Unable to install games on Steam

[SNinjaMedia]

A few months after I got my computer refitted with Windows 7, I started getting a window every time I clicked on...say...Internet Explorer. It says: "Choose the program you want to use to open this file:
File: iexplore.exe" Then it shows a bunch of programs. I select "iexplore.exe", but the internet explorer window just opens and closes. Thankfully in the next few days after experiencing this problem, I found a way to get on the internet without the dissappearing window. However, when I bought the game James Bond: Quantum of Solace from Steam(my favorite gaming download site). Unfortunately, when I first launch it after waiting for hours and hours for the download to finish, the window pops up and demands for SteamService.exe. So I locate SteamService.exe(which I know is necessary to help install the game)but the same thing happened. A little window popped up and closed itself all at the same time. This happened for Star Trek Online, and now GTA IV! Please help me! I would really appreciate it!
P.S. For some reason Default Programs Editor won't open, even when I click the right file and association, so that's completely out of the question.

 

[ozzy441]

First off, Welcome to SevenForums.

I'm not sure myself, I'd need a little time to look over the problem, but I'm sure somebody about here could answer quicker.

In the meantime, for your problem specifically with Steam, they have their own forums, so you may find another user who has a had a similar problem, or can help you with yours.

 

[SNinjaMedia]

Do you need a screenshot? I could send you a couple. And I'm sure it's a system problem, not a Steam problem, but I'll check anyway. Thanks for your help!
Edit: Nope. I scored the forums and didn't find anything usefull.

 

[ozzy441]

A screenshot would be useful, yes. It would be better though if you could upload it to, say, imageshack or another similar service, then include it in your post. If it turns out I can't help, then the picture will be there for anybody else looking into your problem.

 

[BlackSparrow]

Your problem would either be that your save place (usually Local Disk C) is too full for you to install games, or that the game does not the right system specs as yours, making it unable to install. Could you send us a screenshot of the problem please? It would really help us if we knew what the problem was.

 

[SNinjaMedia]

No, I know for a fact I have all the space I need; I installed all 3 games successfully. This wierd window always pops up when I'm about to preform first time set up: (see attachment) Then after I select SteamService.exe (Steam Client Service [buildbot_winslave04_steam_steam_r...), a small window pops up for half a millisecond and then dissappears mysteriously.

 

[BlackSparrow]

No, I know for a fact I have all the space I need; I installed all 3 games successfully. This wierd window always pops up when I'm about to preform first time set up: (see attachment) Then after I select SteamService.exe (Steam Client Service [buildbot_winslave04_steam_steam_r...), a small window pops up for half a millisecond and then dissappears mysteriously.

I seriously don't know why that happens... maybe you should check the Steam forums to see if someone has the same problem.

 

[XGamer95]

Well first off, Windows shouldn't be asking you how to open a .exe and then have you choose that same file to open it. If I'm understanding the situation correctly, that seems like a problem in itself and I recommend you create a new thread in the appropriate section of sevenforums to address it. Therefore, the title of this thread is a little misleading as you can install the games (downloading a game in Steam is installing it), you just cannot run the first time setup thus not allowing you to play the game because of the issue with steamservice.exe. I assume the reason you downloaded "Default Programs Editor" was because of the file association issues originally but in my opinion it could be causing more harm than good. Do you remember if there was any significant system change immediately before the file association issues began?

 

[SNinjaMedia]

If there was any significant change, I would have remembered it. Unfortunately, I don't remember any change. I'm considering just changing my OS to try to solve the problem. Would this work, or would it cause even more harm? Would it screw up my systems memory?

 

[SNinjaMedia]

I seriously don't know why that happens... maybe you should check the Steam forums to see if someone has the same problem.[/QUOTE]

As I said earlier in this post, I already scored the forums and didn't find anything useful. If you could find a thread that I possibly overlooked, please send me link. Thanks for the help!

 

[XGamer95]

If you wish to do a "clean install" of Windows 7, it would fix all the issues you've been experiencing, but you will lose all of your data unless you back up what you wish to keep to an external hard drive or USB flash drive. This means you would have to re-download all of the games you currently have installed on Steam or backup all of the games through Steam but you would need an external hard drive/USB flash drive with a large capacity and it would take quite some time. On top of that you would have to re-install every program you currently use after the clean install and you would lose all data for them but once again you could probably back them up, but I've never done that for a clean install. In other words, you lose everything except what you back up. If you want more info on clean installing Windows 7 check out this thread.

 

[SNinjaMedia]

Is it possible to install an operation system without losing data, or would I have to use an external hard drive? Also, another issue. The same window comes up asking for SPInstaller when I try updating windows with the service pack. I can't take this any longer.

 

[SNinjaMedia]

Final update: Guess what? I figured out what the problem was! After looking at the problem, my mom suggested that we contact ESET Tech Support (ESET is my antivirus software). So this morning we talked with the representative from ESET, and he identified the problem as a virus which messed up the part of the computer system that associated file types. After some short touch ups, he managed to vanquish the virus and now I can install my games! But thanks anyway to the people who posted on this thread to try to help me. Thanks guys!
StealthyNinjaMedia
StealthyNinjaMedia - YouTube

 

[Goldhat]

Its a virus that pops up the window to choose the file to open the .exe