autoexec.cfg for HL2

[quadra]

I posted a thread here about running HL2 on my lappy a while ago, the general consensus was no - but after taking the plunge I am glad I did get it - awesome game. But still some teething problems...

I am running an Alienware Sentia Mobile (1.7GHz Intel Centrino, 1024Mb RAM, Intel Mobile Graphics extreme card - 852/855 type, onboard VIA soundcard).

After turning off pagefiling, and changing some msconfig settings (all from steam support pages) i can get the game running in 1024 x768 mode full screen and pretty sweet looking. The performance is very good considering that I have the graphics settings on:

Model detail - High - Would like to change to Medium
antalias - None - can leave off
Text - high - suppose i could try on med / low
Filtering - bi - will leave on bi
Water detail - redlect all - change to reflect world
Shader Detail - High - low or medium
Shadow - high - low or medium
vertical sync - disable - enable

The problem is that whenever i try changing these settings - I get what appears to be the infamous 'memory can't be read' error and the game crashes out.

I know that you can predefine the settings for HL2 using all that cvar stuff in an autoexec.cfg file - but i haven't got a clue and I am sure it is not as simple as putting 'texture detail - medium' !!!
Are the default settings for start up in config.cfg??? Why does HL2 not use the recommended settings for my lappy (that it suggests) but CS: Source does???

Hoping somebody can help...pleaseeeeeeeeee. I don't think Alienware intended my machine ro be run as if it was Deep Blue!!!

 

[furiousV]

its because you disabled your page file. set it to aobut between 1.5 and 2.5 times your RAM.
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php <--cheers Asus

 

[the_lone_wolf]

agreed, never turn off the pagefile, it still accesses the drive for the virtual memory so there's no performance gain, and you'll run out of memory like is happening

 

[quadra]

Hmmm,

Cheers for the replies chaps. Well I followed your suggestions but still came up with the same error I am afraid. I actually turned off page filing based on the Steam Support reccomendation (guess it speeds it up in game?). Anyway so still have the problem, I am wondering if it is actually my graphics card memory (only 64Mb) that its referring too. Its a pain cos I want to actually change the settings down! Thats why I was looking at the autoexec.config - I am sure if i could get the game to start with the required aettings I would be fine...

 

[jmjneary]

**** the page file i have 1.5 gigs of ram

 

[VirusType2]

Hmmm,

Cheers for the replies chaps. Well I followed your suggestions but still came up with the same error I am afraid. I actually turned off page filing based on the Steam Support reccomendation (guess it speeds it up in game?). Anyway so still have the problem, I am wondering if it is actually my graphics card memory (only 64Mb) that its referring too. Its a pain cos I want to actually change the settings down! Thats why I was looking at the autoexec.config - I am sure if i could get the game to start with the required aettings I would be fine...

(Right Click HL2 in the Steam "play games" menu)
Type this in the Launch command:

+map_background none

Then lower your settings when you first load the main menu.

*Note: It also seems to help by changing one setting at a time if you change them while playing the game.

 

[furiousV]

just to keep you going . . .
in launch command line, add
+heapsize 512000 (that tells the source engine to use half a gig RAM, default is 64)

also try memtest http://www.memtest86.com/ just to make sure

i just noticed, you dont have a graphics card? only integrated
im not sure if half life 2 supports that, anybody else know?