portal 2 and saints row the third crash on start up

[TheNub]

ever since i got my new pc i have not been able to run portal 2 it would get to the intial loading screen and then crash windows. i recently got saints row the third and the same thing happens. my graphics drivers are updated and so is my direct x any ideas??

[Superscooter]

Check RAM, BIOS updates

[Kiya]

What are your system specs?

[TheNub]

windows 7 home premium 64 bit
AMD FX(tm)-4100 quad-core processor 3.6GHz
8 gb RAM
directX version: DirectX 11
AMD Radeon HD 7700 series
1920 x 1080
hdd 500 gb

[Kiya]

There is a known problem with AMD Bulldozer CPU's - your AMD FX 4100, with steam and many games because of an incompatability with the bios.

The only way to fix this is to update your motherboard bios - and this is not a simple thing to do.

Steam support has an article on updating a Motherboard's bios -> https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7203-MFVX-5765

be very careful doing this - if you get it wrong, you can completely brick your motherboard, double check everything.

[Ending Earth]

I have an AMD FX-8120 and I have never had these issues with any steam game I own:

What motherboard do you own?
Do you get any BlueScreens? if so could you send me the details.
By windows crashes could you be more specific does it freeze? or does the computer completely lock up?
Anything else trigger these issues? Any other games or apps?

BIOS updates are a last resort, no point attempting that unless you know what you are doing, or even if that is the issue. The update guides are hard to follow as every MotherBoard has a different process to flash the BIOS; so as always take it one step at a time.

Thanks

[TheNub]

My mother board is a asus M5A78L-MLX. and yes i do get blue screens, it blue screens every time i run portal 2 or saints row and then crashes, however recently when i ran steam as a administrator a minute ago it just freezed and crashed. i haven't had any other crashing or blue screen issues only when i run these two games

[Ending Earth]

Steam does not like being run as an administrator, untick that field.

I have checked the motherboard at the ASUS site: http://uk.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3Plus/M5A78LM_LX/#specifications

The AMD FX+ series is supported, but only at BIOS number 0510. Could you run DXDIAG? click on the start button and type DXDIAG, run that and look at the BIOS number.

Blue Screens are generally not a good sign, could you IM me about that so I can check the file? But as it is only for these two games it may not be so bad.

Thanks

[nat]

Well you did tried these solutions yes?
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=6218-USFX-5568

[TheNub]

under BIOS it says 11/30/11 15:28:23 Ver: 08.01

[Ending Earth]

That's after 'Preparing to Launch' window, the games get past this and crash upon the game loading. That would also not account for the Blue Screens and freezing of the PC. Please read the thread before posting

[nat]

Автор сообщения: Ending

Please read the thread before posting

No, because those solutions helped me out when the game do launch and crashs like 20 seconds later.

[Ending Earth]

So you have the correct BIOS update, I would check the RAM before doing anything else, run the Memtest86, real easy to do: burn the ISO to a disk and boot it. Let it run for at least 7 tests, and that will check for any RAM address errors.

Let me know the results.

Thanks

[Ending Earth]

Автор сообщения: )Natsuru san

Автор сообщения: Ending

Please read the thread before posting

No, because those solutions helped me out when the game do launch and crashs like 20 seconds later.

One thing I will point out is that he sent me his Blue Screen errors, they suggest a hardware fault (0x00000124), Its better to explore the issues related to this first.

Could you also clarify if you have validated the Steam files for both games and that both games successfully installed any additional software?

[Kiya]

AMD notice about Steam enabled games on AMD FX platforms[support.amd.com]

Steam support article -> Games do not run on AMD FX CPU's

Sorry but the only solution to his problems is to update the motherboard bios. This has been an issue that has come up over and over again the last few weeks on these help forums and it seems to be a particular problem for people with AMD FX 4100 CPU's.

[Ending Earth]

Looking at it Kiya is correct, the BIOS will need to be updated to version 0901, check this site for the download link:
http://uk.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3Plus/M5A78LM_LX/#download

I would be careful with this, as you only have one real chance to update it. Have a look at this video this is the same motherboard as yours, should be helpful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcuVdY0MimQ

If that doesn't fix it, then we can explore the additional options. My only concern is that it would be all if not majority of games wouldn't work, but give it a go and see how you get on.

Thanks