Latest l4d2 update on older CPU (Athlon XP)

[quetsch]

BASIC INFO
Server OS: Ubuntu 8.10 Server 32-bit
Processor:

Code:

processor       : 0
vendor_id       : AuthenticAMD
cpu family      : 6
model           : 10
model name      : AMD Athlon(tm) XP 3000+
stepping        : 0
cpu MHz         : 2092.982
cache size      : 512 KB
fdiv_bug        : no
hlt_bug         : no
f00f_bug        : no
coma_bug        : no
fpu             : yes
fpu_exception   : yes
cpuid level     : 1
wp              : yes
flags           : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 mmx fxsr sse syscall mmxext 3dnowext 3dnow up ts
bogomips        : 4185.96
clflush size    : 32

Ram: 1.5 GB
Game(s): Left4Dead 2
Start Up Command:

Code:

#!/bin/sh
./srcds_run -debug -ip 192.168.1.100 -port 27015 -game left4dead2 +map c1m1_hotel

Hi!

After the latest update on 19th February, I am not able to run the l4d2 dedicated server anymore:

Code:

Illegal instruction (core dumped)
cat: hlds.17570.pid: No such file or directory
email debug.log to linux@valvesoftware.com
Sa 20. Feb 07:00:51 CET 2010: Server restart in 10 seconds
Sa 20. Feb 07:00:53 CET 2010: Server Quit

As I found out, it is probably an SSE2 issue. Of course, the system is old, but was very much capable of working as a dedicated server for campaign games without lag! I still want to be able to use my server. Why in the hell does valve change such an important thing, without even inform their customers. I am very disappointed and frustrated!

Can anyone give constructive hints on the issue?

[Mooga]

It's probably an error. Check out the Linux listserv, maybe someone else is having the same issue.

[quetsch]

(02-21-2010, 09:30 AM)Mooga Wrote:  It's probably an error. Check out the Linux listserv, maybe someone else is having the same issue.

Ok, I already searched a lot. I "stumbled" over several threads with similar problems of starting srcds after an update. But these concerned other games like TF2 or CSS:
http://forums.srcds.com/viewtopic/12765&highlight=sse2
http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.games.fps.halflife.hlds/26537/focus=26538
http://www.left4deadforums.com/1187-left-4-dead-linux-server-guide.html

These are just examples. The problem seems to be "unique". Am I the only one here having trouble to start l4d2-srcds after the last update on Athlon XP processors?
I really did a lot to verify, that the problem is not caused "by me": e.g.
Reinstalled all srcds-files, same issue.
Tried on another Ubuntu 9.10 Linux PC, also an Athlon XP, same issue.
Installed on an actual Intel Atom 9.10 Ubuntu-PC; no issue at all.
Tried it on an old Pentium III 1200MHz, Ubuntu 9.10 and Knoppix: Same issue...
Tried it with Knoppix on my Gaming-Notebook with Core2 Duo proc: no problem...

As you see, I have a lot of "older hardware" I am still using, because it is completely sufficient for purposes like a game server.

As a result of all my tests, my guess is that the latest update changed the requirements to use SSE2, which the older procs don't support (Illegal instruction (core dumped)), but the "newer" ones like Core2 or Atom do.
Is there any confirmation about required SSE2 for l4d2 somewhere? Before the update l4d2-srcds worked flawlessly on Athlons. Now, not anymore!

l4d1-srcds still runs fine on the same Athlons...

Please help!

[aftermath]

Same problem here after 2-19-10 update. Athlon XP 2800+ running L4D2 on Fedora 12.

[fugitif]

(02-20-2010, 04:05 PM)quetsch Wrote:  Start Up Command:

Code:

#!/bin/sh
./srcds_run -debug -ip 192.168.1.100 -port 27015 -game left4dead2 +map c1m1_hotel

Your command ip line to start the game is bad.
Try this

Code:

./srcds_run -game left4dead2 +ip 192.168.1.100 -port 27015 +exec server.cfg +map c1m1_hotel +maxplayers 8 -debug -pidfile /home/your_user/left4dead2/srcds_run.pid

[quetsch]

(02-23-2010, 12:18 AM)fugitif Wrote:  

(02-20-2010, 04:05 PM)quetsch Wrote:  Start Up Command:

Code:

#!/bin/sh
./srcds_run -debug -ip 192.168.1.100 -port 27015 -game left4dead2 +map c1m1_hotel

Your command ip line to start the game is bad.
Try this

Code:

./srcds_run -game left4dead2 +ip 192.168.1.100 -port 27015 +exec server.cfg +map c1m1_hotel +maxplayers 8 -debug -pidfile /home/your_user/left4dead2/srcds_run.pid

Hi!
Thank you for an answer.
As described above I changed my startup script:

Code:

./srcds_run -game left4dead2 +ip 192.168.1.100 -port 27015 +exec server.cfg +map c1m1_hotel +maxplayers 8 -debug -pidfile /home/steam/left4dead2/srcds_run.pid

Now I get the following error:

Code:

Attempting to precache model, but model name is NULL
Commentary: Loading commentary data from maps/c1m1_hotel_commentary.txt.
Initializing Director's script
[S_API FAIL] SteamAPI_Init() failed; unable to update local steamclient. Continuing with current version anyway.
Illegal instruction (core dumped)
Cannot access memory at address 0xb7f94658
Cannot access memory at address 0xbf95424c
/home/steam/left4dead2/debug.cmds:4: Error in sourced command file:
Cannot access memory at address 0xb7f94658
email debug.log to linux@valvesoftware.com
Mo 22. Feb 15:49:10 CET 2010: Server restart in 10 seconds

Does this help you in any way?

[fugitif]

The problem must surely come from your old CPU without SSE2. Send a message valvesoftware to correct the problem.

The message => Cannot access memory at address 0xb7f94658 I also sometimes from this update

[quetsch]

(02-23-2010, 08:39 PM)fugitif Wrote:  The problem must surely come from your old CPU without SSE2. Send a message valvesoftware to correct the problem.

The message => Cannot access memory at address 0xb7f94658 I also sometimes from this update

Hi and thanks!

I already mailed to linux@valvesoftware.com and got the following reply:

Code:

Hello, Michael.  This occurred since we changed our build process and accidently turned on SSE2 support (it's on by default under Linux now).  We've identified the issue and will have an update out very soon that will correct this.

--
/// Zoid.

Well, so I hope the issue is gonna be fixed soon, would be really nice, cause I got many friends and buddies who wanna play on my server...

[aftermath]

Thanks for letting us know Quetsch, Valve software did not bother to reply to me.
L4D2 Updated on 02/24/10 server still down, same problem.

[quetsch]

(02-24-2010, 02:52 PM)aftermath Wrote:  Thanks for letting us know Quetsch, Valve software did not bother to reply to me.
L4D2 Updated on 02/24/10 server still down, same problem.

Still the same here, hope the update is coming in the near future, not "somewhen"...

[aftermath]

Steam left4dead2 news says that the February 24 2010 update
■Fixed a Linux dedicated server crash
Do you suppose they think they fixed the problem? I emailed them again.
And have you noticed that the inferior windows left4dead2 dedicated server runs fine on athlon XP processors. I want my server back!

[quetsch]

(03-03-2010, 05:47 PM)aftermath Wrote:  Steam left4dead2 news says that the February 24 2010 update
■Fixed a Linux dedicated server crash
Do you suppose they think they fixed the problem? I emailed them again.
And have you noticed that the inferior windows left4dead2 dedicated server runs fine on athlon XP processors. I want my server back!

Whatever they fixed, they didn't add a "non-sse2" binary...
I also want my server back!!! Yes, the windows server is far inferior and it doesn't run in wine... Therefore I can't try or use this option...

This behaviour of valve doesn't make costumers happy... I am really starting to think whether I should buy any product from them in the future...

[quetsch]

Hi!

I also emailed support and got an answer from Zoid:

Code:

We already released an update that should have corrected this!  Give it a try now after updating.

My reply:

Code:

Hello Zoid!

Even after a clean new install of left4dead2 srcds, still the same error occurs! I cannot confirm the solution of this issue.

Can you please give more information.

Michael.

I hope it's only a misanderstanding within srcds support. I still hope to be able to run my server again... Otherwise I would have to spend my limited ressources into newer hardware instead of game software from Valve...

[kingchimp]

I also have an Athlon XP running Ubuntu 9.04, and have the same problem. The new update didn't help me either, but some of the debug information generated was slightly different... E-mailed Valve with the details last night. I miss my server!

[lol554]

I couldn't care less about this, as i am not using such old systems, but i understand that it might be frustrating. Why don't you upgrade to Athlon 64 then? It should be the same socket