HL2 Crashing (firewall questions)

[ClaptheVolting]

Well, I have a similar question to the other HL2 crashing thread. It crashes quite often in the game. It always crashes at save/loading points. Never in between. I ran the steam diagnostic tool and (Background Processes: Failed, Services: Failed, Layered Service Providers: Failed). It all has to with McAfee being installed on my system. I turned all of the scanning/firewall off and ran the diagnostic tool again and it still had all of them failed. The game still crashes with all of them off.
The services and background processes says that I need to open up ports, but I have no idea what ports/programs to add to my allow list. Can anyone help me out with this?
The Layered Service Provider told me to uninstall McAfee. I obviously do not want to do this as it is my only virus/firewall. Do I really need to uninstall it?

And what has me the most perplexed is why it still thinks that the firewall is a problem even though I have allowed steam and even turned it off?

I have been banging my head against the wall for about 4 hours trying to get this to work. Lame.

I have tried turning down the dxlevel and all of the settings to low. Ran it in windows with no sound. Still crashed at save points.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[ranmafan]

I read somewhere in the forum that HL2 DM seems to affect the crashing rate too. I uninstalled CS and DM to be safe and it runs better now.

 

[Beerdude26]

What are your system specifications? (A tutorial can be found here: Link)

 

[ClaptheVolting]

What are your system specifications? (A tutorial can be found here: Link)

PROBLEM : Game frequently crashes, specifically at save points.

SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS


OPERATING SYSTEM : Windows XP
PROCESSOR : Intel(R) CPU T2300 @ 1.66 GHz(2 CPUs)
MEMORY : 1014 MB RAM
VIRTUAL MEMORY: 1512 MB
DIRECTX VERSION : 9.0c
GRAPHIC CARD : Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family
GRAPHIC CARD MEMORY : 224 MB
DRIVERS : ialmrnt5.dll
RESOLUTION :1280x800

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION : I know the graphics card is weak, but I am willing to run it on lowest settings and so forth. It runs very smoothly between load points if I have it on dxlevel 70. Upgrading it is not a very convient option as this is a laptop.

 

[Beerdude26]

256 MB RAM is the absolute minimum, and it will mean your computer will have to rely heavily on virtual memory. Also, your graphics card just isn't good enough to run HL2. Indeed, it will run it, but the lack of video memory in your card itself will cause the game to inexplicably crash sometimes. This is not an issue with HL2 alone; it happens quite a while on Oblivion too, and many other games (but Oblivion is a prime example).

 

[ClaptheVolting]

It has a gig of RAM. So that is good.
I think if I just turn off the autosaves it will work better. I'm just experimenting now so that I haven't wasted the $40.

So, how does one turn off the autosave function? I can't find an option for it?

And also, the firewall settings? If I turn it off on the control center I'm guessing that is ok, but the steam diagnostic tool just sees that it is installed and therefore a problem?

 

[ClaptheVolting]

Ok, I just ran it after doing a selective startup after searching and finding some other helpful posts by beerdude. This is the first time I have gotten a error messege once I get to a save point. It said:

The Instruction at "0x241f94f7" referenced memory at "0x0d92f41c". The momory could not be "read".

Click ok to terminate the program

I don't know if that sheds any light on the situation? After searching I still can't find how to turn off autosaves though :x

edit: where oh, where is beerdude... I want to worship his game knowing abilities so he can help me solve my problem cause I have been infinitly bored and wanting to put off course work...yeah. so save me Mr. Beerdude.