Strong bad crashes at startup

[nulian]

Strong bad crashes in windows vista after I click on launch in that activation start window also tried sam and max but have no problem in playing that.
It crashes when it goes full screen.

[Seg]

Can you try downloading and running the DirectX Web Installer and trying again?

[nulian]

Yep it still crashes after installing that update.

[Seg]

Let's try this:

1) Go to C:\Users\*\Documents\Telltale Games\Strong Bad - Episode 1\
2) Delete the file: prefs.prop
3) Try running the game again.

If that doesn't work, it may be that your download got corrupted. Try redownloading the game and run the installer again.

If that doesn't work, tell me which of the above you did and then tell me if you're running any security software such as Norton Anti-virus or any other security program.

[Kevin]

Actually, this is one thing that's new for StrongBad. Instead of deleting your prefs.prop file, hold the SPACE bar down while starting the game. This will start the game in "safe mode". Give it a try and let me know how it goes. Could you also let me know what machine, video card, etc?

Hang in there!
Kevin

[nulian]

Ok removing the file and holding space doesnt work.
I know the installation aint broken because I played it on my xp boot but I just want it to work on my main windows.

[nulian]

Think this gives the most important part about my pc. If you want I can pm the full dxdiag file contents to you.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 8/11/2008, 23:54:15
Machine name: BENEDEN
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Business (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080425-1930)
Language: Dutch (Regional Setting: Dutch)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+ (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 1263MB used, 3072MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Radeon X1950 Pro
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x7280)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_7280&SUBSYS_2204148C&REV_00
Display Memory: 1019 MB
Dedicated Memory: 253 MB
Shared Memory: 766 MB
Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: Algemeen PnP-beeldscherm
Driver Name: atiumdag.dll,atiumdva.dat,atitmmxx.dll
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.0597 (English)
DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/4/2008 05:21:30, 3691008 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Luidsprekers (Creative SB X-Fi)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0005&SUBSYS_00311102&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1284 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: No
Date and Size: 7/15/2008 18:07:18, 527384 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Creative

[Tetravus]

Same thing here, unfortunately. I've got Vista and a Radeon x1900. Updated the DirectX, got the new Catalyst driver, and unfortunately no improvement. The initial Telltale Games screen comes up, and I can click the "Launch Game!" button, but as soon as the screen goes black, it dumps back to the desktop. Holding space for safe mode unfortunately results in the same behavior.

[nulian]

Well I fixed the game in vista by using the windows xp prefs.prop file with a higher resolution I think the standard resolution the game starts on is not allowed on my pc.

[Sayargh]

I'm using Vista, i'm experiencing this problem too, none of the steps here seemed to help.

To the previous poster, could you upload that prefs.prop file, worth a shot.

[nulian]

You can try with this file I put the resolution on 1024x768 so should work if problem was that.

http://home.quicknet.nl/qn/prive/hh.arentsen/prefs.prop

[Tetravus]

nulian, you are a lifesaver. I used that prefs file, and it worked like a charm.

So let me see if I understand the problem...the game, by default, attempts to start up at whatever the current resolution is? Then if that resolution is too high, it crashes back to the desktop. And then manually specifying a lower resolution via the prefs file forces it to start up with a lower resolution.

[nulian]

I think the game tries to start in 640x480 thats what it opened on windows xp but that doesnt work in my vista at least.

[misses holiday]

please help!!! that prefs file sounds real good but got no idea what it is or what it does!!
i clicked on it but i keep getting told i need to scan my computer, then a list of programs comes up, think there just trying to get me to buy. iv'e got Esest's nod32 anti virus.

[DjNDB]

Originally Posted by misses holiday

please help!!! that prefs file sounds real good but got no idea what it is or what it does!!
i clicked on it but i keep getting told i need to scan my computer, then a list of programs comes up, think there just trying to get me to buy. iv'e got Esest's nod32 anti virus.

Looks like your system is infected with some sort of scareware. In that case it is likely that

• your system is infected with further malware
• your nod32 anti virus has been manipulated by malware to not scan properly anymore

You should check your system for malware with a scanner independent of your operating system.
You could download the Avira AntiVir Rescue System. When you start it, it asks for a cd to burn itself to. Then you boot from that cd to scan your system for malware.
If it finds any, which it probably will from your description, you should backup your important data and reinstall a fresh windows, with all service packs, security updates and most recent drivers.

[misses holiday]

the rescue scan said Warning: archive not completely scanned: processing error.
i clicked on the quick link Nulian had posted http://home.quicknet.ntl/qn/prive/hh...sen/prefs.prop
(i can't get back into it now though), and it suggested websites to vist: (not in exact words) sayin your having rpoblems acessing the site because of a software problem.
it suggested to buy regcure didn't take much notice as i thought it was just trying to get me to buy.
i haven't had any messages from windows of anything.

[DjNDB]

Originally Posted by misses holiday

the rescue scan said Warning: archive not completely scanned: processing error.

Okay, that's nothing too bad.

Originally Posted by misses holiday

i clicked on the quick link Nulian had posted http://home.quicknet.ntl/qn/prive/hh...sen/prefs.prop
(i can't get back into it now though), and it suggested websites to vist: (not in exact words) sayin your having rpoblems acessing the site because of a software problem.
it suggested to buy regcure didn't take much notice as i thought it was just trying to get me to buy.
i haven't had any messages from windows of anything.

Now i see. I am sorry, i completely misunderstood you earlier about those messages. They were probably part of some website.

The link you quoted has a typo in it. The one in nulian's post lets you download the prefs.prop.
It belongs into the games settings folder, in this case it is for Strong Bad:
"C:\Users\*\Documents\Telltale Games\Strong Bad - Episode 1\"