt with it. Now it just doesn't terminate, and I have to restart to fix it. In addition to not connecting to the sevrers anymore.

Any help?

RESOLVED; Conflict was with ESET!

Double Click ESET Tray Icon
F5 to enter Advanced Setup
Expand the Network list > Select Personal Firewall
Ensure AUTOMATIC is selected Filtering Mode (not possible for V7 of ESET)
Expand Personal firewall, click Rules and Zones and then click Setup under Zone and rule editor
Locate & Expand the Darksouls2.exe exception
Delete each sub rule under the Darksouls2.exe heading (should be 2). Once done the entire rule will delete itself.

Carry on young undead.

[Friendly Killbot]

All files validate fine. I've restarted numerous times. I've updated most drivers I can think of.

[Friendly Killbot]

Originally posted by Spawk:

Sudden changes in administrator privileges? Sounds a lot like malware or corrupt Windows files. Have you run an antimalware and antivirus program, and did you check to see if your firewall isn't blocking any processes connected to Steam and the game?

Doesn't seem to be any issues with malware or permissions. System32 is still controlled by TrustedInstaller.

I also disabled my AV/Firewall (ESET Smart Security) and no change there. Ill do a malware scan next.

Anyway I can check for a corrupt windows file, or find out what in system32 is causing this hang? It seems odd it's JUST this one game that's doing it, if it were a larger issue.

[C]

No I'm pretty sure you have computer AIDS.

[Friendly Killbot]

Originally posted by Spawk:

Originally posted by Commie:

Anyway I can check for a corrupt windows file, or find out what in system32 is causing this hang?

You could try running a system file check, but the chances of it finding anything are slim.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

Running now

[Friendly Killbot]

No problems from SFC.

[Friendly Killbot]

How do I check to see if Steam is running as admin?

[Friendly Killbot]

Also, ProcessExplorer, even when running as admin, can't kill the process.

[Friendly Killbot]

Happens when steam is in admin mode

[Friendly Killbot]

Oh and logging out and logging back in doesn't make DSII quit, it just moves the process to belong to user (pc name) instead of my user account name.

[Friendly Killbot]

Originally posted by Spawk:

I dunno. The fact that it doesn't connect to the servers anymore could suggest an antivirus or firewall issue. You don't use McAfee, do you?

ESET. I tried launching DSII with eset totally off and it still failed.

[Friendly Killbot]

Oh well

Heres hoping it fixes itself.

[Friendly Killbot]

Originally posted by Spawk:

No idea then. Sorry :(

RESOLVED! Conflict was with ESET;

Double Click ESET Tray Icon
F5 to enter Advanced Setup
Expand the Network list > Select Personal Firewall
Ensure AUTOMATIC is selected Filtering Mode (not possible for V7 of ESET)
Expand Personal firewall, click Rules and Zones and then click Setup under Zone and rule editor
Locate & Expand the Darksouls2.exe exception
Delete each sub rule under the Darksouls2.exe heading (should be 2). Once done the entire rule will delete itself.

Carry on young undead.

[Genetic]

i dont have eset, and i have the same problem, how would i fix it then, so far ive tried everything i can come across and nothing has worked so far.

[Gargonslipfisk]

Thx Commie. Work for me with CK2 and another games.

@Genetic look at this: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9828-SFLZ-9289
Try to delete the rules of your firewall.