Love letters to Evenbalance

[General_Misfit]

can't play COD 4 kicked for Service communication failure pnkbstra.exe

ran pbsvc with following with these results

Starting PunkBuster Service Tests (v0.987) (04/28/10 15:46:55)
Checking OS
Windows XP (build 2600, Service Pack 3) 32-bit
Checking PnkBstrA service status RUNNING
Checking PnkBstrA Version OK (1032)
Extracting "PnkBstrB.exe" to:
"C:\Documents and Settings\Tony\Application Data\PnkBstrB.exe"
OK
Checking firewall settings OFF
Is PnkBstrA explicitly allowed?
C:\WINDOWS\system32\PnkBstrA.exe YES
Is PnkBstrB explicitly allowed?
C:\WINDOWS\system32\PnkBstrB.exe YES
Checking if PnkBstrB is running STOPPED
Getting port for PnkBstrA OK (44301)
Opening socket for packet send OK
Sending version packet to PnkBstrA SENT
Receiving version from PnkBstrA OK
Received 6 bytes from 127.0.0.1:44301
Response = 10313 (ms) Version = v1032
Getting PnkBstrB install instance OK
Sending start packet to PnkBstrA SENT
Waiting for packet from PnkBstrA OK
Received 3 bytes from 127.0.0.1:44301
Response = 17469 (ms) PnkBstrB started.
Load SUCCESSFUL.
Watching for PnkBstrB instance change (2) CHANGED (3)
Getting port for PnkBstrB OK (45301)
Sending version packet to PnkBstrB SENT
Receiving version from PnkBstrB OK
Received 5 bytes from 127.0.0.1:45301
Response = 16 (ms) Version = 2110
Checking PnkBstrK driver status NOT FOUND
Extracting new PnkBstrK to:
"C:\Documents and Settings\Tony\Application Data\PnkBstrK.sys"
OK
Sending load packet to PnkBstrB SENT
Checking PnkBstrK driver status RUNNING
Stopping PnkBstrK STOPPED
Deleting PnkBstrK OK
Checking PnkBstrK driver status DELETED
Manually stopping PnkBstrB STOPPED
Removing test PnkBstrB file OK

----------------------------------
Tests finished.

04/28/2010 12:41:16 - Adam D
Note #2: If you are being kicked for a "Communication Failure" it is likely that something on your computer is preventing the PnkBstr services from communicating with each other.

A common cause for this is a security or anti-virus program. McAfee and other popular security/firewall programs need to be told to allow the PnkBstrA and PnkBstrB services to run without restriction (even if you turn them off while playing; the service files are located in "C:\Windows\System32" or "C:\Windows\SysWOW64\"). Until you locate and remove the restrictions on PnkBstrA and B, you will continue to be kicked for this. DO NOT remove those files! E.g. if you are using a software firewall you will need to unblock/allow them.

Also make sure you don't run the game in a compatibility mode.

If you've never manually installed the PunkBuster services, you might want to try that as well. Download the service installer from http://www.evenbalance.com/downloads/pbsvc/pbsvc.exe and run it. You might also want to reinstall the services using this tool.

Note #3: Dear Adam D.
Instead of pasting a pre-written answer to a "Communication Failure" problem - you might like to actually read my post which details quite clearly at the top that I DID d/load and run pbsvc - and I pasted the log results.

The problem was solved by myself after trying to update the punkbuster files unsuccessfully - by simply deleting them and reinstalling. Maybe you should use that as your standard response from now on - right after you ask "is it plugged in ?"

Clearly you are a typical lazy IT employee of a company that has a crap product.

kind regards
Tony

[King_Rocket]

Good luck getting more help from them after sending back such a pissy message.

[Snott]

Wasn't his response to manually install punkbuster services? Which is what you did?

[theZee]

Most people never make it to the actual solution because they stopped reading after the 2nd or 3rd sentence.

Common problem when people structure a message. Instead of giving you the most important bit first - in this case, reinstall etc - they tell you what could be causing the issue and the story behind, they they offer a solution.

Good to hear you got it working mate

[Leevers]

Originally Posted by King_Rocket

Good luck getting more help from them after sending back such a pissy message.

I second that.

At the end of the day, they aren't going anywhere, and no doubt you'll be using their services in other games whether you like it or not. At the end of the day, they can make your gaming time difficult, or easy. Letters like this; whilst your venting your frustration will only cause future problems regarding their service to you.

[General_Misfit]

My point is he didn't even read my post - he saw "Service communication failure pnkbstra.exe" and cut and pasted a standard response.

Why have support staff at all if your going to do that just use long FAQ's.

[theZee]

I was directing my post to the Evenbalance rep not you, sorry for the misunderstanding

[General_Misfit]

No misunderstatment taken

[Reoh]

Because they can hire a lot less people if all they do is cut'n'paste quick responses (servicing more inquiries per hour) which cover "most" of the requests. Then those that follow up can get passed along for someone to "actually" read what is going on. Heck, for all we know it could've been an automated response and no real person at all.