If using the retail disk version -
Have you patched the game (if using the Steam version Steam will automatically patch
before allowing you to play) ? Download the patches from Rockstar. 1.0.7 is the final patch.
( I don't recall if this patch is cumulative, or if I installed it. I may have stopped at 1.0.5 and I avoid
being on line when launching the game to keep GFWL from stuffing it up).
Retail or Steam - Have you done the following -
-Installed the 'important' Windows Updates, sp1 in particular, but there are several other
updates that relate to gaming.
- Updated Direct X via the DX Web Installer ?
Download details: DirectX End-User Runtime
- Updated MS .NET framework ? After installing .NET 4.0 use Windows updates to update it.
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=17718
- Uninstall the Games For Windows Live client, Marketplace, and Windows Live
Sign In Assistant . Reinstall GFWL with the one below.
Download: Games for Windows Software Setup 3.5 - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details
I don't recall if marketplace comes with the client or if it needs to be installed separately , or at all
(may be required because I have it installed and have absolutely no need for marketplace) -
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/LIVE/PC/DownloadClient
-If you do not want to play GTA4 on line use the xliveless.dll (replaces the xlive.dll in the games install folder). This can be downloaded from most of the GTA4 mod sites.
-Once you get to the setup screen you may find there is an issue with VRAM, depending on which
graphics card you are using. To fix this make a Command Prompt as follows -
Open notepad and add the lines below, then name the file commandline.txt
-width 1920
-height 1080
-norestrictions
-nomemrestrict
-availablevidmem 6.0
If none of the above helps try Rockstar support and forums
.