BFBC2 Freezing? Crashing? Guide and Solutions...

With all of the threads popping up lately. Here is a guide to some fixes.

On going discussion involving possible fixes and work arounds. http://www.overclock.net/pc-games/96...ashing-my.html

*Update* 3/17 - Most of the issues have been linked with the recent Punkbuster update and the overclocking software MSI Afterburner. This is more of an issue for members with a Radeon 6000 series GPU. So far many people have had success with disabling / uninstalling MSIA. If you do not uninstall MSIA, make sure after closing the program, you end any processes running for MSIA in the background via task manager. Also, I would uninstall and delete ANY punkbuster files and reinstall and update them too.

*Update*03/14 - Just as an update guys, EA has been made aware of this problem and have admitted that there is an issue with the latest Punkbuster update. At some point they will make an official announcement. Apparently part of the problem is Windows 7 related. Nothing else has been commented on at this time.

*Update* 03/13
On 3/9/2011 Punkbuster released a new update for BC2. Most of the freezing issues started to occur shortly after the release. The fixes below may work but there is no guarantee. So far the problem seems to involve AMD / ATI Video Cards.
Problem -
-Screen suddenly freezes, without artifacts, after a short game session or screen freezes and is totally blacked out.
-Rapid sound loop, of varying frequencies (depending on Realtek settings)
-Necessary to do a hard reboot.

Solutions -
- Turn off / Close MSIAfterbuner. Disable any processes running in Task Manager also for MSIA.
- Make sure all overclocks are stable.
- Fresh OS install.
- Make sure proper DirectX version is installed for the game.
- If you are running a 6950 card unlocked to a 6970, try bumping the power settings in Catalyst Control Manager to +20%.
- DirectX issues - BFBC2 folder there is a file named settings. In the file near the bottom there is a line that reads "DxVersion=auto" change this to "DxVersion=9"
- Install most up to date drivers for Video Cards.
- Possible Windows 7 update issues. - Steam clients -( thanks to Midnightorion )
Go to your games in steam->Right click the game->Go to properties->Select "Local Files Tab"->"Verify Intergrity of Game Cache"

Solutions ( Punkbuster Related )
-Guide to totall removing PunkBuster http://support.ea.com/app/answers/de.../showhome/true
- reinstall punkbuster / reinstall realtek drivers - ( thanks to aaronmonto )
1) Uninstall Punkbuster. Uninstall from the BC2 disk, uninstall through Control Panel, uninstall whatever way possible. Then go through your AppData, do searches, etc. to delete whatever Punkbuster data you can find. This includes your PnkBstrA and B files in your System32/SysWow64 folders. Go through the registry and delete PB references if you can. Also uncheck PB references in msconfig. It may be necessary to restart; this can help you delete PB files in use.

2) Uninstall Realtek completely. This can be done from the Control Manager and/or Device Manager. To prevent Windows from installing the drivers for you, which will prevent extra reboots but isn't necessary, follow:
---------
-Step 1:
1. ClickStart and type gpedit.msc in the Start Search and pressEnter.

2. OnceLocal Group Policy Editor is open navigate to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Driver Installation
3. On the right pane, double click on“Turn Off Windows Update Device Driver Search Prompt†and selectEnabled and click OK.
Restart.
--------
3) Download the latest Realtek HD Audio drivers. Install them. Restart when told to. You might need to restart and execute up to 3 times before the full software suite is installed, which is necessary.
4) Go to your audio settings and change your HD Audio output (sometimes labeled as "Speakers") to a 16-bit, 48000hz frequency.
5) Download pbsvc and install it. Restart if told to. Download Pbsetup and put it in a place you can use it again. Update and install Punkbuster for all your Punkbuster games, including America's Army, BC2, CoD4, etc.
6) Restart if needed. Go to the folder you found your PnkBstrA and PnkbstrB files and change the compatibilities to XP mode, and set them to run as admin.
7) Run sfc /SCANNOW from your Run dialog. You can get here by going to Ctrl+Shift+Esc --> File --> New task. Type in sfc /SCANNOW.

- Update using PBsetup -
1.Go to punkbuster and download pbsetup.exe
2.After this add your game in pbsetup and push update

3.Go to Start->Run->CMD ( Start cmd in the following way : use the right mouse button on cmd and select run as administrator ); CMD now should say smth like c:\\windows\\system32.

4.Now write in cmd the following and don't forget to use the spacebar when needed

sfc /scannow

5.Let it finish
6.Reboot
7.PLAY

- Change Punkbuster.exe files -
1. Locate the Punkbuster Programs in C:\\Windows\\system32

2. locate " PnkBstrA.exe and PnkBstrB.exe"

3. If you can see these two... right click on both and Select the Compatibility Tab.
From there you must set It to Always run as Admin and Set the compatibility to Windows XP Service pack 3.
I hope this helps everyone. If there are any fixes that need to be added please post them and I will edit the first post.
Edited by BigFrank - 3/20/11 at 9:36am

A couple of new fixes added.

scan for errors. I found that on a Steam forum as a fix that many have used and help with the freezing.

I added another fix. At the bottom of the thread. Give that a try