HL2/CSS freezing at "Recieving Server Info"

[Gundabad]

CSS freezes fairly regularly at five white load marks into loading maps, which is the "Recieving server info" stage. HL2 freezes at a similar point, about 5 ticks into loading the hdd light goes off. I have tried reinstalling Windows xp, swaping out my ram(which did work for a while), reinstalling hl2/css, diff 4in1s, diff catalyst versions, diff slots for my RAM. All freeze eventually. I was wondering if there was any1 with similar issues so that i can stop worrieing about my hardware and know that it is hl2s fault.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Gundabad]

anyone?

 

[doomed - uk]

I can only suggest posting your system specs and driver details and asking for someone else who has a similar system that works what their driver combinations is, then you copy that combination.