Game Freezes everytime when I enter a Map

[HammerOMA30]

Game:
Battlefield 2

System:
Gigabyte 8Knxp-SLI Mobo
Gigabyte X800XL Graphics card
OCZ400 Platinum RAM 512MB X 4
Audigy 2 ZS Gamer Sound card
WD80J SE Hard Drive X2
Pioneer DVD-RW 16X16 Drive

Fresh install of WinXP Pro on main drive:
All current drivers
Cat 5.9 Driver Video

Fresh install of BF2
Fresh install of V1.02 Patch
Fresh update of PB via website/.exe update tool

Here's my problem,
When I installed the game I went right to the website and checked for any updates. I updated to version 1.02 and went into the game. I set it all up and tried to get into a map. The game locked up just after I got into the game where you pick your side. I messed with the video settings (turned them all down) and it still did it. I messed with the sound (turned EAX off, went to software and low quality, still locked up.

I uninstalled the game and didn't install the patch (v1.02). The game actually ran. I got into several maps and no lock ups. I turned the video back up and the sound back up. No lock ups. The problem I was having now was that I could update my server list (no button for that) and I couldn't get any rated games to load. So, I checked with a buddy of mine and he was running the patch and had a server update button and rated servers. So, I installed the patch again and guess what.. same thing. I get past the load screen and into the game, bam.. lock up.

It locks up the video but I can still here sound. The sound is sometimes looping but sometimes it's not. I cannot get into the game without it locking up, and when it does I have to hard-reboot the computer. Here's the thing, I can still use my Teamspeak software in the background, but I can't get out of the game.

I have Windows firewall turned off
I have removed Norton Internet security
I have disabled Windows pop-up stopper
I have updated PB and all drivers.

What is the deal, why is the patch locking up the computer and how can you play without it. It's like a catch 22.

[HammerOMA30]

Re: Game Freezes everytime when I enter a Map

I have since did the creative Open AL fix and that in itself is screwed up. I ran the program, renamed the BFOpenAL in the game folder and copied the new creative one (that I just patched) from the windows\System32 folder and pasted it in the BF folder. I renamed it BFOpenAL like the original one. Now when I go into game under audio options it shows SOUNDDEVICE instead of the normal three options (Software, hardware, Creative) and when I go into game it locks up and there's no sound. When switching to go to hardware or software.. the screen options blank out and it says I have incompatible hardware and it doesn't allow me to switch back..

I'm thinking this game is not worth the hassle, there should not be this much involved in making a game work on the end users hardware. This sux!

[[BFN]Walmart Security]

Re: Game Freezes everytime when I enter a Map

this might be weird but take 2 of those sticks of ram out, try running it with only 2 stick in dual channel.... if it doesnt work try the other 2 sticks in dual channel.... yea it might be a litte time consuming and a pain in the ass but try it. :) lemme know if you have success.

[Shamus]

Re: Game Freezes everytime when I enter a Map

If you care to, I would uninstall and reinstall both the game and the sound drivers.