Please read the FAQ before asking questions. If your problem isn't there then post a topic and we will assist you.
If you want to find your problem fast hit CTRL + F then search up a key word and read where it is in the FAQ.
If you want to find your problem fast hit CTRL + F then search up a key word and read where it is in the FAQ.
[url=http://halo.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=59880496:egw35i38]Dusk[/url] said:
**Based on Dusk's FAQ at bungie.net**
- Can I play the game on Windows XP?
- Halo 2 for Windows Vista and the Halo 2 Editing Kit can be installed on Windows XP with a couple of modded files. Campaign works.
- Halo for Windows Vista's multiplayer (LIVE features) and Dedicated Server will not work due to a difference in API packages needed for LIVE to function in the game on Windows XP.
- Does Halo 2 Vista work with Windows 7 32-bit/64-bit?
- In theory yes, Halo 2 for Windows Vista should work on Windows 7 however sSome people have issues
- If you experience the "Failed to initialize LIVE" error please visit here for a list of possible solutions.
- Can I run the game on a Mac?
- Yes, by either dual-booting, using bootcamp, or an emulation. The former two are more likely to work than emulation.
- Visit here for a guide on how to do it.
- Can I use my Xbox LIVE Gamertag? Can I get Achievements/Gamerscore that count toward my Xbox LIVE Gamertag's Achievements/Gamerscore?
- Yes, Games for Windows LIVE and Xbox LIVE utilize the same service. Gamertags are interchangeable between console and PC and all achievements, will transfer from PC to console and vice versa.
- Just sign in with the appropriate log in credentials and let the game download your profile.
- The game's installer won't work or is blank?
- You could either have a corrupted installer or a compatibility issue, please visit here for a possible solution.
- Will the game work on my computer/laptop?
- If you have to ask this question, the answer is most likely a no. The minimum system requirements can be found here and look for system requirements. Read that and compare it to your system's specs.
- You can also check System Requirements Lab for a better understand of how your computer rates and a recommended computer specs for better performance.
- My laptop has a Nvidia GT 540M graphics and I can't run the game.
- Known issue. Halo 2 for Windows Vista has an issue registering the OPTIMUS function as a graphics card that is capable of running the game. In order to fix this issue please install the latest drivers released by Nvidia. Make sure they are past the version: 290.53.
- Click here to go to the graphic card's main page.
- When I open my game in windowed mode it is just a black screen.
- *]This is a common issue with computers with dual graphics cards. Especially ones with integrated Intel cards.
- A simple work around is to "refresh" the monitor and one way to do this is to utilize the shortcut commands that come with Intel Graphics cards that switch the display direction.
- Hit CTRL + ALT + LEFT, DOWN, or RIGHT to switch the display, then hit CTRL + ALT + UP to make it back to normal. Notice the game works fine now.
- I tried to update LIVE, but it just keeps updating and then restarting, or it never updates at all.
- Download the up-to-date Games for Windows LIVE client. It will install all necessary requirements to run Games for Windows LIVE. If you have Windows 8, LIVE will be pre installed.
- Can I use my wired Xbox 360 controller with Halo 2 Vista?
- Yes, the full functionality of the Xbox controller is there if you use the wired Xbox 360 controller.
- Just plug in the controller to the USB port and let the drivers install.
- If already installed download the latest drivers here.
- Can I use a wireless Xbox 360 controller?
- Yes, with all of its functionality, but you'll need to purchase a Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows. It comes in either black or white and will allow you to connect up to four wireless Xbox 360 controllers to your PC.
- Just plug in the wireless receiver to your USB port and allow the drivers to install or use the disk that came with it.
- If already installed you can download the latest drivers here.
- Can I use a wireless Xbox 360 controller with a charge pack if I plug the charge pack into my PC's USB drive?
- No, the wireless controller still relies on wireless communication to relay input. The charge pack only juices up the battery. You still need a wireless receiver.
- What about another controller that's not an Xbox 360 controller?
- Other types of controllers or gaming joysticks can be used.
- Configuration must be done manually and the aim assist given to Xbox 360 Controllers is not enabled.
- Xpadder.com can be very helpful.
- When I try to play multiplayer, no games show up on this list.
- This usually happens around mid December, or whenever Microsoft is doing maintenance on the server hosting PC.
- However if maintenance is not the case, leave the game running for about 10 minutes, screw around in a game by yourself, or play a level of campaign. Which can then allow time for you to connect to the host computer.
- Another issue is that you could be experiencing a rare glitch with a Terms of Service Update. Visit here (First paragraph) for a work around that can let you view the Browser List again.
- It is a known error that if you have the Gold Family Pack due to there being no rating for Halo 2 for Windows Vista in the database the restrictions will not let you connect to the LIVE aspect of Halo 2's multiplayer. Visit here (Second paragraph) for a complete detailed post about the issue.
- Where can I download Halo 2 Vista?
- Halo 2 for Windows Vista has not been released as a digitial downloadable game, nor is it available for purchase on Games for Windows LIVE Marketplace. Search online stores for a copy of Halo 2 for Windows Vista. They are usually priced around $19.99 USD.
- My game is randomly crashing. What is going on?
- This can be cause by many different issues. For one you could be a victim of a Japanese font character glitch where Halo 2 for Windows Vista cannot read a certain character within the text's font. Which then causes your game to crash because the game doesn't know what to do. Players tend to go in games and enter this character to crash players and empty servers. Visit here for a way to stop players from crashing you.
- Another reason is you are using an external program that modifies the menu in any way and the game just overload and crashed.
- Sometimes the game can crash when your computer's CPU is too high.
- Sometimes when you access the LIVE menu within game can cause the game to crash randomly (this usually happens when either inviting players or viewing the recent players list).
- My mouse doesn't feel like it usually does with PC games.
- When playing the game at a frame rate of about 200 or greater the mouse can experience major stuttering due to the fact that the mouse cannot keep up with the amount of frames being placed per second.
- Try limiting the frame rate using an external program or your video card driver's control panel. That works for some people.
- Enabling Enhanced Pointer Precision may also feel better.
- Changing DPI settings can also increase mouse performance and comfort. For best results set a high DPI (X more than Y unless your resolution is not widescreen) and a low in game sensitivity.
- I am experiencing random lag spikes when I play. Or the game runs really slow. What am I doing wrong?
- Halo 2 has an occurring issue with lag spikes whenever a player joins a game or leaves a game. More commonly called "Join Lag", the game freezes for a second or 2 (depending on your connection to the host) and then continues as normal.
- Halo 2 is made to run at a consistent FPS of 60. If you experience random freezes while playing check your process running in the background your CPU may be over 60 or 70 percent. Visit here for more details on optimizing your computer to run Halo 2 for Windows Vista.
- Your Graphics Card might be over heating which can cause the game to slow down and reduce frame rates. Either take a break and let your computer cool down or put a fan on it and continue to play.
- Another reason is that your recording softer has messed up and locked your frame rates a lower rate. Just close and re-open your recording program to fix this. There is an issue with FRAPS that if you minimize the game while recording the game will be just a black screen. Don't worry just end task FRAPS and your game will be back to normal.
- Can I use my Halo 2 for Windows Vista LIVE Activation Key for the Halo 2 nameplate in Halo Reach?
- No, playing Halo 2 for Windows Vista will not unlock that nameplate. You have to have played the Xbox version of Halo 2 before Xbox LIVE was shut down for old Xbox games in order to get that nameplate. That's the only way.
- How do I install downloaded maps?
- Extract/unzip the maps from the zip file you downloaded
- Place the files into C:\Users\<User Account>\Documents\My Games\Halo 2\Maps
- There is a limit to 50 custom maps active at a time for Halo 2. If you have more than 50 create a folder within the maps folder to store unused maps.
- Or you can download this to automatically do it for you.
- Can multiple people play online using the same LIVE Activation Key?
- Yes, LIVE Activation Keys are not linked to a specific gamertag, computer, or disk, but rather an activation key that allows that computer to play on LIVE. All gamertags on that PC will be allowed to play on LIVE.
- However keys have a limited amount of activations. After the amount is used up the key is considered invalid and a new key is required.
- I tried to install the game for the 11th time, but got a "CD key usage exceeded" error! What gives?
- You can only install the game using a single LIVE Activation Key a certain amount of times. After that, the key becomes inactive.
- Either purchase a new game, use a key from another Games for Windows LIVE Title (before the activation update), or ask a friend.
- Why can't anybody join my games?
- The reason is that clients cannot connect to you as a host or vice versa. This is a cause because certain ports are blocked from being accessed.
- PortForward.com has a guide to help you port forward the necessary ports for Games for Windows LIVE.
- Please visit the Support Articles for more information about Network connectivity issues and the ports related.
- Visit here for more information on how to override the default ports used by Games for Windows LIVE only if the default ports are not working or inaccessible.
- Are the button combos (BXR, BXB, ect) still in the game?
- Technically yes, though some people have been claiming they're harder to do.
- Halo 2 Vista's multiplayer is based on Halo 2 Xbox version 1.5
- Does the game have co-op?
- The game was not shipped with co-op but there is a community mod that enables co-op on LIVE either on servers or peer hosted. It does require certain files and knowledge of cheat engine. And it is also not 100 percent and very buggy.
- Does the game have an anti-cheat system?
- There is no official anti-cheat, but many community members have created hack detection programs for server hosters to detect cheaters.
- Can I manage my dedicated server from inside the game?
- No, there is no RCON support within the game but community members have created tools to emulate rcon support through the text chat and server tools.
- How is the population for Halo 2 Vista?
- The population of Halo 2 Vista is very big, however the amount of players on at a given time is very small. Visit here for a list of players since January 2013.
- Does voice chat work?
- Voice chat in game and in the pre game lobby is broken, it was broken by Games for Windows LIVE.
- However sending voice messages or using the private chat lobby system on Games for Windows LIVE works just fine. Visit this page for more details on the issue.