Troubleshooting Guide: Your CD-key is not valid

[ghettostankk]

I have had this happen twice in two months. the only solution that has worked for me is completely uninstall bf2 and pr and then reinstall.

the one unusual thing that i have noticed each time this has happened is that when i clicked "logon" i noticed that my password had like 20 spaces to it. it told me my password was invalid so i put my password back in and proceeded to find a server to play in. BANG! CD KEY INVALID.

aaaah.... reinstalling it all now... again.

[gbling]

i´ve got the same problem, i have got Special Forces and tried that regedit thingy...
i called and mailed EA and they said it was the first time they heard of this error,, they are just stupid!
but what can i do!??! i havent played bf online for more then a month.

they strangest thing is, i can play on the lithuania (do is say this right) server

and it has nothing to do with my computer (i guess) because i cant play on my laptop either:S

I have the same problem. Their is also one more server but cant remember its name. I have tried almost everything. refreshing key, reentering key, updating punkbuster, reinstalling bf2 and pr and all updates to no avail.

[Omega47]

Did not work, right after installing BF2 1.5 patch and PR .874 I get this message. Any other options? I have BF2 complete collection and no I wont reinstall, that is just stupid.

[Bare7a]

Can some one please give me a valid CD-key becouse i cant find any..

[DarkBetrayer]

...I was just playing 6 hours ago and I just went to hop back on and it said my cd-key is invalid, Wtf?...
Reinstalled and everything and it still says it...
Seriously...can someone find a fix to this problem? >: (

*Edit* - Btw that thread talking about the %temp% while running the v1.41 patch does 'Not' work...
I've tried it five times now and I have found the folder it's in(it'll be different from the one listed in the thread, just keep checking the random number ones) but it doesn't do anything. >: ( If it works for anyone lemme know.
Until then does anyone have any other ideas on how to fix this cd-key invalid problem because the registry edit fix isn't working and neither are the other one's that I've read. >_<

[Zeno]

i did this and now all my bf2 and mods crash when i press join server

[Huff1013]

I sure hope this helps most of you! This is the order of things that just worked for me.
History - I've played and run BF2 LAN parties, using Alcohol120 and play disc images with multiple key changes on multiple machines. After patch 1.5, I just ran into the invalid key error again. Re-apply patch 1.5 did not fix it this time. Info from RavenRage and SnipingCoward helped me figure these steps out. Thanks Guys!! Hopefully I'll never have to fully reinstall again, but I've included full re-install steps too if needed...Huff

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BF2 CD Key Changer Steps:
1 - Re-enter your CDKey using the KeyChanger included in your Support Folders for BF2 and BF2SF.
(\program files\ea games\battlefield 2\support\ ? look for them)

2 - Run BF2CDKeyCheck.exe - (from the temp files of the 1.41 patch)
Start patch 1.41, choose language, Click Next, wait right there...
Go to folder %temp%\{0A9CCBE7-F755-4484-9698-0D207D1A775E}\{F317E784-F31C-4F26-A610-2D7BD89FEC5F}
Run BF2CDKeyCheck.exe, it shows nothing, but it's finished real quick...
(seems patch 1.5 does not do this. Not sure why, but maybe rumors about not needing a play disc after 1.5 patch?)
Done - go play!!
=========================

BF2 Manual Re-install Steps:
Manually uninstall the game by removing the files and registry keys associated with it.
Be sure to follow these steps exactly as they appear to prevent accidental file/program deletion on your system.

To delete the save files:
1. Open My Documents.
2. Delete \Battlefield 2 folder.

To delete the game files (in the default location):
1. Open My Computer, open the drive your OS is installed on,
2. Delete \Program Files\EA GAMES\Battlefield 2
3. Close all open windows.
4. Right-click on the Recycle Bin and choose Empty Recycle Bin.

To edit the registry and remove Battlefield 2:
1. Click on the Start button.
2. Click on Run.
3. Type regedit in the text field.
4. Click File and then choose Export.
5. Name the file Backup and make sure the Export Range is set to All.
6. Click Save; you will now be returned to the Registry Editor window.
7. Click the plus sign next to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
8. Click the plus sign next to Software.
9. Click the plus sign next to DICE.
10. Right-click on the Battlefield 2 folder and choose Delete.
11. Right-click on the Battlefield 2: Amored Fury folder (if applicable) and choose Delete.
12. Click the plus sign next to Electronic Arts.
13. Right-click and choose Delete on any Battlefield 2 folders.
14. Click the plus sign next to Microsoft.
15. Click the plus sign next to Windows.
16. Click the plus sign next to CurrentVersion.
17. Click the plus sign next to Uninstall.
18. Delete key named {04858915-9F49-4B2A-AED4-DC49A7DE6A7B} BF2 entries
Delete key named {0AC087CB-B437-4624-B7E3-693DA53934BB} BF2 entries
Delete key named {50D4CB89-AF34-4978-96DC-C3034062E901} BF2SF entries
19. A Confirm Key Delete window will appear, choose Yes.
20. Close the Windows Registry Editor.
21. Go to the following folder: C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information (If you cannot
find this folder you may have to go to Tools > Folder Settings and click the setting to “SHOW hidden
folders.”)
22. Find the folders with the exact same values as the registry keys above and delete them. (0A???? not
found)
23. Empty the recycle bin once more.

Reinstall the expansions and add-ons in the following order:
1. First installed Battlefield 2.
2. Next install Battlefield 2: Special Forces.(if applicable)
3. Install the full patch (1.41) after installing Special Forces. (This patch encrypts CDKey)
4. Install the incremental patch (1.50) after Patch 1.41 (now includes Armored Fury and Euro Force for free)
X. Install the latest patches after 1.50...(none as of Sept 1, 2009)

Try the game again. Hopefully the issue is now solved.

If using the Key Changer in the Support Folders, re-run BF2CDKeyCheck.exe from patch 1.41 to get the key encrypted/hashed.

[Smilez]

I downloaded the game through Steam, so I didn't get a CD key to start with. IDK if this guide will help, but i tried it and when looking through the keys my steam folder wasn't in the LOCAL_MACHINE_SOFTWARE area at all. I am using vista 64, so I have a programs file AND a programs (x86) file, if that helps!

[Plastic_Knife]

I'm having this exact problem, but steam does not issue a cd key so I can't use this fix. It's also keeping me from joining regular bf2 servers, which worked before installing this mod. This is incredibly frustrating, seeing as i can't even play the original game that I paid for now. Something needs to be done about this problem, as it seems to be really common.

[bashemnrun]

I am using Vista and i managed to find the regedit thing, but i changed it to my key and when i tryied to play online again the message still comes up why?

[ankyle62]

worked for me! thank you!

[Fearpiak]

I tried the Regedit, but i have one strange problem. I ccan't save the file for some reason. Oh, and im using an Offical BF2 disk, Windows7 and all the patches and mods for PR and usual BF2

[Jael]

Alright I've tried a lot of the CD key valid not valid whatever fixes.

I have tried this method, reinstalling the game, opening up the patch and then doing the %temp% thing. Reinstalled again, uninstalled and deleted all remnants of the registry and anything remotely to BF 2 and i still get this error.

What are the reasons for getting a cd-key invalid? Is it the registry? Does someone else have my cd key and is logged on? Am i installing the wrong patch? (I installed 1.41 then 1.50, then installed PR)

At one point I did not get this error, i had my game setup, worked fine and played. Since I have reinstalled the game this recent time I have had these issues pop up again, the first time this trick worked, was there something in .90 that changed the cd key thing?

[[TBC] Gryff]

Got the CD error key to go away, now I am back to getting kicked by PB every time I try to join a server.

[darklord63]

THANK YOU ALSO ADD THIS IT WILL HELP THOSE WITHOUT THEIR CD-KEY AT HAND. If you have previously registered your battlefield 2 game with EA, you may go to http://support.ea.com and sign in using your classic(username) EA account, click on My Account, login there with EA classic account, click on my games, and under your pc ea games it will show every game registered to your account including cd key for pc titles.

[snooggums]

This worked for me for copying an old install over to a new PC since the re-install and update wasn't working properly. Thank you!

[Q2M100]

This guide was extremely useful. I have also used this guide on Special Forces but still have to test it. I will post updates later.

[Dejan]

My mate had that invalid cd key problem, and I've pointed him to download bfkeychanger (google) and enter his legit key in the keychanger. It was a 1 min solution and worked right away.

Thank's a lot!

[Myers743]

Were can i find the CD Key itself? If it is the one on the back of the BF2 cover or manual i cant apply that because i no long have either. Is there a way to get the CD key some other way? Iv been playing this game for a while now but recently i needed my motherboard replaced, and that seems to have messed things up.

[-GER-flyinguy]

Thanks!!!!!!!!=D