How can I fix the auto-login to the Cerberus network (EA Online)

I thought I had this fixed, but it turns out it only made the auto-login work for an hour or two. Then it's back to the error. Leaving it here until I find something better.

1. Start the game.
2. Go to Extras->Options->Online and set Auto Login to EA Online to No.
3. Exit the game.
4. Restart the game.
5. Manually connect to EA Online.
6. Go to Extras->Options->Online and set Auto Login to EA Online to Yes.
7. Exit the game again. Auto-login should work from now on.

Do not do step 6 before you do step 5. I tried that and after manually logging in it reverted my setting back to "No" instead of "Yes".

Saw this on the Mass Effect Wiki:

1. In Windows 7, go to Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> Turn Windows Features On/Off
2. Expand Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1
3. Make sure that both Windows Communication Foundation HTTP Activation and Windows Communication Foundation Non-HTTP Activation are checked.

The "delete Player1.prf" answer seems to be correct in the sense that deleting Player1.prf caused the auto-login to work, at least the very next time I ran the game.

However, it is wrong in the sense that all my other settings (except graphics) were reset as a result. This includes key bindings, inverted mouse, sound volume, and automated gameplay feedback submission.

It also seemed to reset achievements, at some level; the next headshot I got popped up as 1/30 instead of one million. This made me nervous, so I restored my original Player1.prf file, and therefore can't say how well this solution works in the longer term, or what other impacts it may have.

It's worth noting that, as far as I know, the only time you need to be logged in anyway is the first time you run the game after installing one or more pieces of DLC. That is, unless you care about constantly updating your online achievement log, or whatever it is that the bioware social network tracks and displays.

The file Documents\BioWare\Mass Effect 2\BIOGame\Profile\player1.prf was read-only on my system. Right clicking the file, clearing the read-only checkbox fixed it for me.

Not that I have found.

However, DLC does not seem to require you to be online to use in Mass Effect 2. I was able to simply disable the EA Online automatic login, and I was able to play the game with no problems (including all of the Character/Mission DLC, but none of the Outfit/Weapon DLC, on the PC).

Exit game

Delete this file: My Documents\BioWare\Mass Effect 2\BioGame\Profile\Player1.prf

Start the game and give it you login info

It is now saved.

This file does not effect anything else, all your other settings and saved games will still be there.