So I wake up this morning to get some games in on the Hardcore HQ server...And I'm getting kicked virtually within the first 10 seconds of being connected. My error is saying...



RESTRICTION: Service Communication Error: PnkBstrA.exe



I've never gotten it before...So I re-installed Punkbuster and updated...I also made sure it was enabled in the multiplayer settings. I'm not sure what would cause this to happen now? I played through 2-4am last night with no issues...Just when I woke up today. But it's not just with this server, it's with I believe any Punk Buster server. Any help or info is much appreciated.



Thanks,



-T

If your internet connection happens to be ratty at that moment in time, so that punkbuster cannot get a good look at your game, it will kick you out.

If absolutely nothing else changed from when you were playing last night, this is probably it.

You can download the free pingplotter from www.pingplotter.com, bring it up, put in the IP address of the server (without the 28960 at the end), and then run it. If you see packet loss happening in any hops between you and the server, that's the problem. You pretty much have to sit and wait it out for the internet congestion or whatever to clear up at that point.

Alrighty, thanks Steel. I'm going to a dinner tonight before my brother goes back to college...So I guess I'll give it another shot when I come home.

Thanks again,

-T

I pinged the server 150 times with 0 packets lost. I have a feeling losing packets is not the issue... Lol

Any other suggestions?

Here's the FAQ page on pb from evenbalance, lots of things to try there. http://www.punkbuster.com/index.php?page=faq-cod4.php

This seems like a good part of it to try, and see what it says on your screen:

How do I enable PunkBuster?

At the game's main screen, press Ctrl+ALt+tilde key (the ~ key) to bring down the console. Then type in this line (without the quotes): "pb_cl_enable". You should see text displayed showing the PB Client version number and also saying that PB is now Enabled. If not, you should reinstall the latest game update patch and make sure that PunkBuster is installed as part of that patch update installation.

Sounds like it's worth a try...I'll see right now and post my results

While it wasn't that that fixed it...I did resolve my problem! Thanks so much Steel, the fix was on that PunkBuster FAQ

Glad to hear it. We ought to post that FAQ url someplace.

Now go kill people! Frag on!

Yea i had the same problem if i got on and read this earlier i could of saved you some hassle sorry. it took a while to fix it but my pops has skillz so he got it done. glad to hear you got if fixed

Yeah, I went to a co-workers server (his 11 year old daughter is supposed to be a major bad ass at cod4) the other night, and got the same message.



Tristian, since Steel mentioned "If your internet connection happens to be ratty", let me ask you this: Are you in a new neighborhood? The reason I ask is, I am in a new neighborhood, and when we moved in, Time warner/RoadRunner was not an option in our neighborhood. We had sattelite TV, and dial up internet, but once TW came into our neighborhood, we switched everything over. Since then, a whoooooooole lot of people have moved into our vicinity, and our lag has gotten worse, and worse. I had TW come out and check the line, and they told me about 20 houses are hooked into an internet connection meant for 5-10 houses. They are in the process of getting us a dedicated line, since we called and complained about it. Could that be part of your problems perhaps? The only reason I know about this, is because I have a friend (the guy who got me hooked on COD in the first place) who had the same problem, and had it resolved in the same way.

Better listen to Keystone Two-Eight, he has had first hand experience with punk buster, but thats another story.

Dont remind me!! Im havin problems with cod4 disconnecting now.
New PC, new graphics card, Im thinking its still my connection.