Hammer keeps insisting that gameinfo.txt is missing

[Ida]

I'm trying to launch Hammer from my Team Fortress 2\bin folder, but both hammer.bin and hammer.exe fail to launch because "common\Team Fortress 2\tf\gameinfo.txt is missing". However, the file is there, and it always has been. This is what it looks like. Is there anything that looks wrong there?

I've tried validating TF2 as well as Source SDK numerous times, I've set the right path for the game configuration, and I've tried to launch Hammer via the SDK launcher - but when I do that, nothing happens. Except one time when it managed to launch Hammer but then it crashed and went back to not launching.

I have no clue any more, guys.

 

[Valkyrie]

Try just redownloading and deleting the original gameinfo.txt thats what I had to do

 

[Ida]

I've tried redownloading it from some other site, and I also tried deleting it and having Steam replace it through validation. Neither of those things worked.

 

[Ida]

Ok, update: I reinstalled TF2 and now I can launch Hammer, but only from the SDK launcher. The bin folder still doesn't work.

But when I launch it, I get this error:

And then it shuts down/crashes.

Edit: Nevermind, launching from sourcesdk/bin works now. I'm still as confused as ever but at least it seems to work now.

 

[FiLi]

I had this problem. Running hammer as an administrator got it to work. That may be something to keep in mind.

 

[Ida]

Ok so I have an update: Apparently all of the entity icons and stuff are gone, because they're all red error models. I decided to reinstall Booj's FGD pack thing, but I get this error when I try that:

Which is, of course, correct - because I haven't run Hammer from Team Fortress 2\bin, since it doesn't work, as explained. So I guess I'm back to square one: I need to be able to run Hammer from bin, and for that I need it to be able to locate gameinfo.txt. Does anyone have any clue about how I can do that?

Oh, and FiLi: Thanks for the suggestion, but that doesn't work.

 

[A Boojum Snark]

Have you tried deleting the whole bin and letting steam reacquire it?

 

[Ida]

Wow, no, I hadn't actually thought of that - and it worked!

Thank you! <3

 

[[LANX] Death4two]

How does team "reacquire it?" because I am getting an error starting tf2 now.

 

[Idolon]

Verify the your game cache. Steam will check for missing/corrupted files and re-download them.

 

[nickybakes]

How does team "reacquire it?" because I am getting an error starting tf2 now.

After you delete it (or not delete it), verify your game cache (google it if you don't know how to verify your game cache).

Edit: Ninja'd by idolon.

 

[Another Bad Pun]

How does team "reacquire it?" because I am getting an error starting tf2 now.

Once you've deleted the bin, go to steam and right click Team Fortress Two. Find "validate integrity of game cache" somewhere and it will locate the missing bin folder and replace it with a stock one.

edit: dangit guys i posted first but then reposted to quote him and now im last

 

[[LANX] Death4two]

Ay Thanks

 

[CareBear]

Can someone help me out, whenever i try to open Hammer from the tf/bin folder it comes up with the same error message stated at the top of this discussion. I have tried verifying my game cache, deleting it and then verifying, running hammer as an administrator, deleting the bin folder and verifying, resetting the game configuration in the source sdk, even completely reinstalling tf2. nothing is working. and i want to be able to use Hammer through the bin folder, not through the source sdk. it may be worth mentioning that i have moved my steam installation to a separate hard drive recently and verified each game after doing so. Please help.

 

[Beef Bucket]

I'm not certain, but I want to say you have to run TF2 through Steam at least once to have it generate a gameinfo.txt

 

[CareBear]

done that, didnt work. keeps coming up with the same error at the top of the thread

 

[Pocket]

You may have to resort to only launching it through the BAT file; I have the same issue with HLMV.

 

[CareBear]

I've tried launching it through the BAT file. comes up with a window for less than a split second and disappears. Think its having the same problem as the EXE.

 

[Gale]

I may be wrong, but isn't this thread 3 years old?

 

[CareBear]

Yes it is, but nothing else is working