Halo 1 & 2 for PC
This topic has moved here: Subject: "Direct3D failed to initialise..." problem
  • Subject: "Direct3D failed to initialise..." problem
Subject: "Direct3D failed to initialise..." problem
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I get this error message: "A problem occurred initializing Direct3D. Hardware acceleration maybe disabled, please run DXDIAG."

I do so, and everything's fine. I have DirectX 9.0a/b/c/something, regardless that shouldn't stop it working. I have ATi's 4.8 drivers, which is very recent, and I know that other people can get it to work. I have a Radeon 9600XT card with 256MB ram, which is more than enough, and yes it's a DirectX9 card. I've updated Halo to 1.4. I'm using service pack 2 for XP home, which other people seem to be able to use to run Halo. Other information: AMD Athlon XP 2000, 512MB DDR RAM, plenty of HDD space.

I've tried the 'sticky' solution of this forum, I've tried Microsoft's solutions, even some odd ones off the net. I really don't know what else to do.

This is, in fact, my second PC, which I'm using for my other clanmates to play Halo on. My PC runs Halo perfectly(ish) with a similar spec as the problem PC, mine's AMD 3000, 1GB RAM, ATi 9800XT, service pack 2, 4.8 drivers DX9.0 etc. etc.

I NEED YOUR HELP... why should two such similar machines have such a different acceptance of Halo?

The only lead I have is that working-halo-pc has a monitor which supports 75Hz refresh, which I believe to be Halo's default upon first install. Non-working-halo-pc has a monitor which only supports 60Hz. Is it possible the old monitor is too shi... bad, to run Halo and 'minimum' refresh rate? I thought it could run at 60Hz though...

Does anyone know how to change the video settings without loading Halo? Like where to find/alter the config file? Maybe if I could change the config to 1024x768 for first run, I could at least get into Halo and adjust the settings. I'm thinking maybe command line...

Any response will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Halo fans.

  • 09.16.2004 3:13 PM PDT
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Hi, I am having the same problem and need help. I have a ATI RADEON X600 Pro 256MB card and the latest drivers and DirectX installed. And I can go up to 200Hz at 1024x768 resolution. I also downloaded the demo to see if it works, but it does not. PC specs: 2.8Ghz P4 with HT, 1GB DDR Ram, 160GB HDD space. And help/suggestions?

[Edited on 9/16/2004 4:24:50 PM]

  • 09.16.2004 4:21 PM PDT
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Try reinstalling DirectX.

Refresh rate has nothing to do with it.

  • 09.16.2004 8:19 PM PDT
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ok, I fixed the problem, trouble is it involves a fair bit of work. This is what I did:

1) Use system restore to get back to when XP first installed.
2) Install motherboard drivers (Audio and AGP driver)
3) Installed DirectX 9.0b
4) Installed Graphics card drivers
5) Installed Halo

and then I just ran it and it worked. Extreme solution I know, but needs must...
Good luck.

  • 09.17.2004 11:13 AM PDT