Why won't steam games work on my computer?

[ken2esq]

I just signed up for Steam, downloaded a few games, like Spiral Knights. The install seemed to go fine,but when I select "play" for Spiral Knights, my screen flashes black & gray for about 10 seconds, then whatever is happening just stops/crashes and I'm back to looking at my Steam library page. On the other hand, when I try to run another game, EVERY TIME it says "installing DirectX" and then it seems like it's starting to install it, but then the install screen disappears and I'm again just staring at the Steam library page. I've tried three games now and none work.

FYI, my system is Sony Vaio VGN-FW270 with Intel Core Duo 2 P8400 (2.26Ghz), which came with Vista but has been upgraded to Win 8.1. 4GB ram, 64bit, Graphics are Intel GMA 4500MHD (integrated). Though it's an older computer, it was pretty cutting edge when I got it, and I have so far NEVER had a problem running any new software / applications on it.

Is there something about my system that won't let Steam work, or certain Steam games, or is something else going on?

Ken

[Icedwhisper]

Well, I had the same issue with SDK, Re-installing it fixed the issue.
If you want to troubleshoot it the long way then here is what I recommend you do:

Note: These processes will not affect your currently installed games.

Refresh Your Steam Files

• Completely exit the Steam client.
  
• Open the run dialogue by pressing windows key + r (you can also navigate here from the start menu by typing run).
  
• Type steam://flushconfig then press enter. (If asked to allow this website to open a program, please click Allow or OK).
  
• Restart your computer.
  
• Now, launch Steam directly from the installation folder, not from a pre-existing shortcut (~C:\program files (x86)\Steam).
  
• The Steam application will either appear as Steam or Steam.exe depending on whether your settings show file extensions.

Source: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=3134-TIAL-4638

Verify integrity of game cache

• Go To Your Library
  
• Right Click Game
  
• Select Properties
  
• Go To Local Files Tab
  
• Select the Verify Integrity Of Game Cache Option

Source: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2037-QEUH-3335

Please Update me on the issue!

[Laggalicious]

did it wk?

[Manop | ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.com]

I tried downloading games that i new would work on my new computer but they wont download they just stay pending please help if you can

[no skill but still]

Ok, I know I'm late but I had the same problem and NOTHING worked. But if you are reading this and you can't find ANY solution on the internet, try installing an English version of DirectX if it's not your native language or for some reason, you have a different one. However, I recommend using it as a last resort because I don't really know how this works and it may cause some problems on your PC (or laptop, like in my case). I gave up with this problem after five days of searching for a solution but tried this, without any hope, also actually by mistake because I forgot to change to my language on Microsoft page... and it helped! Hope I'll help someone too.

[Spamton]

this is exactly what happened to me

[Cathulhu]

Then maybe you shouldn't try to play games on that Intel GMA 4500MHD videochip which even back when it was new, was an utterly terrible choice for ANY videogame.

[Spamton]

update:I used what Icedwhisper said and it worked shoutout to him

[Supafly]

Originally posted by raiden:

update:I used what Icedwhisper said and it worked shoutout to him

Considering the thread died in 2019 it's likely the issue got sorted 4 years ago.

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

Then maybe you shouldn't try to play games on that Intel GMA 4500MHD videochip which even back when it was new, was an utterly terrible choice for ANY videogame.

post #5 was a necro

[Cathulhu]

I'm aware, but as they said they had the exact same issue, i used the initial post as a basis to give advice.

[Blake]

This thread was quite old before the recent posts, so we're locking it to prevent confusion.