hl2.exe error

[Vox!tY]

my game chrashes at many times when i play cs:s getting a message that saids "hl2 has encountered an error"
do any of you guys know how to fix it?

Specs---------

CPU: Plentium? D CPU 2.80GHz 2.79Ghz

Ram: 1 GB of built-in memory (DDR SDRAM)

Video Cards: Radeon x1600pro 512mb with latest ATI Catalyst Drivers (6.9) and using Direct X 9.0c

MOBO: 8MHz PCI

HDD: 250 GB Serial ATA/100 hard drive

PSU: 500 watt

OS: Windows XP Media Center Edition Service Pack 2
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also, how could i make my fps higher? I mean like what should i buy for christmas. I get around 25-50 fps for some reason, running resolution
1280x960 :confused:
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thanks

[RapToRJHG]

wow 50 fps radeon must suck my 7900 GT gets between 110-300

[payne]

I think I had that error too. Did you press alt+tab or the windows key? Try changing your dxlevel to 8.1. Also try loging off your steam account and relogging on.

[Vox!tY]

i dont press ctrl alt deleate, it freezes up durring a game, loops sound, and goes black. Then i have to ctrl alt deleat to close it from the black inorder for it to work. After that, i get the error message. It tells me to rebuy css when i try to open it up, so i restart steam. i HAVE to log off and log on to go on css again, and even that i do the error message pops back up after a few minutes. what do you mean set it to 8.1? also, any recomendation for something to boost my fps?
i get a "vpu recover has reset your graphics" from the radeon graphix card error with it. I tried downloading the drivers from 6.0-6.10 catalyst. Yet, i still get the error from both. thx

[CRTRAE!!!]

i have same prob but mine only does it if i minimise cs and any suggetions on how i can get my fps up because i get like 65 fps when i go on cs. my graphics card is whack i am using radeon x300.

[Vox!tY]

whats your spec's? and also i use to have a radeon x300. it gets around 20-40 fps on 20 people pub. if you are looking for an upgrade, i suggest getting an intel duel core processor e6600 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115003. i'm currently on my laptop, and building my comp in my spare time. this time, i got a
nvidia evga 8800gtx for my graphix card now =]

[dave]

the cpu is the limiting factor of your rig for fps, but it still shouldn't be crashing very often. I've seen the error before the hl2.exe one. What it acutally means depends on what address it's referencing the 0xNUMBER thing that usually comes with it. Could be video, sound, datacache, ram, just about anything.

Does this error happen often? If not, don't worry about it. Does it happen during a specific event, like a server's sound file should play?

[CRTRAE!!!]

dude i cant afford that my pc is shit and i could probably get ?250 max never mind all these high prices is any1 selling spare parts cheap

[frentik]

get rid of the hacks ftw. Then it will work.