.:: Bots United ::. - crash problem

i run a steam hldm server and am using the latest metamod version of HPB. before steam i had min bots set to zero and max bots set 2 two. they would leave and join without any problems but since switching to steam the server crashes unless i leave the bots in full-time. i currently run these plugins...

Code:

 16:31:36 Currently loaded plugins:

                           description          stat pend  file                          vers          src  load  unlod

                  [ 1] HLGuard                  RUN   -        hlguard_mm_i686.  v1.60         ini  Chlvl Chlvl

                  [ 2] Adminmod                 RUN   -        admin_mm.dll          v2.50.59  ini  Start Start

                  [ 3] LogMod                   RUN   -        logmod_mm_i386.d  v0.7b         ini  ANY   Pause

                  [ 4] AMX                          RUN   -        amx_mm.dll                v0.9.7        ini  ANY   ANY  

                  [ 5] BunnyJump Plugi  RUN   -        bunnyjump_mm.dll  v1.12         ini  Start Start

                  [ 6] HPB_Bot                  RUN   -        hpb_bot_mm.dll        v4.0.3        ini  Start ANY  

                  [ 7] Stripper2                RUN   -        stripper2_mm.dll  v1.00.00  ini  ANY   Pause

                 7 plugins, 7 running

i tried disabling everything else except the bots and the server still crashes. i have also tried the various metamod dll's out there and still the same thing. what i really find weird is that i can kick the bots out manually and once the server is empty they rejoin without causing a crash.???:(

so anybody have any ideas what might be wrong?