start up crash

[DarkRosePassions]

I was super wanting to play this game but it cashes on start up -_- no matter combillty mode
i have an alienware 17 with i7 i hope the problem is fixed soon if not in 2 days or i am requesting a refund

[Ohop3n.ch]

i have the same problem. -> See Popcorn Logfile:

Popcorn Logfile[ul.to]

[mattjair]

Hi, apologies - just saw this. I think this error could be fixed by updating graphics card drivers... is that something that you've tried?

[DarkRosePassions]

i will try that and get back to you if it dose

[mattjair]

OK - let us know how you get on and I can try to get more help if you still struggle.

[DarkRosePassions]

all my drivers were up to date so that can't be the problem

[mattjair]

OK, let me see what else I can find out.

[mattjair]

Do you think you could get us the information from a DXDiag please? Would help us see if there's anything obvious wrong...

[DarkRosePassions]

what part of the file do you need? like an example i really just started pc games last year i don't have alot of know how and how do i send it too you guys?

[mattjair]

Hi, I think you can save out the whole file and mail it through to simon at fourdoorlemon dot com - let us know when you've done that and we'll try to help! Thank you.

[jwhadley]

Any fix for this? I have the same issue.

[mattjair]

Same thing, Jasen - please do a double check that your graphics card drivers are up to date and if they are, email a DXDiag to the address above? Thank you and sorry for your trouble.

[mattjair]

So - this apparently worked for Jasen, so if anyone else experiences the problem, this could be a potential solution:

http://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/72567/can-i-force-steam-to-use-my-nvidia-gpu-instead-of-the-integrated-intel-card

Cheers

Matt

[jjuanse19]

can you refund the game, i dont want to investigate in the intermet a fix, this aint my job , i bought a game to play not to investigate and change things on my pc

[jjuanse19]

Can I force Steam to use my Nvidia GPU instead of the integrated Intel card?

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I have 2 graphics cards in my laptop (Alienware M11X); the first is the default Intel graphics card, and the second is a high perf Nvidia card.

I would like to play my Steam games with the Nvidia card (namely Half Life 2, Ep1), but it keeps playing with the Intel card. This is what is shown everytime I start the game:

Using intel card

I have tried starting steam.exe with the Nvidia card, but that doesn't change the card the game uses. I have also tried setting the Nvidia card to the default card to use for all programs, but the game still does not use it. Is there a way for me to do this?

steam graphics-card
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edited Sep 17 '12 at 14:34
user27134
asked Jun 7 '12 at 12:18

LynchDev
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migrated from stackoverflow.com Jun 7 '12 at 14:45

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7 Answers
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I have a similar computer set up, and here is how I make it work:

Go to the NVIDIA Control Panel by right clicking on your desk top and clicking on "NVIDIA Control Panel".

In the default screen that pops up (it should be "manage 3D settings", and the "Program Settings" tab should be automatically selected), under "1. Select a program to customize:" hit the "Add" button.

From here, navigate to the folder where your steam games are located. For me, it is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common.

Select the folder for the game you want to use your NVIDIA card for, and find the .exe for that game (it's usually right in the main game folder). Select it and hit open.

Then, under "2. Select the preferred graphics processor for this program:" open the drop-down menu and select "High-performance NVIDIA processor".

Finally, hit apply in the far bottom right corner, and you should be good to go!

When you start the game from Steam, the .exe will be opened, which will now run with your NVIDIA card by default rather than your integrated card. I've noticed that most older games, when started, will use the integrated card by default. The method described above can be used for any .exe file, not just games in your steam library!

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answered Jun 7 '12 at 15:10

Henry2626
41632

Yes this did it: I couldn't find the '.exe' before so assumed steam was doing some other behind the scenes stuff to start the game or something lol. Once I did this the dialog above didn't even pop up anymore. I also downloaded the optimus test tools and it said the 'hl2.exe' was using the Nvidea card :) – LynchDev Jun 8 '12 at 14:20

With some (not all) Steam games, including Civilization V and Telltale's The Walking Dead for me, forcing the game to run with the discrete Nvidia card fails. I've found in these cases that quitting and restarting Steam as administrator is the only way to get the discrete card to handle the game. – Dempf Nov 27 '14 at 19:57
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Alienware m11x utilizes Optimus technology which switches between your Intel HD (to safe your battery life) and nVidia (high preformance on demand) GPU. When you start a game, it do (well, should) switch to your nVidia graphic card.

Just in case, I suggest updating your GPU drivers up to date. If you want to be sure Optimus is working as it should, try monitoring your GPU temperature during gameplay or stress test.

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answered Jun 7 '12 at 15:04

StupidOne
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This is the correct answer - Optimus works behind the scenes and because of the way it works, sometimes applications can think it's using the Intel erroneously. You should be fine by default. (And you can always force things in the Nvidia control panel if for some reason it doesn't seem to be working) – Shinrai Jun 7 '12 at 23:01
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This may not answer the question exactly, but could help determine if the nvidia card is being switched to during high load (which is part of what the question is about).

Optimus State Viewer

Using this tool you could be sure about whether the optimus technology is actually working and you may not have to force anything since its for the best. But if you really need the dedicated card to be grinding all the time then you can force it through the nvidia control panel as others have said.

All you have to do is run the tool and then when you think the load is heavy, like in the middle of a huge battle ingame, you alt-tab out of the game and you can clearly see the state of optimus in the tool.

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edited Sep 24 '14 at 21:03
answered Sep 24 '14 at 19:24

9kSoft
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How would you use this tool to figure out if the card is being switched to? – Frank Sep 24 '14 at 19:39

All you have to do is run the tool and then when you think the load is heavy, like in the middle of a huge battle ingame, you alt-tab out of the game and you can clearly see the state of optimus in the tool. – 9kSoft Sep 24 '14 at 20:00

I'd recommend adding that to your answer. It's all well and good to recommend a product, but it's usually a good idea to detail how to use it to meet the need when you do. – Frank Sep 24 '14 at 20:43

Thanks for the guidance bro. :D – 9kSoft Sep 24 '14 at 21:04
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I think what is confusing you is just because Steam gives you that pop-up doesn't actually mean that you are using it. On my laptop I get the same message, but if I was actually using the Intel GD Graphics chipset. The game would not be playable as it does not support certain pixel shaders. So in reality you can just ignore the message, as more then likely in your case you are using the dedicated video card.

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answered Jun 7 '12 at 16:01

Halfwarr
5,47782971

Yup. Steam is not a game, it doesn't need to use the good GPU. – kotekzot Jun 7 '12 at 18:54

Any reason for the downvote? – Halfwarr Jun 7 '12 at 23:46
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I have the Alienware M14X, and if I'm not plugged into an AC outlet, and Window 7's power options is not set on "High Performance" then I get this similar error in other games. Make sure that you're plugged in and that the Power Options in Windows is set for High Performance.

Edit: I believe that Henry2626's solution equates to the same thing as mine, but it's a more roundabout way of enabling "High Performance." Another way to enable this without going into Power Options is via the tray where you see the battery/charge icon near the clock. Clicking on this will give you some power options, but if you don't see High Performance, click on "More Power Options" which will take you to same Control Panel area that I originally advised.

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answered Jun 7 '12 at 16:01

Amarok
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It's a bug with the ATI card.

It seems that the card becomes unresponsive - so optimus switches out to the intel card.

Usually turning off the Alienware, pulling the power cord, pulling the battery and holding the power button in will resolve the issue.

I have an M17X-R3.

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answered Oct 13 '12 at 23:36

Bard
91
2
The OP doesn't have an ATI card. – SevenSidedDie Oct 14 '12 at 18:56
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This might be a little dumb but... Are you sure your monitor is plugged to the high end card?

I say this because this process was mostly autodetect afterward for me

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answered Jun 7 '12 at 14:52

Eric
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It's a laptop, he doesn't need to plug in a monitor... – JohnoBoy Jun 7 '12 at 15:05
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you want me to do all this , you must be kidding
.

[mattjair]

No, there's actually no way you could do all that - it's these steps that look like the ones to follow:

Go to the NVIDIA Control Panel by right clicking on your desk top and clicking on "NVIDIA Control Panel".

In the default screen that pops up (it should be "manage 3D settings", and the "Program Settings" tab should be automatically selected), under "1. Select a program to customize:" hit the "Add" button.

From here, navigate to the folder where your steam games are located. For me, it is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common.

Select the folder for the game you want to use your NVIDIA card for, and find the .exe for that game (it's usually right in the main game folder). Select it and hit open.

Then, under "2. Select the preferred graphics processor for this program:" open the drop-down menu and select "High-performance NVIDIA processor".

Finally, hit apply in the far bottom right corner, and you should be good to go!