Empire and steam

[nateedubs]

Hello folks, maybe someone here can help me.

Recently Empire quit working, I bought the retail version and reinstalled it twice, I've also used the direct download via steam with the same result.

It goes to the main loading screen when you start the game for a few seconds and then crashes with one of those worthless Window's error reports.

Also, something that is quite weird, the shortcut on my desktop does not have the typical Empire logo. Instead it has one of those arbitrary windows button...thingies.. Kind of like if you delete a file and the shortcut does not point there anymore...yeah, that.

And yes, I have tried running it straight from from Steam, I do not believe the shortcut is really an issue.

Below is some info, thanks a lot!

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 5/8/2010, 14:55:12
Machine name: NATE
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.100216-1514)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
System Model: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
BIOS: BIOS Date: 04/07/09 12:05:16 Ver: 08.00.15
Processor: AMD Processor model unknown, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Memory: 3328MB RAM
Page File: 875MB used, 4336MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode


Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8600 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0402&SUBSYS_C7503842&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.9745 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 4/3/2010 17:55:31, 6432128 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 4/3/2010 17:55:31, 10232128 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4742-11CF-E37D-5BE700C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0402
SubSys ID: 0xC7503842
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

[nateedubs]

I waited a few days to bump this...but seriously no one has any idea? What is my best course of action? I really want to play this game!

[MorganH.]

Post in the technical help section
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=1074

[Ahlerich]

i d go right to steams help support on this one.

in general i d deinstall
get a freeware reg cleaner and run it -> reboot
once u are sure the game is completely removed reinstall it

in steam also do this game itegrity check from the context menu

if this fails id go right to steam

did u change anything on your system before empire stopped working?

[nateedubs]

i d go right to steams help support on this one.

in general i d deinstall
get a freeware reg cleaner and run it -> reboot
once u are sure the game is completely removed reinstall it

in steam also do this game itegrity check from the context menu

if this fails id go right to steam

did u change anything on your system before empire stopped working?

I've uninstalled it several times and always have the same result. I don't think I've changed anything either. As far as sweeping the registry that scares me, I know you can do serious damage if you don't know what you're doing....like me.

I'll try the tech forums as suggested.

[Ahlerich]

good luck. really annoying when that happens.
i have had other steam games that were running buggy. sometimes i was successfull just googling the error. mostly more than one person is having an issue.

since the game ran before steam support cannot ignore your request which is good. just eb as specific as possible and maybe add an screenshot of the error you are getting even if it seems generic