Overview
For Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 users. In this guide you’ll find the troubleshooting steps required to resolve a common application hang for many classic games.
The Symptoms
- Steam is reporting “app already running” although the game application has not started.
- Application hang is present over many games.
- A process rundll32.exe present after initial system boot and launch of the game.
– Note that some drivers will make use of the process rundll32.exe. Therefore this process is not a definite indication of a issue.
The Cause
If you are encountering an application hang while using an older version of Windows then the issue might reside with your operating system. For quite some time there has been a widespread issue when launching some games on operating systems such as Windows 7, this is caused by Game Explorer trying to reach an obsolete server. In many cases a workaround consists of ending the task rundll32.exe, however this workaround can be considered inconvenient.
In order to resolve the issue, Game Explorer will have to either be redirected to your machine or the dynamic list library “GameUX.dll” removed (otherwise renamed).
For instructions on how to remove or rename GameUX.dll, see the following section.
For instructions on how to redirect Game Explorer to your machine click here[www.gog.com].
The Fix
In order to resolve the application hang, rename the file GameUX.dll to GameUX.dll.old and then restart your computer.
Gameux.dll can be found the following locations:
- C:Windowssystem32
- C:WindowsSysWOW64
See below for instruction on how to take control of gameux.dll.
Taking Control of Gameux.dll
Gameux.dll is protected by TrustedInstaller.exe which is a process of Windows Modules Installer service in Windows. It’s main function is to enable installation, removal and modification of Windows Updates and optional system components.
Not going to drag down this guide even further so all you have to do is follow every step on this article –>
[link]
Games Affected
This is issue happens commonly with the following games:
GoldSrc Games
- Half-Life
- Half-Life: Blue Shift
- Half-Life: Opposing Force
- Counter-Strike: 1.6
- Counter-Strike: Condition Zero
- Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Deleted Scenes
- Team Fortress Classic
- Day Of Defeat
- Ricochet
- Deathmatch Classic
Source Games
- Half-Life 2
- Half-Life 2: Episode One
- Half-Life 2: Episode Two
- Half-Life Source
- Day Of Defeat: Source
- Portal
- Modular Combat (HL2 Mod)
Important
As of January 14ᵗʰ, 2020, Windows 7 users will no longer receive free security updates, however the fix below should nonetheless resolve the application hang.