Need troubleshooting - EA support is useless!

[Mortron]

Hi there,

I've been having problems with BF2 since I bought it a few weeks ago.

I'm experiencing random crashes ingame around 70-80% of times when I'm playing and it's driving me nuts. The crashes range from crashes to desktop (rare) and more common; sudden reboots of my computer. The most common symptom right before a crash is that the screen freezes for a second with a sound looping and then the computer just reboots. Sometimes, but not always, I get a crash analysis from WinXp saying it's caused by an unknown device driver, but that usually just means that they have no idea. Once or twice the analysis has pointed specifically towards the graphics card, but it works fine with other graphics heavy games. Sometimes I can play for hours. It seems like there is a critical stage of about half an hour to about an hour of playtime before it's stable (but it might not have anything to do with it)

Crashes usually happens in the middle of a game. Seemingly at random although I've noticed that it tend to happen most often when there is a lot going on at the same time, like when I'm raising hell with the minigun on a chopper with a bunch of other guys or during intense firefights up close. Thing is though I have the same problem even with every graphics and sound setting turned down to the bare minimum.

The thing is I have no idea what causes the problem. Is it a graphics card prob, RAM prob, sound prob, heat, PSU or just sloppy programming (although someone seems to be running the game fine - yes I'm talking about you 50000+ points guys)? Please help as I'm addicted to this game.

I've done all the usual stuff; updating drivers, reinstalling the game, checked temperature and dust on components, checked for running processes, virus, spyware, ran the game with sound acceleration turned down to basic, you name it. I tried every graphic and sound setting.

My main suspects are the graphics card (G-Force FX 5900 XT) which is getting about three years old, the built-in sound card on my mobo (Nforce 2) or the RAM (2 sticks of DDR SDRAM of 512 MB and 256 MB single channel). I don't think it's a temperature problem as my readings are OK. The power supply is also fine (450 mhz).

I don't seem to have any problems with other games except GTA: San Andreas which is just buggy as hell, and for some reason Prince of Persia: Warrior Within which crashed my computer when exiting the game. Had a few random crashes in Rome: Total War. Have played Half-Life 2, Doom 3, Unreal Tournament 2004 with no probs at all.

Any suggestions?

My system specs are:

Processor: AMD Athlon™ XP 2500+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.8GHz
Memory: 768MB RAM
Graphics Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900XT
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Sound device: NVIDIA® nForce™ Audio
O/S: WinXP Pro with SP2

[BryanG]

I used to have this exact problem on my other computer. It just can't handle it.

[NoSoup4You]

First off, update your drivers. Secondly use software rendering for the sound. Third, scan for ad and spyware, and virus as well.

Third this sounds like a Windows stop error, which usually means there is a memory conflict somewhere, hopefully the above suggestions will cure your system, if not we have to dig really deep.

[imported_Davis]

Hi there,

I've been having problems with BF2 since I bought it a few weeks ago.

I'm experiencing random crashes ingame around 70-80% of times when I'm playing and it's driving me nuts. The crashes range from crashes to desktop (rare) and more common; sudden reboots of my computer. The most common symptom right before a crash is that the screen freezes for a second with a sound looping and then the computer just reboots.

Memory: 768MB RAM

Your main problem. Upgrade your memory and possibly to 2gigs for best performance.

Next time please use search. There are a lot of issues on the forums and most of them are resolved with upgrading your memory.

[NoSoup4You]

Your main problem. Upgrade your memory and possibly to 2gigs for best performance.

Next time please use search

Davis, you don't need 2 gigs of ram, so please don't hand out advice that may only cause people to waste their money.

[imported_Davis]

Davis, you don't need 2 gigs of ram, so please don't hand out advice that may only cause people to waste their money.

If you do not like it take it to PM's. You for one can not read or comprehend what I just stated. I stated "upgrade your memory up to 2gigs, for best performance", which nowhere implies to upgrade directly to 2gigs.

Furthermore 2gigs of memory is virtually cheaper than purchasing a gig of ram these days, not only will it improve your Gaming experience but your entire system performance. Upgrading to 2gigs of memory you will be able to finish projects faster, games and applications will load faster, etc.. etc..

It is also known BF2 utilizes well over a gig of memory when medium-high settings are used. Do your research before stating incorrect info. Do not be turning this into a flame fest Kingofkaos... you're not helping.

[Mortron]

Well thanks, but...

First off, update your drivers. Secondly use software rendering for the sound. Third, scan for ad and spyware, and virus as well.

Been there, done that. No dice (or should I say Dice). But thanks anyways.

Davis: I agree with KingofKhaos that RAM isn't the main problem. I should be able to run the game on medium settings with AA off with the amount of RAM I got (I've tested the RAM for errors in memtest386 as well by the way). I am planning on adding at least another gig of RAM in the near future, but one of the reasons I'm submitting this problem is precisely because I don't have unlimited funds and need to isolate the problem so I can find out if I need to buy another graphics card or whatnot.
I realize there are a lot of people who have already reported crashes on this forum. And believe me, I've read and learned from each and every one of them. But nothing I've found seems to point me in the right direction. I'm turning to you my fellow soldiers because I know you're not only badass killing machines but also hardcore gamers who probably know alot more about computers than I do. Sorry if I'm wasting your time, Davis, but as the heading says I'm just looking for someone who can give me qualified advice on troubleshooting the game since EA's support is just a preprogrammed robot with no clue.

[Mortron]

True, Davis

Davis: Missed the last part. I hear ya, and I know extra RAM is great forall kinds of reasons. I just want to make sure it's not related to other hardware, because I can't afford both a new graphics card AND a gig of RAM. Thanks though.

One thing though puzzles me: If it is memory related shouldn't the amount of people on the server and/or size of the map be an issue? I'm getting crashes even when playing single player on small maps or when I'm playing with every setting on low.

[imported_Davis]

Davis: Missed the last part. I hear ya, and I know extra RAM is great forall kinds of reasons. I just want to make sure it's not related to other hardware, because I can't afford both a new graphics card AND a gig of RAM. Thanks though.

One thing though puzzles me: If it is memory related shouldn't the amount of people on the server and/or size of the map be an issue? I'm getting crashes even when playing single player on small maps or when I'm playing with every setting on low.

I would check and make sure your CPU / GPU is not overheating. Use ATItool / Rivatuner to detect your temps and log them. You need to log your temperatures while the game is loaded and during normal load. Under high load your gpu / cpu should not exceed over a reasonable 53c, that is still pushing it, a stable system should run around 30-48c, these temps are under load.

BF2 is very stressful on computers if you are not up to date with the current hardware.

[Mortron]

I checked temperature as well. It seems ok. But what is a reasonable limit for the temp?

Update: Another thing is I tried running the game with Hardware Doctor running in the background just to see if it would give me a temp warning at any point. It didn't. Wouldn't HL 2 and Doom 3 be more stressful at least on the GPU temp though? I can run those with no probs whatsoever. Another interesting point is like I mentioned, that once the game has run for maybe half an hour the critical stage seems to have passed, which suggest that temp is not the problem (on the other hand it also seems to suggest a RAM issue is at fault, right?). AAaargh, damn you computer!

[spaceman1701]

Man, My problem is ur problem

Like it says I have the exact problem, but only with BF2. I run Half Life 2, GTA:SA and all the other fast graphic games like a dream but no go with BF2. I shut down everything except Xfire and Teamspeak and i have serious graphic issues during game play. If it isn't the graphical lag, it is the getting booted. I have tried everything, updates, reinstalls, cleaning maintence, I have even replaced hardware. I monitored my temp too and it was all good.
I have found that even though BF2 boasts to be in league with NVidia, in the creation of this game, they actually don't run together very well. Considering I have both of the suggested hardware brands, Nvidia and Creative, and BF2 still runs bad for me. Although updating my Ram from 768Mb to 1024Mb did help abit, I still have all graphical settings to the minimum.
But the part that really picks my ass is the part after the loading of a map, the "verifying client data" stage. What the hell is that? What is it verifying? It takes me like 5 minutes to complete that stage.
My system is as follows:
Geforce FX 5700LE W/ 256Mb
Creative SB Audigy 2 ZS
2 sticks of Kingston DDR PC2700 512MB
AMD Sempron 2800+(which runs at 2Ghz)
2 identical 80G maxtor 7200Rpm HDs
all run on a Gigabyte K7 Triton GA-7N400S(-L) board with Nforce2 chipset

What I really need help with is the "verifying Client Data" part. why does mine take so long? I have high speed DSL, and when I am talking to my buddy via team speak, he is in the game in under 1 minute. Would it have anything to do with my router or fiewall? I have given it portal permission through both, and then some.
I could really use some help and to the original poster, there isnt any cure that I have found so far, but if I find one you will know soon.

[J()sh]

I have the same problem, and I have tried practicaly everythign to fix it.

EA Tech Support literally told me they have no idea.

[NoSoup4You]

I checked temperature as well. It seems ok. But what is a reasonable limit for the temp?

Update: Another thing is I tried running the game with Hardware Doctor running in the background just to see if it would give me a temp warning at any point. It didn't. Wouldn't HL 2 and Doom 3 be more stressful at least on the GPU temp though? I can run those with no probs whatsoever. Another interesting point is like I mentioned, that once the game has run for maybe half an hour the critical stage seems to have passed, which suggest that temp is not the problem (on the other hand it also seems to suggest a RAM issue is at fault, right?). AAaargh, damn you computer!

Acceptable temps depend upon your hardware. The Athlons run a little hotter, but still generally your temps should never get above 55*C for your CPU.

Your GPU, I'm not sure about. Again generally 70*C at the very most is a general rule, and that would be considered pretty damn hot too. I'm getting a new heatsink unit on my X850XT PE, just to drop the temps down to where I feel they should be.

[spaceman1701]

Heres a thought

Hey mortron. Do you have BF2 installed in the same partition as windows? I don't. I don't even have it on the same HD. I have been thinking that this may be my problem. I will be wiping my Windows HD and then reinstalling BF2 in the same partition as Windows, this weekend and I hope this may be a cure. If it solves my problem I will let you know.
Has anyone ever heard of this being a problem? Does anyone know if it makes a difference? I didnt think it would, because all of my games are on a seperate HD than Windows and I dont have any problems with them.

[SerbSniper1]

My P4 3.4 Nevr goes over 50*c I have my gigabyte system to sound an alarm at 50*c. Its called easy tune 4, I had it at 45 before I installed the two (LOUD) tornado fans and it went off WARNING WARNING, thought it was a nuke strike coming in, LOL.
But with the tornado fans now doesn't go over 42*c with my P4, 6800 ultra.