I very recently install GE:S, version 4.2 and then the next day tried playing and updated to 4.2.1.
After I load the game, when I open the Connect to a Server window no servers are shown.
I made sure show maps is unchecked, there's no filters, tags, etc.
I can view the servers if I go to Steam, open it's server window, and choose GE:S as the game.
However, once in a game I get disconnected after some time due to not being able to connect to the VAC servers.
Furthermore, after this happens when I try to exit steam I get a message asking me to close Source SDK 2006 first, which I presume was opened with GE:S. I downloaded SDK 2007 for this - but SDK 2006 was automatically downloaded as well.
I've tried restarting steam, restarting my computer, deleting clientregistry.blob, deleting everything but friends steamapps and steam.exe from my steam folder (which in turn signed me out of Steam) and nothing works.
I'm in good standing with VAC, and my internet connection should be fine.
I've made sure that hl2.exe has exceptions in my firewall, and I've tried disabling my antivirus to play.
I've also tried setting my status to Offline for my Steam friends.
And of course, I'm trying to connect to 4.2.1 servers.
Thanks for you help.