Unable to run CK 2

[G.A.]

I would post a screenshot, but given that my Windows is in Czech language, I'll just write out what happens.

>Freshly installed CK 2
>Run it in steam
>The programme CK2game.exe has ceased working

It's a microsoft crash message. It Offers the obligatory options to find a solution online and end the programme, or to just end the programme.

I've translated the error message below.

Description:
Stopped working

Description of the problem:
Name of the problem event: CLR20r3
Problem signature 01: ck2game.exe
Problem signature 02: 0.0.0.0
Problem signature 03: 4f338fd9
Problem signature 04: System
Problem signature 05: 2.0.0.0
Problem signature 06: 506c18e6
Problem signature 07: 3adb
Problem signature 08: 394
Problem signature 09: System.ComponentModel.Win32
Operational system version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1
National environment ID: 1029

 

[AndrewT]

I assume the game has never worked for you. Please try installing:

First: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5555

After that: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=8328

Then: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35
(If that doesn't do anything then http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8109 )

Then: visit the Windows Update site and allow it to apply all .NET updates/patches it wants to, for all .NET versions.

Then right-click on ck2.exe and ck2game.exe and set them to run as the Admin user.
And then check if you can run the game after that.

 

[G.A.]

The game has actually run for me before. Your first and second download links appear to be identically offering vcredist_x86.exe. Upon attempting an installation, I am informed that I have a newer version available on my computer. I am informed of the same regarding Direct X installation. I do not have .Net updates available from microsoft update site.

 

[G.A.]

I have installed the following .Net 4.5 framework, to no success.

 

[AndrewT]

OK then, try a full clean re-install: 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 (see the sticky FILE LOCATIONS thread above for exact locations of these two directories). Now re-install the game from Steam, and run the Verify just to make sure it all came down properly.

 

[G.A.]

Deleted both CK 2 files in documents and in the program files, first manually, then in Steam. Done a clean install via Steam.

Verify ---> All files verified successfully ---> preparing to launch ---> "CK 2 has stopped working" error message as before.

 

[G.A.]

Upon attempting to launch the game manually, I am told in a Windows error message: "Windows does not have access to a certain device, pathway or file. You likely do not have the needed access rights." The same occurs when trying to launch the game as an administrator. My AVG antivirus is turned off.

 

[AndrewT]

Then right-click on steam.exe and set it to run as the Admin user.

ETA: did you see this MS KB article on that error?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2669244

 

[G.A.]

1. "Check if you have access rights to the file"

Yes I do, and also I've also attempted to run it as administrator to no avail.

2. "Check if the location is available"

Well yes, considering I've attempted to manually execute the ck2.exe file, it apparently is.

3. "Check whether the file has not been removed or moved"

No, it hasn't, it's still in its folder, I've just excuted it.

4. There is no four. Proceed to 5.

5. "Check whether the Windows system has blocked the file. If it has, right click on 'properties' and then in 'general' unblock the file, should that option be available to you."

It is not.

6. "Check whether your antivirus is blocking the file"

I've turned the resident protection for AVG off wherever I could. This has not changed anything.

I've also undone the "read-only" attribute on the CK 2 folder, this has not changed anything.

 

[AndrewT]

Well this is a puzzle. After the re-install did you set ck2.exe and ck2game.exe to run as Admin again?

That aside I'm really not sure where to go from here. Where is the game installed exactly? It's not on a network file system, or via a hardlink or DFS something like that? Wherever it is, try copying the whole Steam/CK2 directory structure to a new location like c:\ck2\ or c:\steam\ck2\ and manually run them from there, without Steam even running - see if you get similar issues.

Can you confirm that both MSVCP100.dll and d3dx9_41.dll exists? They'd usually be in c:\windows\system32\ . You might need to run the DirectX installer that comes with CK2, it's in c:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Crusader Kings II\dx\ by default.

 

[G.A.]

Well this is a puzzle. After the re-install did you set ck2.exe and ck2game.exe to run as Admin again?

Yes. Repeatedly.

That aside I'm really not sure where to go from here. Where is the game installed exactly? It's not on a network file system, or via a hardlink or DFS something like that? Wherever it is, try copying the whole Steam/CK2 directory structure to a new location like c:\ck2\ or c:\steam\ck2\ and manually run them from there, without Steam even running - see if you get similar issues.

I've tried, same issue.

Can you confirm that both MSVCP100.dll and d3dx9_41.dll exists? They'd usually be in c:\windows\system32\ . You might need to run the DirectX installer that comes with CK2, it's in c:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Crusader Kings II\dx\ by default.

Both exist.

 

[AndrewT]

"Windows does not have access to a certain device, pathway or file. You likely do not have the needed access rights."

OK, well you clearly have a Windows problem, but I cannot see what it is. I've never had anyone else report that error - with this or any other Paradox game.

Do you have access to any other PC, you can install the game on and confirm it does work for you there?

try this: go to Control Panel-> System and security -> Change User Account Control Settings : to Never notify. Reboot the machine, does that help?

And finally, after some reading I see it's possibly a malware issue:
http://www.malwareremovalguides.inf...not-access-the-specified-device-path-or-file/

I'd run a few different apps to check your system, I'd suggest
www.malwarebytes.org
http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus

and do full scans with them and your existing AVG software.