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 This topic has been pinned, so it's probably important
yn5kpsbrFo 18 Jan, 2014 @ 2:42pm
How I got Bioshock to run in Windows 7 & 8.1
Updated September 1, 2015 since this is also working in Windows 8.1.

Check the comments - your mileage may vary. This doesn't work for everyone. Thank you for the comments!

My Windows 7 Machine
AMD FX 4100 with GeForce GTX 500

My Windows 8.1 Machine
Alienware Alpha i3 base model

This information is taken from other posts, YouTube, random websites, and trial & error.


Sound Issue and Launch Issue:
  • Create a shortcut on the desktop pointing to bioshock.exe in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Bioshock\Builds\Release\.
  • Right click the shortcut, go to Properties, click the Shortcut tab, add -nointro to the end of the taget field to avoid watching the intro as you troubleshoot.
  • While you are in the Shortut tab, also click Advanced... and check the "Run as administrator" box, click okay
  • Stay in the shortcut properties, go to Compatability, select Run this program in compatability mode for Windows XP (Service Pack 3), click Okay
  • Click Okay to close the shortcut properties window


FOV Issue:
  • Create command.txt in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Bioshock\Content\System . This txt file should only contain this text: SetFOV 100
  • Use notepad to open User.ini in C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Bioshock . Make sure "username" in this file path is the user currently logged in to Windows.
  • Find (control+F) the first line in User.ini containing "NumPad0=" and change it to this: NumPad0=exec command.txt
  • Save User.ini and close it
  • While playing later on, press 0 on the number pad to set the FOV to 100. You could try setting this higher in command.txt, but the image starts to get the fish eye effect very quickly past 100.


Resolution Issue:
  • It can be tricky to get the resolution settings to stay without restarting the game and adjusting the settings multiple times. Be patient with this part.
  • This step Windows 7 only - EXIT Steam and double click the shortcut to bioshock.exe on the desktop. This will require a login to Steam again, but the game will start.
  • Keep the game in windowed mode (or change it to windowed mode and restart the game).
  • Select the 1920 X 1080 option and save. Then change to windowless and save.
  • If this doesn't work close the game and exit Steam, run the game again, and change to windowless.
  • Note - the game window may become bigger than your monitor during this step, so again, consider multiple restarts of the game to get these settings to stay


Run the Game:
  • This step Windows 7 only - Exit Steam.
  • Double click the shortcut to bioshock.exe. You may have to log in to Steam, and the game will start. The intro should not play since we used -nointro in the shortcut target.
  • This may require the current user to be an administrator.


Additional Notes:
  • Using Alt+Tab in game probably won't let you Alt+Tab back. You will need to open Task Manager and end the process for bioshock.exe since the program will not respond at this point.
  • I have not progressed very far into the game. Steam community members have pointed out a potential crashing issue mid-game. Not sure how to address that at this point.
  • Please check the comments in this thread for remaining issues. Community members have shared multiple solutions to the above issues and other issues.
Last edited by yn5kpsbrFo; 1 Sep, 2015 @ 7:57pm
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Showing 1-15 of 404 comments
The Rusty Bucket 18 Jan, 2014 @ 3:58pm 
Finally got it working, thanks for the help
#1
MrBurnyC 18 Jan, 2014 @ 5:48pm 
thank you
#2
Frosty 19 Jan, 2014 @ 4:50pm 
Issue I am having is that running it in WinXP S3 or Vista S2 STILL results in a game launch error from steam.

In fact the issue is slightly different than when launching via Steam.

Launch from Steam w/o compatibility = Bioshock Logo followed by a Windows Program Error

Launch from Steam OR Shortcut WITH compatibility = No logo, Steam Appliction Error

I've tried reinstalling the game, playing with various functions, still can't get it to work. :(
#3
avatares 19 Jan, 2014 @ 9:01pm 
Thanks. Was having trouble with sound.
#4
The Ghost Pyro From Outerspace!! 21 Jan, 2014 @ 1:10pm 
I've got the same problem Frosty. I'd be anxious to know if anyone has found a solution. I've tried running in several different compatability modes, running as admin, and just plain ol' running from steam. If It's the first time I run it with steam open I get a windows crash error, if it isn't the first time I get a steam app error (program already running).
#5
[Gent]The Courier 21 Jan, 2014 @ 1:34pm 
sweet now i cant even get the game to start :(
#6
Frosty 21 Jan, 2014 @ 4:37pm 
Originally posted by The Ghost Pyro From Outerspace!!:
I've got the same problem Frosty. I'd be anxious to know if anyone has found a solution. I've tried running in several different compatability modes, running as admin, and just plain ol' running from steam. If It's the first time I run it with steam open I get a windows crash error, if it isn't the first time I get a steam app error (program already running).

I went ahead and reinstalled/redownloaded twice, verified game files, and even went as far as deleting Steam AppCache files and such (forcing Steam to reupdate core files on my HDD) and STILL having issues. :(

Edit-

So I got it to work for my system. Even though I don't have a standalone Sound Card I do have a Creative soundcard built into my Mobo, which I'm not sure if the game likes or not.

BUT, when starting the game up with -NoSound in the start-up commands I seem to be able to get it to run with decent quality (haven't had it crash yet.) The weirdest part is I had tried this command before and it didn't work... but now it does... so yeah, give it a shot if you can't make it work from the OP's instructions.
Last edited by Frosty; 21 Jan, 2014 @ 5:55pm
#7
Ithaqua 21 Jan, 2014 @ 8:01pm 
Just a note, since this worked for me. If your not running W7/W8+ as admin. Run steam as admin. This was the last thing I needed to do to get it running for me (and -dx10).
#8
Barking Sands 10 Feb, 2014 @ 8:04pm 
And bumped. Thread needs moar sticky. I just reinstalled BioShock after a couple of years and I forgot just how much tweaking is involved in getting the game to be friggin' playable. Even worse than Fallout 3.

I used a more recent sound fix and used the Control Panel to turn on the recording device "Stereo Mix" in the sound device manager. Doesn't need any compatibility mode or Admin priviledges to run properly.

I'm still looking for a fix for the terrible mouse input both in the menu and the game. I tried adding the line:
MouseSmoothingMode=0
at the second to last line of both files
  • C:\Users\MyName\AppData\Roaming\Bioshock\User.ini
  • Steam\SteamApps\common\Bioshock\Builds\Release\DefUser.ini
(NOTE: The line MouseAccelThreshold=0 was already present under [Engine.PlayerInput] and I set the mouse sensitivity in those files from 2500 to 500 as shown:
MouseX=IF_MOUSE_LOOK_ENABLED Count bXAxis | IF_MOUSE_LOOK_ENABLED Axis aMouseX Speed=500.0 MouseY=IF_MOUSE_LOOK_ENABLED Count bYAxis | IF_MOUSE_LOOK_ENABLED Axis aMouseY Speed=500.0
...AND I set both of those files to "read only" in properties. The game starts out with a low sensitivity, but it STILL increases the sensitivity to the point that I can't nudge the mouse without doing a 90 degree turn.

Could still use help there, and the fix belongs in this OP for this thread, and this thread deserves a sticky already ... I'll see if I can flag it to get an Admins attention.

EDIT: OK I fixed the mouse. I had only read somebody's quoted excerpt of the guide on fixing mouse control and didn't see there were another 21 instances of "MouseX Speed=2500.0" that needed to be corrected in each file. Whew, what a mess.
Last edited by Barking Sands; 10 Feb, 2014 @ 8:21pm
#9
rko.. 12 Feb, 2014 @ 5:48am 
awesome thanks for that fov! :zombiehead:
#10
Clone303 13 Feb, 2014 @ 10:43pm 
♥♥♥♥ i cant start it, only the launcher icon come and not more :P anyidea? ps i have close to try anything
#11
cero 15 Feb, 2014 @ 12:02am 
Hello, i hope this help for those with windows seven that used to play the game and now not even open, my fix as a few minutes ago just played bioshock after a couple of months trying to get it to work, since nothing worked i decided to mess with it and see what happened, so here it goes my fix: go to: "\Steam\steamapps\common\bioshock\Builds\Release" where ever you have it, delete the .dll files including the DX9 and DX10 files, all configuration files, and sound files, then go to the steam library open properties for bioshock, (right mouse click, all the way to the bottom of the column), local files and "VERIFY GAME CACHE", steam will download the files, brand new ones in basic configurations, and the game WILL ACTUALLY RUN LIKE NEW!!! I just did it and it worked for me, so i just closed the game so i can tell you my solution, please let me know if this work for you, good luck CERO. :D
#12
cero 15 Feb, 2014 @ 12:06am 
Originally posted by Clone303:
♥♥♥♥ i cant start it, only the launcher icon come and not more :P anyidea? ps i have close to try anything
TRY MY SOLUTION , I JUST POST IT
#13
Clone303 15 Feb, 2014 @ 9:22am 
Originally posted by cero:
Originally posted by Clone303:
♥♥♥♥ i cant start it, only the launcher icon come and not more :P anyidea? ps i have close to try anything
TRY MY SOLUTION , I JUST POST IT
will of cause i get it a try ;)
#14
arnold3k 24 Feb, 2014 @ 2:34pm 
I've tried all suggested solutions to no avail but finally got it working (with the above recommendations) when I INSTALLED BIOSHOCK in C:\ instead of one of my other drives. Maybe those who have tried the suggested fixes and find the game still not launching have Bioshock installed in another drive instead of the MAIN HARD DRIVE?
#15
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Date Posted: 18 Jan, 2014 @ 2:42pm
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