Just Cause 2 - common problems/errors (with solutions)

[BlueBanana]

Since quite a lot of people having technical problems with the game, and the same questions getting asked over and over again, I decided start a guide and try to collect all the common problems and solutions (if present) here.

If you have any suggestions, solutions, something to add here, let me know and I will update this post.

Please excuse any grammar/spelling errors since English is not my native language. But feel free to correct me. :)

(would be nice if a mod could make this thread sticky!)
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If you encounter problems check the following:

#1. First things first: the basics

1.1 System requirements
make sure if your pc/laptop matches the system requirements. Just Cause 2 requires directx 10! See the full system requirements at the store page.
Although Windows8 isn’t officially supported by the game, a lot of users are able to run Just Cause 2 on Windows8 without a problem.
Laptop users with Optimus please read #4.

1.2 make sure all your drivers are up to date!
Especially graphic-cards.
If you don’t know which graphics-card you’re using do the following:
right-click on your desktop --> choose “Screen Resolution” on the following window click “Advanced settings” on the right side – a window should appear providing the necessary information.

Get the latest drivers here:
AMD http://support.amd.com/us/Pages/AMDSupportHub.aspx
Nvidia: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us
intel: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/default.aspx

1.3 update directx
get it here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35

1.4 validate the game files.
go to your steam library, right-click on Just Cause 2, select ‘Properties’ -> click on the ‘Local files’ tab and select ‘Verify the integrity of game cache’

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#2. directX error code … (crash at startup or ingame)

2.1 directX error code 3 :
this is a common error on laptops.(see #4 below) Possible solutions:
- Go to your steam library -> right click on Just Cause 2 -> choose ‘Properties’ -> ‘Set Launch Settings’ -> Type in: ‘/dxadapter=0’ (without the ‘) or try setting '/dxadapter=1'
- update your intel graphics drivers. (via windows update or the intel website, link provided above)

2.2 error code 4
make sure your graphics card supports directx 10!

2.3 error code 6
I haven’t found much information on that error, yet.
(see 2.1 and #4)

2.4 error code 15/17
also common on laptops. See 2.1 for possible solution.
make sure your hardware matches the system-requirements! (see 1.1 and #4)

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#3. other issues/crashes

3.1 random ctd (crash-to-desktop)
Possible solutions:
- disable “Decals” in the graphics options (ingame)
- disable “Motion Blur” in the graphics options (ingame)
- disable "Raptr"-Client (if present)

3.2 cutscenes slow/out of sync
for some reason the fps drops quite badly during cutscenes. One reason for this could be that the game loads in the background during the cutscenes. (not confirmed – I’m still investigating on that issue)
You can try (for testing purposes) lowering the graphics options to the minimum and see if that does any difference. Disabling Vsync did a noticeable difference for me.

3.3 cannot enable GPU water simulation
GPU water simulation is only available for nvidia users. Some people reported, even with a nvidia card, they are unable to select this option – check if you have SLI enabled, disable SLI and try if it solves the issue. (note: deactivating SLI reduce performace).

3.4 other graphical problems (weird graphics/colors, flickering, messed up screen, stripes all over the screen, …)
- check the temperature of your graphics card/make sure it doesn’t overheat. If temps are too high, clean/remove dust, check entire cooling of your hardware
- Update drivers
- Validate game files
- Basically go through the entire first section of this post. (see 1)
- Uninstall Windows Update KB2670838 and turn the update off. Be aware: uninstalls Internet Explorer 10 or 11 (contributed by Knochenjonny)

3.5 messed up red overlay when low on health
Verify game files and update graphic-card drivers (see 1.2 and 1.4)
Turn off Steam Community Overlay:
Go to Steam Settings -> click the "In-Game-Settings" tab -> uncheck "Enable Steam Community In-Game".

3.6 stuck on splash screen
validate game files; reinstall game; install on different harddrive (if available)

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#4. Latops with Nvidia Optimus (win7/win8)

Just Cause 2 seems to have some problems with Optimus hardware (more info on Optimus here: http://www.nvidia.com/object/optimus_technology.html)
Looks like some Optimus Laptops don't switch to the nvidia card instead rendering the game on the intel graphics. You can use ‘Nvidia Optimus GPU State Viewer’ (link provided at the bottom in the last section) to check which GPU is active.


Possible fixes:
- Check BwapNubs' fix down below (the first Quote)

- Go to your steam library -> right click on Just Cause 2 -> choose ‘Properties’ -> ‘Set Launch Settings’ -> Type in: ‘/dxadapter=0’ (without the ‘) or ‘/dxadapter=1’ depending which one activates the nvidia card. You may need to try both commands and check with the 'Nvidia Optimus GPU State Viewer' which GPU is being used.

- installing nvidia beta-drivers (fixed it for some) http://www.geforce.com/drivers/beta-legacy

- update your intel-graphics drivers (see 2.1)


SLI:
(note: nvidia users only.)
JC2 performs well on with SLI activated. I got a noticeable perfomance boost with SLI activated. I ran all the benchmarks a few times without any crashes or errors. Some machines may have an issue where GPU water simulation is disabled while SLI is active.


Possible fixes from users here in the steam-forums:

Originally posted by BwapNubs:

Here's an ACTUAL solution for this error.
http://steamcommunity.com/app/8190/discussions/0/846940249220324722/

This solution is for laptops, considering the majority of users getting this error are using laptops as there is a conflict with Just Cause 2 and Nvidia Optimus technology.

PART 1: This is to get Just Cause 2 to launch

1. Right click Just Cause 2 in your Steam Library and select PROPERTIES.
2. Select LAUNCH OPTIONS, and type in "/dxadapter=0" without quotes. (http://i.imgur.com/YaNZ8.png)

PART 2: This is to get your graphics card to render the game (Steps 4-7: http://i.imgur.com/VAkZW.png)

1. Download Nvidia Inspector from: http://www.guru3d.com/files_details/nvidia_inspector_download.html
2. Open Nvidia Inspector
3. Click the button to the right of DRIVER VERSION.
4. From the PROFILE menu, select JUST CAUSE 2.
5. Scroll down the window until you find: Shim Rendering Mode Options per application for Optimus.
6. Click the text to the right, scroll to the top of the dropdown, and select SHIM_RENDERING_OPTIONS_DEFAULT_RENDERING_MODE
7. Click APPLY CHANGES in the top right-hand corner.
8. Run your game

This basically forces the game to use your NVIDA card no matter what.

Originally posted by Ishmaeel:

Stop messing with your NVidia drivers and try updating the drivers for the integrated graphics card.
I was getting fatal errors on launch (codes 3 and 4). Tried every troubleshooting tweak that has been posted online, to no avail. I also tried many NVidia drivers, old/new, certified/beta, generic/vendor. No cigar.
What finally fixed the issue for me was updating the driver for Intel integrated graphics. I did not even have to seek out a vendor driver, I just used Windows Update for it.
Hope this helps someone.

Originally posted by Billy "Smiles" Evans:

PART 1: This is to get Just Cause 2 to launch

1. Right click Just Cause 2 in your Steam Library and select PROPERTIES.
2. Select LAUNCH OPTIONS, and type in "/dxadapter=0" without quotes. (http://i.imgur.com/YaNZ8.png)

PART 2: This is to get your graphics card to render the game (Steps 4-7: http://i.imgur.com/VAkZW.png)

1. Download Nvidia Inspector from: http://www.guru3d.com/files_details/nvidia_inspector_download.html
2. Open Nvidia Inspector
3. Click the button to the right of DRIVER VERSION.
4. From the PROFILE menu, select JUST CAUSE 2.
5. Scroll down the window until you find: Shim Rendering Mode Options per application for Optimus.
6. Click the text to the right, scroll to the top of the dropdown, and select SHIM_RENDERING_OPTIONS_DEFAULT_RENDERING_MODE
7. Click APPLY CHANGES in the top right-hand corner.
8. Run your game

Originally posted by RY4N:

NVIDIA Control Panel -> Configure Surround, PhysX -> PhysX setting: Auto
Device Manager -> NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260: Disable

Originally posted by Billy "Smiles" Evans:

1. Go to your DESKTOP, right click, hit SCREEN RESOLUTION
2. On the window that appears, press DETECT.
3. Click on one of the new screens that appear, and from the DISPLAY DROPDOWN, select YOUR GRAPHICS CARD
4. Under MULTIPLE DISPLAYS, select TRY TO CONNECT ANYWAYS.
5. SAVE IT UP, HIT APPLY.
6. Click on your brand new SECOND SCEEN.
7. Under MULTIPLE DISPLAYS, select EXTEND THESE DISPLAYS.
8. APPLY, OK.

Originally posted by luke-brooks:

Compatability mode: windows 7
Run as admin
In steam launch options /dxadapter=0
In Nvidia control panel: Set phys x processor----> GTX 675MX

Originally posted by R4ks0pg:

In my case, the random ctd was caused for the Raptr Client. I tried all solutions of the post and another one but the only solution to avoid the crashes was to turn off the raptr client. After two days playing 5, 7 or even one of 40 min sessions always the crash come without a error message. After turn off the raptr client y play 2hours and half and no crashes. Raptr client is a track game info like xfire.

Other helpers/tools:

Commandline Parameters:
check http://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Just_Cause_2#Commandline_Parameters
for commandline parameters and their descriptions.

‘Nvidia Optimus GPU State Viewer’
a tool which shows if the Nvidia GPU is active. Might help to determine which GPU the game uses.
Download:
http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/topic/26992-optimus-test-tools-finally-in-users-hands/

Disable Optimus?
As far as my investigation shows, Optimus CAN NOT be disabled. Some people claim they could deactivate Optimus via the BIOS – but I couldn’t find any proof.
I wrote to nvidia to get more information on that topic.

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If you still encounter any problems with the game (and maybe can provide a solution) post it here, and I will update this post.

[Crusherz]

Do you know how to fix it when you freeze before the main start screen ?

[BlueBanana]

Originally posted by ProCrusherz:

Do you know how to fix it when you freeze before the main start screen ?

hmm... not really. can you give me more infos on your hardware? (GPU, CPU, ram, OS)

[BigBodZod]

I'm using an AMD CPU + GPU gaming rig and found the following solutions worked for me.

1) I found an app called CFF Explorer that allowed me to edit the .exe to be LARGEADDRESSAWARE in the header flags.

2) Found an alternative launcher, all I'm going to say about that.

[BlueBanana]

Originally posted by ;828938532517733518:

I'm using an AMD CPU + GPU gaming rig and found the following solutions worked for me.

1) I found an app called CFF Explorer that allowed me to edit the .exe to be LARGEADDRESSAWARE in the header flags.

2) Found an alternative launcher, all I'm going to say about that.

Are you using a AMD A-series CPU? If so, which one exactly?

[HugeJerk]

I had the issue with messed up Red Overlay... seems to be fixed by turning off the Steam Community Overlay.

[Abraham L. | 1001]

I'm having issues with the Error Code 15 on Windows 8. I added the dxadapter=0 in launch options, Validated Steam files, and did everything else you said to do. My Graphics Card Intel HD Graphics does support DirectX. Any other help you can provide?

[Sweet C]

I'm pretty sure the latest driver is causing some sort of filter bug and/or blood polygon glitch. I decided to roll back to a previous driver. I'll let you all know if it worked.

[Sweet C]

So......it didn't work for me. Which is odd now that I think of it. For a short time, I didn't have a problem with the game, but now, I have the blood glitch and a filter bug (weird shadowy filter above some textures such as planes and roads/ground).

[BlueBanana]

Originally posted by HugeJerk:

I had the issue with messed up Red Overlay... seems to be fixed by turning off the Steam Community Overlay.

Thanks! I'll add it to the 1st post.

Originally posted by Nova Shikirori™(@ School):

I'm having issues with the Error Code 15 on Windows 8. I added the dxadapter=0 in launch options, Validated Steam files, and did everything else you said to do. My Graphics Card Intel HD Graphics does support DirectX. Any other help you can provide?

Make sure it supports direcx10
Looks like quite a few people are having trouble running JC2 with a Intel HD Graphics.
But honestly, those graphics are not made for gaming purposes. JC2 is very GPU demanding, so you can assume that the game will not run well.

Originally posted by zombiebot:

I'm pretty sure the latest driver is causing some sort of filter bug and/or blood polygon glitch. I decided to roll back to a previous driver. I'll let you all know if it worked.

So......it didn't work for me. Which is odd now that I think of it. For a short time, I didn't have a problem with the game, but now, I have the blood glitch and a filter bug (weird shadowy filter above some textures such as planes and roads/ground).

Which driver are you referring to? Can you make a screenshot of the glitches/bugs?

[БЛЯДCТВО]

как войти в сеть?

[БЛЯДCТВО]

и ещо как войти в сеть minecraft

[БЛЯДCТВО]

ээээээээээээээээээээээээээээээээ

[Band Teacher Ass]

So I have a wierd problem on my hands. I can barely run JC2 with about 30fps. But whenever I run the benchmarks, it says that it's using my Intel HD 4000 instead of my NVIDA 650M. I tried setting it for my Global settings, yet it just keeps reverting back to the 4000. I even tried disabling the 4000, but that just made the game run a hell of alot slower.

[BlueBanana]

Originally posted by /x/BwapNubs:

So I have a wierd problem on my hands. I can barely run JC2 with about 30fps. But whenever I run the benchmarks, it says that it's using my Intel HD 4000 instead of my NVIDA 650M. I tried setting it for my Global settings, yet it just keeps reverting back to the 4000. I even tried disabling the 4000, but that just mad ehte game run a hell of alot slower.

Optimus issue. set ‘/dxadapter=0’ in launch options. Read #4 on the initial thread.

[Band Teacher Ass]

Originally posted by SacredFart:

Originally posted by /x/BwapNubs:

So I have a wierd problem on my hands. I can barely run JC2 with about 30fps. But whenever I run the benchmarks, it says that it's using my Intel HD 4000 instead of my NVIDA 650M. I tried setting it for my Global settings, yet it just keeps reverting back to the 4000. I even tried disabling the 4000, but that just mad ehte game run a hell of alot slower.

Optimus issue. set ‘/dxadapter=0’ in launch options. Read #4 on the initial thread.

Tried it didn't do ♥♥♥♥. But i fixed it.

Here's an ACTUAL solution for this error.
http://steamcommunity.com/app/8190/discussions/0/846940249220324722/

This solution is for laptops, considering the majority of users getting this error are using laptops as there is a conflict with Just Cause 2 and Nvidia Optimus technology.

PART 1: This is to get Just Cause 2 to launch

1. Right click Just Cause 2 in your Steam Library and select PROPERTIES.
2. Select LAUNCH OPTIONS, and type in "/dxadapter=0" without quotes. (http://i.imgur.com/YaNZ8.png)

PART 2: This is to get your graphics card to render the game (Steps 4-7: http://i.imgur.com/VAkZW.png)

1. Download Nvidia Inspector from: http://tinylink.net/nvidiainspector
2. Open Nvidia Inspector
3. Click the button to the right of DRIVER VERSION.
4. From the PROFILE menu, select JUST CAUSE 2.
5. Scroll down the window until you find: Shim Rendering Mode Options per application for Optimus.
6. Click the text to the right, scroll to the top of the dropdown, and select SHIM_RENDERING_OPTIONS_DEFAULT_RENDERING_MODE
7. Click APPLY CHANGES in the top right-hand corner.
8. Run your game

This basically forces the game to use your NVIDA card no matter what.