Where are you, what is Happening?
Thing starts at November ago, Steam launched a new update to their steam client and managed to update something and the update was... awfully unfortunate.
I don't have a proper Discrete GPU, and my rig was very old enough (and I've been stuck with 2nd Generation Intel CPU & iGPU) and I was in the middle of working on a quick fixes for PH:X and steam decided to refuse to work after the update. Reason because the 'Steamwebhelper.exe' which I assume it's part of internal "WebView" component for controlling UI and other web-related stuff for Steam, crashing everytime non stop and causing steam itself not launching at all. It then goes for another steam update too and... it still does nothing. I went contacted Steam Support about this issue and gives many details about it but, the issue is the crash dumps. They ask for a crash dump but in a very unfortunate time, this problem does not even generate a crash dump at all (and only some sort of "assert" dumps which is not helping at all) and all of this, leaving me no solved problems at all as to this point, I'm pretty much stuck.
Things I have tried
- Monitoring Steam Behaviour
Steam continously tries to open "Steamwebhelper.exe" numerous time and doesn't generate any crash dumps as Steam Support needs. due to this, its rather impossible to find any crash that is stored in 'dumps' directory and found nothing. They keep reopening the web helper forever and ever until Steam.exe & SteamService.exe decided to stop working. Can I still open games while this happen? Partially and No. Even the SDK and Workshop Uploader also refusing to work as they need "Steam ID" to run them.
- Trying newer Windows version... not even-11
Next thing I tried was trying to install newest Windows 10 version 22H2 (previously was 20H2, and oh boy that's really bad) by Dual-Booting method instead of reinstalling it and result was the same, but instead, Steam didn't launch at all. You might thinking, What about Win11? Remember that they don't support older Hardware and remember my Rig is based on Intel 2nd Generation and Motherboard lacks PM modules, even though if I used to bypass all of these non-sense, I believe this goes 100% would goes the same: It wont fix the problem. Then I ran into next solution:
- Linux...?
Xubuntu 20.04, build that supposedly still to be "stable" and before every old 32-bit library comes to the end, it was surprisingly... works, without hardware acceleration enabled. Few of steam's component and some recent native built games (nowadays) that requires Vulkan might be out of luck for me. While my 2nd-generation Intel HD 2000 iGPU doesn't have Vulkan built-in, I've tried to emulate games with Proton and other emulation options doesn't solve the issue at all. It then leaves with OpenGL option and it was briefly works on some Source Engine games including Garry's Mod but then it'll immediately crashed after I actually entering the game. I might assume that could be to mesa driver but I dont want to mess anything with it so I'll left with it for now.
The cultprit
It's obvious since I have no Discrete GPU means I'm using "Integrated" GPU; it's old and the driver itself has been never maintained. Windows especially, has been stuck since 2015 version and never been updated. I understand linux are community-made but there's still some downside and limitations...
"Burning" problem
Almost near at the end of November, my monitor burn-in starting to get worse and issue rise up and decided to keep blinking on-and-off continuously. Until out of nowhere in 2 days later it simply dies, leaving my main PC untouched until today.
Few days ahead I've contacted to my relative to borrow a laptop and decided to work on something before hand and focusing with something else to collect some funds for replacements by doing artwork commission. Yeah I know this can take very long time and I to be honest can't guarantee this going to be on time. By this, I could continue to work with projects by updating PH:X codes and mapping but this laptop is so weak (even browsing internet was so laggy) so I dont want to take a risk to use this laptop for heavy task.
So What I'm doing now?
As for now, I'm unsure when I will back on time to continue the project and as for now I've been saving some funds from doing a commission.
If you have a time and willing to help or speed up help to find my replacement (while I'm working on a commission), don't hesitate to help by simply sending your support in any amount as you like. This will helps me alot and hopefully I can have my new replacement and I will immediately start working on my projects.
Future Project Plans
PH:X will reach near the end of the year 2024 and I haven't made any updates yet, so I decided to scrap with major revision & modifications changes to them with new maps, hopefully. The aim is that to make sure the gamemode stays stable with upcoming gmod updates, to be more customisable, and perhaps with new interface and submitted with a new workshop submission. The old workshop will remain stays up as a legacy copy. I am once again cannot guarantee if this project will be done in time until I got new hardware replacement. I'm so terribly sorry for another radio silent and no updates and I've been in worst situation with a very worst timing too.
I think that's the update, a silence throughout the year and I really wish hope to everyone can understand my condition. if you are into Art and want to check out what commission I'm working on, heads up to my Bluesky page here https://bsky.app/profile/wolvindra.bsky.social - make sure you're logged in - and check on my pinned post for details. Do note that I do not use twitter anymore.
Thank you and I'll see you again next year ( hopefully )