To wrap up what I wrote about above -
Had to talk to four EA customer service reps over two days before both copies worked.

After I wrote the above, the second copy still did not work to connect to other servers or coop. The first rep I talked to said I had some messed up 'entitlements' in both installs and she made enough changes such that I could get beyond Origin and open BF3 in my install #2. The next two support guys did not have a clue what to do - "Umm, disconnect your computer from the internet and reboot." "You need Google Chrome." "Open UDP Port 17." Finally I talked to a guy and read him the error and he fixed it right away.


After we got both copies working, I showed my bro-in-law your tactical guide, Magnum, and we read through it together. Lot's of good points in there, like -
"...the point is to work as a team and use some basic tactics when playing, and always play the objectives."


So when is the next BF3 session on SimHQ?

WC

EA is patching alot of things soon (one of them being the flashlights)

Great review. Unfortunately, I'm about 5 years behind on first person shooters. Just recently revisited the original Far Cry (great game!) and today I ordered Medal of Honor the original for $5 on Direct2Drive:

http://www.direct2drive.com/9477/product/Buy-Medal-of-Honor-Download

So I've got about a dozen other shooters before I get to the latest and greatest. The good news is, I have plenty of hardware power for games that are several years old..LOL..

Nice job Mag..

that SP of MoH is great.... think you will enjoy that ride.

Original? You mean MOH: Allied Assault? That was indeed my favorite of all the MOH and even CoD games (since COD 1, 2, and 4 were the same people that did MOH:AA).



The Jedi Master

No..I think it is the Medal of Honor that occurs in Afghanistan?

It is. The single-player game is one of the best I've ever played.