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Difference between revisions of "Halo 2"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(corrected master server key point year mention ("last year" >> "in 2015"))
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{{mm}} [http://halo.bungie.org/ Halo.Bungie.org] - One of the biggest Halo fan sites around
 
{{mm}} [http://halo.bungie.org/ Halo.Bungie.org] - One of the biggest Halo fan sites around
 
{{mm}} [http://h2v.halomaps.org/ Halo Maps] - A fan site for downloading mods and maps for Halo 2 Vista
 
{{mm}} [http://h2v.halomaps.org/ Halo Maps] - A fan site for downloading mods and maps for Halo 2 Vista
−
{{mm}} [http://www.halo2vista.com/ H2v Hub] - Home of the Halo 2 Mapping Team, the largest custom mapping team in the community.
+
{{mm}} [http://web.archive.org/web/20160429014532/http://www.halo2vista.com/ H2v Hub] - Home of the Halo 2 Mapping Team, the largest custom mapping team in the community
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
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===Install Project Cartographer===
 
===Install Project Cartographer===
−
Project Cartographer is an unofficial mod which introduces an alternative to a now unsupported Xbox Live for Halo 2 Vista, what it allows players to do is simply connect to each other over the LAN menus without the use of any Tunnels such as Tungle, Hamachi, Evolve, etc.  
+
Project Cartographer is an unofficial mod which introduces an alternative to a now unsupported Xbox Live for Halo 2 Vista, what it allows players to do is simply connect to each other over the LAN menus without the use of any Tunnels such as Tungle, Hamachi, Evolve, etc.
  
−
Download and install the mod from https://github.com/FishPhd/H2V-Online-Launcher/releases/latest and follow the instructions on the GitHub page.
+
Download and install the mod from [https://github.com/FishPhd/H2V-Online-Launcher/releases GitHub] and follow the instructions on the page.
  
−
===Example Map===
+
===Example map===
 
Example is a map not included in Halo 2 by default, but is present on the Halo 2 install disc and can be obtained by installing and using the Halo 2 map editor. Example is the only multiplayer map to include Fuel Rod Cannons, and includes custom "silenced" SMGs that are quieter than the ones in other maps and have laser pointers. Example is the smallest map in any Halo game and is unusually dense with explosives.
 
Example is a map not included in Halo 2 by default, but is present on the Halo 2 install disc and can be obtained by installing and using the Halo 2 map editor. Example is the only multiplayer map to include Fuel Rod Cannons, and includes custom "silenced" SMGs that are quieter than the ones in other maps and have laser pointers. Example is the smallest map in any Halo game and is unusually dense with explosives.
  
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# Go to {{Code|{{p|game}}\movie\}}
 
# Go to {{Code|{{p|game}}\movie\}}
 
# Delete or rename {{file|intro_60.wmv}} and {{file|intro_low_60.wmv}}.
 
# Delete or rename {{file|intro_60.wmv}} and {{file|intro_low_60.wmv}}.
−
}}
 
−
 
−
===Remove Mouse Acceleration and Move Crosshair to the Centre of the Screen===
 
−
{{Fixbox|1=
 
−
{{Fixbox/fix|See [[#Mouse acceleration|Mouse acceleration]]}}
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
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===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|game}}\}}
+
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|localappdata}}\Microsoft\Halo 2\Saved Games\}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|localappdata}}\Microsoft\Halo 2\Saved Games\S0000000}}
+
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|localappdata}}\Microsoft\Halo 2\Saved Games\}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
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|ultrawidescreen            = unknown
 
|ultrawidescreen            = unknown
 
|ultrawidescreen notes      =  
 
|ultrawidescreen notes      =  
−
|4k ultra hd                = False
+
|4k ultra hd                = false
−
|4k ultra hd notes          = Supports up to 1920x1080
+
|4k ultra hd notes          = Supports up to 1920x1080.
 
|fov                        = hackable
 
|fov                        = hackable
−
|fov notes                  = See [[#Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]]
+
|fov notes                  = Default is 70°. See [[#Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]].
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed                  = true
−
|windowed notes            = Use the command line argument <code>-windowed</code>.
+
|windowed notes            = Can also use the <code>-windowed</code> command line argument.
 
|borderless windowed        = hackable
 
|borderless windowed        = hackable
−
|borderless windowed notes  = See [[Glossary:Borderless fullscreen windowed|Borderless fullscreen windowed]].
+
|borderless windowed notes  = Run in windowed mode and use [https://github.com/Codeusa/Borderless-Gaming/releases Borderless Gaming].
 
|anisotropic                = hackable
 
|anisotropic                = hackable
−
|anisotropic notes          = Up to 16x using Nvidia control panel
+
|anisotropic notes          = Force in the graphics card control panel.
 
|antialiasing              = true
 
|antialiasing              = true
−
|antialiasing notes        = Up to 4x in-game. Can be enhanced or forced to 8x, can also be enhanced to MSAA+TrSSAA or SGSSAA via Nvidia Inspector
+
|antialiasing notes        = Up to 4x [[MSAA]]. Can be enhanced or forced to 8x, can also be enhanced to MSAA+TrSSAA or SGSSAA via Nvidia Inspector.
 
|vsync                      = hackable
 
|vsync                      = hackable
 
|vsync notes                = Force in the graphics card control panel.
 
|vsync notes                = Force in the graphics card control panel.
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|120 fps                    = false
 
|120 fps                    = false
 
|120 fps notes              = Halo 2 PC was programmed to run at 60 FPS only. If you have a high refresh rate monitor, use Nvidia Inspector to frame-cap at 60 FPS.
 
|120 fps notes              = Halo 2 PC was programmed to run at 60 FPS only. If you have a high refresh rate monitor, use Nvidia Inspector to frame-cap at 60 FPS.
−
|color blind                = false
+
|color blind                = unknown
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===[[Glossary:Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]]===
−
{{ii}} Backup your maps folder before starting (default location is <code>C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Halo 2\maps</code>)
 
−
{{ii}} A hex editor is required. [http://www.hexworkshop.com/ Hex Workshop] is a good one.
 
 
{{Fixbox|1=
 
{{Fixbox|1=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Increase the FOV with hex editing|ref=<ref>[http://www.modacity.net/forums/showthread.php?11157-How-to-permanently-widen-FOV How to permanently widen FOV - Modacity Forums]</ref>}}
+
{{Fixbox/fix|Use MouseThingy}}
−
The short version: Replace all occurrences of 'AA619C3F' with 'CDCCCC3F' in all single player .MAP files. See reference for details
+
# Install [http://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/61-halo-2-patch/ Halo 2 Patch 1.01].
−
{{ii}} Does not work for multiplayer.
+
# Download [https://github.com/Revan114/MouseThingy/releases Halo 2 MouseThingy].
−
# Go to <code>{{p|game}}\maps\</code> folder
+
# Run the game and load a single-player or multiplayer map.
−
# For every one of the single player maps (the ones whose filename starts with numbers) do the following:
+
# Run MouseThingy, click activate and adjust the FOV setting.
−
# Open the .MAP file with hex workshop
 
−
# Choose replace in the edit menu
 
−
# In the type box choose: hex values
 
−
# In the 'Find' field type: AA619C3F
 
−
# In the 'Replace' field type: CDCCCC3F, a 32-bit float value which translates into a decent FOV of 1.6 instead of the default 1.22. Use other float values if you prefer.
 
−
# Make sure to replace all occurrences
 
−
# Save the file
 
−
# Close the file
 
−
# Do exactly the same procedure for these two other files: single_player_shared.map, shared.map
 
−
# You're done, launch the game and enjoy a permanent non-debilitating FOV in Halo 2 Vista
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
{{Fixbox|1=
 
{{Fixbox|1=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Increase the FOV using a 3rd-Party hack}}
+
{{Fixbox/fix|Use H2V FOV}}
−
{{ii}} Make sure you have the latest patch applied
+
# Install [http://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/61-halo-2-patch/ Halo 2 Patch 1.01].
−
{{ii}} Unlike the hex editing fix, This works for multiplayer.
+
# Download [http://web.archive.org/web/20151025113659/http://www.halo2vista.com/downloads/ H2V FOV].
−
# Download the Halo 2 FOV hack located [http://www.halo2vista.com/downloads/ here].
+
# Run the game and load a single-player or multiplayer map.
−
# Launch the game.
+
# Run H2V FOV and adjust the FOV slider.
−
# Launch the FOV hack.
 
−
# Boot up a map and adjust the Field of View value to your liking. It is recommended to put the game in windowed mode to see the changes immediately.
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
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|key remap notes          = For issues with custom keyboard binding, rebind from southpaw preset. [http://www.modacity.net/forums/showthread.php?3428-Problem-with-Keyboard-Setup See #9 here]
 
|key remap notes          = For issues with custom keyboard binding, rebind from southpaw preset. [http://www.modacity.net/forums/showthread.php?3428-Problem-with-Keyboard-Setup See #9 here]
 
|acceleration option      = hackable
 
|acceleration option      = hackable
−
|acceleration option notes = See [[#Mouse acceleration|Mouse acceleration]].
+
|acceleration option notes = On by default. See [[#Mouse acceleration|Mouse acceleration]].
−
|mouse sensitivity        = unknown
+
|mouse sensitivity        = true
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
 
|mouse menu                = true
 
|mouse menu                = true
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|controller remap          = false
 
|controller remap          = false
 
|controller remap notes    = Can only switch between pre-set layouts.
 
|controller remap notes    = Can only switch between pre-set layouts.
−
|controller sensitivity    = unknown
+
|controller sensitivity    = true
 
|controller sensitivity notes=  
 
|controller sensitivity notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis  = true
 
|invert controller y-axis  = true
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
−
|touchscreen              = false
+
|touchscreen              = unknown
 
|touchscreen notes        =  
 
|touchscreen notes        =  
−
|button prompts            = unknown
+
|button prompts            = xbox
 
|button prompts notes      =  
 
|button prompts notes      =  
 
|controller hotplug        = unknown
 
|controller hotplug        = unknown
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===[[Glossary:Mouse acceleration|Mouse acceleration]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Mouse acceleration|Mouse acceleration]]===
−
 
 
{{Fixbox|1=
 
{{Fixbox|1=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Remove Mouse Acceleration|ref=<ref>https://github.com/sndrec/MouseThingy/releases/latest</ref>}}
+
{{Fixbox/fix|Disable using MouseThingy}}
−
{{++}} Completely removes Mouse Acceleration and uses Windows input.
+
# Install [http://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/61-halo-2-patch/ Halo 2 Patch 1.01].
−
{{--}} '''CAUTION''' - Certain Anti-Cheat modules on Dedicated Servers may consider this a cheating tool as it manipulates the game in memory.
+
# Download [https://github.com/Revan114/MouseThingy/releases Halo 2 MouseThingy].
−
{{ii}} As this uses Windows mouse input you must ensure that Windows is not applying any form of acceleration, by applying all of the fixes listed in the [[Glossary:Mouse acceleration#Issues fixed|Mouse acceleration]] Glossary.
+
# Run the game and load a single-player or multiplayer map.
−
# Download the Latest version from [https://github.com/sndrec/MouseThingy/releases/latest GitHub]
+
# Go into the custom keyboard settings and rebind the "look up/down/left/right" to something other than the mouse.
−
# Launch the Game
+
# Run MouseThingy and click activate.
−
# Go to <code>Settings->Player->{{P|uid}}->Keyboard/Mouse->Keyboard Settings->Custom</code>
 
−
## Set Look Up, Look Down, Look Left, and Look Right to any keybind that isn't being used for anything (something other than mouse mouvements).
 
−
# Load into a single-player or multi-player map
 
−
# Launch <code>The Halo 2 Fixer Upper.exe</code>
 
−
## Select the <code>halo2</code> process from the List Box in the utility
 
−
## Click the <code>Activate!</code> button.
 
−
# Now proceed to change the Field of View and Crosshair Offset to your liking.
 
−
{{ii}} By setting the Crosshair Offset to 0 it will move the reticle to the centre of the screen.
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
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{{ii}} Games for Windows Live can be disabled as an alternative to using a [[Games for Windows - LIVE#Creating a local profile|local profile]].
 
{{ii}} Games for Windows Live can be disabled as an alternative to using a [[Games for Windows - LIVE#Creating a local profile|local profile]].
 
{{Fixbox|1=
 
{{Fixbox|1=
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Halo 2 Vista XLiveless|ref=<ref name="[APP] Halo 2 Vista XLiveless - Modacity Forums">[http://www.modacity.net/forums/showthread.php?16074-Halo-2-Vista-XLiveless]</ref>}}
+
{{Fixbox/fix|Halo 2 Vista XLiveless|ref=<ref>http://www.modacity.net/forums/showthread.php?16074-Halo-2-Vista-XLiveless</ref>}}
 
Use [http://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/432-halo-2-vista-xliveless/ Halo 2 Vista XLiveless].
 
Use [http://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/432-halo-2-vista-xliveless/ Halo 2 Vista XLiveless].
 
}}
 
}}

Revision as of 18:02, 19 May 2016

Template:Infobox game/row/winporter
Halo 2
Cover image missing, please upload it
Developers
Bungie
Pi Studios
Publishers
Microsoft Studios
Engines
Halo Engine
Release dates
Windows May 17, 2007
Halo 2 on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png

Warnings

For Games for Windows - LIVE on Windows 8 or later, install the latest Games for Windows - LIVE software.
Halo
Halo: Combat Evolved 2003
Halo 2 2007
Halo: Spartan (series)
Halo Online 2015*
Halo 5: Forge 2016
Halo Wars (series)
Halo Recruit 2017
Halo: The Master Chief Collection (series)
Halo Infinite 2021

Key points

Modding tools provided on disk.
All the maps from the Xbox version and its DLC are included except two.
Cutscenes are capped at 30 FPS.
The Halo 2 Master Servers went down in 2015 with no indication of its return.[1] See Project Cartographer
With innumerable glitches, problems and bugs, the general consensus is that Halo 2 Vista was not a good port.[2]

General information

Bungie.net - The developer's site
Halo Nation - A very detailed wiki for everything Halo related
Halo.Bungie.org - One of the biggest Halo fan sites around
Halo Maps - A fan site for downloading mods and maps for Halo 2 Vista
H2v Hub - Home of the Halo 2 Mapping Team, the largest custom mapping team in the community

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Amazon.com
Icon overlay.png
Windows
All versions require Games for Windows - LIVE.

Essential improvements

Install the latest Games For Windows Live client

It is essential to install the latest GFWL client before installing Halo 2, as the version on-disk is broken.

Instructions

Patches

The latest patch is v1.01. It is strongly recommended to let the GFWL client auto-update Halo 2. if problems appear, it can be downloaded manually from here.

Install Project Cartographer

Project Cartographer is an unofficial mod which introduces an alternative to a now unsupported Xbox Live for Halo 2 Vista, what it allows players to do is simply connect to each other over the LAN menus without the use of any Tunnels such as Tungle, Hamachi, Evolve, etc.

Download and install the mod from GitHub and follow the instructions on the page.

Example map

Example is a map not included in Halo 2 by default, but is present on the Halo 2 install disc and can be obtained by installing and using the Halo 2 map editor. Example is the only multiplayer map to include Fuel Rod Cannons, and includes custom "silenced" SMGs that are quieter than the ones in other maps and have laser pointers. Example is the smallest map in any Halo game and is unusually dense with explosives.

Skip intro videos

Instructions

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

Template:Game data/row
System Location

Save game data location

Template:Game data/row
System Location

Video settings

In-game graphics settings.
In-game graphics settings.

Template:Video settings

Field of view (FOV)

Instructions
Instructions

Input settings

In-game general keyboard settings.
In-game general keyboard settings.
In-game keyboard remapping settings.
In-game keyboard remapping settings.
In-game controller settings.
In-game controller settings.

Template:Input settings

Mouse acceleration

Instructions

Audio settings

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.

Template:Audio settings

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Spanish
Latin America and Spanish translations are available, depends from instalation disk.

Network

Online features require a Microsoft account (optional for offline play).

Multiplayer types

Type Native Notes
Local play
LAN play
Versus
Online play
Versus

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP 53, 80, 443, 3074
UDP 53, 88, 1000-1006, 3074
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
Port range 1000-1006 is required by Project Cartographer to host. See Project Cartographer
Specific details can be found here

Issues fixed

Sign-in error

If you are certain your username and password are correct, but are unable to log into Games for Windows Live, check if Xfire is running. If so, close it and try to log in again.

Extreme mouse lag/jittering

Forcing vsync will help users with fps/mouse issues. To fix said issues without the negative input lag effects of vsync, frame-cap 60fps in Nvidia Inspector.

Installation

Run the file "startup.exe" on the DVD in windows (right click and select compatibility) Vista Compatibility mode and the game will install and run fine without any Games For Windows Errors, it will start and stop several times while it updates Windows Live.

Nvidia GeForce GFX card errors

As of 5/26/14, Nvidia has released driver update #337.88, the driver fixes the flickering and flashing.

It has been noted that updating to the newest GeForce Experience drivers as of March 25, 2013 can result in severe artifacting of textures and in some cases a flashing phenomenon, as if the game is trying to produce two textures where every single one should render. The only known fix for this issue is to downgrade to graphics driver update #335.23 which can be found here.

Owners of GTX 540m will need to update their graphics card drivers to the latest to play Halo 2. Drivers pre-2012 have compatibility problems with said card.[3]

"One of the installation steps failed" error

You may receive this error message during installation. To fix it, exit the installer, open the redists folder on the game DVD and run vcredist.msi as an administrator. After it has finished restart the game installer and it should proceed normally.

"LIVE gaming on Windows failed to initialise" error

This error occurs on Windows 8 and later.

Download and install these 3 files which will fix the error: xliveredist.msi, gfwlclient.msi and wllogin_**.msi

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9
Shader Model support 3
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Physics Havok
Audio Dolby Digital
Cutscenes Bink Video
Multiplayer Games for Windows - LIVE

Play without Games for Windows - LIVE

Games for Windows Live can be disabled as an alternative to using a local profile.
Instructions

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) Vista
Processor (CPU) 2 GHz
System memory (RAM) 1 GB 2 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 7 GB 10 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce 6100
ATI Radeon X700
DirectX 9 compatible 		DirectX 10 compatible
Common myth states that Halo 2 requires Dx10. In reality Halo 2 PC uses Dx9 and does not require Dx10 compatible hardware.
Subsequently, Halo 2 PC may be installed on Windows XP by following this tutorial.[4] Note, Live will be disabled.

References