Halo 2 for Windows Vista Readme File

May 2007
© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Welcome to Halo 2 for Windows Vista!

This Readme file contains late-breaking information as well as troubleshooting information about Halo® 2
for Windows Vista™. You can find information on Microsoft customer support services in the printed or
online .pdf manual.

Note: If Halo 2 for Windows Vista came installed on your computer or bundled with your computer or
other hardware or software as an OEM version, contact the manufacturer of the computer or other
hardware or software it was bundled with for product support. Refer to the documentation that came with
your computer, hardware, or software for the product support telephone number.

Contents
A. System Requirements
B. Installation
Installing Halo 2 for Windows Vista
Installation Issues
Installation Tips
Starting Halo 2 for Windows Vista
C. Getting Help
Overview
Viewing the Online Print Piece
D. Configuration Issues
E. Graphics Issues
Graphics Cards and Video Drivers
Graphics Issues
Graphics Card Drivers and Manufacturers
F. Audio Issues
G. Advanced Run Modes

A. System Requirements
Halo 2 for Windows Vista requires a personal computer with the following minimum requirements:

 2 GHz or faster processor

 1 Gigabyte (GB) of RAM
 7 GB of available hard disk space (the Dedicated Server and Map Editor require additional hard
drive space)
 DVD-ROM drive
 ATI x700 or nVidia 6100 or better display adapter
 Keyboard and mouse or compatible pointing device
 Sound card and speakers or headphones for audio
 DirectX® 9.0c or later (included on the DVD)
 Network adapter for LAN multiplayer gameplay
 Broadband Internet access for Windows LIVE™ multiplayer gameplay

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B. Installation
This section describes how to manually install the software components necessary to play Halo 2 for
Windows Vista in the event they are not installed automatically.

Note: We recommend you uninstall any Beta, Trial, and OEM versions of the game before you install the
Retail version.

To uninstall earlier versions of Halo 2 for Windows Vista

1. On the Windows taskbar, click Start and then Control Panel.

2. Click Uninstall a Program under Programs, and then select Halo 2 for Windows Vista.

Installing Halo 2 for Windows Vista

When you insert the Halo 2 for Windows Vista DVD into the DVD-ROM drive, you should see the Halo 2
for Windows Vista installation screen. Click Play Halo 2 for Windows Vista for the fastest installation.
For additional installation options, click Customize Game Install.

If your computer does not automatically display the installation screen after the DVD is inserted into the
DVD-ROM drive, perform the following procedure.

To install Halo 2 for Windows Vista manually

1. On the Windows taskbar, click Start, Accessories, and then Run.

2. In the Open box, type x:\startup, where x is the letter of your DVD-ROM drive, and then click OK.

For example, if your DVD-ROM drive letter is D, type d:\startup

3. Click Install Halo 2 for Windows Vista, and then follow the instructions that appear on the screen.

Installation Issues
If you experience video, graphics, or sound problems using DirectX, always check with your graphics or
sound card manufacturer for the latest DirectX-compatible drivers, or go to
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/ for the latest troubleshooting information.

Installation Tips
If you have problems installing Halo 2 for Windows Vista, try the following troubleshooting steps in the
order they are listed:

1. Before installing Halo 2 for Windows Vista, make sure all open software applications, including
antivirus software, are closed.

2. Clean the Halo 2 for Windows Vista DVD. To do this, use a DVD cleaning kit, or gently wipe the silver
side of the DVD with a soft, lint-free cotton cloth. Do not use paper cloth, which can scratch the plastic
and leave streaks. When you clean the DVD, wipe from the center of the disc outward. Do not use a
circular motion. If the installation issue is not resolved, try cleaning the DVD with a damp cloth or a
commercial DVD-cleaning solution. Dry the DVD thoroughly before you insert it into the DVD-ROM
drive.

3. Adjust the system settings for your DVD-ROM drive. For instance, reduce DVD Caching, disable

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 DMA, or turn off Auto-Inset notifications. For more information about how to adjust these and other
settings, see Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q218617, “How to Troubleshoot CD-ROM or DVD-
ROM Read Issues,” located at http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q218/6/17.asp.

4. Inspect the Halo 2 for Windows Vista DVD for visible deformation or scratches. If the disk is
damaged, contact Microsoft Sales to obtain a replacement DVD. The phone number for the sales
office in your area can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/.

Note: If Halo 2 for Windows Vista came installed on your computer or bundled with your computer or
other hardware or software as an OEM version, contact the manufacturer of the computer or other
hardware or software it was bundled with for a replacement DVD. Refer to the documentation that
came with your computer, hardware, or software for the product support telephone number.

Starting Halo 2 for Windows Vista

To start Halo 2 for Windows Vista

 On the Windows taskbar, click Start, Games, and then the Halo 2 for Windows Vista icon.

–or–

 If you are running a business version of Windows Vista, on the Windows taskbar click Start, All
Programs, Games, Game Explorer, and then the Halo 2 for Windows Vista icon.

C. Getting Help

Overview
You can get help for Halo 2 for Windows Vista in the following ways:

 Visit the official Halo 2 for Windows Vista website for the latest updates and support information
at http://support.microsoft.com/games/.

 For an overview of the game as well as for information about getting started and playing the
game, see the Halo 2 for Windows Vista printed or online .pdf manual.

Viewing the Online Print Piece

Adobe Reader lets you view and print the online version of the Halo 2 for Windows Vista manual, which is
located in the Manual folder on the Halo 2 for Windows Vista DVD as .pdf files.

To install Adobe Reader, visit the Adobe website at

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.

Copyright © 2007 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Adobe and Reader are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other
countries.

D. Configuration Issues
Visit the official Halo 2 for Windows Vista website for the latest updates and support information at
http://support.microsoft.com/games/.

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Ensure you have the latest drivers for all hardware devices.

Some laptop users may experience reduced system performance while running on batteries because of
variable processor speeds based on the lack of a power supply.

E. Graphics Issues

Graphics Cards and Video Drivers

To ensure the best possible graphics when playing Halo 2 for Windows Vista, it is usually a good idea to
update your video driver from the graphics card manufacturer. Video drivers are the software that enables
the hardware features of your graphics card. Without properly updated video drivers, you may not be
taking full advantage of your graphics card and its features. Visit your graphics card manufacturer’s
website for the latest graphics card drivers that have been approved by Windows Hardware Quality Labs
(WHQL).

To install the latest video driver for your graphics card

Your graphics card may not be recognized until you update the drivers to the latest version. Use the
DirectX Diagnostic Tool to determine the version number of the video driver installed on your computer.

1. On the Windows taskbar, click Start, Accessories, and then Run.

2. In the Open box, type dxdiag, and then click OK.

3. Click the Display or Display 1 tab.

4. Under Device, note the Name, Manufacturer, and Chip Type and, under Drivers, note the version
number of your driver on the Version line.

5. If multiple graphics cards are installed on your computer, repeat steps 3 and 4 to determine the name,
manufacturer, chip type, and version number of the video driver for each additional graphics card
installed on your computer.

6. When you have noted this information for all of the video drivers installed on your computer, click
Exit.

7. With this information at hand, contact the manufacturer of your graphics card to inquire about how to
obtain and install the latest driver for your graphics card.

Graphics Issues
On some graphics cards, users may experience a light-strobe effect when reentering the game after
having switched to the desktop or another application. This can be repaired by reswitching out and back
to the game again.

Graphics Card Drivers and Manufacturers

Make sure you have the latest drivers from the manufacturer of your graphics card. Many video issues will
be resolved if you install your graphics card's latest WHQL drivers.

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If you purchased your computer from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) such as Dell, Gateway,
or Hewlett-Packard, and you encounter any graphic anomalies when playing Halo 2 for Windows Vista,
you should visit your computer manufacturer’s website for updated video drivers. In many cases, graphics
hardware and drivers are designed specifically for OEM systems. Installing reference drivers or other
drivers provided by the graphics card manufacturer may cause system instability and/or graphic
corruption.

A list of common OEM websites is included below. Visit the appropriate OEM website for updated video
card drivers specific to your system, or contact your computer manufacturer directly for assistance.

Graphics/Audio Card Manufacturers’ Websites

Asus—http://www.asus.com/
ATI—http://www.ati.com/
BFG—http://www.bfgtech.com/
C-Media—http://cmedia.com/
Creative Labs—http://www.creative.com/
Diamond—http://www.diamondmm.com/
EVGA—http://evga.com/support/drivers/
FreeTech - http://www.freetech.com/
Gainward—http://www.gainward.com/
Guillemot/Hercules—http://www.guillemot.com/
HIS HighTech—http://hightech.com.hk/html/driver.php
Jaton—http://www.jaton.com/
Leadtek—http://www.leadtek.com/
Micro-Star International (MSI)—http://www.msicomputer.com/
NVIDIA—http://www.nvidia.com/
PNY—http://www.pny.com/
RealTek—http://www.realtek.com.tw/
Sapphire—http://www.sapphiretech.com/en/products/graphics.php
Sound Max—http://www.soundmax.com
Turtle Beach—http://www.turtlebeach.com
VisionTek—http://www.visiontek.com/
XFX—http://www.xfxgraphics.com/

OEM Manufacturer’s Websites

Alienware—http://www.alienware.com/
Compaq—http://h18000.www1.hp.com/
Dell—http://www.dell.com/
Gateway—http://www.gateway.com/
Hewlett-Packard—http://www.hp.com/
IBM—http://www.ibm.com/
Intel—http://www.intel.com/
Micron—http://www.mpccorp.com/
Sony—http://www.sony.com/
Toshiba—http://www.toshiba.com/

F. Audio Issues
If you experience popping or other low sound quality, upgrade your sound driver or experiment with the
sound settings.

If you are having issues with voice settings, access the LIVE Guide and check your settings.

Subwoofers that do not have an LP filter in the hardware will sometimes experience audio data above
200Hz.

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Some sound cards have driver issues that can pass output data back into the microphone and result in
some audible feedback. To repair this issue, access the LIVE Guide, select Personal Settings and then
Voice, and make sure Mute Microphone is selected.

G. Advanced Run Modes

Advanced run modes have been included to allow users to modify their game presentation.

-windowed—Switch for users who want to run in windowed mode. This can also be helpful if a user ends
up in a bad resolution state while running in full screen.
-novsync—Advanced switch for users who want better performance.
-monitor:#—Switch to allows users to move the game between monitors when running in full screen.
-nosound—Switch to run the game without audio.