Games won't launch

[gojc]

Hi,

I?m sure this has been asked here several times but here I go?

I?m unable to launch HL2 episode one or any other game on steam for that matter. I actually can?t play BF2 or 2142 as those games won?t launch either. I?ve even tried loading and playing Mechwarrior 3 to no avail. The only game I can launch and play successfully is Doom 3? I don't have a lot of games that I can keep testing.

Here?s my system?it?s kinda old so please no upgrade the piece of %#!& jokes?thanks.

Athlon 3200+
1.5 gigs ram
X 850 XT video card
Abit KW7 MB
SB Live
430 watt powere supply (Antec)
XP (all current updates etc.)
latest direct x
Net Gear router

Here?s what I?ve tried so far?

- re-format HD
- re-install all new drives and sw updates for: MB, video card, router etc?basically, everything
- removing all but one stick of memory

I?ve contacted support from steam and have tried every launch option they have recommended and almost everyone on their support page. I?m not sure it?s the sw at this point as very few of my games work.

Any ideas / help is appreciated.

 

[Raziaar]

What kind of error are you getting? Is the system or game giving you an error message you can post here?

 

[gojc]

I actually get no error msg. In HL2 episode one, when the game launches, I can see the valve guy...the dude with the valve stuck in his eye, then the next screen is all the wording at the bottom of the screen...I think it's the legal stuff? Then a blurry pic comes on my screen but as soon as this happens, the game crashes. I'm not sure what the blurry pic is but I'm guessing the game is trying to launch there. When I try to launch HL2, I get a black screen and then back to the steam menu.

Thanks,

 

[lePobz]

I had this problem with the latest ATi drivers ... I fixed it by installing really old drivers. Try the ones that came with your gfx card. Most stuff (if not everything) will run fine, it's better than nothing running at all. (I have an X800 XT Platinum)

Basically, the newer drivers can not cope with any form of OpenGL or Direct3D (on our cards or something), and just cause a software crash of whatever tries to use them. Older drivers work fine. Funny that ATi haven't even attempted to sort it out.

 

[gojc]

Thanks lePobz, that actually worked. You have saved me several hrs more troubleshooting I am sure.

What I don't understand is why a driver that's 1.5 years old will run the latest games but an update driver from last month won't...

2142 runs as well!

Thanks again,

 

[Link]

Its called a bug, wait untill they update again, and it should be fixed.

 

[lePobz]

Its called a bug, wait untill they update again, and it should be fixed.

What I failed to mention in my post, was that I had these issues like 2 months ago, and have been using old drivers since.