Half Life 2: Episode Two - First Impression
I started playing Episode Two today. I was excited because Episode One was awesome so my expectations were high for this title. Unfortunately, my first impression was not a very good one. Immediately after launching the game, it would crash with the following error:
HALF-LIFE 2: hl2.exe - Application Error
The instruction at “0x________” referenced memory at “0×0________”. The memory could not be “read”.
Googling around didn’t help as much as I hoped for, since just about every single person who encountered this error (I’m not alone having this issue) found some kind of unique fix of their own. I did follow one suggestion which recommended extending the maximum size of the page file in Windows. I set it to the maximum value of 4GB and then rebooted my machine. Curiously enough this worked. If you encounter a simillar issue, try setting the max size of your page file to a higher value.
The game picks up right after Episode One, and once again you somehow managed to lose all your weapons and you start bare handed. You and Alyx must now find your way to White Forest station which means a trek through some deserted rural areas full of zombies, ant lions and all kinds of other threats. Alyx’s role is diminished as opposed to Episode One because she gets incapacitated pretty early on. As a bonus, you get to work alongside some NPC’s that do not die like flies. You even hook up with some Vortigaunts who now pack a mean punch.
Oh, and by the time you finish the game, you will feel like you have gained some invaluable insight into the life cycle of an Ant Lion colony.
I saw some new HUD tweaks. Episode One introduced the ammo and health bars on the crosshair, and now Episode Two moved the flashlight to it’s own HUD item. It’s actually nice because it seems that it has it’s own internal battery now, allowing you to run and/or swim with the light on, without exhausting it.
So far I like it. I’m only about an hour or two into the game, but it’s already interesting. I will write more after I finish the game.
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November 19th, 2007 at 1:11 pm (7038) [Quote]
I can’t wait to play this. I get my new gaming laptop tomorrow then its GAME ON!
Posted usingNovember 19th, 2007 at 4:31 pm (7043) [Quote]
Btw, if you check the system specs HL2:E2 has very modest minimum hardware requirements. My machine is ancient but this game works great.
Also, I never thought of laptops as gaming machines. I’d rather invest in a desktop since the parts are cheaper, and you can get more raw power for the same price. Also, you will never be able to put the monster graphics card that burns hotter than the sun itself into the power efficient, tiny laptop case with a single fan.
Posted usingNovember 19th, 2007 at 5:43 pm (7044) [Quote]
Yes, but gaming is more of a secondary function of this laptop. I know that desktops are better for gaming. Long story short, I need a laptop for business, but I don’t really NEED a second machine just for gaming, so I got a laptop with a 8600GT built in
Plenty good for what i need!
Posted usingNovember 20th, 2007 at 1:13 pm (7056) [Quote]
Ah, ok. That makes sense. Just make sure you get a good mouse for gaming. I don’t think it will be possible to play HL2 with the touchpad or the thumb-stick.
Posted usingNovember 20th, 2007 at 1:53 pm (7057) [Quote]
Yea, I have a MX1000 for that.
I’m not a noob 
Posted usingNovember 20th, 2007 at 2:13 pm (7058) [Quote]
Nice one.
Have you played it yet? How far did you get? I’m past the whole Antlion cave thing, and I’m currently trying to get the car off the bridge by slogging my way through hordes of zombies.
Posted usingNovember 20th, 2007 at 2:14 pm (7059) [Quote]
No I haven’t. I JUST got my laptop. Setting it up right now.
Posted usingNovember 20th, 2007 at 2:21 pm (7060) [Quote]
Sigh… Now I kinda want a new laptop. lol
Posted usingJanuary 22nd, 2008 at 6:30 am (7807) [Quote]
I’ve got the same problem in the game. Also i’ve never seen that picture because the game crashes just before than that scene. I tried to change virtual memory but it didn’t work. I tried lots of things but i couldn’t fix the problem. Please somebody help me… I want to play hl2e2, too.
Posted usingMay 10th, 2008 at 9:21 am (9020) [Quote]
hey i have the same error.. just like kemal..same thing the game crashes when i reach that spot..but i dont know how to change the virtual memory or setting my max size page file to a higher value .
Posted usingif someone could explain that pls…!!!
May 10th, 2008 at 5:00 pm (9021) [Quote]
Ok, take out your note pad and follow my lead. These instructions are for Windows XP. If you have Vista, you are on your own (sorry).
1. Right click on My Computer
2. Click on Properties
3. Click on the Advanced tab
4. Find the Perfomance section and click on Settings
5. Click on Advanced tab
6. In the Virtual Memory section click on Change
7. Choose Custom Size
8. Set Initial and Minimum sizes to 4096 MB (which is 4GB)
9. Click Ok, Ok and Ok to get out of the dialog
10. Maybe reboot for a good measure and see if you can play the game
Good luck. I hope this helps.
Posted usingJune 5th, 2008 at 1:05 pm (9257) [Quote]
i installed half life2 when i want to play this i get a error saying that setup file is not there
Posted usingJune 5th, 2008 at 1:25 pm (9258) [Quote]
What kind of error? It’s kinda tough to trouble shoot if you don’t post specifics error message.
Posted usingJune 17th, 2008 at 4:33 pm (9387) [Quote]
This is not working for me i might be doing something wrong i got on control panel clicked on perfomace and i want to viturel memory and changed drive C of intel space to 4000 and maxuim to 5600
Posted usingJune 17th, 2008 at 4:46 pm (9388) [Quote]
Set it up so that initial==maximum and use the maximum amount allowed on your machine - which I believe is 4096 on a 32 bit rig. Other than that, I don’t know. This worked for me.
Posted usingJune 17th, 2008 at 5:19 pm (9390) [Quote]
I did what u said i guess there might be wrong with it but thanks for the advie i might be able to fix it (the error msg comes up before the main title screen is loaded)
Posted usingJune 17th, 2008 at 5:24 pm (9391) [Quote]
Oh, btw - you should reboot after you make that change. See if the game works after you reboot.
Posted usingJune 17th, 2008 at 6:03 pm (9392) [Quote]
sigh- i need to ask u when i reboot my computer there an error with a disk thing do u think that might have sometihng with it ( sorry for asking so many questions ) i really want to play the game. intel set to 4096 and so is max (thanks for telling me that my comptuer running faster
Posted usingJune 17th, 2008 at 8:16 pm (9394) [Quote]
What kind of disk error? HD error? CD error? Did you get the game of of Steam or buy it on CD? Or downloaded it? And if you downloaded it, did you a) burn/mount it properly and b) apply the crack?
Posted usingJune 22nd, 2008 at 7:40 pm (9452) [Quote]
You guys need more memory! big page file = slow computer, or lots of defraging!
Posted usingJune 22nd, 2008 at 7:54 pm (9453) [Quote]
True, but some of us can’t add more memory without upgrading to a new mobo.
Posted using