Bioshock wont start

[Supreme]

ive tried a few workarounds and compatability mode and what not and it simply wont load. Everytime I click the icon to run it it never opens up. Any suggestions or workarounds ?

[FirmOmelette]

Have you tried verifying integrity of game cache yet? If not, right click on BioShock> Properties> Local Files> Verify Integrity of Game Cache...

[Murrky]

I'm also having the same problem. I just bought and downloaded the Bioshock 2-pack, and each time I try and start Bioshock (#1) it just says "bioshock.exe has stopped working". I tried verifying the cache integrity, and it still isn't working =/

[Supreme]

ive actually bought this on two different sites and it wont even work. ive tried the disabling audio method, putting a headphone in the mic jack, all the compatability modes, no luck at all. annoyed that 2k wont offer correct support for their product

[Original Sin]

If it makes you feel any better, I'm also getting the same error. Bioshock 2 however, loads perfectly. I might try to redownload/install and see if that helps.
Edit: I've gotten it to work, with a little help from this thread - http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1133842
If that's too confusing, just open up your Control Panel, go to Hardware and Sound, then under the Sound catagory click on "Manage audio devices". From there, disable everything except for your Speakers and try starting up Bioshock again.
If that doesn't work, click on the Recording tab in that same window and Enable "Stereo Mix". That worked for me. Hope it fixes your problem too!

[NotProximo]

sorry guys i know its a tough pill to swallow but you bioshock probaly will never work this happens with a few steam games my frinends portal 2 is like this and no matter how many times you reinstall bioshock or steam it wont work

[isolt]

lame I wonder if its like crysis and its missing the 64 bit folder.

[Rocket Appliances]

Thanks Original Sin, I tried disabling everything in Sound except the speakers and the game went past the splashscreen; a marked improvement. The screen then stayed black, but Shift+Tab or Alt+Tab gets it to the main menu, and from there I went to graphics options ->windowed mode ON and then back OFF and it's been working in fullscreen without any more problems!

[GGjbcGG]

Thx @Original Sin !!! Works perfect for me :D Yeah baby it rocks

[InfringedRite]

Thanks Original Sin! that worked for me too!

[Mith]

Worked for me too! Thanks!!!!

[Lunkan81]

I have REALTEK Audio and this worked for me:
RealTek 3rd Party Audio Cards.

1. Realtek Cards require stereo mixing to be enabled. This requires their most up to date driver. Get that driver now.
2. Once driver is installed:
3. Go to Start.
4. Control Panel.
5. Sound
6. Click Recording Tab.
7. Right click under the list of shown devices.
8. Click "Show Disabled Devices"
9. Stereo Mixing should now be on the list.
10. Click Stereo Mixing, or Right Click and select "enable"
11. Try BioShock. Does it work?

Big thanks to Original Sin for that post! I owe you! ;-)

[RabidYouth]

Original Sin, you sir are a gentleman and a scholar. Fixed my problem. Thanks. <3

[mooner]

Yeah thanks Original Sin, worked a treat!

[Ryne]

Thanks Original Sin that worked. All I did was disable everything except speakers. I am using Windows 7 64-bit.

[Rambo Burrito]

I went into the Bioshock Folder (C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\Bioshock\Builds\Release) right clicked Bioshock.exe -> Properties -> Compatibility -> Checked "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" and selected Windows Vista (Service Pack 2).. and started the game and it worked perfectly.

Hope this helps also.

EDIT - After this I had the no sound problem while playing (cut-scene had sound though), and I did the "fix" that Original Sin and Lunkan81 posted and now the game works perfectly and with sound. I'll keep the Vista SP 2 enabled.