Orange box (source 2009) games won't start

[p0rtalplayer]

As of tonight, when I try to launch an orange box (source 2009) game, the little launching dialog will pop up, then go away as usual, but then the game won't launch.

I can tell from chat windows that steam will say I'm ingame for a second or two, but then I will be back out of game again.

Here's the list of stuff I've tried. As far as I can tell, except for ep1 source 2009 engine games don't launch.

Portal - Not launching
Portal Prelude - Not launching
Half life 2 - Not launching
Half life 2: Lost Coast - Launching
Half life 2: Deathmatch - Launching
Half life 2: episode 1 - Launching (oddly enough)
Half life 2: episode 2 - Not launching
Garrys Mod - Not launching
Alien Swarm - Launching

I did the generic "delete clientregistry.blob and restart steam" trick and it did nothing

I checked the downloads tab, and portal and ep2 had updates, but even after those were "done" (they said they were paused then when I clicked on them to launch they were magically done) they wouldn't launch

To quote Wheatley: "Well, we're out of options 'ere."

[E-102 Gamma]

I think I know how you might solve your problem.

Open Registry Editor (Start - Run... - Type in "regedit" - Click OK).

Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Source.

You should see abbreviations for each of your Source games. Under each one is another key called "Settings". If you click on one of these Settings keys, you'll see what appear to be console commands. These are the game's various settings.

Find ScreenWidth and ScreenHeight and set them to your monitor's native width and height, respectively.

Launch the game and see if it worked.

[Ond kaja]

[QUOTE=E-102 Gamma;23766282]I think I know how you might solve your problem.

Open Registry Editor (Start - Run... - Type in "regedit" - Click OK).

Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Source.

You should see abbreviations for each of your Source games. Under each one is another key called "Settings". If you click on one of these Settings keys, you'll see what appear to be console commands. These are the game's various settings.

Find ScreenWidth and ScreenHeight and set them to your monitor's native width and height, respectively.

Launch the game and see if it worked.[/QUOTE]
Or just use the -height and -width parameters in the launch options. :raise:

[E-102 Gamma]

[QUOTE=Ond kaja;23767058]Or just use the -height and -width parameters in the launch options. :raise:[/QUOTE]

Oops, forgot to mention that. :blush:

[p0rtalplayer]

Well, I don't know what the problem was

but apparently, reinstalling steam fixed it :P

stuff works fine now. it'd be nice to know what the problem was for future reference though :S