topic Re: Problem running The Orange Box in Software Archive

Problem running The Orange Box

cheesyinsanity — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 18:49:51 GMT

Hello, I am having trouble being able to play the 5 games in The Orange Box for the PC. I have read support on the Steam website and I have found out that I need a better video card then the one I am using right now. This is because I am using a Gateway laptop. Here are my specs:

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
BIOS: Rev 1.0
Processor: Genuine Intel CPU T2050 @ 1.60GHz
Memory: 1014 MB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c

Device:
Name: Mobile Intel 945GM Express Chipset Family
Chip type: Inte GMA 950
P.S. If you need any other details, just ask.

I realize that there are issues with the 945GM chipset while playing with several Steam games (The Orange Box), and have used all the advice Steam has gave me on fixing the problem, but no luck. I also know the minimum speed must be 1.7 GHz for games like HL2 Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. I realize Intel is working on updating this, but is there any possible way to get it fixed ASAP? Should I purchase a new video card-if so, which one? Are there any updates I should download-if so, which updates? I am not really experienced with this, and would appreciate any help.

EDIT: I've also realized I won't be able to play World Of WarCraft without a hardware transform and lighting-capable video card.

Re: Problem running The Orange Box

davidc1 — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 01:09:22 GMT

CheesyInsanity:
Hello, I am having trouble being able to play the 5 games in The Orange Box for the PC. I have read support on the Steam website and I have found out that I need a better video card then the one I am using right now. This is because I am using a Gateway laptop. Here are my specs:

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
BIOS: Rev 1.0
Processor: Genuine Intel CPU T2050 @ 1.60GHz
Memory: 1014 MB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c

Device:
Name: Mobile Intel 945GM Express Chipset Family
Chip type: Inte GMA 950
P.S. If you need any other details, just ask.

I realize that there are issues with the 945GM chipset while playing with several Steam games (The Orange Box), and have used all the advice Steam has gave me on fixing the problem, but no luck. I also know the minimum speed must be 1.7 GHz for games like HL2 Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. I realize Intel is working on updating this, but is there any possible way to get it fixed ASAP? Should I purchase a new video card-if so, which one? Are there any updates I should download-if so, which updates? I am not really experienced with this, and would appreciate any help.

EDIT: I've also realized I won't be able to play World Of WarCraft without a hardware transform and lighting-capable video card.

Oh right, you "realized" that you couldn't run World of Warcraft without hardware T&L/VS. The question is: Have you actually tried to run it?? For over a year I have been playing World of Warcraft on a Celeron D 2.53GHz system and 945G, which umm... features, GMA950?? And it runs faster in software than hardware so it runs it on software even on the ones that have hardware T&L like the G965.

Re: Problem running The Orange Box

cheesyinsanity — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 01:54:57 GMT

Ok, I haven't actually tried World of WarCraft, I've just looked at some of the specs I missed and saw I didn't have that. If it works for you, I guess it'll work for me?

Anyways, WoW isn't the main problem-The Orange Box is. Any idea?

Re: Problem running The Orange Box

davidc1 — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 14:53:06 GMT

CheesyInsanity:
Ok, I haven't actually tried World of WarCraft, I've just looked at some of the specs I missed and saw I didn't have that. If it works for you, I guess it'll work for me?

Anyways, WoW isn't the main problem-The Orange Box is. Any idea?

Sigh. Sorry if the post sounded harsh.

Anyway, WoW should run ok at 800x600 Low-Medium. I ran it at High on the Celeron D system with single channel DDR2-533, but that's just me because I feel the frames are stable enough and I can deal with it.

Orange Box?? That's the Half Life 2 pack with TF and such?? Well, the focus for Intel drivers right now is their GMA X3100/X3000 graphics. The GMA950 is kinda old, and the driver is mature enough. There really isn't much for Intel to do except fix minor bugs it may be present on the driver. Does it run at all or do you just lag?? If you lag, I can't help you because its the hardware's fault, the GPU is too weak for it.

I don't know about your laptop, but the graphics probably can't be upgraded, as is usual with most laptops. Some laptops have the option to replace your graphics card, but that's with discrete graphics and usually high end. I haven't heard of integrated GPUs with upgradeable option. If it can be upgraded and you can find a replacement, Geforce 7300 should be able to run it fine without spending lots of money.

Re: Problem running The Orange Box

cheesyinsanity — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:34:29 GMT

I run my computer at 1280x800 pixels on High. Should I change it to a different setting before I start the games(s)?

I'm also not sure how I should check if my graphics card can be replaced?

I checked out the graphics card you mentioned anyways, and it seems like a good deal. I also checked out the GeForce 7950 GT Video Card and the GeForce 8800 GT Video Card, but I'm not sure those will work because I don't have the processor the 7950 requires, but it doesn't require a certain one for the 8800.

Re: Problem running The Orange Box

davidc1 — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 02:17:48 GMT

CheesyInsanity:
I run my computer at 1280x800 pixels on High. Should I change it to a different setting before I start the games(s)?

I'm also not sure how I should check if my graphics card can be replaced?

I checked out the graphics card you mentioned anyways, and it seems like a good deal. I also checked out the GeForce 7950 GT Video Card and the GeForce 8800 GT Video Card, but I'm not sure those will work because I don't have the processor the 7950 requires, but it doesn't require a certain one for the 8800.

1280x600 desktop resolution?? Well that doesn't matter. Only the resolution changes in game affects your gaming performance.

I assumed you have a laptop because you have a 945GM, thats a laptop chip for the GMA950. But you have a PC?? Well if its a PC, check that it has a PCI Express 16x slot. If its a laptop, you'll have to consult your manufacturer.

Re: Problem running The Orange Box

cheesyinsanity — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:59:24 GMT

I have a Gateway laptop. You probably missed that in the first post. Anyways, thanks. I'll contact them and also perhaps Intel.

Re: Problem running The Orange Box

mikelx215 — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:15:45 GMT

I have the Intel 945GM Express chip in my PC, and the Orange Box runs fine... with some tweaking. I can run most of the Orange Box games with medium to high settings, with the framerate dropping in some of the larger environments. I was able to beat Portal. My laptop has a 2.0 Ghz Core Duo processor and 2 Gigs of RAM, so I'm not sure if you'll have the same results. Never hurts to try though. :P

Anyways, what you want to do is - in Steam - go into 'My Games.' Right click the game you want and select 'Set Launch Options' then insert the following:

-dxlevel [insert # here]

For Half Life 2 "-dxlevel 81" runs fine. Portal works when I force "-dxlevel 90". Same with Team Fortress 2. I haven't tried anything on Episode 1 or 2, because I haven't completed Half Life 2, yet. I suspect they'll run at "-dxlevel 90".

Took me an entire day to figure out how to get everything to run. Best of luck to you.

Re: Problem running The Orange Box

mikelx215 — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:25:47 GMT

Also, I doubt you'll be able to get a new graphics card for your laptop. If you have your heart set on a dedicated graphics solution, I'm afraid you'll have to make due with another computer.

Re: Problem running The Orange Box

fireboy401 — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 09:30:40 GMT

Mikelx215,

I have been having the same problems trying to run the orange box on my laptop that has the Intel 945 chipset... I did what you reccommended and tested Portal at DX level 9, and it loaded and didn't crash as soon as I jumped through the first portal... however, the graphics are extremely washed out... everything is almost white, hence the game is virtually unplayable even though it's running. did you have this problem when using the -dxlevel 90 command on Portal?

mikelx215:
I have the Intel 945GM Express chip in my PC, and the Orange Box runs fine... with some tweaking. I can run most of the Orange Box games with medium to high settings, with the framerate dropping in some of the larger environments. I was able to beat Portal. My laptop has a 2.0 Ghz Core Duo processor and 2 Gigs of RAM, so I'm not sure if you'll have the same results. Never hurts to try though. :P

Anyways, what you want to do is - in Steam - go into 'My Games.' Right click the game you want and select 'Set Launch Options' then insert the following:

-dxlevel [insert # here]

For Half Life 2 "-dxlevel 81" runs fine. Portal works when I force "-dxlevel 90". Same with Team Fortress 2. I haven't tried anything on Episode 1 or 2, because I haven't completed Half Life 2, yet. I suspect they'll run at "-dxlevel 90".

Took me an entire day to figure out how to get everything to run. Best of luck to you.

Re: Problem running The Orange Box

mikelx215 — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 04:23:55 GMT

Sorry, I didn't run into that problem. When I forced a dxlevel other than 90, the game would crash for me after I entered a portal. I'd suggest messing around with settings until you find something that works.

If I could take a stab at your problem, though, I'd try lowering the gamma.

Re: Problem running The Orange Box

fireboy401 — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 04:42:46 GMT

Not sure what the problem is... it's not the gamma, I have it lowered all the way. i guess i'll just keep searching online

Re: Problem running The Orange Box

cheesyinsanity — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:31:21 GMT

Yes, I have forced the dx level to 90 on Portal, and also get the white walls like fire. If you force it lower though, it removes this problem, but you can't get through the first portal.

Anyways, I've been playing TF2 instead, and I've been forcing it on dx90 too. It's great but the only problems are in big levels like Well it's really laggy and the characters are almost pitch black which is hard to tell if they are an enemy or not.

Re: Problem running The Orange Box

mikelx215 — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 02:50:04 GMT

All I can suggest is you try playing around with the settings, and update to the latest driver. :(

Re: Problem running The Orange Box

cheesyinsanity — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 03:16:24 GMT

Do I have the latest drivers? I'm not sure.

I've been playing around the settings but even when I play by myself on TF2 on a server I get like 15 fps even on small levels like 2Fort (small spaces; capture the flag map). I've tried everything on low...I'm so mad.