P2 won't download properly.

[algon6004]

Steam doesn't seem to want to download this game for me. When I attempt to install, it tells me the game files will take up 127 MB, which is obviously too small, and then it actually only downloads 46.9 MB. When attempting to play from there, I get a missing executable error.

Clicking on the error message takes me to this woefully unhelpful page: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8676-EFLX-7453&l=english

Verifying game cache downloads one or two files, less than 10 MB, and fixes nothing. I've deleted appcache and ClientRegistry, to see if that would help, but it didn't.

My drivers are all up to date. Other Source games (e.g. HL2) run fine, as does Skyrim, so I don't really think it's my rig. I used to be able to run it fine when it first came out, but I chose to uninstall. Now it seems I won't be able to play it again. Anyone have any ideas or similar problems?

[Loch Tess Monster]

Maybe check your disk space? If not try deleting everything in your steam directory except for the .exe and steamapps. If you have any steam skins make sure to save that folder also. Hope that helps

[Loch Tess Monster]

Note that this will reset all your settings on steam to defualt so just a heads up

[The Deadly Bum]

the same thing is happening to me right now. I accidentaly deleted some portal 2 files and then the game didn't work. I uninstalled it the reinstalled it and it only installed 46 MB of it. and it's still says "failed to start game (missing executible)." You must have deleted some of your files. It also keeps bringing me to a website that says "The specified article does not exist or you do not have permission to read it."

[algon6004]

Still 529 GB free, so no issue there. And I cleared the steam directory and let it reload everything. Still nothing.

[Loch Tess Monster]

Does it say that the download completed or is paused? If it's paused try to unpause it by right clicking and clicking resume. If not try contacting steam support about it. Sorry I can't help you more.

[bryonhowley]

Not really sure what to say for you to try ether. I did a backup of my Portal 2 game and then deleted it and did a complete re download and the re install worked just fine. Downloaded the game in about 30 minutes and I was playing it shortly after that so the download worked correctly and it downloaded just over 11gb. Have you tried changing the Steam server to a different one it might be worth a shot. I can't really say what else to do sorry.

[Incendia]

I'm getting the same thing on mine, I'm running Windows 7 with plenty of resources. I noticed that the shortcut doesn't point to a file on my comp, just a link at Steam. When I access the .exe in the game install folder, it still doesn't play. When I click either the .exe or the shortcut with the link, it briefly pops up 2 processes (in the task manager) related to Steam and Portal 2, but after about 2-6 seconds, both disappear. I contacted support about 2 weeks ago, and they refuse to answer me.

[Toasty]

click on library.
right click on portal 2.
properties.
veryify the integrity of the game cache.

[Incendia]

did that, many times. still nothing.

[Mλrco]

I'm getting the "missing executable" error too. I contacted Steam support several days ago, they told me to defrag (even if i told'em I had already done that) and, when I replied (after reinstalling it) that the game wasn't still running, I got no answer.
I am supposing that Portal 2 is sharing some libraries with other games (I own Half Life 2, for example), since even if I delete the portal 2 directory in steamapps/common, Steam is downloading only 150 MB.

[Loch Tess Monster]

You are most likely correct on your assumption that portal 2 is sharing binaries, i've noticed it myself. Most likely your going to have to go into your steam apps folder and delete some of the GCF files related to the source engine and any that say Portal. When you try to launch any of your source games the files should automatically download.

[Mλrco]

I was thinking about deleting all source games, but I heard that Portal 2 used a different version of that engine. Anyway, I'm doing it now, I'll let you know.

[Mλrco]

Ok, I deleted and reinstalled all Source games - including Portal 2 - and it is now working properly.
BUT while I was doing this, the Steam support service asked me to do another thing: to repair the steam client service.

If you want to try (I think it is less "painful" than reinstalling all Source games) you have to run the following command as an administrator (Start>Run...)

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\SteamService.exe /repair"
And then reboot.

Note that if your Steam directory is different, you'll have to change it in the command.
Let me know if it works!

[Loch Tess Monster]

Just a heads up thats for a 64 Bit OS.
If you have a 32 Bit OS then remove the (x86) From the command and it should work

[Mλrco]

Yeah, you're right, I forgot to mention it.