Go to Control Panel and then Folder options, Choose View and then scroll
down and check the boxes that say Show hidden files, and un check Hide
extensions. Click OK and you should be able to view hidden files.

Though Zero is a little less optimistic about this, I contend there has to
be something with Vista's settings to cause this problem. I've had Vista and
Vista64 installed Since Jan 07 and I've never had a problem with playing
BF2142 or BF2, in fact, I installed BF1942 and the Desert Combat mod.

Next you can go under the Control Panel - Users accounts and disable the
User Account Control (the UAC) this turns off Vista's new security feature,
but if it works, then you'll have a place to start.
http://images.filecloud.com/402656/1User_UAC_option.jpg

Another thought, Is if you didn't know about it. You might try un-installing
the game and re-installing making sure you choose the Run As admin option on
the setup.exe and the patch files. If you turn off the UAC, you won't have
to worry about doing that, though you may still need to re-install the game.

Since you never got your to work, keep in mind, it could be a slew of
different little things. It might be the sound card or sound card driver,
Video drivers, something on the laptop that it doesn't like (Bluetooth
receiver, etc etc). So in cases like this, you go through and try to disable
or turn off anything that you're not using or is needed.. I'd even turn off
Aero for the time being

"Uhhsuperman" <Uhhsuperman@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0BE38631-8D2F-4C49-B77B-EC181AD231BC@microsoft.com...
> Thank you very much, but how do you search for hidden files? I am
> completly
> new to vista and as sad as it is it took me 5 minutes to find the off
> button.
> But thanks in advance, this is the greatest suggestion so far, better than
> the one "Laptops suck, that is probably your problem"
>
> "Dale White" wrote:
>
>> I can't take credit for this.
>> It was posted by tribal0869 in another thread.
>>
>> Go to C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\Battlefield 2142 (or equivalent)
>> folder and locate the file "radical. cdb".This is a 2142 system file.
>> If you can't locate the file, you must set folder options to "veiw hidden
>> files and folders".
>> To do this, look at the taskbar at the top of the current folder you're
>> in
>> (which should be your 2142 folder) and choose Tools, then Folder
>> Options.Select the "View" tab.
>> Under "Hidden files and folders" check the "Show hidden files and
>> folders"
>> circle.
>>
>> Now rename the radical.cdb file.
>> I renamed mine "radical. cdb.bak" or you may place any other letter in
>> front
>> of the file to rename it if you wish.
>> The game will create a new, uncorructed radical.cdb file when you restart
>> the game
>>
>>
>>
>> "Uhhsuperman" <Uhhsuperman@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:8E4A4C53-78D9-447D-9140-A0BB6D43D61D@microsoft.com...
>> > Also, I ordered the game The Guild 2, and while I can still cancel my
>> > account, has anyone managed to run that on vista?
>> >
>> > "Uhhsuperman" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hi,
>> >>
>> >> This is like the 5th forum I have been to for help. I bought a brand
>> >> new
>> >> computer today with windows 32bit installed and I bought a copy of
>> >> battlefield 2142 to try the computer out. The computer I bought is a
>> >> brand
>> >> new computer designed for gaming, that is in no matter the question,
>> >> and
>> >> yes
>> >> I have experience with gaming and didn't take their word for it when
>> >> it
>> >> came
>> >> to hardware. What is the question is why can't battlefield run on
>> >> vista?
>> >> I
>> >> installed the game and it wouldn't even get to the intro video. When
>> >> I
>> >> ran
>> >> it as admin, same problem. Then, when I tried to switch the
>> >> compatiblity
>> >> it
>> >> failed even worse by asking to insert the disc, even though it is in
>> >> there.
>> >> I have collected enough enough from EA to believe it is Vista's fault
>> >> and
>> >> I
>> >> have installed all updates for the game and vista so that can not be
>> >> the
>> >> issue. Any suggestions at all, or suggestions where I can sell the
>> >> game
>> >> to
>> >> get most of my money back if I can't get it to work?
>>
>>
>>