ati bug workaround

[Timtif]

http://forum.eagames.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=18515

[Dax_inside]

requires a registration.

[Mat-Moo]

Not sure how many this effect, I've not had a problem with my ati but here goes

Hi, first post on these forums...i just tested and wrote a procedure that might allow 9200 series run the game without massive lag and invisible buildings. (i posted this on the totalbf2 forums and planetbattlefield forums already)

I rewrote the procedure in steps
[This is meant for users who are experiencing the "invisible building problem"]
ok this time im pretty sure about this solution:
The problem: Game doesnt like rendering in 1.4 shaders anymore and the 9200 series only supports up to 1.4 shaders...

so here's what i did:
Goal: Use optimized shaders from previous versions of Bf2 that worked with the 9200 or other 1.4 pixel shader video cards. (copy and paste the shader files from older versions that worked and replace the new ones)
1) Download and install the Battlefield 2 demo. (You can use previous versions of Battlefield 2. I just find using the demo a lot easier and more organized.

2) Run the demo and set your video settings / other options to your liking.

3) Exit out of the demo and go to
C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name\My Documents\Battlefield 2 Demo\mods\bf2\cache and delete everything in there. NOTE: THere probably isnt anything in there since you just installed teh game/havent played...just double check

4) Go back into the demo and join a server and let the game optimize your shaders. If the game runs fine (ie to your liking) then continue to step 5. If not, repeat steps 2-4).

5) Afterwards, exit out of the game and go to
C:\Documents and Settings\Your name\My Documents\Battlefield 2\mods\bf2\cache
And delete everything in there. (this is not the demo folder)

6) Run the actual game and make sure the video settings / other options are exactly the same as the one as you had in the demo.

7) Join a server and you should see the game optimizing shaders. When you start playing..the buildings are going to be invisible / messed up and you will get massive lag. This is normal. Exit out of the game now.

Go into the demo folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name\My Documents\Battlefield 2 Demo\mods\bf2\cache and you shall see a folder with a really long name. Go inside the folder and you should see about 55 files. Select ALL of the files and copy. (crtl+c).

9) Now go into your BF2 directory:
C:\Documents and Settings\Your name\My Documents\Battlefield 2\mods\bf2\cache and go inside the folder with the really long name. DELETE EVERYTHING IN THERe (leave none alive).

10) Now paste the files you had from the demo cache folder into this folder. Now run the game and hopefully you shouldn’t see a “optimizing shaders for best performance” when loading a server… Good luck and have fun

NOTE: I do not accept any responsibility for destruction (there should be none btw)
NOTE: I don’t have an ati 9200 card, but I have looked into this serious problem with my 5200 and the problem with the 9200 is that it doesn’t support 2.0 shaders, and when I force 1.4 shaders on my 5200, I get the same invisible building problem.
NOTE: If this is confusing...please ask questions

[Timtif]

requires a registration.

yes, your bf2 account nick and password. i think you got one.
ok nexttime i quote all like mat-d-rat did.

sorry not correct.
you need your nik and password for that you needed to registered your bf2key to ea.

[undrt0w]

where can i register my key???

[Timtif]

at the beginning when you install bf2 you are ask if you wish to register your key or not. i did it that time.
you find that program on the bf2 dvd under support named EReg.exe.

[undrt0w]

i posted my cd key like that "XXXXXXXXX"
i hope i shouldnt have written "XXXX-XXXX"