[homernoy]

This is kind of a pain. I can't find anyone out there except some C++ programmers that really talk about this problem. I have Vista Ultimate, 2 gigs of ram, 2 video cards in SLI, 2.4ghz X2 processor. All of my games and programs work, with the exception of BioShock, and now my windows update. I downloaded the demo yesterday from Steam, and got this messege

the application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log for more details

I thought this was a problem with the Steam download, so I went ahead and purchased the full game of BioShock. Got the same messege. I am really at my wits end. I have been at this since 10am and have gone nowhere... Thank you in advance.

[jonbrewerton]

I have exact same problem with one of my PC's that has Vista Business edition when starting up the Bioshock PC demo. On another PC running Vists Ultimate - the demo starts correctly. Like you, I could only find reference to this 'side-by-side' configuration with technical stuff about Visual C++.
I looked at the event viewer and didn't find it very helpful but seemed to mention some sort of 'activation key' error.

I am waiting for the full game in the hope that a full installation rather than the demo will sort it out.
Was your problem with the demo also?
I'd be very intersted in a solution if you find one.

[jonbrewerton]

I found another forum that AVG (my anti virus program) might be the problem so am uninstalling this and trying again.
Are you using AVG?

[downtime]

http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/search.php?
Some say to install the 2005 C++ redistributable, others offer other fixes, anyway, that's the place to search for answers.

[jonbrewerton]

Thanks for the suggestion. Uninstalling AVG failed to help despite a reinstallation. I've run the VCRedist file that was in the Bioshock demo folder and also a later version and no luck even after a reboot.
I'll follow your suggestions in the forums

[jonbrewerton]

Solution!

I uninstalled AVG first (not sure if really necessary)
Uninstall VC++ redistributable in control panel - programs and features (If 2 copies, uninstall both)
Reboot
Reinstall the VCredist package that is in the Bioshock pc demo folder/vr dist
Reboot
Voila!

Hope this works for others

[homernoy]

I uninstalled the AVG. Tried to uninstall VC++ redistributable in control panel, but there was no listing by that name. I reinstalled the game again. Needless to say, it didn't work. Thank you very much jonbrewerton, I know I must be getting close. I am glad you are able to run the game, supposed to be fantastic.

[homernoy]

Also, I get an error code when trying to install VCredist. It simply won't install. I guess that is my problem. Anyone know how to fix this?

[homernoy]

Got it! After looking at your problem with the VC++ redistributable. I looked in my registry and found nothing to delete. I fixed a problem in the Windows Update files by deleting all of them. Went to Windows Update, and the 8 items that were not installing finally installed. I deleted BioShock, and rebooted. After the system was up and running, I installed BioShock without a hitch, and it is one great game so far. Oh, I also deleted AVG. THANK YOU!!!!!

[kama64]

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[Thwarten]

I'm having the exact same problems as you are, I've tried installing the VC++ redistributable, but it comes up with an error, I uninstalled AVG a while ago, and I can't find the windows update files to delete them. Can you tell me what else I need to do and where to find the Windows Update files?