Halo 1 & 2 for PC
This topic has moved here: Subject: Halo 2 will only run windowed. I cannot get it to run full screen. ...
  • Subject: Halo 2 will only run windowed. I cannot get it to run full screen. ...
Subject: Halo 2 will only run windowed. I cannot get it to run full screen. ...

Hi,

After about a million google searches, and bumming around these forums a bit, I still have not found a solution to my problem. I'm using a Dell XPS M1530 laptop that I just bought a few weeks ago. I specifically bought it with Halo 2 Vista in mind. I got the game a couple days ago and the fact that I cannot run it in full screen is driving me insane. I hate playing games in a window. The full screen option will not put it in full screen, it just asks me if I want to revert to the previous settings, but nothing changed. It stays windowed. Is there anything I can do to play this game full screen?

Some information about my computer:
Operating System: Windows Vistaâ„¢ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080917-1612)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: XPS M1530
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A09
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T5800 @ 2.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 1609MB used, 2720MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode

Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8400M GS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0427&SUBSYS_022E1028&REV_A1
Display Memory: 882 MB
Dedicated Memory: 115 MB
Shared Memory: 767 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (63Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.7644 (English)
DDI Version: 10
Driver Attributes: Final Retail

I can post the full dxdiag if you need that. The thing is HUGE tho, I wasn't sure if it would all fit. Thanks for reading,

cEe

  • 11.07.2008 3:43 PM PDT

H1 and Halo Custom edition name: madkiller92
xfire:madkiller92

Maybe your graphics card isn't good enough? I think the 8300, 8400, and 8500 aren't too good.

Also, is your windowed only taking a part of the screen, or the whole screen? I would close outside applications and try. Maybe even check for h2v updates or driver updates.

*Sorry for spelling errors, I don't have my spell checker.

[Edited on 11.07.2008 5:55 PM PST]

  • 11.07.2008 5:50 PM PDT

There is absolutely nothing wrong with my graphics card. It was designed by Nvidia for Windows Vista laptops and the newest Windows Vista video games.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_8400M.html

It runs Halo 2 just fine on 1152x720 in a window with no framerate lag whatsoever. I even upped the resolution to 1280x720 and it still runs it just fine, even with an amazing number of memory-demanding programs running in the background. Here's a screen:

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/61/l_e1f8f7754252 460fb5884f831ecab457.jpg

Myspace shrunk it, but I didn't know where else to upload it. Still, that's what it looks like when I run the game. I can show you a gameplay screen if you'd rather see that, but you should get the idea.

Why won't the game run in full screen? I've tried every resolution and none of them work. It won't go out of windowed mode.

[Edited on 11.08.2008 4:58 AM PST]

  • 11.08.2008 4:55 AM PDT
  •  | 
  • Elder Legendary Member

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.

Halo 2 is a bleeding mess. You're gonna have to learn to live with playing in a Window, among other things.

  • 11.08.2008 5:38 AM PDT

Sweet, I'm so glad that Halo and Halo 2 were ported to the PC just to sponge our hard-earned cash. Go Microsoft. I'm gonna finish getting the achievements and then return the game as defective and get my money back.

Thanks for the help.

  • 11.08.2008 1:52 PM PDT