Fix available for HaloPC/CE and XPSP2

[OptiPlex]

Compatibility Fix for Windows XP SP2 and certain 256 MB video cards

Microsoft has identified a potential incompatibility between Halo for PC and Windows XP SP2, on certain high-end video cards, which causes Halo to exit silently to the desktop immedately after launching the program, before the logo movies play. Systems which can get beyond that point are unaffected by this problem, and will not benefit from this fix.

Note: You must patch Halo to the latest version (1.04) before applying this fix. Please download Halo 1.04 from: http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/1...tch1.0-1.04.exe

Microsoft has only seen this problem on computers with an nVidia GeForce 5900, 5950, or ATI X800 video card, and only on certain driver versions, including the nVidia drivers included by default in new installations of Windows XP SP2.

Solution: Microsoft is providing an updated version of a file for Halo which may be installed to fix this problem. Gameplay is otherwise unaffected by this change.

1. It is recommended that you only continue to install this fix if you experience the specific problem noted above.

2. Ensure you have the latest version of Halo (1.04) by running the latest update, (which can be downloaded from: http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/1...ch1.0-1.04.exe), or by checking the version number of the file halo.exe, typically located in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo. The correct version number is 1.0.4.607.

3. After verifying that you have the correct version, download the new Strings.dll from: http://download.microsoft.com/download/d/7...554/Strings.dll and save it to the location where Halo was installed, typically C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo. When prompted to overwrite the existing file, choose Yes.

4. Launch Halo to verify that it functions as intended. Note that if you see the message "Corrupted Halo.exe", then Halo was not patched to the correct version before applying this update - See step 2 above.

Halo PC fix link: http://download.microsoft.com/download/d/7...554/Strings.dll

Halo CE fix link: http://gbxforums.gearboxsoftware.com/downl...ings-haloce.zip (<- will be moved/deleted soon so grab it now)

[kainashi]

they should try to get sp2 out before releasing fixes for stuff it breaks. :shifty:

[ForeverUnknown]

thank you i needed this. i couldnt run halo with my sp2 system

[LOC Veteran]

Holy cow, Microsoft put out ANYTHING for HaloPC?

I thought Gearbox had to practically threaten them to put out the CE for god's sake. Sheesh.

[OptiPlex]

/ignore

[ANova]

Seems to me SP2 breaks alot more then it fixes, as is common with MS patches.

No thank you.

[ManMountain]

This "fix" doesn't correct my inability to load Halo. After the first 3 intro video sequences, the final video stutters as though looping. I can hear the game audio playing away merrily in the background.

Looks like another fix will be needed for us SP2 users, as my friend is also having the exact same problem.

[OptiPlex]

Did you try running with the -novideo switch?