Invalid CD KEY: The "how do i find my SF key?" Edition

[Ebion]

Let's just say im ready to never buy another EA game and seriously wonder at what point does wanting, intending and even planning to bomb EA constitute a crime...

I cannot get SF installed.



I am providing an answer but i still dont have BF2: SF working...

I've read the sticky thread. I just bought SF today, downloaded from EA. I've never had a CD key issue with BF2 before now. No issues even as of last night at 4am.

I initially had trouble even installing SF and had to use the BF2SFregFix.exe to get it to work in the first place. I've already spent 3-4 hours of reinstalls and such.

As it stands, i can load SF... get to the server list and then it tells me my Key isnt real (and has a very inappropriate snide suggestion you are breaking the law). After all this work... it really wasnt appreciated.

So, here i am. I've updated punkbuster.

My registry currently showed x9293KEYKEYKEY in both game fields (the bf2 key).

Folks have suggested ignoring EA's own "fix" advice and using the BF2:SF key in the registy field. However, i have NO idea where to find that having downloaded the game (EA didnt feel the need to give that info to me via email or whatever).

So, how do i find my SF key?

...\EA Downloader\cache\YOURACCOUNT\eagamesbf2-2006online_contentbf2-ep1.eam

Open that file with a text editor and under "regkey" it actually shows the new key.

If it is blank (mine was initially), you may need to grab this http://files.ea.com/downloads/eacore/BF2SFRegFix.zip

Poke around with that and also running the Battlefield 2_code.exe until a damned key shows up there.

SO NOW... my registry shows the right key for BF2 and the new key for BF2: SF

And it still isnt working????

I could use some tips at this point. I'm beyond frustrated and ready to contemplate violence :p

The one thing i havent done... and refuse to do unless i have no alternatives left is reinstall again (keep in mind i had a 3 hour hassle just getting the damn thing installed in the first place).

[Sir. Shpox]

Re: Invalid CD KEY: The "how do i find my SF key?" Edition

Reinstall. Quickest way to solve things if the problem solving solutions dont work.

[Ebion]

Re: Invalid CD KEY: The "how do i find my SF key?" Edition

But i spent 3+ hours reinstalling already because the downloaded installer is such a POS.

I may try it again... but lord... this is insane. Seriously, people need to get fired for thsi degree of incompetence.

IM a techie... have tried all kinds of stuff but i cant imagine my 65 year old dad (a gamer) even knowing what to do first...

update

So...

Having no other options or tips, i went ahead and reinstalled BF2 from Safe Mode, once again.

Checked registry and it showed BF2 there with the key itself as the field data (no x9392).

I patched to 1.22 from the EA Downloader (Safe Mode with networking on).

I assumed it is valid to install the patch prior to installing SF. I also checked registry again and it changed to an x9392 code with what appears to be an encrypted version of the key added.

I then Installed SF from the EA Downloader (Safe Mode with networking on).

First thing i noticed is it says "patching to 1.1" in the installation so i assume that means you should NOT install 1.22 prior (i didnt the last time).

The registry now indicates an SF section with an encrypted x9392 code.

Will it work?

NOPE: says invalid key and to purchase a real one from the web site.

SO, i decided to re-install 1.22 patch once again from the EA Downloader (not in safe mode tho).

Registry still shows each field with an encrypted x9392blahblahblah value. The SAME value for both.

Will it work?

NOPE: says invalid SF CD key still.

It also still shows version 1.1.2720 still, so as if i havent wasted enough time im reinstalling AGAIN...

:cry:

And once again... it said it installed fine then still shows 1.1.2720 on the damn game.

So, in desperation now... im trying BF2SFRegFix.exe and using the SF key provided in the cache files i downloaded.

NOTHING.

I've tried running BF2CDKeyCheck.exe and even while loaded at the server screen: NOTHING.

It plays normal servers just fine, btw, even though it shows 1.1.2720 at the version.

Anybody?