Vista Another fix to try when having crash to desktop issues

[bagpiperdude90]

*** This solution is deprecated with the new BF2 v1.5 patch. It is not needed as the patch already contains this fix.

Mods, could this be either stickied or just merged with another post (such as the FAQ or something of the sort)? Thanks... delete this message if you decide not to.



There seems to be a lot of people having some crash-to-desktop issues suddenly. This MAY fix the problem if your problem fits this criteria in both XP and Vista. It also has had the effect of making me not get kicked by punkbuster as much... but I don't know if thats mere happenstance or if its an improvement by dumping EADM:

• You are using the EA Download Manager
• You ran in windowed mode and got no errors
• You have tried the smaller texture settings, which did nothing

The issue seems to be with the EA Download Manager, which is required to play the virtual version from the EA Store. The ONLY difference between the downloaded version and the CD/DVD version is the BF2.exe which is found at C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\Battlefield 2\BF2.exe

Now, since most people probably do not have a CD version of the game sitting around, we need to do two things:

1. Replace the BF2.exe with the CD version
2. Since you don't own a CD, we need to spoof the CD check

For step one, you need to:

1. Download this link
2. Rename the C:\Program Files\EA Games\Battlefield 2\BF2.exe file to BF2.exe.old
3. Drag/drop or cut/paste the BF2.exe in the zip file you downloaded into the Battlefield 2 folder (so you just replaced the BF2.exe)

Note that this BF2.exe you downloaded is "large address aware" so it will let BF2 or PR use more than 2GB of RAM. If you have access to a plain old vanilla CD/DVD-based BF2.exe, you can use that instead. However, the one I linked to will help prevent you from running into some memory issues.

Now if you try to start BF2, it'll ask you to put a CD/DVD in. We'll fix that - but it's a little more complicated.

1. Download Daemon Tools Lite. Google it. Download and install it.
2. Download a mini disc image for BF2. Try looking here...
3. Place the mini image into the Battlefield 2 directory (not necessary, but keeps things organized)
4. Mount the image (located in the Battlefield 2 directory) with Daemon Tools

(To mount the image in daemon tools, right click the daemon tools icon on the tasktray and select mount image and browse to the image you put in the Battlefield 2 directory)

Now when you launch Battlefield 2 or Project Reality, it will not ask for a CD/DVD, because it "sees" one in the virtual CD drive that Daemon Tools installed.

Hopefully this will fix your problem. If not, then uninstall Daemon Tools, delete the disc image, delete BF2.exe and rename BF2.exe.old back to BF2.exe and best of luck finding another fix!

If you have any questions, reply here. If its questions regarding Daemon Tools, then you can also Google the subject for a better answer. I'll try to host a version of the mini disc image and give you an easy way to get to it.

[bkandor]

This worked for me, if you have the downloaded version and are crashing to desktop consistently (especially in the last 5 days or so) try this.

[Exakter]

So...

I followed this fix as directed...

and I get "server refused your connection"

or something like that.

Now, could this be because my folder is in E:/ instead of C:/ ??

I'm a bit confused here..

Or maybe I used the wrong mini-image.

It makes me believe that the server isn't registering my copy as valid/legal.

Very frustrating.. I've had very few issues until the past 4 days.. and now I can barely play.

It looks like others are experiencing my same issues.

Ex.

[XRangerD]

EADM communication with BF2 is faulty in Vista. Similar to Windows Genuine tool, it constantly checks the program to ensure you're authorized to own/play it. EADM owners to just get rid of it and find a way to either ghost a cd or own a physical copy.

Things you'll need:
- a hardcopy disc of the game with a valid code. Or,
- a disc image running in Daemon and a valid code

EADM seems stable for expansion packs, but I haven't tested it fully. Just be aware that if you ARE using expansion packs, for maps etc., EADM must be running and you must be logged in. You might experience the same inter-program com problems.

[bagpiperdude90]

Originally Posted by Exakter

So...

I followed this fix as directed...

and I get "server refused your connection"

or something like that.

Now, could this be because my folder is in E:/ instead of C:/ ??

I'm a bit confused here..

Or maybe I used the wrong mini-image.

It makes me believe that the server isn't registering my copy as valid/legal.

Very frustrating.. I've had very few issues until the past 4 days.. and now I can barely play.

It looks like others are experiencing my same issues.

Ex.

Where do you get this "server refused your connection"?

Yes, if your program files folder is on E:/ then you need to put the BF2.exe in E:/.... basically, replace the original BF2.exe with the new one you downloaded. But make sure you back it up first

[[R-CON]Rudd]

worked for me mate, cheers

[Exakter]

Originally Posted by bagpiperdude90

Where do you get this "server refused your connection"?

Yes, if your program files folder is on E:/ then you need to put the BF2.exe in E:/.... basically, replace the original BF2.exe with the new one you downloaded. But make sure you back it up first

logging into my account.

[bagpiperdude90]

Originally Posted by Exakter

logging into my account.

Turn off windows firewall, put your computer in a spot outside the router firewall if possible. Got any internet filtering/monitoring software installed? Make sure BF2 and its ports are allowed in there.

[Val74]

Worked like a champ thanks. Only wish I had thought to check this thread before re-installing everything.

[[R-CON]Rudd]

Well, this worked 90%

I'm good when playing, doesn't crash anymore.

but on a map change it buggers up (memory.dll problems)

I think its something to do with the fact I'm using the EA downloader version, I have a disk at uni for bf2 and I'll test that hypothesis when I get back from easter holidays.