Windows 7: Halo 2 Blue Startup Window

Whenever I try to start Halo 2 on Windows 7 all I get is this screen: (I know the pic is small, but trust me, It's halo 2's startup pic http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._4900949_s.jpg I know for a fact I can run it, but the startup.exe won't show anything. I've installed it before on this same computer no less, but for some reason right now it just won't do anything. Help!?! I've been planning to install this game for some time now!

Did you install the game from a disk or from Games for Windows - Live Marketplace?

multiple reasons I suppose...

1.- you did not install the game with elevated admin rights

2.- you did not install directx when prompted... some old games will ask you to do so but we decline thinking that our directx is newer.

3.- you may have old or corrupted audio and video drivers... even if you recently updated those, if you installed the game and you get that, they could have gotten corrupted.

what I would try...

Uninstall game completely, restart and install game again, if ask for installation of DirectX, do so, download audio and video drivers direct from manufacturer and not Windows Update.

Restart PC, install drivers restarting each time if asked... try game again.

Good Luck

Disk.

Ok then. Update your DirectX: Download Details - Microsoft Download Center - DirectX End-User Runtime

Update your graphics drivers.

Update Windows 7.

Patch Halo 2: Halo 2: Patches, Download Patches for Halo 2

If doing this still doesn't let the game work, then uninstall Halo 2 completely, and re-install, but on the install menu, select Install Halo 2 but don't run it, or something like that, i've forgotten.