L4D on MBP just shows black screen

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Tronix Aug 14, 2014 @ 12:59am

Hello,

I own a MBP Retina (early 2013 version, i7 2.4GHz, GT650M 1GB, OSX 10.9.4, all latest updates installed). I just bought the game Left 4 Dead via Steam, but whenever I start the game my screen just turns black (I get the audio though). Then I have to do a Apple-key + Tab twice, so I leave the game and enter it again, so my screen is 'refreshed' and this I have to do continuously (I managed to change teh settings this way, but none of the changes in the settings fixed this issue). I followed some Steam guideliness to reset some stuff, tried reinstalling it (+verifying game files results in OK), but no go...
Other games (CS:Source, Team fortress, ...) are all working correctly via Steam.

Is anyone also having this issue, or does someone have any idea how I could fix this? Because for the moment I'm not able to play the game at all.

Thanks.

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Showing 1-15 of 21 comments

Narbat Sep 18, 2014 @ 7:26pm

Ditto here. I used to play this on my Mac all the time, but about a year (or two?) ago I uninstalled it to make room for newer stuff. I was feeling nostalgic tonight so I installed it again, but now I get the exact same symptoms you describe. Specs:

MacBook Pro, Retina, Mid 2012
Processor: 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7
Memory: 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 1024 MB
Software: OS X 10.9.5 (13F34)

VonStripes Nov 24, 2014 @ 12:29pm

Hey! I'm having the same exact problem. Have you managed to fixe it? Thx

MacBook Pro Retina, Mid 2012
Processor: 2,3 GHz Intel Core i7
Memory: 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 1024 MB
Software: OS X 10.10.1

Narbat Nov 24, 2014 @ 4:51pm

Nope. Just tried downloading L4D and L4D2, both are just showing black.

Amplitus Dec 21, 2014 @ 11:06pm

Exact same problem here RMBP 2012. Now i've done a bit of experimenting and i think it's an issue with the discrete video card. I'm not sure if it's particular to the 650m GT, which we all seem to have.

I say this because i have GFX card status installed and if i force the HD4000 video card, the game works fine. but if i leave it to the normal OS switching or force the 650m GT card only the I get the exact same problems you guys have.

I just installed steam for my partner and I and this sucks that I can't use my discrete video card and am stuck using the HD4000, but it does work on that card. DL GFX card status and give it a shot.

STEAM please fix this, it's happening for eveyone with this card.

Best,
Amplitus.

doobiussam187 Jun 21, 2015 @ 8:34pm

im having the same problem but on pc any ideas help please

Boris Feb 21, 2016 @ 12:21pm

Any updates on this issue??

AzAzeL Feb 21, 2016 @ 5:05pm

Up ?

Boris Feb 22, 2016 @ 6:54am

Im getting pretty mad and desperate about this so I've searched my *** off and I have some more options to try(seperatly)

1. "Disable steam community" in steam settings
https://youtu.be/KMY6zXvYYeo

2. Create shortcut and so you can run it with different options and administrator mode

3. (This is the saddest but it worked for some)
There might be a hidden dialogue box so hitting enter or space when the game is started might make a difference.

4. "Disable steam overlay" in l4d2 > properties

5. Force to start windowed, go to l4d2 > properties > game launch options and set it to "-windowed"

Hope this helps some of you.

Hikui Feb 22, 2016 @ 6:30pm

Hey Boris, I'm having the same problem, I tried what you said and even reinstalling the game, but now the screen is white. Here's my specs:

Macbook Pro 15" Mid 2010
Mac OS X 10.11.3
Processor: 2,3 GHZ Intel Core i7
Memory: 16gb 1600 MHz DDR3
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 512mb

Hikui Feb 22, 2016 @ 7:00pm

Guys, i just figured out that has to do with discrete GPU, but i don't know why. I installed this app (https://gfx.io/) and switched manually to integrated graphics, works like a charm, even showing a white screen a few seconds before the intro.
Hope that works with you too guys.

#10

Shuangeh Mar 18, 2016 @ 9:57am

Originally posted by Amplitus:
Exact same problem here RMBP 2012. Now i've done a bit of experimenting and i think it's an issue with the discrete video card. I'm not sure if it's particular to the 650m GT, which we all seem to have.

I say this because i have GFX card status installed and if i force the HD4000 video card, the game works fine. but if i leave it to the normal OS switching or force the 650m GT card only the I get the exact same problems you guys have.

I just installed steam for my partner and I and this sucks that I can't use my discrete video card and am stuck using the HD4000, but it does work on that card. DL GFX card status and give it a shot.

STEAM please fix this, it's happening for eveyone with this card.

Best,
Amplitus.

This really works, thank you very much!!!

#11