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Okay so I'm new to using play on linux normally I just use wine how ever recently due to various reasons I've begun using this as well, that being said here is the issue. 

 

1. I've downloaded the windows version of steam it installed fine, how ever I get a black screen while running it or rather to be better describe it... Steam launches and provides me with it's usual appearance accept that all of the important stuff such as Username, password, library, settings etc... are solid black as if nothing was there. 

 

I looked through some of the older forums posts and saw this was an issue but it was fixed years ago it appears it's broken again or perhaps I've yet to do some thing that I should have. 

I realize steam has come out with a linux client that works just fine but as I'm sure most of you know you can't download any thing on an " Linux " operating system unless the developers of the games tagged it as being compatiable. There are work arounds for this but that majority of them seem to be outdated and no longer viable. 

 

Does any one have any suggesstions as to how I can fix the issue that's making the program black? I'm finding it difficult to provide the security code so I can even login.

Please post your full computer specs, version of Wine being used, version of POL used, how you installed it, and your debug logs. 

Ram = 8000 MB 

Gpu  = Radeon HD 7970 (using Fglrx ) 3 GB

Cpu = AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 965 Processor (3.2 ghz) 

POL version = 4.2.5 

wine version = 1.7

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How did I install play on linux? sudo apt-get install playonlinux 

And as for isntalling wine I tried multiple different approaches, 

1. I grabbed a copy of Steam for windows from the official site and this is the result. 

2. I used pol to get it the second time. 

 

Debug log = 

[07/06/15 12:56:12] - Running wine- Steam.exe (Working directory : /home/suroh/.PlayOnLinux/wineprefix/Steam/drive_c/Program Files/Steam)
[0706/125617:ERROR:network_change_notifier_win.cc(173)] WSALookupServiceBegin failed with: 8
Assert( Assertion Failed: Couldn't get string length ):..\vgui_surfacelib\Win32Font.cpp:941

[2015-07-06 12:56:14] Startup - updater built Jun  4 2015 10:36:34
[2015-07-06 12:56:14] Verifying installation...
[2015-07-06 12:56:16] Verification complete
[2015-07-06 13:07:34] Shutdown
[07/06/15 13:10:15] - Running wine- Steam.exe (Working directory : /home/suroh/.PlayOnLinux/wineprefix/Steam/drive_c/Program Files/Steam)
[0706/131017:ERROR:network_change_notifier_win.cc(173)] WSALookupServiceBegin failed with: 8
Assert( Assertion Failed: Couldn't get string length ):..\vgui_surfacelib\Win32Font.cpp:941

[2015-07-06 13:10:16] Startup - updater built Jun  4 2015 10:36:34
[2015-07-06 13:10:16] Verifying installation...
[2015-07-06 13:10:16] Verification complete
[2015-07-06 13:19:33] Shutdown

Edited by suroh666

You should do a manual install. I really need to update the wiki with a tutorial on the basics of this. :) I will do that in the next couple of days with screenshots. Essentially, you need to create a virtual drive and install steam into that via POL:

Install the newest x86 version of Wine through Manage Wine Versions

Create a new 32-bit virtual drive in the Configure Window

Install Steam via the Install Components tab in the Configure Window

Go to the General tab and select "Create a new shortcut from this virtual drive". 

Once you do that, you will have a fresh virtual drive configured to use Steam, with a launcher in the main POL window. You can open that, sign in, and download/install games into that virtual drive. Now, keep in mind that a lot of games require different things, so before will want to check the Install Window for the game that you want to install and try that first. But yeah; that is how you manually install Steam proper. At least that is how I do it. 

I install Steam the same way, but you will have to add:

-no-dwrite

To the Arguments in PlayOnLinux Configure
This way you see all of the text.

Also, I was told that installing the Steam Package will fix this dwrite problem, but I still like to do it manually.

And... I recommend installing PlayOnLinux 4.2.8

Awesome thank you, I followed your directions and cleared the issue up. Hopefully I can get rift to run :) Thank you again for the help!

AppDB has some good feedback and test results for Rift:  WineHQ

 

AppDB has some good feedback and test results for Rift:  WineHQ

 

Quote from booman

Word. haha. I forgot to mention that. Appdb.winehq.org is really the best place to start looking when you need to figure out what an app needs to run. 

Yup, even if the game test results are out-dated, many gamers will post tips, fixes or hacks to get a game running.
I always go there first and even if the game shows "garbage" I will still try it.  Many times the game runs fine in PlayOnLinux.

 

I install Steam the same way, but you will have to add:

-no-dwrite

To the Arguments in PlayOnLinux Configure
This way you see all of the text.

Also, I was told that installing the Steam Package will fix this dwrite problem, but I still like to do it manually.

And... I recommend installing PlayOnLinux 4.2.8

 

Quote from booman

I have never once had to do that. That is why we use scripts; so that users don't have to worry about that stuff... ;)

Also, what "Steam package" are you talking about? The instructions that I posted up never require the dwrite flag, so I am just curious, is all. lol.

Edited by RoninDusette

Really?  I've always done the argument -no-dwrite otherwise all the fonts are missing.  The buttons are there, but not the fonts.  I download Steam from Steampowered.com and install it.  I don't use the package provided by PlayOnLinux.

Yeah I'm a big user of AppDB I worked through the posts I found there when It was suggessted to me to use pol :P 

I'm surprised, normally Maintainers of the games on AppDB will delete posts and test results related to Patched versions of Wine and PlayOnLinux.

If I decide to post a test result, I just won't mention PlayOnLinux

Yeah I found it strange as well, but I'm glad this one was left up!

There are a few, very few maintainers that are "ok" with PlayOnLinux.  this apparently is one of them 

Yeah I found it strange as well, but I'm glad this one was left up!

me too!