Okay. I may not know everything but ive come to like this community, so Im gonna stick around and help out as much as I can.

So here goes:

#1 Explain the problem in as much detail as you can.

#2 include your PC's specs with the problem, to possibly help determine the culprit.

#3 You can determine almost everything about your system by using dxdiag. Go to Start> Go to Run> Type in "dxdiag" (without the "quotes")and hit enter. On the main page is your system specs...processor speed, motherboard, memeory, etc. Under the display tab, is your Graphics card information.

#4 Lets not, post and not offer any good advice/problem solving. Nothing irratates, and instigates, an annoyed problem sufferer more than having someone say Format C: in their post about driver problems

DVD PROTECTION/WRONG DRIVE ISSUES:

Recently a member asked a few questions about DVD protection and other drive issues.

Below is a response from a secret informant working deep undercover at UBI tech support.

“After reading the site I've come to find out the UBI and GearBox have put so much paranoia into their product that I (and say 40-60% of the people that bought the game) have to either go out and purchase one or two or three DVD roms until I find one that will work (to solve the wrong CD message) or go out and find an illegal crack to play a game that I purchased legally. That is truly pathetic.”


The copy protection used on BIA is the same one that is used on 90% of all PC games on the market and is used by every other publisher so this is not some paranoid plot by Ubisoft and Gearbox, this is industry standard. The number of people running into this problem actually comes in at less than 1% of all units sold and is very easily fixed usually via firmware updates for the DVD drives. In the case of drives that are no longer supported by their manufacturers via firmware updates our Tech Support team has other tricks that can get the game up and running pretty much 100% of the time.


“So why doesn't UBI just offer to let people download the game for those who have the "wrong CD" error or install problems caused by the DVD drive rather than forcing people to gamble on buying DVD drives or becoming crackheads? I can prove I bought the game. I'm willing to download it if it solves my problem (I still can't believe this came out in March and there is still no solution).”


There is no reason to when as stated above firmware updates should help and barring that contacting our Support Team can get the issue resolved


“Can someone respond to this? I'm afraid if UBI can't come up with a solution to help their legit customers then I am likely to follow the advice of another nearly banned user... (but only for UBI games - I still prefer to support game developers who look after their customers and choose not to use deceptive DVD disclaimers and steal their money while blaming the hardware, user, pirates, crack heads, small kittens and people with a last name starting with A to Z - okay - the small kittens was a little over the top)”


Deceptive DVD disclaimers is an interesting term, considering that of the various game publishers out there only Ubisoft, LucasArts, and Activision actually bother to put the warning that there may be conflicts, or even that there is copy protection, on our boxes. While the wording may be a bit vague in terms of model numbers we can't exactly list hundreds of DVD drives and manufacturers on our box


MOST IMPORTANTLY!! CONTACT OFFICIAL UBI TECH SUPPORT!!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: WE_STAND_ALONE,

Useful websites

Official Ubi Support

Ubi Tech Support International Listings.
http://support.ubi.com/International/

Ubi Support FAQ

GearBox Tech Support


Drivers
www.Nvidia.com
www.ATI.com
www.drivercleaner.net


Windows Update
http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v5consumer/default.aspx?ln=en-us

Spyware Removers
www.lavasoft.com
www.safer-networking.org/en/home
www.hijack-this.net

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Burke1stSgt.,

guru 3d is also great for drivers
Spybot search and destroy free and awesome spyware remover
AVG antivirus awesome free anti-virus WORM approved since i use it

just realised you linked to spybot but you can never have too many links to spybot

Just thought i would add those for you

Youll be able to play in low to medium specs.

As far as the harddrive setup. What he did,...for some odd reason, is Create three partitions. Why he would do that I have no idea..You can remove these partitions within Windows. Meaning, you wont have to format and Reinstall Windows. Which is a saver. Cause I dont want to type them out, Im going to give you the MS link which very clearly tells you how to do it. Just make sure you remove/unintstall/backup all files/programs from those partitions first....or they will be gone forever.

When you get to control panel...if you cant find administrative tools on the left side of the panel click Switch to Classic View...you will then be able to use/see all the Control Panel Icons...

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/books/troubleshooting/pc/ls/022102.asp

When you get to control panel...if you cant find administrative tools on the left side of the panel click Switch to Classic View...you will then be able to use/see all the Control Panel Icons...

Ubi Official Solution Center

Linky
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Virtual Drive Warning

NOTICE: This game contains technology intended to prevent copying that may conflict with some DVD-RW and virtual drives.

If you cannot install or run the game it may be because of this issue.You must disable/remove all virtual drive devices to continue.
----------------------------------



ATTENTION

If you are getting General Protection Faultt Errors please post them at the GB boards http://gbxforums.gearboxsoftware.com/showthread.php?t=32589

These GPFS are cause by randowm software/driver conflicts and we cannot track down each indiviual persons problem. IF you would like to try to reslove the problem try the fixes listed below. GearBox is working on a patch to be out, hopefully, the week of 3/21/05.

Install Problems?
alright anyone with install problem

copy dvd to hard drive then install from where ever you put it...there seems to be various conflicts with either DVD players/DVD player firmware/drivers...this will bypass that completey.
------------------------

Updated drivers?

Okay it is obvious that some systems are not quite up to the task of running this game. That does not necessarily mean a hardware update is called for (unless you have a gforce 3 or mx card) but a driver update and some tweaking may be called for.

ati cards go to this site https://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&folderID=27

nvidia here
http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

Motherboard drivers you are on your own. If you don't know what mb chipset or bios you need go to this site and download the pcwizard. It will tell you all that you need to know.

http://cpuid.com

Also this program is good. I use all of em.

http://www.lavalys.com/products/overview.php?pid=1&lang=en&pageid=1

I stole this from Gramps. Thanx Gramps.
----------------------------

AMD XP Possible Fix

If you have a AMD Athlon XP your problem could be that your SSE is not turned on and thank you for user099 for posting these instructions on turning it on:

Quote from another post:
"The problem still lies in the fact that SSE isn't available. In Thunderbirds it just isn't there and many just don't have it enabled on Athlon XPs. Use this link and learn how to enable SSE support and so play BIA http://www.myplc.com/sony/sse_enabling_and_wcpuid.htm

If you have Athlon XP just enable SSE.
-----------

Thunderbird users read

If you have a thunderbird processor, BOTMAN at gearbox has stated that it IS a GAME CODE problem not a system driver, video driver, bios, or conflict with other software. IF you are seeing this EXACT GPF:

History: KWorldStepSafeTime <- KWorldStepSafeTime <- KTickLevelKarma <- ULevel::Tick <- ULevel::Tick <- [NetMode=0) <- UGameEngine::Tick <- UGameEngine::Tick <- CMainLoop::RunLoop <- MainLoop


We have reproduce the: KWorldStepSafeTime crashing problem and it is due to illegal SSE instructions on older AMD CPUs. We are investigating how to fix this SSE problem.

botman
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Possible load time fix
Long Load times? Try turning off Vsync in the options.
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Possible fix for Null errors.

1. Updated to lastest video driver. 2. Turned off any programs running in the background. 3. Installed game and then restarted system. 4. Turned off any programs running in background. 5. Installed patch and then restarted system. Game works great now. I was getting the null error everytime I would try and start the game on two different systems. Loaded both systems this way and they both now work.

Thank you MarkRat

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Possible Fix for AMD 64's with Crash to desktop or BSOD after quiting.

right click on "my computer"
go to "properties"
click on the "advanced" tab
under the title "start and recovery" click on "settings"
under "system start up" click "edit"
a notepad with text should appear
it should say something like this:

[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)part ition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1) \WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /noexecute=OptIn

Change the "/noexecute=Optin" switch to "/execute=Optin"

Just delete "No" then save as...and over write the file. Turn off your computer and reboot. Try to run the game...if it doesnt fix it...go back and add the "no".

Warning: If your not careful this could completely Hose your windows install...leaving you no option other than to format and reinstall the OS. I am not responsible for you hosing your system.

----------------
Another possible fix.

Go into the C:/programs/ubisoft/brothersinarms/system folder (or whereever you installed it)

Find the bia.ini file, now open it up and do a search for:

[D3DDrv.D3DRenderDevice]

Under that should be lots of settings, find the one named:

UseHardwareTL=True
and change it to:
UseHardwareTL=False

Save the file, now right click on the bia.ini, properties and write protect it > very important as otherwise the setting will be written over upon load.

Now simply start the game in the normal way, and fingers crossed no more BSODs or random reboots.

TY Trotterwatch.

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Possible Null error fix
Another possible fix curtesy of Southpaw at the Gb forums

Hey guys, I was getting those Null errors just like everybody else in this forum, and it also prevented me from uninstalling/reinstalling the game.

I was a little upset after learning that I couldn't uninstall it, so I decided to act a little extremely. So I deleted everything out of my BiA/Systems folder except the files named BiA. I figured after seeing the same null error message over and over again, this one might say something different. Then I clicked on the DVD autorun, but instead of giving me a PLAY message it popped up for INSTALL. So I reinstalled everything and the 1.2 patch, (and video drivers) and now it works fine with no crashes, error messages, or blue screens.
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Possible DVD error fix

Finally after 3 days of i found out why i couldn't install BIA
(even swapped a DVD-RW for a DVD-ROM with my neighbour )
Because of Ahead's Nero InCD UDF packet writing tool ver. 4.00.37 (my version) you get this screen :



All you have to do (in my situation) is to uninstall InCD.
And after a reboot you can kill all those stupid germans in BIA

Thanx Drakwk666
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Possible Crash Fix

If You are playing the game with no probs but when you quit, your computer reboots most likely you have an NVIDIA card right? WELL FINALLY THE SOLUTION upgrade your NVIDIA Driver To 71.84 http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

The problem is NVIDIA has a whole bunch of issues with the UNREAL engine and The BIA game is from--- You guessed it From UNREAL engine.

---------------------

Another possible DVD fix

After reading at GearBox Boards Ive decided to post this.

Alot of ppl have solved their CD no spinning, wont read errors by using a NODVD Crack. Essentially using a warezed fix. I personally dont condone it but Im sure lots of you would like to play the game. So go ahead try it. I will however not condone any links to it on this board. If you want to PM it to members fine. But do not post it in public because you will recive a Ban (temp or perm to be decided on action). So wanna find it? > www.google.com

--------------

Possible crash to desktop, immediately FIX and missing file Fix

Im not gonna type it all out so ill give the link. It tells you all you need to know and its Official.

http://gbxforums.gearboxsoftware.com/showthread.php?t=33458

------------

How to back up Game Save files

C:\Documents and Settings\[windows accountname]\Application Data\Gearbox Software\Brothers In Arms\[Profilename]

Application Data is a hidden folder, this can be viewed by: extra => map options => middle page (don't know the translation ) => scroll all the way down => tick hidden files and folders *the same thing as the middlepage's title* ..

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Radeon users with GPF, possible fix

I would also suggest all Radeon owners fighting with this game to completely clean up their drivers using Driver Cleaner and re-install them.

I had General Protection Faults and re-installed the game like dozen times without effect. Despite the fact that every other game worked great and without glitches, doing complete Catalyst cleanup-reinstall fixed GPF-problem here with BiA.

Thank you, Pelzimus

--------------------

GPF possible Fix

Reinstall/install new drivers for video card, sound, motherboard. All that you can find. BUT first UNINSTALL BIA. Then afetr your done reinstall. Rinse repeat till everythings up to date.

----------------------

Possible Fix for RAdeon 9000 series users.

I was one of the many many many Radeon graphics card users who had the problem of the game rebooting my system after 5 seconds of play...

No matter what I tried nothing fixed the problem, I tried flashing my bios, installing the latest drivers for every bit of hardware on my comp and numerous other tweeks, nothing worked, I was gonna take the game back because like so many I got sick and tired of waiting for the ever delayed 1.03 patch.

WOOT WOOT, then I fixed the problem simply and easily.... I downloaded the ATI Windows XP Catalyst 5.3

Available here.....

https://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894

The game works great now.... and yes, I'm glad I never took it back.....

Beware FPS fanatics though, your mad rush tactics aint gonna work on this, the game is difficult and requires thought and tactics galore....

Anyway, I hope the above link helps many other ATI Radeon users enjoy a jolly good game....

Have fun....

Thank you Rumppole

-------------------

Cant install Patches?

Make sure your logged in as administartor on your computer...

----------------

Missing files fix -manual

How to manual fix missing files.
http://gbxforums.gearboxsoftware.com/showthread.php?t=36441

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No dvd player check this out...

I got it to work!!!!!
It was very very very hard to do, and took loads of time.

1. First I took the BiA CD and Saved the files to my laptop (which has a dvd reader).
2. I ofcourse used explorer to get to the contense of the CD and I burt 6 whopping CDR's in order to fit all the games files.
3. Then I put them in a temporary folder in my Desktop that acted as the setup folder.
4. I then prayed a while, and installed using the install.exe.
5. I used the NoDVD (I mean no i didnt ) and started up the game.

Problems:

I was missing a ****ing ton of files. I found this out by getting the famous "Null" error. So I decided to look for solutions and I came across a helpful find. It was a file that told you what files I was missing or files that were corrupt!
So I read what I was missing, popped the disk back into my laptop... tracked down the filles... put them on a memory key... and put them in their rightful "BROTHERSINARMS" folders! Did it work? Of course not, I mean why should it, I only spent 6 hours doing it!

Finally... the solution.

Alrighty, so just when I was about to break my foot off in my desktops %#!, I tryed one last attemp.
Remember the temporary folder I used to put the filles from my burnt CD's in? While I added the files that I put in the BiA directory into the install folders instead. I ran the install again, ran the NoDVD again, and.....Presto!

Like a charm Sgt. Baker was up and alive.
Nothing is ever impossible!
I know I wrote alot, thanks for bearing with me.
I'm sure it's a bit confussing so just drop a reply if u need some clarifacation.

Thanx to Kamikazi_tom


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