Ok, this is kind of weird. My desktop is a fairly good machine: OS = Win7, Home Premium, X64, Svc Pk 1. MB = AsusTek P6TD Deluxe, CPU = i7 930 quad core @ 2.80GHz, RAM = 6Gb, Video = Radeon HD 5770 (1360x768 @ 60Hz), Direct X 11. Every time I try to start it, it says starting, then I get message "A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program & notify you if a solution is possible".
The weird part is the game will start on my laptop & it's specs are less than the desk machine: OS = Win7, Home Premium, X64, Svc Pk 1. MB = Hewlett-Packard Model 1671, CPU = i3 2330M 2 core @ 2.20GHz, RAM = 4Gb, Video = Internal 1797 Mbytes (1600x900 @ 60Hz), Direct X 11.
I've been searching the internet, Steam forums, and these forums and haven't found any solution. I've verified all files are correct. All drivers are up-to-date. I've deleted and re-installed the game. Nothing seems to work.
Would really appreciate some suggestions to fix this. Would like to play it on my game machine instead of my travel laptop.
Thanks in advance,
Steve.

Is DirectX updated? Are your drivers up to date? Any issues connecting to Steam?

Try a clean boot to rule out any background apps causing interference

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

As stated, my DirectX is new install and all drivers are up to date. No issues with Steam, other games work fine. Reinstalled game files (from Steam) shut down and restarted my PC & still no go. I'll try your link to Microsoft & see what happens there and get back to you. I just can't understand what it is on my gaming machine that's knocking it down as it will start on the laptop, which isn't near the machine the desktop is. They have (almost) identical programming.
Steve.

Cat Herder,
Huge thanks, the clean boot removed the problem, now I just have to go in and troubleshoot to see which program is giving me the fits. I'm pretty good with the pc hardware, but I still have some programming/software to learn evidently. Thanks again, off on seek and destroy for the culprit,
Steve.