Can't access the game after activation

Hi,

Please try these steps posted previously by eaursula.

There are three things you can try when you have problems launching the game:

1. Deactivate your anti-virus program

Sometimes the anti-virus is blocking the game from launching. You can check if an anti-virus is blocking it by turning off that program and launching the game again. AVG is a common one that will block the game, disabling or uninstalling it should allow the game to play. After the game does launch you should be able to re-start or re-install your anti-virus program and it should no longer interfere with the game.

2. Delete the game's Settings file

1. Double-click on the My Computer icon from your Windows desktop or Start menu.
2. Double-click on your Local Disk (usually C:).
3. Double-click Program Files.
4. Double-click on Electronic Arts.
5. Double-click on Dead Space.
6. Delete the file settings.txt.

Be sure to enable the option View hidden files and folders. Otherwise, you may not be able to find the settings.txt file. To do this or ensure your viewing setting is turned on, follow the steps below:

1. Double-click on the My Computer icon from your Windows desktop or Start Menu.
2. From the toolbar, select Tools and then select Folder Options.
3. Select the View tab and then select the option Show hidden files and folders, which is located in the Advanced Settings section.
4. Select Apply and then select OK at the bottom of the dialog box.

3. Start your computer in safe mode

If you do not have an anti-virus, or have confirmed it is not causing the issue, and if deleting the settings file did not help, starting your computer in safe mode (with networking) might solve the issue. To do that follow the steps below:

XP:

1. Bring up the run box (press Windows Key + R) and type in "msconfig".
2. Go to the Boot.INI Tab.
3. Check the "/SAFEBOOT" box.
4. Select "NETWORK" to the right of "/SAFEBOOT".
5. Press "OK".
6. It should prompt you to restart, do so. (if not, restart anyway)

Vista/7

1. Bring up the run box (press Windows Key + R) and type in "msconfig".
2. Go to the Boot Tab.
3. Check the "Safe boot" box.
4. Select "Network" underneath "Safe boot".
5. Press "Apply" then "OK".
6. It should prompt you to restart, do so. (if not, restart anyway)

Once your computer restarts it will be in safe mode, meaning minimal systems will be running. Your background will most likely appear black and other features may seem different, do not worry, this is normal. Once it has started up, launch Dead Space 2 again. The game will try to start, however this time you should get a message afterwards that the game could not start up, it crashed, or drivers are missing. Again, do not worry, this is what is supposed to happen.

You now need to restart your computer normally. To ensure that Safe mode was turned off simply undo the process from before:

XP:

1. Bring up the run box (press Windows Key + R) and type in "msconfig".
2. Go to the Boot.INI Tab.
3. Uncheck the "/SAFEBOOT" box.
4. Press "OK".
5. It should prompt you to restart, do so. (if not, restart anyway)

Vista/7

1. Bring up the run box (press Windows Key + R) and type in "msconfig".
2. Go to the Boot Tab.
3. Uncheck the "Safe boot" box.
4. Press "Apply" then "OK".
5. It should prompt you to restart, do so. (if not, restart anyway)

Once your computer comes back up, everything should be back to normal. Launch Dead Space 2 and it should launch and play normally.

Please let us know if one of these methods worked for you.

Thanks,

Barry.