Claude
92fd67ec34
Both scripts now detect and install msitools if missing, supporting apt-get (Debian/Ubuntu), dnf (Fedora), and pacman (Arch). Falls back to a clear error if the package manager is not recognised. Remove msitools from manual prerequisites in the doc. Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com> Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01D8ckUJQtj1pH8jtAddBDZs
473 lines
14 KiB
Markdown
473 lines
14 KiB
Markdown
# Star Wars Battlefront II (2017) — Linux Setup Guide
|
||
|
||
**AppID:** 1237950
|
||
**Proton:** GE-Proton10-34 or later (required)
|
||
|
||
This guide covers two setups:
|
||
- [Native Linux Steam](#native-linux-steam)
|
||
- [Wolf / Games-on-Whales + Moonlight streaming](#wolf--moonlight)
|
||
|
||
The underlying fix is the same for both. The EA App MSI bundled with the game
|
||
fails to install in Wine due to a .NET custom action (`JunoConfigureRegistry`)
|
||
that Wine does not support, causing the installer to silently roll back. The
|
||
fix is to extract the EA Desktop files directly from the MSI on the Linux host
|
||
using `msiextract`, bypassing the installer entirely, then wire up a launch
|
||
wrapper to import the necessary registry entries on every launch.
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
## Prerequisites (both setups)
|
||
|
||
- SWBF2 (AppID 1237950) installed via Steam and fully downloaded
|
||
- GE-Proton10-34 — installed automatically by the setup scripts if not present
|
||
- `msitools` — installed automatically by the setup scripts if not present
|
||
- An EA account created at ea.com and linked to your Steam account
|
||
|
||
### EA account requirement
|
||
|
||
SWBF2 (2017) requires EA account authentication on first launch. Steam handles
|
||
the game files; EA App handles identity. First launch requires an internet
|
||
connection and a valid EA account linked to your Steam account. After
|
||
authenticating, EA App caches credentials locally and subsequent launches work
|
||
without re-login until the token expires (typically weeks to months).
|
||
|
||
To link accounts: log in at ea.com, go to Connections, and link your Steam
|
||
account. This is a one-time step that persists across reinstalls.
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
## Native Linux Steam
|
||
|
||
### Prerequisites (native)
|
||
|
||
- In Steam: SWBF2 → Properties → Compatibility → Force GE-Proton10-34
|
||
(the setup script installs GE-Proton10-34 automatically if not present)
|
||
|
||
### Automated setup
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
chmod +x setup-swbf2-linux.sh
|
||
./setup-swbf2-linux.sh
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
Run after completing step 1 below.
|
||
|
||
### Manual steps
|
||
|
||
#### 1. Trigger Wine prefix creation
|
||
|
||
Launch SWBF2 from Steam. Wait approximately 10 seconds. You will see an
|
||
"Origin is not installed" error — this is expected. Close it.
|
||
|
||
Verify the MSI appeared:
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
ls -lh ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c/ea_app.msi
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
Expected: approximately 227 MB.
|
||
|
||
#### 2. Extract EA Desktop files
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
mkdir -p /tmp/ea_app_extracted
|
||
msiextract -C /tmp/ea_app_extracted \
|
||
~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c/ea_app.msi
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
#### 3. Copy EA Desktop files into the Wine prefix
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
PFX_C=~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c
|
||
EA_DEST_BASE="$PFX_C/Program Files/Electronic Arts/EA Desktop"
|
||
|
||
SYMLINK_TARGET=$(readlink "$EA_DEST_BASE/EA Desktop" 2>/dev/null || echo "14.2.0.3345")
|
||
|
||
mkdir -p "$EA_DEST_BASE/$SYMLINK_TARGET"
|
||
cp -r "/tmp/ea_app_extracted/Electronic Arts/EA Desktop/EA Desktop/." \
|
||
"$EA_DEST_BASE/$SYMLINK_TARGET/"
|
||
|
||
rm -f "$EA_DEST_BASE/EA Desktop"
|
||
ln -sf "$SYMLINK_TARGET" "$EA_DEST_BASE/EA Desktop"
|
||
|
||
# Verify
|
||
find "$EA_DEST_BASE" -name "Link2EA.exe"
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
#### 4. Write registry fix files to drive_c
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
PFX_C=~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c
|
||
|
||
cat > "$PFX_C/link2ea_fix.reg" << 'EOF'
|
||
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
|
||
|
||
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\link2ea]
|
||
@="URL:link2ea Protocol"
|
||
"URL Protocol"=""
|
||
|
||
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\link2ea\shell\open\command]
|
||
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Electronic Arts\\EA Desktop\\EA Desktop\\Link2EA.exe\" \"%1\""
|
||
EOF
|
||
|
||
cat > "$PFX_C/ea_services.reg" << 'EOF'
|
||
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
|
||
|
||
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EALocalHostSvc]
|
||
"Type"=dword:00000010
|
||
"Start"=dword:00000002
|
||
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
|
||
"ImagePath"="C:\\Program Files\\Electronic Arts\\EA Desktop\\EA Desktop\\EALocalHostSvc.exe"
|
||
"DisplayName"="EA Local Host Service"
|
||
"ObjectName"="LocalSystem"
|
||
|
||
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EABackgroundService]
|
||
"Type"=dword:00000010
|
||
"Start"=dword:00000002
|
||
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
|
||
"ImagePath"="C:\\Program Files\\Electronic Arts\\EA Desktop\\EA Desktop\\EABackgroundService.exe"
|
||
"DisplayName"="EA Background Service"
|
||
"ObjectName"="LocalSystem"
|
||
EOF
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
#### 5. Write the launch wrapper
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
mkdir -p ~/.local/bin
|
||
|
||
cat > ~/.local/bin/ea_install.sh << 'EOF'
|
||
#!/bin/bash
|
||
echo "=== launch $(date) ===" >> /tmp/ea_install.log
|
||
"$1" "$2" "$3" "$4" "$5" "$6" "$7" "$8" "$9" "${10}" "${11}" regedit /S "C:\\link2ea_fix.reg"
|
||
"$1" "$2" "$3" "$4" "$5" "$6" "$7" "$8" "$9" "${10}" "${11}" regedit /S "C:\\ea_services.reg"
|
||
exec "$@"
|
||
EOF
|
||
|
||
chmod +x ~/.local/bin/ea_install.sh
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
#### 6. Set Steam launch options
|
||
|
||
In Steam: right-click SWBF2 → Properties → Launch Options, enter:
|
||
|
||
```
|
||
~/.local/bin/ea_install.sh %command%
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
Alternatively, set it from the terminal. Close Steam first, then:
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
STEAM_UID=$(ls ~/.steam/steam/userdata/ | head -1)
|
||
CFG=~/.steam/steam/userdata/$STEAM_UID/config/localconfig.vdf
|
||
|
||
python3 - "$CFG" << 'PYEOF'
|
||
import sys, re, os
|
||
path = sys.argv[1]
|
||
opt = os.path.expanduser('~/.local/bin/ea_install.sh') + ' %command%'
|
||
with open(path) as f:
|
||
content = f.read()
|
||
new = re.sub(r'("1237950".*?"LaunchOptions"\s*)"[^"]*"', rf'\1"{opt}"', content, flags=re.DOTALL)
|
||
if new == content:
|
||
new = re.sub(r'("1237950"\s*\n\s*\{)', rf'\1\n\t\t\t\t"LaunchOptions"\t\t"{opt}"', content)
|
||
with open(path, 'w') as f:
|
||
f.write(new)
|
||
print("Done")
|
||
PYEOF
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
#### 7. Launch the game
|
||
|
||
1. Launch SWBF2 from Steam
|
||
2. Let Vulkan shaders compile on first run — do not skip
|
||
3. EA App authenticates via your linked Steam/EA account
|
||
4. Game loads
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
## Wolf / Games-on-Whales + Moonlight
|
||
|
||
### Prerequisites (Wolf)
|
||
|
||
- Wolf is running and Steam is open in a Moonlight session
|
||
- In Steam (via Moonlight): SWBF2 → Properties → Compatibility →
|
||
Force GE-Proton10-34
|
||
(the setup script installs GE-Proton10-34 into the container automatically if not present)
|
||
|
||
### Automated setup
|
||
|
||
If you are using the ubuntu-post-install framework:
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
cd ~/docker/wolf
|
||
./manage.sh setup-swbf2
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
Run this after completing step 1 below. The script handles steps 2–6
|
||
automatically.
|
||
|
||
### Manual steps
|
||
|
||
#### 1. Trigger Wine prefix creation
|
||
|
||
Launch SWBF2 from Moonlight. Wait approximately 10 seconds. You will see an
|
||
"Origin is not installed" error — this is expected. Close it and return to
|
||
the terminal.
|
||
|
||
Verify the MSI appeared in the Wine prefix:
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
WOLF_CONTAINER=$(docker ps --format '{{.Names}}' | grep WolfSteam | head -1)
|
||
docker exec "$WOLF_CONTAINER" ls -lh \
|
||
/home/retro/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c/ea_app.msi
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
Expected: approximately 227 MB.
|
||
|
||
#### 2. Extract EA Desktop files on the host
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
WOLF_CONTAINER=$(docker ps --format '{{.Names}}' | grep WolfSteam | head -1)
|
||
|
||
docker cp \
|
||
"$WOLF_CONTAINER:/home/retro/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c/ea_app.msi" \
|
||
/tmp/ea_app.msi
|
||
|
||
mkdir -p /tmp/ea_app_extracted
|
||
msiextract -C /tmp/ea_app_extracted /tmp/ea_app.msi
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
#### 3. Copy EA Desktop files into the Wine prefix
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
SYMLINK_TARGET=$(docker exec "$WOLF_CONTAINER" readlink \
|
||
"/home/retro/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c/Program Files/Electronic Arts/EA Desktop/EA Desktop" \
|
||
2>/dev/null || echo "14.2.0.3345")
|
||
|
||
PFXBASE="/home/retro/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c/Program Files/Electronic Arts/EA Desktop"
|
||
|
||
docker exec "$WOLF_CONTAINER" bash -c "
|
||
rm -f '$PFXBASE/EA Desktop'
|
||
mkdir -p '$PFXBASE/$SYMLINK_TARGET'
|
||
ln -s '$SYMLINK_TARGET' '$PFXBASE/EA Desktop'
|
||
"
|
||
|
||
docker cp "/tmp/ea_app_extracted/Electronic Arts/EA Desktop/EA Desktop/." \
|
||
"$WOLF_CONTAINER:$PFXBASE/$SYMLINK_TARGET/"
|
||
|
||
# Verify
|
||
docker exec "$WOLF_CONTAINER" find "$PFXBASE" -name "Link2EA.exe"
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
#### 4. Write registry fix files to drive_c
|
||
|
||
These files are imported into the Wine registry on every launch by the wrapper
|
||
script. Storing them in drive_c ensures they survive wineserver restarts.
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
PFXC="$WOLF_CONTAINER:/home/retro/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c"
|
||
|
||
cat > /tmp/link2ea_fix.reg << 'EOF'
|
||
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
|
||
|
||
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\link2ea]
|
||
@="URL:link2ea Protocol"
|
||
"URL Protocol"=""
|
||
|
||
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\link2ea\shell\open\command]
|
||
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Electronic Arts\\EA Desktop\\EA Desktop\\Link2EA.exe\" \"%1\""
|
||
EOF
|
||
|
||
cat > /tmp/ea_services.reg << 'EOF'
|
||
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
|
||
|
||
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EALocalHostSvc]
|
||
"Type"=dword:00000010
|
||
"Start"=dword:00000002
|
||
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
|
||
"ImagePath"="C:\\Program Files\\Electronic Arts\\EA Desktop\\EA Desktop\\EALocalHostSvc.exe"
|
||
"DisplayName"="EA Local Host Service"
|
||
"ObjectName"="LocalSystem"
|
||
|
||
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EABackgroundService]
|
||
"Type"=dword:00000010
|
||
"Start"=dword:00000002
|
||
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
|
||
"ImagePath"="C:\\Program Files\\Electronic Arts\\EA Desktop\\EA Desktop\\EABackgroundService.exe"
|
||
"DisplayName"="EA Background Service"
|
||
"ObjectName"="LocalSystem"
|
||
EOF
|
||
|
||
docker cp /tmp/link2ea_fix.reg "$PFXC/link2ea_fix.reg"
|
||
docker cp /tmp/ea_services.reg "$PFXC/ea_services.reg"
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
#### 5. Write the launch wrapper
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
cat > /tmp/ea_install.sh << 'EOF'
|
||
#!/bin/bash
|
||
echo "=== launch $(date) ===" >> /tmp/ea_install.log
|
||
"$1" "$2" "$3" "$4" "$5" "$6" "$7" "$8" "$9" "${10}" "${11}" regedit /S "C:\\link2ea_fix.reg"
|
||
"$1" "$2" "$3" "$4" "$5" "$6" "$7" "$8" "$9" "${10}" "${11}" regedit /S "C:\\ea_services.reg"
|
||
exec "$@"
|
||
EOF
|
||
chmod +x /tmp/ea_install.sh
|
||
docker cp /tmp/ea_install.sh "$WOLF_CONTAINER":/home/retro/ea_install.sh
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
#### 6. Set Steam launch options
|
||
|
||
Stop Steam so it flushes its current state before editing:
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
STEAM_UID=$(docker exec "$WOLF_CONTAINER" ls /home/retro/.steam/steam/userdata/)
|
||
CONFIG_DIR="/home/retro/.steam/steam/userdata/$STEAM_UID/config"
|
||
CONFIG_FILE="$CONFIG_DIR/localconfig.vdf"
|
||
|
||
docker exec "$WOLF_CONTAINER" pkill -f steam.sh || true
|
||
sleep 5
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
Edit localconfig.vdf to add the launch option for AppID 1237950:
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
docker exec "$WOLF_CONTAINER" python3 - "$CONFIG_FILE" << 'PYEOF'
|
||
import sys, re
|
||
path = sys.argv[1]
|
||
with open(path) as f:
|
||
content = f.read()
|
||
opt = 'STEAM_UNIX_SOCKET=/tmp/steam.sock /home/retro/ea_install.sh %command%'
|
||
new = re.sub(r'("1237950".*?"LaunchOptions"\s*)"[^"]*"', rf'\1"{opt}"', content, flags=re.DOTALL)
|
||
if new == content:
|
||
new = re.sub(r'("1237950"\s*\n\s*\{)', rf'\1\n\t\t\t\t"LaunchOptions"\t\t"{opt}"', content)
|
||
with open(path, 'w') as f:
|
||
f.write(new)
|
||
print("Done")
|
||
PYEOF
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
Lock the config directory so Steam cannot overwrite localconfig.vdf on shutdown:
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
docker exec "$WOLF_CONTAINER" chmod 555 "$CONFIG_DIR"
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
Verify:
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
docker exec "$WOLF_CONTAINER" grep -A3 '"1237950"' "$CONFIG_FILE" | grep -i launch
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
#### 7. Launch the game
|
||
|
||
1. Reconnect to Moonlight and launch SWBF2
|
||
2. Let Vulkan shaders compile — do not skip; takes several minutes on first run only
|
||
3. EA App authenticates via your linked Steam/EA account
|
||
4. Game loads
|
||
|
||
### Fresh install behaviour (Wolf)
|
||
|
||
| Component | Survives reinstall? | Notes |
|
||
|-----------|-------------------|-------|
|
||
| EA Desktop files in Wine prefix | No | Re-run setup after prefix is recreated |
|
||
| Registry fix files in drive_c | No | Re-run setup after prefix is recreated |
|
||
| Launch options in localconfig.vdf | No | Re-run setup after prefix is recreated |
|
||
| Config dir lock | No | Re-run setup after prefix is recreated |
|
||
| ea_app.msi | No | Requires one launch to reappear |
|
||
| EA account link | Yes | Stored on EA's servers |
|
||
| EA auth token | No | Requires one re-login after prefix deletion |
|
||
|
||
If the Wine prefix (`compatdata/1237950/`) is deleted, run the setup again from
|
||
step 1. To preserve credentials when moving to a new machine, back up the prefix:
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
tar -czf swbf2-prefix-backup.tar.gz \
|
||
/path/to/wolf-state/Steam/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
## Troubleshooting
|
||
|
||
### "Origin is not installed" popup
|
||
|
||
The wrapper did not run, or ran but regedit failed.
|
||
|
||
- Verify launch options are set: Steam → SWBF2 → Properties → Launch Options
|
||
- Check the wrapper log:
|
||
```bash
|
||
tail /tmp/ea_install.log
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
### `link2ea://` fails — game exits silently after a moment
|
||
|
||
`link2ea_fix.reg` was not imported. Confirm `link2ea_fix.reg` exists in drive_c
|
||
and the wrapper ran both regedit commands.
|
||
|
||
### RPC_S_SERVER_UNAVAILABLE (0x800706ba) in Proton log
|
||
|
||
`ea_services.reg` was not imported or the service entries were not written
|
||
correctly. Check the wrapper log and confirm `ea_services.reg` exists in drive_c.
|
||
|
||
### Game exits immediately, no popup, no log entry
|
||
|
||
The wrapper is not being called at all.
|
||
|
||
**Wolf:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
docker exec "$WOLF_CONTAINER" stat "$CONFIG_DIR" | grep Access
|
||
docker exec "$WOLF_CONTAINER" grep -A5 '"1237950"' "$CONFIG_FILE" | grep -i launch
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Native:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
stat ~/.steam/steam/userdata/*/config | grep Access
|
||
grep -A5 '"1237950"' ~/.steam/steam/userdata/*/config/localconfig.vdf | grep -i launch
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
### Collecting logs after a failure
|
||
|
||
**Wolf:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
docker exec "$WOLF_CONTAINER" bash -c "
|
||
tail -20 /tmp/ea_install.log
|
||
echo '---'
|
||
grep -E '(err:|link2ea|origin|RPC)' /home/retro/steam-1237950.log | tail -20
|
||
"
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Native:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
tail /tmp/ea_install.log
|
||
grep -E '(err:|link2ea|origin|RPC)' ~/.steam/steam/logs/steam_1237950.log 2>/dev/null | tail -20
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
## Key paths
|
||
|
||
### Wolf (inside WolfSteam container)
|
||
|
||
| Path | Description |
|
||
|------|-------------|
|
||
| `/home/retro/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/` | SWBF2 Wine prefix |
|
||
| `/home/retro/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c/ea_app.msi` | EA App MSI (~227 MB) |
|
||
| `/home/retro/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c/link2ea_fix.reg` | link2ea protocol handler |
|
||
| `/home/retro/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c/ea_services.reg` | EA service registrations |
|
||
| `/home/retro/.steam/steam/userdata/<uid>/config/localconfig.vdf` | Steam launch options |
|
||
| `/home/retro/ea_install.sh` | Launch wrapper |
|
||
| `/tmp/ea_install.log` | Wrapper log (resets on container restart) |
|
||
|
||
### Native Linux Steam
|
||
|
||
| Path | Description |
|
||
|------|-------------|
|
||
| `~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/` | SWBF2 Wine prefix |
|
||
| `~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c/ea_app.msi` | EA App MSI (~227 MB) |
|
||
| `~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c/link2ea_fix.reg` | link2ea protocol handler |
|
||
| `~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c/ea_services.reg` | EA service registrations |
|
||
| `~/.steam/steam/userdata/<uid>/config/localconfig.vdf` | Steam launch options |
|
||
| `~/.local/bin/ea_install.sh` | Launch wrapper |
|
||
| `/tmp/ea_install.log` | Wrapper log |
|