Black screen on startup, then unresponsive

[Orion]

When I start the game, the screen is just black. After about 5 seconds I hear a windows sound and the application becomes unresponsive. I have to kill it with the task manager.

        -------- START OF LOG --------

08:46:14 LOG:   Core version: $Version: Talos_PC_distro; Talos-Windows-Final; 243520 2015-07-13 13:21:27 @builder14; Win32-Static-Final-Default$
08:46:14 LOG:   Command:  $
08:46:14 LOG:   Initializing timer.
08:46:14 LOG:   QueryPerformanceFrequency: 1948622
08:46:14 LOG:   Timestamp: 2015/07/21 08:46:14
08:46:14 LOG:   Binary name: Talos.exe
08:46:14 LOG:   Binary soft path: Bin/
08:46:14 LOG:   Binary hard path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\
08:46:14 LOG:   Application directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\
08:46:14 LOG:   
08:46:14 LOG:   * OS...
08:46:14 LOG:   Name: Windows 8.1 (Home)
08:46:14 LOG:   Kernel: WinNT (64-bit)
08:46:14 LOG:   Version: 6.3, build 9200
08:46:14 LOG:   
08:46:14 LOG:   * CPU...
08:46:14 LOG:   Vendor: GenuineIntel
08:46:14 LOG:   Name: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4590T CPU @ 2.00GHz
08:46:14 LOG:   Type: 0, Family: 6, Model: 12, Stepping: 3
08:46:14 LOG:   Clock: 2.00 GHz
08:46:14 LOG:   Cores: 4
08:46:14 LOG:   CMOV: Yes
08:46:14 LOG:   SSE: Yes
08:46:14 LOG:   Invariant TSC: Yes
08:46:14 LOG:   
08:46:14 LOG:   
08:46:14 LOG:   * Memory...
08:46:14 LOG:   Total physical memory: 8146 MB
08:46:14 LOG:   Free physical memory: 5121 MB
08:46:14 LOG:   
08:46:14 LOG:   Created thread 5600(ResourceGeneration).
08:46:14 LOG:   Created thread 6452(ResourceFreeing).
08:46:14 LOG:   Created thread 6156(ResourceStreaming).
08:46:14 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\GameEnv_Steam.dll".
08:46:14 INF:   Encoded user ID = 34f49b8a:127b8e97
08:46:14 LOG:   Error getting mixer source line info for microphone. Will not be able to control microphone.
08:46:14 LOG:   Created thread 6920(ResourceLoader).
08:46:14 LOG:   "$C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/userdata/2179304/257510/local/Talos.ini" does not exist, skipping cvar loading.
08:46:14 LOG:   Trying to set display mode 1920x1080(fullscreen)...
08:46:14 INF:   
08:46:14 INF:   * Desktop settings...
08:46:14 INF:   Color depth: 32-bit
08:46:14 INF:   Desktop resolution: 1920 x 1080
08:46:14 INF:   Virtual screen: 1920 x 1080
08:46:14 INF:   Monitors attached: 1
08:46:14 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\GfxD3D11.dll".
08:46:14 LOG:     Content/CachedShaders_PC_Talos.gro: 9921 files, signature: OFFICIAL
08:46:14 LOG:   Zip file system updated in 0.18 seconds.
08:46:14 LOG:   Loaded "D3D11.dll".
08:46:14 LOG:   Loaded "D3DCompiler_43.dll".
08:46:14 LOG:   Loaded "D3DX11_43.dll".
08:46:14 LOG:   Loaded "DXGI.DLL".
08:46:14 LOG:   GPU #1: NVIDIA GeForce GPU from nVidia
08:46:15 INF:   
08:46:15 INF:   Direct3D 11:
08:46:15 INF:     Deferred contexts: supported by driver
08:46:15 INF:     Concurrent resource creation: supported
08:46:16 INF:   
08:46:16 INF:   Gfx API: Direct3D 11
08:46:16 INF:   Resolution: 1920 x 1080
08:46:16 INF:   Vendor: nVidia (0x10DE)
08:46:16 INF:   Driver: Direct3D 11 (11.0 features) (0x1392)
08:46:16 INF:   Renderer: NVIDIA GeForce GPU
08:46:16 INF:   Version: 0.0.0.37231
08:46:16 INF:   Video memory size: 1989 MB
08:46:16 INF:   Available for textures: 4037 MB
08:46:16 INF:   Shader model version: 5.0
08:46:16 INF:   Active GPU(s): 1
08:46:16 INF:   Allowed memory size used for streaming: 1024.0 MB
08:46:16 INF:   Driver version: 35330 (required: 30600)
08:46:16 LOG:   Processing file Content/Talos/Config/SystemCompatibility.lua
08:46:16 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\SfxXAD.dll".
08:46:16 LOG:   Loaded "X3DAudio1_7.dll".
08:46:16 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\SfxSWM.dll".
08:46:16 LOG:   Initialized mixer output with 2 output channels.
08:46:16 LOG:   Created thread 6940(SoftwareMixer).
08:46:16 INF:   
08:46:16 INF:   Sfx API: XAudio2
08:46:16 INF:   Software mixer: enabled
08:46:16 INF:   Current device: Realtek Digital Output(Optical) (Realtek High Definition Audio) ({0.0.0.00000000}.{c7fabe26-808e-4105-b41b-5415bb1eb496})
08:46:16 INF:   Available devices:
08:46:16 INF:    0: Realtek Digital Output(Optical) (Realtek High Definition Audio) ({0.0.0.00000000}.{c7fabe26-808e-4105-b41b-5415bb1eb496})
08:46:16 INF:   Mixer frequency: 44100 Hz
08:46:16 INF:   Mixer voices: 0
08:46:16 INF:   Max sound sources: 25
08:46:16 INF:   Max total volume: 3
08:46:16 INF:   Speaker config: stereo
08:46:16 INF:   Environment FX: enabled
08:46:16 INF:   Current environment: Padded cell
08:46:16 INF:   
08:46:16 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\Talos_Project.dll".
08:46:16 LOG:     Content/CachedShaders_PC_Talos.gro: 9921 files, signature: OFFICIAL
08:46:16 LOG:     Content/Talos/All_01.gro: 4110 files, signature: OFFICIAL
08:46:16 LOG:     Content/Talos/All_02.gro: 4057 files, signature: OFFICIAL
08:46:16 LOG:     Content/Talos/All_03.gro: 4217 files, signature: OFFICIAL
08:46:16 LOG:     Content/Talos/All_224995.gro: 2244 files, signature: OFFICIAL
08:46:16 LOG:     Content/Talos/All_243520.gro: 933 files, signature: OFFICIAL
08:46:16 LOG:   Zip file system updated in 0.23 seconds.
08:46:16 LOG:   1 dependency databases loaded and merged in 0.06 seconds.
08:46:16 LOG:   Locale: enu
08:46:16 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\CodecAudio_Vorbis.dll".
08:46:16 LOG:   Module 'Bin/CodecAudio_Vorbis.module' loaded in '0.00' seconds.
08:46:16 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\CodecVideo_Null.dll".
08:46:16 LOG:   Module 'Bin/CodecVideo_Null.module' loaded in '0.00' seconds.
08:46:16 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\Input.dll".
08:46:16 LOG:   Loaded "xinput1_3.dll".
08:46:16 LOG:   Loading gamepad config file Content/Config/Input/Windows/XBox360Pad.xml.
08:46:16 LOG:   Controller name: Microsoft X-Box 360 pad
08:46:16 LOG:   Config file loaded successfuly.
08:46:16 LOG:   Loading gamepad config file Content/Config/Input/Windows/XBox360Pad.xml.
08:46:16 LOG:   Controller name: Microsoft X-Box 360 pad
08:46:16 LOG:   Config file loaded successfuly.
08:46:16 LOG:   Loading gamepad config file Content/Config/Input/Windows/XBox360Pad.xml.
08:46:16 LOG:   Controller name: Microsoft X-Box 360 pad
08:46:16 LOG:   Config file loaded successfuly.
08:46:16 LOG:   Loading gamepad config file Content/Config/Input/Windows/XBox360Pad.xml.
08:46:16 LOG:   Controller name: Microsoft X-Box 360 pad
08:46:16 LOG:   Config file loaded successfuly.
08:46:17 LOG:   Module 'Bin/Input.module' loaded in '0.79' seconds.
08:46:17 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\ProcRender.dll".
08:46:17 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\Shaders.dll".
08:46:17 LOG:   Module 'Bin/Shaders.module' loaded in '0.08' seconds.
08:46:17 LOG:   Module 'Bin/ProcRender.module' loaded in '0.10' seconds.
08:46:17 LOG:   Module 'Bin/Shaders.module' loaded in '0.00' seconds.
08:46:17 LOG:   Obtained menu streaming precache data from Content/Talos/MenuStreamingPrecache.rsc (0 resources).

I would like to try it with OpenGL, but I couldn't find anywhere how to start it with OpenGL. There is no config file in the userdata folder as someone described around here.

Any hints how to start the game with OpenGL?

[AlenL]

Can you please first try starting it in windowed mode? You can do that with this launch option (set in Steam's properties for the game):

+fullscreen 0

Based on your description, it seems like there's some popup window showing in the background.

If that fails, and you want to try with opengl, you can use this startup option:

+gfxapi OpenGL

or you can also try:

+gfxapi Direct3D9

[Orion]

Thanks! I have tried +fullscreen 0. It starts in a grey window. The windows notification sound happens, but there is no popup window in front or behind the game window.

I will try OpenGL now.

[Orion]

I've tried OpenGL and DIrect3D9 now. Unfortunately the problem persists.

        -------- START OF LOG --------

21:03:47 LOG:   Core version: $Version: Talos_PC_distro; Talos-Windows-Final; 243520 2015-07-13 13:21:27 @builder14; Win32-Static-Final-Default$
21:03:47 LOG:   Command:  $ +gfxapi Direct3D9
21:03:47 LOG:   Initializing timer.
21:03:47 LOG:   QueryPerformanceFrequency: 1948622
21:03:47 LOG:   Timestamp: 2015/07/22 21:03:47
21:03:47 LOG:   Binary name: Talos.exe
21:03:47 LOG:   Binary soft path: Bin/
21:03:47 LOG:   Binary hard path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\
21:03:47 LOG:   Application directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\
21:03:47 LOG:   
21:03:47 LOG:   * OS...
21:03:47 LOG:   Name: Windows 8.1 (Home)
21:03:47 LOG:   Kernel: WinNT (64-bit)
21:03:47 LOG:   Version: 6.3, build 9200
21:03:47 LOG:   
21:03:47 LOG:   * CPU...
21:03:47 LOG:   Vendor: GenuineIntel
21:03:47 LOG:   Name: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4590T CPU @ 2.00GHz
21:03:47 LOG:   Type: 0, Family: 6, Model: 12, Stepping: 3
21:03:47 LOG:   Clock: 2.00 GHz
21:03:47 LOG:   Cores: 4
21:03:47 LOG:   CMOV: Yes
21:03:47 LOG:   SSE: Yes
21:03:47 LOG:   Invariant TSC: Yes
21:03:47 LOG:   
21:03:47 LOG:   
21:03:47 LOG:   * Memory...
21:03:47 LOG:   Total physical memory: 8146 MB
21:03:47 LOG:   Free physical memory: 5901 MB
21:03:47 LOG:   
21:03:47 LOG:   Created thread 8040(ResourceGeneration).
21:03:47 LOG:   Created thread 7512(ResourceFreeing).
21:03:47 LOG:   Created thread 4344(ResourceStreaming).
21:03:47 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\GameEnv_Steam.dll".
21:03:47 INF:   Encoded user ID = 34f49b8a:127b8e97
21:03:47 LOG:   Error getting mixer source line info for microphone. Will not be able to control microphone.
21:03:47 LOG:   Created thread 6696(ResourceLoader).
21:03:47 LOG:   "$C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/userdata/2179304/257510/local/Talos.ini" does not exist, skipping cvar loading.
21:03:47 LOG:   Trying to set display mode 1920x1080(fullscreen)...
21:03:47 INF:   
21:03:47 INF:   * Desktop settings...
21:03:47 INF:   Color depth: 32-bit
21:03:47 INF:   Desktop resolution: 1920 x 1080
21:03:47 INF:   Virtual screen: 1920 x 1080
21:03:47 INF:   Monitors attached: 1
21:03:47 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\GfxD3D9.dll".
21:03:48 LOG:     Content/CachedShaders_PC_Talos.gro: 9921 files, signature: OFFICIAL
21:03:48 LOG:   Zip file system updated in 0.19 seconds.
21:03:48 LOG:   Loaded "D3D9.dll".
21:03:48 LOG:   Loaded "D3DCompiler_43.dll".
21:03:48 LOG:   Loaded "D3DX9_43.dll".
21:03:48 LOG:   GPU #1: NVIDIA GeForce GPU from nVidia
21:03:48 INF:   
21:03:48 INF:   Gfx API: Direct3D 9.0c
21:03:48 INF:   Resolution: 1920 x 1080
21:03:48 INF:   Vendor: nVidia (0x10DE)
21:03:48 INF:   Driver: nvd3dum.dll (0x1392)
21:03:48 INF:   Renderer: NVIDIA GeForce GPU
21:03:48 INF:   Version: 10.18.13.5330
21:03:48 INF:   Video memory size: 2047 MB
21:03:48 INF:   Available for textures: 4022 MB
21:03:48 INF:   Shader model version: 3.1
21:03:48 INF:   Active GPU(s): 1
21:03:48 INF:   Allowed memory size used for streaming: 1024.0 MB
21:03:48 INF:   Driver version: 35330 (required: 30600)
21:03:48 LOG:   Processing file Content/Talos/Config/SystemCompatibility.lua
21:03:48 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\SfxXAD.dll".
21:03:48 LOG:   Loaded "X3DAudio1_7.dll".
21:03:48 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\SfxSWM.dll".
21:03:48 LOG:   Initialized mixer output with 2 output channels.
21:03:48 LOG:   Created thread 7192(SoftwareMixer).
21:03:48 INF:   
21:03:48 INF:   Sfx API: XAudio2
21:03:48 INF:   Software mixer: enabled
21:03:48 INF:   Current device: Realtek Digital Output(Optical) (Realtek High Definition Audio) ({0.0.0.00000000}.{c7fabe26-808e-4105-b41b-5415bb1eb496})
21:03:48 INF:   Available devices:
21:03:48 INF:    0: Realtek Digital Output(Optical) (Realtek High Definition Audio) ({0.0.0.00000000}.{c7fabe26-808e-4105-b41b-5415bb1eb496})
21:03:48 INF:   Mixer frequency: 44100 Hz
21:03:48 INF:   Mixer voices: 0
21:03:48 INF:   Max sound sources: 25
21:03:48 INF:   Max total volume: 3
21:03:48 INF:   Speaker config: stereo
21:03:48 INF:   Environment FX: enabled
21:03:48 INF:   Current environment: Padded cell
21:03:48 INF:   
21:03:48 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\Talos_Project.dll".
21:03:48 LOG:     Content/CachedShaders_PC_Talos.gro: 9921 files, signature: OFFICIAL
21:03:48 LOG:     Content/Talos/All_01.gro: 4110 files, signature: OFFICIAL
21:03:48 LOG:     Content/Talos/All_02.gro: 4057 files, signature: OFFICIAL
21:03:48 LOG:     Content/Talos/All_03.gro: 4217 files, signature: OFFICIAL
21:03:48 LOG:     Content/Talos/All_224995.gro: 2244 files, signature: OFFICIAL
21:03:48 LOG:     Content/Talos/All_243520.gro: 933 files, signature: OFFICIAL
21:03:48 LOG:   Zip file system updated in 0.25 seconds.
21:03:48 LOG:   1 dependency databases loaded and merged in 0.07 seconds.
21:03:48 LOG:   Locale: enu
21:03:48 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\CodecAudio_Vorbis.dll".
21:03:48 LOG:   Module 'Bin/CodecAudio_Vorbis.module' loaded in '0.00' seconds.
21:03:48 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\CodecVideo_Null.dll".
21:03:48 LOG:   Module 'Bin/CodecVideo_Null.module' loaded in '0.00' seconds.
21:03:48 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\Input.dll".
21:03:48 LOG:   Loaded "xinput1_3.dll".
21:03:48 LOG:   Loading gamepad config file Content/Config/Input/Windows/XBox360Pad.xml.
21:03:48 LOG:   Controller name: Microsoft X-Box 360 pad
21:03:48 LOG:   Config file loaded successfuly.
21:03:48 LOG:   Loading gamepad config file Content/Config/Input/Windows/XBox360Pad.xml.
21:03:48 LOG:   Controller name: Microsoft X-Box 360 pad
21:03:48 LOG:   Config file loaded successfuly.
21:03:48 LOG:   Loading gamepad config file Content/Config/Input/Windows/XBox360Pad.xml.
21:03:48 LOG:   Controller name: Microsoft X-Box 360 pad
21:03:48 LOG:   Config file loaded successfuly.
21:03:48 LOG:   Loading gamepad config file Content/Config/Input/Windows/XBox360Pad.xml.
21:03:48 LOG:   Controller name: Microsoft X-Box 360 pad
21:03:48 LOG:   Config file loaded successfuly.
21:03:48 LOG:   Module 'Bin/Input.module' loaded in '0.01' seconds.
21:03:48 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\ProcRender.dll".
21:03:48 LOG:   Loaded "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Talos Principle\Bin\Shaders.dll".
21:03:48 LOG:   Module 'Bin/Shaders.module' loaded in '0.06' seconds.
21:03:48 LOG:   Module 'Bin/ProcRender.module' loaded in '0.08' seconds.
21:03:48 LOG:   Module 'Bin/Shaders.module' loaded in '0.00' seconds.
21:03:48 LOG:   Obtained menu streaming precache data from Content/Talos/MenuStreamingPrecache.rsc (0 resources).

[NoMercy Rider]

Have you tried verifying the game cache?

Also, is that the complete log file? Sometimes the steam forums cut off the log file early. You can use pastebin if the log is too long.

[DEN [CT]]

Looks like an issue with Alienware drivers. Please try disabling Alienware support by putting this in the launch options:
+lfx_bEnabled 0

HTH

[Orion]

Excellent! That was it! It works now.

[dramakun]

Originally posted by DEN CT:

Looks like an issue with Alienware drivers. Please try disabling Alienware support by putting this in the launch options:
+lfx_bEnabled 0

HTH

this helped me too with freeze on launch

[joridiculous]

Originally posted by DEN CT:

Looks like an issue with Alienware drivers. Please try disabling Alienware support by putting this in the launch options:
+lfx_bEnabled 0

HTH

You should sticky that answer.