Hello.

I just got this game (with steam)...
when i launched it the first time all was going great ... before playing i went to the video settings and set almost all options to max... and when i applyed the changes. .. the game crashed...

then i tryed to open the game again.. and when it opens doesnt even gets to the first screen that crashes ...

so.. it opens, shows black screen and goes to desktop with out any errors or nothing ..

What can i do??
how can i lower the graphics from outside the game?

My Pc:

Core 2 duo 2.20Ghz - 2gb ddr2 - GeForce 8600GT "DDR3" 256mb.

Launch regedit, then search for "Source".
Press F3 until you reach the "Settings" key under the "mm" key and delete it.

WATCH OUT you're editing the registry this way, make a proper backup if you don't know what I'm talking about.

I have that too and it's when you have anti aliasing X4 when you exit the game and you can't run it again. I thing the system source can't use Anti aliasing X4 i have counter strike source and it's do that too(but it's restart the settings).

I didn't try do to anything. I just do FORMAT

Try to do new profile in windows and log on to the new profile and try to run dark messiah.
But didn't try to run Dark messiah with anti aliasing X4

It depends on what your system is capable of, IfritPL2005. Max settings for video only on high end videocards.
@ gouken17: the key to delete is only [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Source\mm]
both read this thread, it's all in there.
For updated version see my sig...