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So, I finally got around to getting a new computer. Got a Dell XPS 15, Core i5, Nvidia 540M, Windows 7 64 bit. Nothing great, but it runs Crysis ok and should run most other things.
And I figure I can finally try out Halo 2. Been wanting to play that for ages, and I don't do consoles.
I install the latest driver, then install and register Halo 2. Then I get this when I try to start it:
Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: halo2.exe
Application Version: 1.0.0.11081
Application Timestamp: 46368037
Fault Module Name: nvd3d9wrap.dll
Fault Module Version: 8.17.12.7533
Fault Module Timestamp: 4dd73626
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Offset: 00001eb5
Note the "Fault Module Name: nvd3d9wrap.dll." Not the GFWL problem.
And I'm not the only one, apparently.
Kortosis posted this in fficial WHQL NVIDIA 275.33 Display Driver Feedback Thread:
Hello,
I am having a problem with Halo 2, whenever it tries to start. I have installed it fully and when I try to start the game it crashes. I first tried to do the "Install while you play option", but when it tried to start the game it crashed. So I did the full install without starting the game and it installed correctly. So the problem is when the game tries to run. The error message is listed below.
Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: halo2.exe
Application Version: 1.0.0.11081
Application Timestamp: 46368037
Fault Module Name: nvd3d9wrap.dll
Fault Module Version: 8.17.12.7533
Fault Module Timestamp: 4dd73626
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Offset: 00001eb5
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: e19c
Additional Information 2: e19ce9d2dcd06ac32515e8966fc1418d
Additional Information 3: fbd7
Additional Information 4: fbd7d9d0d9d02c0f45dfdd44ae0576c2
I have tried going into the NVIDIA Control Panel and making it be forced to use both the GT 540M and the them Intel Integrated graphics, but neither of them work and both come up with the same error Fault Module Name = nvd3d9wrap.dll. This is why I believe it is a problem with the graphics card, and not WIndows Live as other forums have stated (I have no Windows Live error, so it has to be something else.)
And this thread (http://flawless.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=61453085 ) on the Bungie forums contains posts from multiple people who can't get it to work with a 540M. Some choice posts:
Info about my system:
Alienware m11x R3
Windows 7 64 bit
8GB memory
Intel i7 1.5GHz (overclock to 2.6)
Dual graphics with Intel HD graphics 3000 and 2.0GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M
So basically when I try to start Halo 2, it won't do anything. I double click on it, it appears in the task manager (halo2.exe), then dissapears. I get no indication on screen that the game is running. I have tried all the things suggested in the sticky post, don't worry.
When I run in compatability mode for XP/Vista I get:
"Initialization failed. Either insufficient system resources were found to run the game, or the game data is missing or damaged.
Reinstalling the game may fix this problem."
When installing, it has a whinge about my graphics not being good enough when clearly this is not the case; it can only recognise my Intel HD graphics GPU and not the NVIDIA GPU.
Interestingly enough dxdiag can't see the NVIDIA card either, only showing the Intel card, but msconfig32 can.
So I think the main problem is that Halo 2 can't see my GPU, thus it deems the computer not good enough and refuses to run. I don't know if this is really the case or not but it's just what I think.
I have already tried the following for this problem:
Running as admin
Updating the game with latest patch
Uninstall then reinstall (many times)
Run in every compatability type
Ensuring I've selected the NVIDIA card in "NVIDIA control panel" (it's the default for everything).
Ensuring that other games can see the card (crysis 2, starcraft 2, etc all work so yes they can)
Installing the latest drivers for the card (version 275)
Disabling the intel card, uninstalling then reinstalling the nvdia drivers while the intel card is off (dxdiag detected NO card and NVIDIA control panel wouldn't start because the intel card wasn't detected).
Installing a friend's copy of Halo 2 to ensure my disk isn't damaged
Copying and using the program files from my old Toshiba laptop to run the game
And,
I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM
Can someone help? I called microsoft and dell and they both claim that Halo 2 is 100% not compatible with W7 and that there is no work around for it, but many people are able to play it on win7...
And finally this guy blames it on Optimus:
Do you have switchable graphics or optimus? I have an M17x r3 with Optimus and I called microsoft support and apparently Halo 2 will not work with any form of switchable graphics and also said something about "virtualization".
So, has anyone ever got Halo 2 to run on a 540M? With any driver version? Has anyone ever gotten it to work on an Optimus config?
If no, does anyone think it might be fixed in the future? Any suggestions? Or am I just out of luck?