Talk:Source SDK will not launch

What kind of an FAQ is this??? This really should be cleaned up and shipped off to the Help Desk. --Darthkillyou 05:16, 21 Nov 2007 (PST)

Agreed. Maybe this should be a redirect to 64-bit mode with Source SDK, since Source SDK won't start also redirects there. Opinions? --Etset 16:29, 18 Jan 2008 (PST)

I moved all of the posts under this discussion page, until this issue can be properly addressed and a correct article can be written about it. --Etset 14:28, 29 Jan 2008 (PST)

Users with problems loading the Source SDK

Ok Well, I Got Source SDK. I Reset The Game Configurations And Reset The Oh S*** Anyways I Reset The Configurations And The One Above Or Under It I Cant Remember Anyways. NOW I Load Source SDK But But It Doesn't Appear. So I Downloaded It, Installed It Still Nothing I Restarted Steam AND My Computer Still Doesn't Work!!! How Do I Fix This???? Please Email Me If You Know T he Answer At ****** bfairless@hotmail.com ****** PLEASE! —Unsigned comment added by Falcon123 (talk • contribs) Always sign your posts with four tildes (~~~~)

I have the same issue. I have tried everything from reinstalling to compensating for a 64bit machine but the thing just won't open. - Siolis

The same thing is happening here .. I really need to keep working on a map that I was making but can't continue with that problem occurring ( I've already done everything to try to solve it ) - XBlackFuryX ( rekops@hotmail.com )

I Have the same problem...I have installed and reinstalled and still nothing pops up when i want to run it.I use a 32 bit system so it should have no problem. But if anyone knows how to fix this problem email me at hickorynut@sbcglobal.net i would really appreciate it. —Unsigned comment added by Hicks16 (talk • contribs) Always sign your posts with four tildes (~~~~)

Yeah got the same problem it's very stupid, i want to create some maps but i cant launch, i tried everything but the screen does not popup and i watch in task manager and there is no process.

SOMEBODY HELP!!!! basdej@hotmail.com

We probably need more information to be able to help you out. There's a vast majority of people that can use the SDK with no problems, so this is either a very specific issue, or it's simply something you're doing wrong (wrong configurations, perhaps?). See the list below for information that you should gather. --Etset 05:07, 13 Feb 2008 (PST)

Provide more information!

Information that could help us help you:

1. What games did you buy that granted you the ability to use the Source SDK? (It's probably one of these)
2. Have you checked to see if the file ...\Steam\Steamapps\sourcesdk.gcf exists, and checked its size (the current non-beta version filesize is ~830MB and the beta is ~950MB)?
3. Have you tried verifying the integrity of your cache file (specifically, sourcesdk.gcf)?
4. If all the above steps seem to be alright, could you be more specific about what happens when you double-click "Source SDK" from the Tools menu in Steam?
   1. Does the Source SDK Launcher launch and crash immediately, or does it never even appear?
   2. Have you monitored the "Task Manager" to see if a process pops-up and then disappears (or stays there, like it has hanged)?
   3. Have you had strange issues with other applications? (It might be a hardware-related problem, or otherwise a conflict between other installed software)
   4. Did you ever (successfully) launch the Source SDK in the past? (If you have then a folder named ...\Steam\Steamapps\<your_user_name>\sourcesdk (at least) should exist, check if it exists, all of the tools exist there).
5. Have you tried to (log into your Steam account and) launch the Source SDK on a different computer? (this would show that the problem is related to hardware/software incompatibilities on the "offending" computer, which is probably 100% of the cases).
6. Have you tried deleting the ...\Steam\Steamapps\<your_user_name>\sourcesdk and ...\Steam\Steamapps\<your_user_name>\sourcesdk_content folders before attempting to launch the Source SDK again?
7. Did you try completely uninstalling and reinstalling Steam?
8. Lastly, you should try contacting Steam Support and hope that they can help you out. Apparently not.

If anyone wishes to add to this "list", please feel free to do so! --Etset 05:07, 13 Feb 2008 (PST)

More information

As a veteran of Steam and mapping in Worldcraft and then Hammer for many years, perhaps I can shed some additional light on the issue at hand.

I have the same problem, and am NOT running a 64-bit system. I have good, old-fashioned 32-bit Windows XP Home. Source SDK used to work just fine on my old computer (in offline mode, since Steam always made things FUBAR when it tried to update). With my new computer, Steam has reverted to the crashing temper tantrums, and the SDK simply refuses to launch at all. (It makes me want to strangle whoever designed Steam!)

To answer your questions:

1. I have been a licensed owner of Half-Life 2, Lost Coast, and CS:Source for several years now.
2. The file ...\Steam\Steamapps\sourcesdk.gcf does indeed exist, and it is 830 MB, just as it should be.
3. My cache files passed verification, several times.

When I order Source SDK to launch, the little dialog box appears that says "Launching Source SDK..." After a few seconds, it disappears, and Steam seems to completely forget that I ever issued the command. No additional processes begin in the Windows Task Manager.

Interestingly, my ...\Steam\Steamapps\<your_user_name>\sourcesdk folder DOES indeed exist, though I have yet to see the SDK actually start.

All the files seem to be in order, and yet the darn thing simply will not initialize! It beats the snot out of me why...

I just contacted Steam Support two days ago and asked about this issue, and today I got an email that said:

Unfortunately, we do not offer support for the free development tools available with games registered in Steam.

And then they suggested that I go read the FAQ here.

I couldn't believe it! They blew me off! So much for customer service... My dim view of the guys at Steam Support just became pitch black.

I am chewing the guy out for such a cold and vague response. --Terminator484 16:03, 12 Feb 2008 (PST)

Steam SDK not running on 32bit XP

I have the exact same symptoms as Terminator484.

I have just installed a fresh copy of steam along with Half Life 2 and the SDK (And SDK Base).

Both Half Life 2 and the SDK Base run fine, but the SDK app just gives me a window saying loading, before disappearing, I can do this over and over with the same results. I've tried rebooting the PC and re-downloading the steam.dll ClientRegistry.blob and SteamUI.dll

Seems that the problem isn't isolated.