Problem with dirt 3

[racemiester]

Hi all!

I'm having a problem with dirt 3, i bought it through steam, pre ordered and pre loaded it, then when it came to playing it on tuesday morning, it loaded all the windows live stuff, then did nothing. I watched the processes on task manager as i did this after clicking play multiple times, and all that happened was that everytime i clicked play 'dirt3.exe' started, followed by 'dirt3_game.exe' shortly afterwards then all of a sudden they both dissapeared. i've deleted it and redownloaded it and exactly the same thing happened.

I've tried to contact steam to help solve it, but steam being steam are being incredibly slow replying and i'm getting really desperate to play, it looks really good, so i thought i'd post on here, seeing as you guys tend to know more about the games than the developers themselves! :mrgreen: Any suggestions?

[helloworld]

Run the game or Steam as administrator?

[racemiester]

I am doing, there's only one account on my computer and it's always been set at administrator....

[helloworld]

No, I mean if you're on Vista/Windows 7 launch Steam or Dirt 3 by right clicking and choosing "Run as Administrator."
If you're already doing so then try a crack. See if it works at all. Could be some DRM crap or something. Make sure to backup your files.
Also you may want to update GFWL. I'm actually not sure if this is used when you buy the game from Steam.

[racemiester]

where should i get a crack from? or just google it? GFWL installed both times i downloaded it, so i dont think that'll be a problem.

[helloworld]

I'm probably not allowed to link you. You could check Gamecopyworld.

If this is not allowed then I apologize.

[redi]

First I would try to solve the problem with Steam/Codemasters support before resorting to cracks...

[racemiester]

i've got one, i'll try sort it with this! thanks :)

[racemiester]

well i havent had a reply from steam, i'll try codemasters in a sec! the cracks havent worked anyway, just done the same.

[helloworld]

First I would try to solve the problem with Steam/Codemasters support before resorting to cracks...Downloading a crack takes a minute. Waiting for Steam/Codemasters feedback might take a day or a week. As far as prioritizing time goes, trying a crack is probably the best thing you can do to ensure there's nothing wrong with the game itself. Eliminating variables by yourself only helps to discover the problem faster.

You make it sound like it's some disgraceful thing to do. With cracks there's no multiplayer. So, obviously if you bought the game you want to use the proper executable. It's not like someone's hurt because he's trying it out.
I mean, if you have a virus for example and even the slightest idea about computers, you're not going to call the "exterminator." You're going to check with simple tools like Malwarebytes and such whether it's possible to remove some things yourself or be rid of it completely before even thinking about calling the experts. Or maybe it's just me...

Just don't get yourself a virus when testing a crack...

well i havent had a reply from steam, i'll try codemasters in a sec! the cracks havent worked anyway, just done the same.This is very interesting indeed. Must be the game or some possible compatibility issues. Could you perhaps post your computer specs?

[racemiester]

well i tried 3 cracks, 2 of them wouldnt open or download, one of them didnt make any difference..... so i'll just have to wait for codemasters or steam to reply. Not the end of the world anyway, i ought to be revising :P

[helloworld]

I see. I just get somewhat worked up when something doesn't work. Done a fair bit of messing around myself with several games and I'm always interested when something refuses to work.

If you don't mind you could check DEP.

If you're on Windows 7 then go to Start -> Control Panel -> System and Security -> System -> Advanced System Settings -> Advanced (tab) -> Under label Performance click Settings -> Last tab (Data Execution Prevention).

If "Turn on DEP for all programs and services except..." is chosen then add both Dirt3 executables (EXE) to the list and see if it works. Otherwise if "Turn on DEP for essential Windows..." is checked, leave it be.

[racemiester]

annoyingly i'm on vista, but i tried searching for data execution prevention but nothing :/ just hunted throught codemasters forums and someone there said that downloading dirt 2 solved the issue, they didnt know why though, annoyingly that's gunna take ages for me cos i have extremely slow internet, but it's worth a shot!

[Xtra]

you can also try to look for a corrupt savegame file (documents\my games\dirt 3), delete or copy (complete dirt 3 folder incl. hardwaresettings folder)it to another folder and try again. I had these problems sometimes with f1 2010...

[racemiester]

there isnt a dirt 3 file in my 'my games' file.....

[Xtra]

hm, then i have no idea, this was the only problem with starting a CM Racing game i ever had.

DirectX 11 (http://www.chip.de/downloads/DirectX_38663475.html) is installed correct?

[rafnix]

Had to "alt/tab" to exit the game and now it's in windowed mode. Anyone know how to get back to full screen?

[redi]

had to "alt/tab" to exit the game and now it's in windowed mode. Anyone know how to get back to full screen?
alt + enter

[The Thorn]

Alt + Enter makes it full screen again. ;-)

Edit:
Redi was faster :P

[rafnix]

Thank you both

[racemiester]

direct x 11 is installed, i just re did it to be sure and still the same thing.....

[nachtwache]

Try to deinstall "Games for Windows Live" and do a complete reinstall with the latest version including this new "Windows Live ID Sign-in Assistant 6.5 (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=5E193CFE-F45A-4E29-B6B7-984E7802C639)".
I had a similar problem - clicking the dirt3.exe did not do anything, the problem was a corrupted installation of GFWL, after two or three attempts it installed correctly and now the game works.

[rafnix]

Is there any way to progress without doing this childish Gymkhana crap?

[max attack]

Is there any way to progress without doing this childish Gymkhana crap?

I agree, its stupid. BUT, I also think that this sim engine is the very first that is good enough to pull it off.

If I was in charge of the next codemasters race sim i would do the following:
ALL stages of the last 3 WRC's.
No music.
No ken block or travis pastrana. (even though I love travis).
No gymkhana.
No rally cross.
No trucks.
No instructions for noobs who can't drive.
PC only support, no vintage xbox or ps.
No support for any thing other than wheels. No gamepad.
3 views. bonnet, helmet and one in between.
More content.
All cars that have had played a significant part of rally history.
3 flavors, rally, rally, and of coarse not to forget rally.
It would be called "the best rally sim so far".
Would you buy it for $150USD?

I would buy 2.... :-P

[max attack]

direct x 11 is installed, i just re did it to be sure and still the same thing.....

So, whats happening now when you go to launch the game?

[racemiester]

:O no rallycross?! that's the best bit! well it worked for a while when i reinstalled gfwl, but now it wont work again. weird.

[racemiester]

ok. ive figured the problem goes down to me not having either service pack 1 or service pack 2. but for some reason windows updater gives a fault every time i tell it to download service pack 1, and i cant install service pack 2 without service pack 1......

[Rumbly]

If I was in charge of the next codemasters arcade racer i would do the following:

Fixed! :D