Black screen on start up on Mac OSX 10.9.2

[MrBogantilla]

I've looked everywhere for help on this before posting, but most things that I find are for Windows. The Fun Pimps logo comes up after I start the game and then nothing else. The screen just goes black.

I have a 2012 Macbook Pro running OSX 10.9.2 Mavericks. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling and verifying the files. It worked just before I updated to 10.9.2 so I imagine it has something to with that, but with the security fix I didn't want to put off updating my OS. If anyone has fixes or the same problem, please let me know.

[Jᴧgᴧ]

You are probably having issues with the resolution your Macbook is trying to run the game in. Laptops usually have odd and much smaller resolutions/aspect ratios compared to standard desktop monitors.

Have you tried running the game in a window as opposed to full screen? Is your Macbook capable of higher resolutions?

[MrBogantilla]

Originally posted by Jᴧgᴧ:

You are probably having issues with the resolution your Macbook is trying to run the game in. Laptops usually have odd and much smaller resolutions/aspect ratios compared to standard desktop monitors.

Have you tried running the game in a window as opposed to full screen? Is your Macbook capable of higher resolutions?

My Macbook is capable of pretty high resolutions. When I had the gae running previoisly, I played it in both full and windowed screen modes. I highly foubt that it has anything to do with the resolution. Thank you, though.

[Jᴧgᴧ]

Oh, so you previously had the game running and just recently it's gone into the black-screen mode on launch. Have you tried validating the files in Steam via the Library area? Maybe even backing up the entire game install folder, then uninstalling/reinstalling? Sounds like some part of the config may have changed or gotten corrupted.

It is possible it's just a change for Macs with 7.7, we won't know that until others have a chance to play.

Edit 10.9.2 is fine for the game, many others are playing it with that OS version. I'd *highly* suggest doing a game folder backup, uninstalling and reinstalling.

[MrBogantilla]

Originally posted by Jᴧgᴧ:

Oh, so you previously had the game running and just recently it's gone into the black-screen mode on launch. Have you tried validating the files in Steam via the Library area? Maybe even backing up the entire game install folder, then uninstalling/reinstalling? Sounds like some part of the config may have changed or gotten corrupted.

It is possible it's just a change for Macs with 7.7, we won't know that until others have a chance to play.

Edit 10.9.2 is fine for the game, many others are playing it with that OS version. I'd *highly* suggest doing a game folder backup, uninstalling and reinstalling. :yay:

I've unistalled and reinstalled and that didn't fix it and neither did validating the files. Do you know if there's a config file or anything like that saved elsewhere on my hard disk that I can try deleting?

[Jᴧgᴧ]

I don't have a Mac to test on, so I'm not entirely sure. To date, on the PC version all of the files (game, data, config) have been stored in/under the main game directory. Did you check to see if that directory got completely removed after the uninstall? Some games leave configs and data alone for a possible reinstall later.

Are you getting any music or sounds when the screen goes black? Can you move the menu up/down with arrow keys and hear sounds it is making? Hard to tell if your Mac is locking up there, or just not rendering.

[MrBogantilla]

Originally posted by Jᴧgᴧ:

I don't have a Mac to test on, so I'm not entirely sure. To date, on the PC version all of the files (game, data, config) have been stored in/under the main game directory. Did you check to see if that directory got completely removed after the uninstall? Some games leave configs and data alone for a possible reinstall later.

Are you getting any music or sounds when the screen goes black? Can you move the menu up/down with arrow keys and hear sounds it is making? Hard to tell if your Mac is locking up there, or just not rendering.

I can hear the normal music that it plays, but no other noises. The cursor tuns into the pinwheel after a few seconds when over the game screen, but the music continues to play.

[MrBogantilla]

Okay, I seem to have fixed it. I found a file called steam_appid.txt that was in the folder with the app and I deleted that, revalidated and redownloaded it and all seems to be working now. Thank you so much for your help!

[Jᴧgᴧ]

Have you tried forcing the game into windowed mode after it reaches the black screen with Command-Tab? That's the Windows equivalent of Alt-Tab, which will go in/out of windowed/fullscreen modes. It sounds like it might be running, just not rendering to your monitor. I still think resolution is the root cause, but this might let you toggle it in/out of Windowed, and fix that.

Edit: ahh, that's great. Sounds like the OS upgrade for some reason confused Steam. Glad to hear that fixed it!

[machiaveli8]

I just had a very similar problem to you (Game crashing right after funpimps logo), although it had worked fine earlier today. I'm on a brand new macbook air running osx 10.9.2

I figured out that disabling the steam in-game overlay fixes my problem! Try disabling it under Preferences > In-Game

[machiaveli8]

Just saw that you already fixed your issue, but will leave this here for anyone else that may find it.

[MrBogantilla]

Originally posted by machiaveli8:

I just had a very similar problem to you (Game crashing right after funpimps logo), although it had worked fine earlier today. I'm on a brand new macbook air running osx 10.9.2

I figured out that disabling the steam in-game overlay fixes my problem! Try disabling it under Preferences > In-Game

Thanks mate. It's still working for me, but I can't believe I didn't think of that. That fixes most Steam issues anyways.

[Jᴧgᴧ]

All Mac users should definitely have their Steam overlay turned off for 7DTD anyhow, since it negatively impacts performance. Glad to know it causes a possible black screen.