Engine Error ?!?!?

[foreverscream]

Just tried to play HL2 today, and I get the following error:

-----------------------------
ENGINE ERROR

unable to init shader system
-----------------------------

What is this ? I have never had a problem before with HL2.

Specs:
XP home (SP1)
GeForce 6800GT 256mb RAM w/newest drivers
XP3000+
1gb PC3200

Any ideas ? Any help is appreciated.

 

[foreverscream]

BTW, I have already re-installed HL2, and I still get the error.

Weird, just started TODAY.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

Try validating your HL2 files with the 'run' command, search for it on these forums, make sure steam is running so it fixes all corrupted files. I would find it for you but i'm going to bed now. its c:/blahblah etc/validate420/410 or something on the end, sorry i can't see nor type straight, someone else could find it or search these forums. Night and Goodluck.

 

[foreverscream]

Also, I have gone to Support and Troubleshooting at VU and tried all the steps for THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM and nothing has worked.
However, DOOM 3 runs GREAT!!

Any more help is appreciated.

 

[Deemo]

thats weird. i would suggest validating your files:

steam://validate/220

Just stick that in your browser and it will check the files for consitency

 

[CrazyHarij]

Moved to community game support.

And yeah, I'd suggest validating your files too, it seems to fix most problems with Steam and Source.

 

[foreverscream]

Thanks for the assistance

 

[foreverscream]

Another weird thing. When I checked my "DXDIAG" it says the following under the DISPLAY TAB:

Hardware accelerated Direct3D is not available because the display driver does not support it. You may be able to get a newer driver from the hardware manufacturer.

Funny thing is that I installed the newest nVidia drivers, 71.89. This is miffing me. Because this started even before I installed the new drivers and I played HL2 on the old drivers for months.

Any ideas?

 

[the_lone_wolf]

go back to your old drivers?

 

[foreverscream]

I tried the old drivers, and nothing.

I just did a wipe and re-install of my whole system this morning.

Running smooth as butter now.

Thanks to all for the assistance.