Halo 2 refuses to play

[Pr0t3g3]

halo 2 wont run as it thinks that I'm running a halo 2 server?

I bought another copy of halo 2 from a local store that has a whole bunch of old and new games and consoles, as a notorious admin deleted my previous thread about a problem with a torrent even though I already had the box set and everything, on grounds that what I was doing was illegal. Well, the way I see it, as long as I have my own copy then it shouldn't matter if I obtain the actual game from another source right? Yes of course! As long as I'm not taking a brand new 'product installation code' then I'm not doing anything wrong. So what's my problem then? My old halo 2 disk was scratched beyond recognition as I let someone borrow it ( a mistake, I know =_=). The problem with the new game is I'm freshly installing it on a new windows 7 64-bit laptop. When I attempt to play after activating it, it says:

LIVE Gaming on Windows failed to initialize. This may be because another LIVE Gaming on Windows application (such as the Halo 2 dedicated server) is running on the same machine. Otherwise, reinstalling the game may fix the problem.

Well reinstalling didn't do anything. I even tried uninstalling completely and then installing again - nothing. I refuse to just let the game go to waste. If anyone who views this had the same problem and fixed it, please lend me your time.


My specs are as follows:

• Windows edition Windows 7 home premium
• System Manufacturer: Dell model: Studio 1747
• Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU Q720 @1.60 GHz
• Installed memory (RAM) 4.00 GB
• System type 64-bit Operating System

 

[AstaLaVista]

Without knowing your specs it will be hard to help you but... I'll ask a few questions?

1.- Are you sure your laptops meets or exceeds the game requirements? if so...
2.- Have you updated your video & audio drivers?
3.- Did you install the game with Elevated Admin Rights?

 

[Pr0t3g3]

Without knowing your specs it will be hard to help you but... I'll ask a few questions?

1.- Are you sure your laptops meets or exceeds the game requirements? if so...
2.- Have you updated your video & audio drivers?
3.- Did you install the game with Elevated Admin Rights?

lol... yes the computer is solely owned and operated by me so privileges is not the problem as for my specs? Oh yeah definitely overkill in that area. As for udates, I cannot say if I'm completely up to date.

I tried playing halo 1 on here and I can't view the online multi-player text chat in-game, and was hoping it was because it's meant for a different windows platform. I realize now It's probably because I'm missing a visual update of c maybe? I downloaded using the auto update icon in my taskbar though I don't think that it gave me all I needed. Is there a way to fully update my pc?

Edit: I scanned the forums and even google and yahoo for a method of updating windows 7 and haven't found a decent way to fully update my windows 7 and my drivers..merely a bunch of articles on the auto-update function, that I already used to update my pc.

 

[sygnus21]

Have a look at my Troubleshooting guide in my signature. And I agree with AstaLaVista, system specs would go a long way in troubleshooting your issue.

- Tips on Troubleshooting Game Issues -

Good luck.

 

[Pr0t3g3]

Have a look at my Troubleshooting guide in my signature. And I agree with AstaLaVista, system specs would go a long way in troubleshooting your issue.

- Tips on Troubleshooting Game Issues -

Good luck.

My problem it seems is that I need to update.. but I seem to be completely up to date... Do you have links to the things that I would need to have on my system for running halo 2? My laptop and os is rather new. Edit: I read your thread before I posted this comment and Like I already said: there is no problem with my computers specs, however there might be a issue with older components not installed... where do I find those? Do I have to hunt those things down? How do I know I have them all installed once I've gotten the .....? =_=....

 

[sygnus21]

The things you might need/need to try are already listed in my troubleshooting tips. Example - update your DirectX files.

And again, without system specs, we're shooting in the dark

Sorry

 

[Pr0t3g3]

The things you might need/need to try are already listed in my troubleshooting tips. Please read through that. And again, without system specs, we're shooting in the dark

Sorry

lol.... I'll look them up and post them here... but in that department even if I have to tweak something I'll have noooo trouble.

 

[Pr0t3g3]

Windows edition Windows 7 home premium System Manufacturer: Dell model: Studio 1747 Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU Q720 @1.60 GHz Installed memory (RAM) 4.00 GB System type 64-bit Operating System ________________________________________________________________________ Edit: By the way I've mentioned this 2x before but I already read your flippin thread.. and a darn good one it is. But it only covers the most basic troubleshooting stuff.

 

[sygnus21]

The point of the troubleshooting guide is to provide some basic tips/fixes and them posted in one place. It does include links to the most popular items such as DirectX updates, video and audio drivers as well as a few tutorials on system settings/tweaks.

That's why I suggested you look there first. If those items don't work, that's fine, you at least know you tried the basics.

Good luck

 

[alphanumeric]

Try reinstalling the "Games for Windows Live" software.
When you try to load a Games for Windows – LIVE game, you receive one of the following error messages: "System Cannot Find the Path Specified" or "LIVE gaming on Windows failed to initialize"

 

[sygnus21]

Edit: By the way I've mentioned this 2x before but I already read your flippin thread.. and a darn good one it is. But it only covers the most basic troubleshooting stuff.

Look, we can't help you if you won't help us! You can start by telling us what you DID do??? :huh:

The help you recieve is only as good as the info you provide

Good luck

 

[sygnus21]

Try reinstalling the "Games for Windows Live" software.
When you try to load a Games for Windows – LIVE game, you receive one of the following error messages: "System Cannot Find the Path Specified" or "LIVE gaming on Windows failed to initialize"

Which is mentioned in my guide...

11 - Game Managers - Some games use game managers or download systems for updates, achievements, and digital rights management, and they are usually installed with the game (you don’t get a choice). So….If you’re have gaming issues, you’ll need to look at these as well. Below are the three most popular ones….

Games For Windows - Live Support - is a free online gaming service that lets you connect and play with friends and is reported to have than 14 million Xbox LIVE members. It will notify you of any updates to itself or its games.

Steam is a digital game distribution system as well as a digital rights management, multiplayer and communications platform developed by Valve. It is used to distribute a large number of games and related media entirely over the internet, including automated updates. Issues? - Steam Support

EA Download Manager – EA Download Manager is a digital distribution/digital rights management system from Electronic Arts that allows users to purchase games on the Internet and download them to your computer.

- Connection Problems with game managers???….

- Games for Windows LIVE: Troubleshoot connection problems
- Steam - Troubleshooting Network Connectivity
- EA Download Manager Connection Problems

 

[Pr0t3g3]

Try reinstalling the "Games for Windows Live" software.
When you try to load a Games for Windows – LIVE game, you receive one of the following error messages: "System Cannot Find the Path Specified" or "LIVE gaming on Windows failed to initialize"

I did that. Thats not the real problem though I wand to play the campaign not the online one.... the hell doesn't it give me a choice?? I registered the game and I should be set to go..Another thing is: Why must I install old direct x... shouldn't the new one take care of the old ones? *sigh* i know I know they are all separate files... and they have nothing to do with each other (I looked that up) ... w/e .. if it doesn't work even after the direct x 9 then what?

 

[Pr0t3g3]

let me put it this way: I did everything in your guide except install the old direct x files.. which is why in my post above I said if that doesn't work then what?

Edit: I'm thinking that if it still doesn't work then I should probably return and repurchase... hopefully my next copy won't have the same problems.

 

[alphanumeric]

I've played Halo2 on my x64 system, it will still prompt you to log into the live gaming when you play the campaign but you don't have to actually log in. I've installed DirectX 9 too and haven't noticed any side effects from doing so. A lot of old games prompt you to install it and I just got tiered of saying no.

 

[sygnus21]

I've installed DirectX 9 too and haven't noticed any side effects from doing so. A lot of old games prompt you to install it and I just got tiered of saying no.

You should always install/update DirectX (9), especially with regards to older games.

5 - Update your Direct X files - Contrary to popular belief, just because Windows 7 is DX11 capable doesn’t mean it has the latest DX9 files!!! Most game issues can be fixed by simply updating the DX files.

BTW - Windows 7 is fully compatible with games and hardware that use older versions of DirectX

While Windows 7 is fully compatible with games and hardware that use older versions of DirectX, the new DirectX 11 features are available with a DirectX 11 compatible graphics card and games designed to take advantage of this new technology.

 

[Pr0t3g3]

I've installed DirectX 9 too and haven't noticed any side effects from doing so. A lot of old games prompt you to install it and I just got tiered of saying no.

You should always install/update DirectX (9), especially with regards to older games.

5 - Update your Direct X files - Contrary to popular belief, just because Windows 7 is DX11 capable doesn’t mean it has the latest DX9 files!!! Most game issues can be fixed by simply updating the DX files.

BTW - Windows 7 is fully compatible with games and hardware that use older versions of DirectX

While Windows 7 is fully compatible with games and hardware that use older versions of DirectX, the new DirectX 11 features are available with a DirectX 11 compatible graphics card and games designed to take advantage of this new technology.

I finished downloading an entire package of the direct x files up to 9 .. and it still wont work... what if I have this problem again if I repurchase halo 2?... is there a configuration not mentioned in that thread of yours? Or is that all there is to do?

 

[ivan1300]

I have windows 7 ultimate 64bit and i run halo2 fine, i even play online.

 

[Pr0t3g3]

Reviving thread; necromancy ftw!

I have a new problem with halo 2.. I got it to play a while back and I've had a problem with the 'size' of my icons and desktop. when I quit or when a problem occurs and halo 2 closes my icons remain glitched in the 'large' position. I tried reseting it. but it seems that it thinks they are still 'small' .. I restarted my computer.. removed and re-added halo 2.. Any advice?