This is likely more in depth than needed, but I figured that's probably better than to be lacking needed details.
You already have the Beamdog Client installed. (the program that you try to launch NWN EE from, albeit unsuccessfully).
First you want to make sure you're on the Head Start option.
(Head Start is the pre-release version. The full version isn't playable until the game gets released on March 27th)
To do that, Click on the drop down arrow next to the language, that is just below the game title, and click on "(language) - Head Start". (
Screenshot)
If the button says buy, Go to the Beamdog Website and
sign into your account there.
Hover over Games, then Hover over NWN EE, you should see a HeadStart option to the side like this. (
Screenshot)
Click on the Head Start button that I circled in the screenshot.
You should see a Buy button somewhere on the page it brings you to, just below the title. Click it, and it will add the game. (It doesn't cost anything
(since you already purchased NWNEE), and adds it with one or two clicks).
Restart your Beamdog Client after this, select the Head Start version in the Beamdog Client, and move on to the following.
What you see at that point will vary based on if the game is installed.
Expect to see one of the following:
1. An Install button
2. A Play button, with an Update button next to it
3. Just a Play button.
1. Means the game was never installed. (Try installing it and launching it)
2. Means it was installed, but is out of date. (Try updating the game and launching it.)
3. Means the game is installed, and up to date.
If you reach point three, and the game still fails to start, you may have to reinstall OpenAL as others were saying in the thread.
First, Close your Beamdog Client.
Next, you'll need to open Programs and Features
Instructions on this vary based on your operating system, so I can't guarentee the instructions I give here will work. If it doesn't work, Just let me know and we can figure it out.
On most versions of Windows if you click the Start button(the button in the bottom left corner), you can find a search box.
Once you find it, You'll want to type of "Programs and Features" (without quotation marks).
Each of these screenshots show an example of this, Yours will most likely(but not definitely) look similar to one of the two. It should not look like both.
Screenshot 1
Screenshot 2
Once you get to this point, you want to click on Programs and Features, which will open a window that most likely looks like
this.
The programs on your list will not be the same as mine, that is fine.
You'll want to scroll down this list until you find OpenAL. (
Screenshot)
Once you find this, you want to
right click it, and click on Uninstall. (
Screenshot)
If you get a message like
this, That is fine. Click yes.
If you get a message saying some files are still in use, and that a reboot will be required, that is also fine. Click Ok.
After you click Ok, you may see a window pop up briefly and disappear, that is normal.
If you got the warning that files are in use and that a reboot will be needed, Restart your computer before moving on. If not, Carry on.
Once you restart your computer
(if it was needed), download this file.
http://www.beamdog.com/files/prerequisites/oalinst.exe
Run it, and it will reinstall OpenAL.
After completing this, try running the game again.
If it still fails or if you have any questions, Just reply or PM me letting me know.