help with hl2

[ez-ier]

specs:
XP Proffesional, sp 1
2.8 gHz intel celeron
256MB of RAM
Creative Sound blaster 24 bit sound card
ATI Radeon 9250 graphics

and I installed the game 3 times now getting sick of it, I have a steam account updated the files and I go launch game and it just says launching then it never does shit like the game doesnt even open after the little green steam screen.....

 

[Beerdude26]

The best would be to get XP SP2, because HL2 indeed sometimes has issues with working if you don't have the latest updates for Windows and DirectX.

 

[ez-ier]

ok... I have all updated drivers and direct X 9c or w/e the newest one is
sp2.. I don't really want it and my friend has a comp with
ati radeon x800
2gb ram
1+tb in hard drives
windows xp home edition
amd athlon 2.4ghz processor
and such..
he doesnt have sp2 and it works fine

 

[xombine]

But you have different specs than him. You really should get SP2, there are many improvements. Doesn't your computer tell you that there are updates?

 

[ez-ier]

uhh no.. like I just built this comp
like 1 week ago

 

[Beerdude26]

Well 256MB isn't very much, and your game will probably be quite laggy. The Radeon 9250 is okay, but don't expect to be able to play everything on highest
Try deactivating unneeded background programs that take up RAM and try again.

 

[Drackard]

oo harsh, bad enough running xp on 256mb ram, tis a killer :|

 

[Barney Fife]

But you have different specs than him. You really should get SP2, there are many improvements. Doesn't your computer tell you that there are updates?

No actually riped off windows won't tell you have an update and wont install sp2 just like ripped off hl2 AI is disabled.

 

[Drackard]

Hmm, might make sense with a bit of punctuation

 

[Barney Fife]

Yeah Dang ESL

 

[funkyFlash]

Also, there's a good chance that either his or your machine will fail the SP2 key check. Back in the day, (before I got XP for free from my college), I had that issue with my pirated windows. It's really worth it to have a legit copy.
Not just does SP2 fix a lot of windows problems, and make your XP less vulnerable (xp less vulnerable is kinda an oximoron), but SP2 DOES also improve the functionality of non WHQL drivers.
Or, is it possible that HL2 just isn't diggin the fact that you have 256 MB of RAM?

 

[Barney Fife]

Also, there's a good chance that either his or your machine will fail the SP2 key check. Back in the day, (before I got XP for free from my college), I had that issue with my pirated windows. It's really worth it to have a legit copy.
Not just does SP2 fix a lot of windows problems, and make your XP less vulnerable (xp less vulnerable is kinda an oximoron), but SP2 DOES also improve the functionality of non WHQL drivers.
Or, is it possible that HL2 just isn't diggin the fact that you have 256 MB of RAM?

Well I don't remember where I saw this, but I'm very much sure that I read about: Most software manufacturers like Game developers and Microsoft have some kind of deal going on against piracy, which is a major headache in software industry, and almost most software developers did agree to back each other up with their software against piracy.
That's why if you see the requirements like "in order to play/use this software you must have WinXP with SP2 etcetera" it means that this software will not perform normal without SP2.
Youngsters are the most people who rip off software/games, and developers made make their software/games require SP2 to battle that. In order to have SP1 or SP2 you must have a legit OS authentication key. Microsoft will check this before it allows you to update OS.
.
.
But you can always beat this (By Barney Style. Thanks To The Net) You can get whatever you want cheap.
Whenever I'm building a rig either for me or for someone else this is where I get my OS very cheap and save $60.00, comparing to retail stores, and have a legit OS key.
Here http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=335900&Sku=M17-7502 Its OEM
Believe me, it is not missing a thing, except:
1) Just missing few drivers, which you can actually download from Net.
2) You must clean install, which means you cannot upgrade from previous OS. (You must backup your DATA in removeable Disk) I do have one external HDD that I use for backup)
3) You must do format. (Clean Install)
4) You have to pay for support by way of 1-900 Microsoft number in case OS starts to have problems,
But hey, who had a major XP problem, which required Microsoft 1-900 support number? I think nobody...Thanks to System Restore.
But most of all, it does come with genetic and network drivers for your LAN and hardwares like CD, Floppy, HDD controllers, etcetera.
It does have Network (LAN) driver, for you to log on and register with Microsoft with OS.
5) You cannot use the OS without registering it first.
6) It does not come with all of that (Never will you ever Use) buddled softwares that take not 10 but 15-20GB of HDD that computer makers like DELL and HP jamm into you. After you install and update OEM You will be suprised if 5GB of your HDD is taken.
This is what I use for HL2 and all of its buddle (WINXP OEM) and believe me, I never been proud of myself.
Do you know how many Diapers will $60.00 buy me? Exactly.