Steam Support is Useless. Looking for help.

[njiska]

So for a solid month now I have been unable to launch my steam client. Every time I do it begins the Updating Steam process and then hangs at 29%. Occasionally it will creep a percent or two higher before it stoppes
.

System:
Windows 7 Professional X64 (All updates applied)
ESET NOD32 Business edition
Running as an Admin account
UAC: Run Administrator Accounts in Admin Approval Mode is Disabled (Essentially UAC is disabled)
Windows Firewall is disabled, NOD is not preforming firewall functions. Exception added for d:\Program Files (x86)\Steam

Troubleshooting:
deleted clientregistry.blob
Usual steps like bouncing the box, network, etc.
Disabled NOD
Disabled UAC completely
Disabled all start up items and non-Microsoft services via msconfig32
Removed and reinstalled Steam.

So far all Steam Support has done is tell me to do what i've already done. Taking them 10 days between replies. I'm hoping since there's a combination of Steam Users and generally technically inclined people on here someone might have an idea on something to try. There were no OS updates or installed software applied between the last time Steam worked and the start of the problem.

[maxlords]

I've had NO issues with Win 7 Enterprise 64 Bit....

Sounds like you've done all the standard stuff too.....I'm not expert enough to give ya recommendations at that level...doesn't make sense that it's stopping like that. Could it be an issue with your ISP and Steam?

[Slump]

When you say stops, does it freeze or crash or just stop transmitting data? I had this issue once and I believe I cleared out a temp folder in my steam program folder to get it to move on but it sounds like your issue may be a bit more complicated given the whole uninstalled/reinstalled bit. Did you manually remove all existing steam files after uninstalling?

[Ed Oscuro]

No idea, I'm sure by "removed & uninstalled" you mean that you looked in Program Files (x86) for remnants of Steam. The whole folder has to go.

[Udderdude]

Nuke it from orbit, including the registry.

http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki ... ling_Steam

[njiska]

Maxlords - It's rogers so i'd be surprised if the ISP is the issue
Ed Oscuro - Yeah I fragged the steam folder as well when I did the reinstall
Udderdude - Thanks for the link, i couldn't find a listing of Reg keys when I looked

As for the definition of stopped, here's what happens:

Open Steam Client
Updating Steam Box appears
Process quickly jumps to 29% (or starts here if i haven't cleared the cache)
Process sits at 29% forever. I let it go 4-5 days at one point.

[Khan]

I think its best you uninstall your anti virus program(s) then try and see if that helps im fairly certain that would be case or maybe your firewall.

[njiska]

I think its best you uninstall your anti virus program(s) then try and see if that helps im fairly certain that would be case or maybe your firewall.

I wonj't get a chance to test until January as i'm away, but i'm rather hesitant to uninstall my AV software. First, it's extreme, second it's never been an issue before and with how often steam updates it would be a real bitch, third there are exceptions in place for steam and completeling disabling the bastard via msconfig32 made little difference

As for fire wall, windows fire wall is disabled and no other fire wall exists. I even have port forwarding for steam setup. However the fact it loads 29% makes me think it's hitting the servers ok.

[junkeR]

I wouldn't uninstall your antivirus software. I don't think I've ever seen that fix a problem with anything in the past. Do you have another computer you could try Steam on (in your home network)?

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Do you have another computer you could try Steam on (in your home network)?

Or maybe you could take your PC to a friends and see if it works on his internet connection. Just so you know if its your IP# or software. (im no computer expert so i dont know if it could be IP / Isp releated (maybe others here would know?) but its something i would eventually try for myself)

Do you have Windows Aero running? I have mine perminatly turned off as its a piece of shit that stops many games from working. (the cynical bastard in me thinks its another M$ plot to destroy PC gaming)

BTW its a shame you cant use steam atm as theres some great deals. like Super meatboy or the lastest Tomb raider for £3. Maybe you could pay a friend to buy them and gift it to you.

EDIT you say it screws up while updating? I have a simlar problem not with steam but with standard DLing as my (win7 home prem 64bit) has a habit of only DLing a small fraction of the whole file but itll tell me it downloaded successfully, I have to check to size of the file just to be sure it really did DL the whole file.

[Cthulhu]

Could you temporarily turn off your anti-virus and then run Steam as an administrator? That's one of those Windows genero-fixes that often works.

[Ed Oscuro]

I think its best you uninstall your anti virus program(s) then try and see if that helps im fairly certain that would be case or maybe your firewall.

Most AV programs have an option to temporarily disable its protections (can be done from the tray with Norton Endpoint), which is very much distinct from uninstalling the whole thing

So at the most you could try temporarily disabling the AV - but don't uninstall it.

[Ghegs]

You could try uninstalling Steam with Revo Uninstaller, that one will find all the registery modifications as well as leftover files so those can be deleted as well. So the next time you install Steam, it should be like installing it for the first time.

[njiska]

Nuke it from orbit, including the registry.

http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki ... ling_Steam

Nuked it from Orbit. Still no change. Had a look at the keys I blew away and there was hardly anything there any ways. Getting a little higher on the percentage now, but it still fails.

[Jockel]

How fast and stable is your interweb connection?
Maybe it times out or something.
I could try loading your account on my PC to see if it's a problem with your account or just your PC.

[njiska]

It's a very stable network connection and it's a 25 Mbps down stream.

I have no idea what has changed but as of last night it's decided to start working again. Quite perplexed. Steam support still hasn't told me anything useful.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

It's a very stable network connection and it's a 25 Mbps down stream.

I have no idea what has changed but as of last night it's decided to start working again. Quite perplexed. Steam support still hasn't told me anything useful.

Im just making a wild guess here but could it possibly be anything to do with sale and the amount of gamers using the steam system thats has maybe slowed the Up/DL rate? It would explain why its working as xmas and the sale comes to an end.

Luckly for you you can still catch some deals on the service

[njiska]

I've been buying from the sale all week. Spent over $100.

And it's not responsible for this problem. I first reported this to Valve on Dec. 4th, which predates the boost in traffic.

[Stormwatch]

That's what you get for buying from a DRM'ed store. "Fuck you and come again."

[Skykid]

Totally random Steam question, couldn't find a better thread to bump.

If I have a Steam code, attempt to put it in, and then get the notification that the game isn't available on my platform (Mac, in this case) is the code then invalidated or can I give it to someone else?

The only reason I ask is because said game exists on my game list, even though when I click on it it verifies that it's not installed due to an incorrect platform.

Thanks for the infos!

[Gozer]

Totally random Steam question, couldn't find a better thread to bump.

If I have a Steam code, attempt to put it in, and then get the notification that the game isn't available on my platform (Mac, in this case) is the code then invalidated or can I give it to someone else?

The only reason I ask is because said game exists on my game list, even though when I click on it it verifies that it's not installed due to an incorrect platform.

Thanks for the infos!

Unfortunately, it sounds like you used the key.

You can also look at your account details on steam and see if it's listed in "licenses + subscriptions".

[Skykid]

^ Man that would suck, I'd have rather given it to someone who can use it. I'll check out my licence info, thanks for the heads up.

[Khan]

No i think you can still gift that code to somoneelse, Im pretty sure valve would have thought of this situation already.

[brentsg]

Totally random Steam question, couldn't find a better thread to bump.

If I have a Steam code, attempt to put it in, and then get the notification that the game isn't available on my platform (Mac, in this case) is the code then invalidated or can I give it to someone else?

The only reason I ask is because said game exists on my game list, even though when I click on it it verifies that it's not installed due to an incorrect platform.

Thanks for the infos!

Doh I was trying to figure out his problem from 2011.