oniell121

I just went through this whole problem and I learned alot. I thought I'd post a guide with all the steps (from easiest to a complete wipe) I gleaned from research.



So, one day you're trying to join a server. It loads fine, but as soon as you attempt to press "Join" it freezes and then this lovely error comes up.

"This Server Only Allows Players with Unmodified Content. Please Revert To The Latest Official Version."

Or something like that anyway. This begins what can be a long process of not being able to join a server.

The first thing to try(Credit to Draken for this tip) is to:

The easy thing(some say it works, It didn't for me) is to delete the Battlefield 2142 folder from your "My Documents"

In the event that that does not work then:

1. Reinstall the current patch(at time of writing it is 1.5)
2. If you are having issues with Northern Strike, reinstall the Northern Strike expansion.
3. Reinstall the current Patch.
(Credit to Draken for this tip)

Reboot and attempt to join the server again. It work? If so, WONDERFUL! If not, then move on.

Next is something easier and shorter than reinstall but a bit more dangerous to the function of your computer. We will be editing the registry so unless you are SURE you know what you are doing make a backup.

This is the fix that worked for me by the way.

1. Go to the start menu and select "Run".
2. In The Box that pops up type "regedit".
3. This has opened the registry. Don't ask what it is, because it's kinda complex.
4. If you need to make a back up select "File" and then the 2nd option named "Export". Select where you want the backup and then save it.
5. Over on the left is a frame with all the registry "Folders" for lack of a better word. The third(or so) one should be "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE". Next to it , on the left, is a plus sign. Click on it to expand it.
6. Click the plus (+) sign next to "Software".
7. Click the plus (+) sign next to "Electronic Arts".
8. Click the plus (+) sign next to "EA GAMES". Yes, it is in capitals.
9. Click the plus (+) sign next to "Battlefield 2142".
10. Find the registry key(entry) called Version.
11. Right click on it and select "Modify".
12. Modify it to 1.10
13. Exit the registry editor.
14. Install the latest official patch.
15. Try to join the server again.

Did it work? If so, GREAT! If not, there is one last thing to try. It is probably the longest and hardest thing, but here goes.

The first step is to manually uninstall 2142. Here are the steps taken from the EA support site:

To delete the configuration files and local copy of your account:

1. Click the Start button on the Windows Taskbar.
2. Select My Documents.
3. Right-click the Battlefield 2142 folder and select Delete.

To delete the game files (in the default location):

1. Click the Start button on the Windows Taskbar.
2. Select My Computer.
3. Double-click the C:drive.
4. Double-click the Program Files folder.
5. Double-click the EA GAMES folder.
6. Right-click the Battlefield 2142 folder and select Delete.
7. 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.)
8. Right-click the folder named {ED50ECE9-EC54-4C05-B5ED-EE4741A9F2EC} and select Delete.
9. Close all open windows.
10. Right-click the Recycle Bin and select Empty Recycle Bin.

To edit the registry and remove Battlefield 2142:

1. Click the Start button on the Windows Taskbar.
2. Select Run.
3. Type regedit in the text field and click OK.
4. Click File and select 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 EA GAMES.
10. Right-click the Battlefield 2142 folder and select Delete.
11. Back under Software, click the plus (+) sign next to Electronic Arts.
12. Click the plus (+) sign next to EA GAMES.
13. Right-click the Battlefield 2142 folder and select Delete.
14. Just above EA GAMES, you will see a folder named EA CORE. Click the plus (+) sign next to EA CORE.
15. Click the plus (+) sign next to INSTALLED GAMES.
16. Click the plus (+) sign next to EA GAMES.
17. Right-click and select Delete on any Battlefield 2142 folders.
18. Click the plus (+) sign next to Microsoft.
19. Click the plus (+) sign next to Windows.
20. Click the plus (+) sign next to CurrentVersion.
21. Click the plus (+) sign next to Uninstall.
22. Right-click the key named {ED50ECE9-EC54-4C05-B5ED-EE4741A9F2EC} and select Delete.
23. A Confirm Key Delete window will appear, choose Yes.
24. Close the WindowsRegistry Editor.

Battlefield 2142 should now be completely removed from your system.

From here you may now install 2142 again. Install the latest patch. Install Northern Strike if needed. If you installed Northern Strike then reinstall the latest patch. Start the game and try the server again.

If none of these work then the only other thing I could think of is a system reload of the operating system the trying these tips over again.

I hope you all find this useful. Feedback is welcome. Feel free to sticky or move this as needed.

~O'Neill

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DaddyOfThree

Very nice writeup... thanks for the sharing!

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oniell121

Thanks. You already gave me your input, but as I said, input is ok and appreciated.

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eqrr343

it won't let me reinstall NS or the 1.5 update! please help.

DrBeat

Did you actually go into "add or remove programs?" Or do you still not have admin privileges on your account. See if you can get placed as an administrator and your computer.

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DrakenViator

Nice write up. Thanks for taking the time to help others (and thanks for the credit given as well)

Some things I would add to the UBER reinstall.

* Make sure that Windows is fully up to date, or that Automatic Updates are turned on.
* After manually uninstalling, be sure to reset your computer before reinstalling.
* Some may consider running a Defrag program to clean up your drive prior to reinstall.
* Make sure you have at least 4 to 5 gigs of free space on your computer before install (Ideal would be +10 gigs free)

~ Draken

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|TG-55| Infantry Division

oniell121

Yes, you have to have an admin level account to install anything. Even more so to edit the registry.

My advice would be to manually uninstall the game since that gets everything.




By the way draken, I always give credit. :P I like the editions, but since it was pinned I cannot edit that first post.

cheers

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Lorax74

You can only edit a post within the first 24 hours of posting it, pinning it has nothing to do with it...

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oniell121

That would explain it.

Could a mod edit the title and correct it? It should be Unmodified content error.

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oniell121

Thanks

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Gamer11795

The editing in the 'regedit' is WAY different in Windows Vista. EA Games is not in all capitals, there are no '+' signs and isntead are arrows.

oniell121

Thanks for the heads up. I will not be using vista before SP2 so I didn't know. Those differences are comparatively small. Perhaps with the exception of the capitals.

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BF2142.001

NORTHERN STRIKE HEADS UP: You need to install in this order...

1) Patch 1.4
2) Northern Strike
3) Patch 1.4
4) Patch 1.5

I had a problem reinstalling BF2142 and getting NS to work. After some investigating I found the above to be the correct solution.

oniell121

Please note that this only works in some cases. In my research about this problem it only seemed to work maby 50% of the time. In most cases one of the solitions will do the trick. The easy registry change of the version number before patch should take care of the patching to 1.4 then NS then 1.4 then 1.5 and take a WHOLE lot less time.

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BF2142.001

It was my impression that for some reason NS had to be installed over 1.4, then patched with 1.4 and then finally updated to the current patch.

I've had the unmodified content error occur on two separate installations and found that this installation sequence was the only thing that worked in my case.