[Solved] How to Fix GTA IV SecuLauncher “Failed to start application” 2000, “FATAL ERROR: RMN40” and “FATAL ERROR: WS10”

Windows users reported Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV) failed to launch on PC with the failed to start 2000 error, RMN40, and WS10 fatal error. The detail error message prompted as below:

SecuLauncher: failed to start application. [2000]

GTA IV FATAL ERROR: RMN40
GTA IV FATAL ERROR: Windows XP: Need to have Service Pack 3 or higher to proceed.

GTA IV FATAL ERROR
GTA IV FATAL ERROR: WS10

There are several different causes that trigger the error, the following solution steps may help to fix this error.

Content Summary

Solution 1: Launch GTA IV as Administrator
Solution 2: Install Visual C++ Redistributable Package
Solution 3: Install .NET Framework 3.5
Solution 4: Execute in Compatibility mode
Solution 5: Verify Integrity of game files
Solution 6: Install Games for Windows – LIVE Client
Solution 7: Install Patching
Solution 8: Bypass SecuROM

Solution 1: Launch GTA IV as Administrator

Step 1: Navigate to the location where you installed GTA 4.

Step 2: Right-click on the GTA IV shortcut or on the main game’s executable (gtaIV.exe) and click Properties from the context menu.

Step 3: Select the Compatibility tab from the menu at the top, scroll down to the Settings section, and check the Run this program as an administrator option.

Step 4: Click the Apply button to save the changes.

Step 5: Restart your computer.

Solution 2: Install Visual C++ Redistributable Package

Step 1: Browse to Microsoft.com to download Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Service Pack 1 Redistributable Package MFC Security Update.

Step 2: Select the appropriate language and click on the Download button.

Step 3: Check the executable file corresponds with your OS architecture and click the Next button to initiate the download.

* Alternatively, you can navigate to My Computer (File Explorer) > Steam > Steamapps > Common > Grand Theft Auto IV > Installers and execute vcredist_x86.exe or vcredist_x64.exe.

Step 4: Double-click to execute the Vcredist installation.

Step 5: Restart your PC after installation completed.

Solution 3: Install .NET Framework 3.5

Step 1: Go to Microsoft .NET official site and click on the Download .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Runtime button.

Step 2: Double-click on dotnetfx35.exe and click Yes at the User Account Control prompt to grant admin access.

Step 3: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

Step 4: Restart your computer.

Solution 4: Execute in Compatibility mode

Step 1: Navigate to the location where you installed GTA 4.

Step 2: Right-click on the GTA IV shortcut or on the main game’s executable (gtaIV.exe) and click Properties from the context menu.

Step 3: Select the Compatibility tab from the menu at the top. Check the Run this program in compatibility mode for option and select Windows XP (Service Pack 3) or Windows 7 from the drop-down menu.

Step 4: Click the Apply button to save the changes.

Solution 5: Verify Integrity of game files

Step 1: Open Steam and go to the Library menu.

Step 2: Right-click on GTA IV from the list of games available in the library and choose Properties from the context menu.

Step 3: Go to the LOCAL FILES tab and click on the VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME FILES.

Solution 6: Install Games for Windows – LIVE Client

Step 1: Download the latest version of the GFWL setup.

* Alternatively you can navigate to Program files > Steam > Steamapps > Common > Grand theft auto iv > installers and execute xliveredist.msi or the redistributable folder when exploring the CD.

Step 2: Double-click on gfwlivesetup.exe and click Yes at the User Account Control prompt to grant admin access.

Step 3: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

Step 4: Restart you PC.

Solution 7: Install Patching

Step 1: Download the latest GTA IV Patches from GameFront.com.

Step 2: Unzip the GTAIV_PC_Patch folder, and run the Setup.exe.

Solution 8: Bypass SecuROM

Step 1: Download the IPHLPAPI.DLL file.

Step 2: Unzip the downloaded file into the same directory where you installed the GTA4 executable.

Source:
GTAFORUMS > How to: Fix Seculauncher [2000] Error Guide
PCGamingWiki > Microsoft Windows