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