Direct X 10 problems after installing Stalker Clear Sky

DarrenM343 · 16 Mar 2013 at 11:19

Has anyone else had Direct X 10 related problems recently?
I had this a few weeks back and did a reinstall of the OS. I thought I would try it again.
Basically I can play Direct X 11 games fine, well, at least FarCry 3 still works anyway!
I installed FarCry2 via Steam and played that in DirectX10 mode and all fine. Well apart from bouncing people but I don't think that is related to the problem I'm having. It did the DirectX install thing when invoking the game for the first time.
I then installed Stalker Clear Sky. That did the DirectX install thing when invoking the game for the first time. Everything looks fine. I go to the menu and select my resolution (2560*1440) and enable the direct x 10.1 option. When I click "Use" the resolution changes. I then exit the game as was previous requested (as this is required to enable Direct X10). WHen I invoke the game again all I get is a black screen with a white cursor.
I then go back and try FarCry 2 again and after the walking animaiton at the beginning the game basically just returns back to desktop with no errors displayed.

I haven't check the event logs just yet but wondering if anyone else experienced this and how to resolve? It seems Direct X related, as if the auto-direct x update that happens when you run Clear Sky for the first time buggers things up!.
Last time it happened (before I did the OS reinstall) I did manage to get back into ClearSky again by changing the config file to not use DirectX10. However that doesn't help Farcry 2 and I dont want to run in DIrectX9 mode!

And yes I have tried rebooting

Note: I didn't have issues in the past with old graphics card (Gtx670). Now using Gtx690 and latest beta drivers but before reinstall of OS I was using the latest non-beta drivers and had the same problem. Have tried disabling Sli in case it was related to DirectX10 and that but same prob.

arc@css · 16 Mar 2013 at 11:37

Have you patched Clear Sky?

Clear Sky is the most quirky out of the three Stalker titles when launching for the first few times imo.

Actually, I will add that I've very recently tried playing a couple of CS mods, and now that I come to think of it, I too have had trouble enabling dx10 without issues, and a black screen was one of the signs that something was up. Now, this might not be the same issue as you're having, since some mods won't work with dx10 / 10.1, and / or are in the beta stages.

Once you do get it working, I suggest trying this mod. It's the best one I've played for CS, and yes, I've had to disable dx10 / 10.1 to get it to stop black screening. Brilliant mod though.

http://www.moddb.com/mods/cs-remix/downloads/stalker-clear-sky-mod-pack-2012

DarrenM343 · 16 Mar 2013 at 11:51

Both FarCry2 and Clear Sky are Steam games, so already patched. But even if there was a patch, that won't help FarCry 2 which is also up the creek since the ClearSky issue (hence why I think it's some dodgy thing DirectX install is doing when invoking ClearSky for the first time.
Typical that I forgot to take a backup of C Drive before trying this again.

arc@css · 16 Mar 2013 at 12:01

Try the GSC game forums if you don't find a fix. Alternatively, you can inquire on moddb. If you do find a solution, I'd be interested to read any new information.

arc@css · 16 Mar 2013 at 12:27

I've had a quick dig around. One dude fixed his issue (very similar to yours) by uninstalling an update for Windows (KB2670838) (late Feb update 27/2). At least you can always download the update again if this fixes nothing.

I might even try it myself.

DarrenM343 · 16 Mar 2013 at 12:39

Thanks for your help!
Bit more information! It seems to be Steam related! If I navigate to the FC2 directory I can invoke it and play it fine. if I invoke the game via steam or via the link that steam puts on the desktop that invokes via steam the game doesn't work. Have also tried this with ClearSky but unlike FC2, it still invokes via Steam. so it still wont work.

So since installing Clearsky, or more acurately, setting Clearsky to run in DirectX10, it seems steam games are not working when invokved via steam. Will have a dig around and troubleshoot some more later. FarCry2 doesnt need to be invoked via Steam so I can get that working, Clearsky has to be invoked via steam.

arc@css · 16 Mar 2013 at 13:04

Well, I really don't want to speak too soon, but since uninstalling that update I can run this mod with dx10 / 10.1 enabled. However, a black screen or crash could happen at any moment. I'll update as the day goes on.

arc@css · 16 Mar 2013 at 14:20

Rock solid so far.

DarrenM343 · 16 Mar 2013 at 18:25

Very good find indeed. Have had more time to experiment and the problem appeared again after re-installing Steam and restoring FC2 and ClearSky (problem appeared again after I enabled DX10.1 in clearsky). With the Windows update you mentioned uninstalled BOTH games are now working fine when invoked from Steam and with DX10 enabled in Clearsky! I could use FC2 only when I invoked the FC2 exe but now also works via steam. Well done mate and thanks very much for your help!

Back to gaming and I'll be sure to try the mod you mentioned too.

arc@css · 16 Mar 2013 at 19:57