Game is unavailable (application running)
 

I used to be able to run a server & play the game on the same box. After the steam auto-update I can no longer do both at the same time. The game server launches OK but when I try to start the game seperately to join it, I get a Steam error "This game is unavailable (application running)" error. Ideas?

I get this now and again on other games.

For some reason steam still thinks the game is running, try closing steam and relaunching or restart windows.

Hope that helps.

Thnaks Krupi, tried your suggestions but didn't help. :evil:

Salmo I sent you a PM. - or two...

Thanks Faber, tried your suggestion but again same error. Tried a cache verify but that didn't help either.

I've done these so far (acording to the steam help threads) and tried the game again after each one:

Restart Steam.
Restart PC.
Force Steam to remake ClientRegistry.blob.
Force Steam to re-update itself by deleting everything but Steam.exe and the steamapps folder.
Checked nothing is set to read only.
Verified the game's cache files.
Updated my video card drivers to the newest version.
Start the game from the .exe in the steamapps folder.
Try compatibility mode on the .exe in the steamapps folder.

Nothing fixes the issue. Looks like steam will not allow 2 instances of the game to be running simultaneously which is puzzling given that for 18 months you've been able to do this. Cannot start a multiplayer server then start the game on the same box (or vice versa). :evil:

I've contacted steam & recieved a less than helpful reply referring me to the steam-FAQ's or the game developer.I've tried pretty much everything I can find on the steam forums without success.

Is there anyone else who runs a game server & plays the game on the same box? Are you having trouble getting both the server & the game to run simultaneously since the last (final) patch?

Try using 2nd empty Steam account to start a server. Server does not require a purchased game. Then if you can not launch 2nd instance of Steam at the same PC you may be required to create a virtual PC. Repka runs several servers at the same hardware in this way.

I wasn't clear enough in my explanation. I have 2 steam accounts already, and these accounts have been running the server & playing the game simultaneously for over 18 months now. It's only with the last patch that I can no longer run 2 instances of the game simultaneously on the same machine (even from 2 seperate steam accounts).

I guess Windows Virtual PC must allow to run a second copy of anything as it creates a separate PC withing the 1st one.