Q) How do I install this mod?
A) Please delete any previous HL2 Substance installation you might have already installed.
Download the HL2 Substance GOLD 1.2 autoinstaller, run it and select Install Mod -> Install. The installation process will start.
Disabling your firewall might be necessary for the installer to work correctly.
Do not unselect the "copy HL2 cache" option, it is made to avoid long loading times. Should it ever be unselectable,just copy your half-life2\hl2\maps folder into sourcemods\hl2substance.
Q) How do I run this mod once I have it installed?
A) Run Steam, select Play Games -> Third Party Games -> HL2 Substance.
Q) How do I uninstall this mod?
A) Browse your "Program Files\valve\steam\steamapps\SOURCEMODS" directory and delete the HL2substance folder.
Q) Why are my textures oddly purple-checkered? A) These are installation errors: it can happen that hardware incompatibilities or firewalls stop the autoinstaller from doing its job. In this case,use the Emergency Rar Version found in the downloads section: instructions are included to install it,anyway all you have to do is to extract the rar archive into \sourcemods\,then copy the \half-life2\hl2\maps\ folder into \sourcemods\hl2substance\ (this is necessary to copy the HL2 cache and speed up loading times) and later update everything with the latest patch. Q) I get choppy framerate in the Gordon Tales, what can I do? A) You must lower your audio/video settings because the Gordon Tales are heavier and you can't play them with your same old settings. Don't even mention you normally play HL2 with 8x AAS, it's either turning it off or getting the slowdowns/crashes.
Q) Why does my game strangely miss some of the features?
Q) Why the only working link on the start menu is VR Training?
If the start menu links problem is not solved yet,open the console or the Enter Cheat menu and imput these commands (every full line is a command):
ToggleChooseGamemode EuropeanExtremePanel
ToggleChooseGamemode EuropeanSurvivorPanel
ToggleChooseGamemode GordonTalesPanel
ToggleChooseGamemode GordonTalesSurvivorPanel
exec euex; exec chapter1
exec eusu; exec chapter1
exec gota; exec sbst_chapter1
exec gosu; exec sbst_chapter1
Performance
Defrag your hd with the Executive Software's program "Diskeeper",much better than the default windows defragger.
Q) I get crashes, what should I do?
A) See previous question, this is directly connected to performance: speed it up and he crashes will mostly disappear. However, if a random bug appears in a level and makes impossible for you to proceed further, just press Esc and press the button labeled Bugfix on the lower left.
Q) The loading times are long, what do I do?
A) Loading times are naturally a bit longer in Substance, but the real problem comes when you uncheck the 'Copy HL2 Cache Files' option in the installer and the cache files do not get copied. You have to run the installer again, and leave the option checked.
If for any reason you have to copy the cache files manually, just copy your complete half-life2\hl2\maps into \sourcemods\hl2substance.
Q) I try to start the mod but I get an "Engine Error" message. What should I do?
A) You have to adjust your refresh rate accordingly to your monitor's maximum supported one. First, download the latest drivers at the ATI Catalyst Control Center. Then click on the toolbar and select Settings -> View -> Advanced View. Then select Graphic Settings -> Monitor Properties -> Information. Take note of your maximum reported refresh rate and set this same value into Monitor Attributes -> Maximum Refresh Rate. Now, open Display Options -> 3rd Refresh Override and set it to "same as desktop". Finally, open Display Manager and check that Refresh Rate uses the same settings you selected earlier for max refresh rate.
Q) How do I unlock the HEV Forms class system?
A) Acquire the crowbar from Barney.
Q) How do I unlock the secret HEV Form Gray Fox?
A) Beat the game by stopping Breen from teleporting.
Q) How do I access the Extra Chapter 15 aka Gordon Tales Extreme?
A) Beat the game once and if the chapter is not available immediately,restart HL2.