I use this method and it works for me:
The in-game server browser sucks so i just use gametracker.

Step 1: Make sure you run the game using BFBC2Updater.exe and also as administrator;
Step 2: After Login to EA go to MULTIPLAYER - SERVER BROWSER;
Step 3: Once in the Server Browser CANCEL the "Wainting for data" thingy;
Step 4: ALT+TAB or ALT+ESC and go to your desktop;
Step 5: Start your internet browser (firefox/iexplorer) and go to: http://www.gametracker.com/search/
Step 6: Select Battlefield: Bad Company 2 on the "Playing" Tab and then select your Country in the "Located In" Tab, after that hit "GO";
Step 7: Filter the servers by PLAYERS by clicking there;
Step 8: Find a server with a few slots like 25/32;
Step 9: Fix the inicial name of the server like: =UKA= UK Alliance Rush, you just need the "=UKA=" fix this part;
Step 10: go back to your game and where it says: Filter Options - Server Name type in: =UKA= then hit Search;
Step 11: After it finds the server, add it to your Favorits and then connect to it.

There your done! this worked for me, i added like 10 good servers in my favs and now i allways use the favorits tab to connect so i dont have to wait like a zilion years for the "waiting for data thing" and also i know i have good ping because those servers are from my country!

Hope this helps you ppl.

Post here if it works for you.

Interesting, I might give this a try. Now, a noob question: how do you add a server to your favorites list? Also, does sorting by ping actually do anything (i.e., pings might be hidden but still used for sorting)?

On the Battlefield Multiplayer Server Browser the servers are displayed under the "Server Name"

Just click in the black square box and then go to your favs tab as shown on this picture:


http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/9531/favsm.jpg



As for the ping, as long as you select your country in the gametracker server browser you will allways have a good ping (20 to 80).

Any questions just post them here.

This should be stickied.

Great, thanks, I never noticed that little arrow by the server name before.

Thanks, no prob dude.

Anything else just feel free to ask.

bump

And why are we having to use a "workaround" for a game that was released just over a week ago? Why wasn't this functionality working in the first place? Why is it not being fixed as a top priority? Why, when beta testers brought this problem to light, wasn't it fixed BEFORE release?

dont ask me m8, i'm just trying to help on the best possible way i can.

battlefield.TheRAIDER wrote:dont ask me m8, i'm just trying to help on the best possible way i can.

Not blaming you and applaud you effort. I am just a might PO'd that EA/DICE are allowed to get by with such shoddy work.

By the way, I will probably use your post in the future. Thank you.

bump!

bump

Nice guide guy. I applaud your efforts to do EA/Dices job for them. But no one can fill those epic shoes of fail better than them.

Step 12: Edit .ini files
Step 13: Turn off anti virus
Step 14: Turn of firewall
Step 15: port Forward
Step 16: Reinstall Game
Step 17: Reinstall Everything
Step 18: Reinstall Windows
Step 19: Buy New PC
Step 20: Reinstall Everything on New PC
Step 21: Get a Refund (Oh Wait, Cant do that)
Step 22: Ask EA to send you the source code so you can fix the game your self
Step 23: EA responds, "Sorry too busy making another crappy game to sell to these suckers, cant reply"
Step 24: go on EA Forums and Appoligize for EA, after all its only the first week and counting...

LOL!!!

lets hope this guys fix this stuff b4 everyone stops playing...

nice tutorial, I've never thought of using gametracker to find server names and search lol, I just managed to add a few good servers from the server browser to my favourites, but yeah, once you have some servers in your favourites or history you won't have any more game joining problems.