FYI:
Unreal 2 would fall to desktop on my every time I would start a game.
I turned off the EAX checkbox and no problems since. Just thought I would share in case anyone else is pulling their hair out. I'm using a SB Live! 5.1, the rest of my specs are in the sig.
Man, have you seen the tech support process for this game??? especially the copy protection troubleshooter??? I think I'd take the game back AND go get a root canal for fun rather than go thru that. Sheesh. Glad it's running now.