this shoudl work: delete the folder mods in "my files/battlefield 2142"
but dont empty your trash just yet, test first

Beta: Latin for "still doesn't work".

ok ive heard of this working for some people and it worked for me

1) Go to your BF2142 folder, mine is C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\Battlefield 2142

2) Locate the file radial.cdb

If you do not see this file in the folder then you need to go to folder options tell Windows to show hidden files, the file will not appear. You also (or instead) have to uncheck the box just a little bit below it, which is "Hide protected operating system files".

3) Rename the file to oradial.cdb and start your game.

For some reason this is a protected file and will not show if you ask to show hidden files.

The game will create a new radial.cbd file on it's own.

oh and i also heard something about the windows automatic updates screwing stuff up over on the ea forums