The scary thing about FADE is, that everyone probably suspects that they've activated it somehow. OFP starts chugging... Did I just place too many units in the mission editor? Is it the FlashFX pack I just installed? Or is it because my friend and I both played BF1985 together online when he came over last week, and used only one copy of OFP? FADE is turning me into a gaming hypochondriac, and I suspect I'm not the only one. It would be nice if Codemasters would give use a clue as to whether we've activated FADE or not, but that would defy the whole point of FADE.
What we could do though, is compile a list of the ways to activate FADE (that we know of). A kind of OFP rulebook, so we can avoid touching it off.
i.e. I know that using a copied CD (even for legitimate purposes) will activate FADE. I also know that FADE will activate when two players with the same copy/CDKey enter the same online server, but what about when I play with a friend over a LAN with the same copy/CDKey?
Another thing to include in a FADE guide would be how to deactivate it (for the unfortunate legitimate OFP fans who've activated FADE): Is reinstalling OFP enough, or is it necessary to reformat the hard drive?!
I suggest that everyone who can contribute to this FADE rulebook posts here and I will compile it for distribution on OFPEC. Anyone who knows for certain how FADE is activated, can spot any early signs of FADE activation, or knows what lengths are required to deactivate it will be much apprecited.