CTD after playing for 1-3 minutes, starting on 1/26/09?

[DammitDan]

I am getting constant crash to desktop issues with Project Reality .856, starting yesterday. I installed the newest release from .8 two days ago (1/25) and played without issue for about 6 hours. The next day (1/26) I log on, choose a server, load a map and play for about 2 minutes when the game crashes to desktop with no warning and no error message. I didn’t install any new software or hardware, didn’t change any system settings, didn’t even change any internal settings in PR. I simply went from working perfectly one day to crashing within 2 minutes of playtime the next.

I am currently running Windows XP Pro x64 edition, and have been for several weeks with no issue. Here are my computer specs:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 2.6GHz
4GB (4x1) of RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT
250GB 7200RPM HDD

Here are the solutions I have tried thus far, starting the game and suffering a crash after each:
Complete uninstall/reinstall of both BF2 and PR .856
Installed updated video drivers
Turned off “Enable VOIP”
Set textures to Medium
Set textures to Low
Changed resolution to 800x600
Changed resolution to 1024x768
Set general video settings to “Medium”
Set general video settings to “Low”
Deleted BF2 folder in My Documents to reset shaders
Downloaded updated bf2.exe from .85 FAQ and replaced original with it
Edited original bf2.exe using Visual Studio C++ to allow for /LARGEADDRESSAWARE
Increased virtual memory from 2053MB to 4106MB
Ran game in windowed mode (fullscreen 0) to try to generate an error message, but still got nothing.
Ran the .exe in “Windows XP compatibility mode”
Ran a full HDD virus check with no issues

After each of these changes the map would load, I would begin playing and within 1:15 to 3:30 (using a stopwatch) the game would crash to desktop without an error message. I really don’t want to have to reformat and reinstall EVERYTHING (I just got finished reformatting for the update to x64 edition 4 weeks ago… I don’t wanna have to do it all over again). I’ve tried playing the game on several different servers (Texas TeamPlayers, =HOG= PR, Tactical Gamer, Chicago Hardcore and Insurgency, Virginia USA PR, 501st Infantry Regiment) and maps (Fallujah West, Qwai River, Sunset City, Kozelsk, Karbala, Muttrah City, Ramiel) and nothing seems to make a difference.

Opinions? Recommendations?

I’ve noticed that other have started experiencing this issue on the same day I started experiencing it (on 1/26). It surely cannot simply be a coincidence!

[DammitDan]

Could this possibly be a Punkbuster issue? From everything else I've read (BF2S Forums / Yet Another Crash-To-Desktop Thread (I've Tried Everything!) and http://forums.ea.com/mboards/thread.jsp ... 4&tstart=0) it seems to be a multiplayer-only issue, suggesting it is being caused somehow by PB...

[DammitDan]

Well, trying to follow the PB error possibility, I deleted the "pb" folder in the BF2 directory, downloaded the pbsetup.exe utility and re-downloaded the latest PB update for BF2.

Still crashed to desktop with no error message or warning after approximately 1:35 of playing.

[scottp05156]

Same here, I guess I will try re-installing BF2 next. It funny though I played fine over the weekend and this started last night around 9:00 for me, so I tried a few things last night to fix it and a few more today......sucks I can't play ATM...Hope the re-installing BF2 fixes it.

[DammitDan]

I am actually playing in a local training server right now with no issues whatsoever, so this has to be some kind of PB problem.

Scott, which version of Windows are you running? Is it an x64 edition?

[CodeRedFox]

interesting same thing for me, the crashing times and dates.

[jOHNNYdOUBE]

Try BF2 cleaner for your graphics shaders for every time you change graphics settings.

[SocketMan]

Same here -was flawless no ctd's, no crashes - nothing
until the 26th.
CTD's right after spawning then today (27th) just freezes up 10 seconds into
the round.
Ended up with some corrupt files,after hitting reset (10 minutes after the freeze)
Run scan disk- it fixed something, but got
the "Your CD is invalid" error when trying joining a server.
Tried the Deadfast's registry fix no luck.
Uninstalled PR and BF2 3 hours ago will try installing it
in an hour or so.



Edit*
Yea the local game ran fine - only crapped out when going on line.
It's my Nvidia machine with 2x8800gt's that is fuked.With WinXP x64.
(in case you look into the system specs)

[DammitDan]

It sounds like Windows XP 64bit may be at fault here... Something in PunkBuster just doesn't like us anymore!

[CodeRedFox]

Running winXp64 too. But another dev having the same problem isnt.

[SocketMan]

What's he using? 64 Vista?

Before I uninstalled I noticed that the "welcome" message
(with the Moddb) is just a black box -no graphics showing.
The other machine (WinXp32) shows it just fine -don't really know if this is related.
The playing "on line" part is definitely involved
(whether it's PB or something else) and possibly 64bit OS.

[rgarrett15]

I keep crashing after a minitue or so since that same date.. windows xp 64bit 7800 nvidia 2gigs of ram the game worked fine until a few days ago instant crash to desk top no message nothing

[scottp05156]

I am actually playing in a local training server right now with no issues whatsoever, so this has to be some kind of PB problem.

Scott, which version of Windows are you running? Is it an x64 edition?

xp 64 bit

[CodeRedFox]

My list of fixes that DO NOT work

• Removing PB and reinstalling has done nothing.
• The memory fix bf2.exe
• Praying to the sun god
• Lowering Graphics
• Turning off high sound
• Running in window mode
• Running bf2.exe in XP compatibility mode

From what I can tell is its Punkbuster, its happening about the same time other PB error happen. Thats been my tests so far, havent reinstalled yet as its too drastic of a step.

If you are NOT running Windows XP64 and are having the same issues (these exact issues) please let us know. Its cause a few Dev's a bit of panic thinking its PR

[DammitDan]

I've tried removing PB by deleting the "pb" folder in the BF2 directory, using the "uninstall BF2" feature in the start menu and un-checking PunkBuster, reinstalled both with the game disc and through the use of pbsvc.exe and pbsetup.exe

I also manually downloaded and applied the Punkbuster .htm user files from the PB website, with no positive results.

I'm going to uninstall XPx64 and install XPx32 to see what kind of result I get.

[-Sauso-]

happening to me today a lot....


vista32bit.

[CodeRedFox]

Next on the try to list:

The Problem seems to be related to Microsoft. Try downloading the NetFrameWork 3.5 update. I had to download manually and the file is about 2.48 mb.

[rgarrett15]

im crashing too same time same date used to work fine windows 64bit xp for me

i have fully reinstalled bf2 and patch and mod no fix

[SocketMan]

It's seems like server side PB issue,because the client
(pbsetup.exe) was updated at least one week ago.

I don't think uninstalling PR/BF2 would help -I had no choice with the "Your CD is invalid" error.

It seems like all PR servers run PB,that should not be the
case with vBF2.

Try playing/running vBF2 on a server with PB enabled if
the game crashes try one without (PB)

I've got another x64 machine in a different place
so I'll try this tomorrow and see what gives.
GL to all of us.

[1st.Gunnery]

Hey all,

i'm also useing XP x64 and got the same issue since yesterday... but for me it looks like its only on one specific server. I tryed different one's and it seems to work. Maybe its an server sidet PB issue that keep's us kicking...

Was getting crazy yesterday, but now i know its not my fault

sorry could't help

thnx

Gunny