Steam Friends BETA
We all know that the Friends instant messaging and locating system hasn’t really worked, and that it has been unavailable for months. But now Steam has worked out the kinks, and will release it next week:
The Friends system is also nearing the end of its beta phase, and will soon be available to everyone running Steam. […] There are also a number of additional features we’ll be adding to it over time. Early next week, we’ll be updating Steam with a convenient way to join the Friends beta.
This entry was posted on Sunday, March 12th, 2006 at 2:20 pm and is tagged with beta phase, kinks, steam, instant messaging. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback.
76 Responses to 'Steam Friends BETA'
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on November 18th, 2006 at 10:30 am
I cannot get onto steam at all and it seems to be a prblem with the friends system.
Steam-Error
Platform Error: bad module ‘Friends/friendsUI.dll’, not loading
I cannot even connect to my steam account so how am i supposed to download this bew update. I have loads of steam games and i cant play a single one and its supremely frustraiting
on December 4th, 2006 at 9:57 am
re-install steam.
on December 13th, 2006 at 3:59 pm
Preciso
on January 29th, 2007 at 5:47 am
blow up ur computer XD
on January 29th, 2007 at 5:49 am
:O
on February 2nd, 2007 at 8:31 am
Why is it poping up Steam-Error
Platform Error: bad module ‘Friends/friendsUI.dll’, not loading , I gonna go crazy , i reinstalled steam 2 times now and it still dont working , what do i gonna do ??
on February 9th, 2007 at 10:21 am
i am getting the same error!
i made a backup incase this would happen and it has
i copied the backup of friendsui.dll into my steam folder and started steam up while watching the folder and it deletes the friendsui.dll and gives me the error!
on March 2nd, 2007 at 2:35 pm
I get that errer to tahts Y im trying to fix it now
on March 8th, 2007 at 11:11 am
i got the file but its bugged and i can’t find a good one to replace it on the internet can anyone help mee
on March 9th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
well steam sucks some serious ass hole, and vavle has got their head shoved in their ass with money making plots and sceams. IE. in game ads in CS and their pathetic java type games that they try to get people to buy for 10-20 dollars when you can get half of them for free on other sites like zone.msn.com
in closing, vavle has gone to shit since steam!
on June 18th, 2007 at 9:50 am
wtf is up with my friends man i got the same problem but i bin playin for months before adnowits fucked up bigtime this bites man im a top class player on cs 1.6 aswell i cant afford for steam to go to the shit pit omg this bites i want a refund forall the steam games i have bought so this would add to about 300 pound
valve why did you accept to this steam shit it bites my asshole in two you should have stuck to the original way of connecting but steam is much better if only it fuckin worked you pricks fix it now before i sue your asses 
jokin
on June 24th, 2007 at 6:21 am
all you need to do to fix the steamfriends.dll issue is go into your steam directory, the friends folder, and DELETE the friends.dll file. After this, run steam. You may be prompted with a similar message telling you the serversomething.dll also cannont be opened. Same process here; head back to the directory, go to the Servers folder, and delete that dll. Again, restart Steam, and you should be on your way. The files will be recreated anew. I believe the error is a result of the previous files remaining untouched by the uninstallation process. Hope that helps.
on August 10th, 2007 at 1:53 am
I HATE STEAM! About a month ago I installed cs source and to my surprise, it worked perfectly. I just reinstalled windows and now I can’t get it to work. First it would say that I am missing files and it would download them, but the window just kept popping up. I reinstalled it and it happened again. So then I uninstalled steam and installed the newest version off steams site and then installed cs, but now I can’t even get into steam. It gives me the platform error: bad module ‘friends/friendsUI.dll” not loading. I took your advice and went to delete the file, but to my surprise, there is NOTHING in the friends folder. My account folder in steamapps is also missing. WTF? Why can’t steam actually work.
on September 13th, 2007 at 2:27 am
I’ve got the same problem: ‘friends/friendsUI.dll’, i don’t hate steam… cause it does have counter-strike.. i hate the fact that this can/could happen, Yesterday i was playing Cz all going fine.. now i’ve had a car accident en wanna play CZ for a bit fun now.. and guess what happend?
Jep… ‘friends/friendsUI.dll can’t load or something… its bull… Can’t figure it out what to do.. STEAM u kinda suck a bit….
on September 13th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
taken the freinds file out of directory doesn’t fix it. Steam’s update just replaces the file.
on September 17th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
yooo thanxx sooo much fisht ur realllyyy smart thanx alot man that was really good advice now my steam workssss thanxx soooooooooo much fisht
on September 17th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
go into the valve folder and try click on the steam.exe and not using the shortcut.
on September 17th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Deleted friendsUI.dll. Steam replaces it then spits out the same error.
Reinstalled Steam Same error.
on September 18th, 2007 at 1:12 am
friendsui.dll -
I went to steam’s website, they said delete winui.gcf in the SteamApps directory, then delete friendsui.dll, then restart steam.
I tried it. It worked.
on September 18th, 2007 at 2:04 am
I have tryed everything but this .dll error keeps showing up i cant make it work could somebody help me?
on September 18th, 2007 at 5:19 am
WTF OMFG!!! This is the kind of shit that makes me want to drop bombs on greedy game developers. Yeah you cocky ass holes say “just delete it” “just reinstall” “its so easy to fix” bullsh it. I have tried all of the above, deleted all instances of friends.ddl’s and still no connection. Reinstalled, nothing. Pretty F*CKIN G^Y!!!!!
on September 18th, 2007 at 11:43 am
If you just delete the friendsUI.dll file, it will still not work, but if you delete the friendsUI.dll file out of the friends directory, and then delete the ClientRegistry.blob file out of the main directory steam will start right up..
on September 18th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
cheers fisht,
had that same random shit problem with the friendsui.dll, went it and deleted it and steam opened up fine.
steam……..as robust as piss soaked toilet paper…..
on September 18th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
Go into your program files, delete your friendsUI, then delete your ClientRegisteryblob…and itll work..it worked for me.
on September 18th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
Great job Valve. Great job Steam. Way to reward all your loyal fans. Clearly you are not interested in merely grubbing more money, since this has effectively been tested throughly. Bunch of total BS!!!!!!
on September 18th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
I renamed the friendsui.dll to have a .old extension and restarted steam, it redownloaded the file and started up fine. That might work for you.
on September 18th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
I have the same problem, it just came up today 4 the first time, grant it i hanv tplayed in a few days. but ya anyways i went into the folder deleted the file and it just replaces it with a new one every time and gives me the same error… help plz?
on September 18th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
The this error indicates the friendsUI.dll file is corrupted or outdated.
The friendsUI.dll is extracted from the winui.gcf found in your ..\Steam\steamapps\ directory. To ensure you have the most recent working friendsUI.dll, please delete or move the winui.gcf out of the steamapps directory and restart Steam. The process will force Steam to download the latest version of winui.gcf and re-extract your friendsUI.dll.
If deleting winui.gcf does not correct the issue, you must delete all instances of friendsUI.dll to allow winui.gcf to re-extract the file: Run a search for friendsui.dll in your Steam directory and delete the files, then restart Steam.
on September 18th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Same friends/friendsui.dll. Why did Valve mess with it when it worked fine in the first place. Seems to be mainly just Vista when it said it needed to update a service for the platform I was on. (my 2 other XP systems never did this update) I can’t really believe that they actually tested before they deployed. Please FOR GAMERS SAKE, JUST TEST AND RETEST WITH MULTIPLE PLATFORMS BEFORE DEPLOYING A PATCH OR UPDATE. That is for all of you fly by night programers, EA included. Heck even consoles are going to affected more now that they are starting updates with High Speed Internet they think they can get by with patch later, along with added ads in games. Gamers come forth and aim your disgust to those whom deserve it. And please developers, release the game ( and patches ) when its at least MOSTLY finished, not perfect but at least livable. Haven’t checked but does Steam have any posts about the issue?
Good luck, will try some things myself and let ya know if I find a solution.
on September 18th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Try going into steammaps and deleting winui.gcf this worked for me.
on September 19th, 2007 at 12:24 am
Fisht’s fix didn’t fully help me. For me to get it working I did this:
First delete friendsUI.dll from the Steam\friends folder
Second navigate to Steam\bin and delete the friendsUI.dll in that folder too.
This worked for me hope it helps others out
on September 19th, 2007 at 8:08 am
This worked for me quality advice thanks - Fisht
all you need to do to fix the steamfriends.dll issue is go into your steam directory, the friends folder, and DELETE the friends.dll file. After this, run steam. You may be prompted with a similar message telling you the serversomething.dll also cannont be opened. Same process here; head back to the directory, go to the Servers folder, and delete that dll. Again, restart Steam, and you should be on your way. The files will be recreated anew. I believe the error is a result of the previous files remaining untouched by the uninstallation process. Hope that helps.
on September 19th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Kyle, go to steam folder and search within that folder friendsUI.dll, three popped up for me and i deleted the one that was causing the error (which for me was the one in caps, the other two werent in caps) but when i loaded steam it just did the install again, but its currently stuck on 99% :/ anyone else got some tips???
on September 19th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I had the same problem, this is how I fixed it, go into the game file with steam in it, click steam, find a folder called bin, go into that, then delete the friends.dll file, it will have to update but will work.
on September 19th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
The solution to delete friendsui.dll worked for me. I just renamed it incase something else went wrong. Happy days
on September 19th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
fishnets reply worked for me.
i did windows search within my steam folder with the keyword friends.
first thing that popped up was a friends folder.
opened it, only two items, the first one was about 972 kb i think. deleted it, started steam again, and now im playing.
WOOOOOO BOOM HEADSHOT
on September 19th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Good call Fisht, June 24th post. Your fix worked like a charm on the friends.dll error.
on September 20th, 2007 at 1:30 am
I agree, Steam blows chunks. It seems like a good idea at first, no cd required, … well…, I guess that is the only nice thing about it. But if steam breaks, you’re SOL. And the more faithful you are (i.e. the more games you’ve purchased through steam) the more #*$(@* you are. With regards to the friends issue I too did not have luck just deleting the .dll. Luckily, :\ (this ain’t right) I’ve had my fair share of bad experiences so after several minutes of being pissed off I deleted the clientregistry.blob file and it worked.
on September 20th, 2007 at 3:39 am
thnx fisht ur a legend…
on September 20th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
its terrible my and my mum own a cyber cafe and they are lossingcostumas bacase of this problem
on September 21st, 2007 at 12:27 am
thanks alot fisht.
on September 21st, 2007 at 11:54 am
FFS! I deleted friends.dll, and reruns steam. STILL THE SAME ERROR! The damn file comes BACK to Steam directory and I get the error ALL THE F*CKING TIME!
on September 21st, 2007 at 11:54 am
fisht you are a fucking genius
on September 22nd, 2007 at 3:16 am
about that friends error i have the same you just have to delete it. then it startsup
on September 22nd, 2007 at 8:30 pm
delete the file friendsui.dll or friends.dll from friends folder in steam and \steamapps\Winui.gcf and try again.
on September 23rd, 2007 at 12:24 am
fisht is completly right, thank you for your help! I had the problem (platform error: bad module “Friends/friendsUI.dll”, not loading). All I did is went to the game directory, found the friendsUI.dll file, and deleted it. And now steam is updating its self. Thanks!
on September 24th, 2007 at 2:26 am
i think it is some kind of virus.. i have same problem with friendui.dll
on September 24th, 2007 at 4:58 am
thanks for the help fisht. all’s well.
on September 24th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
you also need to delete the file from the steam\bin folder
on September 25th, 2007 at 10:37 am
I’m a stupid cow when it comes to computers, but cs is fucking great. That’s why i’ve been almost biting my nails for 2 days because bloody steam won’t connect. Of course I understand your very clear explenation about deleting de Dll and shit, but as I said I’m a stupid cow when it comes to computers. So, I don’t know where to look for that Server folder or directory even now I’ve been looking for bloody fucking 2 hours! I’m starting to loose my nervs here!
on September 25th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Oh! Never mind! haha my brother just walked in the room and as always he fixes it in, what 10 minutes?
thanks anyway
on September 26th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Hmm… this is really weird. I was getting the same Steam-error Platform Error:bad module’friends/friendsUI.dll’, not loading multiple times and I was about to follow fisht’s advice. So I opened the friends folder and was about to delete the friends.dll file when I decided to try Steam one last time. For some reason it updated and worked… I don’t know if Steam is possessed and was trying to protect itself, but now I am paranoid.
on September 27th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
hey guys i had the same problem, but i fixed it.
all u do delete that friends.dll like they were saying and then delete the client resgistry blob thing
on September 30th, 2007 at 2:12 am
thanks fisht, that worked, about to play cs now
on September 30th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
What fisht said absolutly worked. Thanks man.
on October 1st, 2007 at 1:20 pm
thank you alot i deleted friends.dll and it worked. thank you
on October 3rd, 2007 at 1:44 am
i have been playing cs for years now and i get theis friends platform error. i have no idea how to get into the directory to delete the file. i am obviously not that experienced withcomputers can anyone tell me how to ge tthe fucking thing to work?
on October 3rd, 2007 at 6:57 pm
teste
on October 4th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
The this error indicates the friendsUI.dll file is corrupted or outdated.
The friendsUI.dll is extracted from the winui.gcf found in your
…\Steam\steamapps\ directory. To ensure you have the most recent working
friendsUI.dll, please delete or move the winui.gcf out of the steamapps
directory and restart Steam. The process will force Steam to download the
latest version of winui.gcf and re-extract your friendsUI.dll.
If deleting winui.gcf does not correct the issue, you must delete all
instances of friendsUI.dll to allow winui.gcf to re-extract the file: Run a
search for friendsui.dll in your Steam directory and delete the files, then
restart Steam.
This worked for me.
on October 4th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Basically, delete your friends folder along with the friendsui.dll in it, then go into the steamapps folder and delete winui.gcf, then restar steam. This should fix the problem.
on October 6th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
rename :\Program Files\Valve\Steam\bin\friendsUI.dll to .corrupt
on October 7th, 2007 at 2:04 am
Um, I tried what you said, fisht: all you need to do to fix the steamfriends.dll issue is go into your steam directory, the friends folder,… But it didn’t work. The only file it has a problem with even after I delete it and the file becomes re-installed the next time I start up steam is “Friends/friendsUI.dll.” So do I have to re-install steam? If I do, will removing it also delete half-life 2?
on October 13th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
thx sooooo much fisht. worked perfect after i deleted the file.i love the internet
on October 14th, 2007 at 8:52 am
Me to, i delete the friendsui.dll, but it recreates itself when i try to start steam, and i still get a error… I miss the WON-days, they were good….
Anybody have a real fix to this problem or do i have to blow up steam hq in frustration?
on October 20th, 2007 at 10:52 am
If fisht actually got it working that way there may be a central file that plugs into these DLL’s that is actually at fault. Does anyone know how to track the interfaces?
on October 20th, 2007 at 11:23 am
I fixed it… you have to delete the FriendsUI.dll out of the bin folder and the friends folder - that way Steam is forced to download it again and the new version works. Had to combine a bunch of Googled advice!
on October 20th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
i was getting the same error!
Gays, you have just delete the file.
If you don’t believing me, just remove for other place, ok!?
Just Do it and let’s play!!!!
on October 22nd, 2007 at 5:32 am
C:\Program Files\Steam\friends\\friendsUI.dll
C:\Program Files\Steam\bin\friendsUI.dll
Delete the files that are mentioned above, this should fix the problem.
Just had this error and after deleting these files it causes steam to do a update and workings again after its replaced these files.
on October 25th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
half ty:P i delted the file but it didnt work so i searched in steam if there where other places where the file was…after i deleted it 2 times i searched in steem: bin and deleted the same file and then it worked again
on October 27th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Thank u so much fisht
on November 1st, 2007 at 10:43 am
deleted the friends folder and the client.blob and it works now for me
on November 5th, 2007 at 2:58 am
friendsui.dll -
I went to steam’s website, they said delete winui.gcf in the SteamApps directory, then delete friendsui.dll, then restart steam.
I tried it. It worked.
it really did try it
on November 17th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
ok, so I have deleted all the files mentioned above, but it still won’t work!
do I have to delete the whole steam folder and just live my life withiut all the great games?! I Hate steam!!
on November 18th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Thank you Pete.
on December 26th, 2007 at 9:40 am
FUCKING GHELL GAY STEAM
on January 8th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Ive got steam and ive installed CS source with no problems but,
when i launch the game it crashes and says “platform error, module failed to initialize”. ive got w vista and nvidia Gforce8800 + 3G of ram.
does anybody have any suggestions of how to fix this plz.