How to Solve Startup Problems

[Dan Dixon]

If you're having problems starting Universe Sandbox...

1 (If you're running the Steam version)
Try restarting Steam.

3.1
Try restarting your computer.

3.25
Download and install (or repair) these redistributables:
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=5582

Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 SP1 Redistributable
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=8328

9
Install or reinstall .NET 2:

Download .NET 2 here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=1639

Or find this same file in the Universe Sandbox folder in Steam. Which is probably here:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\Prerequisites\NetFx20SP2_x86.exe

12
Double check that DirectX is installed correctly. Download and install this:
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=35

6 (Steam version only)
Make sure your video drivers are up to date:
In Steam from the Main Menu, select Steam > Check for Video Driver Updates...

6 (Standalone version - non-Steam)
Make sure your video drivers are up to date:
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx
http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/


Other Things to Try

2 (Steam only)
Make sure Steam is up to date.
In Steam from the Main Menu, select Steam > Check for Steam Client Updates...

3 (Steam only)
Verify the installation (or re-download it).
In Steam, right click on Universe Sandbox in your Library > Select Properties > Click the "Local Files" tab > Click "Verify Integrity of Game Cache..."

4
Make sure that your copy of Windows is up to date:
http://update.microsoft.com/
Go into optional updates and make sure .NET 2 is installed (select all of them to be safe).

5
Try creating a new Windows user.
In Windows, click Start > Control Panel > User Accounts... and create a new user.
Then log out and log in into the new user account. Try running Universe Sandbox from there.
(this will help determine if it's a user setting problem)


More Complicated Things to Try

7
Something else to try, although a little more involved. Download the 'netfx_setupverifier_new.zip' file that appears right before the Comments section. Extract and run the 'netfx_setupverifier.exe' that is inside. Validate against '.NET Framework 4 Client':
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/astebner/archive/2008/10/13/8999004.aspx

8
If you're having problems with .NET, try removing it using this tool, scroll down a bit for the zip file:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/astebner/archive/2008/08/28/8904493.aspx

Run the tool and select ".NET Framework 2" from the "Product to cleanup:" list.

After .NET 2 is cleaned up, try reinstalling it according to step 9 (above).

13
Getting the LNOMB error?
Download the file 't2embed.dll' and place it in your installation folder:
http://universesandbox.com/forum/index.php/topic,5423.msg51840.html#msg51840
(this file will be added automatically in the next release)


More Obscure Things to Try

15
Make sure there aren't any unusual character in the install path:
Someone reported that A:\#Ste4m\SteamApps did not work, but that A:\1Steam\SteamApps did.

3.5
Delete (or rename) the two settings files that are found here:
C:\Users\-your user name-\AppData\Local\Universe Sandbox
(the cause of this crash was fixed in 2.1.3, but it's still worth deleting these files as a last resort)

10
The iZ3D stereoscopic 3D driver may be incompatible with Universe Sandbox, if you use this, add Universe Sandbox to the exceptions list in its control panel.

11
Disable any video software like D3Doverrider software that forces triple buffering. This has been reported to cause crashes.

14
If you're running Windows 8...
- Open up Local Security Policy
- Click on Local Policies > Security Options
- In the right box scroll down until you see "System cryptography: Use FIPS compliant algorithms for encryption, hashing and signing
- Double click and select "Disabled" > Click OK
http://steamcommunity.com/app/72200/discussions/0/846940248059936510/#c846940248326546082


Why are the numbers out of order?
- The list of ideas has been reordered from most useful to try to least. The original number have been preserved for identifying different tasks.

.NET 2 or .NET 4?
US1 v2.0-2.1 required .NET 4.
US1 v2.2 requires .NET 2 which is less error prone to install.

[Teh_Saccade]

May also help (as I had this problem) to set both Steam and the game's .exe set to launch as Administrator with full access, if it's not already.

Kept coughing a few errors 'til I did this on first run.

[Dan Dixon]

May also help (as I had this problem) to set both Steam and the game's .exe set to launch as Administrator with full access, if it's not already.

This shouldn't be necessary as Steam will ask for Administrative access if it needs it (and the Universe Sandbox.exe makes no changes that requires Admin access), but it certainly wouldn't hurt to do this.

[Dan Dixon]

Two posts here were split into their own threads:
http://universesandbox.com/forum/index.php/topic,4159.0.html
http://universesandbox.com/forum/index.php/topic,4161.0.html

[miamian]

why do i have to be an IT  person to launch a game? could you credit me and send me a key for your game via your web site? help ive tried everything this is SSSSSSSSSSSSooo annoying im trying to use this in class.     im having the non stop loading of framework.net  part  1 of 4

[vh]

i'll assume you've tried this...

8
If you're having problems with .NET, try removing it using this tool, scroll down a bit for the zip file:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/astebner/archive/2008/08/28/8904493.aspx

Run the tool and select ".NET Framework 4" from the "Product to cleanup:" list.

After .NET 4 is cleaned up, try reinstalling it according to step 9.

9
Reinstall .NET 4 Full setup with dotNetFx40_Full_x86_x64.exe

Download the file here:
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=17718

Or find this same file in the Universe Sandbox folder in Steam. Which is probably here:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\universe sandbox\Prerequisites\dotNetFx40_Full_x86_x64.exe

and if it still doesn't work, try it on another computer? that could help figure out the issue.
i don't understand  "could you credit me and send me a key for your game via your web site"
the key was sent when you bought the program.

also start a new thread if problems persist.

[Dan Dixon]

why do i have to be an IT  person to launch a game?

I'm sorry you're having trouble. I also wish there weren't as many start-up issues. It seems that many of them are related to .NET 4 not installing correctly due to messed up Windows installations (which is totally out of my hands).

I'm looking to drop the .NET 4 requirement in 2012 when I release the next major update.

[seten]

I tried your solution but still couldn't get it to work. However, I did note that when running Universe Sandbox for the first time (through Steam) a VC++ Redistributable Package was installed. As happens all the time on my system (Windows 7 64-bit) this created a bunch of temporary files on the D-drive, which is supposedly harmless, and which I deleted. However, this did prompt me to investigate, and as it turned out I was missing at least a proper install of the 2005 (x64) redistributables. This was noted by the absence of the file C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VC\msdia80.dll, which should've been there (the package was installed).

No matter what I tried I could not get this fixed, but I might have messed it up more than it already was by playing around. In the end, I uninstalled all VC++ Redistributable Packages and re-installed them again, manually moving and registering the msdia80.dll file (which on my system was installed to D: instead of the proper location).

My suggestion to other people experiencing these problems would be to check out if all their 64-bit Redistributable packages are installed properly, by checking if the abovementioned file as well as the msdia90.dll (2008) and msdia100.dll (2010) are present. If not, get the packages from the Microsoft Download Center and install them. If the msdiaXXX.dll is not installed to the proper location, manually move it there and run the command

regsvr32 "c:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VC\msdia80.dll"

from an elevated command prompt (Start, type in 'cmd', right-click and select 'Run as administrator'). Note that you may have to change the name of the dll to msdia90.dll, depending on your situation.

Just in case this isn't enough or doesn't help, my final solution was this:
- Uninstall ALL Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Packages through Control Panel -> Programs and Features
- Download the belowmentioned packages from Microsoft Download Center. Be sure to get SP1 versions.
- Install 2005 x86 sp1
- Install 2005 x64 sp1
- Move msdia80.dll from D: to the proper location, and register it (note: the drive letter might be different on your system, but it's often the root of a drive, and you might have to create the abovementioned folder)
- Install 2008 x86 sp1
- Install 2008 x64 sp1
- This put lots of temp files in D:, which can safely be deleted
- Install 2010 x86 sp1
- Install 2010 x64 sp1
- Run Windows Update to get security patches for all of the above.

I hope this helps someone!

[Estrichleger]

Well I have this game for more than one year now and it never ever worked since then. Bought it via Steam.

I recently reinstalled my whole Win7 64bit and guess what. Even with a FRSH system with the latest graphics driver for my 6850 there comes this error up

Code: [Select]

Problemsignatur:
  Problemereignisname: APPCRASH
  Anwendungsname: Universe Sandbox.exe
  Anwendungsversion: 2.1.5.900
  Anwendungszeitstempel: 4ef29d7c
  Fehlermodulname: Awesomium.dll
  Fehlermodulversion: 0.0.0.0
  Fehlermodulzeitstempel: 4a108307
  Ausnahmecode: c0000005
  Ausnahmeoffset: 002382a9
  Betriebsystemversion: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.4
  Gebietsschema-ID: 1031
  Zusatzinformation 1: 0a9e
  Zusatzinformation 2: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789
  Zusatzinformation 3: 0a9e
  Zusatzinformation 4: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789
The logs can be found as attachment here.

Maybe you guys can now handle theses error. I mean why is this problem so persistent? Just because the Simulator is older that cannot mean you stop the support at all?

[Dan Dixon]

Well that's really odd, Estrichleger.

I've tested the Steam installation on a fresh copy of Windows 7 and haven't ever seen this problem. Unless you installed something else that's conflicting or the prerequisites didn't install correctly I'm not sure why this would happen (and the logs files provide no clues).  That said, this is a dll missing issue, but I'm not sure which dll.

Either way... we're working on Universe Sandbox 3 which will not require any of the current prerequisites (and ideally will haven none). This is a complete rewrite and will be a free update for everyone that's ever purchased (even v1).

If I could duplicate this error on my machine I could solve it, but I've never seen this in person (which is why it's hard for me to solve it).

[Dan Dixon]

Try downloading this file:
http://universesandbox.com/forum/index.php/topic,5423.msg51840.html#msg51840

And if you would, please post again, either way, to let us know if that fixed it.

[Estrichleger]

Would you be so nice and sent me a beta of US3 so that I can play a bit around until the final is out and my temper gets down a bit everytime I try to start US2. That means if US3 will be running on my machine.

[vh]

US3 has no beta and dan has said there is no point of a beta because it is not sufficiently developed yet (at least, that was the case a few weeks ago).

Whats wrong with your us2?

[Estrichleger]

US3 has no beta and dan has said there is no point of a beta because it is not sufficiently developed yet (at least, that was the case a few weeks ago).

Whats wrong with your us2?

Its not running. On a new setup WIndows = not running; on different cpus and gpus = not running and that since the day I bought it and noone is able to help. So US3 isnt even developed yet what means that I can wait till doomsday to get an eventually running version.

[smjjames]

US3 has no beta and dan has said there is no point of a beta because it is not sufficiently developed yet (at least, that was the case a few weeks ago).

Whats wrong with your us2?

Its not running. On a new setup WIndows = not running; on different cpus and gpus = not running and that since the day I bought it and noone is able to help. So US3 isnt even developed yet what means that I can wait till doomsday to get an eventually running version.

Can you run it on a different computer (if that's an option) and have you tried a reinstall? Also try that Steam file integrity check thing as it might be a bad install.

[vh]

US3 has no beta and dan has said there is no point of a beta because it is not sufficiently developed yet (at least, that was the case a few weeks ago).

Whats wrong with your us2?

Its not running. On a new setup WIndows = not running; on different cpus and gpus = not running and that since the day I bought it and noone is able to help. So US3 isnt even developed yet what means that I can wait till doomsday to get an eventually running version.

Are there any messages that show up or just nothing? Have you tried all the things on the above list in this topic?

[james00754]

Where do i put the planet textures to use them on steam version

[james00754]

Plz tell me how to use skins i have downloaded and made

I use steam

[SpyCreepers]

Plz tell me how to use skins i have downloaded and made

I use steam

Windows 7 =
Put image to :
C:\Users\Friedrich*\Documents\Universe Sandbox\Media
* Use your username
then
go ingame and type the texture name.

[smenon7]

Hi,

I just bought the game on steam and when I click to play the game it says "Universe Sandbox has stopped working, windows is checking for a solution to the problem" then that window goes away and nothing happens.  When I click it repeatedly, it says that "Steam Error, failed to start game (app already running)".

Please help me out

Thank you

[Xriqxa]

I'm having the same issue. Re-downloading doesn't help.

>Force quit Steam
>Reopen Steam (make sure US² has been Force Quit)
>Open US² from anywhere in Steam
>It should work now
>If not, well... I can't help you there ;-;

[zigz]

Have tried everything I can fin on net and forms for getting this program to launch NOTHING what I have seen yet works.
Here is the error that I receive:

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.TypeInitializationException: The type initializer for 'NNKOAPOABOACJENPEJKGLHPMJFJLMLPPGIDP.DFBAMFMMDHHNEDDIAGOOKDLJBLBDDPIIEEEC' threw an exception. ---> System.BadImageFormatException:  is not a valid Win32 application. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x800700C1)
   at NNKOAPOABOACJENPEJKGLHPMJFJLMLPPGIDP.DFBAMFMMDHHNEDDIAGOOKDLJBLBDDPIIEEEC..cctor()
   --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
   at NNKOAPOABOACJENPEJKGLHPMJFJLMLPPGIDP.EBCNNFAKOBIMDDKGJBDDMENBGJFKNMHAPMAO.FGKIHOPHNAFFPEEAKMONKJFEHMILMBPEEELN(Object , EventArgs )
   at System.EventHandler.Invoke(Object sender, EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean fIgnoreVisible)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5485 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
Universe Sandbox
    Assembly Version: 2.2.0.900
    Win32 Version: 2.2.0.900
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Universe%20Sandbox/Universe%20Sandbox.exe
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5483 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5467 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5483 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
AutomaticUpdater
    Assembly Version: 2.6.11.2
    Win32 Version: 2.6.11.2
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Universe%20Sandbox/AutomaticUpdater.DLL
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5485 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------
6380aa3b-445c-4c40-b337-dd809f943817
    Assembly Version: 1.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.2.0.900
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Universe%20Sandbox/Universe%20Sandbox.exe
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
    Assembly Version: 8.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 8.0.50727.5483 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.VisualBasic/8.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
    <system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.


Here are PC spec:
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
Manufacturer Intel
Speed 3.5 GHz
Number of Cores 8
CPU ID BFEBFBFF000306C3
Family 06
Model 3C
Stepping 3
Revision 09

Video Card 1 AMD Radeon R9 200 Series
Manufacturer ATI
Chipset AMD Radeon R9 200 Series
Dedicated Memory 3.1 GB
Total Memory 4.0 GB
Pixel Shader Version 5.0
Vertex Shader Version 5.0
Hardware T & L Yes
Vendor ID 1002
Device ID 6798
Plug and Play ID VEN_1002&DEV_6798&SUBSYS_30011458&REV_00
Driver Version 13.350.1005.0

Video Card 2 AMD Radeon R9 200 Series
Manufacturer ATI
Chipset AMD Radeon R9 200 Series
Dedicated Memory 3.1 GB
Total Memory 4.0 GB
Pixel Shader Version 5.0
Vertex Shader Version 5.0
Hardware T & L Yes
Vendor ID 1002
Device ID 6798
Plug and Play ID VEN_1002&DEV_6798&SUBSYS_30011458&REV_00
Driver Version 13.350.1005.0

Memory 16 GB

Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Edition Service Pack 1 (build 7601), 64-bit
Service Pack 1
Size 64 Bit
Edition Professional
Version 6.1.7601
Locale 0409

BIOS BIOS Date: 06/26/13 21:19:24 Ver: 12.05
Version American Megatrends Inc. 1205
Manufacturer American Megatrends Inc.
Date 06/26/13

Display Maximum Resolution 5760 x 1080

Sound Device 1 Realtek High Definition Audio
Driver Version 6.0.1.6853

Sound Device 2 Plantronics Wireless Audio
Driver Version 6.1.7601.17514

Sound Device 3 HD Pro Webcam C920
Driver Version 13.40.840.0

Sound Device 4 AMD High Definition Audio Device
Driver Version 7.12.0.7719

DVD Optiarc DVD RW AD-7240S SCSI CdRom Device

CD Optiarc DVD RW AD-7240S SCSI CdRom Device

Drive 1 
Size 3.6 TB
Free 3.6 TB

Drive 2 
Size 3.6 TB
Free 2.4 TB

Drive 3 
Size 1.8 TB
Free 1.6 TB

Drive 4 
Size 1.8 TB
Free 1.4 TB

Drive 5 
Size 931.5 GB
Free 902.2 GB

Drive 6 
Size 223.6 GB
Free 29.0 GB

Browsers 
Internet Explorer 11.0.9600.17280
Chrome 37.0.2062.124
Firefox 32.0.2 (x86 en-US)
Safari 

Software 
Java 7.0.670
Flash 11.9.900.152
DirectX 11.0
.NET 3.5.30729.5420
QuickTime 7.75.80.95
Adobe PDF Reader

Any help at all thank you in advance.

[ThatOneDinosaur]

Ok the problem with mine is i start it up on steam and it loads until it says Starting Sandbox, i wait like 10-15 minutes and it never loads, then it just ends up crashing, I've tried restarting steam, i've updated steam and Universe Sandbox won't load.

[roselleta]

Hi!

When I start the game, it appears a message "Steam Required" "You must be running Steam to use Universe Sandbox. Launch Steam and then start Universe Sandbox" "OK" and then the game stops to work and closes.

But I have checked my Steam account and all is OK, it's up to date, the local files OK, verify integrity OK, I don't know what should I do.

Thanks.

[Jar]

Sorry for the issue, roselleta.

This issue seems to pop up every now and again for a number of Steam games. Users usually report that it goes away by itself in a day or two.

There are a few things you can try, though. First, please make sure you are launching Universe Sandbox ² from your Steam Library, not from a shortcut or file browser.

Secondly, please try restarting Steam. To ensure it's completely closed down and restarted, you can restart your computer completely. This often fixes the issue.

[maxreal]

i have the same issue, bought universal sandbox 2 on steam, and I cant play, got this problem since first install, I did everything what u write here on site and still its not working. can somebody help me please?

[maxreal]

of course the problem is, "steam is not running,..." error comes up when in main menu, then crash and gone. help pllease

[Jar]

Sorry to hear that, maxreal. For how long have you had this issue?

[maxreal]

Since yesterday when i bought it on steam. Never really run it  since i have it.

[Jar]

Please try these steps in this order:

1. Restart Steam (Right-click on the Steam icon in the notification tray on your desktop, click Exit, then reopen Steam)
2. Force Steam to check for updates (In menu bar, click Steam > Check for Steam Client Updates...)
3. Restart your computer