Solution to running Max Payne 1 and 2 on newer systems

[ancalimon]

I have an ATI 7970 and an Intel i7 using Windows 7 x64

After Steam downloads the games, try starting the games once. Nothing will happen but you will see maxpayne.exe and maxpayne2.exe tasks in task manager.

What you have to do is to exit Steam and restart it. To be on the safe side, restart your computer. You might have to try starting the game at least once. I also tried fiddling with compatibility settings and checked run as administrator once but it didn't work. I then reseted the compatibility settings. And did the following

Create two text documents one for Max Payne 1 and one for Max Payne 2

Paste these :

For Max Payne1 :

start /affinity 1 MaxPayne.exe

For Max Payne 2:

start /affinity 1 MaxPayne2.exe

Save them as "Max Payne 1.bat" and "Max Payne 2.bat" inside the Max Payne 1 and 2 folders.

Now start the game by double clicking those files. After a few seconds, the launcher will start.

For proper 16:10 16:9 resolution fix for MP1 and MP2, see here:
http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=547841

[Lostedge]

I presume this causes computer to only use 1-core to run the game? Though you could do same thing by starting game going processes and setting affinity from there.

[ancalimon]

The thing is that the launcher of the game won't start if you don't do this.

[Sir Lord Genzo Hunfriding]

Worked for me! Thank you!

[Cropky]

lol, It's WORKING! Thanks. Rockstar support don't know how to fix!

[Haus ☯]

Confirming it's working on W7x64 (i5 + HD6870)

[Juhis]

Application load error?

[Think Floyd]

Simpler fix for Win 7, try this:
Go to the game's folder, e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Max Payne 2 The Fall of Max Payne\

Right click on maxpayne2.exe, and choose properties.

In the Compatibility tab, check the "run in compatibility mode for" box, and choose "Windows 98/ME".

Click OK.

Double click on the app, or run the game from Steam, and you should be in the launcher, with no problems from here on.

[ancalimon]

Originally posted by Think Floyd:

Simpler fix for Win 7, try this:
Go to the game's folder, e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Max Payne 2 The Fall of Max Payne\

Right click on maxpayne2.exe, and choose properties.

In the Compatibility tab, check the "run in compatibility mode for" box, and choose "Windows 98/ME".

Click OK.

Double click on the app, or run the game from Steam, and you should be in the launcher, with no problems from here on.

This does not work here on Windows7 x64.

En error window comes up saying "Exception in starupInit: Directory \data not found"

[Killingbeans]

This is what worked for me in Windows 7 x64:

Compatibility mode set to Windows XP SP3 and " -dx9" amended to the shortcut destination.

Forcing the game to run in DirectX 9 mode seemed to do the trick.

[Dax]

didn't worked for me :/

[ancalimon]

Originally posted by Dax:

didn't worked for me :/

Doesn't my solution work? (the first message in this topic)

[Desert Storm]

Just starting steam as administrator worked for me under Win7 x64 to get the game started. Nothing else was needed.

[Rive]

This, as well as the other suggestions in this post didn't work for me. I'm on ATI Catalyst 13.1, I've heard mention of rolling back to 12.6, although I'm not to keen on going back to ancient drivers if I don't have to. Anyone else have any things to try?

[Spuzaw]

Thanks ancalimon!!!

I've been trying every possible fix and this is the only one that has worked. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[Nibelungo]

omg gabe bless ancalimon