Half-Life 2 won't load

[Mantax]

Ok, I bought Half-Life 2 off the internet and all. I go in and everything is cool and fine. But then, everything goes wrong when I want to play a new game. It takes me to a black screen with the loading sign, but the bar merely goes with three dots or something and then it just stops and it's really hard to get out. I need help, you guys! WHat am I doing wrong?
P.S. What specific specs do I need to list down?

 

[snacks]

I guess video card and processor would be important, but I don't know enough to help even with that information.

 

[kimsland]

Please put your System Specs in your Profile

If you have a proprietory computer like Dell; HP; Acer etc, please manually write this in the mobo field (ie Dell Dimension 3100 - as an example)