How do I know if my CD key is valid?

[NoB33r4u]

Re: How do I know if my CD key is valid?

You're welcome

Its amazing - thats the second time I've searched for something on EA support in a week and BOTH times I got the answer I was looking for!!! :shock:
Apparently EA isn't as useless as I thought

[ConscriptVirus]

Re: How do I know if my CD key is valid?

yea bf2 is no fun without a cd key

[Ion]

Re: How do I know if my CD key is valid?

You can PM me the key, and I'll test it for you.

O Brother

[WAAASSSUUUPP]

Re: How do I know if my CD key is valid?

I have a question as well, I installed BF2 on my computer, what if I reformatted my computer, would I be able to use it again?

[Arkasha]

Re: How do I know if my CD key is valid?

I have a question as well, I installed BF2 on my computer, what if I reformatted my computer, would I be able to use it again?

Yes. I reformatted my hard disk after a major hardware upgrade, and reinstalled the game from my original discs. No problems of any kind.

[RandysWay]

Re: How do I know if my CD key is valid?

Install the game and when it prompts you for the key during the install process, enter it. If its valid, it'll go through.

[PsychoSnowMan]

waixingren, there isn't anything illegal being down here. CDKeys have been common with games for years. Right now a CDKey is the sole thing that stops someone from being able to buy a game, creating an image of the game disc on their hard drive or burning it to another disc and returning the game, in essence stealing the software. It's not a problem with a 'monolithic' company like EA. Games from giant releases like BF2, HL2, down to low budget releases by very small companies use activation codes to insure that someone is playing with a legitimately payed for copy of the game. It might not be as convenient as you want it to be but it's a very small price to pay for the perpetuation of the computer games industry.
Why you're bothering playing computer games if you don't have a sufficient budget to upgrade or legally purchase games seems odd. If you want a cheaper alternative you could just get an inferior console system.

[Drum]

Re: How do I know if my CD key is valid?

OK i read this thread and 85% of the good info is all scattered about or uselses

heres the facts:

1-Use your CD key in the installing proccess, it will verify that it is a legit key only (doesn't care if its been used alrdy)

2-Once the games installed and you go to join a server on multiplayer, it will look to see if any1 else is already playing with your cd key,

if theres already another person useing your cd key in game, it will give you a error and say contact EA; you will only encounter this problem when the other guy is actualy playing and useing the same cd key

if it happens that your cd key has been copyed and played by 1-100+ others, you will only be able to play online when they are not, only 1 same cd key online at a time,

3-Singal Player will always work

4-You can install the same CD key infinte times, just can't use the same 1 at the same time


hope that clears up any questions and mess

-laterz

[imported_Got Your Back]

Re: How do I know if my CD key is valid?

When you install a game, software, OS it gives it a GUID (Globally Unique Identifier). So when you install the game & put in the CD key code, it gives you a GUID for that game. No matter how many times you uninstall or reformat. When you install the game with that SAME Cd key code, it gives you the same GUID. If 2 or more people have that SAME cd key code & get online to play. PB will detect duplicate GUIDs & Kick your butts out. As long as only 1 person plays online at a time then there is NO problem. BUT, thats why you NEVER give out your Key Code to ANYBODY. Not sure how Bf2 works, but you may stand a chance of getting Globally banned for it by PB. The only way to know if the key code is valid is to install & run BF2. That being said, there are also key generators which let you install the game, but 90 percent of the time it will give you Unknown GUID & PB doesn't like that either. Most of the Key gen'd games won't let you connect to the servers unless you find some "cracked key servers" I don't think that ANY ranked ones will. You need to install & join a ranked server to be totally sure that it is legit. Even then it could be a legit duplicate that the guy who sold it to you is running. E-bay has strict throw your a$$ in the Pen bootlegger laws ..... Garage sales don't . Not a wise choice on your part. Did you ever ask the guy selling it WHY he was selling it? I think I'd have asked for a receipt to cover your butt!