Error (0xc000007b)

[Marbolid]

So to start with, once I installed the game it wouldn't launch, it would simply say that its running for a few seconds and then go into syncing mode and just back to square one.
After allowing the game to run as admin, I started getting this error "The application was unable to start correctly (0xc000007b). Click OK to close the application."
I've tried the usual of verifying game files, reinstalling it(no file was ever formed in Documents), restarting steam, running steam as admin etc, after which I tried googling the error code.
With the digging I've done, it's lead me to install an app called DependencyWalker and check the games .exe for missing dependencies, which brought up a ton of stuff that I don't understand(https://imgur.com/a/lYbwk) and after consulting with a friend who works in IT was advised to reinstall all the VCredists in an attempt to get it working rather then sifting trough all of the errors, that didn't help either.
More digging trough ancient forum posts mentioned running it in compatibility mode, no luck.
Reinstalling the DirectX didn't help either.
.Net Framework up to date.
I've tried a whole combination of these things as well and still no dice.
I'm running this on Windows 10 Pro with no Antivirus and no Malware detectors to stop it other then the basic Windows Defender on which I've manually white-listed both CK2's and Steam's .exe's.

TL;DR - Verified files, reinstalled game with full file wipe, ran the game as admin, ran steam as admin, reinstalled all redists, DX, .Net, whitelisted steam and ck2 exe on win-defender. Running win10 pro w/o AV.
Pliz sned hlep.

 

[AndrewT]

You may feel you've done this, but please run each of these three again, and tell me what happens each time.

Please go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Crusader Kings II\ _CommonRedist\DirectX\Jun2010\ and run dxsetup.exe
Please go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Crusader Kings II\ _CommonRedist\vcredist\2010\ and run vcredist_x86.exe and vcredist_x64.exe

Also if you have installed a gaming VPN app called Evolve, or the MSI Gaming App, disable it as it clashes with this game.


IF that doesn't help, DXDIAG is a program you run from a command prompt or the Windows start menu 'run' dialog box (or 'search programs' in Windows 7 or later). After running it will open a window and start collecting info with a progress bar in the lower-left corner. When it completes click the 'save all information' button and save it to a file then attach that file here.

Please attach your Documents/Paradox/CK2/settings.txt.
From your Documents/Paradox/CK2/logs/ folder, attach system.log .

 

[Marbolid]

I've done the VCredists and the DirectX setup again(done them before from the CK2 folder as mentioned in the other thread) nothing changed.
I am not using any VPN software what so ever,
I've attached the DXDIAG info file
As for the settings.txt and system.log they do not exist as the folder never actually forms. This is my first time installing CK2.

 

[AndrewT]

Failure to make the Documents folder for the game is either the AV app getting in the way, or the User Documents folder has been moved manually and the game cannot find it.

You mention only having WD as an AV app. Do you have Controller Folder access turned on, if so is that where you added steam.exe and ck2game.exe in "Add an allowed app"?


Use Notepad to make a new text file called userdir.txt in the Steam CK2 folder where ck2game.exe is. In that file place a single dot, save and exit. This tells the game to write the user files right there instead of under Documents. If that works and the game now runs, you can replace that dot with any file path you like.

 

[Marbolid]

Yeah, Controller Folder access was one of the potential solutions I found while looking for a fix, both steam.exe and ck2game.exe are whitelisted on it, as for userdir.txt, from what I can see it didn't change anything. https://imgur.com/a/IyPZubp This is how the folder looks after making the txt file and then launching the game.

P.S. Error message is still the same, no change at all.

 

[AndrewT]

If that userdir.txt contains just a dot . then it's not the problem, and we are back with some app or Windows issue getting in the way of the game writing that Documents folder.

Please install the free demo of EU4 that's in Steam, does it also have this same problem?


If so, my best guess is there is a problem in the DirectX 9 or VC++ setup in this computer, despite the lack of errors in running those installers.

I'm afraid this is a bit of work, but please delete this list of files (about 50 in total)

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\msvcp100.dll
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\msvcr100.dll
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\msvcr100_clr0400.dll *
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\xinput1_3.dll
C:\Windows\System32\mfc100.dll
C:\Windows\System32\mfc100u.dll
C:\Windows\System32\msvcp100.dll
C:\Windows\System32\msvcr100.dll
C:\Windows\System32\msvcr100_clr0400.dll *
C:\Windows\System32\xinput1_3.dll

* you may need to change user permissions on these two files before you can delete them. If they won't delete, don't worry about them

PLUS all files that fit the pattern d3dx9_??.dll in both those folders; usually about 20 in each. Then re-run those three .exe I listed in post#2 above, which will replace them all with known good ones.

Sorry to put you to this trouble, but Microsoft have not provided any way of repairing or uninstalling those modules, so we have to do it manually. The only alternative is a clean Windows re-install.

 

[Marbolid]

Couldn't delete the 2 marked dll's even after gaining permission, however it gets me to the launcher now! Thanks a bunch for the assistance, I'll see if anything else happens and hopefully I wont need to ask for more help! Again thanks a lot! Got a few friends that play it and I've heard wonders about the game so I'm itching to play!