Crashing on startup in Windows 10 with VC redist c++ error

[amalric]

Hi.

I played this game last on 20.04.20 without problems and before also for years without problems.
But when I tried to start it today I always get the error message about VC redist c++ (s. attached PNG file).

I tried all the well known things, like deleting flag folder, checking integrity with steam, clean reinstall of CK II, reinstall of VC redist 2010 x86 and x64 versions from original microsoft files etc. But nothing worked so far.

I am running the 2.0.4 version as I have to finish an old game that I do not want to loose. I played this version also on 20.04.20 and all was fine.

I will attach also dxdiag file you mentioned in other posts and hope it helps you to find something.
I cannot attach any log files as the game seems to have not reached this point. In the documents\paradox\ckii folder is only my old savegame folder that I put in there after the clean reinstall and an empty logs folder.

 

[AndrewT]

You are getting some bad-looking crashes at the end of that dxdiag, but nothing to do with this game. Has something happened, maybe a Windows crash or a malware infection?


Obviously if 2.0.4 worked before it should work now, but you could try a full **clean** re-install:

- move any valued save games elsewhere
- "uninstall" in Steam-CK2
- manually delete both the Steam/SteamApps/common/CK2 AND Documents/Paradox/CK2 folders
- re-install game in Steam, run a Steam Verify when done.
- add ck2game.exe to the exceptions list of your antivirus app; ESPECIALLY if you have Windows Defender, add it to the Ransomware "Apps Allowed Through" list.
- start the game with no mods active and test

In particular make sure there are no files or folders left under either the Steam CK2 or Documents CK2 locations, before installing again.

 

[amalric]

Hello,

at least there was no crash or infection I am aware of. I am using Bitdefender which is normally a very good antivirus nprogram and it says all is clean.
But if you can recommend a special malwarecheck or program I will try it.

As I said I did already the clean reinstall and it did not help.
Windows 10 is a relatively fresh new installation from Ferbruary this year.

But there is some news as today I just tried to start it again (without any changes to yesterday) and it at least started without the error message when I pressed start in the launcher.
I could hear the music and see the hourglass, but then after a few seconds it stopped without error message.

It created now many logs and two files in the documents\CK2 folder named dlc_signature and settings.txt.
Most log files in the logs directory have 0 kb except the system log which I attach here.
But as far as I can see there is no error in it and sadly the game did not create the error.log file before it aborted.

I am running many other games even very demanding ones which work without problems and by the way EU 4, HOI 4 and Stellaris work without problems too.

Still if you have any good tips for checking windows system integrity and / or hardware generally, I am open for suggestions.

I made all test for the graphic card with 3D mark also the stress tests and it came out fine.
Also I did memtest and came out also fine.

 

[AndrewT]

As I said I did already the clean reinstall and it did not help.

People often are unaware they need to manually delete the two game folders as well as uninstalling - you did that?


And if you opt out of the old version into the current version 3.3 does the game run okay? To test that you should delete the Documents/paradox/ck2/ folder (except any valued save games of course).

 

[amalric]

I deleted everything in the two game folders so that they were completely empty.

So the folder itself was left but totally empty. Must I delete the folder itself too?
Can that make any difference if nothing is in it?

Also I will test if the current version works.

 

[Aardvark Bellay]

reinstall of VC redist 2010 x86 and x64 versions from original microsoft files etc. But nothing worked so far.

Disclaimer: I'm just another forum member,

As you mentioned no link, i asume you installed the base versions, but the ServicePacks are also required.
I'll just leave them here.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=13523
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8328

The current 3.33 patch also requires the 2015 (or newer) variant.
No idea if this is superfluous or helpful in your case, but i thought i add my 2cents after reading this, as it did
help in some cases that i assisted.

 

[amalric]

@Aardvark: Thank you for your input. I installed these versions, but I think these actually are the ones I had already. Did not help.

@AndrewT: So I deleted everything again and this time even deleted the folder names.
Reinstalled the game, it installed again Ver 2.0.4, tested it and same outcome. Heard shortly the music and then it terminated.
Then choose no beta option, so install of the actual newest version.
Started and no problem at all, game is running fine without problems.

Thought that this perhaps changed something and reverted back to Ver. 2.0.4 and again hourglas, short music and CK II aborted.

So it seems not to be my hardware or installed system software I think, correct?

Did anything change in the last two month that could influence only the old CK II version? Perhaps some Windows update or similar?
I did not change anything on my hardware or Windows installation, apart perhaps from auto updates.

I really would like to end my old game if possible. Started as William the conqueror was now I think some 250 - 300 years in the game as Odo the Apostel Emperor of Britain, King of England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and also King of Jerusalem on the verge of also assimilating France and Aquitaine. So it was quite fun.

So any idea what I can try?

 

[AndrewT]

Did anything change in the last two month that could influence only the old CK II version? Perhaps some Windows update or similar?

Not that we are aware of. But of course it would only come to our attention with reports like yours running very old game versions, which I expect is an extremely small user base - possibly as small as 1

Do you maybe have access to a machine that hasn't been updated, say on Windows 7 or 8.1 ?

 

[amalric]

Maybe you are right

I stopped playing CK II for a while, then played also newer versions than this one, but remebered this playthruogh and wanted to finish it.

No at the moment I have no old machine, but perhaps when I upgrade from this PC I can install Win 7 on it and try again.

Sometimes old games can have some special appeal, just like old films they have their own character even if the newest version is more polished and has way more features. Also you simply get attached to this dynasties and characters you hang around with a few hundred years.

So thank you, I will just try it again some time, perhaps another unnoticed change will make it playable again.