egandt on 21/8/2007 at 20:42

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I went out and bought Bioshock and installed it on my system below:
dual x5355's
Vista Ultimate (fully updated, including the desktop and Game Memory fixes)
Video: 880GTX
Audio: Sound blaster X-Fi Pro
Drives (2 Raptors) + 1 1.4TB Raid on a 3Ware 9650SE
Input: Logitech MX mouse and Logitech cordless keyboard with Setpoint (required) installed, 1 Wacom Tablet, 1 3dconnexion SpacePilot
2 Samsung 18x SATA DVD writers
8GB RAM, Vista being 32bit sees only 3GB
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OK so in every way my system (not designed for Gaming, normally a 3dworkstation), meet and exceeds any requirements given.

The problem:
Game is installed and activated (quite a pain there figuring out the I and 1's apart, but its done and I can get the the selection screen but then I can not start the game. It just hangs as it attempts to load after selecting the difficultly rating. I've tried this maybe 10 times using the defaults and what I should be set to every time I get the same lack of any response (left it for 20 minutes one time just to be sure) the music loops, but nothing happens and Windows shows the process as hung. I'm using the lastest Beta Nvidia Drivers and the latest Creative drivers, so I'm stuck. Since I'm unaware how activation works for this game I'm unwilling to try to reinstall on the same system using Windows x64 (my work OS). My reason for not installing on x64 are:
1. Firewall is hard and would not allow any downloads or activation to occur using defaults. I do not punch holes in this OS's Firewall due to security reasons.
2. Securerom I will not have it messing around with the rest of the system and effecting stability. (had 1 hell of a time fixing a previous mistake with such software, most do not like 64bit OS's).
3. Not sure how activation works, can I reactivate it on the same system using a different OS, how many times can I switch ...
4. Windows x64 is not a Gaming OS it is meant for work and stability, Windows Vista is my gaming OS.

Has anyone else seen the problem with Bioshock not loading into the actual game, but locking up at the load screen or am I just lucky?

Thanks,
ERIC

Mentalblock on 22/8/2007 at 09:15

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I'm having major issues with Bioshock as well. The only way I've been able to get the game running was to launch it from the command prompt with -dx9 option (bioshock -dx9). The game refuses to run with DX10. The DirectX 9 mode is only partially functional as well, I'm still missing some textures (trash cans, bags of chips) and water effects. Try the DX9 mode and see what happens. I really hope they patch this massive disappointment. :(




Vista Home Premium
2.4ghz dual core P4
2gb ram
Creative Audigy 2ZS
8800 GTS

milesdeelite on 23/8/2007 at 07:01

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Try this one:
Just select "window mode" in the games option menu. Other graphicoptions as you like. Save settings and start a new game. Voila, it works for me.

I had the same problem with 64 bit vista and Nvidia 8600. When you have passed the first loading screen you can switch back to full screen mode. The game crashed on the second loading screen (only when you are in full screen mode). If you switch to full screen after the docking sequence, you will be able to play the full demo without any bugs AND DX10. I did not use any modified dll or hack. Just switch to window mode and it will be fine. At least give it a try. Good luck.

milesdeelite on 30/8/2007 at 06:50

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Bingo. Touchdown. It works.
Deactivating the "mobile tablet pc" service did it!

Thanks a lot hoodie, you are the king of the hill.

nickhg on 14/6/2008 at 00:55

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It's called "Tablet PC Input Service" in Vista 64, and you get to it by typing "services.msc" in the search box. Right click on the service and stop it. Worked like a charm for me. Thanks to all for finding a solution to this.