Red Orchestra 2 won't launch

[VH8]

Hi, I'm pretty much new to Steam, just got 2 games recently from a sale - Battlefield: BC 2 and Red Orchestra 2. Battlefield runs fine with no problems, but same can't be said about RO 2 - it just won't launch at all.

What I did is:
- Downloaded it (only the "normal" version, it came with an equally huge file that's apparently a Beta - I didn't downloaded it)
- Tried to launch it, saw a prompt asking me to accept or reject the license agreement for the installation of AMD drivers. That's weird, I have nothing from AMD in my computer so I rejected
- Then it asked me to install the Punkbuster. Even though I already had it from BF, I've accepted.

From this point - nothing more happened. Each time I try to launch the game, I see Steam's dialog box saying "Preparing first time setup (step 1 of 1)", but it disappears immediately and... that's it. I can retry over and over again to no avail.

Rebooting the PC doesn't help. I've ran the data validation for this game, it apparently had to update 4 files, but after it did - same results, got the box, it disappears, end of story.

Help, please! If anyone got any idea what can cause this or what should I do (aside from re-downloading the entire game data, I'd prefer to avoid that, it's a bit sizable ;) ), I would greatly appreciate any help.

[VH8]

BTW, I've uninstalled and then reinstalled Punkbuster - didn't help.

I ran the validation once again - same result: 4 files didn't pass the validation and will be reacquired... but still didn't help.

-----

One more thing - where exactly should the game's executable file be? I can't fine any file that would look like a regular .exe file used to launch it?

[VH8]

Help? Anyone? I would post this to the Red Orchestra 2 forums, but for some reason I can't create a thread there (even though I've confirmed the activation of my account via email).

[VH8]

If no one can help me here, could someone please move this thread to the Red Orchestra 2 related forums? I still can't start a new thread in these forums.

[VH8]

Today, I've removed all Red Orchestra data and re-downloaded the complete package. Same result - I see the box saying that it prepares for first time setup, then disappears and that's it - nothing happens.


That said - the game I've purchased doesn't work and therefore please either help me make it work or refund me. I see that thread are being moved here and closed so a moderator reads this. If you do - please move this to the "Red Orchestra 2" forums because I'm unable to create a thread on these forums.

[VH8]

Other threads moderated, yet here still no reply, hence -- bump

[VH8]

Help!

[VH8]

Unbelievable... :/

[ManiacMal]

Normally this can be caused by corrupted microsoft .net frameworks. Uninstall all .net framework in your control panel -> programs & features and then reinstall these through windows update.

[geolamia]

same happens to me..

[VH8]

@Hashbrick

There's no .NET Framework in Programs and Features at all, however going to the "Turn Windows features on/off" menu revealed that I've got installed and activated:
- .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)
- .NET Framework 4.5 Advanced Services - and in this one only "TCP Port Sharing" in WCF Services is activated.

I've deactivated both, rebooted. Same results. In fact, I was expecting some "You don't have .NET" error, but nope. As earlier - just the "preparing for first launch" Steam box which disappears and that's it.

My OS (Windows 8, 64-bit) is up-to-date, BTW and the issue still persists to this day.

@Geolamia

Glad to hear that I'm not alone. Have you received any help about it so far? Any hints what may cause this?

I think at this point I'll contact Steam support. Which means that in addition to my Steam account, a Steam forums account (which doesn't allow me to create forum threads), I'll have to create yet another Steam support account. What a nice company this is ;-)

[Mars]

@VarHyid

I'll add that I'm having the exact same problem as you.

[VH8]

Well, mine got solved in the meantime and the solution was... a bit weird, but in case you still haven't solved it - you'll need DirectX.

Sounds stupid and I'm sure you already have DirectX 9 and 11 installed and so did I, but as it turns out, there's still something in the DirectX package you get from MS (I think here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35 ) that seems to be missing if you've just got DirectX with your system and not from MS.

I couldn't believe it myself first, but after I've reinstalled DirectX, the issue stopped and everything works still well.

[Dosedmonkey]

Im having this problme. Tried the link above and says i have a newer version of direct x. So might need to unsintall and re install.

I also have tried everything from re-installing windows and installing everything from scratch. Really frustrating bug! Why their installer doesn't check correctly for everything required, so far after release I don't know. Patch it please!

[Dosedmonkey]

I got vista, it seems to not even like Direct x 11, when i try to install the platform update supposedly required for vista, it says its not required on my system.

[Dosedmonkey]

Well I don't have DirectX in my programs list, so having a problem uninstalling it!