Project Reality Forums

whenever I try to connect to a server in v.9 the game simply shuts down without any messages at all and I've tried changing compatibility settings and running as administrator and changing the firewall settings.

Try repatching

BF2 not updated to v 1.41 before patching with v1.5
FULL update 1.41
Final v1.5

I re-patched the game and it still shuts down whenever I try to join a server

this thread might be related:
https://www.realitymod.com/forum/f27-pr ... -time.html

If you still have trouble run battlefield cleaner to flush out your video cache files.

Still no joy?

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.

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

Hope it helps