Halo CE: How do I Halo?

This guide is provided as-is, with the assumption that you have some idea how to computer. I’m not responsible for you breaking shit.

Want to play with me? My server is only on when we’re using it, but it’ll be at lemur.timelmer.com.

Downloads

Install

  1. Extract the game’s install files somewhere and open the Halo Custom Edition\Installation Files folder.

  2. Run SETUP.exe.

    1. When prompted, provide the CD key in CD-Key.txt.

    2. You don’t need GameSpy Arcade, I’m pretty sure it doesn’t work anyways.

  3. Once the installer is done (rebooting is not necessary), run PATCH.exe and let it do its thing.

  4. Copy haloce.exe from Halo Custom Edition\CD-Key Crack to the install directory, probably %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Games\Halo Custom Edition[2], replacing the existing file.

  5. Copy loader.dll from Halo Custom Edition\CD-Key Crack to the controls folder within the install directory.

  6. Copy strings.dll (the text fix that you downloaded separately) to the install directory.

Hosting

If you want to run the game, you’ll need to open a couple ports on your router’s firewall (and potentially your antivirus software). You will need access to your router’s web interface to do so.

If you don’t know what your router’s address is, open Command Prompt (Win+R, cmd.exe) and run ipconfig. You want the Default Gateway. Open that IP address in a browser.

Halo uses UDP ports 2302 and 2303, this site will probably be helpful.

DO NOT just turn off your firewall. That is a horrible idea, and any resulting compromise of your network, computers, and/or data is not my fault.

Troubleshooting

"Invalid CD Key"

This is a pretty common error when playing with other folks hosting via the game. More or less what’s going on is that the crack allows you to use whatever key you want with no validation, but the “server” notices that you have the same key it does, and doesn’t like that. Thankfully, you can just change your key:

  1. Open Regedit (Win+R, regedit.exe).

  2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Microsoft Games\Halo CE[3] (you may want to just paste that in the address bar).

  3. Export the key to your desktop, in case you break something:

    1. Click File → Export:

      1. Enter a file name.

      2. Leave Export range as-is.

      3. Click Save.

  4. Right-click the value DigitalProductID and select Modify:

    1. Change some values between addresses 0x00000034 and 0x00000042, using hexadecimal characters[4].

    2. Click OK.

  5. Start Halo CE again. It should work as expected now.

I have a Mac

See here.

On a more serious note, install Halo MD (mirror), the Halo+ extension (via Halo MD’s in-app menu), and Sapphire (mirror).

There’s an FAQ (link) that might be helpful.

You will also probably want some maps, as Halo MD just comes with Blood Gulch. You can get those here.

Not all maps work in Halo MD, notably big ones like Death Island can have issues.
1. If you don’t trust me/Tate/Pinchy enough to run a random DLL I gave you, just stop here.
2. Or %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Games\Halo Custom Edition on a 32-bit OS.
3. This will be Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft Games\Halo CE on a 32-bit OS.
4. 0 - 9, A - F