Mass Effect 1 - Getting it to launch, Windows 7

n_gamer · 05-05-2011, 08:56 PM

Some Windows 7 users haven't been able to run the game. Mass Effect just won't start. For some, changing the compatibility to Windows XP seems to have worked, running the executable as admin, or they were simply missing some files in the game's cache, but in many other cases nothing seems to work. Don't panic over your lost money just yet; it's fixable.

Though Steam should have updated the game to its latest patch (1.02) it doesn't seem to do this, which is actually the solution to this entire problem. You'll have to download the patch manually from the Bioware website. It's compatible with the Steam version and can be found here:

http://masseffect.bioware.com/me1/pc/updates/index.html

From then on you can run the game hassle-free. No additional settings required. Hope this helps future players.

Enjoy the game!

TheoQ99 · 05-05-2011, 09:50 PM

I've updated. But I'm still getting the appcrash error. I've also set everything to run as administrator, still doesnt help. Any other tricks you know of?

ocbdare · 05-06-2011, 04:58 AM

I have never had any problems with ME1 and Windows 7...

English_Lan · 05-06-2011, 05:03 AM

How do you change the compatability to XP?

I'm using Vista btw and still having this problem.

BlackForces · 05-07-2011, 12:21 AM

@n_gamer
Rep +1

Thanks Buddy Previously Mass effect 1 won't work on my pc (Window 7 64 Bit) it keeps crashing i have downloaded from steam after applying patch it works no need to change compatability or anything just download the patch and here You go

Brutus · 05-07-2011, 08:21 PM

All I did was close Steam, and then started it as admin. After that ME 1 ran fine.

05-09-2011, 12:27 AM

worked for me, thanks!

Patch + launch as administrator, reboot, and here you go!

W7 64bit - fully updated with winupdate

lemonpips · 05-17-2011, 12:03 AM

Excellent. Thank you. +Rep.

12-08-2011, 10:01 AM

...it might help other people who find this through searching.

I had a problem with the system freezing on a black screen after random periods of time, needing a hard reboot. I read about 20 threads on various sites and found the following checklist of things to try:

1. Turn hardware sound 'off' in ME settings
2. Turn dynamic lighting + film grain off in ME settings
3. Run game in Windowed Mode (and do not do Alt-Enter maximise)
4. Check DirectX installation
5. Verify game files from Steam
6. Remove standard drivers and install Omega drivers
7. Improve cooling and/or PSU in system case

Different posters in different threads found that various combinations of these fixes worked for them. For me, 1+2+3 has led to smooth playing of a wonderful game

jaddf · 12-23-2011, 06:35 AM

Mega rep to the op. I had the insta crash when clicking on the play button , tried running it as admin, checked drivers and stuff, nothing has worked.

The actual problem is the missing patch. THANKS

orangestate · 12-23-2011, 08:23 AM

Thanks, the patch worked saves me a huge headache trying to figure out what was wrong.

daSchef · 12-24-2011, 01:26 AM

You just saved my day pal!

Nauzhror · 12-29-2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n_gamer

Though Steam should have updated the game to its latest patch (1.02) it doesn't seem to do this

Updated to 1.02 just fine for me, didn't have to change to XP compatibility or anything along those lines either to get it to run on Windows 7 Ultimate x64.

n_gamer · 12-31-2011, 09:33 PM

Maybe they finally updated the game now then. Great news

Glad this was of help to a few people.

lucidfox · 01-01-2012, 01:25 AM

What worked for me was installing the 1.02 patch and running it once as administrator directly through masseffect2.exe, without Steam.

After that, I selected "verify integrity of game cache" from Steam to revert the changes to the files, and was able to play it from Steam normally from that point on.

05-05-2011, 08:56 PM	#1
n_gamer Join Date: Nov 2010 Reputation: 30 Posts: 306	Mass Effect 1 - Getting it to launch, Windows 7 Some Windows 7 users haven't been able to run the game. Mass Effect just won't start. For some, changing the compatibility to Windows XP seems to have worked, running the executable as admin, or they were simply missing some files in the game's cache, but in many other cases nothing seems to work. Don't panic over your lost money just yet; it's fixable. Though Steam should have updated the game to its latest patch (1.02) it doesn't seem to do this, which is actually the solution to this entire problem. You'll have to download the patch manually from the Bioware website. It's compatible with the Steam version and can be found here: http://masseffect.bioware.com/me1/pc/updates/index.html From then on you can run the game hassle-free. No additional settings required. Hope this helps future players. Enjoy the game!

12-08-2011, 10:01 AM	#9
MarcRead Guest Posts: n/a	I know this is a dead thread... ...it might help other people who find this through searching. I had a problem with the system freezing on a black screen after random periods of time, needing a hard reboot. I read about 20 threads on various sites and found the following checklist of things to try: 1. Turn hardware sound 'off' in ME settings 2. Turn dynamic lighting + film grain off in ME settings 3. Run game in Windowed Mode (and do not do Alt-Enter maximise) 4. Check DirectX installation 5. Verify game files from Steam 6. Remove standard drivers and install Omega drivers 7. Improve cooling and/or PSU in system case Different posters in different threads found that various combinations of these fixes worked for them. For me, 1+2+3 has led to smooth playing of a wonderful game

12-24-2011, 01:26 AM	#12
daSchef Join Date: Oct 2009 Reputation: 1 Posts: 59	thanks You just saved my day pal!

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05-05-2011, 09:50 PM	#2
TheoQ99 Join Date: Mar 2011 Reputation: 0 Posts: 3	I've updated. But I'm still getting the appcrash error. I've also set everything to run as administrator, still doesnt help. Any other tricks you know of?

05-06-2011, 04:58 AM	#3
ocbdare Join Date: Feb 2011 Reputation: 0 Posts: 59	I have never had any problems with ME1 and Windows 7...

05-06-2011, 05:03 AM	#4
English_Lan Join Date: Oct 2009 Reputation: 68 Posts: 1,303	How do you change the compatability to XP? I'm using Vista btw and still having this problem.

05-07-2011, 12:21 AM	#5
BlackForces Join Date: Feb 2010 Reputation: 2 Posts: 76	@n_gamer Rep +1 Thanks Buddy Previously Mass effect 1 won't work on my pc (Window 7 64 Bit) it keeps crashing i have downloaded from steam after applying patch it works no need to change compatability or anything just download the patch and here You go

05-07-2011, 08:21 PM	#6
Brutus Join Date: Jan 2003 Reputation: 2 Posts: 17	All I did was close Steam, and then started it as admin. After that ME 1 ran fine.

05-09-2011, 12:27 AM	#7
sulfuro Guest Posts: n/a	worked for me, thanks! Patch + launch as administrator, reboot, and here you go! W7 64bit - fully updated with winupdate

05-17-2011, 12:03 AM	#8
lemonpips Join Date: Jan 2010 Reputation: 2 Posts: 37	Excellent. Thank you. +Rep.

12-23-2011, 06:35 AM	#10
jaddf Join Date: Jul 2010 Reputation: 9 Posts: 51	Mega rep to the op. I had the insta crash when clicking on the play button , tried running it as admin, checked drivers and stuff, nothing has worked. The actual problem is the missing patch. THANKS

12-23-2011, 08:23 AM	#11
orangestate Join Date: Aug 2009 Reputation: 0 Posts: 3	Thanks, the patch worked saves me a huge headache trying to figure out what was wrong.

12-31-2011, 09:33 PM	#14
n_gamer Join Date: Nov 2010 Reputation: 30 Posts: 306	Maybe they finally updated the game now then. Great news Glad this was of help to a few people.

01-01-2012, 01:25 AM	#15
lucidfox Join Date: Aug 2011 Reputation: 63 Posts: 18	What worked for me was installing the 1.02 patch and running it once as administrator directly through masseffect2.exe, without Steam. After that, I selected "verify integrity of game cache" from Steam to revert the changes to the files, and was able to play it from Steam normally from that point on.