Key points
General information
It is essential to install the latest GFWL client before installing Halo 2, as the version on the disc is broken.
<path-to-game>\movie\
intro_60.wmv
intro_low_60.wmv
Go to Settings while in Game => Video => Security Zone => Yes
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.
Project Cartographer is an unofficial multiplayer mod which provides an alternative to the now defunct Games for Windows - Live platform for Halo 2 Vista. It allows players to use the Network tab as a server browser and connect via peer-to-peer (P2P) networking. This is a fast and streamlined solution as compared with available LAN gaming solutions, as it retains almost all original Live multiplayer functionality.
Download and install the mod from the official website and follow the instructions on the page.
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.
-windowed
-novsync
-monitor:(desired monitor number)
DSfix.ini
renderWidth X
renderHeight X
renderWidth 2560
renderHeight 1440
borderlessFullscreen 0
borderlessFullscreen 1
forceWindowed 0
forceWindowed 1
This solution may uncap the framerate, which can result in heavy stuttering on high refresh rate monitors. The DSFix frame rate lock commands are intended for Dark Souls and do not work for Halo 2.
1000-1006
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.
Forcing vsync will help users with fps/mouse issues. To fix said issues without the negative input lag effects of vsync, frame-cap 60 FPS in Nvidia Inspector.
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.
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.[citation needed] The only known fix for this issue is to downgrade to graphics driver update #335.23 which can be found here.[citation needed]
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.[2]
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.
redists
vcredist.msi
Download and install these 3 files which will fix the error: xliveredist.msi, gfwlclient.msi and wllogin_**.msi
Use Halo 2 Vista XLiveless.
