ubuntu-post-install/docs/SWBF2-2017-linux-setup.md

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
• Wolf / Games-on-Whales + Moonlight streaming

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 or later installed
• An EA account created at ea.com and linked to your Steam account
• msitools installed on the host:

  sudo apt-get install -y msitools     # Debian / Ubuntu
  sudo dnf install -y msitools         # Fedora
  

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)

• GE-Proton installed via ProtonUp-Qt or manually into ~/.steam/compatibilitytools.d/
• In Steam: SWBF2 → Properties → Compatibility → Force GE-Proton10-34

Automated setup

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:

ls -lh ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/pfx/drive_c/ea_app.msi

Expected: approximately 227 MB.

2. Extract EA Desktop files

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

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

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

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:

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
• GE-Proton is installed inside the WolfSteam container (./manage.sh ge-proton)
• In Steam (via Moonlight): SWBF2 → Properties → Compatibility → Force GE-Proton10-34

Automated setup

If you are using the ubuntu-post-install framework:

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:

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

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

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.

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

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:

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:

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:

docker exec "$WOLF_CONTAINER" chmod 555 "$CONFIG_DIR"

Verify:

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:

tar -czf swbf2-prefix-backup.tar.gz \
    /path/to/wolf-state/Steam/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/1237950/

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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:

  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:

docker exec "$WOLF_CONTAINER" stat "$CONFIG_DIR" | grep Access
docker exec "$WOLF_CONTAINER" grep -A5 '"1237950"' "$CONFIG_FILE" | grep -i launch

Native:

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:

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:

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