Launcher slow/wont connect?

fubbe

My friend is having some issues with launching the game.
She did manage to launch it once after download, but it was very slow to launch.
At the time her net was swamped so everything was lagging, and decided to try next day.
Day after it wouldn't go past the launcher.

So first off before you start, yes I know about the other posts.
Problem is, all post i come across about this error is all about when the launcher is patching or downloading.
It stops at "version ST:596894068..."

Now her specs is good enough to run the game, I know since it runs APB which is a very demanding game.
She does however run Win 8 -_-; So there might be something there I don't know.

Solutions tried:

Manual update of launcher
Safe mode
Launch as admin
Launch in compatibility for win 7/xp
Verify files (steam)

Solutions yet to be tried:

Another network/router
The dreaded reinstall
Workaround fix to connect to 3rd patch server

So i was hoping any of you could bring any additional things we could try, before we resort to the nuking and redownloading.

Much obliged