"Failed to create D3D device" crash in Source games

The latest problem I was asked about was a crash upon startup of a Source game. I encountered this problem myself quite some time ago, so it was an easy fix to help that person. May as well throw it up as the first help post on this blog.

Most famous of the source engine games developed by Valve is Half-Life 2, but the error can be from any of these Valve games:
Half-Life 2
Half-Life 2: Episode 1
Half-Life 2: Episode 2
Portal
Counter-Strike: Source
Team Fortress 2
Left 4 Dead

And more.

If you're getting this error, you probably have an ATI graphics card. The crash likely comes from using the official ATI drivers obtained from their website.

Before the ATI drivers though, you should make sure you have the proper Direct X version installed. For Windows XP, this is Direct X 9.0c.

Step 1
Download and install Direct X 9.0c for Windows XP

Now that you have made sure that Direct X is up to date, it's time to get the proper graphic card drivers. One would assume the best ones to have installed are the official ones, but that isn't quite the case, especially if you are getting this error.

Omega Drivers are the best. It's very likely installing these will fix this particular problem.

Step 2
Download and install Omega Drivers for either ATI or NVIDIA, depending on your brand of graphics card.

Now, that will likely solve the problem with crashing Source-engine games. If it doesn't, or you are encountering this problem with another game, contact me and I'll do my best to find an answer for you.

Contacting PC Savior

Obviously I cannot solve EVERY problem. My knowledge is limited to certain platforms.

I can only assist with OS problems pertaining to Windows.

Other than that, I am open to pretty much anything. I'll give a few examples of problems I can help with:

Software issues
- Games crashing
- General error messages
- Viruses cannot be removed
- Blue screen crashes
- Mysterious PC or internet slowdown
- Installation issues
Hardware issues
- Video card overheating
- Various hardware not responding

Those are just a few of the issues off the top of my head that I will likely be able to help with. Of course, it doesn't hurt to inquire about anything.

I will soon have a Contact section up, until then feel free to comment on this post with your inquiries.

PC Savior

Welcome to PC Savior.

I intend this site to be the source of many answers for all those out there frustrated with their computer problems. Whether it be virus trouble, blue screens of death, error messages, or virtually anything else, this will be an archive for solutions to a wide array of problems.

I will be posting solutions to common problems periodically, but mainly what I'd like is for you to contact me with your specific problems that you cannot find a solution to. I will do my best to find an answer.

It may not come down to me having more experience and technical understanding than anyone that helps solve their problem, but I may have the resources to find an answer when it seems unfindable.

Why, you ask? I am often asked for help by friends and family with their PC troubles, and I find myself solving things easily enough. I feel compelled to put my "technical skill" to a more global use.

Another question; What sets PC Savior apart from all the other possible sources of help on the internet? Well, I know some problems can be rare. So rare that even if you know exactly what the problem is, the entirety of the internet doesn't appear to have an answer for you. Those are problems I want people to send in. There is no guarantee that I will be able to solve them, but I'm confident I can be at least of some help.

To summarize things, PC problems can be immensely frustrating. The task of fixing them isn't so imposing when you can find a solution. I hope this site will be at least part of that solution.