<=v5135 you need to use Revolution Steam Emulator to bypass the Steam requrement. >v5135 you just need to use the command line switches.

I don't know if anyone has tried kernelex with HL2, likely steampipe versions would require kernelex.

If you don't have any retail media then you'll need to search the internet for the standalone versions. Don't ask here.

Thanks, i have retail media. I have it on Orange Box retail too, but on its Win2000+ , but i guess that it would be also fully Steam version.

Google is not so friendly with Revolution steam emulator keywords.. so if someone can point me to it, it would be nice.

I'm running the 2004 version which doesn't require any steam activation. Not sure if it runs on Windows 98 though.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filede … s/?id=934785387

2004 is version right after release - original version was released at November 16, 2004.

Otherwise i have problem to see initial video sequence.. i see just half-life 2 logo and see black screen + sound later is picture ok.. but i so far used quite old Nvidia 41.xx drivers, which one is recommended? I saw some Phil video where he slows that newer driver is usually slower. Or maybe it needs some video codec..

I don't bother with the old HL2 in new HL2 mods just the actual version so not sure how those go but likely you won't have to worry about Steam for those since they are using HL2 >5135. Doubtful they are compatible with 9x but you could try it.

If you want the latest newengine then v5135 is what you want. Work backwards from there if not compatible with 9x.
Try: v2187, v2707, v2733, v2949, v3264 (HL2+EP1), v3300 (EP2+Portal) v3531 (HL2+EP1), v4104 (EP1+EP2)

You are likely going to be looking at Builds 2187 - 4044

HL2 v2187 Nov 2, 2004
You want the Vengeance release which has the GCF files unencrypted. Search the internet

Orange Box

RETAIL
You can extract the files but Episode 2, Portal and TF2 have missing or corrupt files. The other games work though.
Use Phoenix to unpack.
Do not unpack to GCF.

DETONATION (Older builds than the Retail release but EP2, Portal and TF2 work)
Use GCGScape

your 41.xx drivers deffinitely predate the release of half-life 2.

I would try 66.xx or later.

and you are also correct about the intro movie. it's hl2\media\valve.avi

you can either just delete it or try to find the codec.

I recently played version, which wirerogue linked here under Win 98 without any issues. Just create shortcut from HL2.exe and add following two switches: -steam -novid

You can even use time demos from AnandTech from back in the day, though prepare for much worse performance in Win98 then under WinXP.

Interesting, never thought that a HL2 nosteam Win98 Version ever existed...beside that the HL2-Demo had a very nice reflecting roof that never made it in the final version.