Left4Dead 2 crashing on startup

[50548]

Here is an extract of the crash log:


Exception Type: EXC_BAD_ACCESS (SIGBUS)
Exception Codes: KERN_PROTECTION_FAILURE at 0x000000002a12f4d0
Crashed Thread: 4

Thread 0: MainThrd Dispatch queue: com.apple.main-thread
0 engine.dylib 0x232ba766 Sys_Error_Internal(bool, char const*, char*) + 358
1 engine.dylib 0x232ba7a3 Sys_Error(char const*, ...) + 35
2 engine.dylib 0x2354daee Host_ParseConfiguration(bool) + 494
3 engine.dylib 0x23543a9f Host_Init(bool) + 639
4 engine.dylib 0x2367ddf1 Sys_InitGame(void* (*)(char const*, int*), char const*, void*, int) + 401
5 engine.dylib 0x23683a27 CEngine::Load(bool, char const*) + 87
6 engine.dylib 0x23680e20 CModAppSystemGroup::Main() + 176
7 engine.dylib 0x236c71a8 CAppSystemGroup::Run() + 72
8 engine.dylib 0x23681bb7 CEngineAPI::RunListenServer() + 119
9 launcher.dylib 0x000368a8 CAppSystemGroup::Run() + 72
10 launcher.dylib 0x000368a8 CAppSystemGroup::Run() + 72
11 launcher.dylib 0x0003e4f2 MainFunctionThread(void*) + 82
12 launcher.dylib 0x0003e85c ValveCocoaMain + 140
13 launcher.dylib 0x0002dd51 LauncherMain + 673
14 hl2_osx 0x00001d26 start + 54

Thread 1: Dispatch queue: com.apple.libdispatch-manager
0 libSystem.B.dylib 0x95406982 kevent + 10
1 libSystem.B.dylib 0x9540709c _dispatch_mgr_invoke + 215
2 libSystem.B.dylib 0x95406559 _dispatch_queue_invoke + 163
3 libSystem.B.dylib 0x954062fe _dispatch_worker_thread2 + 240
4 libSystem.B.dylib 0x95405d81 _pthread_wqthread + 390
5 libSystem.B.dylib 0x95405bc6 start_wqthread + 30

This has never happened before (mainly after updating the game on 3 December), so I would appreciate any suggestions for solving the issue...thanks!

 

[LPZ]

I probably won't be able to figure this one out, but in any case you need to post the backtrace for Thread 4, since that's the thread that crashed. You've posted the backtraces for Threads 0 and 1. You should also post the Binary Images section of the crash report.

 

[asdf542]

Post it on the official Steam forums, you'll get better help than you would here:
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=890

 

[50548]

I probably won't be able to figure this one out, but in any case you need to post the backtrace for Thread 4, since that's the thread that crashed. You've posted the backtraces for Threads 0 and 1. You should also post the Binary Images section of the crash report.

My bad, here it is:


Thread 4 Crashed:
0 com.googlecode.google-breakpad 0x297d45bb google_breakpad::ExceptionHandler::UninstallHandler(bool) + 133
1 com.googlecode.google-breakpad 0x297d557f google_breakpad::ExceptionHandler::WaitForMessage(void*) + 381
2 libSystem.B.dylib 0x9540d85d _pthread_start + 345
3 libSystem.B.dylib 0x9540d6e2 thread_start + 34

 

[LPZ]

My bad, here it is:


Thread 4 Crashed:
0 com.googlecode.google-breakpad 0x297d45bb google_breakpad::ExceptionHandler::UninstallHandler(bool) + 133
1 com.googlecode.google-breakpad 0x297d557f google_breakpad::ExceptionHandler::WaitForMessage(void*) + 381
2 libSystem.B.dylib 0x9540d85d _pthread_start + 345
3 libSystem.B.dylib 0x9540d6e2 thread_start + 34

So google-breakpad is actually causing the crash. I guess this is bundled with Left4Dead to handle crash reporting?

I think asdf542 above has a good suggestion.

 

[50548]

What do I lose if I fully erase the game and install it again? Also, CAN I delete it and install it again? What about my achievements?

 

[asdf542]

What do I lose if I fully erase the game and install it again? Also, CAN I delete it and install it again? What about my achievements?

All of your saved data is stored in a cloud and all of your achievements are saved to your profile. So you won't erase saved data and you will not have to redo any achievements.

 

[0xDEADBEEF]

I have the same problem with almost the same stacktrace. The only difference is the memory address mentioned in the stacktrace. I keep getting this crash also during the CS Source game after some minutes of gaming the game crashes. So probably it's a general Steam issue and not game specific

Exception Type: EXC_BAD_ACCESS (SIGBUS)
Exception Codes: KERN_PROTECTION_FAILURE at 0x000000001b0ad4d0
Crashed Thread: 4

Thread 4 Crashed:
0 com.googlecode.google-breakpad 0x1af675bb google_breakpad::ExceptionHandler::UninstallHandler(bool) + 133
1 com.googlecode.google-breakpad 0x1af6857f google_breakpad::ExceptionHandler::WaitForMessage(void*) + 381
2 libSystem.B.dylib 0x9164a85d _pthread_start + 345
3 libSystem.B.dylib 0x9164a6e2 thread_start + 34


I opened a trouble ticket in the steam support.

Did you manage to fix your problem?

 

[50548]

I have the same problem with almost the same stacktrace. The only difference is the memory address mentioned in the stacktrace. I keep getting this crash also during the CS Source game after some minutes of gaming the game crashes. So probably it's a general Steam issue and not game specific

Exception Type: EXC_BAD_ACCESS (SIGBUS)
Exception Codes: KERN_PROTECTION_FAILURE at 0x000000001b0ad4d0
Crashed Thread: 4

Thread 4 Crashed:
0 com.googlecode.google-breakpad 0x1af675bb google_breakpad::ExceptionHandler::UninstallHandler(bool) + 133
1 com.googlecode.google-breakpad 0x1af6857f google_breakpad::ExceptionHandler::WaitForMessage(void*) + 381
2 libSystem.B.dylib 0x9164a85d _pthread_start + 345
3 libSystem.B.dylib 0x9164a6e2 thread_start + 34


I opened a trouble ticket in the steam support.

Did you manage to fix your problem?

Yes, by erasing everything related to Left4Dead2 and downloading/reinstalling again through Steam...now things are fine.

Since I also have Portal, I was able to check whether this was a general Steam problem or game-specific. As Portal did NOT have such an issue and played normally, I realized it was perhaps something related to L4D2's latest update, which probably messed up with some preferences or files.

Took a little while to download (left the computer on overnight), but all is OK after that; also no harm to achievements, since they are kept in the cloud.