How To: Play Left 4 Dead on Windows XP or Windows Vista

01. REVIEWING ERRORS REGARDING:

- DirectX + Graphic problems
- shaderapidx9.dll errors
- l4d.exe errrors
- Windows Vista & Windows 7 crash. 

 - Try removing your Windows Firewall and restart l4d
 - Download your latest graphic, sound and motherboard drivers
 - You must have either Directx 9.0c or Directx 10 (or reinstall them)  
 - If you use Steam version - update game, if not then update is not an option (it will crash the game completely)
 - If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7 try this: right click open l4d.exe and use it "Windows XP compatibility" 
 - shaderapidx9.dll fix :  

1) go to start menu "Run"  
2) type "cmd"  
3) in the command prompt window type the following:  


net localgroup administrators NetorkService /ADD


  - low/bad performance for AMD processors : CLICK

- black screen and other graphic problems : CLICK

  - The following has solved this problem for some Vista users: 
1) Exit Steam.
2) Click Start > All Programs > Accessories 
Launch the Command Prompt by right clicking on it and choosing "Run As Administrator"
3) Type in the following command and press enter:


net localgroup Administrators /add Local Service


4) Close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer.Then, launch the game
 

- ENABLE console: Options -> Keyboard -> Advanced -> Enable Developer Console 

2. GARENA

 - Go to http://garena.com and register if you don't have an account
 - Update to the last version and login with your details. 
 - On the left find Left 4 Dead icon and join by double clicking. Choose a room.
 - Now go to "Settings" and write:
  1) Executable settings : the path to your l4d.exe
  2) Game bootstrap parameters :  -console sv_lan 0 sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0 net_star

 Now you can play via lan and have no problems with Garena. 

 I wish that is sufficient and helps, if not then write to me and I'll look for more solutions for you out there. I hope this was helpful and the game runs smoothly now. Meanwhile, cheer up with this funny l4d clip: