Game crashes when starting

[Arrow759]

I was able to play FFX three years ago on this computer with no real issues. No hardware has changed since then. After reinstalling, everything crashes immediately after the chocobo auto-save message. Except for FFX Eternal Calm because it has a different loading screen, it dies almost instantly. So far I've tried

- Running in windowed mode, in varying resolutions and quality.
- Administrator
- Skipping the launcher
- Starting without steam
- Restarting my computer
- Updating drivers
- Changing Link State Power Management to off in PCI Express under power
- Running FFX with my Intel GPU instead of my Nvidia one
- Disabling the other GPU in device manager (I don't have the option to disable hybridization in my BIOS)
- Installing Untitled Project X, then uninstalling it (Made an alarm sound when the program died when using UnX. Didn't change the timing of the crash)
- Disabled Nvidia Overlay
- Begging my computer for mercy


- HP Laptop with Win10
- Intel 5500
- Nvidia 850M

Any other ideas?

[raystevens73]

Since it is the auto save point every time have tried the save folder located in Documents. Delete the game settings and or saves for X and X2 there. Maybe delete the folder altogether as it my be an error with write permissions.

[Longkeykong]

haven't figured out an easy way to fix it. please keep me posted or instructions. I try this program someone reccomend called special K https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SpecialK_Mods/discussions/8/2741975115064718432/

[ModestYahoo]

Originally posted by raystevens73:

Since it is the auto save point every time have tried the save folder located in Documents. Delete the game settings and or saves for X and X2 there. Maybe delete the folder altogether as it my be an error with write permissions.

Yeah, I’d verify folder permissions aren’t read-only.

Also seems anti-virus software gets in the way for some.

Doesn’t strike me as a hardware issue yet. Seen users without nVidia cards having similar troubles.

EDIT: Did a test. Removed 'write' permissions from Documents\SQUARE ENIX.

- was able to start a new file, load existing save.
- crashed on save attempt.
- attempts to change settings in launcher were met with immediate error.
- crashes after exiting the help menu (ESC).

Safe to say I didn't reproduce OP's issue.

[Arrow759]

I deleted the SQUARE ENIX folder in my documents that held the FFX save files. I watched as the FFX sub-folder was recreated when I started the launcher. After choosing FFX or FFX-2, it would create the gamesettings.ini file and an empty folder for the game I chose.
My system and account has full access to the folders. Denying the ability to write to the folder changed nothing. When denying everything, only the launcher was able to start.

[Nick086]

Yep I used to be able to run this game perfectly too, but now, it goes past the chocobo save message fine, and goes through opening credits and cutscene until tidus stands up and walks back behind yuna. Once his hand leaves her shoulder and cam focuses on her face, it crashes.

[ModestYahoo]

Originally posted by Arrow759:

- Running FFX with my Intel GPU instead of my Nvidia one

This game has been a problem for a lot of folks with Intel integrated GPU.

Perhaps ensure your nVidia card is the preferred graphics processor, as outlined here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/359870/discussions/0/364041776187647515/#c364041776192391942

Also see if nVidia's 'Optimus' technology is getting the way (second reply: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-other_settings-winpc/permanently-disable-display-adapter-intel-graphics/ec030f5f-f7fd-4e08-9039-709f38c2cd53)

I tried the inverse of this solution here to try to reproduce your issue without avail, but since you're exhausting all options: https://steamcommunity.com/app/359870/discussions/0/1652169858535388188/#c1652169858535835048

EDIT:

If for some reason you're unable to circumvent the Intel GPU, can't rule out that it's some issue with it. I've outlined here how you can allocate more dedicated VRAM without BIOS access: https://steamcommunity.com/app/359870/discussions/0/2659871632522267125/#c2265815747940820084

No one has told me if this has worked for them, but it worked for my particular crashing issues.

Also, another person mentioned that a third-party GPU monitoring tool was causing FFX to crash. Background processes also have created issues for folks.

Another thing -- admittedly a longshot, as this never seems to turn anything up -- might verify integrity of files (right-click FFX/FFX-2 in Steam Library). Some had issues after drawn-out or interrupted installations.

Hope you'll stick with this until it's figured out. Fortunately your issue is consistent and you can reproduce it quickly.

[Arrow759]

Originally posted by ModestYahoo:

Perhaps ensure your nVidia card is the preferred graphics processor

That's what it originally was, just trying out different options.

Originally posted by ModestYahoo:

Also see if nVidia's 'Optimus' technology is getting the way

I don't have an option to force the use of a single GPU in BIOS. When I disabled one using device manager, game still crashed at the same point. I also ran a fast system check in UEFI along with a hardware test on the cards, they all passed.

Originally posted by ModestYahoo:

I've outlined here how you can allocate more dedicated VRAM without BIOS access

Changed the dedicated VRAM from 128MB to 1GB in the registry and restarted my computer. Game still at the same place, didn't matter if I was using Nvidia or Intel.

Originally posted by ModestYahoo:

I tried the inverse of this solution here to try to reproduce your issue without avail, but since you're exhausting all options

DEP was on for only Window services.

Originally posted by ModestYahoo:

Also, another person mentioned that a third-party GPU monitoring tool was causing FFX to crash. Background processes also have created issues for folks.

I don't use any third-party tools. I've ran the game with no programs on. I only have Windows Security notification icon and the computer's audio system in the startup tab of Task Manager. Windows security isn't blocking the game out of concern for a virus. I've looked through my background tasks but couldn't see anything I would expect to be causing an issue.

Originally posted by ModestYahoo:

might verify integrity of files (right-click FFX/FFX-2 in Steam Library). Some had issues after drawn-out or interrupted installations.

I've verified the game files and nothing changed, still crashes after the chocobo.

[raystevens73]

Had a friend have this problem in the past on the auto save point and the fix was just too run Steam as ADMIN, didn't cover that since OP stated tried running in ADMIN. Been a while but I think he was using an Intel cpu. Have never had any issue myself with different pc's other than controller not working unless I have steam configuration set to Xbox 360 which is what I use.
Also would like to mention that I have the game installed on the D: drive and when I built my new PC last year I kept that drive for the same purpose in my new PC. Never have installed UNX either so not sure about any issues there but have read that some users have to use older versions.
Other thing to try:
How to change DEP settings:
---------------------------------------
1. Open System by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, right-clicking Computer, and then clicking Properties.

2.Click Advanced system settings. Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

3.Under Performance, click Settings.

4.Click the Data Execution Prevention tab, and then click "Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only"

Windows key + R and type mdsched.exe then hit ok. Restart and check for problems, this will check your system ram for errors.
Next up is to open a command prompt admin window and type chkdsk /f c: then choose Y for yes and restart. This will check for disk errors.
The main cause of this error however for most users is their display drivers which you say you have covered but did you try installing older versions to make sure it not a recent driver update issue?
BTW since it is Nvidia when your installing the drivers select custom and the clean install.
Also I never install the GeForce Exp. just the drivers as GeForce causes issues sometimes.

If you find no problems with the above checks/re-installs the problem may be with the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\nvlddmkm.sys file itself. You can cut and paste it to another location(just in case) and then open the Nvidia folder which is in the C:\Program Files\Nvidia Corporation\Installer2\Display.Driver(there will be more than 1 with numbers following chose the top folder) find the file nvlddmkm.sy_ and copy\paste it to the desktop. Open command prompt again and type expand.exe nvlddmkm.sy_ nvlddmkm.sys hit enter and it should make a new nvlddmkm.sys file that you can copy\paste into C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\ then restart your PC.

[raystevens73]

Sorry I see you covered the DEP settings while I was posting this.

[Arrow759]

After I did A full hardware scan in UEFI that took over an hour, I started FFX-2 without steam or the launcher and it ran. I then erroneously closed it and it wouldn't open afterwards. Now after coming back a couple hours later, I tried opening it again and again in different ways. After a two dozen tries, I was able to repeat my miracle. This time Steam worked. There's probably some variable floating around in my computer that changes on the fly. That's my best guess. Now I get to enjoy my game that I won't close out of fear it will never work again.

[ModestYahoo]

Originally posted by Arrow759:

After I did A full hardware scan in UEFI that took over an hour, I started FFX-2 without steam or the launcher and it ran. I then erroneously closed it and it wouldn't open afterwards. Now after coming back a couple hours later, I tried opening it again and again in different ways. After a two dozen tries, I was able to repeat my miracle. This time Steam worked. There's probably some variable floating around in my computer that changes on the fly. That's my best guess. Now I get to enjoy my game that I won't close out of fear it will never work again.

Awesome, glad you're finally able to play.

Just want to make sure I understand your solution, for posterity.

So you did a hardware scan in UEFI -- was that HP PC Hardware Diagnostics (https://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/hpsupportassistant/pc-diags.html)?

And then later, you launched the application through Steam? Was it as admin as raystevens37 suggested?

Does it work when launching straight from the .exe?

[Arrow759]

@ModestYahoo
I did a full hardware scan just to see if any there could be any issues that could affect the game, there was none. My battery and trackpad failed while everything else passed. I knew this before hand. My batter can't hold a charge and my trackpad is disconnected.
The first two times I was able to run the game successfully, I did it without administrative permissions using both the .exe and Steam


Now here's something odd I found out. I've had an inkling into why the game started and when I wanted to load a save, I took a chance and closed it. The first time the game worked, I had a mouse plugged into my laptop which has a disconnected trackpad. I then replaced the mouse with a wireless controller and adapter because I'd prefer to play with a controller over a keyboard. After seeing that I could move in-game without crashing, I closed it. After that, I used my keyboard to open the .exe and it crashed multiple times. I navigated Steam with my touch screen and it still crashed from the launcher. I took a break and did some chores before coming back, failing to get past the chocobo yet again. I was looking through more webpages and links so I decided to plug in my mouse to make things easier. When I decided to try opening it again, it magically worked. I played for a few hours and then closed it, like I mentioned at the start. Afterwards, the game still crashed. But when I plugged in my mouse again, I passed the chocobo. My guess is that some mouse control is needed for a reason when starting. I was able to run the game properly five times in a row with every option in the launcher with a mouse plugged in, which USB port doesn't matter. When I unplugged the mouse it failed to start ten times. I tried starting the game in Big Picture mode in Steam but it didn't work. I'm using an original Xbox 360 controller with a wireless adapter and the latest driver. After starting a game - with or without the launcher - unplugging the mouse immediately produces a crash after the chocobo. Plugging one in immediately doesn't fix it though. By immediately, I mean when the screen is still white, before the screen darkens and SQUARE ENIX arrives. Unplugging the mouse after the screen darkens results in a proper start. Plugging in late doesn't change anything, still crashes. Having a controller also plugged in doesn't change anything. This would also explain how the game worked three years ago for me, my trackpad was connected back then. Nothing has changed in my laptop since then other than newer drivers.

If someone here uses a PC or a laptop without a trackpad, disconnect your mouse and start an .exe using the 'Enter' key. Also try using the launcher with a mouse - for some reason keyboard inputs do nothing - and immediately unplugging after choosing an option. Both of these should result in a crash. I don't know how a Steam Controller reacts if anyone wants to open the game in Big Picture Mode without a mouse or trackpad.

[ModestYahoo]

Originally posted by Arrow759:

My guess is that some mouse control is needed for a reason when starting. I was able to run the game properly five times in a row with every option in the launcher with a mouse plugged in, which USB port doesn't matter. When I unplugged the mouse it failed to start ten times.

Think you nailed it.

If someone here uses a PC or a laptop without a trackpad, disconnect your mouse and start an .exe using the 'Enter' key. Also try using the launcher with a mouse - for some reason keyboard inputs do nothing - and immediately unplugging after choosing an option. Both of these should result in a crash. I don't know how a Steam Controller reacts if anyone wants to open the game in Big Picture Mode without a mouse or trackpad.

I tried to reproduce this by disabling the trackpad and unplugging the mouse, but no crash. Perhaps I'd need to take it a step further by uninstalling it completely, but I'm gonna stop there.

Nice work, thanks for sharing. Hope everything's stable from here on out.

[raystevens73]

My PC is a desktop and I use the Logitech K400r wireless keyboard with track pad. When playing the game I use a wireless Xbox 360 controller. I turn my keyboard off after I start the game and have never had it crash. The game is searching for connected devices on start-up then it would make since that it doesn't crash when I turn it off to save battery life cause the game is already running at that point.
I think you have it solved but just too help others out, have you tried tablet mode since your laptop has touch screen to see if it still crashes with no mouse connected.

[吴鸣世]

Originally posted by Arrow759:

@ModestYahoo
I was looking through more webpages and links so I decided to plug in my mouse to make things easier. When I decided to try opening it again, it magically worked.

After searching for hours, Finally I got my solution! Just plug in the mouse! It works, thank you!