**NOTICE: LAST CHANGE 02/09/08**
Punkbuster is an anti-cheat system that can be found in MANY games. For you CS:S types, its kinda like VAC.
The Punkbuster client resides in a folder called PB and is actually a seperate program from the game and is not required to play the game. By deleting the PB folder, you are uninstalling punkbuster.
Most servers require punkbuster, such as ours. Sometimes punkbuster needs to be updated or you will be kicked from the server mentioning to update punkbuster.
The easiest way to update punkbuster is with a utility called pbsetup.exe. You can download the utility AND have step by step directions here:
http://www.punkbuster.com/index.php?page=pbsetup.phpYou can also manually download each file and drop them in the correct place in the PB folder and update Punkbuster. You can click on your specific game by going to
http://www.punkbuster.com and choosing it from the list. Then you can click on "Software Updates: DOWNLOAD" It will then take you to the list of files. You can then RIGHT click on each one and do a SAVE AS into the PB folder and where the directions specify.
Because of the security featuers in Vista, Punkbuster had to make a few changes to how it operates. They had to add services to run in the operating system. These services are called PnkBstrA and PnkBstrB. These services MUST be running in order for punkbuster to work correctly. Also, these services MUST go through any firewall and get online in order for you to NOT be kicked off a server running Punkbuster.
If you use Windows Firewall, Symantec Firewall, Norton Endpoint, Zone Alarm, or any other software firewall, YOU MUST ALLOW EXCEPTIONS FOR PNKBSTRA AND PNKBSTRB THROUGH THE FIREWALLS.
Error messages you will see when kicked:
LOSING KEY PACKETS - Possible causes are bad internet connections, anti-virus slowing down punkbuster, firewall blocking punkbuster.
Resolution: Turn off AV software. Allow punkbuster through firewall. Reboot computer.
PB VIOLATION - KICKING FOR XX MINUTES. - Possible cause is an outdated punkbuster.
Resolution: Run PBSETUP.EXE and update Punkbuster or manually update files from punkbuster.com.
Those are the two main things you see. Sometimes PB goes screwy and a machine reboot or a punkbuster update will correct the issue. If you suspect Punkbuster is corrupt, you can put your installation CD in, delete your PB folder on your hard drive and copy the PB folder from the CD to the origional spot. You can then update Punkbuster and try again.
I hope this helps fix any punkbuster problems you are having.
Crunch
