HL2 crashing to desktop

[sleepyhead]

I just got a free gift copy of HL2 and at a certain point in the game it crashes to desktop.
It happens in Ravenholm at a loading point, ie when it's loading thenext setion of the level.

I've had this happen on F.E.A.R. and a reinstall worked (looked like one of the files got b0rked somehow) but I can't do that with HL2 as I downloaded via Steam.

Where's a good place to start to trouble shoot?

[arthurleung]

Personally I would say there is nothing to worry about. HL2 is known to be buggy at times. If it always crash at a particular point then redownloading is perhaps the best course of action. Updating graphics driver may help, and otherwise save more frequently is the best way of dealing with it.

[Fraz]

I've had this happen on F.E.A.R. and a reinstall worked (looked like one of the files got b0rked somehow) but I can't do that with HL2 as I downloaded via Steam.

You can reinstall the games. If you right click on the game in question, you can select "delete local content". You can then download the game again to reinstall it.

[muddyfox470]

Could be graphics driver, a firewall problem (steam) or maybe another background app interfering though I haven't played on HL2 in agesssssssss...

[bobbyzero]

No need to delete the local content except as a last resort!

Right-click on the game - Properties - Local Files - Verify Integrity

That will scan the files and re-download anything that's corrupted, which can easily happen, even on Steam.

[sleepyhead]

No need to delete the local content except as a last resort!

Right-click on the game - Properties - Local Files - Verify Integrity

That will scan the files and re-download anything that's corrupted, which can easily happen, even on Steam.

Unfortunately, the verification seemed ok...which really puzzles me now as to where to look at next.

[Lanky123]

Have you tried playing from a couple of save's back in case the save file is corrupt - I've had that happen before though never in HL2 admittedly.

Other possible things - not installed any mods for it? What OS are you using - I got similar crashes at various points in Episode 1 under Vista 64.

[CrazyMonkey]

Is it the DIAX9Dialog error? I used to get this ALOT, try going into game setting resolution to 800x600 starting a game online or singleplayer then changing back to native resolution.

=]

[camalbitboy]

I had this problem and had to reload an earlier save to get past it. From what I remember I had to load a save from before the current chapter to get it to work.