Topic: BF 2142 Patch 1.01 Causes issues w/ Win XP's patch; EA blames Microsoft

[MysterD]

Issues w/ the first patch and newest Win XP security update for BF 2142.
EA is blaming Microsoft for this one.

Link:
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3154527

EA Suggests Removing Windows Security Update
But blame falls on Microsoft, not EA.
by Patrick Klepek, 10/19/2006
24 of 24 users recommend this story.

Battlefield 2142 hasn't had a smooth launch; in addition to today's controversy over alleged spyware, a recent patch for the game recommends players to remove Windows XP security update KB917422, meant to solve an issue that "could allow an attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain control over it."

Glancing through the readme file for Battlefield 2142's patch, here's what Electronic Arts says:

    "Players who have the Windows security update KB917422 installed may suffer from an application error when running Battlefield 2142. This error can be solved by uninstalling the KB917422 update."

Blame, however, does not rest EA but with Microsoft, as a quick Google search of KB917422 brings up many gamers, developers and publishers bitching about the Windows update breaking various games and applications. What have users found is the easiest way to solve the problem? Remove KB917422 or install hotfix KB924867, apparently available by contacting Microsoft directly by calling 800-936-3100.

Even if you simply remove KB917422, you are not opening yourself up to anonymous hackers. This could only happen in two scenarios: "one user running on the machine can force himself to a higher privilege," which means they must have access to your computer locally, or visiting "a specially designed hostile website can force its way to the users privilege, if the user voluntarily performs a sequence of operations." Do either of those sound likely?

For those interested, however, here are the steps to remove KB917422:

    1. Go to START | CONTROL PANEL | ADD AND REMOVE PROGRAMS icon.
    2. Tick the little box that says SHOW UPDATES.
    3. At the bottom of the list of installed programs, look for the update called Security Update for Windows XP (KB917422).
    4. Click on it to highlight it and click the REMOVE button.
    5. Once the update has been uninstalled, Restart the machine.

EA hasn't responded 1UP's request for comment on the matter, but the issue remains overblown, Internet-wide. It's easy to dog pile on EA -- there's certainly no approval here of charging for cheats on the Xbox Live Marketplace or forcing an ultimatum on playing Internet-based Battlefield 2142 games if you don't want part of in-game advertising -- but here, this isn't EA's problem.

[scottws]

Nice.

[MysterD]

Is it me, or does DICE's games get buggier every year???

[Xessive]

Wow, first it was just the games that were buggy, now the patches too?!

[MysterD]

And now EA blames Microsoft?!?!?!?!
What the heck?

EA should just take some time to fix this issue w/ another NEW patch or something.

[Quemaqua]

Well, it does look like this is sorta' Microsoft's problem and not EA's.  That said... fuck EA.  I hope it loses them all their sales and they go bankrupt.

[sirean_syan]

Is anyone really suprised about this?

[MysterD]

Is anyone really suprised about this?

I'm not surprised about more BF 2142 issues.

And I ain't surprised EA's blaming Microsoft for an issue w/ their game. Two ego-inflated giants right there, to say the least...

[Xessive]

a recent patch for the game recommends players to remove Windows XP security update KB917422, meant to solve an issue that "could allow an attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain control over it."

That's the part that raises red flags in my mind. I think the reason is to compromise the system's security just enough to allow the spyware and ads to do their work. All the more reason to toss BF2142 in the bin.

[MysterD]

I agree w/ Xessive.

EA, just patch the game again.

And remove the damn in-game ads for the next patch while you're at it, too....

[scottws]

That'd be nice, but I'm sure they're under contract to provide the ads and the information from the spyware ap.

[MysterD]

That'd be nice, but I'm sure they're under contract to provide the ads and the information from the spyware ap.

Yeah, Pepsi might get pissed or something, eh? hehe.

Like Pepsi needs any more advertising, given how popular their drink is!