Dead Space 2

This page may require cleanup to meet basic quality standards. You can help by modifying the article. The discussion page may contain useful suggestions.

Dead Space
Dead Space	2008
Dead Space 2	2011
Dead Space 3	2013
Dead Space (2023)	2023

Availability

Activation Limits

EA limits Dead Space 2 to being authorized on a maximum of 5 computers at a time. The games must be authorized on a computer before you can play it, but you can have the game installed on any number of computers as long as only 5 at most are authorized at a time. De-authorizing the game on a computer does not uninstall it.

To de-authorize the games on a computer, simply uninstall it, or follow these instructions:

Windows Vista and newer:

1. Click on the Windows button on the Windows Taskbar.
2. Select All Programs.
3. Click on Games.
4. Click on Games Explorer.
5. Right-click on the Dead Space 2 icon.
6. Click on Dead Space 2- Deauthorize this machine.

Windows XP:

1. Click on the Start Menu on the Windows Taskbar.
2. Select All Programs
3. Find the EA Games folder.
4. Roll over the Dead Space 2 directory.
5. Click on the Dead Space 2 - Deauthorize this machine option.

To reauthorize the game on a given computer, simply launch the game on that computer while being connected to the internet.

Activation Problems (Lucid Virtu conflict)

Some versions of Dead Space 2 may conflict with LucidLogix Virtu graphics switching software which may appear to be an activation error. After the software is installed when the user attempts to launch the game an activation software comes up after activating successfully it's supposed to launch the game executable, but the lucid virtu software will prevent it from doing so without issuing an error, which can make it appear that activation is the problem. Removing the lucid virtu software or disabling it when running Deadspace 2 can resolve the issue.

3D Vision Fix

Dead Space 2 has mediocre 3D Vision support out of the box. It has however been modded by HeliX to the point where it can be considered a 3D Vision showcase game. You can play with any convergence and depth.

To install the mod just follow the instructions:

1. Download the fix from here HeliX 3D Vision Fix
2. Place all the files and folders (DX9Settings.ini, d3d9.dll and ShaderOverride) in your game directory. C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\Dead Space 2\
3. If you're playing through Steam, disable the overlay. Do the same for Origin, if that is what you're playing the game through.

Weapons/Armor Unlocked At Start

The Steam version of Dead Space 2 includes a piece of DLC that unlocks better armor and all the weapons at the start, thereby negating the need to find schematics and decreasing the difficulty. It's recommended for full effect that on the first run through you play without this DLC. To remove this DLC, either play the game on Origin, or download the original .exe here.

Simply make a backup copy of the currently installed .exe, download the old .exe, and copy it to the Dead Space 2 directory. You'll then be able to play the game with out the extra unlocks. However, it recommended that you use the newer .exe for subsequent play-thoughs, as it properly unlocks some bonus items that you normally get for completing the game.

Unlock Conduit Rooms

There are four special rooms in the game that are unlocked by completing the Dead Space Ignition tie-in which is not available for Windows. With a few files these rooms can be made available. Check out this forums post for full details: Unlock Conduit Rooms.

No Suit Unlocks for Higher Difficulty Completion

Normally upon completing the game on Hardcore or Zealot difficulty, you would unlock a special suit. Unfortunately these suits don't unlock properly, unless you happen to complete the game in a single play through. Details on unlocking each suit can be found here.

Mouse Flings to Side of Screen

Occasionally with certain USB controllers or devices, the mouse will fling to the far edges of the screen, preventing proper aiming. To solve this, try:

• Unplugging all USB controllers
• Disabling virtual mouse settings
• Selectively disabling HID compliant devices in the device manager.

Could not initialize display hardware

1. Go to %LOCALAPPDATA%\EA Games\Dead Space 2
2. Delete settings.txt

In other cases, where deleting settings.txt did not work, some users with multiple monitors found that disabling their second monitor fixed this issue.