Bioshock 2 is crashing on launch, or failing to launch. I've tried re-installing the latest GFWL update but I'm still having problems with Games for Windows Live. What else can I try?
To repair Games for Windows Live, remove any programs that use, conflict with or depend on GFWL systems or services. Please uninstall the following:
- The Microsoft Games for Windows - LIVE redistributable and Marketplace
- The Bing bar
- Windows Live Essentials (including Windows Live Messenger)
- Microsoft Silverlight
- The Windows Live ID sign-in assistant (this may be missing from the add/remove programs list)
- Any Microsoft .NET frameworks (may not be necessary)
Then restart your computer.
Next, re-install everything in order.
1st - Install Microsoft .NET framework 4.0 depending on your version of windows.
After it installs, run windows update to update your computer with any important updates. If there are no important updates available then you don't have to install them. If you installed an update, then restart your computer.
2nd - Install the Windows Live ID Sign-in Assistant.
3rd - Install Microsoft Silverlight.
4th - Install the Games for Windows Marketplace
Restart your computer.
Then install Windows Live Essentials.
Restart once more.
Once you come back in, try opening GFWL, it should now open and Bioshock 2 should now be able to run. If GFWL still won't launch, try signing in to MSN Messenger and then open GFWL.
If Bioshock 2 still crashes at start up, navigate to the game executable:
For retail (disc):
C:\Program Files(x86)\2K Games\Bioshock 2\SP\Builds\Binaries\Bioshock2Launcher.exe
For Steam:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\BioShock 2\SP\Builds\Binaries\Bioshock2Launcher.exe
Go to Bioshock2Launcher.exe, right click on the icon and select “Properties” and set compatibility mode to either Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or Windows XP Service Pack 3.
Launch from the Bioshock2Launcher.exe