Won't launch steam version

[Keisar]

When I click play from steam I get a black screen then it goes back to the desktop, if I click the Medieval 2 tab at the bottom of my desktop I get a Fatal graphics error and it all closes.

If I run the .exe in compatibility mode (Windows XP) I instead get a "stopped working" error but at least I see a black screen with my cursor being a little blue hourglass that spins.

Things I have tried:

• Reinstalling
• Moving from program files to a different internal drive
• Running as Administrator
• Running in Compatibility Mode
• Running as Administrator in Compatibility Mode
• Verifying integrity of game cache in steam
• Disabling UAC
• Allowing exception though Firewall and antivirus (Windows Defender and Malwarebytes haven't quarantined or detected anything so I doubt it's those)
• Copying someone elses "medieval2.preference.cfg" and putting it in my root folder with resolutions changed to 1920x1080. (The cursor gets smaller so i'm assuming it does actually change the resolution)
• Running straight from the executable

I'm only trying to run vanilla, I remember being able to play before but I think it was before the whole gamespy thing.

System specs:
Windows 10
i5 2500k
gtx 970
8gb ram

Here's what my system.log says

00:40:11.916 [system.rpt] [always] CPU: SSE2
00:40:11.916 [system.rpt] [always] ==== system log start, build date: Sep 5 2014 version development ===
00:40:11.919 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/data_0.pack
00:40:11.919 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/data_1.pack
00:40:11.919 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/data_2.pack
00:40:11.920 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/data_3.pack
00:40:11.920 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/data_4.pack
00:40:11.920 [system.io] [always] mounted pack packs/localized.pack
00:40:11.926 [system.io] [warning] open: preferences/keys.dat is missing
00:40:11.926 [system.io] [warning] open: preferences/keys.dat is missing
00:40:13.698 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for ANISELECT
00:40:13.700 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_SABOTAGE
00:40:13.702 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_TRADE
00:40:13.710 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for DRAGGABLE
00:40:13.710 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for DRAGGING
00:40:13.712 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_MULTIPLE_SELECT
00:40:13.712 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_ATTACK
00:40:13.712 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_PLACE_CHARACTER
00:40:13.712 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_PLACE_RESOURCE
00:40:13.712 [data.missing] [warning] missing/invalid cursor for MODIFIER_PLACE_FORT

I think I've included everything I can think of, any help would be much appreciated. I just want to play. Thanks in advance.

[Gigantus]

Some stuff you can try:

• Run this tutorial from step 3 onward to eliminate virtual store issues, delete the medieval ii total war folder in the virtual store if it exists.
• Remove the medieval2.preference file to let the game generate a new one.
• Try running\double clicking the executable (medieval2) directly from the folder (...\steamapps\common\Medieval II Total War)

[Keisar]

Doesn't work

I don't have anything in the VirtualStore folder and my game doesn't and hasn't generate any preferences cfg.

[Keisar]

Works now, turns out it was MSI Afterburner giving me grief.

[Gigantus]

Glad you got it working.