I just downloaded this game on my XP and the icon is on the desktop, but, as soon as I click on it to play it, it just flashes for a second and then goes away. so, I downloaded the game to my other windows xp and it does the same thing. I have a Nvidia GeForce 7300 LE (at least on this computer, don't know about the other one that I tried) and I read somewhere that it isn't compatible with nvidia Physx or something. I have a ticket into steam about it, but, wondering if anyone has any ideas sooner? Thanks.

The game needs Nvidia PhysX, so you need to install it if you haven't done so already.

If the game didn't prompt you to install PhysX, you may have a newer version than what the game needs. Check your Add/Remove Programs to see if it's installed. It will probably belisted under "N" for "Nvidia PhysX."

I remember reading somewhere that a new version of PhysX wasn't backwards compatible, but don't know if that's the problem here. But if you've got a newer version of PhysX than what the game uses, it might help to uninstall it and install the version that came with the game.

Also, check to make sure your video hardware acceleration hasn't been turned down (or off) for another game. To do that --

Right-click the desktop where there is no shortcut.
Properties
Settings tab
Advanced button
Troubleshoot tab
Check the hardware acceleration slidebar.

My video hardware aceleration is turned up to full. ah, I thought it wasn't compatible with the physx hardware. so, can I find the physc driver and install that besides my original video driver? I would hate to screw up my video driver for all my other games.

The game had issues if it ran with newer PhysX drivers, which may be your issue. I played the disk version which installed its own version if they weren't available, but I don't know if the download libraries contains them.

What release of drivers are you running?

crapski. dunno what release of drivers I am running... this is just an old dell windows xp, and the graphics card is a nvidia geforce. that's what i thought... that it had some issues with the physx drivers, but, I don't have the nvidia physx. can't figure out why my other games from steam work... tried them out this morning, but, I can't get this one to work. thanks.

Not all games from Steam use PhysX.
I checked the files on my boxed version, but though I see folders for DirectX 9 and Adobe acrobat, I don't see one for PhysX or Ageia PhysX. There's a PhysX installer in there somewhere, but either it has a non-obvious name or it must be hiding inside one of the .cab files.

You might check here
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-2314547.html

and here
http://www.frogwares.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=26

for a link to PhysX drivers that may work.

earlier I had seen that last one and it said: Please try to remove all installed PhysX instances via "Uninstall Programs" menu in Control Panel and then download and install this one: http://support.frogwares.com/attachment_files.php?id=74
Please note what this action can affect your currently installed games to not run.

when I went to my uninstall programs, physx wasn't there for me to uninstall. ? so, I am wondering if I need to just install the physx as a stand alone? over my existing video driver? I am a computer dummy and don't understand unless it is in the simplest language.

If it detects another version installed, I believe it prompts you to uninstall it. Older versions weren't listed under NVidia PhysX, they used something else (I don't recall what it was).

Try downloading the driver and installing it.

nope. I found a nvidia pyhsx download, ran that, and it seemed to install, but, never asked me to uninstall my other driver or anything. I get the same thing when I try to run the game, it flashes: performing first time setup and then it goes away and never plays. I'll wait and see what steam has to say about it. I was really hoping to play this game today.

In my case I had to use the PhysX drivers that came with the game.

Maybe under Ageia? Does that sound familiar?

That sounds right to me; that's how I remember it.

I found some even older PhysX drivers
http://drivers.softpedia.com/get/GRAPHICS-BOARD/OTHERS/AGEIA-PhysX-Driver-71113.shtml

I tried downloading and installing that driver, but, when I went to run it, it said something about that it is not a valid win32 application. thanks though! I sure wish the Steam would get back to me on this.

Make sure the download is the correct size.
It may have broken off prematurely.