"Checking for available updates" stuck

[Maibigbutt]

I got a copy of Sacred 3 from a PC magazine 3 disks with The Underworld Story and Malakhim Hero DLC-s.
I try and install it (i didn't have Steam installed on my pc for a long time) It wants to install Steam but says, not enough disk space it need 2097400 Mb-s!!! of space).
I downloaded the latest client from the Steam site, it installs but after that it goes to the "Checking for available updates" window, but it's stuck forever. I quit it and after that there is a .crash file, untill i delete it Steam won't even start, i delete it it starts the "checking for available updates" window, but is stuck again forever and a new .crash file appears. Same thing happened to me about a year ago with Aliens vs Predator, since than was Steam uninstalled, I was hoping they fixed it now but no, and i can't find any solution anywhere.
Please help

Win 8.1 x64
Intel Core 2 quad Q6600 2.4 Ghz
3 Gigs ram
1 gig video card AMD Radeon HD 5670
DX 11

[Flurdy]

Try running in Windows 8 compatibility mode.

Right click the steam icon> click properties
Click the Compatibility tab
In the Compatibility mode section, click the checkbox next to "Run this program in compatibility mode for:"
and select windows 8 from the dropdown list.

Click "OK" at the bottom and try to start Steam.

[Maibigbutt]

It's already in Win 8 compatibility mode, tried all others on the list, tried Runing it as Admin, still the same happens.

[Maibigbutt]

Okay, got past this issue with Compatibility mode (Windows 98/ME) + Running it as admin, but as soon as Steam starts I click login, start to write in my username and freezez, it runs for a 2-3 seconds than freezes. Any ideas, tried all of the Compatibility modes and as admin. Still crashes

[Maibigbutt]

And still having to delete the .crash file and Client Registry.blob to get this otherwise doesn't even start

[Maibigbutt]

I found a way to finally get it to work, if anyone is having the same issue.
When first the Updating window is stuck then switch to WIN 98/ME compatibility mode than when the login freezez switch to XP SP2

[Seven7]

using compatibilities mode for client prevent normal working (ecpecially, os older than xp sp3)
use only Run as Administrator
if your game need compatibility mode, apply it to game exe \ dll \ dat only

[Maibigbutt]

I could not even get the client to work without Compatibility mode, Running it only as admin didn't work, I'm installing Sacred 3 now, i will see what will turn out for it with Comp mode

[Seven7]

client installed in programm files (x86) - correctly?
are you have installed all updates .Net 3.x(enabled in programs & components - windows components) and vc++ 2010-2015, both x86 x64, direct x?
latest version have new features - work with security access permissions, move games from one library to other

[Maibigbutt]

Everything is up to date, Drivers, vc++, dx 11,.Net, its in Program filex x86, and after at least 1-13 re installs i think it's correctly on my computer