SubKamran
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This guide is customized to ATI users, but nVidia users can do a lot of the same things (in Graphics).
GRAPHICS
Make SURE in your ATI Control Panel in the SMARTGART tab, that your AGP speed is 4x or 8x and that Fastwrite is On.
Next, DISABLE Vsync, it's not a good option
Disable it in the control panel and in CS:S.
Next, install DirectX 9.0c.
Next, install at least Catalyst 4.8 (non-beta, it's fully released now). 4.9 beats were tested by me and they worked.
Next, right-click the desktop, click Properties, go to the Settings tab, click Advanced, click the Troubleshoot tab, make sure Hardware Acceleration is full, also click "Enable Write Combining" make sure it's checked.
Next, click the Monitor tab (same window), turn your Refresh Rate to something higher than 60hz. If your monitor doesn't come back up when you try a new setting, wait 15 seconds, it will go back to normal. Keep it on the setting that looks best. Mine is at 85hz 1600x1200.
SYSTEM
Next, go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System -> Disk Cleanup. Select your main drive, once it loads, check EVERYTHING and click "Clean Up".
Next, defrag your computer (this can be done later, but DO it), mine is set to do it automatically every night, it keeps the HD clean and speeds up my computer to maximum speed.
Next, go into Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services
To disable a service, right-click it and select "Properties". Then in the box, near Startup Type, select "Disable", then click "OK"
Disable the following services:
Those are disabled on my Windows XP Professional. Windows 98 users don't worry about that, Windows 2000 users can do the same thing.
Next, right click My Computer, click Properties, go to Advanced tab, under Startup and Recovery click Settings. Under System Failure, uncheck "Auto Restart". This will keep your computer on if there's an error so it won't "automatically restart".
Close out of that window, in the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings, click Advance, make sure "Programs" is checked under each heading.
Next, don't close it, under Page File, click Change, check "System managed size".
Close out of all the windows.
SOFTWARE
Next, check your computer for Spyware, use AdAware 6 to scan and get rid of anything.
If you need an Antivirus software, download this
If you need a firewall, download this
Don't use Internet Explorer unless you have Service Pack 2, even then I suggest you download this terrific browser, FireFox. You'll find it's 10x more secure than IE. I've never gotten any spyware, so it's awesome.
ALMOST DONE
Restart your computer.
Do this before playing CS:S
Next, close ALL background programs (except virus or firewall software). Hit ctrl-alt-del and click the Username part so it sorts it by who's running each process. End any process that shouldn't be there under YOUR "username" (don't end anything by SYSTEM, LOCAL SERVICE, or NETWORK SERVICE). Google processes you don't know about, these are the ones that I keep open:
Credit to Wraith for: Try adding -nosound to the Launch Options of CS:S.
NOW try running CS:S.
I've basically configured your computer to my settings, so it should, in theory, work.
GRAPHICS
Make SURE in your ATI Control Panel in the SMARTGART tab, that your AGP speed is 4x or 8x and that Fastwrite is On.
Next, DISABLE Vsync, it's not a good option
Disable it in the control panel and in CS:S.Next, install DirectX 9.0c.
Next, install at least Catalyst 4.8 (non-beta, it's fully released now). 4.9 beats were tested by me and they worked.
Next, right-click the desktop, click Properties, go to the Settings tab, click Advanced, click the Troubleshoot tab, make sure Hardware Acceleration is full, also click "Enable Write Combining" make sure it's checked.
Next, click the Monitor tab (same window), turn your Refresh Rate to something higher than 60hz. If your monitor doesn't come back up when you try a new setting, wait 15 seconds, it will go back to normal. Keep it on the setting that looks best. Mine is at 85hz 1600x1200.
SYSTEM
Next, go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System -> Disk Cleanup. Select your main drive, once it loads, check EVERYTHING and click "Clean Up".
Next, defrag your computer (this can be done later, but DO it), mine is set to do it automatically every night, it keeps the HD clean and speeds up my computer to maximum speed.
Next, go into Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services
To disable a service, right-click it and select "Properties". Then in the box, near Startup Type, select "Disable", then click "OK"
Disable the following services:
- Telephony (this thing is wierd...it doesn't need to be active)
- Messenger (this isn't MSN messenger, so disable it, it's annoying)
- Alerter
- Routing and Remote Access
- If you do not host any sites on your computer, disable "IIS Admin". This is a security issue.
Those are disabled on my Windows XP Professional. Windows 98 users don't worry about that, Windows 2000 users can do the same thing.
Next, right click My Computer, click Properties, go to Advanced tab, under Startup and Recovery click Settings. Under System Failure, uncheck "Auto Restart". This will keep your computer on if there's an error so it won't "automatically restart".
Close out of that window, in the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings, click Advance, make sure "Programs" is checked under each heading.
Next, don't close it, under Page File, click Change, check "System managed size".
Close out of all the windows.
SOFTWARE
Next, check your computer for Spyware, use AdAware 6 to scan and get rid of anything.
If you need an Antivirus software, download this
If you need a firewall, download this
Don't use Internet Explorer unless you have Service Pack 2, even then I suggest you download this terrific browser, FireFox. You'll find it's 10x more secure than IE. I've never gotten any spyware, so it's awesome.
ALMOST DONE
Restart your computer.
Do this before playing CS:S
Next, close ALL background programs (except virus or firewall software). Hit ctrl-alt-del and click the Username part so it sorts it by who's running each process. End any process that shouldn't be there under YOUR "username" (don't end anything by SYSTEM, LOCAL SERVICE, or NETWORK SERVICE). Google processes you don't know about, these are the ones that I keep open:
- atiptaxx.exe (ATI Control Panel)
- avgcc32.exe (my anti-virus)
- SMax4PNP.exe (SoundMAX Sound)
- ati2evxx.exe (ATI)
- ctfmon.exe (system program)
- steam.exe (guess!)
- explorer.exe (windows GUI)
Credit to Wraith for: Try adding -nosound to the Launch Options of CS:S.
NOW try running CS:S.
I've basically configured your computer to my settings, so it should, in theory, work.
