Video Issue with Steam

pozman · 03-29-2009, 06:25 PM

Anyone out there help me out with this one? I get a black screen when I attempt to start Half-Life Episode 1, Episode 2 and Portal. I tried Steam Tech
support but none of their posted solutions worked. My operating system is a
vista service pack 1 and have my computer connected to a Sharp Aquos T.V.
All the other games I have throught Steam start fine with no problems.

Help, Please!

Pozman

**Aus_Karlos** · 03-30-2009, 02:14 AM

Hi pozman and welcome to TSF,

Could you please post your system specs.

Thanks.

pozman · 03-31-2009, 05:49 PM

Hello Aus_Karlos,

Thanks for responding. Okay, here's my information:

Processor: Intel (R) Core (TM) 2 Quad CPU Q9300 @2.50 Ghz 2.50 Ghz
Ram: 2.00 GB
System: 32-Bit
Video Cards: 2x Nvidia Geforce 8800GTS

Let me know if that will suffice.

Pozman

Mcninjaguy · 03-31-2009, 06:59 PM

try running steam as admin

right click on steam.exe
properties
compatibility
run as admin

Tiber Septim · 03-31-2009, 11:53 PM

Are you able to Alt-Tab back to your Desktop when the black screen is up?
Try dropping the resolution for one of the games by opening up Steam, going to the Games tab. Right Click on a game and select Properties, then click on the Launch Options button.
Enter -width X -height Y, where X and Y is your desired resolution. Try starting with -width 640 -height 480.

03-29-2009, 06:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
pozman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2 OS: windows vista home premium servide pack 1	Video Issue with Steam Anyone out there help me out with this one? I get a black screen when I attempt to start Half-Life Episode 1, Episode 2 and Portal. I tried Steam Tech support but none of their posted solutions worked. My operating system is a vista service pack 1 and have my computer connected to a Sharp Aquos T.V. All the other games I have throught Steam start fine with no problems. Help, Please! Pozman

03-30-2009, 02:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
Aus_Karlos Moderator, Games Team Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western Australia Posts: 3,443 OS: Vista Ultimate x64, Windows XP 32-bit/64-bit, Ubuntu x64, Windows 7 x64 Beta My System Blog Entries: 2	Re: Video Issue with Steam Hi pozman and welcome to TSF, Could you please post your system specs. Thanks. __________________ MemTest86 / Nvidia Drivers / ATI Drivers / DirectX 9.0c / Sys Requirements / Everest Folding@Home

03-31-2009, 05:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
pozman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2 OS: windows vista home premium servide pack 1	Re: Video Issue with Steam Hello Aus_Karlos, Thanks for responding. Okay, here's my information: Processor: Intel (R) Core (TM) 2 Quad CPU Q9300 @2.50 Ghz 2.50 Ghz Ram: 2.00 GB System: 32-Bit Video Cards: 2x Nvidia Geforce 8800GTS Let me know if that will suffice. Pozman

03-31-2009, 06:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mcninjaguy Temporarily Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,422 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Video Issue with Steam try running steam as admin right click on steam.exe properties compatibility run as admin

03-31-2009, 11:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tiber Septim Asst Manager, Games Team Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 2,865 OS: Fedora 11 / Windows 7 My System Blog Entries: 5	Re: Video Issue with Steam Are you able to Alt-Tab back to your Desktop when the black screen is up? Try dropping the resolution for one of the games by opening up Steam, going to the Games tab. Right Click on a game and select Properties, then click on the Launch Options button. Enter -width X -height Y, where X and Y is your desired resolution. Try starting with -width 640 -height 480. __________________ First Steps - System Specs - SIW Help TSF beat Cancer and other serious Illness.