Games for Windows LIVE client crashes on launch - Help!

[2Cold Scorpio]

A couple of weeks ago, I had downloaded the Games for Windows Live client to test it out (I don't yet have any games that support it, but I'll be picking up Fallout 3 and possibly GTA4 next week). After I saw it worked, I uninstalled both the client and the distributable (I think I uninstalled the latter first); don't ask me why...

Anyways, since then I installed the post-service pack updates for .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0 as well as installed .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 and then its post-service pack updates. I mention this because this is the only system update I've done (Other than standard Windows Updates) that could affect GFWL. The problem is now I decided to go ahead and reinstall GFWL 2.0; it runs the installer fine, but when I try to launch the GFWL 2.0 client, it crashes during the splash screen with the following:

-----------------------------------------------------
Games for Windows - LIVE Client Has Stopped Working

Description:
Stopped working

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: GFWLClient.exe
Application Version: 2.0.675.0
Application Timestamp: 492ba6ee
Fault Module Name: KERNEL32.dll
Fault Module Version: 6.0.6001.18000
Fault Module Timestamp: 4791a76d
Exception Code: e0434f4d
Exception Offset: 000442eb
OS Version: 6.0.6001.2.1.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033
-----------------------------------------------------

And unfortunately, it'll be a few days before I can test to see whether the distributable part of it works or not (the in-game components). I've already tried the region fix, but my version is English and I live in the U.S.; everything there is set properly.

I'm using Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit with Service Pack 1 and all post-SP1 Windows Update updates, .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (plus everything I could find on the previous .NET Framework updates for 3.0 and 2.0), and UAC is set to Silent Mode (this was the case with the first install when GFWL worked fine).

Any help, please? I know i need to get this sorted out before I can get GTA4.

[2Cold Scorpio]

The more I look at the problem, the more I think it must be tied to the .NET Framework updates I did. Its beginning to look like I'll need to uninstall it all (though I don't know if that means just 3.5, or all of them). I'd love to have some feedback on whether this is the correct course of action and the best way to go about doing it.

I'd hate to have to reformat; I just finished getting a fresh install the way I like it two weeks ago.

[kalniel]

If it is .NET related, maybe it'd be better to wait until they either patch it again, or try and use a redistributable to install ontop of your current install again.

[2Cold Scorpio]

Well, here's what I did:

1. A couple of weeks back, I installed both the newest versions of the GFWL client and redistributable to check it out, then uninstalled because I had no use for it at the time.
2. A few days ago, I completely updated .Net Framework 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5; 2.0 & 3.0 with post-Service Pack updates, and 3.5 with Service Pack 1+post SP1 updates.
3. A day or two after that, I tried reinstalling GFWL Client 2.0/Redistributable in preparation for getting Fallout 3 (and possibly GTA4) this week. It seems to install fine, but when I launch the Client part, it crashes during the splash screen while the program is loading & gives the error message listed in the OP. I've uninstalled and then reinstalled several times now, but the problem persists.

And unfortunately, I can't actually test to see if the distributable part works or not (the distributable part is the in-game component; you don't actually *need* the client, from what I understand, except for GTA4, I think) as I don't have any games that support GFWL yet.

The only other solution I've found online has to do with the regional settings being set correctly (mine are; English/United States), and I double checked that, so it isn't the issue.

I wonder if I just uninstalled .Net FW 3.5, reinstalled it without the service pack, installed GFWL if it would work... ^_^ And maybe *then* I could reinstall SP1 (but might leave off the post-SP fixes for now).

I'm just stumped, to be honest.

[2Cold Scorpio]

Well, I completely uninstalled .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, cleaned out all the leftover files, and reinstalled .NET Framework 3.5 SP1; no dice.

The only thing I can think of that's left is to do that again, but *not* install the version of 3.5 with SP1... ^_^