Vista - Hl2.exe has stopped working, cod2_mp has stopped working

There seems to be a problem with any online multiplayer game on my new Vista
PC.
Both Counter Strike and Call of Duty 2 give a similar response when each
fail to start up. Half Life 2 Deathmatch does this aswell. I tried patching
and using compatibility mode with CoD 2 which worked for a couple days, but
that doesn't explain why Counter Strike: Source began to act up. Supposedly
it functions fine for Vista and it did until recently. Furthermore, I turned
my firewall off and re-added the programs to the exceptions list. None of
these have worked. Is there something I can do?

If you can help it would be greatly appreciated. Also, it is most likely not
to have anything to do with my hardware.

E6600 2.4 Ghz Dual core Processor
2gb of RAM
8800GTX Video Card
Windows Vista

"Healthy" <Healthy@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:F6844703-C362-4739-8688-63C6EA434601@xxxxxxDo you have the latest NVIDIA drivers for your card?? (I think 163.69, or
that's what I have with identical card and the games work fine, including
COD2).

If you do have that driver, try a newer Beta version (create a restore point
to go back to, in case it doesn't work).

What about sound drivers? Do you have Realtek sound icon in the tray? They
keep coming out with updated drivers.

Frenchy

I used the beta drivers and it fixed Call of Duty 2, but i still get the same response from Counter-Strike: Source. Thanks Frenchy!

Please post if you have a solution to my other problem though.

As for the drivers, I don't believe i have Realtek. I believe i have Sigmatel. If that makes a difference.

EggHeadCafe - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
http://www.eggheadcafe.com

"healthy" wrote in message news:2007101419219laxtosetolerant@xxxxxxI've been getting HL2.exe has stopped responding messages when playing
orange box (portal, hl2:2, and tf2), but I just close the program and run it
again and it works.

Audio card shouldn't matter too much, most integrated audio cards work good
with Vista (It's creative labs sound blasters that are having driver
issues), but still you might check to see if there's a driver update
available online for your sound card, motherboard chipset and motherboard
BIOS, the last one (the bios) probably is not the problem, and be careful
when you upgrade the BIOS, if you mess up you'll kill your motherboard. (in
other words, don't do it unless you know what you're doing)

CS:S is pretty much Vista ready, you should not have to change your firewall
settings or add the program to any exceptions lists, might see if there's
anything posted on the valve forums, check their support site too.

Good luck,
A.