My problems - continued

[Spoonoop]

I just figure i'd bring up my old problem that i've been having forever. This is an email that I sent to steam support.

Me

I really don't know what is causing
this problem, but i'll again tell you what is happening. Any multiplayer
aspect of Steam doesn't run well, with low fps and some lag. Nothing is
wrong with Singleplayer at all, I get great performance with the kind of
system that I have. For example, when I join or create a Counter-Strike:
Source game, Half-Life 2 Deathmatch, any form of Steam multiplayer, I get
terribly low fps and lag. It is only like this with Steam, no other of my
games. Mutiplayer is the problem. But get this, even when I unplug my
internet, go into offline mode and create a game, I get the same results. So
from what it loosk like, my computer is not the problem, my internet is not
the problem, Steam seems to be the problem, thats all I can think of. I
really don't think this is a hardware problem, because other demanding games
like Battlefield 2 run just fine. My internet is not the problem, because
like I said, even in offline mode I get the same results. I appreciate any
advice, thanks.

Reply from steam support guy

Hello,

The problem you are experiencing sounds like it is being caused by a piece of software or hardware on your machine. Please run an msinfo32 report for me so I can assist you, here are instructions:

Title: How to run and submit MSINFO32 Info reports
URL: http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=248

Make sure your operating system is updated fully before running the report please.
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

So I did the msinfo thing and replied, this is what he had to say next

Hello,

Below you will find a list of problematic issues on your system that may be contributing to this issue, please rectify then check the status of this issue:


[1231] Problematic: Starforce Protection Drivers are installed - have been reported to cause problems
[1472] Informational: Apache WebServer is installed on this computer - NOTE - use while playing a game can cause lag
[1473] Problematic: Nvidia Network Access Manager Firewall is running on this system - may cause lag or pauses
[1482] Problematic: ATI-ACE is installed and might cause Steam Problems
[1700] Informational: ALWIL Software / Codejock Software Avast! Antivirus installed
[2095] Problematic: Ati HotKey Poller has been reported to cause Mouse and Keyboard LAG
[2096] Problematic: Ati SMART has been reported to cause problems
[2176] Informational: Window XP Automatic Update is running - might cause lag during gameplay
[2177] Problematic: XP Wireless Zero Configuration service can cause LAG during play if enabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2413 total lines scanned, 235 items found

Thats the last of the email, and to tell you the truth I just looked at it then did nothing about it, because I really don't think my problem has to do with those things. It's possible that if I somehow took care of those things listed above it would be a solution to my problem. The thing is, I know those things listed are not problems, they are needed. They are all ATI related and virus protection related (I use Avast by the way) pretty much. I know what the listed "possible problematic issued" do. It is only Steam multiplayer that has a problem on my computer. Don't you find it odd that the things listed above are ONLY causing Steam problems? Wouldn't they cause problems in other games I have? Yet they don't? This issued bugs the crap out of me, yet this nice steam support fellow has gotten me further than a forum ever has, but i'm just curious to hear what you guys have to say about it, since I have not posted on this "support" part before. Maybe one of you have the key to me problem

 

[Beerdude26]

Starforce Protection Drivers

OMFG KILL IT KILL IT
Seriously, REMOVE Starforce. It's horrible, and it WILL destroy your computer over time. I'm talking "new hardware and new HDD" destroying.

Now go to this site (link), scroll down and download "StarForceClean" and run it.

Second: Almost all of those things the Support guy stated have to do with lag and pauses. So maybe you should try them?

 

[Link]

You can try this. Load up the game and alt tab back to windows. Bring up the taskmanager, in the process list, look for hl2.exe, right click on it and go to the "priority" pop-up. Set from normal to belownormal. Yes, I know that makes no sense, but give it a go. If it works, I'll dig out the thread that explains why.