Problems with Punkbuster? Solutions Here

[jordy]

Laggy Gameplay
If you're experiencing laggy gameplay on servers when you have a good ping and decent FPS, you may have out-of-date Punkbuster files.

Punkbuster is updated regularly, and most server providers update their hosted game servers as soon as each release is received.

Whilst games are supposed to update their client files (i.e.: the Punkbuster files installed on your PC) automatically, for a variety of reasons - such as being behind a firewall or home network - this automatic update can often fail. However, your games will not inform you that you're running an out of date copy of the anti-cheat software.

Instead, you may experience laggy gameplay or even being randomly being kicked from servers.


Install pbsetup.exe

pbsetup.exe is a tool you download which automatically updates your punkbuster file. Running this tool fixes 90% of problems players have with punkbuster. Instructions to install below:
Go to punkbuster website and download PunkBuster pbsetup.exe.

Once downloaded, run PBSETUP.EXE.

Click "Add Game" and select the game you wish to update (in our case, BF2).

Click "Check for Updates" and the game(s) will be automatically patched.

Run BF2/PR. If you still get problems, continue reading this thread.



PnkBstrB.exe handshake failure

If you are getting pb handshaking error, the simplest solution is to go to EvenBalance website and download the pbsetup.exe tool, run this tool to update your BF2 punkbuster files.
pbsetup.exe link: PunkBuster pbsetup.exe


If this does not work, try typing this line in your in the BF2 console (default ~) when you join a server: pb_sleep 500
More information about pb_sleep command found here: Punkbuster BF2 Information

[this worked for me!!!]
If this does not work and you have a dual core CPU, try disabling one of your processor cores in the Windows Task Manager:
1) open PR/BF2
2) press Alt-Ctrl-Delete
3) In Processes, right click on BF2.exe and click on Set Affinity
4) Disable one of the CPU and return to the game


If this does not work try the following steps:
1. Download pbsvc
2. Start pbsvc installer, you should see options for install, uninstall, test.
3. Run the Uninstaller
4. Restart your computer.
5. Start pbsvc installer again, this time choose install.
6. After pcsvc installs, click the "test" option to check the punk buster install you just did.
5. Make sure it comes back "all green"
6. Create a pbsvc installer shortcut AND pbsvc program shortcut on your desktop.
7. Run pbsvc the program (shortcut on your desktop) add BF2 to the games list, then hit update.




If this does not work, try doing this:
1. Open PR/BF2
2. Go to task manager by pressing ctrl+alt+delete
3. Select running processes from the upper left corner
4. Find PnkBstrA.exe in the list and end the process
5. Start PR and play

[jordy]

Solution for punkbuster kicks if you have tried the following and are still having problems:



1. Downloaded punkbuster htm file update from even balance
2. Downloaded and installed pbsetup.exe and ran the update and still probelms.
3. Downloaded and installed pbsvc.exe, ran through the suggested steps and still probelms.
4. Do not click the option 'punkbuster' in hour into the server.
5. Unistalled project reality and battlefield2, deleted all files related to the game, deleted cache and any temp files and then reinstalled everything: bf2, patch 1.41 and PR.

Important Information

-- When you install the battlefield2, the punkbuster is not installed. it installs itself when we see the message 'loading complete. verifying customer data '. hence it includes the services of booting the system, the service pnkbstrA.exe. (you can see this going on 'start \ run \ services.msc').

what seems to have happened since the last update of automatic punkbuster, is that it now requires the pnkbstrB.exe but may be something also.

pbsetup.exe the program, found at the site of the guys (punkbuster.com), installs the pnkbstrB.exe and includes services in the boot of the system but not the start automatically. then simply open the 'start \ run \ services.msc' and set up for 'automatic' and start it. but the shit does not stop there: when you run the game in time when you read 'loading complete. verifying client date, 'punkbuster always installs itself again and stops the pnkbstrB.exe services in the boot of shit windows. then you get the message (something like) 'pnkbstrB.exe handshake failed' or another message related to any punkbuster, depending on what you is trying to do.

SOLUTION

1 - open the windows explorer and go to 'C: \ Program Files \ EA GAMES \ Battlefield 2' and create a folder with the name '! Bkp-bp'

2 - go to 'C: \ Program Files \ EA GAMES \ Battlefield 2 \ pb', copy the files

pbags.dll
pbcl.dll
pbclold.dll
pbcls.dll
pbsv.dll

and paste them in the folder that you created, '! bkp-bp'.

3 - you can download from a pbsvc.exe
http://www.evenbalance.com/downloads/pbsvc/pbsvc.exe

* steps 1, 2 and 3 will be made only once. the other will be made whenever you play for, before the opening game.

4 - open the program pbsvc.exe

5 - select the "Un-Install/Remove PunkBuster Service 'and click next, then finish.

6 - go to 'C: \ Program Files \ EA GAMES \ Battlefield 2 \ pb', and delete all the files it has within it, the root (only the files, not folders' dll ',' htm 'and' scrnshot ')

7 - go to the folder 'dll' (C: \ Program Files \ EA GAMES \ Battlefield 2 \ bp \ dll) and delete the files that are inside (must be two files with the extension. Dll, but if you have more , Delete without fear).

8 - go to the folder 'htm' (C: \ Program Files \ EA GAMES \ Battlefield 2 \ bp \ htm) and delete the files that exist beyond these, the words, those listed below are those that are:

la001310.htm (not delete this)
lc001110.htm (not delete this)
ma001310.htm (not delete this)
mc001110.htm (not delete this)
wa001310.htm (not delete this)
wc001110.htm (not delete this)

this seems complicated, but it is not. these six files. htm listed above are installed from the CD of the battlefield, the others are updates of punkbuster. then, the files you will delete (in my case are always two files), have recent dates. and those listed here are former date.

9 - cut the dll files in the folder 'bkp-bp' and paste them in the folder 'pb' (C: \ Program Files \ EA GAMES \ Battlefield 2 \ pb)

This may seem really complicated, but is guaranteed to fix the problem, and after doing it twice is very easy and fast.

I will explain what you are doing here: if you reinstall the game, he always work for the first time and give the problem the second onwards. because the punkbuster is installed only after reading the map, already accessing the server. following the steps above, we are leaving the state of punkbuster exactly as it is when you install the battlefield2.

when I say to create the folder bkp-bp, there is to copy the original files of the facility, to back. after making the first time, you can also copy the six htm files get listed above, then you just delete everything in the folder htm and copy what you saved a backup. but do this only with the dll, as taught. htm folder always appear only two new files, updates the punkbuster.

[jordy]

Install Guide for PB Service

This is an install guide for installing pbsvc. This is a service that automatically detects punkbuster files and updates them. This guide describes how to fully uninstall and install pbscv and pbsetup.exe.

Uninstall

1) Uninstall the present PB service and all PB files

2) Download the pbsvc.exe from even balance.

3) Create a folder and put "pbsvc.exe" in that folder then run it.

4) Click on the UNINSTALL option to delete all old PB service files

5) Manually navigate to BF2 install directory and delete any leftover PB files \Battlefield 2\pb

6) Reboot Computer.

Install

1) Go to the folder pbsvc.exe is located, run it and click on Install option

2) Reboot Computer

3) Download pbsetup.exe

4) Create a folder and put "pbsetup.exe" in that folder then run it.

5) Add BF2 to the list of games installed, and then run the pbsetup.exe update for BF2

6) Connect to a PR server, PB files will automatically be created and placed in your BF2 PB flder (\Battlefield 2\pb)





If you still got problems after the steps above - read below

- Handshaking Failed -

WINDOWS\system32\LogFiles\PunkBuster - PB logfiles location on comp.
GoTo start\run in your StartMenu, type: services.msc, Look after PnkBstrA in list, select then right-click and chose Properties.(if it Not started, just start the service)should be set to Automatic start method,if Not, do it.


- Insufficient O/S Privileges -
Sympton - keep getting kicked by PunkBuster for Insufficient O/S Privileges

1. Download and run this file from any location, it will check for adwarethat stops you from being able to play on PB servers. The VX2 adware edits your user rights when it infects your computer, and many programs do not repair this when they remove it.
VX2Finder Program
2. Once downloaded, Click to Find VX2 BetterInternet
3. After the file is located, Click Open Regedit
4. And your location is like this Link
handshaking failed - Reg Edit Location
5. Delete directory Notify
6 .After Delete, click on Restore Policy
7. Reboot Computer - The comp should now be clean
8. Then download pbsvc.exe
9. Copy that file to C:\windows\System32 overwrite the present file with downloaded file.
10. Then RUN it and after that Test Service
11. If all things look OK,GoTo controlpanel/Administration Tools/Service and find PnkBstrA & PnkBstrB
12. Start service PnkBstrB and check that it's enabled Automatically, after you start "B", "A" should also start - (If I understood TxT right)
13. GoTo C:\Windows\System32 and check if PnkBstrB is there.
14. Summary of these step is "Both service should run at the same time,but PnkBstrB runs in HIDE mode. It´s OK,should do that.
15. If you got any program like: Antispyware/Antivirus remember to grant access for PnkBstrA & PnkBstrB service to work with that program.
16. Important - Remember to update your usual PB files to latest version (pbsetup.exe)


Symptom: PB server installed, PB is updated to latest and still get PB kicked!
Remember the thing, if service is NOT started when you play Online, if you been PB kicked (have in mind, that it's your services that are OFF, in that case is useless to try update usual PB. You can update until you faint. . Good thing to keep in mind,to spare time . .
Solution: Essential to concentrate to check " service " is enabled for Automatic start mode. Then test play again . .


IMPORTANT! Do NOT forget to install pbsetup.exe PB version to the latest, only after you havecompleted the PB Service install. If you only have PB service installed and try to play Online, expect PB issues.


PB service & pbsetup.exe - Must I Install both files ???
(Good thing to know is that you must install these two files for success.)

- PB service PnkBstrA & PnkBstrB - is one part
- pbsetup.exe - is second part
- If the service is on auto,PB update to latest, then after a reboot, you
connected to a PR server. NO PB kick issue

[jordy]

Windows XP Firewall Blocking Punkbuster
WinXP firewall could be blocking your punkbuster service from running properly. If you suspect this is whats happening, do the following steps:

1)go to Start>Settings>control pannel>fire wall (for windows xp)

2) then go to the firewall list of programs which are allowed to have access on the internet, there will be a list of programs which can access your computer through the web.

3) If punk buster is not on this list, add it by pressing add/browse and go to my computer > C:\program files\EA GAMES\Battlefield 2\pb and there should be something called pnkbstrb.exe

4) This should allow punkbuster to run with windows firewall, try to connect to a PR server now.

[SnowControl]

More stuff:

Common reasons for CTDs/PB crashes/PB kicks etc etc
1) Your resolution is below 1024x768. Fix: Increase resolution
2) You're using a G15 keyboard. Fix: Not quite sure, try disabling monitor software.
3) You're using an AutoHotKey script in the background (new on the PB blacklist) Fix: Close down the script.



Another side note on lag-spikes
If you experience lag-spikes on maps like Ramiel etc (that is a sort of a timeout for a second or two every now and then, that feels completely random), even though your ping and FPS is good, this might be a good tip: I had a solid 80-100 fps and a stabile ping of around 170, and got these spikes every now and then. I went to the BIOS and clocked the CPU up from 2.4 Ghz to 3.2 Ghz. The jump in fps was around 20, but the biggest difference was that the lag completely dissapeared. I dont know if this will help you, but its worth a shot if you have a decent cooler. You might not have to clock much, but just try it and see what happens.

[Sgt Bilko]

PB handshake problems most often happen if you start games by immediatley joining a server (like connecting via xfire). This is caused by PnkBstrB.exe not having enough time to start up properly before the server starts talking to your client which creates a deadlock and then "bad handshake". I've seen this on both BF2, COD2 and COD4. I normally start the game, give it 10-20 seconds and then join a server.

This might not apply to the problems in previous posts but thats what I do and I can't even remember last time I had a bad handshake problem

Windows FireWall. Use pbsvc.exe to install the generic PnkBstrA service. When you run pbsvc.exe it will normally create the correct Windows FW-rules for PnkBstrA and PnkBstrB. Check the log when you install. If it doesn't or if it fails, you are probably not running as an admin. If you still have problems follow Jordy's post above.

Note! Most AntiVirus programs have a simple FW builtin even if they call it something else. E.g. Norton AV calls it "Internet Worm detection".

If you have another FW than Windows Firewall running (like above) then you have to add the rules for PnkBstrA and PnkBstrB manually in the list of rules for that FW.

Also you should never have more than one software FireWall program active on the same machine. It will create weird conflicts and potential problems with your online gaming. Pick one of them as your preferred and disable the other.

[jordy]

this works for me whit the handshake failure if u got dual core at least!

Originally Posted by [PR]jordy

[this worked for me!!!]
If this does not work and you have a dual core CPU, try disabling one of your processor cores in the Windows Task Manager:
1) open PR/BF2
2) press Alt-Ctrl-Delete
3) In Processes, right click on BF2.exe and click on Set Affinity
4) Disable one of the CPU and return to the game

i did this as well it works for a lot op peopel becease its normaly on 2- and mill sec is realy quick so try to set it to 500 it will just miss some PB errors and u can still keep in the game

Originally Posted by [PR]jordy

If this does not work, try typing this line in your in the BF2 console (default ~) when you join a server: pb_sleep 500
More information about pb_sleep command found here: Punkbuster BF2 Information

[al-Khidr]

Sticky this most excellent thread plz.

[Noobofthenight]

Good thread lads, I just wish punkbuster wasnt so rubbish, I've still seen UAV hacks etc...

[Sgt Bilko]

Originally Posted by [PR]jordy

this works for me whit the handshake failure if u got dual core at least!

I'm not disagreeing, just sharing other stuff that might help.

Good post! Will be helpful to a lot of people!