Today I bought the Stalker bundle and have just installed Shadow of Chernobyl. Unfortunately, after uninstalling, trying a repair, patching fsgame.ltx, making a batch file that runs the application I still cannot get the game functioning.

Incident 1)
Norton (I know its awful but free) reported a security issue with xrGame.dll. I restored the file and gog Galaxy said installation broken. Tried a repair and Galaxy said install failure or something along the lines. I tried an uninstall and reinstall with out norton removing xrGame.dll. Still Galaxy said Installation Broken.

Incident 2)
Tried launching Stalker through the executable and got a missing fsgame.ltx file. The file was completely missing. Found someones config online and saved there config in a new file called fsgame.ltx. Launched which brings me too..

Incident 3)
A blank screen which made me think everything works. The dialog would launch, the screen would go black and now I get an error from BugTrap

My Config:
$app_data_root$=true|false|C:\|Users\Public\Documents\STALKER-SHOC\
$game_data$ = true| true| $fs_root$| gamedata\
$game_ai$ = true| false| $game_data$| ai\
$game_spawn$ = true| false| $game_data$| spawns\
$game_anims$ = true| true| $game_data$| anims\
$game_levels$ = true| false| $game_data$| levels\
$game_meshes$ = true| true| $game_data$| meshes\
$game_dm$ = true| true| $game_data$| meshes\
$game_shaders$ = true| true| $game_data$| shaders\
$game_sounds$ = true| true| $game_data$| sounds\
$game_textures$ = true| true| $game_data$| textures\
$game_scripts$ = true| false| $game_data$| scripts\
$game_config$ = true| false| $game_data$| config\
$level$ = false| false| $game_levels$
$game_saves$ = true| false| $app_data_root$| savedgames\
$logs$ = true| false| $app_data_root$| logs\
$screenshots$ = true| false| $app_data_root$| screenshots\
$downloads$ = false| false| $app_data_root$| downloads\

Error from BugTrap:

Exception:
XR_3DA.exe caused BREAKPOINT in module "C:\GOG Games\S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl\bin\xrCore.dll" at 0023:005BCC85, xrDebug::backend()+165 byte(s)

Registers:
EAX=100B3158 EBX=00000029 ECX=100B3160 EDX=100B327F
ESI=005E9328 EDI=0018D458 FLG=00200216
EBP=0018CB58 ESP=0018BB50 EIP=005BCC85
CS=0023 DS=002B SS=002B ES=002B FS=0053 GS=002B

Stack Trace:
0023:005bCC85 | xrDebug::backend()+165 byte(s) | C:\GOG\STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl\bin\xrCore.dll
0023:005BCEEB | xrDebug::fatal()+91 byte(s) |C:\GOG\STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl\bin\xrCore.dll
0023:04244C8B | C:\Program Files (x86)\Razer\Razer Cortex\K_FPS.dll

--------

At this point I want to return the game. Could it be that Stalker does not like Razer Cortex?

Did you try disabling Norton before installing and running to make sure it was Norton causing the issue? Cortex shouldn't interfere with anything but I also don't think it needs to be running all of the time given that it's not really that kind of app. So if the problem persists with both Cortex and Norton off, then it's something else. :P

You might want to check the file on VirusTotal, it checks the file against many antivirus programs. It's useful for checking false positives caused by antivirus software.

Trying a reinstall with both off. I think there is just a windows 7 compatibility issue. After all, this game did come out in 2007.

I might have to report the .ltx file missing from the install to GOG staff. After adding it I do believe the BugTrap error is on my end.

There are some notorious bugs in STALKER, but worry not, there is always a solution.

1. Please go to the Zone Reclamation Project, download section, and download the latest version of the Unofficial patch. Read the install instructions carefully, as they are not rocket science.

2. Completely uninstall the game. Do a cleaning with CCleaner (free and effective). Reinstall the game (right click on installer and Run as Administrator, or open Galaxy as administrator, if case) and apply the Unofficial Patch. After install you can tweak it, but I strongly recommend leaving it with default values, especially if this is your first adventure in the Zone.

3. I strongly recommend you use another partition to install your games (not only GOG). This way you can avoid all the hassle with Windows going crazy about C:\.

Please post back if this helps.

Note: There are dedicated forums for STALKER series. Try to avoid posting in General Section.

I'm having the same issue. CoP works fine but SoC says: "Installation broken" in my gog library page. I'm on Win 8.1 pro

Im trying an installer by downloading it through the GOG Downloader

https://www.gog.com/downloader
https://www.gog.com/downloader/listing/stalker_shadow_of_chernobyl

Install the downloader, login, and chose your language.

I heard this works. I appreciate your help but I do believe the way I am doing shall work. I will try yours if I come across another problem. If I get it to work I will mark your post as the solution, as for you have been the most help.

Well, I dont know if this will help at all, but the line:

$game_data$ = true| true| $fs_root$| gamedata\

should be set to false unless you're running any mods - this is a possible cause of the black screen.

Also, might be better off posting / checking the game subforum: http://www.gog.com/forum/stalker_series#1433375889 Edit: two threads on it -
http://www.gog.com/forum/stalker_series/shadow_of_chernobyl_not_installing_correctly
http://www.gog.com/forum/stalker_series/unable_to_launch_soc_installed_via_galaxy_client

Mods folder is populated by one mod from Galaxy install. The line may still be relevant to the error; Mods are stored in the mods folder not gamedata.

No, mods are stored in the gamedata folder - the mods folder in the stalker installations is a throwback to earlier builds that never got cleaned out.

Edit: if you dont believe me - check the install instructions for ANY stalker game - mods go in the gamedata folder! I would say your launch issue is entirely due to the aforementioned line in the ITX file as you copied it from elsewhere.

This is the first time I have ever seen someone have issues with stalker here 0_0

Did you install the DirectX patch? that distribution thing that gives you all the directX from all the years that passed by I remember not having that installed and my game had this type of issue. here Is a link try this maybe it might work for you as it did for me a few years back. https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/download/details.aspx?id=8109

Got it to work through gog downloader and installer. Thanks for everyones help :) Glad I can finally play.

I had the same problem tonight. I don't run Norton, just Windows Defender. I successfully installed Call of Pripyat through Galaxy though.

I went to the bin folder and failed to successfully launch XR_3DA.exe. If the folders/files are organized like Pripyat, that would be the right .exe to run. I got the same missing file error.

I then downloaded the files directly from the gog.com website and that worked. Go to Stalker in your account pages and click on each of the files names. Once I began installation, It asked me to find "shoc_2.1.0.7.bin". I pointed it to "setup_shoc_2.1.07.bin", one of the three files I downloaded from the website and that worked.

Its just a bad deployment on GOG's end. Im sure if I moved mods around or changed the line like you said it would workl but I had already installed it and was downloading the installer. Thank you for trying to help me solve my problem and get the game rolling.