Error "steam is not running"

[cicciobiliccio]

I purchased the game from steam, downloaded and launched it:
it appear a black screen with a loading animation and then an error windows with the message:
"steam is not running. You must start steam in order this game"... the problem is that steam is actually running
here is my log:
Sandbox.log

  0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.356 | --------------------------------------------
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.356 | Universe Sandbox Log File
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.356 | --------------------------------------------
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.356 | Version               : 2.1.1 Steam
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.356 | StartupPath           : c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.356 | LocalUserAppDataPath  : C:\Users\pc\AppData\Local\Universe Sandbox\
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.356 | OS version            : Windows Vista | Microsoft Windows NT 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.356 | Highest .NET version  : 4.0 (Final)
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.356 | All .NET versions     : 1.1.4322 | 2.0 SP2 (Windows Vista SP2 / Server 2008 SP2) | 3.0.30729.4037 | 3.5 SP1 RTM | 4.0 (Final) |
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.356 | Culture               : it-IT | Italian (Italy)
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.356 | -- Device Info ----------------
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.387 | Primary Screen        : 1280 x 1024 | 32 bit | 1280 x 994
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.403 | Adapter | Driver      : ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series  | aticfx32.dll
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.403 | Max TextureSize       : w 8192 | h 8192
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.403 | Is Vertex/Pixel       : True | True
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.403 | Max Vertex/Pixel      :    3 |    3
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.403 | AntiAlias : True | Bump : True | DoubleSS : True | Reflection : True | StencilS : True
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.403 | -------------------------------
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | -- Settings -------------------
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | RunCount        : 7
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | RunTime         : 4.56 minutes
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | RunTimeDemo     : 0.0 seconds
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | LastVersion     : 2.1.1
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | CommentCount    : 0
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | CheckCount      : 0 0
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | CommentAskCount : 0 0
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | CrashCount      : 0
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | EmailAddress    :
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | Free Version   :
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | -------------------------------
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | Particle Multi      : 1
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | 3D Inter Dist       : 15
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | -------------------------------
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778 | SetupTrueVision Complete
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.903 | Init3DWindowed Complete
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:35.981 | App: Main Resize Start
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:36.012 | App: Main Resize End
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:36.012 | -- Engine Properties ----------
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:36.012 | Window Size             : 1264 x 720
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:36.012 | Available Texture Memory: 1.73 GB
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:36.012 | Used Texture Memory     : 1.00 MB
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:36.012 | -------------------------------
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:36.044 | MainRS Create Render Surface Complete
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:36.059 | Wiimote not found
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:36.602 | App: Main Resize Start
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:36.631 | App: Main Resize End
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:36.895 | Shader Working
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:36.904 | Creating Glow RenderSurface
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:37.577 | 1.54 delay before CheckMainRS Create Render Surface - Didn't Make One
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:37.578 | Engine.Mode = ozEngine.EngineMode.Main
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:37.597 | SaveLocalSettings Complete
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:37.615 |
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:37.615 | -- New System -----------------
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:37.615 | Loading System: NEW
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:37.615 | Engine.Scale | 0.000000011
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:37.640 | Beginning Main Loop
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:37.640 | Desk Update
     0 | 2011-05-04 18:06:37.668 | Lost Focus

actions.log:

0 |     0.64 s |        0.6 s | Info   : --------------------------------------------
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : Universe Sandbox Action File
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : --------------------------------------------
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : Version               : 2.1.1 Steam
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : StartupPath           : c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : LocalApplicationData  : C:\Users\pc\AppData\Local\Universe Sandbox\
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : OS version            : Windows Vista | Microsoft Windows NT 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : Highest .NET version  : 4.0 (Final)
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : All .NET versions     : 1.1.4322 | 2.0 SP2 (Windows Vista SP2 / Server 2008 SP2) | 3.0.30729.4037 | 3.5 SP1 RTM | 4.0 (Final) |
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : Culture               : it-IT | Italian (Italy)
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : -- Device Info ----------------
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : Primary Screen        : 1280 x 1024 | 32 bit | 1280 x 994
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : Adapter | Driver      : ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series  | aticfx32.dll
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : Max TextureSize       : w 8192 | h 8192
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : Is Vertex/Pixel       : True | True
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : Max Vertex/Pixel      :    3 |    3
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : AntiAlias : True | Bump : True | DoubleSS : True | Reflection : True | StencilS : True
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : -------------------------------
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : Comp Name   : PC-PC
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : Manufact    : INTEL_
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : Model       : DP35DP__
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : OsName      : Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Basic |C:\Windows|\Device\Harddisk0\Partition1
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : OSVersion   : 6.0.6002
     0 |     0.64 s |        0.0 s | Info   : SystemType  : X86-based PC
     0 |     0.66 s |        0.0 s | Info   : TotalPhyMem : 2.99 GB
     0 |     0.66 s |        0.0 s | Info   : UserTime    : 2011-05-04 18:06:35.778
     0 |     0.66 s |        0.0 s | Info   : -------------------------------
     0 |     2.51 s |        1.9 s | Action : Click : Live Mode
     0 |     2.51 s |        0.0 s | Action : Tutor : click:livemode

and engine log:

05-04-2011 18:06:35 | --------------------------------------------
05-04-2011 18:06:35 | Truevision3D Debug/Log File
05-04-2011 18:06:35 | --------------------------------------------
05-04-2011 18:06:35 | Engine Version : 6.5
05-04-2011 18:06:35 | ENGINE INFO : DLL Compilation time Nov 11 2009 23:25:02
05-04-2011 18:06:35 | DEVICE INIT : Initialize Depth
05-04-2011 18:06:35 | DEVICE INIT : Initializing the device in windowed mode, with a render surface size of 1264x720, format 22, depthbuffer 75
05-04-2011 18:06:35 | VIEWPORT MANAGER : Main viewport initialization
05-04-2011 18:06:35 | VIEWPORT MANAGER : Main viewport initialized (1264x720)
05-04-2011 18:06:35 | DEVICE INIT : Initialization successful !
05-04-2011 18:06:35 | DEVICE INFO :  3D Card : ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series   | Card ID : 38149 | Driver ID : 656425
05-04-2011 18:06:35 | DEVICE INFO : Available texture memory : 1769 MB
05-04-2011 18:06:35 | DEVICE INFO : Vertex Shaders 3.0 supported in hardware.
05-04-2011 18:06:35 | DEVICE INFO : Pixel Shaders 3.0 supported in hardware.
05-04-2011 18:06:35 | DEVICE INFO : Driver used is a DirectX9-level driver 'aticfx32.dll'. Excellent
05-04-2011 18:06:35 | DEVICE INFO : Card Type Geforce6xxx/7xxx/8xxx/ATIRadeonX1xxx  Level card, third generation of programmable card
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Format of alpha texture changed to DXT1.
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Format of non-alpha texture changed to DXT1.
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Successfully created a render surface 1264x720 on slot 2
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\graphics\Calibri 12.dds' successful 'NONAME' on index 3
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\graphics\Calibri 9.dds' successful 'NONAME' on index 4
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Format of alpha texture changed to 21.
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Format of non-alpha texture changed to 22.
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\graphics\ui-logos.dds' successful 'NONAME' on index 5
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of '##STREAM:' successful 'stoplight' on index 6
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of '##STREAM:' successful 'stoplightbw' on index 7
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\graphics\Calibri 10.dds' successful 'NONAME' on index 8
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\graphics\Calibri 11.dds' successful 'NONAME' on index 9
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Creation of texture 'webpageawesome' succeeded, format 21, size (352x660)
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Creation of texture 'webpageawesomealt' succeeded, format 21, size (352x660)
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Creation of texture 'webpagetutor' succeeded, format 21, size (352x100)
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Creation of texture 'webpagetutoralt' succeeded, format 21, size (352x100)
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\graphics\Calibri 8.dds' successful 'NONAME' on index 14
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\graphics\Calibri 13.dds' successful 'NONAME' on index 15
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\graphics\Calibri 14.dds' successful 'NONAME' on index 16
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\graphics\Calibri 15.dds' successful 'NONAME' on index 17
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | SHADER MANAGER : Shader 'lighting' successfully created from string.
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Successfully created a render surface 512x512 on slot 18
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Successfully created a render surface 512x512 on slot 19
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Successfully created a render surface 512x512 on slot 20
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Format of alpha texture changed to DXT1.
05-04-2011 18:06:36 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Format of non-alpha texture changed to DXT1.
05-04-2011 18:06:37 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of '##STREAM:' successful 'MilkyWay1' on index 21
05-04-2011 18:06:37 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of '##STREAM:' successful 'MilkyWay2' on index 22
05-04-2011 18:06:37 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\media\TrailFade.dds' successful 'TrailFade' on index 23
05-04-2011 18:06:37 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\media\ParticleMark.dds' successful 'Particle' on index 24
05-04-2011 18:06:37 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\media\ParticleSolid.dds' successful 'ParticleSolid' on index 25
05-04-2011 18:06:37 | STREAM MANAGER : Couldn't open file 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\media\galaxycluster.dds'
05-04-2011 18:06:37 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Couldn't find the texture file c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\media\galaxycluster.dds.
05-04-2011 18:06:37 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\media\starpoint.dds' successful 'starpoint' on index 26
05-04-2011 18:06:37 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\graphics\ui-elements.dds' successful 'ui-elements.dds' on index 27
05-04-2011 18:06:37 | TEXTURE MANAGER : Loading of 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\graphics\ui-icons.dds' successful 'ui-icons.dds' on index 28
05-04-2011 18:06:37 | MINI MESH MANAGER : Minimesh created with 1501 items
05-04-2011 18:06:37 | CTVMiniMesh::EnableMinimesh : Index Out Of Range  1501
05-04-2011 18:06:37 | MESH MANAGER : Loading of mesh file 'c:\program files\valve\steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\media\skydome.x' succeeded in 0 ms ( 528 faces, 334 vertices ) ID 5

[Dan Dixon]

Are you sure that Steam is up to date?

Have you tried restarting Steam?

Have you tried restarting you computer?

Let me know if any of these things work or if you're still having trouble. I may need to add better collection of data in the log files to solve this problem.

Hang in there we'll figure this out.