Strange graphical problems Created 16 years ago2007-07-20 16:38:00 UTC by Madcow

Im having this problem with both CSS and HL2.

First of all, when I enter the menu of HL2 I get this:
http://oxihosting.com/files/50/halflife%202/1.jpg
And when I start a game, I get this:
http://oxihosting.com/files/50/halflife%202/2.jpg

I have no idea what's going on.
But I think this used to be a common error when the game just had been released.

I've attempted to fix the problem by removing the clientregistery.blob, changing graphical options, and restarting the computer.
No luck
It was solved somehow, but I can't remember how, and I'm not sure what to google.

Does anyone know how to fix this?
It wasn't like this earlier today, nor yesterday.

Edit: Turns out the problem is bigger than I thought.
I have graphical problems with all HL1 related games also (run through steam).
I get small red lined patterns all over the screen.

I've never seen anything like it

Re-install your GPU drivers, check if the GPU's heatsink/fan fell off, etc.

I think this is a GPU related problem. Something similar happend to me before during the making of Half-Life: Uplink Extended: http://www.themightyatom.nl/screenshots/graphics_bug.jpg

Cause: The entire fan and heatsink of the GPU was covered with dust. The heat generated by the GPU could'nt escape and basically was overheating the GPU. When the GPU is getting too hot, these strange graphical artifact usually appear.

So, open up your case, check your GPU fan and heatsink and clean any dust you'll find. And while you're at it, might as well clean your entire case. Better be safe then sorry.

Edit: if all that didn't fix it for you, delete your config.cfg file from the HL2/cfg folder and CSS version. I doubt that this has anything to do with console commands...

Try this console command: "flush" (it clears and reloads your VRAM).

Figgured out what the problem is.
You're right muzzy, the problem was overheating.
Not becuase of dust tho, my computer only has 2 fans, so putting the chassi on was not one of my brightest ideas. :>
It is now off.

Thanks both of you anyways

---

Just one question.

How come it drew red lines and stuff becuase of overheating?
What a strange consequence

It's just a very tell-tale symptom.

What a strange consequence? Tell me how a piece of plastic with some metal stuff on it can create images and stuff...Amazing technology a PC is. I always wonder how someone just figured it out.

What's that? Habboi donated his computer to be ripped apart to find the witchcraft inside?

Awesome!

I want to know that too. I mean, it's just so confusing. If the programs that you use to write programs in (such as a C++ program) had to be made out of some compiled codes from a coding language, what language did they come from? How did someone know to do that? We'll never know will we?

Ah, don't close the thread yet.

The problem came up again, not because of heat this time.

We've totally removed every single peice of dust from the surface of both the graphics card and the CPU.
No luck.
The damn dots remains.

Any other suggestion people? :>

I'll try reinstalling the drivers

After that, if the problem still arises, just shut your computer down and give it a good 30-60 minutes to cool down. Maybe your still getting dust. If nothing else, add more fans. I've got like 7 or so (including the little ones that go on your boards and such).

I've got 3 case fans myself. Was 5 but got rid of 2, really annoying, ones.

After reinstalling drivers, I think it's time to think about replacing the card. Not always something that's fun to do, but sometimes cards just die.

Who makes the card?

You should have 2 fans for your power supply, one big one for your processor, and then 2 extra case fans to cool the rest of the PC, from p-personal experience.

2 fans for a power supply? I only got one big one.

And if we're counting fans: 3 case fans, 1 CPU fan, 1 GPU fan, 1 PSU fan, and 2 hard drive cooling fans. I have a fan controller for the 3 case fans, otherwise their loud and annoying.

I got this same error when I compiled maps in HL2 and I fixed it by loading the map manually from the console and not letting Hammer run the map. I noticed if you let Hammer run the map HL2 would open in the lowest graphic options (600x480) and it would run for about 1 minute before I got Madcow's problem. If I loaded it manually, not only was the problem fixed but I got to view it in my settings (1024xwhatever). My dad was a computer tech and from experience (i've pulled quite a few computers apart myself) most computers have two fans and the Motherboard and other cards have heat-sinks that draw the heat away and channel it into the nearest fan, so they don't need that many fans. Unfortunatley most hard-drives don't have fans, instead they have a little vent on the back which is why they get so hot and the power supply has a built in fan which is the largest fan in the whole computer.

theres the one at the back of your PC too, luke.
all i have is CPU/GPU, and the one that came with my case. never overheats.
my old PC went 3 years without any case fans, and it hovered around a comfortable 50 degrees C.

anyway madcow, check if your GPU card is plugged in properly, power is connected right if it uses power, and all that stuff.

By the way, has anyone else had a problem where Hammer gets funnly patches of pink line on the screen and the whole computer locks up and you have to turn it off to get it to work again? And when you try to click around it beeps at you?

.....no.

I think it has something to do with the model viewer steam supplies so I stopped using it and it hasn't happened since.

Geez, you lot have lots of PC fans. My HP has one CPU fan, one PS fan, and then one huge 150mm in the back. Geforce4 MX 440s don't need a fan, a heatsink is enough. Everything idles under 35C.

No, penguinboy. I counted all my fans.

How would you know where my fans are

i was talking about the PSU, which would have one at the back of the PC and one inside.

Penguinboy, they aren't all like that. A lot just have a big fan at the bottom sucking in air.

And Dave, we can't all be as lucky as you are and afford MX 440's. Gosh.

srry: and the air gets blown out the back by the other fan.

Not if it doesn't have another fan.

I think there is a slight possibility that your GPU has sustained damage while it was overheating. Not saying it's certain, but it can happen if you're unlucky :

And Dave, we can't all be as lucky as you are and afford MX 440's. Gosh.

Stereotypical gaming computers are a dumb idea to me. Super reflective cases, flashing lights, noise and heat are just stupid. I want a fast computer, not a noisy disco ball/space heater.

.........................................

How did that post have ANYTHING AT ALL to do with what I said? And did you just call the MX440 fast?

haha, dave fails.

Graphic card simply broke.
Mystery solved. :<

buys a new one

dunno if anyone has said this but they're called artifacts and it's usually caused by overheating (hence why they have said check your fans). Make sure your computer is running at a tolerable temperature and also don't forget to try re-installing drivers.

He just said his card was simply broken.