Continuum will NOT open!

[valate]

My computer (Dell Inspiron) is in tip/top shape, and I am currently using a good and solid WiFi connection. It started about a week ago I guess when suddenly, Continuum just will NOT open. I am running Windows Vista Home Basic (btw). At first I thought that maybe the .exe file was broken/damaged so I ran my security system and I found almost 20 Win32 viruses (which we all know attack .exe files) on my little brother's account (God knows why). So I fixed those and thought maybe now it would work. I try again and the same things happen, I can double-click it and the load icon comes up but Continuum is not running. I tried the Task Manager to see that maybe someone changed the settings on where it opens but nothing is there. Then I ran my CCleaner thinking that maybe there isn't enough memory to have it running. Same thing happens, it DOESN'T WORK! So in my last attempt to fix it I ran RegCure which fixes all damaged .exe files and other files as well. Still nothing (although I definitely recommend it, my computer is running around 2x as fast).

If anyone says to "Try re-installing it" I will go crazy because, YES, I have tried that many times.

Is there something wrong? Is it not working with any new updates? (Windows, java or something)

PLEASE HELP!

[Maverick]

From F.A.Q. topic @ SSForum:

Why will Continuum not load for me?

There are many reports where attempting to run Continuum does nothing at all. It never shows up.

This is always caused by some other program that Continuum does not like.
Continuum has built-in security mechanisms that do not allow it to be run if a suspicious program is active.

You can try closing the "suspicious" programs or uninstalling them.

These are the types of programs that are most likely to do this and some known troublemakers are also listed:

• Anti-spyware programs (SpySweeper, AdWatcher, Spyware Doctor, ...)
• Spyware programs
• Firewalls
• Anti-virus programs (Panda AntiVirus, Norton AV 005...)
• Any other security programs
• Any auto-scanning programs
• Data Execution Prevention (in Control Panel/System/Advanced/Performance Settings/DEP)
• Any "system fixer" tools (Tune-Up Utilities, ...)
• Programming tools (debuggers)
• Norton programs
• Warcraft 3
• If you have a nVIDIA card try this:
  
  Control Panel - Display - Advanced - Gforce6900 (or your card name) - Additional Direct3D Settings
  
  There you will find "Max Frames to Render Ahead" and that option should be set to "0".

One known problem is the "Protect against unknown threats" option in Panda AntiVirus and other similar products.

You might have to uninstall them, not just disable. (Try to disable them first, of course)

Note: adding Continuum to the ignore list of these programs might not help! You might have to completely remove these programs or make them not run at all when the computer starts up. Disabling them when already running might not help.

Note: disabling any "heuristic" or "detect unknown viruses" options in anti-virus programs might help.



Note: since you can't get rid of spyware without anti-spyware programs, you should do this to ensure best compatibility:
1) Install anti-spyware
2) Run it and clean the system
3) Uninstall anti-spyware

If it still does not run after removing suspicious programs, you should use a "registry cleaner" program to clean the computer's registry (parts of the programs you uninstalled could still be there).


Some other possible fixes to try:

• (Windows XP) Right-click Continuum and select Properties. Go to the "Compatibility" tab and check "Disable visual themes". Click OK and run Continuum normally.
  
• Create a new (Windows) user to play Continuum with
  Try playing with a user that does not have administrator rights.
  
• 1) Install Continuum under an "administrator rights" account. DONT RUN IT AFTER INSTALL!
  2) Share the installation directory with "change rights for ppl in network" (it will apply to other users in the computer too)
  3) Log in with some other "limited rights" account and play the game as you always did in the past.
  
• It may also be possible that your computer has Data Execution Program (DEP) enabled for all programs.
  
  For Windows XP, right click on “My Computer” and follow “Properties > Advanced > Performance Settings > Data Execution Prevention” Once you have opened DEP, see if you have 'Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only', if so, check 'Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select'. Next add Continuum.exe to the list, and apply. Then you can go back to 'Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only' if you'd like, and it will load fine.
  
  For Vista, go into “Start > Computer > System Properties (button under the link bar) > Advanced System Settings (on the left navigation menu) > Performance (click settings)”. Now move over to the one that says “Data Execution Program”, and add Continuum to the list.

See also

Advanced: Continuum 100% CPU crash (reproducible)
Continuum not starting up fix (sandboxie)

Oh yea... try re-installing it :P

[valate]

Thank you!

Case CLOSED

It was the damn Data Execution Prevention! I remember turning it off because the .exe files would never respond and it would automatically make me enter the DEP thing and it would make my computer run like shit with lag. (You know since like 50 .exe files were corrupted from my brother watching porn, oh yea, he got the Win32 viruses from that)

Thank you VERY much Maverick.

BTW:
How come DEP effects Continuum?

[Maverick]

No idea.
I suspect that the protections build around Continuum to prevent it from being reverse-engineered triggers the DEP. However, I run Continuum on Vista 64-bits with DEP on just fine.