After pulling my hair out for days, with a crash to desktop after the initial intro movie, it turns out that Asus OSD software was the cause. You have to uninstall it, exiting the program is not good enough. I've got a 480 Gtx with Win 7 64 bit. This has got me playing the game but I must say I've noticed the strange flashing lights and frame rate drop others have mentioned. Well one thing at a time.

Ho... ly... crap. That worked like a charm.

Thanks for discovering it

whats OSD

Asus OSD is the software that gets installed alongside Smart Doctor if you follow the installation instructions and use the disks supplied with an Asus graphics card. The OSD part lets you grab screen shots or record video of your playing in game. It conflicts somehow, probably reserving memory, and seems poorly written. In truth there are better alternatives for both programs if you really want that functionality so just get rid!

What also worked for me was turing the GX feature OFF.
Leaving it ON, and the game wouldn't even start.

OSD not even installed, this because it screwed up FO:3 and other games as well...deff an Asus problem, but i don't think they're willing to look into it

thank you kind sir

What is GX feature and where can I find it please?

The GX feature is the answer from Asus on Creative's EAX feature..meaning that the sound can reach higer levels, making sound sounding more "realistic".
For more information, here's an wiki covering the GX feature:
http://www.overclockers.com.au/wiki/Sound_Card

As for disabeling this, do the following:
Open your Asus control panel
Below the big volume button you'll see various icons...you just need to press "GX" for disabeling it.

Here's a sample i just took:
http://www2.picturepush.com/photo/a/4422955/1024/Trio-Stuff/GX.jpg

Please note that not all Asus cards are using the GX feature.

Thanks for help. I have Creative X-Fi sound card, I will try to disable EAX there.

EnonRogue, I love you.

Soooooooooooooooooooooooo much.

Though, in hindsight, it really doesn't explain how I was able to play the game with GamerOSD before the patch...

What "better alternatives" can you recommend? I nuked OSD (which solved the crashing at startup) but I get a nag message every time I boot that Smart Doctor needs components from OSD to run properly. I like the monitoring and fan management that Smart Doctor provides, so I don't want to get rid of that, if possible. So if there is an alternative program I'd really appreciate a suggestion. Thanks in advance!

You can give Speedfan a try
http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

Asus smartdoctor and gamer OSD are both crap- use MSI afterburner if you have an asus card and want to overvolt. If youre not changing voltage just use CCC to overclock.

See below.



100% agreed! MSIA is great and I've been using it for some time. Smart Dr/OSD has been known to cause the gambryo engine hissy fits. MSIA does not.

THANK YOU EnonRogue !! I finally got the game running WOOHOO :celebration:

The Asus OSD did really cause the game to crash, and i think this post should be pinned to the top page
so that everyone shall know.