No UI at all on the main menu?

Morbo

I can't see anything on the main menu of the game, except for the 3d background! (no text, no way to join a game or change the settings and options etc., nothing to click on)

No quit button either or course, so have to ALT+F4 to exit it..

Radeon R9 290 and windows 10
AMD Driver Packaging Version 15.301.1201

• I tried to verify game files in steam but it said all was OK.
  
• I then uninstalled and reinstalled the game, still the same problem!
  
• Then i tried it under windows 8.1.. still the same issue
  
• I also deleted the settings from %appdata% and tried again, no luck.
  
• I also tried disabling shader cache in the AMD settings, again same no luck.
  
• Forced D3D11 via the config file, no dice.
  
• Tried with steam overlay enabled and disabled, both the same.

Any suggestions? cheers

The log shows some issue:
"Error: Couldn't load 'shaders/GUISystem.shader_template' (Error document empty.)"

Heres the full log:

Date: 01/27/16
Time: 00:44:55:
--------------------------------------------------------------
[  0.091] Unbound/Unknown : Filesystem initialized, cache enabled
Build 282
Windows 8 64-bit (build 9200)
[  0.583] Unbound/Unknown : Error: PhysX: Invalid Cuda context!
Steam initialized
Num displays: 2
Direct3D 9 initialized: AMD Radeon R9 200 Series (8.17.10.1433)
Sound Device: Speakers (High Definition Audio Device) stereo
Record Device: Microphone (3- Rocksmith USB Guitar Adapter)
[ 38.513] MainThread : Error: Couldn't load 'shaders/GUISystem.shader_template' (Error document empty.)
Loading config://ConsoleBindings.json
Loading config://FavoriteServers.json
Loading config://HistoryServers.json
[ 50.166] MainThread : Error: shaders/GUIBasic.surface_shader(1) : Couldn't access 'resultColor'
Main Menu Initialized at Version: 282
Steam Id: 57xxxx7
[ 53.516] MainThread : Error: shaders/GUIBasic.surface_shader(1) : Couldn't access 'resultColor'
[ 54.313] MainThread : Error: lua/MainMenu.lua:428: attempt to call global 'StartSoundEffect' (a nil value)
[Client] Script Error #1: lua/MainMenu.lua:428: attempt to call global 'StartSoundEffect' (a nil value)
    Call stack:
    #1: MainMenu_OnOpenMenu lua/MainMenu.lua:428
    #2: MainMenu_Open lua/MainMenu.lua:294
    #3: lua/Main.lua:123
        message = nil
[ 85.238] MainThread : Error: Attempted to load remote options from a file that does not exist.
[ 85.789] MainThread : Error: PhysX: Foundation destruction failed due to pending module references. Close/release all depending modules first.
[ 85.789] MainThread : Error: 10 memory leaks in 'PhysX' (2280 bytes)
[ 85.789] MainThread : Error: 10 memory leaks in 'Physics' (2280 bytes)
[ 85.789] MainThread : Error: 10 memory leaks in 'Engine' (2280 bytes)
CinematicsUpdate: exit
ClientGame::UpdateWorld: exit
CollectGarbage: exit

Screenshot:

SamusDroid

Open up your root directory of NS2, Steam/steamapps/common/Natural Selection 2/ and delete the /core folder and the /ns2/lua folders.
Verify your game files through steam

From what I remember this fixes the problem. I've seen this bug many times but I can't seem to remember how to fix it. If that doesn't work try searching "StartSoundEffect" on the forums

Morbo

Thanks! I'm trying it now.
Edit: It didn't work
I have since stumbled upon the tech support wiki and will try nuking the installation

Morbo

OK the full nuke worked! woohoo!

This one:
http://forums.unknownworlds.com/discussion/131428/obby-s-full-nuke-ns2-guide-only-way-to-be-sure

Yojimbo

Great job on providing a good technical post and also finding the solution yourself, breath of fresh air lol.