How to run HALO 2 under Windows XP

[BarryB]

Not a joke, it does work! Tested on WinXP Pro SP2, 1Gb RAM, 2.2Ghz CPU and X850XT GPU!

http://d.turboupload.com/d/1892930/Halo.2.XP.Patch-NoGrp.rar.html

Follow the instructions, but also copy the 'wow.dll' file into your Halo 2 folder as well, the instructions forget to tell you that! Make a backup of 'mf.dll' as this will be overwritten and probably won't let it run under Vista, so make a copy so you can put it back!

[FREEMAN100]

Yeah it does work but it doesnt fix the fact the game is proper crap...

[wolfsrain]

Crackers 2 - Microsoft 0
Same thing happened to Shadowrun, just recently.

[EMPiRE]

The Halo 2 WinXP patch is up now but where is the Shadowrun WinXP patch?

[blackdog62]

I've been told it works but every time I click the loader.exe it flashes for a second then its gone, any help would be appreciated. Thx

Never mind, had a duhhh moment, have it working good

[BaZi]

thanx I will try it.

[Ukiman]

I've been told it works but every time I click the loader.exe it flashes for a second then its gone, any help would be appreciated. Thx

Never mind, had a duhhh moment, have it working good

I'm still having the duhhh moment, how do I install through the loader.exe ?:confused:

[hssemichi]

open up a cmd shell (start -> run -> cmd -> enter) and navigate to the folder where you extracted loader.exe (with 'cd directory').
then type

loader.exe LetterOfDVDROMDrive:\StartUp.exe

same procedure for starting the game after copying dll's - just type

Loader.exe "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo 2\halo2.exe"

(depends on operating system language)

[BarryB]

You can create a desktop shortcut using the Loader.exe, just create a shortcut on your desktop for Loader.exe, open the properties for it then:

In the Target: part of the shortcut put:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo 2\Loader.exe" "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo 2\halo2.exe"

and in the Start in: part put:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo 2"

Assuming game is installed in default directory, edit as necessary if you installed it elsewhere!

As for the crap game, I made the mistake of missing a video setting! Goto SETTINGS > VIDEO > LEVEL OF DETAIL and set it to HIGH!! Then the game looks a bit better, but not much!

Halo 2? More like Halo 1.5 :eek:

[wolfsrain]

Don't worry, is just Microsoft who killed Bungie a long time ago(Myth serie anyone??!). Such a shame that Bungie was bought by a company which is the synonim for unimaginative.

[raven_g20]

im not getting this done...i installed thru loader exe to my prefered directory and not in default, dont know if that messes anything up, then i did what the info said(installed the msi, copied the files etc) and now when i run halo2.exe thru loader.exe it just flashes for a moment and nothin happens...i dont know...any help is well appreciated..thx

[BarryB]

raven, Did you copy the wow.dll from the archive into the same Halo2 directory as the loader.exe, and launch it like so from a command prompt:

loader "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo2\Halo2.exe"

Obviously you'll have to put the the path of your game directory inbetween the quotes, e.g if you installed the game to D: in a folder called Halo 2 then you'd type:

loader "D:\Halo 2\halo2.exe"

That should work if you've copied across all the correct files and installed those two msi programs, the Live installer and the VC++ redistributable.

[raven_g20]

BarryB thnx m8...im so stupid...i only copied loader.exe into the dir and didnt copy wow.dll...many thnx m8..works like a charm :)

[Joe Forster/STA]

@wolfsrain: Remember the Marathon series, too (first released for the Macintosh!); I've just started playing the first Marathon in the Alpha One engine a month or two ago... :)

[wolfsrain]

Yup, you are right, Joe. Bungie used to be one of the most innovative companies before being bought by MS. And most of the original team left pretty fast after the purchase of Bungie by MS.
Why the hell MS tries so hard to own everything, beats me. If they needed a game division, why not create one. They do have the money. And they aren't able to keep the employees of the gaming companies that they are purchasing. So why bother...Don't remember a single game that was close to good from MS.

[Grumpy]

raven, Did you copy the wow.dll from the archive into the same Halo2 directory as the loader.exe, and launch it like so from a command prompt:

loader "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo2\Halo2.exe"

Obviously you'll have to put the the path of your game directory inbetween the quotes, e.g if you installed the game to D: in a folder called Halo 2 then you'd type:

loader "D:\Halo 2\halo2.exe"

This will also work as a shortcut on the desktop, just like the shortcut created from the loader.exe for the install that Barry mentioned earlier.
Just edit the shortcut created for the install, then it can be used to play the game.
Dont forget to edit the paths to suit your own install directory. ;)

[FREEMAN100]

Ive heard if you dont stick to the default install for the game you will get problems...If you install the game to its default folder & follow the instructions given it works every time..

[BarryB]

I've got mine installed to C: under Vista, which is my I: drive under XP and I never installed it under XP! I just installed the msi files, copied the files across to my I: drive and created a shortcut, works fine.

[yakbabbler]

does anyone know if this allows for use on windows live and if I have a xbl account that I can use it with it

[Bandoolero]

Guys, does this patch work with an original HALO2???

If YES, please a great man should write a full complete guide for me to how to use it, because when I want to run the loader.exe it says: cannot run, please reinstall WHAT? PLEASE HELP!

[Joe Forster/STA]

There are quite a few text files included in the release; read them all!

[Bandoolero]

Hey, you play halo2 with illegal version?

[GLH]

He means the release of the crack.
Download the crack and read the included text-files !!!

[NZ-ThatGuy]

OK I have follow all the instructions and it starts up and i see the loading page that goes for like 30 seconds then it crashes. Ive got a 7900GS and the latest drivers can some one please help me.

[h3llsp4wn]

I followed the complete readme on how to get Halo 2 working on WinXP.
But there are two problems:

1. When I choose to play Campaign, there opens a window which says me that I am not able to succeed because I'm not connected to Live.

2. After choosing the game difficulty, nothing happens. The screen keeps on being blue and stays. But also I can go back to choose the game difficulty again or further back. So the system doesnt hangs on, it simply does nothing after choosing the difficulty.

Greetz

Edit: Made a video with my cam, maybe it helps...
http://picasaweb.google.de/Jonnsta/

[Crusnik]

i got the same problem, h3llsp4wn

somebody knows how to solve this problem?

[dreamburger]

hey guys, I clicked custom install, then I hit install and do not play. SO evrything went fine and then when i ran load.exe startup.exe, halo2 came up , loaded half way, screen went black and it brought me back to my desktop!

[Nuij]

Im having problems with installing using loader.exe. I've done everything as said in DOS but it just says "ERROR: failed to load executable: G" G being my DVD drive.

[dalumberjack]

so I have a diff. problem then everyone. I un-installed the game from XP and when I go to reinstall the game I get the message saying its still installed. I noticed that halo 2 is still listed under "add and remove programs" for some reason. Any help on fixing this so I can reinstall it would be greatly appreciated.

[Arthas90]

I followed the complete readme on how to get Halo 2 working on WinXP.
But there are two problems:

1. When I choose to play Campaign, there opens a window which says me that I am not able to succeed because I'm not connected to Live.

2. After choosing the game difficulty, nothing happens. The screen keeps on being blue and stays. But also I can go back to choose the game difficulty again or further back. So the system doesnt hangs on, it simply does nothing after choosing the difficulty.

Greetz

Edit: Made a video with my cam, maybe it helps...
http://picasaweb.google.de/Jonnsta/
i have the same problem help me plz

[ataman]

Hello.
I have a problem
When I run the loader.exe I see the title screen of Halo 2. But when I click continue to install game, the screen turn off i see in console cmd: "The prpcess is exited with return code: 00000000.
Why i cant install game.
Please help me.

[BaZi]

Crackers 2 - Microsoft 0
Same thing happened to Shadowrun, just recently.


:D:D:D:D:D:D

[jinglschmidt]

hey, i'm having a strange problem... i can't even install the game >< ... I run startup.exe thru loader.exe, and the startup program loads, but when i say to install the game, without starting, it just gives me 2 errors... 1) a computer maintenance profile hasn't been created, and 2) the vid card drivers need to be updated. Both error screens give me two options: Run and Don't Run.

Is there a way to bypass the system-check before install? or can i manually copy the files to their respective directories to install the game? or anything that i can do? I'm not hasty to install updated drivers for the vid card... the last time i tried it, it wiped out an important system file, and i had to reformat ; ;...

System Specs:
Mobo: ASUS A8N-SLI
Graphics: nVidia GeForce 7600 GT
2GB RAM, 4 500GB HDDs
OS: Dual-Boot WinServer2003 (Workstation/XP mode) & WinXP

[samoth]

hey, i'm having a strange problem... i can't even install the game >< ... I run startup.exe thru loader.exe, and the startup program loads, but when i say to install the game, without starting, it just gives me 2 errors... 1) a computer maintenance profile hasn't been created, and 2) the vid card drivers need to be updated. Both error screens give me two options: Run and Don't Run.

Hello :-)

Same thing for me :-/ I can get to the installation screen, where I choose customized install but after I clicked "Continue" the screen just disappears and thats it.

Yesterday I´ve had the same error-messages as the guy above, but today nothing happens.

Any advise?

My system:
AMD XP3200+
2GB RAM
Windows XP w/ DX9.0c (latest version)
GF 7800GS, AGP (latest driver from NVidia 94.24 or something)

[GexioS9]

hey guys im having the same problems as the two fellas above me !?

somebody worked it out yet ?!

[Ice-Lord]

i have another problem i can install and run the Game but everytime i try to play the campain nothing happens. i can select the dificulty but after the selection the game dose nothing but it dont crashes because i can go back to the dificulty selection menu by pressing "b" or "backspace"

can anybody help??

[- Viking -]

I use the WinXP Loader and everything was fine,
until level 12 - the game ends and I get a dialog
"please insert the original Halo 2 DVD".

Can anyone help me?

[midgetmax4]

Ok so i need some major help. i got the game installed and everything, and my system is compatible with it, except the Vista part. but i start halo 2 through loader, and the screen says halo with that glowing thing behind it moving, but when its almost to the other side, it stops and the screen goes black. i can still move the mouse, but then after about 10 seconds of nothing it shoots me back into windowa, but in 800x600 res. now i have no idea why its doing this! anyone help? PLEASE!

[midgetmax4]

OK I have follow all the instructions and it starts up and i see the loading page that goes for like 30 seconds then it crashes. Ive got a 7900GS and the latest drivers can some one please help me.

This is accually the same problem im having!, but i am using a Radeon X1300. Someone help!

[BarryB]

Not sure if this hack has been thoroughly tested by whoever created it! I hear reports of it not working for some while it works for others (just like people are experiencing here) and that it gets so far and then says it needs activating!

So, I guess we have to wait for a better solution!

[midgetmax4]

dang. i accually bought the game too. but i guess i will just have to wait! maybe after i get a new upgrade in about a month, im getting all new mobo, ram, vid card, processor. maybe that will make it run differently.

[DABhand]

i accually bought the game too.

Good as the forum only supports people with original bought games.

Need to keep an eye on you :P That statement says alot of things already hehehe

[midgetmax4]

ha no i really did. i went to target to get it, but they wouldnt sell it to anyone under 17, and im like 20 days away from being 17, so my sister came down and bought it for me. hehe. Really though i need help getting this running, i wanna start playin agia, but im comp.

[midgetmax4]

i really want help on this.

i have installed the game using loader. then i copied all files from the loader folded including loader. (files copied over were, dwmapi.ll, mf.dll, XtaskDig.dll, MFPlat.dll, and Wow.dll) and i have tried taking some out.) Then i ran loader to start game. Now it starts to load, but then screen goes black for 20 sec. and it crashes me back to XP, with 800x600 res. Maybe something with Catalyst Control Center?

[nINJAkECIL]

for the people who can't uninstall halo2 under winXP, this problems got me too. Fortunately, I have my system running dual boot. WinXP and Vista. First time, I want to try it in WinXP. been success in installing the game thru loader, but it won't play. Everytime I choose the campaign, it crashes with a warning dialog. and when i want to uninstall it from add/remove programs, it just splash and then nothing happens. I managed to work it out:
1. delete the folder where halo2 was installed
2. delete the folder Halo2 under my documents\my games or search your hard drive for halo2 folder, and then manually deleted it
3. open regedit (start-->run-->regedit-->enter), and hit F3 to search halo2 in the entire registry. if you found it, delete it, but be careful as some registry search will gives you something like: xxxxxhalOxxxx. do not delete this key!
4. to delete the entry in the add/remove programs, I use RegCleaner (it's a freeware. google it), and navigate the uninstall menu, mark the check box under halo2, and click delete.
5. restart your PC

hopes it helps :)

Now, I play it under vista (where it shuld be played)

[nebulasg]

hey, i'm having a strange problem... i can't even install the game >< ... I run startup.exe thru loader.exe, and the startup program loads, but when i say to install the game, without starting, it just gives me 2 errors... 1) a computer maintenance profile hasn't been created, and 2) the vid card drivers need to be updated. Both error screens give me two options: Run and Don't Run.

Is there a way to bypass the system-check before install? or can i manually copy the files to their respective directories to install the game? or anything that i can do? I'm not hasty to install updated drivers for the vid card... the last time i tried it, it wiped out an important system file, and i had to reformat ; ;...

System Specs:
Mobo: ASUS A8N-SLI
Graphics: nVidia GeForce 7600 GT
2GB RAM, 4 500GB HDDs
OS: Dual-Boot WinServer2003 (Workstation/XP mode) & WinXP

i have the same GPU and the same problem! the installation is fine until i click continue and it pops up with this http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Pinkishblueblack/grr.jpg problem... i, also, have had issues with this driver. i thought it might have something to do with the driver not being compatible with windows vista, but thought again why other people could get it to work on XP while i couldn't.
Samoth has another nvidia 7 series gpu (same drivers) with this problem. someone please address this issue!! :confused: :confused: :confused:

[BarryB]

I get than when I run STEAM games under Vista using the latest BETA driver, 162.22! STEAM doesn't know it's arse from its elbow :)

[Joe Forster/STA]

Isn't the latest version of the nVidia ForceWare drivers for Vista version 100.x?

[BarryB]

Latest WHQL drivers released today on Nvidias site: 162.22 for Vista, 162.18 for XP!

[sabbey]

I wonder what the chances are for a patch from MS adding XP play to the game, so we wouldn't have to go through these hassles? I know I'd buy the game if they did, otherwise, I think I'll let you guys test it first... :)

[ChinToka]

I have a big problem with my Halo version:
I used the WOWLOADER und the install window appeared.... but i can´t change the directory and somehow 5gb of my harddrive space is missing and i can´t find where it went. Somehow the loader copied something on my drive... but whre is it? has anyone had the same problem?

[a30993]

... Ok. I get the game to load up, I start a campaign, choose my difficulty.

Nothing happens.. it just sits there.

I press escape and it goes back to the choose difficulty screen.

WHAT THE HECK?

[H20polo]

can someone help me i installed halo 2 and i get this message" initialization faild. Either insufficient system resources were found

wat does it mean

[el_jefe]

I use the WinXP Loader and everything was fine,
until level 12 - the game ends and I get a dialog
"please insert the original Halo 2 DVD".

Can anyone help me?

Same for me. Any solutions?

[mayankgupta86]

plz help guys....i m having problem....
LIVE gaming failed to intialize...maybe being used by another LIVE gaming appliation running...plz reinstall....i have reinstalled the game many times...and even upated the windows LIVE...to 1.1...but still having same problem...HELP HELP

[BarryB]

Well this game is for Vista, not XP. The XP hack only works so far into the game so best play it under Vista!

[mayankgupta86]

i completely understand that...but m not going to use vista for about 5-6 months...n have xp...working great...n gotta know that halo 2 xp is possible by hacking...got an error...so plz guide me...

[BarryB]

It's an unsupported 'hack'! If you can't get it working that's nobody's fault, have you checked M$ site for Windows Live issues?

[voodoo_nbgd]

There is working fix for level 12 issue. Just google for "halo 2 loaderplus" and use Loaderplus instead of Loader to launch the game.
The problem is in ReadFile API function. The version included in XP cannot read file chunks bigger than 64 MB, and the Vista one can, so this new Loader intercepts ReadFile calls which try to read more than 64 MB in one try and split them into the multiple calls.
Hope this helps.

[Colt141]

I downloaded the file that voodoo_nbgd posted and i have tried the wow loader and both of them give me the same problem it starts to load the game then it crashes. Anyone know what to do?:confused:

[frankmichaels]

Thanks hssemichi
for the clarity in communication.

"I belong to a breed where we are not very computer literate but not afraid to venture deep into it based on clear instructions"

For example I missed typing in the (“) quotes just cause I was not sure I had to.
Maybe that line could be written as
[Loader.exe "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo 2\halo2.exe" (include quotes)]

Finally I got to it. – THANKS.

[selvamcbe]

Not a joke, it does work! Tested on WinXP Pro SP2, 1Gb RAM, 2.2Ghz CPU and X850XT GPU!

http://d.turboupload.com/d/1892930/Halo.2.XP.Patch-NoGrp.rar.html

Follow the instructions, but also copy the 'wow.dll' file into your Halo 2 folder as well, the instructions forget to tell you that! Make a backup of 'mf.dll' as this will be overwritten and probably won't let it run under Vista, so make a copy so you can put it back!

Thanks for your info. Let me try this..