Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

**Ebion** · 04-06-2006, 07:50 PM

Re: Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

It appears that there is a problem simply using your default BF2 key. I'm including all the steps EA just asked me to go through... but you will see at the end i simply tried using another person's BF2 key and it worked. It will not work if i use my own legitimate BF2 key.

:cry:

- Uninstalled everything and checked registry (clean)

- Cleared %temp% files

- Went to Safe Mode (i only have 1 non-passworded login for Windows)

- Followed directions, copying install files (disk1,2,3) to C-drive

- Installed BF2 (using setup.exe not autorun.exe which wont run without CD) and got error at the BF2VoiceSetup.exe part

- Installation continued into dx9c & rebooted back into Safe Mode

* The file "eagamesbf2-2006online_contentbf2-ep1.eam" indicated my key under "regkey" likely due to previous use of BF2SFRegFix.exe and it usually remains blank with initial download, which seems to fix the crash upon installation.

- Installed SF from EA Downloader's Cache

* Registry, in both BF2 and SF entries, indicates a very long x9392 code which i presume is the core BF2 key encrypted

- Installed 1.12 patch (although it isnt available from the Downloader or listed on main EA site anymore, i found it from a fansite mirror)

* Registry remains the same as above with the same very, very long x9392 value

- Rebooted windows in Normal mode and played Single Player successfully. Tried to join a server listed and was told invalid Key.

- Installed freshly downloaded incremental patches 1.12 --> 1.20 --> 1.21 --> 1.22 using the EA Downloader (fyi - Downloader does NOT know when something is installed and maintains "ready to install" status no matter what)

***** UNABLE TO PLAY ON SF SERVERS: "Your CD key installed with SF is not valid, please go buy a real one" (everytime i see this error which implies im using a stolen key... i get more angry)

* I now only see SF servers listed when i use the SF icon on the desktop (previously it showed all bf2 maps/servers).
* Registry continues to show the same very long x9392 value in both places.
* Registry, under HKLM > Software > Electronic Arts > EA Core > Installed Games > EAGAMES > BF2-2006 > ONLINE_CONTENT > BF2-EP1 it has a blank value for Default, then a Displayname, GameLauncherParameters, GameLauncherPath and then Version: 1.1 (there is no key information anywhere in this area)

- Forced the extended x9392 code from the other entries into HKLM > Software > Dice > Battlefield2: Special forces > 1.00.0000 reg_sz entry. I did the same for the base BF2 1.00.0000 entry. Nothing. Reset back to blank.
- Forced the under HKLM > Software > Electronic Arts > EAGAMES BF 2 SF > ergc > REG_Sz = blank (this causes me to get no error when i try to load SF servers but it still wont let me load)

- Forced x9392MYKEY into the SF field and got the error again.
- Forced x9392MYKEY into both SF and BF2 fields, and deleted the Editor entry

Followed previous EA suggestion pertaining Invalid Key and registry changes (i.e. forcing x9392MYKEY in both places)

I remain UNable to play on SF servers. I can play SF single player and also play normal BF2 servers yet it refuses to acknowledge my key as valid.

* In the process of the past few days i have also uninstalled Tweak-XP Pro and Starforce which made no difference
* I am not running any virus protection software or the like while doing any of this
* I only have one non-passworded Windows user account

FINALLY...

I tried using somebody else's key in the registry. I did x9392THEIRKEY and guess what? It worked perfectly.

**Ebion** · 04-07-2006, 07:51 PM

Re: Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

Just an update... after responding fairly quickly in all the previous communications with EA Support... they have officially just started ignoring me.

I've pretty clearly documented the problem and have done everything they have suggested.

I can run SF just fine by simply using another key... and i've shared my key with them for review. I havent heard a word back from them in this remarkable matter.

**zymyo** · 04-07-2006, 08:11 PM

Re: Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

<edit> post your cd key and I'll check if it works, k?

**Ebion** · 04-07-2006, 11:53 PM

Re: Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

Originally posted by simio1337

<edit> post your cd key and I'll check if it works, k?

o rly? :laugh:

Ya know, it's funny cuz i told the EA support people my key and challenged them to put it into SF and see if it works... ive heard NOTHING BACK for two days now.

:cry:

**Gunny Highway** · 04-08-2006, 04:03 AM

Re: Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

Originally posted by tsetse

o rly? :laugh:

Ya know, it's funny cuz i told the EA support people my key and challenged them to put it into SF and see if it works... ive heard NOTHING BACK for two days now.

:cry:

It seems you tried everything.

If your key doesn't work and another one does, the logical conclusion is that your CD-key is somehow now invalid.
E.g. if someone got hold of your CD-key and now it is somehow flagged. Like the one mentioned in the sticky above, where he bought it online..

Did you enter your key after x9392 with CAPITAL letters?? Ppl have indicated that they had to do just so.

**Ebion** · 04-08-2006, 04:27 PM

Re: Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

Originally posted by Gunny Highway

It seems you tried everything.

If your key doesn't work and another one does, the logical conclusion is that your CD-key is somehow now invalid.
E.g. if someone got hold of your CD-key and now it is somehow flagged. Like the one mentioned in the sticky above, where he bought it online..

Did you enter your key after x9392 with CAPITAL letters?? Ppl have indicated that they had to do just so.

Yep, tried with caps and without (all testing done with caps as EA indicated initially).

It's mind-boggling but indeed it seems my legitimate BF2 key just isnt valid for SF for some reason.

I've brought this to EA's attention and even gave them my key for testing... and their usually responsive Support people have simply not responded.

**Fluke89** · 04-09-2006, 12:55 AM

Re: Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

I have the same problem. I bought SF on the ea downloader and cant play online ...i hate this

**Ebion** · 04-09-2006, 04:53 AM

Re: Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

Originally posted by Neo Geo

I have the same problem. I bought SF on the ea downloader and cant play online ...i hate this

If you are simply having problems installing (getting that "bf2cdkeycheck.exe" Error), then try this http://files.ea.com/downloads/eacore/BF2SFRegFix.zip

In sum, what i think that thing does is fix this text file:

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

If you look inside, there is a line with "regkey: " and i think it's usually blank for those of us who have problems in this regard.

My understanding is that it oughta show your key but that thing i linked oughta fix it automatically.

Also, be sure to use proper order of operation:

1. install BF2 (no patching)
2. install SF
3. install patch(es)

I hope that helps you. If you are passed the installation problems and having the same Key problem as me, then i feel for ya. I have YET to hear back from EA in this regards.

My question/incident on the EA Support site was categorized as "unresolved" on friday. :hmm:

I just started a new Question/Ticket on the EA support site in hopes that they will respond this time.

**DogGunn** · 04-09-2006, 06:01 AM

Re: Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

Originally posted by simio1337

<edit> post your cd key and I'll check if it works, k?

Funny and mature eh?

Argh - where did I put this - I had a fix. :cry:

**denniswz** · 04-09-2006, 07:33 AM

Re: Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

I am having issues too and the Freakin game won't even load now...forget about the "invalid CD key" message. But I am about to try one other thing that a friend told me about. Do the un-install; remove anything that says BF2 from your machine; But most importantly (he says) go into your mydocuments folder and get rid of everything (since this is Where BF2 runs from); do a defrag and re-install. I am gonna try this. My friend tells me that my profles will be safe because they are stored on the EA ranked servers.

When I say everything in your mydocuments; I mean everything that says BF on it... You dont need to wipe out your unrelated stuff of course..

**Ebion** · 04-09-2006, 09:36 AM

Re: Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

hahaha, so i made a new question/ticket about this precise issue im having and EA responded with the cut/paste "change your registry to x9392" reponse.

I'm being very patient but if they give me another response like that I'm going to start becoming a tad more mean spirited.

Originally posted by denniswz

I am having issues too and the Freakin game won't even load now...forget about the "invalid CD key" message. But I am about to try one other thing that a friend told me about. Do the un-install; remove anything that says BF2 from your machine; But most importantly (he says) go into your mydocuments folder and get rid of everything (since this is Where BF2 runs from); do a defrag and re-install. I am gonna try this. My friend tells me that my profles will be safe because they are stored on the EA ranked servers.

When I say everything in your mydocuments; I mean everything that says BF on it... You dont need to wipe out your unrelated stuff of course..

Yes, the last "reinstall" that EA suggested involved doing a complete wipe of all %temp% files, all registry stuff, etc... and then making copies of the 3 install CDs to my Harddrive and then installing from the harddrive in Safe Mode... etc.

It made absolutely no difference for my situation :laugh:

If you are simply having trouble installing SF itself, i'd suggest trying http://files.ea.com/downloads/eacore/BF2SFRegFix.zip

**Fluke89** · 04-09-2006, 12:51 PM

Re: Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

Originally posted by tsetse

If you are simply having problems installing (getting that "bf2cdkeycheck.exe" Error), then try this http://files.ea.com/downloads/eacore/BF2SFRegFix.zip

In sum, what i think that thing does is fix this text file:

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

If you look inside, there is a line with "regkey: " and i think it's usually blank for those of us who have problems in this regard.

My understanding is that it oughta show your key but that thing i linked oughta fix it automatically.

Also, be sure to use proper order of operation:

1. install BF2 (no patching)
2. install SF
3. install patch(es)

I hope that helps you. If you are passed the installation problems and having the same Key problem as me, then i feel for ya. I have YET to hear back from EA in this regards.

My question/incident on the EA Support site was categorized as "unresolved" on friday. :hmm:

I just started a new Question/Ticket on the EA support site in hopes that they will respond this time.

i used the fix to install i just cant play online. Invalid cd key

**Ebion** · 04-09-2006, 08:32 PM

Re: Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

Originally posted by Neo Geo

i used the fix to install i just cant play online. Invalid cd key

hmm, so indeed it is the same type of deal.

Can you play the single player as well? Can you play normal BF2 servers?

**Fluke89** · 04-10-2006, 09:47 AM

Re: Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

Originally posted by tsetse

hmm, so indeed it is the same type of deal.

Can you play the single player as well? Can you play normal BF2 servers?

yup and yup

Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

Invalid CD Key: impossible to resolve?

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