CK2 Launcher Crash at Start

[Ducksox]

I had CK2 when it first came back, got bored, and then got wrangled by the savings into buying DLC during Steam's Summer Sale. Unfortunately, the launcher doesn't work, so I can't play it. I got discouraged and stopped trying to muck with it back then, but since EU4 is coming out with a save converter, I need to play.

Now, here is what happens when I try to launch via Steam.

I can launch the game exe BUT I can't play with any of the DLC.

I've updated my Microsoft .NET, my video drivers, and the C++ visual thing, no luck.

Any suggestions?

 

[IcratoX]

Hi Ducksox,

Try if installing Microsoft .NET framework 3.5 solves the solution:

Download and run the Microsoft .NET 3.5 Framework Installer.
Important: After you've installed .NET Framework 3.5, go to windows update, check for updates and install all .NET updates it shows you.

 

[Ducksox]

So, I've tried installing the .NET framework 3.5 several times now, but I always get an error.

This is the error I get each time:
[08/11/13,13:44:15] VS Scenario: [2] CSupportedPlatformCheck failed : You must use "Turn Windows features on or off" in the Control Panel to install or configure Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.
[08/11/13,13:44:15] VS Scenario: [2] Failed to pass the Warnings/Blocks checks in CVSScenario::Start()
[08/11/13,13:53:58] Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0SP1 (x64) (CBS): [2] Error: Installation failed for component Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0SP1 (x64) (CBS). MSI returned error code -2145124329
[08/11/13,13:54:02] WapUI: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0SP1 (x64) (CBS) is not installed.
[08/11/13,14:52:48] Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0SP1 (x64) (CBS): [2] Error: Installation failed for component Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0SP1 (x64) (CBS). MSI returned error code -2145124329
[08/11/13,14:52:52] WapUI: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0SP1 (x64) (CBS) is not installed.
[08/11/13,16:15:29] Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0SP1 (x64) (CBS): [2] Error: Installation failed for component Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0SP1 (x64) (CBS). MSI returned error code -2145124329
[08/11/13,16:15:35] WapUI: [2] DepCheck indicates Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0SP1 (x64) (CBS) is not installed.


I tried installing .NET 3.0 SP1 as it would seem to indicate in the error log, but I got an error that 3.0 was not available for Vista, even though I run Windows 7.

Any tips on where to go from here?

 

[AndrewT]

You clearly have a severe .NET problem, even that error code is bogus. Try the .NET repair tool. Failing that you may have to uninstall .NET 3.0 and 3.5, and start from scratch.

 

[Ducksox]

There's a problem with that - I can't even find .NET framework 3.x at all - I only see .NET framework 4.5 in the uninstall/change programs pop-up.

And when I tried installing the 3.0 SP1 earlier today, I got that error, as I mentioned in an earlier post, that 3.0 was not available for Vista (despite actually running Windows 7).

 

[unmerged(39852)]

I have basically the same problem. Crashes and something to do with .net though when I update them says all is good on the version.

 

[AndrewT]

There's a problem with that - I can't even find .NET framework 3.x at all - I only see .NET framework 4.5 in the uninstall/change programs pop-up.

And when I tried installing the 3.0 SP1 earlier today, I got that error, as I mentioned in an earlier post, that 3.0 was not available for Vista (despite actually running Windows 7).

Did you try the .NET repair tool I linked?

I have basically the same problem. Crashes and something to do with .net though when I update them says all is good on the version.

I don't think you do. In any case please start your own thread with full problem and system details, thank you.

 

[Ducksox]

I did, and no luck. It did two things: Reregister Windows Installer Service and Restart Windows Installer Service. It says it does these things and the 3.5 update still fails.

 

[AndrewT]

OK, well you clearly have a .NET problem in your Windows installation, and it may be beyond our scope to guide you to a fix in a reasonable time. If you have access to support from your vendor, MS, or a local PC shop or guy, maybe they can help more directly.

 

[Denniss]

Screenshot looks like Win7 which has .Net 3.5 SP1 already built-in

 

[Ducksox]

Is there any workaround to manually force all the dlc I have downloaded to be active? I haven't downloaded any mods, so that wouldn't be an issue.

The thing is, I can still use the Victoria II launcher just fine.

Also, does EU4 use the .NET 3.5 Framework?

Edit: Moreover, I've clearly been able to play CKII in the past - I even started the Empire Screenshots thread in the CKII forum.

 

[AndrewT]

Create a desktop shortcut to ck2.exe and make sure target looks like:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Crusader Kings II\ck2.exe" -forcedlc

The mod equivalent is ck2.exe -mod=mod/modname.mod

 

[Ducksox]

I've tried this and it didn't seem to work I created a shortcut and under target put -forcedlc as you said, but am still unable to play anything beyond the base game.

 

[AndrewT]

This is known to work. Can you put up a screenshot of the shortcut's properties, please?

Failing all else we might try a full clean reinstall: move any valued save games elsewhere and uninstall the game from within Steam. Then manually delete ALL the CK2 directories from under BOTH the Steam and MyDocuments folders. Now reinstall the game from Steam, and run the Verify just to make sure it all came down properly.

 

[Ducksox]

Sure, here it is.

That is the right file address, of course. I did a reinstall of Steam a while back, thus the unorthodox folder name.

 

[AndrewT]

Hmmm. In compatibility, did you set it to run as Admin, and disable desktop composition?

Also try copying the whole CK2 directory from under there to a new place like c:\games\ck2\. Then create a text file userdir.txt in that CK2 directory with just a dot (period, full stop) in it. Now run ck2.exe from that new place.

 

[Ducksox]

I've tried everything you've suggested and no luck.

This is the first major problem I've had with a Paradox game, which is odd, considering the fact that I've had it working before.

 

[unmerged(39852)]

Dido - Ducksox - I think we have the same problem. Game was working fine before and now... Never seen this with Paradox before (though I empathize - compatibility issues i the bain of computer programming)

 

[AndrewT]

You don't have the same problem, as he can run ck2.exe and play the game whereas you can't.

 

[Ducksox]

Sorry for the thread necrophilia here, but I'd like to bring back this issue, as I'm kind of excited to catch up with the expansions.

Is there potentially any compatibility mode like Windows XP SP2 that might help me out here? I can still run ck2.exe, through a shortcut on my desktop that has -forcedlc in the target location, yet I still can't access the DLC. No SoI, no EU4 save converter (and other DLCs that I own).

I really miss this game