Steam won't launch, not just a simpler solution.

[bnuuy!]

Since Valve's staff hasn't helped much so far, I'm going to consult with you lovely Steamites and see what information I can finagle out of you guys! Yes.

Alright, so here's the dealio: Steam doesn't launch for me past the 'connecting' screen. How many times have you heard this? Probably plenty of times, to be fair. There's more to this, however, as it still runs in the background according to Task Manager. Again, still a common issue, but let's go over the menagerie of solutions I've run through to attempt to get Steam to launch:

1. Deleting clientregistry.blob.
2. Repairing the Steam installation.
3. Entirely removing Steam, including all registry keys and files, rebooting, then reinstalling under a fresh log-in, no unneeded services open.
4. Running Steam in safe mode with networking. It didn't even work there, signaling to me that this has to be a system software or hardware issue.
5. Malware scans, spyware scans, antivirus scans up the wazoo, only to come up fruitless.
6. Disabling all firewalls, antivirus, etc., as well as making new exceptions for Steam after having deleted old ones.
7. Checking for incompatible programs, only to see that every program I have is not listed, let alone anything close sans antivirus. Not only that, but the antivirus programs I have had not one interfered with Steam in the past. Therefore, I'm doubting it's that.
8. System File Checker scans also came fruitless.
9. Tested Steam on another computer in the house, only to see that it launched there without issue. Therefore, I can remove the possibility of it being a network or router issue, as this one is connected to the exact same network.
10. Should also list that my ports are all opened up and my router's not blocking it out of this specific static IP, too.

I think I might have done a lot more, but given I've been working on this problem for weeks, bloody hell if I can remember much else, haha. (My memory isn't very advanced. Welp.) The point here, however, is I've done everything I possibly can so far with absolutely no idea what the solution might be.

Now, this moves me onto the precursor to the grand finale of the issue: you guys. Is there anything more I'm missing? Should I run other diagnostics? Are there any log files I should show to someone more experienced to get an idea of the issue? I'm basically going through the entire gauntlet before I have to go to the drastic measure of reinstalling Windows entirely.

I appreciate any responses. Thanks! For the record, here are my specifications:

Windows 7 Professional (32-bit, Service Pack 1 Build 7601, Version 6.1.7601)
Intel Celeron CPU (540 @ 1.86 GHz, 1862 MHz, 1 core, 1 logical processor)
2 GB RAM
Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset Family
DirectX 11

Er, that's as far as I know might be needed, but if you need more, just ask. Thanks again, and I really hope I can get this solved without a total reinstall, because this has been totally bugging me.

[dirrtymartini]

引用自 nikki.：

I know I'd noticed the client set to Atlanta once, especially since I live around Central Florida and am in closer proximity to Georgia. It's probably that, then!

As for that IP, that's probably it, which at least narrows it down. Something is causing the connection packs to not be received by Valve's end, so it can't connect, yeah? A block of some sort, for some reason. Not sure how I'd go around that, but at least it's some form of insight when before, I had nothing, so thanks for that!

Hold the farm. It means that ICMP (your pings) aren't getting to Steam. There could be a bunch of unrelated reasons that could be happening. Let's check one more thing.

Drop down to a command prompt, type "telnet 63.228.223.103 80" and press enter. The command prompt window should clear and the cursor move to top left corner of the window. Then type "get http 1.0" and press enter. The get cmd is broken but it should cause a bunch of text to appear.

If you get the bunch of text, that means you ARE getting to that IP and that the HTTP port is open. (it also means we have to check something else)

If you don't, then something between you and Steam is filtering / blocking your web connecting to Steam.


(A lot of ISPs give ICP the lowest priority and some even drop them by design. The big carriers usually don't...but you can't bet the farm on ICMP.)

[dirrtymartini]

Another thing that might shed some light on the problem. Run a traceroute from your PC to 63.228.223.103. Besides showing the path from your PC to Steam, it will show if your PC can at least get to the edge of Steam's network.

Please copy / paste the results here or PM them to me. You might want to trim the first line or two of the output if it includes any personally identifiable information.

In Windows World, traceroute is called 'tracert' and can be run from a Command Prompt.

[Silicon Vampire]

I doubt he tracert will shed any light on the subject. I have pinged and done a tracert on the address and neither produces useful results.

As I stated earlier, I can not ping 63.228.223.103.

The tracert times out after the 9th hop. the last return was from :

chp-brdr-04.inet.qwest.net [63.146.26.13]

I am in mid west Michigan, USA.

I repeat: I am not having issues.

[Silicon Vampire]

I recommend running this program and posting the section on installed software.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

BE CAREFUL. Last time I was using this, it collected some info you don't want to post on the Internet. Still, it is very useful if used cautiously.

[dirrtymartini]

引用自 Silicon Vampire：

I doubt he tracert will shed any light on the subject. I have pinged and done a tracert on the address and neither produces useful results.

As I stated earlier, I can not ping 63.228.223.103.

The tracert times out after the 9th hop. the last return was from :

chp-brdr-04.inet.qwest.net [63.146.26.13]

I am in mid west Michigan, USA.

I repeat: I am not having issues.

This is why I asked the OP to try connecting to the IP on port 80. My steam client tries to his that IP on port 80 every single time I start it.

The tracert results would show that the OP's router and the ISPs between the OP and Steam aren't filtering traffic, experiencing regional routing issues, or other such nonsense.

EDIT: Also, the tracert confirms DNS is working and that the user's hosts file doesn't have an errant entry for steamcommunity.com.

[Silicon Vampire]

引用自 dirrtygsharp：

引用自 Silicon Vampire：

I doubt he tracert will shed any light on the subject. I have pinged and done a tracert on the address and neither produces useful results.

As I stated earlier, I can not ping 63.228.223.103.

The tracert times out after the 9th hop. the last return was from :

chp-brdr-04.inet.qwest.net [63.146.26.13]

I am in mid west Michigan, USA.

I repeat: I am not having issues.

This is why I asked the OP to try connecting to the IP on port 80. My steam client tries to his that IP on port 80 every single time I start it.

The tracert results would show that the OP's router and the ISPs between the OP and Steam aren't filtering traffic, experiencing regional routing issues, or other such nonsense.

EDIT: Also, the tracert confirms DNS is working and that the user's hosts file doesn't have an errant entry for steamcommunity.com.

By all means, continue. I did not intend to deter any help. I fully realize I don't know everything.

[dirrtymartini]

引用自 Silicon Vampire：

引用自 dirrtygsharp：

This is why I asked the OP to try connecting to the IP on port 80. My steam client tries to his that IP on port 80 every single time I start it.

The tracert results would show that the OP's router and the ISPs between the OP and Steam aren't filtering traffic, experiencing regional routing issues, or other such nonsense.

EDIT: Also, the tracert confirms DNS is working and that the user's hosts file doesn't have an errant entry for steamcommunity.com.

By all means, continue. I did not intend to deter any help. I fully realize I don't know everything.

No sweat, Mr. Moderator. You made some good points that deserved replies. All good here.

These troubleshooting dances can go all over the place. We'll get to the bottom of it if possible.

[dirrtymartini]

OP, another test would be to start up your Steam client with the -tcp option. By default, Steam appears to use UDP v/s TCP. This might also help us narrow down the culprit.

Assuming Windows 7, start -> Run -> C:\program files(x86)\Steam\Steam.exe -tcp

[bnuuy!]

Alright, going over all these. Lessee...

- Telnet: The get command came back with a 'not recognized' command error and lacked the 'bunch of text'.
- Tracert results, sans the first entries, are here:
3 9 ms 9 ms 7 ms te-8-3-ur01.portstlucie.fl.pompano.comcast.net [68.86.163.69]
4 11 ms 9 ms 15 ms 162.151.2.1
5 14 ms 17 ms 15 ms te-0-4-0-5-ar03.northdade.fl.pompano.comcast.net [68.85.127.205]
6 15 ms 23 ms 23 ms he-2-8-0-0-cr01.miami.fl.ibone.comcast.net [68.86.93.85]
7 16 ms 15 ms 13 ms pos-0-0-0-0-pe01.nota.fl.ibone.comcast.net [68.86.87.102]
8 15 ms 14 ms 17 ms ix-2-2-1-0.tcore1.MLN-Miami.as6453.net [216.6.16.9]
9 15 ms 14 ms 16 ms nap-brdr-01.inet.qwest.net [63.146.26.53]
10 * * * Request timed out.
All further requests are timed out.
- I've also done both the UDP and TCP launch options with Steam. Unfortunately, neither option allows me to connect.
- Here's what Belarc Advisor's got for me:
i AbiWord
i Adobe AIR Version 3.3
i Adobe Help Center Version 1.0.0.793
i Adobe Photoshop CS4 CS4
i Adobe Systems, Inc. - Shockwave Flash Version 11,5,502,146
ı i Adobe® Flash® Player Update Service Version 11,5,502,146
ı i Alexander Roshal - WinRAR Version 4.1.0
i Ambertation - SimPe - Simple Package Editor Version 0.72.1.33909
i Ambertation - Wizards of SimPE Version 0.60.3187.33919
i Apple Inc. - QuickTime QuickTime 7.7.1 (1680.42)
ı i Atwtusb.exe Version 1, 0, 0, 0
ı i Belarc, Inc. - Advisor Version 8.3
i Canon IJ Driver Uninstaller Version 1.2
i Canon IJ Utility Uninstaller Version 1, 3, 0, 0
i CANON INC. - MP Navigator EX Version 1, 0, 7, 0
ı i Check My Specs 2012 Version 3.0.0.0
i David Ayton - CDisplay Version 1
i Don HO [e-mail] - Notepad++ Version 5.98
i Electronic Arts - Origin Version 8,2,2,2413
i Electronic Arts - OriginLegacyCLI Version 8,2,2,2413
i Electronic Arts - The Sims 2 Launcher Version 1.0.0.1
i Electronic Arts Inc. - EA Uninstall Version 1.04.00.356
i Electronic Arts, Inc. - Origin Uninstaller Version 8.2.2.2413
i eNDryptS Advanced.exe
i Foxit Reader Version 5, 4, 5, 0114
i Frameworkx Vista Shortcut Overlay Manager Version 2.0.0.0
ı i Google Chrome Version 24.0.1312.57
ı i Google Update Version 1.2.183.21
i GtkAtlantic
i Gyazo Version 1.0
i Hard Time
i http://www.snes9x.com - Snes9X SNES Emulator Version 1.53
i IDLE (Python GUI)
ı i Intel(R) Common User Interface Version 8.14.10.1930
i IrfanView Uninstaller Version 1, 2, 1, 0
ı i IrfanView Version 4.33
i Jnes Version 1.0
i LastPass Installer Version 1.80.0
ı i Macro Key Manager Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1
i Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Version 1.70.0009
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Package Installer Version 1.17.0.66
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Version 1.1.0.230
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Version 1.10.0.130
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Version 1.11.0.44
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Version 1.13.0.161
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Version 1.14.0.72
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Version 1.15.0.62
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Version 1.16.0.194
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Version 1.17.0.66
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Version 1.3.0.249
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Version 1.4.0.74
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Version 1.5.0.121
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Version 1.6.0.273
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Version 1.7.0.145
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Version 1.8.0.80
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 Body Shop Version 1.9.0.49
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 EP3 Version 1.3.0.249
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 EP3 Version 1.4.0.74 i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 EP3 Version 1.5.0.121
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 EP4 Version 1.6.0.273
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 EP5 Version 1.7.0.145
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 SP5 Version 1.9.0.49
i Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. - The Sims 2 University Version 1.1.0.230
i Microsoft Application Error Reporting Version 11.0.8163
i Microsoft Clip Organizer Version 11.0.8164
i Microsoft Corporation - Internet Explorer Version 9.00.8112.16421
i Microsoft Corporation - Office Source Engine Version 11.0.5525
i Microsoft Corporation - SelfCert Version 11.0.8164
i Microsoft Corporation - Silverlight Plug-In Version 5.1.10411.0
i Microsoft Corporation - Windows Installer - Unicode Version 5.0.7600.16385
ı i Microsoft Corporation - Windows® Search Version 7.00.7600.16385
ı i Microsoft Malware Protection Version 4.1.0522.0
ı i Microsoft Office 2003 Version 11.0.8164
i Microsoft Office InfoPath Version 11.0.8161
i Microsoft Office Picture Manager Version 11.0.8161
i Microsoft Office Save My Settings/Profile Wizard Version 11.0.8161
ı i Microsoft Security Client Version 4.1.0522.0
i Microsoft ® Windows Script Host Version 5.8.7600.16385
i Microsoft® .NET Framework Version 2.0.50727.4927
i Microsoft® .NET Framework Version 3.0.6920.4902
i Microsoft® .NET Framework Version 4.0.31106.0
i Microsoft® Silverlight Version 5.1.10411.0
ı i Microsoft® Visual Studio .NET Version 7.00.9466
i Microsoft® Windows® Operating System Version 12.0.7600.16385
i Mozilla Corporation - Firefox Version 14.0.1
i Mozilla Foundation - Firefox Version 14.0.1
i MyPaint Version 1.0.0
i Nullsoft, Inc. - Winamp Version 5.6.2.3189
i OpenCanvas 1.1b72 EN
i Peter L Jones - s3pe Version 1104.2.9.15835
i Piriform Ltd - CCleaner Version 3, 26, 0, 1888
i Project64
i Python (command line)
i Rainmeter Version 2.2.0.1116 (32-bit)
i Rainstaller Version 2.2.0.1116 (32-bit)
i Razer USA Ltd - Game Booster Version 3.5
i RmTablet.exe Version 1, 0, 0, 0
i sai.exe
i Skype Version 5.10
ı i Stardock Corporation - Fences Version 1.0.1.0
i Start Unlocker
i Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Java(TM) Platform SE 6 U37 Version 6.0.370.6
ı i Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Java(TM) Platform SE Auto Updater 2 0 Version 2.0.7.2
i SUPERAdBlocker.com and SUPERAntiSpyware.com - SUPERAntiSpyware Alternate Start Tool Version 1, 0, 0, 1124
i SUPERAntiSpyware Version 5, 6, 0, 1014
i SUPERAntiSpyware.com - Core Service Version 1, 0, 0, 1068
ı i Synaptics Pointing Device Driver Version 11.1.18 20Jun08
i Sysinternals Procmon Version 3.03
i The Audacity Team - Audacity® Version 1,3,13,0
ı i The Pidgin developer community - Pidgin Version 2.10.6
ı i The Within Network, LLC - UxStyle Core Version 0, 0, 2, 0
i TwistedBrush Pro Studio
ı i Valve Corporation - Steam Client Service Version 01.00.00.01
ı i Valve Corporation - Steam Version 1.0.0.0
i VideoLAN - VLC media player Version 2,0,0,0
i Wizards to adjust .NET Framework security, assign trust to assemblies, and fix broken .NET applications. Version 1.0.5000.0
Yeesh, what a list. Sorry for all the Sims stuff cluttering up the page.

[dirrtymartini]

Hello again, OP!

Can you remove SuperAntiSpyware for testing, please? There are documented cases of that app causing issues with Steam. I know you've tried safe mode before so it probably isn't the problem...but just in case.

Also, on that telnet test, after you type the GET command, please press ENTER twice. You should get a bunch of text. If you don't, or can't connect on that port, we might have a clue about wtf is happening.

Finally, can you uninstall the Razer GameBooster and Malwarebytes, please? The gamebooster has the ability to shutdown "unneeded processes" can could be getting involved here. Probably not but better to rule it out. Malwarebytes can also block traffic and apps from talking to the 'Net.

[bnuuy!]

Hello there, and good morning!

I've removed all three, and there's still no improvement. However, I did do the GET command with Telnet one more time, pressing enter twice, and I still don't have that bunch of text. I guess that brings us a bit closer to the problem, huh?

[dirrtymartini]

引用自 nikki.：

Hello there, and good morning!

I've removed all three, and there's still no improvement. However, I did do the GET command with Telnet one more time, pressing enter twice, and I still don't have that bunch of text. I guess that brings us a bit closer to the problem, huh?

Since you aren't getting a bunch of text, that suggests your computer can't reach steamcommunity.com on port 80...which suggests something somewhere is blocking web traffic to steamcommunity.com.

Tell me about your router, please. Make and model, for starters.

Also, would you mind sending me some log files? Grab everything in c:\program files (x86)\Steam\Logs plus debug.log and steam.log in c:\program files (x86)\Steam. Throw everything into a ZIP file and send to me. Friend invite sent to share my email addy.

(I'd suggest you comb through those log files as well. The more eyes on this problem, the better)

[bnuuy!]

My router is a Linksys WRT160Nv3! As for log files, I'll be getting them all to you right now. Two shakes!

[dirrtymartini]

引用自 nikki.：

My router is a Linksys WRT160Nv3! As for log files, I'll be getting them all to you right now. Two shakes!

Ok, about your router:

Did you do anything custom with your router? Setup a DMZ? Setup any Internet Access policies? Don't rely on memory. Please login to your router and check. I mention the Internet Access policy because it can be applied to a speciifc machine and includes the ability to filter web traffic.

Crunching logs now.

[dirrtymartini]

These logs are from the problem machine, right? I ask because there appear to be lots of successful connections to various Steam bits.

Also, prior to troubleshooting on the problem PC, did you logout from Steam on the good PC? I saw some errors about multiple logins:

[2013-02-03 12:22:25] [0,0] ConnectionDisconnected('Disconnected By Remote Host') : 'Logged In Elsewhere' (81.171.115.36:27017, TCP

Wait a minute. That IP belongs to someone in the Netherlands! Are you using any kind of proxy or what?

Disregard. That IP belongs to Valve in the Netherlands. Still not sure why you are talking to Valve via the Netherlands though.