fletchoid
May 1st, 2009, 05:59 PM
Installing Steam with WINE and then Half Life 2 on new 9.04 upgrade
This information is spread out in little bits all over the forums and various other sites. I thought it might be useful to put it all together, considering the number of posts on this topic.
What this works with: Ubuntu 9.04 64 bit;kernel 2.6.28.11 generic; AMD64X2 6000; ATI 4870 Graphics card; ATI proprietary fglrx driver; WINE 1.0.1 Compiz 3D effects turned OFF with Compiz Fusion Icon. Most sites recommend that you use the newest WINE version. I was a bit reluctant to mess with the WINE package included in Ubuntu 9.04, so I just used that. Best to research WINE a bit before you install it. I won't cover that here. Also, make sure your graphics drivers are working perfectly before you get into this mess. I had some initial problems with the upgrade from 8.10. Don't try any of this until your system is tested and stable.
Once Wine is installed, copy all of the Windows fonts either from your real copy of Windows (in C:/Windows/Fonts/) into your WINE windows directory (in ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/fonts/ ) or, alternatively you can download some of the more common ones from the internet. (eg. from http://thepemberton.com/posts/downloads/fonts.7z You can install the 7Z unzipping program from Synaptic Package Manager.) If you don't install Windows fonts into the ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/fonts directory, Steam will have NO TEXT! I found that the real Windows fonts were better. You need Tahoma fonts for half life 2. Its best to have them all for future use.
Download and run the SteamInstall.exe file (NOT the SteamInstall.msi that’s on their download page)
From a terminal: (I am using * as a bullet; don't put that in the terminal)
* cd ~/Desktop
* wget http://store.steampowered.com/download/SteamInstall.exe
or whatever SteamInstall.exe source works. I just googled SteamInstall.exe and downloaded it from somewhere.
Once the file is downloaded, copy it into the ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/system32 folder
Go to the applications menu and select WINE, Browse c:\drive
Go into windows/system32 folder and paste the SteamInstall.exe file there.
In the terminal type:
* cd ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/system32
* wine SteamInstall.exe -dxlevel 81 -novid
I actually just went into the ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/system32 folder and right clicked SteamInstall.exe that I just moved there, and selected "Open with Wine Windows Program Loader" So I had to put the -novid and -dxlevel commands into the launcher programs for the games I installed. For half life 2, I had to set the DirectX level to 81 (dxlevel 81). Don't worry too much about this. You can change the DirectX level later in the command that you use to launch Steam. If you have different programs that need different DirectX levels, you just write them into the launch commands. The dxlevel in the Steam command should be the same as in the game command or the Steam settings will override the game settings. More on that later.
The Steam installer will guide you through a small install process. Once completed, edit the shortcut (or create one if one wasn’t automatically created for you):
Right-click on Applications menu -> Edit Menus -> Wine -> Programs -> Steam -> Steam, right-click “Steam” and change the properties “command” to ONE of the following command lines:
* wine “C:/Program Files/Steam/steam.exe” -dxlevel 81 -novid -width 1024 -height 768 -heapsize 512000
OR, alternatively:
* env WINEPREFIX="/home/yourusername/.wine" wine "C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\steam.exe" -dxlevel 81 -novid -windowed -width 1024 -height 768 -heapsize 512000
The first wine line opens Steam on the desktop, and sets DirectX to 81, cancels opening videos, makes the window smaller, and does something to the heapsize, whatever the hell that is.
The Second alternate line does the same, except it opens a WINE window that is separate from your normal desktop. In my case, I found that this second line was better. Especially when loading games. Don't be a bozo like me and leave the yourusername in the command and then wonder why it wasn't working. Duh, oh yeah, change it to the "user name" !! Hyuck!
Notice that the location of Steam is different in the first wine command and the second. The first one I found in a forum and assumes the Steam.exe is in C:/Program Files/Steam/steam.exe, but when I installed Steam, the Steam.exe went to C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\steam.exe Check where yours goes, and adjust accordingly.
Now you can run Steam, and use Steam to install any games you already have in your game list, purchase new games online, or install using CDs or DVDs. If you are going to install from disks, research the forums for hints. It is a bit more complicated. I just installed games I already own from my Steam account. Haven't tried installing from disks, or from the Steam store, so I can't help you.
To get Half Life 2 to work I had to edit the command line in the menu (see instructions above) to the following:
* env WINEPREFIX="/home/yourusername/.wine" wine "C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\steam.exe" -applaunch 220 -dxlevel 81 -novid -windowed -width 1024 -height 768 -heapsize 512000
Notice that it only differs from the one that starts Steam, by having -applaunch 220 in addition to the other commands. This just loads Steam, and then immediately the game. I found that half life 2 flickered and had graphics problems, unless I ran it with this launch command. It runs inside a WINE window, and runs fairly well. Once again, don't be a bozo and leave "yourusername" in the command line instead of your ACTUAL username..... yes, i did it twice.... duh!
Enjoy.
This information is spread out in little bits all over the forums and various other sites. I thought it might be useful to put it all together, considering the number of posts on this topic.
What this works with: Ubuntu 9.04 64 bit;kernel 2.6.28.11 generic; AMD64X2 6000; ATI 4870 Graphics card; ATI proprietary fglrx driver; WINE 1.0.1 Compiz 3D effects turned OFF with Compiz Fusion Icon. Most sites recommend that you use the newest WINE version. I was a bit reluctant to mess with the WINE package included in Ubuntu 9.04, so I just used that. Best to research WINE a bit before you install it. I won't cover that here. Also, make sure your graphics drivers are working perfectly before you get into this mess. I had some initial problems with the upgrade from 8.10. Don't try any of this until your system is tested and stable.
Once Wine is installed, copy all of the Windows fonts either from your real copy of Windows (in C:/Windows/Fonts/) into your WINE windows directory (in ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/fonts/ ) or, alternatively you can download some of the more common ones from the internet. (eg. from http://thepemberton.com/posts/downloads/fonts.7z You can install the 7Z unzipping program from Synaptic Package Manager.) If you don't install Windows fonts into the ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/fonts directory, Steam will have NO TEXT! I found that the real Windows fonts were better. You need Tahoma fonts for half life 2. Its best to have them all for future use.
Download and run the SteamInstall.exe file (NOT the SteamInstall.msi that’s on their download page)
From a terminal: (I am using * as a bullet; don't put that in the terminal)
* cd ~/Desktop
* wget http://store.steampowered.com/download/SteamInstall.exe
or whatever SteamInstall.exe source works. I just googled SteamInstall.exe and downloaded it from somewhere.
Once the file is downloaded, copy it into the ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/system32 folder
Go to the applications menu and select WINE, Browse c:\drive
Go into windows/system32 folder and paste the SteamInstall.exe file there.
In the terminal type:
* cd ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/system32
* wine SteamInstall.exe -dxlevel 81 -novid
I actually just went into the ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/system32 folder and right clicked SteamInstall.exe that I just moved there, and selected "Open with Wine Windows Program Loader" So I had to put the -novid and -dxlevel commands into the launcher programs for the games I installed. For half life 2, I had to set the DirectX level to 81 (dxlevel 81). Don't worry too much about this. You can change the DirectX level later in the command that you use to launch Steam. If you have different programs that need different DirectX levels, you just write them into the launch commands. The dxlevel in the Steam command should be the same as in the game command or the Steam settings will override the game settings. More on that later.
The Steam installer will guide you through a small install process. Once completed, edit the shortcut (or create one if one wasn’t automatically created for you):
Right-click on Applications menu -> Edit Menus -> Wine -> Programs -> Steam -> Steam, right-click “Steam” and change the properties “command” to ONE of the following command lines:
* wine “C:/Program Files/Steam/steam.exe” -dxlevel 81 -novid -width 1024 -height 768 -heapsize 512000
OR, alternatively:
* env WINEPREFIX="/home/yourusername/.wine" wine "C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\steam.exe" -dxlevel 81 -novid -windowed -width 1024 -height 768 -heapsize 512000
The first wine line opens Steam on the desktop, and sets DirectX to 81, cancels opening videos, makes the window smaller, and does something to the heapsize, whatever the hell that is.
The Second alternate line does the same, except it opens a WINE window that is separate from your normal desktop. In my case, I found that this second line was better. Especially when loading games. Don't be a bozo like me and leave the yourusername in the command and then wonder why it wasn't working. Duh, oh yeah, change it to the "user name" !! Hyuck!
Notice that the location of Steam is different in the first wine command and the second. The first one I found in a forum and assumes the Steam.exe is in C:/Program Files/Steam/steam.exe, but when I installed Steam, the Steam.exe went to C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\steam.exe Check where yours goes, and adjust accordingly.
Now you can run Steam, and use Steam to install any games you already have in your game list, purchase new games online, or install using CDs or DVDs. If you are going to install from disks, research the forums for hints. It is a bit more complicated. I just installed games I already own from my Steam account. Haven't tried installing from disks, or from the Steam store, so I can't help you.
To get Half Life 2 to work I had to edit the command line in the menu (see instructions above) to the following:
* env WINEPREFIX="/home/yourusername/.wine" wine "C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\steam.exe" -applaunch 220 -dxlevel 81 -novid -windowed -width 1024 -height 768 -heapsize 512000
Notice that it only differs from the one that starts Steam, by having -applaunch 220 in addition to the other commands. This just loads Steam, and then immediately the game. I found that half life 2 flickered and had graphics problems, unless I ran it with this launch command. It runs inside a WINE window, and runs fairly well. Once again, don't be a bozo and leave "yourusername" in the command line instead of your ACTUAL username..... yes, i did it twice.... duh!
Enjoy.