Halo 2

I've encountered the same problem with Live gaming failing to initialize as I did in windows 7, and vista. However, unlike with those systems, the cryptsvc fix and reinstalling live gaming for windows didn't work.
This game is, as far as I know, unplayable. If anyone has any knowledge about this issue, I'd be much obliged.

wts55555 said:

I've encountered the same problem with Live gaming failing to initialize as I did in windows 7, and vista. However, unlike with those systems, the cryptsvc fix and reinstalling live gaming for windows didn't work.
This game is, as far as I know, unplayable. If anyone has any knowledge about this issue, I'd be much obliged.

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Maybe I just had a luck, but I made it running under Windows 8 CP. I did it this way:

1. Installed "Games for windows live", about 28,8MB exe/installer - but this maybe isn't necessary, as it is obsolete and newer versions exist.

2. Registered here:
Xbox LIVE Membership | Xbox LIVE Subscription | Join Xbox LIVE - Xbox.com
I used free account just because it's sufficient. I recommend to use the US as a country, just because submitting registration form with my country entered failed trying to submit and redirect correctly (operation timed-out after fifth redirection).
Try to log in with that login/password on that website to be sure your registration was successful.

3. Logged on in that utility using login/password. Login failed & it pops-up notification windows with "OK" a and two links - one for downloading up-to-date version file and another for a forum/explanation/whatever. Use that first one and install it content - URL looks like *.microsoft.com/*/kb_NUMBERS_.exe (just like Windows updates). It updates GFWL to "Games for Windows Marketplace" - which is nowdays version of GFWL. (There is pretty high chance that you even needn't install GFWL noted in the first step - you just install "Games for Windows Marketplace" directly)

4. Logged on in "Games for Windows Marketplace" utility - this time it was without problem. Keep that software running! Maybe this is the source of that error message.

5. Now run the Halo 2. During startup you will see some pop-ups and you encounter window with confirmation "Done" and some other stuff. Use it to make an "offline account". Like this: How To Create a Offline GFWL Account - YouTube

6. That's it. Hope it works for you too. Have fun!

Had enough trouble trying to get it to work on Windows 7, good luck!

I had the same problem in Windows 8, tried the various fixes but it didn't work. Finally gave up and installed it in Windows 7. I had previously played it in Windows 7 without having to do anything special. Now I get that same Live gaming failing to initialize error in windows 7. After spending so much time trying to get it to run in Windows 8 I didn't feel like doing it all again and just gave up. I'll probably try it again after my next clean install and see what happens.

For people having trouble on Windows 7/8 there is an easy fix.

Two things must be done:

Enable Secondary Logon:
For people having problems installing Halo 2 follow these steps

1. Start Button
2. Run or Windows Key + R
3. Type "services.msc"
4. Find Secondary Logon in the list and double click.
5. Make sure its set on Manual or leave it, as long as its not disabled.

Install Windows Live Gaming:
This is what causes the "Live Gaming Failed to initilize" problems

Follow this Guide : Games for Windows LIVE: How to install the LIVE client software


There are other problems such Catroot folder to do with drivers and things but you will have to google that as its complicated.