Just my luck.

Regarding your shader question, I don't think there's a way to force it into 32-bit usage. Not that i've heard of anyway, and I spend a good amount on time on HL2 forums. (now just wait until someone proves this wrong and makes me look like an ass ) I was confused by your question cos most ppl try to make things easier on their Nvidia cards in HL2, instead of what you're trying.

And when you said all graphical options maxed, I assume you didn't mean maxed out AA and AF? You will understand I'll be forced to kill you if that's the case. Valve lessened load times with a recent steam update btw, which was welcome. Took forever to load up HL2.

does it update itself or do you have to force it?

It should update itself...when you start steam it'll automatically start downloading updates for any Valve game you have. I'd recommend you check steam news from time to time, might find out something cool. Like when they added Deathmatch. (tho you can count on me to uncontrollably sprout news like that on here)

ummm...yea....everything maxed, including that. hahaha. You may see why I want to enable 32 bit shaders now.