Can't launch the launcher ("stopped working")

[KoopaCL]

Yo.

I recently acquired COH and all of it's expansions through Steam (about fourth time I buy the game, I always lose the DVDs) and decided to try out this mod.

I installed in the correct directory (steamapps/common/company of heroes). I used the launcher once, it opened all fine and dandy, and update my downloaded version (1701 if I recall correctly) to the latest (1702). The problem is, now I try to open the launcher (either through a Steam shortcut I made, or directly from the folder it's installed on) and it won't even open, it just gives me the generic Windows error "Eastern Front Launcher stopped working" about 2 seconds after clicking on it.

I tried running as administrator (both from the compatibility tab, and by just right clicking and selecting "run as administrator) but no dice, gives me the same error.

I just wanted to point out that I never got to play the game, but before patching the launcher worked OK. It patched the mod automatically the first time I ran it, and now it's dead.

For what it's worth, here's what "EF_Launcher_Log" has to say:

######     Eastern Front Launcher Log   ######
###### newbielink:http://www.easternfront.org/ [nonactive] ######

Created : 14-12-2012 18:03:09
OS Build : Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
Launcher Version: 3.2.0.0
14-12-2012 18:03:09   : MESSAGE :   Retriving Eastern Front Mod version from registry...
Eastern Front Version: 1.7.0.2

##############################################################
14-12-2012 18:03:09   : MESSAGE :   Creating a new instance of Eastern Front Launcher...
14-12-2012 18:03:09   : MESSAGE :   Initializing...
14-12-2012 18:03:09   : MESSAGE :   Checking language file version...
14-12-2012 18:03:09   : MESSAGE :   Language file check passed.
14-12-2012 18:03:09   : MESSAGE :   Creating tooltips...
14-12-2012 18:03:09   : MESSAGE :   Tooltips created.
14-12-2012 18:03:10   : MESSAGE :   Initialized Succesfully.
14-12-2012 18:03:10   : MESSAGE :   Preparing to check for updates...
14-12-2012 18:03:10   : MESSAGE :   Creating update thread...
14-12-2012 18:03:10   : MESSAGE :   Updated thread started.
14-12-2012 18:03:10   : MESSAGE :   Gathering update information...
14-12-2012 18:03:27   : MESSAGE :   Update information recieved.
14-12-2012 18:03:27   : MESSAGE :   Reading update information...
14-12-2012 18:03:27   : MESSAGE :   Retriving Eastern Front Mod version from registry...
14-12-2012 18:10:13   : MESSAGE :   Exiting launcher...

So, uh, any clue on what could be causing this? I'm as computer illiterate as an old farmer, and any help would be appreciated.

[Blackbishop]

In this topic something similar was reported, could you check if that works for you?

[KoopaCL]

No dice, mate. Closed the launcher and everything about it, changed "auto update" to false as recommended, tried to run again (as admin no less), still get the "stopped working" error.

[Blackbishop]

I'm not sure what happened, but you can try to create a shorcut to play CoH: EF without the launcher:
http://www.easternfront.org/forums/index.php?topic=5312.0

or set up steam to launch CoH: EF instead of the regular game:

[...]
Open steam, go to your library then right-click on the CoH you use and go to properties -> Launch Options and set it to -dev -mod Eastern_Front.

Then you must run the game through the Library.
[...]