Can't start Episode 1 or 2

[Rorenado]

When starting this new version of Half-Life 2, I can't start Episode 1 or 2. I got my copy of HL2 quite some time ago (maybe from a disc), and had Lost Coast somehow. Even though I got this episode with no problem, the episodes won't start at all. It looks like they're loading for a split second, then bump me back to the menu for the episode.

I've tried:
Uninstalling the game and reinstalling.
Deleting all old HL2 files.
Clearing download cache.

I'm just not sure how to get these games running.

Edit (FIXED): Okay, I got this issue resolved. What you all need to do if you're having this issue is to put in a support ticket. Make sure to get screenshots of any crash messages (I used Greenshot for stuff like this, since it's a Windows error message on my end), and add the crash error as an attachment. Be very clear that you purchased Half-Life 2, but did not purchase Episodes 1 and/or 2. This is basically a licensing issue. They will give you a link to add the licenses for the missing games. This will trigger a download, and you should be able to play after that.

[gawl0]

same here

[Rorenado]

Originally posted by Dusk of Oolacile:

Do you have the files on the disk? You're omitting critical information.

I don't have that disc any more. Still was able to install the game without the disc, so maybe I acquired it later on? I don't really remember. It's been a long time.

[Rorenado]

Oh, I deleted the HL2 file entirely so I could get a clean install. Still didn't work after a clean installation.

Originally posted by Dusk of Oolacile:

Originally posted by Rorenado:

I don't have that disc any more. Still was able to install the game without the disc, so maybe I acquired it later on? I don't really remember. It's been a long time.

Disc and disk aren't the same thing. Check steamapps/common/Half-Life 2/ FFS.

[Rorenado]

*Deleted the file folder after uninstalling, since the files remained on my PC.

[Joansset]

Same problem for me...

[mortuus]

no issues here, strange u guys have this issue

[Субарашы Омигото]

I dont owe any of ep1 or ep2, got halflife2 copy only, but after trying to play it from menu i got "cannot run episodic" and now i cant even run original half life 2

[Bert Beeghart]

Originally posted by pacific:

I dont owe any of ep1 or ep2, got halflife2 copy only, but after trying to play it from menu i got "cannot run episodic" and now i cant even run original half life 2

Same here, dude. WTF. I've owned HL2 for years. Never bought the episodes. Interesting find...Store tells me I can get the Orange Box for $1.99 even though I already own everything in it, since Episodes 1 and 2 are now part of the base game...WTF, Valve? Do I get to play these games, or only new players and people who previously owned the Episodes?

[kotenok2000]

Originally posted by Dusk of Oolacile:

Originally posted by Rorenado:

I don't have that disc any more. Still was able to install the game without the disc, so maybe I acquired it later on? I don't really remember. It's been a long time.

Disc and disk aren't the same thing. Check steamapps/common/Half-Life 2/ FFS.

They should be.
Word Disc is completely superfluous.

[Dooma]

Same Problem for me, never bought episode 1 and 2 only the base game.
The base game works fine.
Episode 1 shows a quick loading bar when selecting new game, but then nothing happens.
Episode 2 new game just crashes the game when new game is selected, with an error about files missing.

I tried reinstall and validated files, which curiously always shows 11 Files missing and then starts a download. But this fixes nothing and even if i validate again right after the first validate it shows 11 missing again.

[The Man from Uncool]

Originally posted by Dooma:

Same Problem for me, never bought episode 1 and 2 only the base game.
The base game works fine.
Episode 1 shows a quick loading bar when selecting new game, but then nothing happens.
Episode 2 new game just crashes the game when new game is selected, with an error about files missing.

Exactly the same for me.

[Rorenado]

Originally posted by mortuus:

no issues here, strange u guys have this issue

I'm thinking this issue is unique to people who only owned Half-Life 2, but not the episodes. That seems to be what I'm getting from the situation.

[Falcon]

Same problem here. I had to spend 1.99 on the orange box and no problems anymore

[Rorenado]

Originally posted by Falcon:

Same problem here. I had to spend 1.99 on the orange box and no problems anymore

Then, I'm guessing it's some sort of licensing issue that they haven't ironed out.

[FlatoutEarth]

the game CTDs when clicking on Episode 2 in the main menu, and the error message:
"Engine error:
Model models/props_debris/concrete_section64Floor1c.mdl not found and models/error.mdl couldn't be loaded."
Even verifiying game files doesnt help. Verification finds 10 faulty files, downloads 1 megabyte, and than nothing, Ep2 wouldnt start.