[JoeLo]

I start a Steam based game (any of them) and it says preparing to launch, it doesn't launch, and then nothing happens. Restarting steam and the computer and reinstalling do nothing.

[Col. Fishguts]

It seems as if you've answered your own question in the topic title.

[BlackDove]

If steam doesn't want to play something, that's only a good thing.

[JoeLo]

I'm addicted to Gmod and what not please help.

[vyper]

What are you trying to launch?

[JoeLo]

I tried HL2 CSS GMOd and HL2DM

[Charismatic]

It seems as if you've answered your own question in the topic title.

Seconded.

[vyper]

Afraid I'm not sure what to do then. I've never had problems with Steam so I've not had much experience debugging it.

[Polpolion]

I start a Steam based game (any of them) and it says preparing to launch, it doesn't launch, and then nothing happens. Restarting steam and the computer and reinstalling do nothing.

Haha! You broke it!

Seriously, Steampowered.com has a technical support site for Steam! Why come to a Freespace website fourm? A Freespace website forum that hates Steam at that?

http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php

That should be of better use than us.



EDIT:  hides in fire-proof bunker, just in case.

[JoeLo]

I came here cuz I love the HL community, regardless of weather or not they love me

[Turnsky]

That should be of better use than us.

indeed, Steam might be evil and all, but when a guy asks for help with it, some individuals coulda been a lot more helpful than just saying "STEAM IS THE DAYVHUL" 

[JoeLo]

I had to reinstall my Direct X, (not update) reinstall. Because steam failed to update something in them. I also had to reinstall my graphics card drivers because steam failed to update them. Keep in mind I didn't move up a version. O valve how I used to love you.

[Turnsky]

steam doesn't do anything with your graphics drivers as far as i know, nor Direct X, make sure all your drivers are up to date before you run any game.

[JoeLo]

They were I had direct x 9.0c and the latest catalyst drivers. The Steam tech person said it had to update something in direct X. So I had to reinstall that and then reinstall steam.

[Nix]

seeing as how you cannot uninstall DirectX and reinstall it...  or rather all you can do is apply the same install over the current install of DirectX, and how Steem just only updates stuff related to thier games, if the tech support junkie told you that Steem updates your videocard drivers for you and your DirectX for you, he's feeding you misinformation.  It does not suprise me though, how some people hearld this as the mostest bestest software in the world, would say stuff like this.