So i've tried everything, from repairing the download, and completely redownloading to completely wiping anything related to origin, BF4, or just EA in general from my HDD, including my registry. So what's happened is one day I decided I was going to do some cleanup and move things around on my computer. You know, things I use often to a separate, nicer looking and better organized folder than just scattered around in Program files (x86). Apparently origin can't handle that. Immediately, BF4 started to misbehave. Like, I press play and nothing happens. I thought to myself "Weird. I bet if I just redownload it'll be fine. I should've known origin wasn't very happy when files are moved around." I've now redownloaded the game at least 4 or 5 times. A week passed and I figured "Well, I'll just search my whole computer for anything related to BF4 and origin. Surely that'll fix it!" Nope. Done that at least 3-4 times? Now I'm getting frustrated. The only thing I can think of is the registry thinking it's installed and preventing origin from properly installing my game. So I downloaded an app called Revo uninstaller and completely wiped the registry for origin, BF4, and anything else related to it like punkbuster, and the battlelog web plugins. Nope. Not even any closer.
Things to consider:
I once tried to install in safe mode with networking; I got an error saying "ERROR: PunkBuster services cannot create a file where one already exists" or something like that. So, I'm thinking it's a punkbuster issue. I'll try to download BF3 and see if it goes any better.
I guess I should mention what happens when I try to install aswell. When i click install, it seems to go through a completely normal installation process except when it finishes, it still prompts me to install the game where it should say play. If I watch in my task manager, I see DirectX come up, use some of my disk, go away, and punkbuster comes up and goes away rather fast. Then punkbuster service A comes up and, again, goes away quickly. (Maybe a problem with service B?) and everything stops, and it still says install.
I'm using a AMD FX-8350 and a EVGA 750 TI ftw edition, running on windows 8.1 pro, if this helps.
I've done pretty much everything that an average EA chat assistant will tell you. I.E. Repair, redownload, Safe mode, disable UAC, safe download mode, as well as most options in origin's options, shutting down all your startup programs, ect. None of it has worked.
The game has worked just fine before. In fact. I have a bit over 100 hours into it. So in my mind there's no reason it shouldn't work.
If there's any more information you need, let me know. All suggestions are welcome!