Problem: Original Half-Life vs. Steam Half-Life

  • Thread starter Thread starter Go&nd
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Go&nd

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Okay, I finally joined/installed Steam. :)

Upon "registering" my Half-Life, it downloaded and installed a whole new Half-Life to my "local cache," or something like that, even though I already have it installed in a different directory.

No biggie, and I like the menu system and options in the latest "version" of Half-Life.

However, I have two problems with the Steam cache version of Half-Life that I'd like to resolve.

1) My original, default installation of Half-Life has the high-definition pack installed from Blue Shift. The Half-Life that runs from Steam defaults to the original low-definition models. Is there a way I can install the high definition pack onto the Steam "local cache" version of Half-Life?

Currently, I have the original install of Half-Life at D:\Games\Half-Life, and the Steam cache appears to be at E:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps. Should I have installed Steam into the original Half-Life folder?

2) Very minor issue, but I prefer the way my original install of Half-Life moves through the loading sequence between level areas. In the original install, "Loading..." appears over my current view for less than a second then the game continues. In my Steam version of Half-Life, when I hit a loading area the screen goes black for about a second and then "Loading..." appears, then the game continues normally. It's a subtle difference, but I prefer the more seamless-seeming effect in the original install.

Does anyone know how I might fix or change this if it's at all possible?

Right now, only because of these two discrepancies, I prefer to play Half-Life from the original install. However I feel like I need to keep up with the times and move to playing my Half-Life and HL mods through steam.

I very much appreciate any kind of help or advice. Thanks. :)
 
I found it to be a little more of a hasle converting my existing installation to Steam than installing from scratch. That was much cleaner and better IMO.
Although I never had any issues with the first installation. ;)

Not sure about the high-def pack
 
hi, i had the problem where i wanted HD pack on my steam version... what i did.. was search google for the HD pack download!!!! and i downloaded it.. end of story
 
and about the loading screen......drag the steam window that loads up into the corner where you cant see it, the ...loading is right behind that.
 
I'd keep the origional install along with the steam install. I hear there is some way to set steam to be able to play single player games without connecting or having a net connection but I haven't found it yet. So when I try to play sp HL through steam it sometimes says SP is Not availaible! SINGLE PLAYER on my HARD DRIVE is not available? wtf is that? so I'm glad I still have my old install to play on if I want.
 
Thanks fellas. I appreciate the responses.

neptuneuk said:
hi, i had the problem where i wanted HD pack on my steam version... what i did.. was search google for the HD pack download!!!! and i downloaded it.. end of story

Heh. Yep, yer right. I suppose I should've googled before I posted. In case anyone else is interested, I found the high-definition installer for Steam at fileplanet:

http://www.fileplanet.com/files/130000/135089.shtml

As for the "Loading..." problem: it's not that anything obstructs it, it's just that my Steam version seems to operate slightly differently when it comes to loading. It just briefly switches to a full black screen when it shows the "Loading..." then continues normally.

Rocketman: I agree. I'll definitely keep my old install just in case. I mean, it's never failed me, so why abandon it, right? :D
 
it doesnt slow down the loading if thats what you mean......(atleast i dont think so)
 
Yeah, if it slows it down, it's a very tiny slow down.

But I still prefer the appearance of a seamless transition.

Steam Half-Life Loading Transition: The screen turns black for a brief moment while the "Loading..." letters appear.

Original Half-Life Loading Transition: It is visually seamless as you move from one area to another; the only indication of a load is a brief pause with the letters "Loading..." appearing at around crosshair level.

I guess it's not a widely known issue or not considered much of a problem. Or maybe I'm still not describing it well. :o
 
I've had the same problem. I never played Half-life through anything but Steam so I had nothing to compare it too, but the load times seem a bit excessive. Does the HD pack add anything to the game?

rdy
 
in my steam HL v the light maps disaper and its all bland and bright. no black screen.
 
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