Steam – How to fix a loading screen crash in Grand Theft Auto IV

grand-theft-auto-4steamtechnical-issues

I have a copy of Grand Theft Auto IV on Steam. When I start it, everything is fine: it loads and I can press "Play". However, the game crashes straight to the desktop—without any error message—about 5 seconds after the loading screen comes up.

I've tried reinstalling the game, redownloading the game, deleting all mods, and trying to find all the original files from the game on Steam, but nothing's worked.

What can I do to fix this?

Best Answer

I recommend verifying the game cache.. Its possible you are missing files.

To verify cache, right click the steam game in the list, properties, Local files tab and find the verify cache button. Click it and wait till it finishes.

It will download any corrupted/missing files.

As for the other stuff, it was too long ago to remember.

Run as Administrator

First, completely exit Steam, and right-click on the shortcut which you use to launch Steam and select "Run as Administrator." This step may be enough to fix the problem. If not, continue below:

Additional Installers

You may need to manually run secondary installers required by this game. Exit Steam entirely. Browse to your Grand Theft Auto 4 installation folder (Usually C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\grand theft auto iv\)

You will need to run each of the following installers:

...\steamapps\common\grand theft auto iv\Installers\DirectX_jun2008\DXSETUP
...\steamapps\common\grand theft auto iv\Installers\DirectX_Mar2009\DXSETUP
...\steamapps\common\grand theft auto iv\Installers\vcredist_x86

Games for Windows Live

Also, install the latest version of the Games For Windows Live software, which can be found here: http://www.microsoft.com/games/en-US/Live/Pages/livemarketplace.aspx

Restart your computer and test the issue again. If you continue to have difficulty, run this installer:

...\steamapps\common\grand theft auto iv\GTAIV\Activation\SteamActivation

References

Taken from this steam forum post. In addition, there is another thread of a huge list of GTA IV steam issues which you can find here.

Fix for random crash to desktop

For Skyrim, it tends to be RAM being overfilled, and crashing everything. You might want to lower your video settings, and update your graphic card drivers, just in case

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Steam – GTA IV will not start

Run as Administrator

Additional Installers

Games for Windows Live

References

Fix for random crash to desktop

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