Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 XP issues(THPS2)

Hey major geeks!

I have yet another problem for you but this one is pretty light hearted. I am using Windows XP home Edition (retail SP2) and aftet an installation of THPS2 I realized this game is unplayable. I have read multiple forum posts and tutorials, but none of the info is helping at all.

Here's what I have tried:
-I installed the XP patch (patch.com) with no success.
-I installed the smaller.exe with no success
-I went to start>run>dxdiag>sound>acceleration and cahnged it to none.
-I edited the .cfg file to make sure it was loading in software rendering mode.
-I read and followed any suggestions at Activision's support page.
-I tried to change the compatibility mode on the program with no gain.

Can you guys help? I want to try to beat this game again.

Thanks again! Any suggestion big or small is welcome!

Randy O.

 

Need more information like what the game is doing or not doing, what your system specs are etc etc.

 

System specs are:
P4 3.0 ghz with HT
4 X 512 PC3200 Dual Channel Kingston RAM
Genuine ATI X700 Pro
Asus P4p800 SE Motherboard
Soundblaster Live Sound Card
That should be all that is relevant.

As far as what the game is doing:

I start up the "game" and it displays the Activision FMV, then Neversoft, then Gray Matter and finally the THPS2 FMV. If I press any key to skip the final fmv or even if I just let it play through, the game returns to the desktop.

With the Smaller.exe at first I had the error "Cannot find Bink32.dll" or something along those lines. After finding and copying that file into my Windows>system folder I now receive the message "Bink32.dll was incorrectly installed in the windows subdirectory" and then after clicking OK it says "the application failed to initialize properly (0xc00000142)"

The only other thing I think i should mention is taht I am currently using the new Omega drivers for the X700. Also, however I ahve tried the Catalyst drivers and I get the same effect.

Now I would just chalk this up as a loss... except that is does the same thing on two completely diferent computers.
I really just want to solve this because none of the fixes are working, and as a technician.... it's downright frusterating!!!

What suggestions have ye?

Randy O.

 

The game is apparently not supported under XP or 2000.

Try uninstalling it completely, manually deleting any redundant program files/folders and Registry entries, then install, but use compatibility mode for the installer itself.

Activision also suggest you set your desktop to 640 x 480 (16bit). (compatibility mode also has this setting for the game, so try that)


I would also suggest you update your sound and video drivers if you haven't done so already, and close any background programs while the game is running.

 

Run the installer in compatibility mode? Worth a shot!
I will let you know how it turns out Insomniac... don't lose any sleep over it though! (bad joke, I know)

Thanks!
Randy O.

 

Insomniac,
Unfortunately it doesn't work. I have tried the Planet Tony Hawk forums too and no one came seem to figure it out. I am going to try to get a ripped versiona dn copy some of the files over to my retail install one by one hoping that I can find a fix. Thanks for all of your help though Insomniac.
You've been very helpful!

Randy O.

 

Well, that's interesting.
I downloaded a backup of THPS2 and installed it and it works with no XP patch no fixes at all.
Being that I have the retail disc, I don't think I will install the NoCD crack.
Man... I don't understand why, but I am just happen that it is...

Randy O.