HALF LIFE 2 TROUBLESHOOTING/TWEAK THREAD!

[warcrow]

Here are some post from Gary McTaggart (Valve) from another forum. I did not write any of these solutions, so please do not private message me! All I've done is collect and post these here to help others who are having issues. If you still are having issues that cannot be resolved, shoot off an email to Erik, over at Valve.

FYI: Use "-console" in the hl2.exe command-line to enable to console, or just enable it in the options menu.


**NVidia is working on a driver update to get 5.1 sound working properly.**

**To validate Half-Life 2 click this LINK**



FREE ROAMING AROUND THE LEVEL
- "noclip" for fly. (You have to do "sv_cheats 1" for a lot of the console commands to work.)

REMOVE THE HEADS UP DISPLAY
- "cl_drawhud 0"

SMOOTH OUT YOUR FRAMERATE (UNTESTED)
- You can also use cl_showfps 2 to get a smoothed frame rate, which is slightly more readable.

IN-GAME PROFILING
- Try "bind tab +showbudget" for some in-game profiling.

REMOVE THE ANIMATED BACKGROUND IN THE MENU SCREEN
- Add the command-line option "-console" and the background maps won't load anymore.



FYI's!

- Note that you can change difficulty level at any time.

- Before lowering the texture detail, lower your sound quality. This has fixed the skipping problem for a lot of people without a noticable loss in sound quality. The loss of texture detail will be much more noticable.

- Getting a 'Wrong Disk Inserted' message when trying to play hl2? Try uninstalling and then reinstalling both HL2 and CS:S.

- If you're getting any hitching, please make sure you're HDD is defragged compeltely.

- Want to play offline? Tell Steam to remember your password. As long as you have everything downloaded, you shouldn't have to connect to play. This is true for the single-player game and any LAN games.

- You can use "-refresh 60" for instance on the command-line. You can also do "-width 1600 -height 1200". Also, if you want to use a non-standard aspect ratio, you can set r_aspectratio directly.

- We default to medium texture resolution on 512MB machines.

- Right click on Steam icon in systray, Select Settings, Uncheck "Don't save account information on this computer" at the bottom of the Account tab. That makes sure that the steam client can be used in an Offline mode.

 

[Dorkenstein]

How can I improve the draw distance? And also while I'm walking the texture on the gun changes, one moment it's shiny another it's not. Anyone else get this?

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: Dorkenstein
How can I improve the draw distance? And also while I'm walking the texture on the gun changes, one moment it's shiny another it's not. Anyone else get this?

..interesting. Specs plz.

 

I am getting lock ups and choppy fps:

It doesnt happen at a perticular spot but i constantly get these application errors and it shuts down hl2 and kicks me to desktop and a couple of times locked up. I have the latest video/mobo/sound drivers available.
specs
barton 2500
epox 8rda+
1 gig ram @266
6800gt with 66.93 drivers
onboard sound
I got the game on cds instead of downloading.
Thanks for any input.

 

[warcrow]

Buck, roll those forceware drivers back one to 61.77(?) and give it a go. I think tha tmight solve your problem. Dont forget to use driver cleaner 3.0 to clean up the elft over driver crap.

 

[everman]

I have improved my stuttering issue by lowering sound quality. It seems that people with even the highest end systems are experiencing this issue. HL is hitting the hard drive for something, It's not even close to using up all of my ram.

 

[silverpig]

If anyone is having the "Memory could not be 'read'" error, try deleting the halflife 2 content.gcf file and re-download it. I was getting that error and it turned out to be a corrupted map file in my download. I deleted and re-downloaded and now everything works fine.

Had the same problem with CS:Source as it'd crash every few minutes with that error. I just finished re-installing it. Haven't tested it yet though.

 

[Robor]

Good thread warcrow. Thanks!

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: Robor
Good thread warcrow. Thanks!

Hey np! :beer: Hope this helps....

 

[Mursilis]

Here's my problem:

I seem to be getting random artifacting during the game; for example, in that room with the flat tables just past the train exit (very beginning), all the table tops were a bright splash of colors-very psychodelic. Likewise, when I first met Alyx, her face also had bright white or colored splotches - seemed like every other pixel was messed up. Interestingly, immediately following the next level load, her face cleared right up instantly. Can't figure out what's causing this. I've never had a similar problem in other games.
System specs:

Athlon 2700+
1 GB RAM
ATI 9600 AIW v-card (4.12 drivers)
Win XP Home

I've seen suggestions that overclocking can cause artifacts to appear, but everything (CPU, v-card, RAM) is running at stock speeds in my machine. Thoughts, anyone?

Thanks in advance.

 

[PsharkJF]

Is the scripting language the same as the original HL?

 

[warcrow]

...sounds like another driver issue. Roll back to another? Try the omega drvers?

 

[Yossarian]

is "-console" the command line option to enable the console?

 

[Slogun]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
is "-console" the command line option to enable the console?

Yes, but you can also enable it in the "advanced" screen under "options", along with fast weapon switching.

 

[remagavon]

Just a good bit of info:

"cl_smooth 0" in console (no quotes) gets rid of choppyness in the source engine on my 6800 series cards worked in cs source and it works in hl2, give it a try if you're having stuttering problems!

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: remagavon
Just a good bit of info:

"cl_smooth 0" in console (no quotes) gets rid of choppyness in the source engine on my 6800 series cards worked in cs source and it works in hl2, give it a try if you're having stuttering problems!

Technically, does anyone know what this does?

 

[remagavon]

Originally posted by: warcrow

Originally posted by: remagavon
Just a good bit of info:

"cl_smooth 0" in console (no quotes) gets rid of choppyness in the source engine on my 6800 series cards worked in cs source and it works in hl2, give it a try if you're having stuttering problems!

Technically, does anyone know what this does?

I think it has something to do with syncing the game with mouse or network or something.. I can't find where I read the tweak initally but it helps a TON and I don't notice any difference in graphics or gameplay aside from the smoother feel

 

[PsharkJF]

Someone with hl2 try this and see if you jump. Back up your current config.cfg [if that is its filename] Save it as a .cfg file in the hl2 dir and do "exec filename.cfg" in console.

unbind "MOUSE2"
alias "hop" "+jump; wait; -jump; wait"
alias "poh" "hop; hop; hop; hop"
bind "MOUSE2" "poh"

 

[0roo0roo]

is there a 16 bit graphics mode for those of us that want uber smoothness with an old card but don't really care about the graphics quality??

 

[loup garou]

This is getting ridiculous. 2 days now and I cannot play this game. I get pretty much every error discussed on the halflife2.net, hl fallout, and steam forums. Memory errors, crashing to desktop, restarts, hanging to black screen, artifacting, stuttering, etc.

System:
Ideq 200v sff
Athlon XP 1600+ (soon to be replaced with a 3000+, not that I think it'll help)
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
768 MB PC 2700 (name brand crucial and kingston)
80 GB Seagate 7200 rpm ATA drive
Dell 1900FP LCD

I have all the latest drivers
Latest via 4in1s (also tried older versions)
Latest Catalyst (still need to try Omega drivers)
DirectX 9.0c
SP2/all latest updates (also tried no sp's/updates)

So far I've tried:
Every console tweak listed, in different combinations
Defragging HD
Deleted all game content and registry entries, uninstalled steam, redownloaded HL2
Windows reinstall (currently, there is nothing on this system but XP, all updates, drivers and 3DMark2003)
Only running 512MB stick, either slot
Running system with huge desk fan blowing into it (although temps were reported as OK previously)
Underclocking 9800/processor
Every resolution/quality combo I can (most times it crashes when trying to change resolution though)
Probably some other stuff I've forgotten by now

It's not heat or PSU issues as I ran it through 3DMark several times last night.

This is driving me insane, I get memory errors if I try to change resolution, crashes at random times, memory errors at random times, stuttering at random times.

So far, the farthest I've gotten is seeing the strider walk by right after you get out of the train station.

:|

Next step is to switch everything around with my MCE machine (SN41G2) and see if an NVidia chipset fares better...oh boy, I'm really looking forward to reinstalling windows 2 more times.

 

Originally posted by: werk
This is getting ridiculous. 2 days now and I cannot play this game. I get pretty much every error discussed on the halflife2.net, hl fallout, and steam forums. Memory errors, crashing to desktop, restarts, hanging to black screen, artifacting, stuttering, etc.

System:
Ideq 200v sff
Athlon XP 1600+ (soon to be replaced with a 3000+, not that I think it'll help)
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
768 MB PC 2700 (name brand crucial and kingston)
80 GB Seagate 7200 rpm ATA drive
Dell 1900FP LCD

I have all the latest drivers
Latest via 4in1s (also tried older versions)
Latest Catalyst (still need to try Omega drivers)
DirectX 9.0c
SP2/all latest updates (also tried no sp's/updates)

So far I've tried:
Every console tweak listed, in different combinations
Deleted all game content and registry entries, uninstalled steam, redownloaded HL2
Windows reinstall (currently, there is nothing on this system but XP, all updates, drivers and 3DMark2003)
Only running 512MB stick, either slot
Running system with huge desk fan blowing into it (although temps were reported as OK previously)
Underclocking 9800/processor
Every resolution/quality combo I can (most times it crashes when trying to change resolution though)
Probably some other stuff I've forgotten by now

It's not heat or PSU issues as I ran it through 3DMark several times last night.

This is driving me insane, I get memory errors if I try to change resolution, crashes at random times, memory errors at random times, stuttering at random times.

So far, the farthest I've gotten is seeing the strider walk by right after you get out of the train station.

:|

Next step is to switch everything around with my MCE machine (SN41G2) and see if an NVidia chipset fares better...oh boy, I'm really looking forward to reinstalling windows 2 more times.

im sorry to read this, i am having issues as well, i am reinstalling HL2 because of memory errors as well. Its rediculous. I tried erasing that one file that someone mentioned and steam had to redownload for 100+minutes overnight and this morning i cant even get into the game. arrggggg

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: werk
This is getting ridiculous. 2 days now and I cannot play this game. I get pretty much every error discussed on the halflife2.net, hl fallout, and steam forums. Memory errors, crashing to desktop, restarts, hanging to black screen, artifacting, stuttering, etc.

System:
Ideq 200v sff
Athlon XP 1600+ (soon to be replaced with a 3000+, not that I think it'll help)
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
768 MB PC 2700 (name brand crucial and kingston)
80 GB Seagate 7200 rpm ATA drive
Dell 1900FP LCD

I have all the latest drivers
Latest via 4in1s (also tried older versions)
Latest Catalyst (still need to try Omega drivers)
DirectX 9.0c
SP2/all latest updates (also tried no sp's/updates)

So far I've tried:
Every console tweak listed, in different combinations
Deleted all game content and registry entries, uninstalled steam, redownloaded HL2
Windows reinstall (currently, there is nothing on this system but XP, all updates, drivers and 3DMark2003)
Only running 512MB stick, either slot
Running system with huge desk fan blowing into it (although temps were reported as OK previously)
Underclocking 9800/processor
Every resolution/quality combo I can (most times it crashes when trying to change resolution though)
Probably some other stuff I've forgotten by now

It's not heat or PSU issues as I ran it through 3DMark several times last night.

This is driving me insane, I get memory errors if I try to change resolution, crashes at random times, memory errors at random times, stuttering at random times.

So far, the farthest I've gotten is seeing the strider walk by right after you get out of the train station.

:|

Next step is to switch everything around with my MCE machine (SN41G2) and see if an NVidia chipset fares better...oh boy, I'm really looking forward to reinstalling windows 2 more times.

Sounds like you're have one of the worst problems yet. Hrm, I wonder if your L2 cache is having issues. Just for grins, disable the L2 in the BIOS to see if that help any. Or, throw in that other cpu.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: warcrow

Originally posted by: werk
This is getting ridiculous. 2 days now and I cannot play this game. I get pretty much every error discussed on the halflife2.net, hl fallout, and steam forums. Memory errors, crashing to desktop, restarts, hanging to black screen, artifacting, stuttering, etc.

System:
Ideq 200v sff
Athlon XP 1600+ (soon to be replaced with a 3000+, not that I think it'll help)
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
768 MB PC 2700 (name brand crucial and kingston)
80 GB Seagate 7200 rpm ATA drive
Dell 1900FP LCD

I have all the latest drivers
Latest via 4in1s (also tried older versions)
Latest Catalyst (still need to try Omega drivers)
DirectX 9.0c
SP2/all latest updates (also tried no sp's/updates)

So far I've tried:
Every console tweak listed, in different combinations
Deleted all game content and registry entries, uninstalled steam, redownloaded HL2
Windows reinstall (currently, there is nothing on this system but XP, all updates, drivers and 3DMark2003)
Only running 512MB stick, either slot
Running system with huge desk fan blowing into it (although temps were reported as OK previously)
Underclocking 9800/processor
Every resolution/quality combo I can (most times it crashes when trying to change resolution though)
Probably some other stuff I've forgotten by now

It's not heat or PSU issues as I ran it through 3DMark several times last night.

This is driving me insane, I get memory errors if I try to change resolution, crashes at random times, memory errors at random times, stuttering at random times.

So far, the farthest I've gotten is seeing the strider walk by right after you get out of the train station.

:|

Next step is to switch everything around with my MCE machine (SN41G2) and see if an NVidia chipset fares better...oh boy, I'm really looking forward to reinstalling windows 2 more times.

Sounds like you're have one of the worst problems yet. Hrm, I wonder if your L2 cache is having issues. Just for grins, disable the L2 in the BIOS to see if that help any. Or, throw in that other cpu.

Haven't tried that yet...don't think performance will be too great after doing it, but I'll give it a shot when I get home this afternoon. I wish I had that processor now, but I have to wait until Christmastime...my gf is getting it for me. That reminds me, I have to send her my newegg wishlist.

*goes back to prowling all the hl2 boards for solutions*

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: everman
I have improved my stuttering issue by lowering sound quality. It seems that people with even the highest end systems are experiencing this issue. HL is hitting the hard drive for something, It's not even close to using up all of my ram.

The only studdering I have is when a level loads for like 10-15 seconds. Everything else is on the highest setting, video and sound, and it all plays extremely well.

EDIT: Just read werk's list of problems and man, I do feel for you.

Its pretty odd, I have an unlocked and overclocked 6800 NU, an amd64 2800+ that is overclocked 730 mhz to 2530 mhz, 2 sticks of overclocked ram, etc, basically as unstable a system as you could get with all the overclocking and all, and I've had 1, count it, 1 crash early on in the game. Since then, I've had ZERO problems with this game whatsoever. You are running all your stuff at stock speeds it sounds like and are having nothing but problems.

Wish I could help.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: buck
im sorry to read this, i am having issues as well, i am reinstalling HL2 because of memory errors as well. Its rediculous. I tried erasing that one file that someone mentioned and steam had to redownload for 100+minutes overnight and this morning i cant even get into the game. arrggggg

Any luck, buck?