Halo 1 & 2 for PC
This topic has moved here: Subject: Anybody playing Halo on Vista?
  • Subject: Anybody playing Halo on Vista?
Subject: Anybody playing Halo on Vista?

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I just made the move to Vista and Halo loads and runs but hardware acceleration for audio is disabled. I thought it was my on-board chipset drivers but it does the same thing with a Sound blaster card. What I want to know is if there is anyone running Vista with Audio hardware acceleration and EAX enabled? If so what suond card are you using?

  • 03.28.2007 10:45 AM PDT

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The problem is that Microsoft scrapped their DirectSound drivers.

Ok, found the site, http://preview.creativelabs.com/alchemy/default.aspx

Basically if you have an old sound card, your screwed over, you will need to buy a Creative X-Fi card, they have cheap models so don't worry about cost much, but it is a pain in the butt.

To get EAX working in Halo, you will need an X-Fi card and to look at that site, download the software, and wait. The Halo fix is pending so when it happens you will have to manually update your game folder and the software .ini file as outlined on that site.

It sucks, but such is life, at least it's easier than what the AlphaOne guys had to do.

[Edited on 03.28.2007 11:22 AM PDT]

  • 03.28.2007 10:56 AM PDT
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I am. I have a built-in VIA chip that provides hardware sound.

  • 03.28.2007 11:37 AM PDT

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Every sound card provides hardware sound Nick, but because Halo doesn't support OpenAL on it's own, it can't make use of the hardware acceleration because Microsoft scrapped their DirectSound software, which is what Halo uses to transfer EAX data to the soundcard. Without that, your just getting stero sound, no special hardware accelerated effects.

  • 03.28.2007 11:51 AM PDT
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Yes, I am a hypocrite, and I'm sorry. I really do mean well, but I'm not running on all cylinders.

Everytime someone buys a copy of Halo 2 Vista, a puppy dies.

OMG this info makes me hopping mad. Way to screw us some more, Micro$oft >:| One would hope a MS product would work over the years, not start glitching out on the next Windows upgrade. I know it's not fatal or anything, but that is so insulting.

  • 03.28.2007 12:30 PM PDT

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Thank you that article explains much. Now I know that in the future when I do get a sound card it needs to be an X-fi. Now the only problem left to investigate is why Morrowind locks as soon as I get off the boat.

  • 03.28.2007 12:35 PM PDT
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Posted by: n357
OMG this info makes me hopping mad. Way to screw us some more, Micro$oft >:| One would hope a MS product would work over the years, not start glitching out on the next Windows upgrade. I know it's not fatal or anything, but that is so insulting.
Don't worry, dude. Have faith--remember that it will be a while before Windows Vista has too many issues addressed and bugs fixed.

  • 03.28.2007 1:21 PM PDT

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Actually there is nothing in I have read that indicates that DirectSound would be more glitchy in Vista, they just cut their main source of BSoD's while playing games, they also knew that virtually every new game supports OpenAL, which works fine. Creative is currently working on that piece of software I linked to, it's beta, and will likely extend to ther Audigy line of sound cards too, which means virtually everyone will have EAX when all is said and done.

Personally this is why I am keeping my WinXP and not upgrading, dual boot and away I go, all my old games on the XP, everything else on the Vista.

I wonder if DX10 cards can be used in a WinXP system...now that's an important question.

And besides people, we are talking games that are 3 years old at least that are being affected, and it's not like people who are buying new Vista machines are going to go and buy them.

[Edited on 03.28.2007 2:05 PM PDT]

  • 03.28.2007 2:02 PM PDT