Halo 2 on Windows 7 will not start due to Windows live 3.0 not compatible
- Hey guys,
I thought I would post my findings on Windows 7 and Halo 2. My son played the game some time ago on Vista and I thought I would give it a go on Windows 7. All my other games and there are a lot work fine, all but Halo 2. I have tracked down the source of the problem but found no solution other than installing Vista on another hard drive.
When the game is completely installed I get this error message:
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 this
problem.
The problem is not new even to vista and the reason is that when the game shipped on the DVD Live dist file was a mere 1.0..... but now live version is up to 3.0. So the problem it seems is that when Halo 2 starts it expects to load version 1.0 of live and has problems because it doesn't know what to do with version 3.0. See http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.xbox.halo&tid=45207f5c-8ced-4c8b-9320-04df1f8b81f6&cat=en_US_d61cd8ee-3cb1-4ad8-8ed2-69e4b6d3b885&lang=en&cr=US&sloc=&p=1
NOTE THIS PROBLEM WILL ONLY SHOW ITSELF IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED OTHER LIVE GAMES WHICH UPDATED TO 3.0 BEFORE INSTALLING HALO.
So what I did to work out it is an issue with Halo 2 and live was to install Windows Vista with SP2 on another hard drive. I then installed Halo 2 (doing a custom install so it installs fully), and when I went to start Halo 2 to my amazement I got the same error message, "live failed to initialize" That's because live wasn't even installed on sp2. So I went to the Halo 2 dvd and installed the live version 1.0...... redist and then when I started Halo 2 it started wonderfully. It then discovered that a live update version 3.0 existed and updated to that etc etc and it runs fine on vista now.
So where does it leave Windows 7 users and Halo 2 for now. Well install Halo 2 as your FIRST windows Live game and then install windows live manually from the dvd it's under the redists folder and named XLiveRedist1.0.6027.msi BTW this will work for vista as well. Whatever you do don't install the windows live 3.0 redist like I did. After running Halo for the first time and it updating to version 3.0 of live you can install your other live games and they will work fine.
The other thing I have not tried but should work would be to run Vista as a virtual OS but I haven't tried this. I own a few copies of Vista so a second Hard drive was easier.
I have to say that I am surprised that out of all the games I play it's ironic that a microsoft game is the only one that doesn't run for me.
If anyone has any suggestions how to get Halo 2 to log into windows live without getting the error message I would love to know. I have tried the compatibility options etc.
To Summarise: - this method only works with a clean install of Vista.
1. Install windows live 1.0.... which is on the Halo 2 disk. It is a file called xdist.... from my memory. If you have windows live 3.2 already installed you might be out of luck.
2. Do a custom install of Halo 2 and choose the option to install the entire game NOT the play whilst installing option.
3. When the game starts make sure you do NOT update live. You might want to pull your ethernet cable out or turn wireless off to be sure.
I hope the summary helps if you don't want to read the details.
I cannot confirm or remember if you can uninstall windows live. I think you can with the newer version so it might work if you can uninstall version 3.2 and go back to version 1 but your steam live games wont work until you update so you have to play halo2 first and then update to the latest version.- Edited byshaammy Thursday, January 14, 2010 10:48 PM
Answers
Hi shaammy,
As per the GFW site & Windows Vista Compatibility Center, Halo 2 is compatible for Windows Vista. So, ideally there should not be issues with Windows 7. You can find the compatibility details at:-http://www.microsoft.com/games/en-US/Games/Pages/Halo2forWindowsVista.aspx
However, this problem may occur if you are running the Games for Windows – LIVE program as a dedicated server on a Windows Vista-based computer, on a Windows XP-based computer, or on a Windows Server 2003-based computer.
Important : Before you run a Games for Windows – LIVE-dedicated server, make sure that you have the latest updates installed for Windows Vista, for Windows XP, or for Windows Server 2003. To check for updates, visit the following Windows Update Web site: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.comYou can find the resolution methods as mentioned in the KB article at:-
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941208
I hope above information helps!
Thanks,
Shruti- Marked As Answer byRobinson ZhangMSFT, ModeratorMonday, August 24, 2009 4:03 AM
Hi All,
I have come to conclusion, that this is a known issue that can occur for users attempting to play Halo 2 Vista on Windows 7. It is an intermittent issue which is difficult to repro as it seems to only occur on certain systems, (so this being the reason I couldn’t repro it).
As per my understanding, this particular issue links it, to an Nvidia display .cat file, though this issue has occurred on Nvidia and ATI systems. You can try deleting/renaming Catroot, Catroot2 files to get the game running.
Additional information can be found at Games for Windows forum:-
http://forums.gamesforwindows.com/t/8021.aspx (discussion on problem)
http://forums.gamesforwindows.com/t/8958.aspx (workaround)
In case, you guys still feel the issue has not been resolved, please feel free to post your thread at the Games for Windows forum, the concerned team will try to help you out.
I hope it helps J
Thanks,
Shruti
- Marked As Answer byShruti MishraModeratorWednesday, December 16, 2009 11:29 AM
All Replies
Hi shaammy,
As per the GFW site & Windows Vista Compatibility Center, Halo 2 is compatible for Windows Vista. So, ideally there should not be issues with Windows 7. You can find the compatibility details at:-http://www.microsoft.com/games/en-US/Games/Pages/Halo2forWindowsVista.aspx
However, this problem may occur if you are running the Games for Windows – LIVE program as a dedicated server on a Windows Vista-based computer, on a Windows XP-based computer, or on a Windows Server 2003-based computer.
Important : Before you run a Games for Windows – LIVE-dedicated server, make sure that you have the latest updates installed for Windows Vista, for Windows XP, or for Windows Server 2003. To check for updates, visit the following Windows Update Web site: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.comYou can find the resolution methods as mentioned in the KB article at:-
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941208
I hope above information helps!
Thanks,
Shruti- Marked As Answer byRobinson ZhangMSFT, ModeratorMonday, August 24, 2009 4:03 AM
- Hi Shruti,
Yeah I found the link you suggested in my intial investigation. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941208 I am not running a dedicated server. It is definitely a problem to do with the game shipping with window's live version 1.0 and now windows live is up to version 3.0. By a process of elimination I worked this out. The problem was because when I do a clean OS install like windows 7 or Vista the first thing I do is copy my steam folder across the network with all my games. One of the games called Warhammer 2 uses Windows Live to authenticate and allow game play and if I ran it first then it would naturally update and install Windows live redist 3. Then I installed Halo 2 and fail even if it was vista or windows 7 as it is not an OS incompatibility but a live version muck up.
So all I did was install the OS clean again install Halo 2 first on Vista and then on Windows 7 RC also on a spare disk and they started. Then when I logged into to live 1.0 it said an update was available but the game started and did the update. So with testing this way it pointed to the problem being a windows live version and not an OS problem. Well I have finished halo2 and got my gamer points added to my account so I'm don't with this isolated problem.
I typed the above post because I read just about everyones posts regarding the problem and they all say the are NOT running a dedicated server etc etc but there was no resolution except one which was close to mine but pre windows 7.
Sorry for the late reply I have work out how to turn on email me when someone replies to the post. Thanks for the reply shruti I appreciate it. I wish the problem was as simple as applying the 3.0 update. Oh btw I also tried a clean install and then installed windows 3.0 redist from Microsoft site and then install Halo 2 but that also failed and gave the same error message.
So back to my problem I have "alert me when someone responds to this post ticked" but I don't get emails and I have checked spam and virus filters. Anyone go any ideas. And my email address is correct.
Edit: I think I fixed the alerts problem it was sending them to my passport account and not also my direct email so hopeully I will get future replies. - Hey,
I hope someone can help.
I am NOT running a server or anything like that.
I just built a new system and loaded Windows 7 64 bit (I avoided Vista even though I bought an Ultimate version). So the first game I load is Halo 2 and it works pretty well in campaign mode last night. It seemed to be saving at the check points and I played for about three hours.
So tonight I try go to play some more and when i choose "campaign" it tells me that it will erase my previous data, so I back up to look for a place to choose "load game" or something but of course I can't find anything like that.
So, I decide to log onto Windows Live (I did not have to do that last night), so I can update the game to see if that will help. The update through the Windows Live service did not work, so I went to the Halo 2 official website and download and install both the game update 5/22/07, and the Windows Live update (I am guessing 3.0).
Now the game won't run at all. :( I am really cranky over this deal. I have a ton of games that I have been looking forward to playing on my new system, Crysis, Supreme Commander, Bio Shock and more, but the one I loaded first because I want to play it most is Halo 2 and now it won't work it seems because I loaded the most current version of Windows Live.
Someone please help! I do NOT want to play on line, I do not want to play through Windows Live (it seems like that is what it wants me to do).
I just want to play through the single player campaign and now I can't get the game to run at all. It loads the title screen, but when I get the "hit any key to continue" it forces me to log onto Windows live and then it gives me an error message. When I try to back out of that it locks up my computer with a black screen, and I have to reset, boot into safe mode and then reboot.
Please help.
Thanks - I have the same problem. Let me know if you have found a resolution yet.Trevor
- I just purchased a dell xps laptop last week. Yesterday I got Halo 2. Same problems on windows 7 as you. There has to be an easier way of fixing this.
- How do you uninstall Halo2 and the 3.0 redist? Can you please give detailed instrcutions Im bad with computers and ive been trying all night to do so. Any help is greatly appreciated
- I also have the same problem .... its so sad :((( game comes from Microsoft but its not working :((( i know its only 19.99 $$$ but come on , simple update will do it :))!!!
i install the game in so many ways , like 7-8 times all ready ....Nothing works - Can anyone give please us step by step instructions? dont leave us hanging here!
Hi Guys,
As mentioned in my previous post, Halo 2 can now be seen as compatible with Windows 7, as seen at the Windows 7 Compatibility Center. However, I'll also try to look at the issue mentioned in the posts.
I hope it helps.Thanks,
Shruti
- Really? you will try to look at it? jeez, don't strain yourself. sorry but I'm as frustrated as anybody else here... Of course we can't return the game because it's an open package... all they will do is give us the same game again, which DOESN"T FREAKING WORK!!!!
it seems like it should be an easy fix, why does it take so long to get someone's attention on this? it appears that it was a problem on vista too, but I guess nobody uses that so you don't care, eh? - i have the same exact problem, and i have tried countless times with suggestions for this forum and others and yet to no avail was i able to fix it. im just about to give up :(
- In the above instructions by shammy, he reinstalled the windows 7 operating system. Some of us cannot afford to do that because we have valuable data on our computer that cannot be deleted or because the computer came built in with windows 7 and without the CD.There has to be a way around this without uprooting the whole computer
- In the above instructions, you reinstalled the windows 7 operating system. Some of us cannot afford to do that because we have valuable data on our computer that cannot be deleted or because the computer came built in with windows 7 and without the CD. There has to be a way around this without uprooting the whole computer Any help is greatly appreciated
In the above instructions, you reinstalled the windows 7 operating system. Some of us cannot afford to do that because we have valuable data on our computer that cannot be deleted or because the computer came built in with windows 7 and without the CD. There has to be a way around this without uprooting the whole computer Any help is greatly appreciated
I bought the game from Best Buy and I installed it in a DELL XPS with 64 bits Win7 OS, exactly asAshiihashkii configuration.
I installed fall-out 3 and it worked wonderfully, then I installed Halo 2 and got this
' 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 this
problem.
I had since uninstalled fallout 3 and then uninstalled Halo2, uninstall live gaming for windows and reinstall Halo 2, reinstall live gaming, .. etc more than 20 times and nothing worked.
I think MSFT shall either quickly resolve this, or recall all the Halo 2 games, especially if as the MSFT guy said that this Halo 2 is compatible with Win7.
My son loves this game, that's why I have not returned it (best buy said they can refund if I return the game),
What a joke, the game designed by MSFT is the only game that got live problem
I also have a new computer that came built in with win 7 and no CD. what are we supposed to do if and when we need to reinstall it? there is a windows key printed on the top of the computer, so I know I have a license... wtf?
Hi Guys,
As mentioned in my previous post, Halo 2 can now be seen as compatible with Windows 7, as seen at the Windows 7 Compatibility Center. However, I'll also try to look at the issue mentioned in the posts.
I hope it helps.Thanks,
Shruti
yeah, and when you search for "HALO" its all Halo Combat Evolved... not HALO 2, cant even get that right, there is tons of crys for help to get this to work with Windows 7 and have yet to see a solid answer. Uninstalling an Operating system is far from a fix, its a pain to do so, and as many, windows 7 pc's that dont come with the dvd/cds to reinstall cant do it, nor would i if it came with it.
There needs to be a cold hard patch done, as thats what is needed. I hope someone figures it out, im pulling my hair out as it should work. But then again i was told about a MS Data Transfer cable working for the new MW2 console and what ya know, it doest, so i had to pay extra for the "NEW" cable/software, and im still waiting.I purchased Halo 2 today, hoping to run it on my Win7 64-bit machine. I too received the following error:
"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 this problem."
After reading this forum and others I was ready to give up until I uninstalled and reinstalled Halo 2. When the the program is launched there is a diaglog box with a link for updating Windows Live (http://www.gamesforwindows.com/live/aboutLive.aspx). After clicking the link and updating Windows Live, Halo 2 runs with no problem for me on Windows 7 64-bit.- Proposed As Answer byhalo2onwin764 Sunday, November 29, 2009 4:36 AM
- I bought a new Dell desktop with Windows 7, installed Halo 2, and got the now notorious error message that everybody else is getting, namely:
" 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 this problem."
After reading this forum last night I tried all of the above strategies with nothing working. This morning, I tried it again and miraculously it worked until I tried to play with the on-screen video settings and the game crashed. Now, whenever I start Halo 2, I get the error again, plus it messes up my entire machine's video resolution settings. So, I uninstalled and reinstalled the game with no luck, same error. I also did not receive the dialog box for updating Wndows Live. I read this forum again, went to the link above, and installed it but it didn't work for me. Still no idea what to do. I wish they would just make a patch for this problem. - same here, install, uninstall, restarted, did the command prompt nothing. I also did not receive the box for updating windows live, and i have it installed. so non of these are working for the mass's. and I to wish they would just patch it.
- I started this post a while ago and have since finished the game after working out my fix which is a difficult one. I cannot believe that Microsoft didn't actually check their own games on Windows 7 prior to release.
- I agree, it's pretty ridiculous that Microsoft didn't have this on their brains when they released Windows 7. I guess this is just one more reason to hate Vista.
However, I think I found a fix that seems to work... for now anyway.
I detached my computer from the internet by simply unplugging my modem and wireless router. Then, it will run campaign and save progress, but obviously I can't get onto multiplayer.
In addition, and I don't know if this matters, but I'm running the 1.0 version of Live Gaming, following shammy's directions. I've uninstalled the 3.0 version.
So, until they patch this problem, it looks like I won't be playing any multiplayer but at least the campaign seems to work. - Ive tried everything! A few days ago i tried reinstalling and using the 1.0.6027 version of Live Gaming but it still doesnt work. Does the Microsoft Visual programs have anything to do with it?
- would sure like an answer to this. like many others on this site, I bought Halo 2 and installed it under vista as my first Windows Live app, played it initially for a few hours and it worked fine. Upgraded to Windows 7 almost immediately and it has failed to load ever since, with the same Windows Live failed to initialize error. Like others, I've uninstalled the game and Windows Live, tried reinstalling, no avail. Having someone point to a site claiming it is Windows 7 compatible is missing the point. A number of us have stumbled across a really obvious incompatibilty between a very popular game, Microsoft's service, and their latest OS. I am not running Windows Live in server mode, have followed the "recommended fixes" to the letter, and it still doesn't work. Can't believe MSFT has been totally silent about this....they should acknowledge the issue and give us a reasonable expectation for correcting it. I don't care if I have to wait 6 months for a fix....I just wish they'd get their heads out of the sand and acknowledge to the community that they have a problem but intend to do something about it.
- well after getting a blue screen and losing my sound, nothing would play, i would get an windows media player error and such. I wiped my 750 gig harddrive, and reinstalled Vista 64/ult. Did all the updates that is needed, thankfuly i have an SP1 disk, anyways, installed halo, no problems, played a few hours, got more updates etc.
came back the next day still worked and I sat and looked at my upgrade disk and thought, wounder if i should go threw the pain again, so i did, then sat at the custom or upgrade option, i figured i havent transfered my backup over yet, so if Halo2 doest work a rewipe will not take that long etc.
Installed Win7, got all the updates and clicked on my desktop icon on halo2 and well it works, and still does. I havent a clue, just that i know i have sound back and halo2 works. you shouldn't need to reformat or reinstall your OS to get a game to work, but in this day and age anything is posable.
Hi All,
I have come to conclusion, that this is a known issue that can occur for users attempting to play Halo 2 Vista on Windows 7. It is an intermittent issue which is difficult to repro as it seems to only occur on certain systems, (so this being the reason I couldn’t repro it).
As per my understanding, this particular issue links it, to an Nvidia display .cat file, though this issue has occurred on Nvidia and ATI systems. You can try deleting/renaming Catroot, Catroot2 files to get the game running.
Additional information can be found at Games for Windows forum:-
http://forums.gamesforwindows.com/t/8021.aspx (discussion on problem)
http://forums.gamesforwindows.com/t/8958.aspx (workaround)
In case, you guys still feel the issue has not been resolved, please feel free to post your thread at the Games for Windows forum, the concerned team will try to help you out.
I hope it helps J
Thanks,
Shruti
- Marked As Answer byShruti MishraModeratorWednesday, December 16, 2009 11:29 AM
- Halo 2 was a waste of cash, never was able to get it to work. Ended up giving it away, only to hear that person could not get it working either.
Halo: Combat Evolved also crashes regularly. So I got rid of it too.
Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/MainframeServer: ASRock P4-2GHz, 1.5 GB RAM, Linux Server, need IDE/SATA disks for my chess site
Workstation: Asus M2NBP-VM CSM, Athlon64 X2 4200+ 65W CPU, 2GB RAM, NVIDIA 8600GT, 320GB + 160G backup, Windows 7 Ultimate x64.- Proposed As Answer byVegan Fanatic Thursday, December 17, 2009 3:21 AM
- Hi I have the problem
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 this
problem.
I am running windows 7.I know i am not running the dedicated server and have tried installing the game multiple times. I have uninstalled the x live redist and installed the 1.0.6027.msi as mentioned by shaammy but it still shows the same error message. the only other games are the basic ones included, Enemy territories quake wars and combat arms. it works fine on my other CPU running vista without any tinkering just the basic install. If you cold help it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks - Hi I have the problem
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 this
problem.
I am running windows 7 64 bit.I know i am not running the dedicated server and have tried installing the game multiple times. I have uninstalled the x live redist and installed the 1.0.6027.msi it still shows the same error message. the only other games are the basic ones included, Enemy territories quake wars and combat arms. it works fine on my other CPU running vista without any tinkering just the basic install. If you cold help it would be greatly appreciated
Thanks - You should not be running the game server on the same machine, that intended for dedicated machines.
Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/MainframeServer: ASRock P4-2GHz, 1.5 GB RAM, Linux Server, need IDE/SATA disks for my chess site
Workstation: Asus M2NBP-VM CSM, Athlon64 X2 4200+ 65W CPU, 2GB RAM, x600, 320GB + 160G backup, Windows 7 Ultimate x64. - @Shaammy:
I got the same deal here. When i first installed H2V on my HP G61-511wm (i'll get to that later) it ran, but now it gives me the same message everyone else here is talking about: "Live Gaming on windows failed to init... blah, blah, blabbity blah."
But that's not all, there's more...
>System: HP Pavilion G61-511WM 15.6" Notebook Computer
>OS: Windows 7 64-bit
>CPU: AMD Sempron M100 running @ 2.00GHz
>Memory: 3GB, Expandable to 4Gb
>Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4200
>current WIE Rating: 3.9 on Aero graphics, 5.3 on gaming graphics
>H2V install method: Full install only, do not start
>Compatability modes used: All, didn't work
I've gotten the manual update for windows live gaming and noticed while i was going through the program's 'redists' folder, i found something DirectX related, i think it updates the DirectX runtime files ...
Mostly, after i installed H2V (Way before the updates) when i first started it, it was soo friggin' slow to start, i have all 3D settings at thier lowest, and it would just resize the screen to 800x600, if i clicked on anything, win7 squawks at me, asking if i wanna close the program, i say no.
After the game (Finally) starts it'll run like a champ, but it will lag a little, depending on whats running in the background.
Other than that, sometimes H2V gives me the error, sometimes it doesn't, but now with the update(s) H2V will NOT run at all, just gives me the dum error, it p***** me off, alot, the only Halo game i can get running no probs is H1PC
And yes, it is ironic that halo 2 for pc is the only game that microsoft decided to screw with. Plus i never even installed the ded. server. I started this post a while ago and have since finished the game after working out my fix which is a difficult one. I cannot believe that Microsoft didn't actually check their own games on Windows 7 prior to release.
Seriously? Even if it's difficult you should still share it with us, we wanna go back to playing halo 2 already.- I just did the install but dont start option and didnt even isnstall the dedicated server.
- I wonder if others are having game problems with Windows Live.
Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/MainframeServer: ASRock P4-2GHz, 1.5 GB RAM, Linux Server, need IDE/SATA disks for my chess site
Workstation: Asus M2NBP-VM CSM, Athlon64 X2 4200+ 65W CPU, 2GB RAM, x600, 320GB + 160G backup, Windows 7 Ultimate x64. - I did suggest a workaround in the first post on the thread. Basically you have to have a new computer install for it to work. You have to install the original windows live version 1.0.... which is on the halo 2 cd and NOT the new version 3.2 live which is out now. I cannot remember if you can uninstall live 3.2 and install the older one. Anyway read the first post that's how I got it working on Windows 7. Vista will have the same problem too.
- I wonder if there is patch for Halo 2 over on the Bungie site.
Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/MainframeServer: ASRock P4-2GHz, 1.5 GB RAM, Linux Server, need IDE/SATA disks for my chess site
Workstation: Asus M2NBP-VM CSM, Athlon64 X2 4200+ 65W CPU, 2GB RAM, x600, 320GB + 160G backup, Windows 7 Ultimate x64. - I had issues after the first upgrade from vista to windows 7(earler post). but after having a BSOD, i just said frack it and wiped the drive, reinstalled vista, all the updates and then installed Halo2, no problems. So on my sons pc, he got the full vers of Windows 7, did the install and installed halo2 after doing all the updates, no problem. I just instead it on a vista 64 system that i use for a java server and no problems.
really weird.. - did you do Windows updates which is fine? The problem is purely with Windows Live which is not installed by the OS unless you manually install it. But who knows its a buggy game you might have gotten lucky. I did a summary in my first post of steps to take to get it to work.
- I did what you said in the first post and uninstalled all live components. I then went to the redist folder and installed the 1.0.6027 version of live. it still gave me the same message. I does not do this on by vista based computer. it is also the first live game that i installed so i dont have another version of live on my system. i did what you said twice to no avail. any suggestions
- >>UPDATE: I have created a new profile because i don't know how to login to this site/ my profile (lol |:( ). my last profile is Wolf That Hates Windows Live. I created that profile yesterday to post my first comment, and today i decided to wipe windows clean and start fresh, just to see if doing so would result in halo 2 either working fine, or give me the error and leave the screen @800x600 res, and guess what? H2V decided to give me the error, even though i installed the game first thing right after reinstalling Win7 on my laptop, HP Pavilion G61. I used the option 'Full install, do not start' to install, i've used Compatibility Mode, and nothing works, nothing.
- Hi again i just tried re installing Halo 2 for vista and before playing disconnecting the internet from my windows 7 PC. The game ran fine until i needed to sign in to actually play because it needs the internet. I quit the game and reconnected and it displayed the same message
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 this
problem.
I only have the 1.0.6027 version of live gaming. Will it work if i update to the latest version??
Thanks - Halo 2 on Windows Xp
I don't have windows 7 or vista but i think you might want to give my idea a try and i know what needs to be installed to run Halo 2 for Vista,
these i have taken from the tutorial on how to install on Windows Xp with online multiplayer which i managed to achieve-
You need to install:
MSXML 4.0 Sp2 and Sp3 both need to be installed
C++ 2005 (in the redist folder under the name of "vcredist.msi")
Gaming for Windows Live 3.2 "gfwlivesetupmin.exe") NOT INCLUDED but can be obtained from here
Next "Compatibility"
For Gaming for Windows Live 3.2 you need to run it for Windows Vista or Xp on 32bit and Xp on 64 bit
C++ an MSXML isn't required but i think there are 32 bit and 64 bit versions for each so the default on the disc would be 32 bit unless you have a marked 64 bit version, so if you are
running Halo 2 "64" use 64 or 32 versions but if you are using a 32 bit keep to the 32 bit versions.
The Halo 2 "startup.exe and halo2.exe" in the directory both need to be in compatibility for Windows Vista and any others will work for Win 7
Driver Updates
Some issues with startup crashes are "Direct X 9 c"
First you need a direct x 9c or above compatibility, or it will limit to what i can do and i wint start at all or have many graphics problems.
Second the latest update for Halo which can be obtained from here
Third to fix GFWL just repair or overwrite the install.
Some other errors eg. missing dll(s) when starting you can usually search in the Microsoft search engine www.microsoft.com
RAZOR 122354 any other poblems or if this is wrong or incomplete please fill me in at dl122354@gmail.com
- Proposed As Answer byRazor122354 Monday, February 01, 2010 8:41 AM
The update is finally here - My Halo 2 finally started on my Windows 7 x64!
It was found thru a normal windows update, as "optional updates", and it seems to work for me!
btw, It just Sucks that it took so long time!
---Cut--
Games for Windows - LIVE V3.2
Installation date: 2010-01-27 19:12
Installation status: Successful
Update type: RecommendedThe Games for Windows – LIVE service update with all the latest fixes and changes is now available. Please download and update if you are a Games for Windows-LIVE user.
More information:
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http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=127762- Proposed As Answer byJobe77 Wednesday, January 27, 2010 6:19 PM
- Hi I went to the update in the action center Solve Problem with Games for Windows - Live and downloaded gfwlivesetupmin.exe from the link in the action center I then installed it and when I ran Halo 2 i still got the same message. Did you do anything different??
- Proposed As Answer byhalo2onwin764 Thursday, January 28, 2010 5:32 AM
- What i did: I uninstalled Halo 2. Installed Halo 2 (for the 200th time) Clicked on the start menu, and ran the "Windows update" program. The windows update said that there was 1 option update avaible, and that was "Games for windows - Live 3.2" ..and after that it worked fine.... I never downloaded any other file or tried to "hack" the windows live system, I just had a normal installation of the other windows live software (messenger, and so on), version 2009 .. I think for this to work best, you´ll need a clean install of the game and live without any "patches" ...
- I gave this solution on Thanksgiving of last year. None of the boneheads here would follow the instructions. gfwlivesetupmin.exe; That's what you download from the intro screen for the game when it first starts.
- My game never came that far, it failed before the intro screen
- I did exactly what you said to do and I am still getting the same message that windows live failed to initialize. I uninstalled halo then installed the update than reinstalled halo and it still wont work.
- Proposed As Answer byRazor122354 Monday, February 01, 2010 8:41 AM
- I did the opposite way, I had halo 2 installed, and then ran the windows update system, not manually download...
Hi I went to the update in the action center Solve Problem with Games for Windows - Live and downloaded gfwlivesetupmin.exe from the link in the action center I then installed it and when I ran Halo 2 i still got the same message. Did you do anything different??
Yes i have heard this hundreds of times, if this is games for windows live related and you installed itfrom the redist folder and hen installed a newer version it dosent work. Simpily the new versiondosent remove the old install or just the old files with the new ones. The only way i have solved this is by re-installing windows but i have many things stopping m removing anything on my pc for other reasons. Theres some "patches" youll find by googling his subject to remove all retries and then reinstall it but "reinstalling the game will probbaly have a 99.9% fail chance" so you might want to reinstall windows:
Reinstalling windows and getting everything you need to play halo 2 on Win 7
Install Windows 7,
Download GFWL 3.2 install it and sign in first.
Use you method of installing Halo 2 but dont run any redist but the C++ 2005 then run Halo 2 i haven't tried this or even heard of it so far on windows 7 except of the auto update crash, all the updates are provided above.
Gaming for Windows Live 3.2 "gfwlivesetupmin.exe") NOT INCLUDED but can be obtained from here
RAZOR 122354 any other problems or if this is wrong or incomplete please fill me in at dl122354@gmail.com
- Proposed As Answer byRazor122354 Monday, February 01, 2010 8:41 AM
- Read my reply up top
Yes i have heard this hundreds of times, if this is games for windows live related and you installed itfrom the redist folder and hen installed a newer version it dosent work. Simpily the new versiondosent remove the old install or just the old files with the new ones. The only way i have solved this is by re-installing windows but i have many things stopping m removing anything on my pc for other reasons. Theres some "patches" youll find by googling his subject to remove all retries and then reinstall it but "reinstalling the game will probbaly have a 99.9% fail chance" so you might want to reinstall windows:
Reinstalling windows and getting everything you need to play halo 2 on Win 7
Install Windows 7,
Download GFWL 3.2 install it and sign in first.
Use you method of installing Halo 2 but dont run any redist but the C++ 2005 then run Halo 2 i haven't tried this or even heard of it so far on windows 7 except of the auto update crash, all the updates are provided above.
Gaming for Windows Live 3.2 "gfwlivesetupmin.exe") NOT INCLUDED but can be obtained from here
RAZOR 122354 any other problems or if this is wrong or incomplete please fill me in at dl122354@gmail.com- Proposed As Answer byRazor122354 Monday, February 01, 2010 8:42 AM
- So the steps are install 7, install GFWL , Then install halo 2 but dont run ??
- Is there another way without completely uninstalling windows
- Try running Halo 2 when the internet is not turned on (this worked for me)
- I did that but I need to log on to play so i couldnt without internet
I did that but I need to log on to play so i couldnt without internet
Given that Halo 2 is a network game, playing with out the internet is not very attractive.
I hope Microsoft is able to patch the game to get it working with Windows 7 properly.
Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/Mainframe RaidMax Smilodon, 680W, Asus M2NBP-VM CSM AMD X2 4200+, 2GB DDR2-800, x600, more details on my site, need a video card for the Windows machine, the 8600 GT fried
