BF2S Forums Order of installation?

ozweepay wrote:

Hello, I had the EXACT same problem, and after 5 hours of searching and trying, this is what I had to do to get BF2 up and running again:
From the EA website:
You can manually uninstall the game by removing the files and registry
keys associated with it. Be sure to follow these steps exactly as they
appear to prevent accidental file/program deletion on your system.

To delete the save files:

1. Open *My Documents*.
2. Right-click on the /Battlefield 2/ folder and choose *Delete*.

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

1. Open *My Computer*.
2. Open the *C* drive.
3. Open the *Program Files* folder.
4. Open the *EA GAMES* folder.
5. Right-click on the /Battlefield 2/ folder and choose *Delete*.
6. Close all open windows.
7. Right-click on the *Recycle Bin* and choose *Empty Recycle Bin*.

To edit the registry and remove /Battlefield 2/:

1. Click on the *Start* button.
2. Click on *Run*.
3. Type *regedit* in the text field.
4. Click *File* and then choose *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 *DICE*.
10. Right-click on the /Battlefield 2/ folder and choose *Delete*.
11. Click the *plus sign* next to *Electronic Arts*.
12. Right-click and choose *Delete* on any /Battlefield 2/ folders.
13. Click the *plus sign* next to *Microsoft*.
14. Click the *plus sign* next to *Windows*.
15. Click the *plus sign* next to *CurrentVersion*.
16. Click the *plus sign* next to *Uninstall*.
17. Right-click and choose *Delete* on the key named
*{04858915-9F49-4B2A-AED4-DC49A7DE6A7B}*.
18. Close the Registry Editor.

/Battlefield 2/ should now be completely uninstalled. If anything
appears to be working incorrectly after editing the registry, simply
double-click on the Backup file on your desktop to restore the old registry.

You may now reinstall the game, and reapply the patch. It is
recommended that you install the game to the default directory to reduce
the chance of conflicting file locations.

I had to remove any evidence of any previous install to get it going again.
Hope this helps. Do you also have Special Forces installed?