First of all let me start with hello, this is my first post on the Skyrim forums.
As most of you could probably guess by the title it is a side by side configuration problem whenever i try to load up Skyrim, I have searched across the web and found nothing that can help me. The windows support website features very little that is of use, and all other sites use it in terms that me being a novice PC user can't properly understand. i have only recently got into PC gaming after coming from a console and Skyrim is my first game but i cannot get it to work, or any games for that matter. I am using Windows vista and my PC is capable of running the game, as it should run flawlessly, but alas it doesn't. Anyone want to lend a novice some help in their time of need? A step by step would be wondrous, but any assistance that i can help i will also love.
Thanks in advance.

You got it from steam, or bought the disc ?????

It is disk bought. Not connect to steam.

Do you have Steam installed on the machine?

I do not have steam, is this a problem?

Yes it is. You must install Steam and create an account before you can play the game.

But if its bought off disk from a local store, then installed through the disk why would i need steam?

Because Steam provides the DRM for Skyrim. It's also the only way you can get patches/updates (though there aren't going to be any more of those) or purchase the DLCs if you didn't get the Legendary Edition.

So, from what i'm getting, every game on PC requires a steam account?

No, only games purchased through publishers who use Steam to provide digital rights management (DRM) require a Steam account. Bethesda started using Steam for DRM with Fallout:New Vegas, so any Bethesda games that released after that, including Skyrim, require you to use Steam.

Skyrim uses steam. You must have it installed there's no way around it (legally).

Not every game uses Steam but alot do. Battlefield 4 for instance uses Origin which is their own DRM thing.

Ah, okay, so, i'll make a steam account then see what occurs from there.

So.... Creating a steam account then uninstalling and re-installing did nothing, i'm still getting the same error...

Skyrim is included in your Steam Games library now?

Indeed, it comes up in the library, but won't start, even with disk in disk drive

You need to read these threads to get Skyrim working.

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1258133-installing-from-disc-instead-of-steam/

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1462092-faqs-for-skyrims-legendary-edition/ (not necessary to read if you didn't bought Skyrim Legendary Edition and/or have an earlier Skyrim version for PC)

EDIT: Just right click on the Skyrim title then select "Install Skyrim" and the installation will start immediately.

I'm assuming you activated the game through Steam then, right?

In Steam's top menu, click Games > Activate a Product on Steam ... and then click through to enter the code that came with your DVD.

If that doesn't work, your next step would be to see if you have the required Visual C++ redistributable packages from Microsoft.

Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features to view installed programs. You're looking for -

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=A5C84275-3B97-4AB7-A40D-3802B2AF5FC2&displaylang=en

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=a7b7a05e-6de6-4d3a-a423-37bf0912db84

(I'm assuming your Vista is a 32-bit version). If these aren't already installed on your computer, the links above will take you to Microsoft pages where you can download and install them.

> I do not have steam, is this a problem? <

It not matters if you have it or not, the first thing if you click setup on your disc, it will automatically install steam. !!!!!

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> So.... Creating a steam account then uninstalling and re-installing did nothing, i'm still getting the same error... <

WHAT ERROR ?????

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So you have activated it via steam with your code from the BOX ????

Actually the only thing you should do, is installing steam via disc, update it online, and then follow the on screen instructions. !!!!!

The disc may not run automatically if you have the auto-run disabled.

So click on setup from within the disc, to continue the installation...

Indeed, it comes up in the library, but won't start, even with disk in disk drive

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Have you finished with the installation ????

do you have those folders:

C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\skyrim\data ----------------------- Vista 7 32 bit

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\skyrim\data -----------------------Vista 7 64 bit

How you try to run the game ????

Have you any shortcut to to the desktop ????