
Not only do you have to install ad-ware, but apparently now you have to uninstall a Windows Security Update for the game to work properly:
PAtch 1.01 for BF2142
As per the patch 1.01, one of the "known issues" is as follows:
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.
Here's what this security update does:
MS06-051: Vulnerability in the Windows kernel could result in remote code execution
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917422
They're also apparently refusing to join Microsoft's "Games for Windows" movement...