Dark Messiah will not start up..pls help!

[Blín D'ñero]

Why shouldnt we try it?
it cant do any harm can it? or could it?

This key can do NO harm whatsoever, how could it?

Harm has been done on your computer already. Who knows by what. Maybe one of your registry cleaners. Fore instance: the command to clean up obsolete keys. Do you trust the program knows which are obsolete and which are not? Why would you trust it? And why would you use it to begin with?
What harm can an obsolete key do? None whatsoever. Does the computer become faster, more responsive when all obsolete keys are removed from the Registry? Not at all. Removing 100 obsolete keys does not make the computer any healthier, but removing ONE key that should stay can turn it into a wreck.
When i need to edit something in the Registry i do it by hand.

Once the PC starts acting weird, games mysteriously refuse to run, and you have no clue what could be the culprit, it is time to format and reinstall Windows. As that will fix things much quicker easier and more secure than spending days trying to find out.
Windows XP, SP3, motherboard drivers, video- and audiodrvers. Then a game to check if all is fine. Then your programs one by one checking in between if the game(s) still run. Maybe the culprit is CA Internet security suite, who knows. Such programs take posession of the Operating System.
The best way to connect to internet is via a router with inbuilt hardware firewall. Disable the Windows firewall! Because two firewalls active can and will cause conflicts.

[WarblazerTM]

Ok how exactly do I change the key from a txt extension to a reg extension?

[Blín D'ñero]

Make sure extensions are visible.
Control Panel > Folder Options > 'View' tab > untick "hide extensions of known file types"

A new textfile by default is named "New Text File.txt" Left-click on the name of the file. But instead of changing the (now highlighted) name, change txt into reg. Then click on a neutral space, next to the file, to make it happen. Done. Your text file has changed into a registry key, that you can enter into the Registry by double-clicking it.

[WarblazerTM]

Tried the file..it didnt work

Is there anyway I can scan my pc for errors?

[Blín D'ñero]

Right-click "This Computer" > Manage > Log Files. Look under Application, and System?

Also: click Start > Run... type in
msinfo32
click OK.
This will open System Info. In System Info, look under Software Environment > Windows Error Reports.

[WarblazerTM]

ok this is...odd..to say the least... but when I uninstalled gameshadow diskeeper lite told me I actually have less hard drive space free than when it was installed..

[Blín D'ñero]

That could be System Restore (creating a new restore point including that program), your Temp folders, the paging file, these are all hidden files. However, you can empty the C:\Windows\Temp folder, and C:\Documents and Settings\* you *\Local Settings\Temp folder, as well as Control Panel > Internet Settings > empty Temporary Internet Files folder, to gain free space, then defragment.
After a reboot the available free space can be changed again though. Never mind as long as you have plenty free space.

[WarblazerTM]

Ok I have 3 questions for you....

question 1.. how come when I defrag my pc with disk keeper lite I can scan it again and it still has fragments?

question 2 ..could my problems with steam related products be because I have an old steam service.exe?

question 3 what are some good pc exclusive games?

bonus question guess how many frames per second I get on crysis with high settings and 1024x768 res and no aa?

[Blín D'ñero]

1. Diskeeper explains by the colours. System files will not be touched, so they remain fragmented.
The paging file (yellow) can get defragmented. That is far from ideal, but pagefil.sys just uses the available empty spaces. In Vista that is handled much better than in XP.
Solution:

1. disable pagefile
2. reboot PC
3. defragment
4. re-enable pagefile.

How to set your virtual memory in Windows XP:
- Right-click "This Computer" > Properties > tab "Advanced" > under "Performance" click button “Settings”.
- In the new window, select the “advanced” tab and click on the “Change” button of the “Virtual Memory” section
- Select "No paging file"
- To validate this modification, click on the “Set” and then on the “OK” button to close the box
- You must reboot your PC for these changes to take effect.
- Defragment
- Re-enable page file, this time set a fixed, large value (for instance 4096 MB) the same for as well the the minimum and the maximum.


2. YES. You must use their latest installer (downloaded freshly). With an old one, problems are very common.
You can restore your games in your steamapps folder. But since you said you don't have a steamapps folder (which is weird), better start all over. That is: if your problems aren't caused by a corrupt Windows to begin with!

3. In my opinion: my games list
Riddick, Bioshock, Crysis Warhead, Assassin's Creed, Painkiller, to name a few...

[WarblazerTM]

Sorry to bother you but I was wondering..where did the default defragger that comes on windows go?

did disk keeper lite install on top of it? or is it hidden?

The reason I ask is because even though I have been told disk keeper lite is really good... I prefer the default defragger..I know im crazy....

So what would happen if I uninstalled dk lite? would the default one be there or would I have to download something?

Ive been asking around but Ive had mixed answers.

Sorry to ask but I thought I should ask you since you were the one who reccomended dk lite to me..

Thank you