Vista-64 Bit Crash *Help*

[Godfish]

ok, I used to play bf2 all the time up until around January when I put together my new computer. After getting everything up and running I installed bf2 and the 1.41 patch and began to try and join servers. But as soon as I click on the server name and select connect it kind of thinks for a second. Then the screen goes black and I crash to desktop.

I think the problem is with the Vista 64-bit operating system. I ran a 32-bit before and it was fine.

Does anyone know what the problem might be???

These are my specs:

Intel Q6700 quad at 2.4 Ghz
4 gigs of ram
8800 ultra
Nvidia 680i motherboard
Vista Ultimate 64-Bit

[Natt]

From the stickied Tech FAQ:

Problem - Crash to Desktop on Joining a online Server
Cause - No CDKEY in Registry
Fix - Use battlefield2_code.exe to re-enter your CDKEY, this can be located in the support folder of where you installed battlefield 2 on your Hard-Drive.
After re-entering your CDKEY you must then reapply the latest patch in order for it to be encrypted into the registry.
This Program can also be used. (Note - This Program appears to do nothing visually, but it did change the registry key)

Problem - Crash to Desktop on Joining a online Server (1942 Issue)
Cause - Uninstalling BF1942 on a system that has BF2 on it.
Fix - You must remove BF2 manually and reinstall it. Here's how: (modified slightly from EA's instructions to preserve settings/config):
Save your settings/configs:
* Open My Documents, rename "Battlefield 2" folder to "Battlefield 2 previous"
Delete the game files:
* Find your installation of Battlefield 2 (default: c:\Program Files\EA Games\Battlefield 2) and delete it.
Remove registry entries:
1. Click on the Start button.
2. Click on Run.
3. Type regedit in the text field.
4. Click File and then choose Export.
5. Name the file Backup and make sure the Export Range is set to All.
6. Click Save; you will now be returned to the Registry Editor window.
7. Click the plus sign next to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
8. Click the plus sign next to Software.
9. Click the plus sign next to DICE.
10. Right-click on the Battlefield 2 folder and choose Delete.
11. Click the plus sign next to Electronic Arts.
12. Right-click and choose Delete on any Battlefield 2 folders.
13. Click the plus sign next to Microsoft.
14. Click the plus sign next to Windows.
15. Click the plus sign next to CurrentVersion.
16. Click the plus sign next to Uninstall.
17. Right-click on the key named {04858915-9F49-4B2A-AED4-DC49A7DE6A7B} and choose Delete.
18. A Confirm Key Delete window will appear, choose Yes.
19. Close the WindowsRegistry Editor.
Battlefield 2 is now completely removed from your system.
Re-installation:
1. Reinstall Battlefield 2
2. Apply latest patch
3. Open My Documents, Rename "Battlefield 2" folder to "Battlefield 2 old" (this is the freshly installed settings directory which you may want to keep just in case).
4. Rename "Battlefield 2 previous" (your settings before BF2 stopped working) to "Battlefield 2"

Problem - Crash to Desktop on Joining a online Server (Anti-Virus Issue)
Cause - Punkbuster conflicting with Kaspersky AntiVirus(maybe others)
Fix - There is no current Fix for this problem but if your Battlefield 2 crashes to Desktop after a clean Reinstallations try to remove Kaspersky antivirus from your system. Currently Kaspersky V6 causes this issue, Kaspersky V5 appears to be OK so far.
A possible Kaspersky V6 fix is,
* remove KB917422 (windows update file) , to remove goto control panel, add/remove programs/check show updates, remove the update.
Kaspersky has a problem with this update and can cause issues in game.

You could also try installing punkbuster services: http://www.evenbalance.com/index.php?page=pbsvcfaq.php
Then manually update punkbuster: http://www.evenbalance.com/index.php?page=pbsetup.php

[Trevortt]

Its also a case of one of the many un-resolved bugs in BF2 that unfortunatly will never get fixed.

[Godfish]

I tried the manual uninstall but none of those registry keys are there, what does that mean.

@Trevortt did you get it to work on your 64 bit

I might just try and install xp on another hard drive to try and get it to work.

[Natt]

If the registry keys aren't there, then that is why it is crashing - no cd key.
Re-installing should fix it.

[Godfish]

I've tried installing a few times and those registry codes still aren't there. is it a vista thing, maybe they go somewhere else

[Natt]

Try this one~: http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg...?p_faqid=14511

[(TM)KillJoy]

Quote:
Its also a case of one of the many un-resolved bugs in BF2 that unfortunatly will never get fixed.

That is such crap ...its hard to believe this got posted.

To the OP, with that system, you'll be able to run BF2 on all high with no problem. There are hundreds of reasons for CTDs, you just haven't figured out which one you have, but you will. Just keep working on it. There is no BF2 problem you could have that cannot be resolved. By now, there are thousands upon thousands of people playing BF2 with Vista 64, Quads, or whatever. Google is your friend.

[Trevortt]

I tried the manual uninstall but none of those registry keys are there, what does that mean.

@Trevortt did you get it to work on your 64 bit

I might just try and install xp on another hard drive to try and get it to work.

BF2 works perfect for me, sometimes i will CTD but its a known BF2 bug.

Try disabling the AERO feature in Vista, this is known to cause some games to stop responding or malfunction ie CTD.

[Eyemaster]

ok, I used to play bf2 all the time up until around January when I put together my new computer. After getting everything up and running I installed bf2 and the 1.41 patch and began to try and join servers. But as soon as I click on the server name and select connect it kind of thinks for a second. Then the screen goes black and I crash to desktop.

I had the same problem on my 64bit Vista and I "think" I resolved it by making sure I ran BF2 in XP compatibility mode. Right click shortcut, choose Compatibilty, and pick XP SP2.

UPDATE: Scratch that... I remember now I was trying to run BF2 from my games drive without reinstalling it on Vista. A reinstall fixed the crashing. Make sure to install BF2 with UAC disabled to see if that helps get the keys your missing in the registry.

[Stormy{CAN}]

When looking through the registry on a 64 Windows OS (Vista or XP) for 32 bit applications you need to look in the "Wow6432Node" folder.

[RottnJP]

Re: Vista-64 Bit Crash *Help*

O.K., ignorant question. Where, exactly, in the registry should I be finding the CD Keys? This sounds like exactly the problem I'm having with BF2 and BF2142 on my clean Vista 64 install.

I'm not seeing the keys, even after running the program in the support folder (mentioned above). I'm going into SOFTWARE > Wow6432Node > DICE and then the battlefield folders. They each have an empty sub-folder. I've also looked in the EA Games folders, EA Core, etc. and not finding CD keys anywhere...

(Note I'm already running the game as admin, and in XP compatibility mode)

[Natt]

Re: Vista-64 Bit Crash *Help*

If you have this problem, then it is because the cd-keys aren't there.#
You need to manually input them using battlefield 2/battlefield 2142_code.exe

http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=14245

[RottnJP]

Re: Vista-64 Bit Crash *Help*

Ah, crap.

O.K., that navigated me to the right spot- Thanks! Unfortunately, the key was there. So I go back into 2142, try and join a server again, and again, Bam- "bf2142.exe has stopped working"

Now when I click on the launch shortcut or .exe it tells me the 2142 disk isn't even in the drive. :hmm: It doesn't look like its in bad shape... I've been careful with the disk, even if it is from the first shipment on day one. :p The other thing BF2142 is doing is crapping out (CTD) when I try and go into the Audio section of the game options.

Battlefield 2 is also failing in the exact same way when I try to join a server, and also has the keys in the registry as described in the forwarded link. But, BF2 doesn't have any trouble recognizing the disk, and it doesn't crash when I go into Options > Audio.

I have also already manually ubdated PB for both games, so that's not it...



Edited to add: O.K., this is wierd- after another application of the patch, BF2 is now working... Maybe all I need now is a new 2142 disk image...