HL2 crash, core2duo 6400, 7300 GS

[Daedlus]

I've purchased a brand new PC two weeks ago.

Here are the specs

Core 2 Duo 6400 2.13GHz 2MB
EVGA 7300 GS
1GB 667mhz RAM
250 GB HD

I installed a legit copy of HL2, and patched it to the latest version. It runs like an absolute dream on MAX everything but with AA turned off. I mean really fast and high FPS, it looks excellent ... basically the reason why I bought this machine was to have a superior gaming experience ... (Its worth noting I ordered a EVGA 7600 GT and was given the other card as a temp until mine arrives).

Then my HL2 game begins locking up entirely for no apparent reason, Not at load transitions .. but at seemingly random times. For example during one of the early air boat sections you have to blow up a power line using grenades in order to swing a mass of debris into the blocked gate to smash it open. as soon as the swinging debris comes flying down my computer would lock and HL2 would just freeze completely .. however the PC was not frozen just HL2 meanign I could alt-tab and end the program.

The only other game I have played with this machine is Far Cry and it also runs like a dream BUT it has never crashed not even once.

My question is WHAT is my problem? is it my video card? is it my dual processors? video card?
I am just sooo ticked off that this is happening its making me feel like I got ripped off (I paid $1100 canadian! not bad I'll admit).

Someone please help!~

 

[hneaz]

try running HL2 at low settings, see if it works. also update the source engine. if FarCry works, then HL2 should not crash. i thought it might be the problem with the video card. a 6200 ran fine on medium settings on HL2. there is definitely nothing wrong with ur cpu or Ram. update ur nvidia driver too.

 

[JNightshade]

Hmm. Your card isn't the greatest, but it should definitely run it pretty well.

 

[Stigmata]

Try checking the file integrity through Steam. Go to your Games list, rightclick HL2, go to Properties, then into the Local Files tab, and then click "Verify integrity of game cache..."

That may fix something.

 

[Daedlus]

Thanks Folks, I shall try all of these options as stated.

As for lowering the graphics settings ... I am getting such good FPS on HIGH settings AA off, why should I have to play on MEDIUM or LOW, it just seems like such a rip off if I have to do that, even though I am experiencing no slow down at all on HIGH settings.

I did try one thing a friend mentioned to me, I deleted my HL2 steam profile out of the SteamApps folder and let that rebuild. This seemed to the fix the problem for a couple of play sessions, and then its right back to freezing randomly again.

The most terrible part of this all is I was able to play this game on my Laptop using a P4 1.8ghz, 512ram, with a Radeon 9000 mobility 32mb!!!! and it never crashed once (albeit on low/medium settings).

Thanks!

 

[Daedlus]

Alright I've had the blue screen of death while playing on medium settings!

Guess what message i'm getting (this is driving me NUTS)

nv4_disp display error!

Does anyone know how to fix this with a 7300 GS card?

 

[JFry]

Have you tried different video drivers?

 

[Daedlus]

I dont want to speak too soon but I believe that I corrected the problem. After reviewing a NUMBER of forums and posts regarding the nv4_disp BSOD infinite loop problem I found a solution that seemed quite easy to implement. I performed the procedure as detailed at this easy to understand site:

http://www.christopherjason.com/articles/nvidia-nv4disp-problem/

I was able to play HL2 on high settings last night for about 2 hours straight without any type of freezing or lock up.

I hope this helps someone else!

PS. BTW its worth nothing I went into safe mode, removed the 7300 GS from device manager>hardware. Then restarted in normal XP and installed the latest NVIDIA drivers. and Whola its working.

 

[Shasta]

I installed a legit copy of HL2, and patched it to the latest version.

This is the part that gets me. How exactly do you "patch" HL2? Did you download a patch for it? Because with Steam, there is no patching, there is "updating", and Steam does it for you, NOT you. Your choice of words AND lack of knowledge of how Steam works makes me very suspicious as to your "legit copy".

 

[Daedlus]

Lol

 

[Shasta]

That's what I thought. Go and BUY the game.