HL2 worked fine, now freezes

[Saltpeter]

Hello lads,

I recently purchased HL2 (15 Euro's -which is about 20 bucks- was too big a temptation) and installed it, and it's worked fine. I've worked myself through several levels already, repetitively being marvelled by the Source engine HL2 uses.

But I wouldn't open this topic if it worked fine, now would I? So shock and horror, things have gone awry. I've come to a point that after around 30 seconds in-game, the game freezes up. Dead in the water. I'm currently at the "We Don't go to Ravenholm..." chapter on the railroad tracks, just after you've encountered the two snipers. Everytime I load my savegame, I can play for a limited amount of time, until eventually the game crashes. No error of any kind, just a freeze-up.

Just to say it again, to game has worked tremendously well up until now. It's just now started freezing, and I haven't got a clue what could be causing it since it's worked perfectly for the first 5 chapters.

Here's my system specs:

AMD Athlon XP 2GHz
GeForce FX 5600 128MB
512MB RAM
BIOS temperatures are all well within margins, as are the voltages of the PSU.

Now, HL2 automatically configured HL2 to run on 800x600 on my system, but when I went to 1024x768 it didn't have the slightest problem, so I've been running it at 1024 ever since. But then the freezing-up started, and so I tried downgrading it back to 800x600, but to no avail. Same thing happened.

So my question is - any thoughts on what's trolling my game?

 

[joule]

Read this and see if it helps any: http://support.steampowered.com/cgi...F9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1mcmVlemVz&p_li=&p_topview=1

This as well: http://support.steampowered.com/cgi...F9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1mcmVlemVz&p_li=&p_topview=1

 

[Saltpeter]

Right, I ran the Steam Diagnostic Program, and everything passed, 'cept for the Video Drivers. Here's what I got:

Display drivers: Failed
Your nVidia display drivers are currently out of date
For updated drivers, click here
Display Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600
Display Version: 6.14.11.6218
Recommended Driver Version: 91.47
Recommended Driver Date: 09/01/2006
Severity: Very High

This seems to be the problem, weren't it for the fact that the 'here' link goes to the nVidia Driver Download page, where I've downloaded the latest drivers from just very recently ago. In fact, the driver that I downloaded is still in my Downloads folder, and it's the same as the one that's offered at this moment.

For future reference, here's what Steam Diagnostic suggested:

Possible Suggestions

If Steam continues to crash, try deleting all files and folders in the Steam directory except for steam.exe and the SteamApps folder

If you continue to have problems playing the games, try using the launch options -nosound and -windowed.

Open Steam, then Play games
Right click the Souce game, click properties, then Launch options
add -nosound -windowed, click ok, then close.

I'll check it with the options listed above, and keep you posted on any progress.

 

[Saltpeter]

Ok, I verified the GCF Cache Files, and ran HL2 windowed, with sound. And it worked perfectly for 5 minutes or so (which is, considering my last few attempts to run HL2, an eternity). I managed to *finally* get into the next chapter, with the buggy. I worked my way through the first beach, got through the tunnel, went down onto the second beach and when I wanted to drive up again, it froze. System lock-up.

Note that these freeze-ups occur without looping sound. Alt-F4 or Esc won't help.

Up next is deleting most of the files in the Steam directory.

 

[Dekstar]

how did you update your drivers? did you uninstall the old ones first, then do a reboot and reinstall the new ones?

 

[Saltpeter]

Nah, the thing is; I formatted my harddrive a while ago, and the Video drivers seemed to have gone with it (Windows had altered the screen to a 600x400 4bit resolution). I then downloaded the aforementioned driver from the NVIDIA website and installed it, after which it worked fine.

What strikes me however is that HL2 has worked flawlessly for so long, only to go screwy on me just now, without any significant changes to the system. If there really would've been a driver problem, wouldn't HL2 have started freezing from the get-go?

But yeah, maybe I should reinstall the drivers just to make sure.

 

[Dekstar]

Hmm sounds like that wouldn't be the problem then. Try defragging your harddrive.

 

[Saltpeter]

I defragged the HDD, but to no avail once again.

My last thought is that Steam's been the evil genius contemplating the evil plans. This also seems a testament to the theory of opposites attract - if Valve could create something as genius as HL2 seems to be, they felt they'd add something really warped as well to equal the balance, just for the heck of it (that, and to annoy all the people that have been humping HL2's leg since it premiered at E3). Something like...say...Steam.

Sarcasm aside, I'll get to work on troubleshooting Steam, and update this thread when progress has been made.

 

[Saltpeter]

Update: I reinstalled & updated Steam completely via deleting all the files except for Steam.exe and the SteamApps folder, but that didn't seem to help either.

I can only guess it's still the drivers. So I'll reinstall those.

 

[Saltpeter]

Bump.

After letting it be for a few weeks I decided to reinstall the drivers, but to no avail. HL2 works fine for 15 minutes or so, and then freezes up. The strange thing is that yesterday I played DTM Race Driver for old time's sake, the same thing happened. The strange thing is however that I also play Splinter Cell 3 from time to time, and that game has never even flinched.

I also checked the result from Steam Diagnostic I posted earlier, and as it turns out it recommends a driver that's older (09/2006) than the driver I've been running (06/2007). So that was a red herring.

The mystery prevails...I think I might swap the GFX out for another card, and see if that helps.

 

[Laivasse]

It sounds like it could possibly be an overheating issue. While it doesn't sound likely, it is still possible that you might have got through the preliminary levels okay before your card started to overheat. Google for 'Rivatuner' - it is a small app which I think allows you to monitor GPU temps and increase fan speed if necessary.

Also check this thread. This is an apparently effective fix for the 'looping sound crash', although you said yours doesn't loop so it might be a different issue. Also use it at your own risk, since it bumping up the 'pagedpoolsize' by a lot could cause problems when you have only 512Mb of RAM.

edit: btw, keep persevering with HL2 because the best is yet to come from a gameplay perspective! If you have another (preferably slightly beefier) card to the FX5600, then it's def. worth a try. Hope you get it working.

 

[Saltpeter]

That's what I reckoned as well, although it doesn't sound too likely to me either. Since I purchased HL2 I've placed an extra cooling fan into the case (it had 2 blowing fans in the back already - the one in the PSU and another one below it -, but still lacked a sucking fan in front bottom) which should account for a lower case temperature as opposed to a higher one.

Still though, I'll try your suggestion. Thanks.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

Also, while it sounds bizarre try an older graphical driver. Sometimes rolling back can provide a more stable version for your system.

 

[Saltpeter]

I suppose so yeah, if only I could find an older driver

I've checked the thread Laivasse suggested, and I was amazed to read this:

ALSO, Valve has found that a few AntiVirus programs have been interfering with steam (giving it 100% process priority and causing freezes). Specifically mentioned are AVG 7.5 and NOD32.

Well whaddya know, I run AVG 7.5. I'll look into this as well.

 

[Saltpeter]

Update:

I uninstalled AVG 7.5, ran HL2 and it worked fine for just under 25 minutes before freezing on me once again, so I can rule that one out. This basically leaves an exchange of videocards to be done.

edit: btw, keep persevering with HL2 because the best is yet to come from a gameplay perspective!

Despite all the hassle I still managed to get into the 'Sandtraps' chapter, hehe. I'll definitely continue playing HL2, be it on non-regular intervals. I haven't seen shit yet, so until I do, I'll keep trying to fix it.

 

[Laivasse]

If you are going to try older drivers, check this grid/guide about optimal drivers for certain chipsets. It was made with laptop cards in mind, but I think the same principle still applies. It is very old, however.

This thread might also be useful - again, same laptop-focussed site, but y'know...

 

[Rapstah]

I'd recommend this or this.

 

[Saltpeter]

Alright, I did some more tests with DTM Race Driver, and that also freezes up. I think it's safe to say the problem lies within the GFX, and is not Steam- or HL2-related.

Another videocard should solve this...I'll report back when it's fixed.

 

[Saltpeter]

More gladness to the madness...

I just ran HL2 for some quick shooting, and I ended up playing nearly 2.5 hours until I decided myself to quit the game. It seems to have 'fixed' itself apparently ( although I remain apprehensive of any possible freeze-ups in the future).

But until then, I salute you