Internal driver error in IDirect3DDevice9::Present()

[aum]

I'm quite computer challenged and have no idea what this means? I get the start up screen, choose new game, it then starts loading a new game and then suddenly minimizes and I get this error.

Any help appreciated please.

Aum

[aum]

bump....still hoping to get some help with this please.

[Woody023]

i have the same problem too.

[UTA]

Google is your best friend ;)
Link to support/help
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/directx9_c/directx/graphics/reference/d3d/interfaces/idirect3ddevice9/Present.asp

[Woody023]

Just make it simple.. how do i need to do and play the game

[jæboy]

Hey guys, I'm having the same problem during gameplay. After it crashes, I get :

"The instruction at "Ox241f94b7" reffered memory at "0x01100cc8". The Memory could not be "read"

any takers?

[Dumb Dude]

Try updating drivers. See if that helps.

[boornish]

I seem to be getting this error as well. I have the most up to date drivers for my video card as well as the latest version of direct x. Very strange....

[Barney Fife]

All of you need Video cards and updated drivers.

Good Luck.

[meekatron]

i get this same problem but only after i updated the drivers for my ati x1300 512mb card..
i updated last night and ever since i get this message
engine error
internal driver error in idirect3ddevice9::present()

[meekatron]

i got it sorted
i downloaded the latest dx9 (DirectX End-User Runtimes (April 2006) Full Download)
but didn`t seem to work then went to steams forums and it says to disable programs like p2p and stuff like that,so i switched off these progs
thunderbird
sysmatrix
msn messenger
and there you go back to workin better than ever happy days

[JagYui]

I've been getting this same problem with Episode 1, and nothing I have tried has worked to fix it. When I first started playing the game, I would get this error randomly OR the game would simply freeze and stutter forever until I hard reset my computer. Sometimes this would be triggered simply by saving or loading a new map.

I did manage to play until halfway through Urban Flight, but then it started up again even worse. I updated my video drivers and made sure I had the latest version of DirectX before I even started playing. Right now, I've deleted the local content and am redownloading to give it a try tomorrow.

Pentium 4 3.2 Dual Core
1G RAM
ATI Radeon X850 XTPE

I have no problems whatsoever running HL2 or Lost Coast (though LC still claims that I can't use HDR even though my card is more than capable), and this is the first time I've ever had an error of this nature.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I'd hate to have to wait for a patch to finish the episode.

[wingwolf]

thank god finaly some other people with this.
i have been using Gmod 9 for at least a year now and then i started getting the very same engine error.
my half life and every thing else runs with no problem.
i even tryied older Gmods and strangly they worked the first time and then the error appears... strange...

this is starting to become more common everyday. we seriously need a fix for this.

[S.T.A.R.S.]

You can find a solution in my post on this link:
http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=107385

[wtcajesuit]

It happens to me too! This is the first time I've experienced it. Got Episode 1 just the other day and still haven't been able to play it.

IDirect3DDevice9::Present()

The problem occurs when I start a new game or try to load a saved game. I've gotten as far as... well, not much. I've seen the introduction video sequence, and DOG digging me out, and Alyx talking for a bit, I got the gravygun back... and that's it.

I've downloaded and installed Catalyst 6.5, got the latest Dx9, ended all unnecessary processes, but nothing seems to work. Nothing much has changed even. I'm running

P4 2.6Ghz
1GB RAM
ATi Radeon 9600XT 128MB

Thank goodness I found other people with the same problem. At first I thought it was my aging gfx card, but I have no PCI-E slot on my Mobo, and I'm not willing to pay $200 for a minor AGP upgrade.

Help!! I want to play this game so badly. To those who post solutions, thank you in advance. To those who suffer alongside me, hang in there! =)

[S.T.A.R.S.]

Did you read my post and have you done exactly I said there??

[mortiz]

Google is your best friend ;)
Link to support/help
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/directx9_c/directx/graphics/reference/d3d/interfaces/idirect3ddevice9/Present.asp

I don't know why you posted that, it doesn't help him at all. He doesn't need to know how to use the Direct3D API.

[raduz]

One way to "fix" this is to start a game at 800x600 resolution and then change to previous higher resolution. This works for my laptop with a radeon 9600.

[wingwolf]

and how do we change that if we cant start the game?

[Beerdude26]

By putting -width 800 -height 600 in the game shortcut parameters.

[boystupid]

Hi, i have also been getting this probslem. Its strange i have updated my graphics drivers before i statred playing but ive only just started getting these problems in the middle of the 3rd chapter. Playing the 1st chapters was fine. Ive been getting the problem whenever the game saves, loads something new or if theres lots of shooting going on. has anybody been able to fix this problem?

[boystupid]

Ive been looking at the posts on steam forums and have managed to play without any crashes, some small glitches tho. What i did was put "-dxlevel 90c" in teh launch options for ep 1 and turned Hdr off. Hopefully valve will sort this problem so i can play with HDR on :P

[Pauly]

I just got this problem TODAY!? I could play last night FINE!!! WTF? HALP

[leongt]

I was having this same problem untill I came across this help page http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/popup_adp.php?p_faqid=242&p_created=1095476857 showing how to force the game to run in DirectX 8.1 useing stream console becouse I couldn't chang the settings in the game menu.

Now I'm up to chapter 3 and haven't had a lockup or crash since,
My graphics card it a Radeon 9600XT Extream thats ment to run DirectX 9 I hope this is some help.

[Pauly]

Yea but see I dont want to run the game in a lower DXlevel. I have an x850PE ATI

I appreciate your help man :)

I sent a steam support ticket and awaiting response this week

[Arioch]

Hi to all!

I have just registered to help you. I found this page using Google when i get the same error than you all. But the answer was not here. I didn´t find the answer anywhere, it was all luck. What you have to do is to install the DirectX June update from here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1c190175-7b26-4916-8e5f-6f88a5bc09c5&DisplayLang=en and you will never get that error again.

Bye!

[leongt]

Yea but see I dont want to run the game in a lower DXlevel. I have an x850PE ATI

I appreciate your help man :)

I sent a steam support ticket and awaiting response this week

Don't know about you but at least I'm playing the game ok in DirectX 8.1 and not having it crash all the time, and just for the hell of it I installed HL-2 and that run great useing Directx 9 no problems WHAT SO EVER.

I also sent the support team ticket and all I got was please send Diag file of your system and MSinfo file but that was 3 day's ago havent heard from them.

Just an update, I tryed Arioch's link and downloaded DirectX june update and tryed to start a new game in DirectX 9 but no luck I couldn't get past the load screen, the bar got to about 75% and that was as far as I got so I'll just settle for DirectX 8.1

[Arioch]

Don't know about you but at least I'm playing the game ok in DirectX 8.1 and not having it crash all the time, and just for the hell of it I installed HL-2 and that run great useing Directx 9 no problems WHAT SO EVER.

I also sent the support team ticket and all I got was please send Diag file of your system and MSinfo file but that was 3 day's ago havent heard from them.

Just an update, I tryed Arioch's link and downloaded DirectX june update and tryed to start a new game in DirectX 9 but no luck I couldn't get past the load screen, the bar got to about 75% and that was as far as I got so I'll just settle for DirectX 8.1

I suggest you to install the latest Omega Drivers too. That's what I have in my computer and it's goes perfectly. Give it a try: www.omegadrivers.net

[leongt]

Couldn't be bothered Arioch, I've finished it now anyway and I'm sure the Omega drivers wouldn't help If HL-2 work's ok with DirectX 9 then Episode 1 should.

I'm still not sure if stream did a full update for me becouse the game started on medium setting's instead of easy when starting a new game and the update was suppose to fix that and stream was telling me it had updated 100%, anyway I enjoyed it and what matters even if it was in DirectX 8.1 thank's anyway.

[wingwolf]

fix found
put

-DXlevel 70

into the launch options. once your into the program feel free to go to your options and reset everything. :smoking:

[wtcajesuit]

The start the game in 800x600 then switch resolutions in game fix helped. Haven't tried the June DX9 patch yet though. Will try that later. Thanks!

[7creature]

Hi to all!

I have just registered to help you. I found this page using Google when i get the same error than you all. But the answer was not here. I didn´t find the answer anywhere, it was all luck. What you have to do is to install the DirectX June update from here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1c190175-7b26-4916-8e5f-6f88a5bc09c5&DisplayLang=en and you will never get that error again.

Bye!

Thank you very much!!! Problem solved :D

Probably the only sollution to it :smoking:

[ForgottenSin]

I've been getting this problem. Started cropping up when I got my new LCD monitor. Not running at 4:3 seems to crash. However it looks like ass if I don't run it at 1280x1024. I updated DirectX to the latest version. Latest version of Catalyst drivers. I've been managing by changing to a low resolution then back to a higher one, but it's really annoying and often causes crashes.
Running a GeXCube x850 Pro.

Reading up on the support site for steampowered, it is a unresolved issue...
http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=472&p_created=1151450658&p_sid=-73DUPci&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MTImcF9wcm9kcz0wJnBfY2F0cz0wJnBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd 2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfbmwmcF9wYWdlPTEmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1JRGlyZWN0M0REZXZpY2U5OjpQcmVzZW50KCk*&p_li=&p_topview=1

[trip]

I get the " Internal driver error in IDirect3DDevice9::Present() " when trying to play DoD:S... I updated DirectX from microsoft and tried again, it seemed to work for about 5 minutes. When any action seems to take place it minimizes and I get the error or sometimes I'll even just get the sound stuck on repeat and unable to minimize with alt-tab, and have to ctrl-alt-del the hl2.exe.

So yeah.. could someone come up with an actual way to permanently fix this?

[theinsanity_]

Could som1 give feedback on the given sollutions??
I see there are two:

In launch options: -DXlevel 70

or

DirectX June update:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/thankyou.aspx?familyId=1c190175-7b26-4916-8e5f-6f88a5bc09c5&displayLang=en

Im gonna try m now.

[Enceladeus]

When i went to start a new game it gets 75% of the way through and jams, so i instaled VGA drivers for my graphics card from the ACER website. Now I have the same error (idirect3ddevice9::()), i've got a mobility radeon x700 and directx 9 can anyone verify that the directx updates and the omegadrivers work?

[Arioch]

For me, works.

Install the latest omega drivers, and the new DirectX August update: DirectX August Update (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3&DisplayLang=en.)
Maybe it works. I have no other problem since i did it.

[HelpingHand]

I had same error, i found a similar problem between all of us it is that we all had ATI cards, I upgraded my ati driver to 6.8 and it works without errors now

[lexalex]

Radeon 9600XT, Catalist 6-8, directx_aug2006_redist - the same trouble: "Internal driver error in IDirect3DDevice9::Present()" (even with "-dxlevel 81" option)
...but it seems I know how to solve this problem: Nvidia GeForce!.. ;-)

[Maddawg70]

I also have this problem, I have the DirectX August update and the 6.8 driver for my ATI card and it still keeps giving me the error. Any other suggestions are aprecciated.

[Beerdude26]

I also have this problem, I have the DirectX August update and the 6.8 driver for my ATI card and it still keeps giving me the error. Any other suggestions are aprecciated.Could you specify your card, please?

[Maddawg70]

My card is a Ati Radeon X300/X550 Series

[Janmanden]

I just registered to tell you how I solved my problem.

I've got an overclocked (OC) AMD64 3500+ @ 2.65GHz and a Sapphire Radeon X1800GTO @ core: 575 / memory: 1100 (2x550) MHz.

I use the Source SDK Base "Video Test" in Steam Tools to test changes with every Advanced Video at the recommended settings. And after each change I usually reboot.

I've been running the Catalyst 6.8 a couple of days without any problems, but also without noticing any of the 'fantastic' changes. I use ATi tools to find a suitable OC level and RivaTuner for OC and ajusting the fan speed as well.

I just noticed that the Catalyst version said 06.7 and not 6.8, so I just assumed that I had failed the update somehow. I reinstalled 6.8 and then turned of the hotkeys from ATi tools. Normally I just leaves it at that, but this time I also turned off ATi Smart and ATi Hotkey Poller from Services.

...and then I saw this error. Hm??! I went back and enabled those two services without any luck. It still crash at the funny blurry window, ahem...

Now, If you look past that annoying little pop-up "Internal driver error" and examine the details of the subsequent error of hl2.exe; If datacache.dll is mentioned it usually refers to data corruption caused by some overload or defectiveness of system or gpu ram. I've seen this error quite often, when adjusting and testing memory timings or when using defective ram.

Before attempting to update ATi drivers I think it's a good idea to turn off any OC of GPU with ATi Tools and 3rd party apps like RivaTuner. Sometimes updates clear these settings, but if they don't you have to yank 'em both back in place at default settings first and then OC from there. Better safe than sorry. Even if you don't OC, I think a little yank might help still just to confirm settings.

Well, I turned off OC of GPU core and mem and... it worked. I turned OC back on above mentioned settings and it still works!

Soo... Well... That affirmative reset obviously helped clearing whatever caused the problem - maybe.

[harmonoff]

all I did was go back to catalyst 6.7 and the problem is gone for me. (radeon x300) granted, the problem only appeared for me after this latest Steam update several days ago.

[FrEeZe!!!]

i get the same problem, i have a ati x3oo with 6.8 catalyst.

when i'm trying to play episode 1 i can play for a few minutes then it frose on me with the looping sound, so i reinstalled directx and updated my drivers again. now teh program closes at a certain point and goes to that error message.

i got no problems when i play gmod though

[morgo_mpx]

i have this problem seince i got my gpu.
before i had intergrated intel graphics. when i played css and dods i lagged so bad so i went out and bought myself a kickass gpu. i got a sapphire x1600pro 256mb. since sapphire is such a good and respectable brand i should have no hardware problems.(BTW it costs me $300au so it better work).

i dl the latest dx9.0c aug2006 update and the lastest ati drivers and catalyst 6.8 as well as microsoft.net framework 2.0, so it should have worked all fine. then these stupid problems hit me.i was chatting with my friend who works at addictpc(a online gaming pc company)( www.addictpc.com ) for almost 4days, trying to fix my problems. first it went halfscreen and wouldent load, then this error. so i tryed to load it in dx8.1, and bingo it worked. the next morning i went to play dods and this error came up again. i have been on and off all week, and i've had enough. so finally someone posted something on my clans forums( [BDS] ) that i thought would be usefull, he said try downloading the last three drivers, and work my way backwards to see which one worked. i tryed that and nothing happerned. so im now back to square 1, and i dont know what to do untill a new ati or steam updates come out.

~morgo

[Demon Stroke]

Im having the same Problem.

I started playing half life 2 on Xbox and loved it so i figured i would play Ep. 1 on pc.


This is looking like the first and last valve game i will ever buy for pc again. What a waste of 20$ when i cant even play past the part where the train rides out of the exploding City.

[MorganFreeman911]

Reinstall DX9 I think fixes it, or reinstall Drivers.
EDIT: The train is endgame, anyways.

[Demon Stroke]

Reinstall DX9 I think fixes it, or reinstall Drivers.
EDIT: The train is endgame, anyways.

I seriously dought the part after the stryder where u hop on the train and the citedal starts to blow is the end. If it is, i still want to watch it.

Edit: ok i did this to fix it

-Updated Vid Drivers
-Complained to Valve
-Installed DirectX 9.0c Optional Compondents from Microsofts Site.
-Changed in game Res to a lower one.
-Turn off, from in-game Advanced Video Options, the High Dynamic Range.
-Watch Ending movie.


Crashes included, and the crap i had to go through to watch the missing 30 seconds. I say it was a waste of 20$, Valve needs to fix their stuff.

[morgo_mpx]

i have the latest ati drivers and other window drivers i have dx9.0c and dx sdk aug 2006, and nothing still happerns.

[Demon Stroke]

i have the latest ati drivers and other window drivers i have dx9.0c and dx sdk aug 2006, and nothing still happerns.

Start the game and Turn off the HDR thingy under video>Advanced. that will fix it. Trust me. And if it doesnt work i will buy you a virtual cookie.

[morgo_mpx]

Start the game and Turn off the HDR thingy under video>Advanced. that will fix it. Trust me. And if it doesnt work i will buy you a virtual cookie.


you owe me one cookie because it doesnt work

[Demon Stroke]

you owe me one cookie because it doesnt work

snap. ok turn your res down 1 setting and attempt that. Then try running in window'd mode. then discribe where you are at when it crashes.

[morgo_mpx]

if i turn down the reso the game crashes, and if i put it in to a window it crashes aswell, btw im at the sending client box.

and im pritty sure its jst that my card doesnt work well with the drivers because i cant play battlefield 2 eather and thats made by ea games so its not a steam problem

[DiSTuRbEd]

I say it was a waste of 20$, Valve needs to fix their stuff.

I say you need to fix your stuff, quit blaming them when its your pc's problem. I've had it before and its definantly not anything of VALVe's fault, its mainly your display driver, I suggest trying older/newer driver sets for your pc.

[Ravioli]

How do i install that driver from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1C190175-7B26-4916-8E5F-6F88A5BC09C5&displaylang=en ?

It just extracks some files...where should i put them?

EDIT: nvm, i found the installation file lol

EDIT AGAIN: Hm it didnt solve the problem. Any ideas? Seems like alot of users are having this problems, might be some update or something. Can someone like, email gabe?

This is very irretating.

[DiSTuRbEd]

It's a hardware issue, usually deals with your video card drivers, I suggest you try older ones if you have the newest version, and when changing drivers make sure to use driver cleaner.

[morgo_mpx]

thats what i done. i went back to catalyst 6.3 and non of them . work i sposse ill have to wait for the next ati driver, cause i know its not my pc.

even though its a intel piece of crap.

[vince007]

FYI, I did try to add the -DXlevel 70, (as suggested way above) to the launch options and that did help quite a bit.

I do have an ATI (850XT) and in my case, this problem began to arise once I installed DirectX 9C.

[morgo_mpx]

k, i have found out the problem for this. if you run the direct3d test in dxdiag before you go into steam games etc, the test works but after it doesnt. the problem is that your Direct3D crashes when overpower or something like that. it does the same thing with battlefield2.
now there are two things you can do.
1. try opening your game and playing it with openGL
2. find a sollution

so far i have found nothing, but i am close.

[Demon Stroke]

I say you need to fix your stuff, quit blaming them when its your pc's problem. I've had it before and its definantly not anything of VALVe's fault, its mainly your display driver, I suggest trying older/newer driver sets for your pc.

I seriously disagree. My computer is up to date in every way possible. As far as im concerned forcing a lower DX version in order to run or some s*** is a problem on THEIR part. I shouldnt be forced to roll back drivers to play games because i have other games that need them up to date.

[St4n]

I seriously disagree. My computer is up to date in every way possible. As far as im concerned forcing a lower DX version in order to run or some s*** is a problem on THEIR part. I shouldnt be forced to roll back drivers to play games because i have other games that need them up to date.

If you have issues with Valve, inform them and stop wasting your time on these forums moaning at us. As far as I'm concerned you shouldn't even be playing episode one if you have no idea as to why it's called an "EPISODE"
Twenty pounds is practically giving it away for a game as good as that. If you're so eager to play past the train scene be patient and wait for episode two. Half life 2 is not "some sh*t" and it's not their problem. It's yours. So stop wasting your time and our time.

[FaithAlone55]

I had the same problem where it told me the halflife2 exe had an internal error with directx9 present...

I downloaded and installed the june update that was suggested... and it didnt fix it. I then changed the rez to 800X600, and the graphics were a bit more choppy, but so far it works fine. I know some people said it crashed for them somewhere in the later chapters... so I will just have to wait and see when i get there.

But I just wanted to state how helpful the thread was and god bless forums.

[tankerdoc]

I just tried the direct x 8.1 fix and it worked well for me so far. Just registered to say thanks for the help

[y4h3ll_4_l1f3]

well ... i have a





Intel Pentium 4 3.4GHz Dual Core pros...
and an
ATI Radeon x 1600 pro .. made by sapphire ...

theirs no reason this should be happning(internal driver error in IDIRECT3DDevice9:: presnt()

[Sagea]

I downloaded the Omega Drivers and it worked for me so far.
Just gotta see if it'll work every time...

This is my first post here. Hi all.

[chris24]

I have found some answers and a fix on how to correct this problem ..

Go here :thumbs: ---------------->http://www.ocs.clanservers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=423

I do believe you have to register with them first in order to view it....Don't remember, but this person's solution worked for me and it is not hard

[silks58]

Had the same problem. Loading game & IDirect3DDevice messgae came up & it bombed. Went to Microsoft & loaded latest versions of DirectX9c & assocciated plugin ins & game now loads. Problem is after a minute action freezes & sound goes all jumpy & have to reboot pc.

[slaanesh]

After trying everything already said. I tried the following?

Run ? dxdiag

Click on the display tab

Then click disable by ?AGP Texture Acceleration

Then exit

Seems to worked for me so far and no crashes for over 2 hours of dod

Hope it works for others

[shadowninja]

when day of defeat source it always crashes

I have a acer ATI mobility radeon x300 and i cant find suitable drivers
can someone pls help

i already tried catalyst 7.1. and it doesnt work?

[Beerdude26]

Try Omega Drivers: http://www.omegadrivers.net/

[PaulM]

I obtained HL2_E1 when it was first released. Installed only the single player module (stuck with 28.8Kbs dial-up here). After the initial registration and mandatory updates through STEAM, I played the game, 4 times through, without a single crash.

Setting HL2_E1 aside for awhile while playing F.E.A.R (no crashes there), I then visited STEAM again and was barraged with a slew of platform file and game updates. After all that downloading and updating, I decided to play HL2_E1 again for giggles.

Not so fun now with constant "Internal driver error in IDirect3DDevice9:Present()" crashes.

Yes, I read all the above posts, downloaded the DX9.0c drives mentioned, updated to the latest Forecware graphics drivers, and nothing fixes this mess. I can't help but believe that the "updated" game engine broke things.

It's a sure bet I won't waste time/money on buying HL2_E2 when it's available unless and until this problem is resolved.

Edit: "Stream" in title header should read: STEAM

PaulM

[cjcobra]

I read about this on another site. I changed to Open in Window Mode, Medium Audio & Video Setting. It came right up. I changed back to Full Screen, and still working. Just changing the A&V may do the trick. I updated to DirectX9.0c before, and it didn't help.

[MingoDynasty]

Hello. I have come with a breaking discovery to temporarily stop the crashing (I had to sign up on the forums to tell you). Before all this, I used to run Counter-Strike Source, and try to join any server but the error message would come up and crash.

Go to your Start Menu. Click on Run. Then type in DXDIAG. Go over to the Display tab. And click on Test Direct3D (you can do Test DirectDraw too but I dunno what that does and never tried it). Everytime for me, when I know I can't join a CSS server without crashing, the first test (Direct 7) will say that you accidentally canceled the test by pressing a key when you didn't. That's what's happened to me; not sure if it'd be teh same for you. But after that, just run the last two tests, DirectX 8 and 9. Afterward, I would test them all again just to be sure that DirectX is working perfectly.

Now go back to your game and voila! It works... for now. Then it'll crash another random time and you'll have to do the DirectX tests again.

Ps. Omega drivers do jack crap. ATiTool overclocking is not the problem, nor is cpu overclocking (I have mine overclocked 24/7 and CSS still works).

[PaulM]

Before reading cjcobra's (2 above) remedy, I reinstalled hl2_ep1 on top of itself. Couldn't play the game at all after that (wouldn't get past the main menu screen). I then vaporized everything VALVE and STEAM from my hd and did a fresh install of the game. No joy. This time with a different error msg when trying to launch into the game.

When the problem first started for me (after valve/steam updated the game engine) one of the precursors to a pending crash was at game bootup. Of the 3 intro menu screens, the Citadel scene displayed OK, but the other 2, destroyed City17 and underground parking garage, had a sick green cast. The new install displayed the same color distortion problem.

The game set my video and audio options to HIGH by default (GeForce 6800GS chipset gpu, Audigy 2 ZS soundcard) at 1024 X 768 resolution. Following cjcobra's suggestion, I set the video and audio to medium/low quality and to run in a window before launching. Although the opening cut scene played in that same sick green cast, it launched and ran without an error msg.

Once past the opening cut scene and into the game, with colors back to normal now, I went to options and changed everything back to the original settings and then resumed the game. Ran fine. As a further test, I did a quick save, exited the game, restarted and loaded from the quick save and it didn't give any complaints.

Whether you need to change both or one or the other of the "fixes" I don't know. But until Valve/Steam fixes their broken game engine code, this work-a-round should let you play the game. Another thing they "broke" in the upgrade code was in setting the GAMMA (brightness) in the video options menu. Though sliding the bar to the right does increase brightness in the game, in the adjustment box itself it works backwards, darkening instead of brightening.

Thanks for the tip cjcobra...

PaulM

[profetecartless]

OK GUYS, I'VE DISCOVED THE PROBLEM AND SOLUTION! HERES WHAT I HAVE FOUND! TRUST ME, READING THIS WILL NOT BE A WASTE OF TIME!

Alright, first off, the program that is causing the error is ATI's Catalyst. Here's my story. I discovered that there was a new 7.3 Catalyst, and decided to try installing it to see if it would fix the problem. I downloaded it, and then updated, but the Catalyst upgrade did absolutly nothing. I mean by the fact that it did not install anything new. I was confused when I opened my Catalyst Control Center, and it showed my old version (7.2) of Catalyst. I decided to uninstall the Catalyst Control Center, and to try installing 7.3 again. Guess what, the 7.3 upgrade does not include the Catalyst Control Center, so now I don't have the Control Center. HOWEVER, I decided to try my Half-Life 2 demo (as a test to see if source would work, since I have discovered that the IDirect3DDevice9:: Present() error is source related). It did not crash with directx 9. I then tryed my Dark Messiah. Usually, it would crash 10 seconds of my checkpoint that I last saved. However, this time, I managed to play Dark Messiah for 10 hours, as of right now, straight without any errors what so ever.

In conclusion, I have discovered the solution to the problem. It is either one of three things:

Either closing Catalyst Control Center (not uninstalling, just closing the program) fixes it, uninstalling the Catalyst Control Center fixes it, or 7.3 fixes the problem (which I doubt, even though I never tried it with Control Center).

Now for an explaination of the problem and why the many other (so called) temperary solutions on this forum topic worked for a while.

The problem is most likely due to the high graphical detail of Source. While playing Half-Life 2, the game would crash with the error only when a high graphical part of the game came, like mass explosions or graphical cutscenes, that would require alot of... graphics to be able to handle. The Catalyst, I assume, is not able to process Source correctly, and the Directx in Catalyst would be unable to process itself, resulting in the error. This is the reason the only people effected by this error is people with Radeon graphic cards, since Radeon uses Catalyst!

This is the reason to why the many other solutions posted on the forum worked... for a while. One solution I saw was that reducing the directx level worked. Another is reducing the video settings for graphical effects to low or medium. This is because it would cause the graphics to reduce, lowering the chance of meeting those high graphic scenes in the game. Another solution I saw was switching from Catalyst drivers to Omega drivers. This is obvious a workable fix, since Omega drivers require you to uninstall Catalyst, fixing the problem!

You can try testing around it to see what the real solution is, but if you are really eager to play whatever Source game you want to play (yes, all Source games are effected to this error), then just play it safe and uninstall Catalyst Control Center. If it does not work, then try uninstalling the driver, then installing it back using the Windows Device Manager in the Control Panal (I don't know about you, but it's there for my Vista). Just go find your Radeon, and click the install/update driver button when you click on it in the Device Manager. Good luck trying to fix the problem!

[Xendance]

OK GUYS, I'VE DISCOVED THE PROBLEM AND SOLUTION! HERES WHAT I HAVE FOUND! TRUST ME, READING THIS WILL NOT BE A WASTE OF TIME!

Alright, first off, the program that is causing the error is ATI's Catalyst. Here's my story. I discovered that there was a new 7.3 Catalyst, and decided to try installing it to see if it would fix the problem. I downloaded it, and then updated, but the Catalyst upgrade did absolutly nothing. I mean by the fact that it did not install anything new. I was confused when I opened my Catalyst Control Center, and it showed my old version (7.2) of Catalyst. I decided to uninstall the Catalyst Control Center, and to try installing 7.3 again. Guess what, the 7.3 upgrade does not include the Catalyst Control Center, so now I don't have the Control Center. HOWEVER, I decided to try my Half-Life 2 demo (as a test to see if source would work, since I have discovered that the IDirect3DDevice9:: Present() error is source related). It did not crash with directx 9. I then tryed my Dark Messiah. Usually, it would crash 10 seconds of my checkpoint that I last saved. However, this time, I managed to play Dark Messiah for 10 hours, as of right now, straight without any errors what so ever.

In conclusion, I have discovered the solution to the problem. It is either one of three things:

Either closing Catalyst Control Center (not uninstalling, just closing the program) fixes it, uninstalling the Catalyst Control Center fixes it, or 7.3 fixes the problem (which I doubt, even though I never tried it with Control Center).

Now for an explaination of the problem and why the many other (so called) temperary solutions on this forum topic worked for a while.

The problem is most likely due to the high graphical detail of Source. While playing Half-Life 2, the game would crash with the error only when a high graphical part of the game came, like mass explosions or graphical cutscenes, that would require alot of... graphics to be able to handle. The Catalyst, I assume, is not able to process Source correctly, and the Directx in Catalyst would be unable to process itself, resulting in the error. This is the reason the only people effected by this error is people with Radeon graphic cards, since Radeon uses Catalyst!

This is the reason to why the many other solutions posted on the forum worked... for a while. One solution I saw was that reducing the directx level worked. Another is reducing the video settings for graphical effects to low or medium. This is because it would cause the graphics to reduce, lowering the chance of meeting those high graphic scenes in the game. Another solution I saw was switching from Catalyst drivers to Omega drivers. This is obvious a workable fix, since Omega drivers require you to uninstall Catalyst, fixing the problem!

You can try testing around it to see what the real solution is, but if you are really eager to play whatever Source game you want to play (yes, all Source games are effected to this error), then just play it safe and uninstall Catalyst Control Center. If it does not work, then try uninstalling the driver, then installing it back using the Windows Device Manager in the Control Panal (I don't know about you, but it's there for my Vista). Just go find your Radeon, and click the install/update driver button when you click on it in the Device Manager. Good luck trying to fix the problem!

I think that would have been good 2 years ago. Unless someone else with the same problem needs it, then you bumped a thread and people here don't like bumped threads.

[caboos]

...um can you make a post of just the solutions because i read the post like 10 times and i cant find 3 solutions. Im still have this error it just started at random, and i cant play any steam game also while its loading it stops at 15 blocks on the loading bar and freezes and i have to control alt delete and the times when the doesn't happen it crashes with that error message

[soulslicer]

moral of the story: ati sux at drivers...

[DaH-RaT]

ive uninstalled my catalyst drivers, reinstalled css, reinstalled catalyst drivers, (by the way ATI 7.2 drivers has MOM.exe keylogger in it) so i jumped to 7.1, didnt work, repeated this process, installed omega drivers, ddint work still the same thing, cant play counter strike or anything under steam. i can play any other game with no problem what so ever unless its under steam. i really dont want to reformat my whole dam pc just to play css and i would still probably get this internal error because i was getting it before and actually for reminding myself i did and now its getting it again. anyone else know of a solution becuase ive heard it all for 1 month now and all they can say is "i dont know umm reinstall video drivers" that link does not work otherwise i would go to the solution page.

AMD FX-57 3.0ghz
4gb Corsair SXMS PRO LED CL2
Radeon X1950XTX
MSI Neo Platinum 4 939

[PQED]

I just registered to let you know that disabling Catalyst A.I. solved it for me.

[limitlessreborn]

ok i know now how to fix it, i have been looking for an answer to this for about a week now... and what do you know. Ok to fix the problem in any game folow these simple steps TO SALVATION lol.


firstly go to my games, right click on the game you would like to fix.
scroll down to properties and then select the "General" tab.
After open up "set launch options..."
When you have opened it up type in the following"-windowed -dxlevel 70" (without the speech marks)"

This will make the program run in a window, but it will stop it crashing.[INDENT]:cheers:

[Liwa]

hi
i have the same problem...
it?s appear IDIrect3DDevice 9....
What I do???

[limitlessreborn]

ok i know now how to fix it, i have been looking for an answer to this for about a week now... and what do you know. Ok to fix the problem in any game folow these simple steps TO SALVATION lol.


firstly go to my games, right click on the game you would like to fix.
scroll down to properties and then select the "General" tab.
After open up "set launch options..."
When you have opened it up type in the following"-windowed -dxlevel 70" (without the speech marks)"

This will make the program run in a window, but it will stop it crashing.[INDENT]:cheers:

thats what you do :sniper:

[nishantnahsin]

I've got an nVidia 7300 GS with the lates drivers and it still causes these problems. i read somewhere down the line, that it seems to have a problem with p2p programs. Crashes with em and without on my pc. But behaviour is random. Sometimes I can play for hours without issues, sometimes I can't. Any real resolution will be very helpful.

Thanks

[Liqex]

Yeah i got the "IDirect3DDevice9" error fixed but when i try to play i get this error instead:

"The instruction at "Ox241f94b7" reffered memory at "0x01100cc8". The Memory could not be "read"

Anyone else got this 1 caus i dont know what to do??

Im playing Dark Messiah btw not HL

[PimpinPenguin]

Try using this fix it's should solve the memory problem.
http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=131328

[CyberPitz]

The IDirect3DDevice9 sounds just like a directX/Driver problem....You can either try different drivers, or lower the dxlevel through launch options.

[Liqex]

Thx for answering so quick and i will try that fix.
Do u think it will work for Dark Messiah to or just HL?

[Liqex]

Yeah that fix solved it for me i think. I have played around 40 min now without the error

[PimpinPenguin]

Everyone who get's that error should try that fix as it is known that the looping sound crash and the IDirect3DDevice9 Present()are related.The reason it's happening usually is you are running out of page pool memory so there's not enough space for the shaders and it crashes.The fix should work on all source games.

[taiiat]

GUYS ITS ALL RELATIVE TO YOUR COMPUTER, IF YOUR CPU(GPU) GFX, SFX, DRIVERS, VIDEO SCCREEN SIZES, PERIPHERALS, HARD DRIVES. now theres only one fix for some computers, some cant run with that hardware, some have no fix(compatibility fault), some have fixes that work for others too, its really complicated. personally, i never get these errors unless i get bored and keylogg the gamez and just do something thats not allowed like picking up the buggy, airboat, an apc, or something else that is not normally possible. its very different for each computer, its more of a puzzle, a multiplayer puzzle, that some people cant solve, some do the math different but they all get the same answer.

[stubrown]

yep I am getting this problem,
internal driver error in Idirect3Ddevice 9::present0
is there any one out there who can help

[halflifeusertim]

I was getting this error quite frequently when loading a new scene causing a crash. Lowering screen res etc did not help. My laptop has an ati 600se graphics card - last driver update in 2005.

All i did was force the game to load with a lower directx setting. see
http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/popup_adp.php?p_faqid=242&p_created=1095476857

-dxlevel 70

I tried level 70 then 80, still no errors

[DIEB4ME]

Ok lets end this post once and forall, your error is most likely becuase your page pool memory is too low, it really has noting to do with directx. I had the same exact problem a while ago and the solution is simple just go here and check out my post, it should be the last one http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=60382&page=3. This will also fix the CmeshDX8::LockVertexBuffer error.

[rummel719]

try changing your desktop back to one that css worked with before....ik it sounds totally obsurb, but it worked for me twice.

[skeletor24]

I was having the same problem as everyone else. What I did, a temporary fix at best, but I turned off my firewall, my MSN messenger, and my Antivirus/Spyware. After that it worked just fine with no problems. I don't know if it will work for everyone else, but it's worth a try.

[mack]

Download this fix, unpack, apply, restart Your machine and take pleasure in playing HL2 with no more "IDirect3DDevice9::Present()" very irritating (i know it, i had to cope with it by my self :/) error.

Besides the link at the bottom,i placed the fix over here as well:

http://rapidshare.com/files/74374548/half_life_2_IDirect3DDevice9Present_error_fix.rar.html

http://www.megaupload.com/pl/?d=4I7JFJNM

Hope it will work for all of You guys so no more posts will be necessary in this topic.. and therefore, it'll be closed. Hopefully.. Have fun :) and be irritated no more.

[PimpinPenguin]

Download this fix, unpack, apply, restart Your machine and take pleasure in playing HL2 with no more "IDirect3DDevice9::Present()" very irritating (i know it, i had to cope with it by my self :/) error.

Besides the link at the bottom,i placed the fix over here as well:

http://rapidshare.com/files/74374548/half_life_2_IDirect3DDevice9Present_error_fix.rar.html

http://www.megaupload.com/pl/?d=4I7JFJNM

Hope it will work for all of You guys so no more posts will be necessary in this topic.. and therefore, it'll be closed. Hopefully.. Have fun :) and be irritated no more.

Just a warning that fix messes around with your page pool size which can cause problems.

Your better doing it yourselves as every computer is different so you may need to increase it more than that fix allows and you can put it back to normal when done.Use this link to do it http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=131328

[mack]

...You're right. messing with your registry can cause problems, but it won't necceserily do as long as you don't put in there anything really stupid (like creating a value over your memory capacity in the pagepoolarea) or clean it from anything important (like removing the entry).

Anyway if You encaunter any problems with Your system after applying the fix or finish playing HL2 just get that "defix" you see at the bottom, apply and restart Your machine. This'll get Your registry to the initial point.

[canuck003]

hey guys. i have the same problem i start playing css n after like 3 minutess, ill get this errror.
ive updated all drivers n tried prety much everything
nothing seems to work
i running it on a brand new laptop with vista

HELPP PLEASEE!!!!!

[rustyrobato93]

i get this same problem but only after i updated the drivers for my ati x1300 512mb card..
i updated last night and ever since i get this message
engine error
internal driver error in idirect3ddevice9::present()

i get that same shit when i play cs:s and DoD, it sucks so much and i get that when i updated my ATI drivers and when i uninstall them. It sometimes leads to the Blue Screen of death. How can i fix this??!?!?!?!?!?!? ahhhhhhhhhhhh i get that with all my steam games

[canuck003]

cccmmmooonnn guys helllpp pleasee!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PimpinPenguin]

Did you try the fix here: http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=131328

[canuck003]

yaa i tried it but it still does'nt work. It was already on the 384Mb option, so i changed it to the 256Mb option, but i still get the same error!!!

[PimpinPenguin]

Ok what are your Computer Specs?

[canuck003]

1.90 AMD Turion 64 X2 processor
2 GB DDR2 Ram
80 GB Hard Drive
ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 video card (256 Mb)

[canuck003]

im running it on a Dell Inspiron 1501 with Windows Vista Home Basic

[Numine]

Ok, I'm having a similar problem here...I have a Toshiba Satellite notebook with a dual core 1.66 GHz processor, 1.5 GB of RAM, and an ATI Radeon Xpress 200M graphics card and Windows Vista Home Basic. I can't even get Team Fortress to start without the APPCRASH error in the hl2.exe file. I can start Half Life 2 as well but I get the IDirect3DDevice9::Present() when I try to enter the first level. I know I have the most up to date drivers and I've attempted starting both applications in directX 8.0 niether of which have worked. Anyone have any ideas?

[exmodel]

dang i'm still getting this arrghg. games will work sometiems and other times they won't work at all.

right now it's cs:s that gets the error while tf2 loads fine. dod:s was the first game to start giving me the error a lot. this is getting pretty damn frustrating since the issue just popped up out of nowhere.

i've tried raising the heapsize, raising paged pool memory, turning off a.i. in catalyst control center, and i'm not even running an anti-virus. same annoying shit. any other advice?

Specs:
3ghz p3
ati x700 pro
1gig ddr1 ram

my radeon drivers are probably a couple versions behind so i guess i'll update now. doubt it will help though as i've had this problem for almost a year now. thanks for any help.

[Trox Morgan]

Right away i have the same problem
Only My HL2 Worked Good before
Untill now
Its very weird i could play this game so good
but i keep getting the error
Couldnt even play hl2mods :(
Somebody find a fix ????
i Will appiciate that

[Trox Morgan]

dang i'm still getting this arrghg. games will work sometiems and other times they won't work at all.

right now it's cs:s that gets the error while tf2 loads fine. dod:s was the first game to start giving me the error a lot. this is getting pretty damn frustrating since the issue just popped up out of nowhere.

i've tried raising the heapsize, raising paged pool memory, turning off a.i. in catalyst control center, and i'm not even running an anti-virus. same annoying shit. any other advice?

Specs:
3ghz p3
ati x700 pro
1gig ddr1 ram

my radeon drivers are probably a couple versions behind so i guess i'll update now. doubt it will help though as i've had this problem for almost a year now. thanks for any help.

I maight add that
If ur Hl2 or Cs:s or other games Wont work then you maight try reinstall steam and hl2 thought
I dont reallly know if it works ..... wel
its only a idea.

[Trox Morgan]

Hi to all!

I have just registered to help you. I found this page using Google when i get the same error than you all. But the answer was not here. I didn´t find the answer anywhere, it was all luck. What you have to do is to install the DirectX June update from here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1c190175-7b26-4916-8e5f-6f88a5bc09c5&DisplayLang=en and you will never get that error again.

Bye!

You sure this works ???? did u try it you need to let us know it works or not

Velocity [ Where's the cheese? ]

[Trox Morgan]

Hey guys, I'm having the same problem during gameplay. After it crashes, I get :

"The instruction at "Ox241f94b7" reffered memory at "0x01100cc8". The Memory could not be "read"

any takers?


Well its just like with gmod sometimes
you download stuff for gmod then you overwrite a weapon and
the weapon skin or player model wont work then this error comes
just the same with BLOBMAP file in STEAM/ here
just remove any last installed things and then ul be fine:P

[Blumonk]

This one worked for me

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1c190175-7b26-4916-8e5f-6f88a5bc09c5&DisplayLang=en

[Guffy]

Hi,
I thought I'd share this as I've spent countless hours trying to
solve this and yesterday finally did, I'm sure it will help
SOMEONE!

Ever since I got the original half-life 2 I've been getting those
Internal driver error in IDirect3DDevice9::Present()
errors in it, and the HL2 countestrike etc. All the other apps and
games I have are stable (HL1 mods and the like), no such
thing. I have 1gb memory and 128mb on the graphics card
so it wasn't a memory limitation. I worked around it by passing
-dxlevel 70 etc and playing at lower settings. I now have
the orange box and though the same worked for 'episode
one',' episode two' and 'team fortress 2' don't accept the
dxlevel 70 fix, and would last just seconds before crashing.
I tried all sorts of things, latest directx, latest radeon drivers
etc none helped. I googled for hours, read forums, tried,
fiddled, rebooted, you know the score.

I'd tried disabling Norton autoprotect and it didn't help either.

In the latest games I got the variation stating
"you're likely out of os paged pool" but this just wasn't true,
I checked with process explorer and wasn't NEAR the limit.

I really didn't want to uninstall Norton as I couldn't see how
it was causing it but as a test last night I disabled the auto
protect of norton antivirus 2001, - and here's the *crucial* bit,
went into the windows services manager and stopped the service
"Nav Auto-Protect" and the other couple norton services.
I think that's the crucial one though. And this solved it!!!

I've not had a single crash since, and been able to play
for hours. In fact, unless it's my imagination has higher
frame rates as well.

So take it from me, Norton CAN cause these issues, and I've
given you a way to hopefully test this without going the
length of uninstalling it. I'll likely uninstall myself and use
Avira or Avast (as I've heard AVG can cause similar issues). I
have avira installed now and it's been fine so far.

I felt I had to share as other people are having these issues
and I don't think the antivirus thing is stressed enough,
I tried everything else first and wasted countless hours.

PS I used the memchecker recommended on the steampowered
site. I don't trust it, it reported an incredible (i.e. *unbelievable*)
amount of errors in my memory, which runs stable and does
crunching etc with no errors. This was definitely norton.
I can re-enable norton and everything starts crashing again.

[cae20]

Internal driver error in IDirect3DDevice9::Present()

I'm quite computer challenged and have no idea what this means? I get the start up screen, choose new game, it then starts loading a new game and then suddenly minimizes and I get this error.

Any help appreciated please.

[cae20]

Internal driver error in IDirect3DDevice9:: Present()
I'm quite computer challenged and have no idea what this means? I get the start up screen, choose new game, it then starts loading a new game and then suddenly minimizes and I get this error.

Any help appreciated please.

[dbjrhsd]

Wow, lots uf useless "tips" by seemingly "skilled" users, like
- buy a faster graphics card
- learn to use the DirectX API
- update to the latest drivers
- reinstall Windows

None of the above will help. Fact is, even with the latest DirectX End-User Runtime (Nov 2007 at the moment) and AVG disabled the error still occurs, in my case always at the same spot in the game: in HL2 Episode 1 where you meet the first sniper. Also randomly when new data is loaded.

The bug seems to be in the Source Engine, or at least provoked by it (an error in the driver). Unfortunately, HL2 seems unable to recover from this even in the latest Steam update.

And the error has not occurred in Episode 2 or HL2 original or TF2, or in any other game.

.. oh yeah, quite unprecedented to suggest messing with the Windows memory management to fix a game bug, not going to try it.

[bessel24]

This bug goes beyond the stupid to just downright irritating. theres posts here stretching back THREE (3) years for this error, all on ATi cards, all the same error...

I joined up tonight because for the last fortnight hl2ep1 was running fine and then what do you know, the old IDirect3DDevice9::Present() rears its ugly head and it doesn't run at all.

tried rolling reinstalling older and newer driver versions and it did not work. tried re-downloading ep1 off steam, didn't work. then i looked through this forum and found a 2 year old post that actually fixed the cursed thing.

it seems like a ritual, but it all seems to hinge around interruoting a directx7 test. I mean i got this problem tonight and i fixed it tonight (i just finished playing through a level i couldn't even load earlier).

1. run dxdiag (run -> dxdiag)
2. under the display tab click test Direct3D
NOW YOU HAVE TO INTERRUPT THIS TEST WHEN YOUR SCREEN FIRST GOES BLACK
3. once the direct3d level 7 test begins press any random letter keys and it will say you interrupted the test by pressing a key
4. you should now let it test direct3d level 8 and 9 (hopefully without a problem; this directx cube will turn up on screen)
5. mysteriously enough, it's now fixed. launch HL2 ep 1 and enjoy!

now if you get any 'weird' error messages (OTHER than the one saying you interrupted the test by pressing a key) when dxdiag is running the first direct3d test (level 7), exit dxdiag, then run it again and try to be a bit quicker pushing some letter keys (eg. a, s, c,, whatever a couple).

if you get no problems running the direct3d levels 8 & 9 tests, you won't have any problems with that nasty old IDirect3DDevice9::Present() rubbish.

So I hope this fixes up some of your persisting problems, I'm sorry I have no idea why this worker for me but I hope it works for you; just give it a try at least.

whenever you get this error (until it is fixed) you just have to repeat this.

[dbjrhsd]

BTW, I have a Geforce, so it's not limited to ATI. Your "fix" is most likely a coincidence; it "fixed itself" at times on my machine too. Looks like it's pretty random, or maybe that just a small delay/error can at some point screw the whole game up.

Anyway, I noticed that HL2/Source does not take kindly to other applications running in the background, i.e. multitasking. As much as I like the graphics and the physics, these kinds of little problems are practically non-existent in other engines like Doom 3 or the UT2004 engine.

[nurizeko]

It gave me allot of grief last night on he Synergy mod, but I was playing allot yesterday and I didn't get a single error during the afternoon.

Ah the Source engine, its great, but its errors are fairly random, at least to me.

[DarkWolf611]

Yup, i have the same problem many many others are having, ill go to play Half Life 2: Episode One, when i click start new game, its loads about 75%, then crashes giving me the infamous Internal Driver Error In IDirect3DDevice9::Present()error. None of my other Steam/Valve games do this tho, Half Life 2, Half Life 2 Episode 2, CSS, or any of the gmods. Just episode one. My system Specs are AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor, 1GB DDR2 Ram, VisionTek Readon X1300 256MB Graphics. i have the latest direct x version along with my driver versions, i visited their website and everything is up to date. ive tried alot of these little tips, searched for answers for countless hours, still nothin. Surely someone has had this same problem and was able to fix it. Or you would think Steam would come out with a patch for this because this DOES sound like a source engine bug and i think the game creators should take responsability in fixing a problem like this when there are almost 10 pages of people talking about the same problem. I love steam and all of their games, but dang it i cant stand starting a game storyline and not being able to finish it!:S So if some one could help it would help me and many others!! Thx XD

[DarkWolf611]

I know how to fix this problem for the people who have up to date everything and can get to the game's main menu. What you have to do is boot up the game, go to options, video, turn of HDR(if its on) and set your screen resolution to the lowest(640X whatever) and enjoy =D Im sure if you look into this there is probably a way to force launch the game with the lowest screen resolution for the people who cant even launch the game, either way this IS the fix for this irratating error.

NOTE: You CAN set your screen resolution back to w/e it was after the games is loaded BUT at loading screens it will randomly crash on you with this error(like it will load sometimes w/o any trouble, then someitmes it will do it everytime) I believe anything above 800X600 causes the game to crash.

[rendog10]

Unfortunately this fix does not work for me moving down to 680x480 resolution did nothing till go the Internal driver error in IDirect3DDevice9::Present() .

Looks pretty funny on a 22inch screen. Nothing in steam works DOD, CS:SOurce HL2 :(

[mike28115]

umm, that isnt even available anymore.

[bessel24]

ok, so maybe that fix I posted a fortnight or so ago was more a random fix than anything else- all the same i thought I'd layout everything I did because that week I finished playing through the rest of the game absolutely smoothly.

1. I downloaded the Catalyst 8.1 drivers (the latest ones as of early Feb) ** I also downloaded the Catalyst 8.1 AGP fix (I have an old AGP x850 PE)
2. I downloaded the last DirectX 9.0c update
3. I scanned the game cache files in my steam account (EP1 only)
4. I de-fragmented the game cache files for EP1 in my steam account (even though it showed 0% fragmentation after the scan, it might only be a tiny proportion much less than 1% that gets rounded to 0%)- so de-fragment anyway
5. I deleted the local content off my steam account (EP1 only), then re-downloaded the game files (didn't take too long)

so then after these things being fixed up, there was genuinely no problems. i think it might have been something to do with fragmented game files in the end causing the problems.

[xxterry1xx]

you sould get 2gb of ram and update your os and video card and sound card lol

[xxterry1xx]

sorry for double post

[Tomi-Wan]

This bug goes beyond the stupid to just downright irritating. theres posts here stretching back THREE (3) years for this error, all on ATi cards, all the same error...

I joined up tonight because for the last fortnight hl2ep1 was running fine and then what do you know, the old IDirect3DDevice9::Present() rears its ugly head and it doesn't run at all.

tried rolling reinstalling older and newer driver versions and it did not work. tried re-downloading ep1 off steam, didn't work. then i looked through this forum and found a 2 year old post that actually fixed the cursed thing.

it seems like a ritual, but it all seems to hinge around interruoting a directx7 test. I mean i got this problem tonight and i fixed it tonight (i just finished playing through a level i couldn't even load earlier).

1. run dxdiag (run -> dxdiag)
2. under the display tab click test Direct3D
NOW YOU HAVE TO INTERRUPT THIS TEST WHEN YOUR SCREEN FIRST GOES BLACK
3. once the direct3d level 7 test begins press any random letter keys and it will say you interrupted the test by pressing a key
4. you should now let it test direct3d level 8 and 9 (hopefully without a problem; this directx cube will turn up on screen)
5. mysteriously enough, it's now fixed. launch HL2 ep 1 and enjoy!

now if you get any 'weird' error messages (OTHER than the one saying you interrupted the test by pressing a key) when dxdiag is running the first direct3d test (level 7), exit dxdiag, then run it again and try to be a bit quicker pushing some letter keys (eg. a, s, c,, whatever a couple).

if you get no problems running the direct3d levels 8 & 9 tests, you won't have any problems with that nasty old IDirect3DDevice9::Present() rubbish.

So I hope this fixes up some of your persisting problems, I'm sorry I have no idea why this worker for me but I hope it works for you; just give it a try at least.

whenever you get this error (until it is fixed) you just have to repeat this.

Don't know if bessel24 was the first to post this, but after reading his I tried it and woohoo, I'm killin Combine again!
Thank you very much!
This is my 8th time playin thru HL2, but I must play it whenever I get tired of playin all the wannabes and need a fix of the best there is :-)

[hardman]

Well I had a problem when i got HL2 6 months ago and deleting Norton was the only way to get it to work. Then played without an issue. Decided to play again recently but it was absolutely fine til you jump the airboat through the dam. Then ever since it has had the damn error message regardless. I can load an auto save but the moment i try to jump through the dam or even start a new game the whole thing crashes.

I only have a basic toshiba laptop with ATi graphics card but it has been playing fine and has done so before so why is it happening now and why wont any of the fixes work? Ive not updated anything since last playing it through.

[hardman]

ok tried to lower the screen resolution in the game and that has caused it to crash fatally. I cant even load it now.

[pckhoi]

Try this: if you can get to the main menu, try to change any of the advance display option that make the game freeze a bit when you hit ok. After that's done, play the game. It work for me every time.

[Dyson]

I have the same problem. Every time I start the game, I click New game, it runs fine up till the part where Dog throws Gordon and Alyx into the Citadel. You land and then go for a wild ride.. then the game ALWAYS crashes out at EXACTLY the same point every time. I have tried uninstalling AVG, updating my ATi drivers, latest DX and runtimes, using the -DXLEVEL to set it ti use DX 7,8,9.. nothing at all worked.


I have a Packard Bell laptop with a Core Duo 2.2 processor, 1 GB RAM and a ATI Radeon x200M graphics chip. Can anybody please help? Oh, and I run Vista Home Basic.

[DarkWolf611]

I have gone through many steps of troubleshooting with different computers getting this error, most computers have this error due to paged pool memory being too low, if you wish to try fixing it that way go through this forum, it is mentioned many times how to change the memory. Other computers will get this error because of the processor not being good enough. Some computers get this error because you are barely meeting the minimum requirements for graphics memory. The main reason (for most computers) is your paged pool memory, what my problem was, change it to the highest setting, that was my solution. If changing your paged pool memory to the highest setting doesn't work about the best advice i could offer is to try upgrading your RAM to 1GB or higher, having a processor of at least 2.2GHz and by having at least 256MB graphics memory. Other problems may be because of incompatibility of your graphics cards. Hope this advice helps, im rly soz if it dont! best of luck to all who have this problem!!!(took me 3 weeks to fix!)

[FuManBoobs]

I have gone through many steps of troubleshooting with different computers getting this error, most computers have this error due to paged pool memory being too low, if you wish to try fixing it that way go through this forum, it is mentioned many times how to change the memory. Other computers will get this error because of the processor not being good enough. Some computers get this error because you are barely meeting the minimum requirements for graphics memory. The main reason (for most computers) is your paged pool memory, what my problem was, change it to the highest setting, that was my solution. If changing your paged pool memory to the highest setting doesn't work about the best advice i could offer is to try upgrading your RAM to 1GB or higher, having a processor of at least 2.2GHz and by having at least 256MB graphics memory. Other problems may be because of incompatibility of your graphics cards. Hope this advice helps, im rly soz if it dont! best of luck to all who have this problem!!!(took me 3 weeks to fix!)

I doubt it's to do with peoples PC specs as I was playing for over 2 years until 6 months ago. Reinstall and then this error starts popping up. I'm above the recommended. I can't believe this has been going for 3 years. Why arn't they helping us with this?

[DiSTuRbEd]

Because its a simple driver issue, are you expecting them to install other drivers on your pc to fix the issue?

[FuManBoobs]

Because its a simple driver issue, are you expecting them to install other drivers on your pc to fix the issue?

TBH I'm a bit n00bish with computers but I have all the latest drivers and it still happens. And it didn't happen before. A bit of advice from them wouldn't go a miss. For every person thats posted I'm sure you could find 10 more that didn't bother.

Nevermind.

[SykoKid75]

i got it sorted
i downloaded the latest dx9 (DirectX End-User Runtimes (April 2006) Full Download)
but didn`t seem to work then went to steams forums and it says to disable programs like p2p and stuff like that,so i switched off these progs
thunderbird
sysmatrix
msn messenger
and there you go back to workin better than ever happy days

ok i disabled msn messenger and it worked a few min. longer but i coundnt find thunderbird and sysmatrix to disable them

please help me,
SykoKid

[SykoKid75]

please help me find the sysmatrix and thunderbird to disable them

[SykoKid75]

I FIXED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

so never mind about those last two

[devilstail]

AHH I HAD INFO .. BUT I HAD TO LOG IN AGIAN.. SO WELL HERES SOME STUFF I JUST TOOK... DONT EVEN UNDERSTAND MOST OF IT :p

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 7/31/2008, 13:07:39
Machine name: YOUR-4DACD0EA75
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: RJ768AA-ABA a1619h
BIOS: BIOS Date: 07/26/2006 Ver: 08.00.12
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 960MB RAM
Page File: 332MB used, 1980MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode


Display Devices
---------------
Card name: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Xpress Series (0x5A61)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5A61&SUBSYS_2A3D103C&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 960 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6833 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/4/2008 12:23:45, 309248 bytes

UMMM YEA... IDK IF THIS WOULD HELP BUT ... YEA I UPDATED THE DRIVERS.. IT SHOWS IM SURE.. BUT I STILL GET THE ERROR MSG :INTERNAL ERROR IN IDIRECT3DDEVICE9 PRESENT

[MorganFreeman911]

CAPS LOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL!

Have you gotten the latest release of DX9?

[conrad1on]

Having just 'solved' this problem on my own system, I thought I might as well share how I did it.

Firstly I went here (http://supportwiki.steampowered.com/wiki/Internal_driver_error_in_IDirect3DDevice9::_present()) and worked my way through the list.

Everything being seemingly fine I moved on to number 5 on that list, which took me to this page here (http://supportwiki.steampowered.com/wiki/Disabling_Background_Applications).

To cut a very long story short, after an excessive amount of trial and error, it seems like Norton is the culprit.

The magical combination of services I had to disable are:

1) Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Service

2) SmartLinkService

3) Symantec Network Drivers Service

4) Symantec SPBBCSvc

I had to do it through the System Configuration Utility, because just turning them off on the desktop didn't do the trick. If you need to know how to do that, follow the second link in this post to find out.

I'm not overly keen on the idea of having to turn off my virus protection, particularly in order to play a game that demands to be connected to the Internet. Not to mention the faff of having to restart every time you want to change the settings back and forth.

Hopefully this problem will be resolved soon, but given that this issue appears to have been ongoing for about three-and-a-half years now, I wouldn't hold my breath.

[conrad1on]

Well, after all that, I tried playing HL2: Deathmatch and the ruddy thing crashed again.

All I can suggest is turning off ALL Norton/Symantec services before playing. They probably won't work properly unless they're all turned on together anyway.

It also occurs to me that the SmartLinkService isn't actually related to any Symantec product, but when I was experimenting with the different services, it seemed like it worked better with it off. Oh well, just put it down to the alchemy that is PC gaming I suppose.

[Stephen Brooks]

Forget it for now, it's gone right back to crashing again. It may be that I should have left the DXlevel reduction turned on.

----------

Hi,

I was also frustrated by this problem. What worked for me was to install the DirectX August 2008 update. But getting the "web installer" from microsoft was not right, because it claimed I already had the latest versions and refused to do anything. Instead, I eventually got the redistributable version (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=C1367BC3-4676-481A-BFAA-5C15D1D7199D&displaylang=en) and that installed over, freshening the files. Note that before I did this I checked the list of files in dxdiag and deleted some from the system32 directory that were marked as "Final Debug" instead of "Final Release" (??? - might be something to do with having the DirectX SDK also installed).

So you install the redistributable. Then you might have to restart your computer to get the files in use (I did anyway). Then I ran into another problem - some of the HDR options weren't visible and HL2 Episode 1 detected my hardware (an HD 3850) as "DirectX 7" (though it's hard to see becaue that box is grey-on-grey text). If this happens to you, it might be because you tried one of the previous fixes where you fed it the "-DXlevel 70" switch. To my surprise, this switch is PERSISTENT. To get your game back to 9.0c you have to run it once with "-DXlevel 90c" and then on subsequent occasions with no switch at all.

Interestingly, this fix procedure with updating DirectX also fixed a problem I'd been having whereby PrintScreen no longer put stuff on the clipboard (yay!)

[Stephen Brooks]

[edit] Well, it crashed once again. ALSO, PrintScreen has stopped working - that is, the crashes in the game have actually killed part of DirectX for this session. This shows as a permanent failure in dxdiag's Direct3D tests. However, I have got HL2 episode 1 running again fine by putting in -DXlevel 80 then 90 switches, then nothing at all, and it plays. Weird.

[BillyBumpyBear]

I tried everything for maybe 2 weeks and now I can play normally. I just did what this user said:

A) GO TO START RIGHT CLICK ON MY COMPUTER /CLICK PROPERTIES

When window open click on advanced TAB then click settings under performance section.

On the performance setting window, click on advanced TAB, and then click the Change button under the Virtual Memory section.

This will bring the page file change section up.

Recomended, if you have two HARD DISKS, or multiply partitions to put A page file in a DISK/PARTITION other than your OS. For example if Windows is installed on C:
YOU CAN CREATE A PAGE FILE ON C:\
and a page file on another DISK or partition.

This way windows will use page file on C: for debug purposes (write down error reports when an error or a blue screen occure)
and will use the page file on the other drive or partition as VIRTUAL MEMORY for all the other needs.

How to set page file:
Just put a value in the MIN. SIZE and MAX. SIZE BOX click on drive you want to create the page file then click set button.

KEEP IN MIND VALUE IN THE BOX IS IN MB (megabytes) wich means 1GB=1024 MB.

The good all arround settings is to put as minimum size a value 1.5x more than your phycical RAM and in MAX SIZE BOX a value 3x of your physical RAM.

FOR EXAMPLE: If you have 1.5GB of RAM you must put in min. size BOX a value equal too:
1.5 X 1.5 X 1024=2036

In General for MIN. SIZE BOX the value is:

RAM X1.5 X1024 where RAM is the ammount of RAM you have, and for MAX SIZE BOX the value is:
RAM X3 X 1024.

Make these changes click OK then click REBOOT to reboot your system.
--------------------------------------...

After REBOOT, go to start /RUN type in there REGEDIT registry editor will open.

BE VERY CAREFULL while you use Registry Editor.

OPEN THE KEY (FOLDER) Memory Management in the path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControl Set\Control\Session Manager\ Manager\Memory Management on the left pane.

You will see a list with different keys on the right pane.
Find the one with the name "PagedPoolSize" without "" and when a Window open, click on Decimal circle to check it then put a value NO BIGGER FROM 490 MB.

As you don't say what WINDOWS version you use 320MB OR 384 MB, IS ENOUGH FOR ALL WINDOWS VERSIONS.

PUT THE VALUE: 335544320 decimal (for 320 MB) OR 14000000 HEX

OR the value: 402653184 decimal (for 384MB)
or 18000000 HEX.

You must put either DEC or HEX value, what valueyou put is according what circle you checked: decimal or hexadecimal

Then click OK to apply changes.
REBOOT.

According to Microsoft Knowledge Base and developer Network and Technet articles, above steps solved most of "OS Paged Pool Memory" errors

Again WHEN YOU USE REGISTRY EDITOR use EXTREME CAUTION.



Do everything it says here and you might be OK.

[rioxd]

I tried everything for maybe 2 weeks and now I can play normally. I just did what this user said:

A) GO TO START RIGHT CLICK ON MY COMPUTER /CLICK PROPERTIES

When window open click on advanced TAB then click settings under performance section.

On the performance setting window, click on advanced TAB, and then click the Change button under the Virtual Memory section.

This will bring the page file change section up.

Recomended, if you have two HARD DISKS, or multiply partitions to put A page file in a DISK/PARTITION other than your OS. For example if Windows is installed on C:
YOU CAN CREATE A PAGE FILE ON C:\
and a page file on another DISK or partition.

This way windows will use page file on C: for debug purposes (write down error reports when an error or a blue screen occure)
and will use the page file on the other drive or partition as VIRTUAL MEMORY for all the other needs.

How to set page file:
Just put a value in the MIN. SIZE and MAX. SIZE BOX click on drive you want to create the page file then click set button.

KEEP IN MIND VALUE IN THE BOX IS IN MB (megabytes) wich means 1GB=1024 MB.

The good all arround settings is to put as minimum size a value 1.5x more than your phycical RAM and in MAX SIZE BOX a value 3x of your physical RAM.

FOR EXAMPLE: If you have 1.5GB of RAM you must put in min. size BOX a value equal too:
1.5 X 1.5 X 1024=2036

In General for MIN. SIZE BOX the value is:

RAM X1.5 X1024 where RAM is the ammount of RAM you have, and for MAX SIZE BOX the value is:
RAM X3 X 1024.

Make these changes click OK then click REBOOT to reboot your system.
--------------------------------------...

After REBOOT, go to start /RUN type in there REGEDIT registry editor will open.

BE VERY CAREFULL while you use Registry Editor.

OPEN THE KEY (FOLDER) Memory Management in the path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControl Set\Control\Session Manager\ Manager\Memory Management on the left pane.

You will see a list with different keys on the right pane.
Find the one with the name "PagedPoolSize" without "" and when a Window open, click on Decimal circle to check it then put a value NO BIGGER FROM 490 MB.

As you don't say what WINDOWS version you use 320MB OR 384 MB, IS ENOUGH FOR ALL WINDOWS VERSIONS.

PUT THE VALUE: 335544320 decimal (for 320 MB) OR 14000000 HEX

OR the value: 402653184 decimal (for 384MB)
or 18000000 HEX.

You must put either DEC or HEX value, what valueyou put is according what circle you checked: decimal or hexadecimal

Then click OK to apply changes.
REBOOT.

According to Microsoft Knowledge Base and developer Network and Technet articles, above steps solved most of "OS Paged Pool Memory" errors

Again WHEN YOU USE REGISTRY EDITOR use EXTREME CAUTION.



Do everything it says here and you might be OK.





Can anyone confirm the above post works for the error?? i dont understand the part of the tut that says..........
'The good all arround settings is to put as minimum size a value 1.5x more than your phycical RAM and in MAX SIZE BOX a value 3x of your physical RAM.

FOR EXAMPLE: If you have 1.5GB of RAM you must put in min. size BOX a value equal too:
1.5 X 1.5 X 1024=2036'........
my is 896 MB so what would i put for that amount of ram?



I have the error Internal driver error in IDirect3DDevice9 :;Present() when i play hl2, hl2 DM, hl2 Lost Coast and the mods for it. i jus bought this computer 5/0/09 and get this error constantly. updated directx, graphics card, etc.. nothing seems to get rid of the error.
the only other game ive played is warcraft the frozen throne and that works fine.

[dumanoid]

I got the same error with Half-Life 2, running from Steam.

I tried updating the video driver. Same problem.

I tried updated directx. Same problem.

I tried lower the display settings in game. Same problem.

I tried disabling SYMANTEC ANTI-VIRUS, and now it works with no problems.

[turgsh01]

First off, LMAO at most of you...

A problem that has been going on for 4 years now and non of you have been smart enough to figure out the solution to the "Internal driver error in IDirect3DDevice9 :;Present()" error. My god, like really, hilarious, especially when I found the solution after I got bored of reading all the useless info here. All the stuff mentionned in the previous posts, ignore them 100%, trust me, some of the stuff said are not only risky to the computer, but totally useless and solves nothing (might buy you a few minutes of gameplay, big deal).

So you guys know, I only registered here to give you the proper solution... and to laugh at you a bit ;)

Now for the solution all you ppl been waiting for (lol, for 4 years). But first I must apolagize for making fun of you guys in advance ;)
I noticed that all the people here who mentionned their video card type all said ati crap cards. Hint number 1...
Everyone here has epdated their directX several times in many different ways and nothing changes. Hint number 2...
You all tried disabling network/internet related programs and firewalls and Symantec/Norton stuff, again, all failed for a proper solution...
You all blamed the game of a glitch it didn't have, it never had. Hint number 3...

Ok ok... I had my fun making fun of you guys...



PROPER SOLUTION THAT WORKS 100% (tried, tested, true)

It is a driver issue :O ya, that's right big surprise eh? lol ATI has proven how crappy their video cards have been for so many years, and they don't even know how to make proper drivers for them either, they're 100% pathetic, ppl who posted here are only 10% pathetic cuz they never heard of Omega drivers. Yup, that's right, the guy at Omega re-creates video card drivers for all popular video card types since some companies are too imcompatent to do it right. They re-create the drivers and you have the options add several usefull features like overclocking and performance settings for when on battery (for laptops).

Here is the link to the website, http://www.omegadrivers.net/omega_drivers.php, it is a trusted site and delivers trusted files, you can even scan it for viruses if you don't believe me. Their drivers are a lot more stable and it delivers a much nicer performance and you have the option to increase the performance at the click of a button.



PROOF

Now for ultimate proof that this works. I have a laptop with an ATI X600 video card. About 7 month ago, I had played Half Life 2 and both episodes with the Omega driver installed, played it without any issues. But then I formatted the Laptop and stupid me, installed the driver from ATI's website... I played HL2 fine, beat the game, then I moved onto Episode 1 today... got the error and could not get passed it at all. After a bit of confusion, I went here, read 3 pages of useless info and thinking omg, ppl risked all that for a game?... I then said the hell with this and tried my own problem solving and went to Omega to see if it was ATI's crap card driver issue (since it's the same issue while playing GTA SA), installed the latest driver, started playing the game, and I beat the game nonstop from start to finnish without any issues at all. Need more proof? Too bad, quit being a baby and just try my solution already... If/when you do, also turn your symantec programs and other things you might of disabled thinking it might work back on, I guarantee the game will still work even with with those on (though symantec does slow down the PC a bit, so performance may vary depending on your system)

Anyways, have fun playing, I hope the admin doesn't find my post too agressive and delete it since ppl have been waiting for this for 4 years, big deal if I laugh at their "misfortunate" luck, at least I provided the solution for them in the end. And I would get mad if some douchebag took my solution and re-wrote it claiming all credit and then having my post removed... There's no swearing and no flaming at any one person...

Try to decode into text if you wish :)
010010000110000101101100011001100010000001001100011010010110011001100101001000000011001000100000011001100110000101101110

:cheers:

[PimpinPenguin]

That's cause no one is bothered about fixing it any more. The issue is no longer widespread.
Back when that issue was prevalent one of of suggested solutions was to use the Omega drivers. However that is not a 100% fix, Valve themselves admitted it was a fault in the Source engine.
NVIDIA cards also suffered from this.
Back when i had this problem i used the Omega drivers on my X740XL and still had that error. Valve have since released quite a few different fixes for that error and the looping sound crash and you don't see that issue any more because those fixes and new drivers have fixed the problem.
Also the "ATI crap cards" were pretty good 4 years ago.
This issue was a fault in the Source engines page pool memory management. It would run of of page pool memory which it relies heavily for it's shaders, once it ran out you got that error.

[turgsh01]

Do you remember Grand Theft Auto San Andreas??? That game hates ati cards, even to this day I still can't play the game without a few random crashes on this laptop and my friend can't get it to play longer then 5 minutes. That game was released in 2004, 5 years ago. ATI has always sucked, and the more games that get put out on the market, the more proof you get. The only reason why they sell is cuz for one, they're a little cheaper, second, they have the best video cards for doing graphic designs and art work. But they lack in gaming compatibility, always have, always will. And the fact that their Catalyst drivers sometimes crash computers when you install them... they only recently added the feature where if your card doesn't support it, the setup will cancel before completing the install. I only call them crap cards cuz I like my gaming, but I do believe they're good for other things.

[PimpinPenguin]

If i remember correctly GTA San Andreas was part of Nvidia's "the way it's meant to be played" program. That would explain why the game performs worse on Ati cards because Nvidia paid Rockstar to build it for Nvidia cards and neglect Ati cards. It's not the first time this has happened, quite a few games that Nvidia sponsor though that program perform worse or look worse on Ati cards. There is nothing Ati can do about those games.
I had an Ati X740XL and it ran GTA San Andreas no problems and my HD4850 also runs it fine. The Catalyst Drivers have never crashed my PC and i bet the people it does crash don't know what the **** they are doing and are simply blaming Ati. If you want shoddy drivers then Nvidia's were absolute shit during Vistas launch and always bluescreened. Ati's have never sucked it just sounds like your laptop sucks.

[moikle]

omega drivers didn't work for me, it fixed it for about a minute on lost coast, and then it crashed as i was walking through the gate, when i opened it up again, some of the textures were black, and it crashed after only a few secconds