@scaz
Yes you are quite correct in what you say but I will have to totally agree with what 'Slon' says.
@luvthegames
I used Google to do a quick search for 'how to play battlefield 2 with DirectX 8'
This site seems to have some useful info.
They also say the program '3DAnalyze' could be helpful. I dont know as I havent had to use it.
Read the whole thread as they talk about possible problems with Punkbuster as you will be technically using a hack to play!
There were other sites in the Google search but I havent looked at them all, I have given you a starting point though.
Good Luck