- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
I had the same problem after installing XP SP2 and also upgrading the firmware of my Plextor CD-ROM, I'm not sure which action was responsible for the bug. I also installed an update to Nero, so this might also have affected the CD-ROM subsystem somehow.
The reason your system is behaving differently now is because the computer shop who handled your machine probably updated XP with the latest patches, or perhaps your system is configured to auto-update, and transparently installed updates without your knowledge whilst in your posession or whilst connected to the Internet at the computer shop.
I fixed my system like this:
1. Ensure that your local security policy does not have 'Clear virtual memory pagefile when system shuts down' enabled under 'Security Options' (this will ensure faster rebooting anyway, so is advisable to switch off unless you're ultra paranoid.) This option is not enabled by default, and probably never will be unless you're in a very secure networked environment. If you don't know what it is, then you don't need to fix it.
2. Delete the Windows page file. This can be done by accessing 'Administrative Tools' -> 'Computer Management' from the Control Panel. In the tree view in the left-hand pane, right click on the root node (Computer Management (Local)) and select 'Properties'. Click on the 'Advanced Tab' and then the 'Performance Options...' button in the 'Performance' control group. Now, click on the 'Change' button in the 'Virtual Memory' control group. Set both the initial size and maximum size to 0 MB (for each drive). Now reboot. Upson reboot, set your page file(s) back to system managed. Reboot again.
3. Set the transfer mode of your CD-ROM to 'PIO Only' (disable DMA). To accomplish this, start by accessing 'Administrative Tools' -> 'Computer Management' from the Control Panel. In the tree view in the left-hand pane, right click on the 'Device Manager' node. In the tree view in the right-hand pane, expand the 'IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers' node and right-click on the leaf-node which applies to your CD-ROM (commonly the 'Secondary IDE Channel'). Now select 'Properties' from the popup menu. Select the 'Advanced Settings' tab. Set the 'Transfer Mode' using the drop-down list box to 'PIO Only' for the applicable device (commonly 'Device 0', the 'master' on the secondary channel).
4. Attempt to install Halo from the original disc again. Install might be slow, but it should procede with no errors.
If you experience problems running some games, the following link might also be of interest: http://www.macrovision.com/products/safedisc/index.shtml. There is an update available I believe.
Good luck!
Cool cool.
s.c. :-)
P.S.
Spread the word, I think alot of people will be encountering this problem. Microsoft do have a KB article out on this issue, but it's obscure and most gamers won't find it. These procedure apply to any install which fails to copy large CABs.