Crashing at startup

[H3RMAN]

I am currently having problems with my copy of Half-Life 2. I recently bought the original retail version from a local shop. Since my computer specs are quite low, i am disabling the autosave function by setting the autosave files as a read only file as my computer always crash after every autosave.So, till i upgrade to a better computer, i am currently playing it with my current specs, which cause it to lag a little. This, i believe is not the cause of the problem i am facing now.

After playing it on the settings mentioned above for some time, i have problems loading the game at the startup. The latest area I played in is the strider map when it was going fine until there was a blackout in my house during a thunderstorm. After the thunderstorm passed, i switched on my computer and started to play HL2.

When HL2 is starting up, it always crash in the loading screen after the Valve video. I've tried downloading the latest patches, re-validating HL2 through www.half-life2.com, reinstalling it and then installing the backup files. Still, the problem persist. I believe that my copy of HL2 is installed with the latest patches and I have no problem with other games installed with Steam, namely, Codename Gordon and CS:S.

I would like to know why am I having problems with the startup and how am I able to fix it.Btw, below is the specs for my computer.

Packard Bell
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.72GHz, 248MB of DDR RAM
Microsoft Windows XP Home Service Pack 2
Maxtor 4D040H2 HDD
Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
Unimodem Half-Duplex Audio Device
MPU-401 Compatible MIDI Device

Thank you.

It sounds a little too formal as i intend to send it to Valve, but since there's no response from them since last week, i've decided to turn to the rest of the HL2 gamers. So, can anyone help me? Is anyone having the same problem?

 

[Chiefi]

Minimum Requirements:
1.2 GHz Processor
256MB RAM
DirectX 7 level graphics card
Windows 2000/XP/ME/98


Could this be it?

 

[Sanius]

it's your videocard.

 

[H3RMAN]

Minimum Requirements:
1.2 GHz Processor
256MB RAM
DirectX 7 level graphics card
Windows 2000/XP/ME/98


Could this be it?

dun think so, it ran well from the moment i disabled the autosave thing [since the red letter day] till the place i am now [cant remember the map name but it involves fighting a lot of striders after u had just wrecked the nexus with barney and friends] when there was the blackout when i was playing there. cant possible be the RAM or video card cuz it probably would have crashed long ago when im in much intensive maps lyk route kanal.and take note that it crashed NOT in the game but during the LOADING part after the valve video[ie. 'loading...' in bottom right hand corner and a blur background of what seems to be nova prospekt].niway,probably noting to do with the com specs.the installed patches perhaps? i dunno, im making a wild guess.