[support] Failed to start game (unknown error)

[paxonator]

I just bought this game and whenever I try to launch it, it gives me this error instantly. I've verified the cache and I've even flushed the Steam config. I've heard that it could have something to do with C++ but I have the correct one installed. I know this because it installed it itself when I installed the game. Any ideas would be helpful.

[JabberwockyX]

--- UPDATE ---

I've been researching this problem more. If you google "Failed to start game (unknown error)", you'll see this popping up everywhere, from Halflife2, to Skyrim, to Dota 2.

There's a bunch of different solutions to try. But one of these often fixed the problem for other games.

Solution 1. Run the game as administrator
Find the file SalvationProphecy.exe

On my computer (win7, 32-bit), it is located here:
C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\SalvationProphecy\bin\release\SalvationProphecy.exe

Right click on it
Select "Run as Administrator"
If that doesn't work, go on to the next test.

Solution 2. Run steam as administrator
Exit steam completely: (top left menu) -> Steam -> Exit
Wait a few seconds for it to finish shutting down
Right click the steam icon
Select "Run as Administrator"
Try running the game normally
If that doesn't work, go on to the next test.

Solution 3. Verify the integrety of game cache
Run Steam
Right click on Salvation Prophecy
Click "Properties"
Click the "LOCAL FILES" tab
Click "VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME CACHE..."
Wait until it is done
Try running the game normally.
If that doesn't work, go on to the next test.

Solution 4. Check your antivirus settings
I can't give precise instructions here, because it depends on your antivirus program. But sometimes they can block a program from launching. There has been a problem reported with Avast.

Solution 5. Change your " Data Execution Prevention" settings.
See this thread for instructions.

Solution 6. Restart the computer
The old classic, always worth a shot.

--- END UPDATE ---

[paxonator]

-- edit: ignore this post, and check the UPDATE above --

I couldn't find my Salvation Prophecy folder in the C:/Users/Username/Appdata/Local. So, I went to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SalvationProphecy, but couldn't find the prophecy.log file.

[JabberwockyX]

-- edit: ignore this post, and check the UPDATE above --

Yeah, that 2nd one is the wrong folder.
If you open up an explorer window, go to the address bar (at the top), type %appdata%, then hit enter, do you find yourself in the AppData folder?

If so, go up one directory, then go into Local/SalvationProphecy from there.

If that doesn't work, just hit the start button, and type prophecy.log in the search box. That'll take a bit longer, but should come up with the file.

[paxonator]

-- edit: ignore this post, and check the UPDATE above --

I found the Appdata folder and went to local, but the Salvation Prophecy folder wasn't there. So, I searched for the prophecy.log file and after a while it said "No items match your search." Maybe the game didn't install correctly.

[JabberwockyX]

Hey Seto, I've updated the top post in this thread. Please have a look at that. I'm sorry, I think there's no log because the game didn't even get that far. Try looking at the other solutions in the top post.

[paxonator]

I tried all of the Solutions in the updated post and none of them worked to my dismay. I did see one solution for this that had to do with C++ as I said above, but it said to download something I've already downloaded and tried to fix another game. Knowing this I went to the Salvation Prophecy.exe and clicked on it. It said "The application failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect." This points me to a problem that I had with another game called Lord of the Rings Online. The only problem is I've never really found a solution to this problem except to install the game to another computer which isn't really ideal since my other computer isn't meant for gaming and doesn't work as well. Plus, I don't have Steam on that computer even though it would be an easy installation. I would rather not try to slow down that computer.

[JabberwockyX]

Originally posted by Seto Kaiba:

I went to the Salvation Prophecy.exe and clicked on it. It said "The application failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect."

AHA!
That may be useful information.
Try this:

Download the file named vcredist_x86.exe from here[backup.filesanywhere.com]
Double click and run it
Then try launching the game when it is done.

[paxonator]

This is the solution that was given to me for the other game and I've tried it multiple times. It hasn't worked. I ran it anyway just in case. The game was still unable to launch. I'll try deleting some C++ that might be conflicting with each other (if that's even possible). I'll try some more tomorrow. Keep me posted if you find anything.

[JabberwockyX]

Ok, sorry none of those worked so far, Seto.
I think, based on that error message, that your computer is missing some librariy files which it needs to run certain games like Salvation Prophecy. There's a way to tell which one is missing - I'll try to hunt down that info for you later tonight.

[JabberwockyX]

Hey Seto -
So I was just checking things out a little more. I came across this article[answers.microsoft.com]. You may have already seen it. It confirms both our suspiicions that this is likely a C++ Runtime issue on your computer.

That's about as far as I can track it, since it doesn't appear to be an issue with the game at all. But I just wanted to share that link with you in case it helps. Good luck!

[Lulloser]

If you got problems with so many games, I would suggest reinstall Windows.
Maybe something is broken in your files.

[paxonator]

Originally posted by Lulloser:

If you got problems with so many games, I would suggest reinstall Windows.
Maybe something is broken in your files.

That's what I'm thinking as well. The only thing is I don't know what reinstalling Windows could do to all my programs and such. I don't want to have them all get deleted.

[paxonator]

I figured out a way that may fix my problem. I downloaded an installer for my version of Windows 7. This should have a repair function on it, but I need a large enough disk to burn the file onto for it to work. I don't have a large enough disk at the moment so I'll have to get one tomorrow. I hope this fixes my problem.

[Hawkeye1]

Tryed everything you said but game still will not load. keeps saying execute not there.
So tryed verifying now will not stop

[JabberwockyX]

If the "Verify integrity of game cache" is failing, the issue is within Steam itself. I did some googling around, and it seems this affects a small number of users for many different games (as you would expect from a Steam issue).

Googling can be pretty helpful with this kind of thing. I tried googling "Verify integrity of game cache stuck will not complete" and came across this[www.twcenter.net], which might be helpful to you.

If you can't find a solution yourself, your only option is to try Steam support. Unfortunately, I can't fix Steam issues for you.