Compatibility mode to xp and run as admin not set in desktop shortcut on Vista PCs
Right click shortcut
choose 'properties' from bottom of list
Click on the Compatibility 'tab'(along the top of the window)
Check 'run as admin' box, select WINDOWS XP(service pack 2
With W7 you need to run BF2 and PR as admin, but I believe you don't need to set compatibility to XP.
After you set Admin run:
battlefield cleaner to flush out your video cache files
Next:
Trash your BF2 cache files
Path:
C:\Users\'your user name here'\Documents\Battlefield 2\mods\bf2\cache
Throw EVERYTHING inside the folder named cache away.
don't worry the files will be replaced with new ones when the game restarts.
Should run fine now. You will get a notice your video is 'optimizing'
after you join a new server and load a new map.
( video card is filling its ram 'cache') this is normal.
Still CTD?
OK
Some other things you can try before you uninstall/reinstall.
Backup your BF2 folder that's inside your documents folder.
Once you have a backup delete the original from your documents folder.
Try starting PR from your PR shortcut
a new default folder is created
link to your online account.
If all goes well (CTD gone) all you have to do to get your custom settings back
is copy your 'control' file from your backup to the new profile folder.
path:
C:\Users\your user name here\Documents\Battlefield 2\Profiles\0002
note: you may not have a 0002 folder so use 0001
Good luck