Hi,

I recently got a new Computer and on it, Skyrim unfortunately doesn't start.
If I try to start Skyrim almost nothing happens. The frame of the game window seems to appear but nothing else happens. The mouse remains movable but the computer doesn't react to any inputs (not even strg-alt-del).
Other games, for example Deus Ex: HR and Portal 2, run fine.

I tried the following suggested solutions for startup-crashes:
-deactivated all mods(except the HighRes Texture Pack)
-closed all other running programs
-changing Sound to 16bit
-setting graphics to very low and running in windowed mode
-deactivated virus scanner (Avira Antivir Premium 2012)
-set all video improvements in Catalyst Control center to their lowest setting or deactivated where possible (especially deactivated Catalyst A.I. which ruined the game on my old PC)
-tried my old graphics card (AMD HD6850)
-tried the onboard graphics (Intel HD4000)


My setup:
-Intel Core i5 3570 CPU
-Z77 chipset ASrock Mainboard
-AMD Radeon HD7850 Graphics Card
-8GB RAM
-Windows 7 x64 Home Premium (newly installed very few programs installed)
-catalyst 12.4 installed
-all the other drivers are also up to date (just recently installed from the mainboard cd, which hopefully contains the newest drivers, since it's a really new mainboard)
-I have a dual monitor setup, but the second monitor has been deactivated during most of this


Thank you in advance for all hints you can give me.

Best regards,
mag0r

Ok mate quick questions.

Have you tried deactivating hi res pack?
Tried a clean install of your graphics drivers?
Tried reinstalling direct x?
Do you have Asus osd gamer installed? (can conflict with skyrim)
Is skyrim.exe set to Run as Administrator?

Thank you for your quick reply!


Have you tried deactivating hi res pack?
-yes, but didn't really know how to. deactivated the data files it in the skyrim "title screen" that appears before the game - that should be enough right? didn't know how to delete them entirely

Tried a clean install of your graphics drivers?
-i installed them not even a week ago, the newest catalyst 12-4. but i can try reinstalling them

Tried reinstalling direct x?
-well no, directx 10 is installed with windows 7 right? the direct x 9 that comes with skyrim seems to be the newest one but i will try reinstalling that, too

Do you have Asus osd gamer installed? (can conflict with skyrim)
-no, not other programs like that either. i basically have only installed virus scanner, ms office 2010 and steam at this point, because the computer is so new

Is skyrim.exe set to Run as Administrator?
-yes, and UAC is deactivated aswell


I hope this covers everything. I will try reinstalling catalyst, direct x and skyrim itself (if possibly without high res packs) and then post here again.
Keep the hints coming, I really don't know anything else I could try...

Yes, that's how it's done.


Try it. Always the chance of corruption or something. Completely remove all other drivers first before installing again.


See above.


AV programs and such can cause issues. Try it with it disabled.


Disabling UAC is very bad. Here's the better option: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?p_faqid=231

MAke a search in the forums for "Z77 chipset". I've seen lots of reports recently about non-starting games. From what I remember, there is a process running that was part of the motherboard install that slays the CPU, to the point of interfering with Skyrim startup. Quick search of the forum shows that the offender seems to be called "VirtuMVP". Again, do a forum search for this and you should run across a fix for this (I believe the you can just uninstall that particular app).

Thank you both very much.

I will research and try these things.
Never would have thought that the mainboard and it's drivers can cause issues.

I'll post my results as soon as I find what caused my issues.

Thanks guys, it worked!

It really was something my Mainboard installed along with the drivers. A program called "Virtua MVP" which is apparently a part of the Z77 Chipset software (as mentioned here: http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1373833-skyrim-perpetually-freezes-my-computer-when-launched/page__p__20773671__hl__z77__fromsearch__1#entry20773671).

I hope this helps others as well. Really weird that Skyrim doesn't start with that program installed.

Glad you got it sorted mate there's a few like that, like OSD that I mentioned above. Just one of those things with software.

I just had a thought:

Since that's become a common occurrence, it may be a candidate for your list. At least it'd all be in one place. ^^

Your request has been noted. I shall sort