A problem with Vista

Hey all. I recently installed Windows Vista and everything seems good, except, I can't seem to run my absolute favourite game of all time any more! That game of course being Half-Life. When I run the shortcut, I get a 'Couldn't load [C:\Windows\system32\wsock32.dll] from system directory' message. Now I've checked it and found that there is a wsock32 file in the system32 folder and concluded that it is a Vista file which is different from the XP file. Does anyone know a possible fix for this, or a vista update for HL1? Thanks in advance!

ps. I really want to get Half-Life running, as I want to play and finish HL1, HL2, HL2EP1 and HL2EP2 before Half-Life's 10year anniversary on ... well there's a few different claims. some say 19th, some 21th November.. some will celebrate on the 18th...I'll see how the majority views it and go that way.

Again, Thanks in advance.

I did a bit of research and it seems that file is related to an API (Application Programming Interface). I think I remember reading somewhere that Vista has problems running some OpenGL games and since OpenGL is an API, I suggest you try running the game on either Software mode or better yet Direct 3D mode, if it works than it means the problem is related to OpenGL and Vista.

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Aaron's Stuff

Did you try running it in compatibility mode?
I think you have to be under the administrator account on your computer to do so, but I'm not sure. I don't think I've had to do that on my computer.
Half-Life loads through Steam for me, and there aren't anymore Steam-Vista problems anymore (I don't think.)

I've tried compatibility modes and under admin already, doesn't change anything. Relating to OpenGL, I can't change it because I think the only way to change it is from the game menu, but the game can't turn on.

..I was just in my HL folder and came across a txt. file called wsock32 and found these two things in it:

*****08/11/06 16:30:57 Couldn't found a prototype for inet_network() [127]
*****08/11/06 16:30:57 Error: Couldn't load [C:\Windows\system32\wsock32.dll]

Got absolutely no idea what it could be connected to(the network thing)

Hopefully we can settle this soon. Thanks for the advice amanderino and I appreciate your research aaron_da_killa. Thanks guys.

Check that you have a Winsock32.dll file. I was looking online for common errors and it seems that the file just isn't there most of the time; it gets deleted by anti-virus programs or by people who think it's a virus. I doubt that you fall into that group, so what I'm thinking is that your file is probably just corrupt and that you will need to find a download from a trusted site. I'm sure that Microsoft's website has it somewhere, but I can't stand to use their site long enough to find a link for you. Unfortunately, I had this problem five or six years ago while trying to play one of the Quake games, and I don't remember what I did to fix it.

From what I can gather on inet_network() is that it is what determines (or converts) your IP address in multiplayer games.. I could just be understanding all of it wrong, but I'm not very good with C++ programming to 100% correctly identify it. So.. going on what I think it is that you'd be able to do without it if you're just trying to play singleplayer and make some maps but you're going to have to fix that Winsock32 error first.

Yeah, I got the wsock32.dll file, and it could be corrupt as you say. I've downloaded it before but it can't copy itself into the folder. What I did after that was ask my dad to send me a copy of the file from his computer, which is a government computer, so I know there would be nothing wrong with the files on his system. Still couldn't copy it in, it says I need permission to do that, yet I have put all administrative priviliges on.. perhaps there's some security settings in Vista which I am not aware of, that are preventing me from replacing this file. If anyone knows how to allow full control of the system32 folder in Vista, would you let me know how please? Other than that, I'll go do some investigating now. Again, thanks for all the help.

Hmm, did you try downloading or unpacking it straight into the folder it needs to be in rather than copying and pasting? It might give you the error still but it's worth a shot if you haven't already tried that out.

few questions:

Vista 32 bit, or 64 bit? 64 bit has issues that I know of... No solution really.

Were you doing a vista upgrade, or fresh install? If you upgraded it, then I would say remove anything that has to do with HL1, and reinstall it.

Are you running this as the regular install. As in non-steam? Id say this is your biggest problem. Half life (original version) wasn't meant to run on vista, steam version does. If you don't have steam then your gonna have to suck it up and install it.

Yeah it's 32bit and I upgraded it, so I'll try your suggestion and re-install it. If it doesn't work, I'll just have to get a steam version. Question if I may, is there a free version to download off steam, or does it have to be bought?

You'll have to buy the Half-Life: Source package. It comes with Half-Life: Source and Half-Life: Source Deathmatch. It goes for $10 USD.
If you have your serial number for Half-Life (probably right on the CD), you can try registering it on Steam, and that might work. If it does, you won't have to pay for the Source version.

"amanderino" said:
If you have your serial number for Half-Life (probably right on the CD), you can try registering it on Steam, and that might work. If it does, you won't have to pay for the Source version.

What I would say.

As a rule of thumb:
Upgrades are very VERY messy. I do them all the time at work, and nothing works better then a fresh install of vista. Don't quote me on this, but I do believe that a vista upgrade key will work if you somehow get your hands on a vista installation CD (which you can just search for off the internet "vista32.iso". About the only upgrade that does work is installing Ubuntu Linux on your system.

Yeah I'll probably look it up on e-bay.. probably won't be changing operating systems for half life 1, but I will get a steam version. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Ok I copied a steam version hi def HL from my brother's computer, and all is good. I hope I can still achieve my goal that I have set. So having started at 10:59pm AEDT(Australian Eastern Daylight Time) on the 9th November with Half-Life, I hope to finish all the way up to Half-Life 2: Episode Two by it's 10-year anniversary on the 19th November. WIsh me luck lol, and thanks to all you guys, in particular omegaslayer for suggesting the Steam version.

Thanks.