qUiCkSiLvEr
Super Moderator
Registered: Aug 2003 |
Steam Startup and Connection Problem FAQ
For those of you having problems getting Steam to install or update
and/or experiencing connection problems, here is a FAQ with a list of things to try.
last updated 16June2004 by qUiCkSiLvEr
http://home.covad.net/~k25125/Steam...Problem_FAQ.htm
This is a work in progress and I'll be updating it with new information as I find it.
MORE HELP FAQs HERE: qUiCkSiLvEr Help FAQs
Edit by Taylor: your system clock no longer has to be the same as the Steam clock for Steam to work on your computer.
Get this program and RUN IT:
AtomicTime Program <-- smallest Windows Time Program around!
I'll be adding a troubleshooting flow chart and more detailed information about Steam and game port requirements and how to set up firewalls and routers to work with Steam over the next couple of weeks.
It's very important that if you try something out of the list and it works that you let me know so I can start adding emphasis to try those things first.
Hang in there everyone, stay positive.
edit: and (lol) yes, I'll keep working on the color scheme!
quote:
Many systems are infected with spyware parasites that
can prevent Steam from installing/updating/running.
For a quick check of your system go here:
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/
Top Notes:
1. Norton Script Blocking Can Keep Steam From Working!
2. MarketScore is not compatible with Steam!
Other hijacking proxy servers (spyware) are probably bad too.
here is a work-in-progress FAQ with specific removal help:
MarketScore (Netsetter) Spyware Removal
3. Steganos Internet Anonym (IP masking proxy service) is not compatible with Steam!
4. Netlimiter is not compatible with Steam at this time.
Update, - NetLimiter 1.30 has been reported to work with Steam
5. CyberSitter has been identified to cause serious problems with Steam.
6. NetSonic Internet Accelerator or NetSonic Pro (Web3000) are not compatible with Steam.
7. ActionTec modem/routers cause Problems!
Please read this Thread by ShUtY for specific information.
8. Only run One Firewall at a time.
9. Disabling a firewall is not necessarily removing it from your system! If in doubt, uninstall it and re-install it.
10. If you are having problems, disable Steam from starting up when you boot until your problem is solved.
11. Trend Micro PC-cillin (anti-virus) includes a firewall! Make sure you configure it to work with Steam.exe and HL.exe.
12. Make sure Steam.exe and HL.exe are NOT running in compatibility mode under XP.
13. TweakMASTER DNS may cause problems with Steam. PM me if you have this program.
14. You can try exiting from Steam and deleting your ClientRegistry.blob file, especially if you have moved your Steam install.
15. You can also try exiting from Steam and deleting platform.gcf
Additional Notes:
As a recommendation, if you are having problems, before doing a Steam Install or update, deactivate/disable any Anti-Virus or Internet Accelerator Programs as well as programs like AtGuard, NetZip or GetRight that may be running.
It is possible (from what I'm seeing) that some versions of these programs can interfere with the Steam Install/Update process.
If you see problems and one of these type of programs is running, they may very well be the cause of the failures you are seeing.
*==================================*
* Here is a summary of what I'm seeing so far *
*==================================*quote:
Steam can either communicate on the internet or it can't.
If it can't then something is preventing it from doing so.
The known (big) offenders are:
1. Firewalls that aren't properly configured
2. proxy servers
3. trojans or virus' that scramble the executable code
4. Spyware programs that interfere with normal internet activity
5. Anonymous IP programs (another proxy program really)
6. incompletely uninstalled firewall programs
7. multiple running firewall programs
8. multiple running anti-virus programs
9. programs that are intended to block spam but aren't set up right.
10. download accelerators (again, another proxy program)
11. some browser toolbar addons
12. multiple network interface cards in one computer
13. P2P programs like Kazaa that are blocking a significant amount of the downlink or uplink bandwidth so Steam transactions get seriously delayed or even lost.
14. Other computers on a home network that are utilizing a significant amount of the downlink or uplink bandwidth causing Steam transactions to get seriously delayed or lost. 15. The player's dsl/ISDN/cable/telephone line is marginal.
16. The Player's computer has a O/S configuration problem causing IRQ/DMA/memory conflicts
17. The Player's computer actually has bad memory or some other electronic problem.
You can d/l a very good free memory test program from here:
Simmtester Free DocMeM Memory Test Program
You have to register (free, no spam from them either) to get the program.
It makes a bootable floppy that will then test your system memory very very thoroughly ... it may take several hours if you have a lot of memory or a slow machine.
In addition, Internet Connection Sharing Software can also be a problem
(again another form of proxy).
There are other things to look for but these are the top things I've found so far.
Things that can cause problems that are somewhat out of player's control are:
1. Steam network overloaded
2. Player's ISP having problems
3. Content provider is overloaded (this is related but independent from Steam itself)
4. Player's ISP is intentionally blocking certain ports for security reasons (many school and university backbones)
5. The internet itself is overloaded due to some trojan or virus propagating
Having System Resources Problems? Here is a good guide on what you can enable and disable (WinXP Home/Pro):How to free up Windows XP system resources and if you are adventurous you can try some of these tweaks too: BlackViper Tweaks
Have a Modem? then check out:
Dr Tweak's Advanced 56k help guide (found by w00ters)
One think I want to say here though, download managers are important for Modem users but there are also many bad download managers/accelerators that may interfere with Steam, please see item #11 above.
For those of you with Mouse or Keyboard Problems, try this thread:
w00ter's Mouse Lag Guide
I'll continue to add to these lists over time and add specific solutions if Players will continue to submit good error descriptions and their msinfo32 files.
Last edited by qUiCkSiLvEr on 04-03-2004 at 02:01 AM
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03-06-2004 09:36 PM
