cant start windows dedicated server

Call me clueless but i cannot figure out how to run the FF server. I followed the steps in the windows dedicated server sticky and srcds just refuses to run if started from a link or the icon. If i start it from the command line with no flags the gui starts but it only has options for half life deathmatch. If i add and flags to it from the command line nothing happens and no processes are started. If someone can help a newb who has never done this before setup the server on win2k3 it would be greatly appreciated!

What error do you get if you try to run it from the shortcut?
You can also get it to run from within Steam, if you go to Tools and choose Source Dedicated Server, although the SDK Base has to be installed and you should have the FortressForever folder in the SourceDedicatedServer folder.

Ran memtest on the box in question and it turns out the ram is trash, so i'm going to assume thats the problem and put some new ram in it.