Games no longer run

[Roostervier]

So I'm using Vista, and everything's working fine. Then, out of nowhere, none of my games work. Either when I run the exe nothing happens or they get stuck at the splash screen and stay there. Reformatting would be such a hassle considering I've done it twice in two months already, and I'm sick of reinstalling all the programs I always use and drivers for hardware. Has anybody heard of a problem like this or know how to fix it? I searched google and got pretty much nothing.

[Amit]

Try system restore if you have it option enabled. Everyone should have it enabled.

[Syuusuke]

In before someone says "vista sucks"...because that is not the case.

I have had this happened to me and a simple restart worked...

Is it only games or other applications too? (Maybe something with directx here...)

[Roostervier]

It's only games, and a restart hasn't worked. Also, a system restore would mean redownloading 15 gb worth of games off of steam. D:

[Terin]

I'd say reinstall your video drivers. And if you have some blank CDs/DVDs, you can back up the Steam games to them, and then be able to quickly reinstall if you do have to reformat.

[Roostervier]

Holy shit, I can't believe I didn't think of reinstalling directx. I don't know if it's fixed the other games yet, but it fixed halo. Thanks for the help guys!

[Syuusuke]

It's only games, and a restart hasn't worked. Also, a system restore would mean redownloading 15 gb worth of games off of steam. D:

Most files aren't touched, system settings are raped by the system restore. That's its job.

If you really think your steam games will dissappear, make up backup of the entire Steamapps and save it onto an external drive?

[Roostervier]

No no, you fixed it with your first suggestion with directx, my other games work too. Thanks again man.