My chapter 1 save files cant load to chapter 2.
You have to play to the end of the "updated" chapter 1 (the one currently available for DL) and then do an "export". I can't remember the exact way you go about it, but I remember some kind of prompt. You can search the thread for "export" and you may be able to find the specific instructions.
If you saved in the pre-updated version, load the updated Chapter 1, open the saves that you want to carry forward one by one, roll the save back a few screens, then "finish" and "save" again, then do the export. When you open "Chapter 2" choose a "New" game and the game will ask you if you want to enter stats from your chapter 1 saves, or "import" one of the "exported" saves. You'll need to have not messed with the save files or persistent file saved by Chapter 1 to your RenPy folder on your PC (assuming you're using your PC).
If you've been trying to open from "load" rather than "new game", try the "new game" route first since you may have already done the export. I just assumed that maybe you had not.
Good luck!