Punkbuster Error: MD5Tool Mismatch Solution

[[R-DEV]fuzzhead]

These steps may only work for XP.

The long fool proof way to fix most BF2 and PR mod Errors

Check to make certain you have installed and are running PR correctly.

Go here for a full installation guide:
http://www.realitymod.com/forum/f27-...formation.html

NOTE: Make sure you allow new desktop shortcut during installation.

If you are getting the shaders_client.zip mismatch error then this duct tape fix may or may not work for you:

Follow these steps closely:

1. Delete the cache data folder for PR. You can find this folder usually by going to
C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\Battlefield 2\mods\bf2\cache\
and deleting whatever folder is there. This will force re-optimization for the game when you load into a map again.

2. Make a backup of the following file by renaming the file adding .bak to the end of it.
C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\Battlefield 2\mods\bf2\shaders_client.zip

3. Then COPY C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\Battlefield 2\mods\pr\shaders_client.zip to the previous folder in Step 2.

4. Restart Game and the problem may be solved.

If you are getting the following warning screen after launching with pr.exe:
WARNING! You must run Project Reality by running PR.exe, not BF2.exe.
Press ALT+F4 and update your shortcuts!


- You may get this warning screen if you have BF2 installed into a different location other than the default location which is C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\Battlefield 2\. If you suspect this is the problem, then you will need to change your shortcut to demonstrate the change such as:
F:\Install Path\pr.exe +modPath mods/pr +menu 1 +fullscreen 1 +restart

- One fix for this is to copy the pr.exe file located here:
C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\Battlefield 2\mods\pr\
into the following folder that also houses the BF2.exe file here:
C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\Battlefield 2\
and then make sure you modify your shortcut to point to the new location of the pr.exe file.
C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\Battlefield 2\pr.exe" +modPath mods/pr +menu 1 +fullscreen 1

- Community member 'Deadfast' has made some bat files which auomatically fix problems, these files and explaination of how they work can be found HERE

If you suspect that a virus or other Malware programs is effecting the files:

Get your favorite Anti-Virus or Malware software, update the definitions and do a full scan from Safe Mode. You can get to Safe Mode by pressing F8 leisurely during the initial boot up of Windows.

If you suspect that corrupt install files may be the cause:
Double check the integrity of the install file by using this method: HERE

If you suspect that a bad HDD (Hard Drive) may be affecting the files:
Do the following steps:

1. Go to My Computer -> (Right Click) C:\ Drive -> Properties -> Tools Tab
2. Click on Check Now in the Error Checking section.
3. Check on the option to, "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors"
4. Then click Start and let it run through it's entire scan.

If your getting seemingly random MD5 kicks for not only shader_client.zip but also map levels client.zip files

1. Download memtest86 .iso for your particular OS. You can get that application from the following website: Memtest86.com - Memory Diagnostic
   
2. Burn the file to a CD as an ISO or copy it to a Flash Drive.
   
3. Boot from this media and it will auto start the memtest86 application. Make sure you let it run through at least 2 passes on your memory.
   
4. If it finds an error or hangs for a long time (minimum 10 minutes on the exact same thing) testing one part of it then you may have an issue with your memory.
   
5. To find out which memory stick is bad or if a DIMM slot on your motherboard is bad you will have to do a few things. Make sure you have a can compressed air to blow out any dust particles. Do not do this in a dirty environment and make certain you have discharged any static electricity you have by touching something grounded.
   
6. FIRST POWER OFF YOUR PC AND UNPLUG IT. THEN PRESS THE POWER BUTTON AND DISCHARGE ALL ELECTRICITY FROM THE PC THAT MAY BE LEFT.
   
7. Take out all your memory and then use the compressed air to blow out the DIMM slots. Then test each stick individually by placing one stick in the first DIMM slot. Then replug in your PC and run the memtest86 again. Do at least two passes on each memory stick making certain you do the power discharge I put in caps above each time. Once you have tested all your memory in this way and if each one passes the test then you have eliminated memory as an issue and must then test out the DIMM slots on your motherboard.
   
8. First plug in the first two memory slots. Most motherboards have dual channel memory and so you will have to test slot 1 and 3 or slot 1 and 2 depending on your motherboard. You must read the documentation on your motherboard to know which ones are dual channel. If the first two slots pass the memtest86 then you plug in the 3rd slot. Run the test again. Finally the 4th slot and run the test again. You should know by then which slot is broken and plan accordingly. If they all pass for some reason after all memory sticks are plugged in then it may be that you simply had dust in the slot that was effecting memory access. Try to run the game again and see if you get any errors.
   
9. If you do find a bad slot, then you may need to buy new memory in order to get the same amount of memory that you had before. For my issue I had all 4 DIMM slots taken up by DDR400 512mb sticks. DIMM slot 4 on my motherboard was broken. So I ended up buying 2 DDR400 1GB sticks and putting them in Slots 1 and 3. Slots 2 and 4 (the broken one) are not used.

If you are still having unexplained issues then you need to do a clean install of BF2 and PR. This is the most guaranteed solution if your having problems with a PB error saying "MD5Tool Mismatch".

First try just reinstalling the PR core files only. If your still having issues, you will need to:

2. Uninstall all PR files
3. Uninstall BF2 and any expansion packs
4. Manually navigate to C:\Program Files\Battlefield 2 and delete the folder
5. Manually navigate to C:\My Documents\Battlefield 2 and delete the folder
6. Restart your computer
7. Defragment your hard drive - this is important because MD5 checks need very fast response times.
8. Install BF2
9. Apply BF2 1.41 patch
10. Install PR - first core files, then the levels

If you are still getting problems, please post a detailed report in the following thread:http://www.realitymod.com/forum/f27-...-mismatch.html

Make certain you list in your post your Operating System, Computer Specs and your directory Path for BF2.

[Edward]

Kilroy's thread was a help for me. Although a clunky fix, it lets me play. The 'duct tape' fix is described at http://www.realitymod.com/forum/f27-...tml#post669841


To use the fix and play both BF2 and PR (or any other mod or extra I suppose). I have to go back to the mod file and swap between the BF2 and PR shader_client. No, that doesn't help you actually complete the fix, you need to read Kilroy's post for more detail.

Also-for those uninterested in the rest of Kilroy0097's thread and other fix options, the bit that worked for me is pasted here:
---
Are you gettings a shaders_client.zip mismatch error?

There is an easy duct tape fix for this. It may or may not work for you. To do this fix do the following:

1. Delete the cache data folder for PR. You can find this folder usually by going to
C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\Battlefield 2\mods\bf2\cache\
and deleting whatever folder is there. This will force re-optimization for the game when you load into a map again.

2. Make a backup of the following file by renaming the file adding .bak to the end of it.
C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\Battlefield 2\mods\bf2\shaders_client.zip

3. Then COPY C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\Battlefield 2\mods\pr\shaders_client.zip to the previous folder in Step 2.

4. Restart Game and the problem may be solved.
---