The Instruction at 0x referenced memory at 0x The memory could not be read

There are a number of causes for this problem - some of the causes are complex and can be caused by BIOS settings, hardware, and drivers. To eliminate the possibility of driver or software conflicts, please run the Steam Crash Test and correct any problems which it identifies:

Run the Steam Crash Test: steam://support/?Issues=Crash*

To help determine the cause for the error you are receiving, please observe the following troubleshooting steps:

Update your System

Please follow the links below to update your system's operating system, motherboard drivers, and BIOS:

Windows Update

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

Motherboard Information and Drivers

http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=193

Sourcegine games rely on DirectX to function properly. Please follow the link below for more information on updating DirectX on your machine to ensure you have the latest updates and patches:

Checking DirectX Settings

http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=281#update

Sound and video driver bugs may also cause problems - please follow the link below for more information on updating these components:

Updating Sound and Video Drivers

http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=422

Verify GCF Cache Files

http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=282

System File Check

Some users have reported that this issue may be resolved by running a full check of your Windows system files - it is recommended that you run the System File Checker to ensure these files are intact:

1. Go to the Start button
2. Select Run...
3. Enter cmd and click OK to open the command console
4. Enter sfc /scannow to check your system files
5. If prompted, repair any damaged files

Disable System Modifications

1. Make sure that you are not overclocking your system
2. Disable and/or uninstall any refresh rate-forcing programs
3. Please temporarily uninstall 3rd party video or audio codecs (the K-Lite pack is know to cause this issue)
4. If you have an ATI Graphics card, please uninstall ATI-ACE, ATI-SMART, Trueform and Catalyst AI, also disable VPU Recover if that causes you problems

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Page file: Try turning off your system paging file (you have to reboot) and setting your page file for 1x or 2x the amount of RAM being used. This setting can be found under Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Advanced > Virtual Memory
2. If you have an language other then English set for your Operating System, make sure that you are not setting the console key to an character which Steam will not recognize (§ for example is not valid)
3. Disable all IM programs and do not alt-tab to your desktop, swapping the game out may trigger this problem.
4. Add this CVAR in your HL2 launch properties to test the game in windowed mode:

-window +mat_forcehardwaresync 0

1. If you are using two memory or more memory modules, try running with only one module and see if you still have this problem. Reducing the number of modules will effectively speed up your memory timing. If the game runs ok with one module but not two, then you have a motherboard timing problem and you will need to make some changes, READ YOUR MOTHERBOARD MANUAL.
   • Relax the memory timing some motherboards have "conservative" timing or you can manually increase CAS and increase prefetch. If CAS is set to 2.0 increase it to 2.5. If Prefetch is set to 6, increase it to 7 or higher (up to 11).
   • Slightly increase the memory core voltage if your motherboard supports this option, consult your motherboard manual. Raising the voltage will effectively speed up the memory, but will also increase the heat.
   • Make sure the Case Latency in your BIOS corresponds with the CAS rating which your RAM supports - please see the Wikipedia article linked below for detailed technical information on working with RAM:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_random_access_memory

If the issue persists, please follow the links below for instructions to generate an MSINFO32 report and contact Steam Support:

MSINFO32 Reports http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=248

Contacting VALVe Billing and Support http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=294