What are the specs of your pc? Did you try it with your AV and firewall turned off?
2.8 ghz core 2 duo
1gb ram
Nvidia 7300 LE
Yeah, I tried without my AV. The only firewall I have is Windows and the one built into my router.
everytime I click on the icon, the little logo pops up for about 2 seconds and then disappears. I've uninstalled and reinstalled. nothing any suggestions? i can't find any known problems with my hardware.
Sounds like some kind of Securom foolery if the game doesn't even start. Might try a no-CD patch if there is one. Also, make sure you have the game up to date.
When you run the game, does the log file in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\STALKER-SHOC\logs get updated? If not, then it's almost certainly a securom issue.
I don't have that folder
Then it's very likely that the game engine didn't initialize at all, and chances are it is a Securom issue.
I'd post a link to a NO-CD crack for STALKER but I'm not sure the mods would be up for that kind of shenanigans, even if it is in the right spirit of things.
I just tried it with a no cd crack and i get the same result. on the official forums, it seems that this game is VERY buggy.

I guess I'll just wait to see if the next patch or something addresses this. This sucks.