PnkBstrB.exe Handshaking Failed

[Pure]

Those 2 services should start automatically when loading Windows. You can check if they works correctly with this tool

Also you can do a manual check, just go to start > control panel > Administrative Tools > Services. Then look for PnkBstrA and PnkBstrB services. Check if they are both set to automatic.

[InvincibleUS333]

Ok... so after trying all the stuff that was listed on this forum, I was having a problem with even getting my PnkbstrB.4 to even start up or show up in the proccesses... BUT, I also didnt download the files because it was already in my pb folder... so what i did was go to START>CONTROL PANEL>WINDOWS FIREWALL>EXCEPTIONS... now, after doing everything that was said to do in the previous posts, you should have PnkBstrA AND PnkBstrB already checked... BUT pbA is referecing a different path than pbB, SOOO click "Add Program" and go to this path: C:\WINDOWS\system32\PnkBstrB.exe and add it... so now you should have 1 pbA and 2 pbB selected in the list... Now go download that tool, I think its pbsvr.exe (download it from one of the links above if you dont have it) Run the test... Now go to start>Control Panel>Administrative Tools (you may need to change the view of your control panel to see it) >Services..... You should now see PnkBstrB.exe, set it to start Automaticlly and then start it... Thats all I did different and ive been in the PR Tacticalgamers server the whole time ive been writing this after testing on 3 other different servers first... good luck, i will keep coming back and checking for other questions incase i havent been totally clear...

[InvincibleUS333]

Ok... so after trying all the stuff that was listed on this forum, I was having a problem with even getting my PnkbstrB.4 to even start up or show up in the proccesses... BUT, I also didnt download the files because it was already in my pb folder... so what i did was go to START>CONTROL PANEL>WINDOWS FIREWALL>EXCEPTIONS... now, after doing everything that was said to do in the previous posts, you should have PnkBstrA AND PnkBstrB already checked... BUT pbA is referecing a different path than pbB, SOOO click "Add Program" and go to this path: C:\WINDOWS\system32\PnkBstrB.exe and add it... so now you should have 1 pbA and 2 pbB selected in the list... Now go download that tool, I think its pbsvr.exe (download it from one of the links above if you dont have it) Run the test... Now go to start>Control Panel>Administrative Tools (you may need to change the view of your control panel to see it) >Services..... You should now see PnkBstrB.exe, set it to start Automaticlly and then start it... Thats all I did different and ive been in the PR Tacticalgamers server the whole time ive been writing this after testing on 3 other different servers first... good luck, i will keep coming back and checking for other questions incase i havent been totally clear...

[Simoncu]

Same prob here, I checked with pbsvc, with pbsetup, and pkbstrB doesn't load, it doesn't show in the services. (which you can access easier by typing services.msc in the command line) How do I set it to load as a service at startup ? (btw my zonealarm is down, to make sure it's not the culprit)

[kai_76]

This is a copy of a reply from EA games, This worked for me after several stressfull days trying to play bf2..it works great now!

You must follow the instructions EXACTLY or you may get problems.
------------------------------------------------

Delete and Reinstall the Punkbuster Folder and Software
To delete and reinstall the Punkbuster folder and software:

Click on My Computer.
Click on the C: drive, or wherever you have Battlefield 2 installed.
Click on Program Files.
Click on Electronic Arts.
Click on Battlefield 2.
Right-click on the pb folder, then click Delete.
Download and run the installation software for Punkbuster, which can be found here.
http://www.evenbalance.com/downloads/pbsvc/pbsvc.exe
Click the Uninstall button.
Close the installer.
Click on the Start button.
Click on Run.
Type regedit in the text field and press OK.
Warning: Changes to the registry can cause your computer to operate improperly, so please follow these instructions exactly as they are written.
Follow these steps to back-up the registry so that should something go wrong, you can restore your system back to a working state:
If you are using Windows 2000/XP/Vista, click on File, and select Export. Note: If you are using Windows 95/98/ME, click on Registry
Then select Export Registry.
Select All under Export Range.
Type backup into the File name field, and click Save. You've now created a backup version of your registry.
Once you've created your backup, continue as follows.
Click the plus sign next to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Click the plus sign next to System.
Click the plus sign next to ControlSet001.
Click the plus sign next to Services.
Look for PnkBstrA, PnkBstrB, and PnkBstrK, and if they exist, right-click on each one and select Delete.
Click the minus sign next to ControlSet001.
Repeat steps 5, 6, 7, and 8 immediately above for any other ControlSet folders you have, such as ControlSet002 or CurrentControlSet.
Close regedit.
Double-click on the My Computer icon.
Double-click on drive C:.
Double-click on windows.
Double-click on system32.
Look for PnkBstrA.exe and PnkBstrB.exe and if they exist, right-click on each one and select Delete.
Double-click on drivers.
Look for PnkBstrK.sys, and if it exists, right-click on it and select Delete.
Restart windows.
Follow the instructions here to reinstall Punkbuster.
PunkBuster Online Countermeasures
Try to play Battlefield 2

Thats it! I hope less people are suffering with this annoying problem now!

[kai_76]

The solution in my last post has just worked for a freind of mine, so that is definately the solution, unless you have firewall problems...if so, an earlier post in this thread should work for you!

Please post a reply if the solution has or hasnt worked for you to make things quicker for anyone suffering the pnkBstrB.exe handshaking failed message.

Im playing BF2 now and also lag has reduced...woohoo

Good Luck

[Stridsvagnen]

Have still the problem with my bf2/pb. I have tried different solutions from guys on the BF2.se - Allt om Battlefield 2 ( swedish ). I think there is some program that stop the PnkBstrA to communate with PnkBstrB. I have added the programs for the firewall. But there is 2 PnkBstrB and I´ve only added one ( from system32 ) so thats one thing to try. And there is 3 PnkBstrK to add too...I will post the solution Kai_76 wrote to bf2.se. I think some guys would be very happy...

[SigmaCross]

I'm Having A Lot Of Crap From My PnkBstrB Handshake Failure, I Cant Have It Turned On, Its In My BF2 PB Folder And My System 32 But I Cant Turn It On, Its Never In My Services.msc Along With My PnkBstrA...

[St4lk3r]

Ok guys I got a solution and it worked for me!!

1. Go to BF2 directory.
2. Search for a folder called "PB", and delete it.
3. Download PBSetup from this site: PunkBuster Online Countermeasures
4. Activate "PBSetup", and press "I agree".
5. Click on "Add a game"
6. Scroll down and choose BF2 and press "OK"
7. Left click on BF2 at the list, then "Check for updates".

Then it has to work

[halewilson]

Originally Posted by St4lk3r

Ok guys I got a solution and it worked for me!!

1. Go to BF2 directory.
2. Search for a folder called "PB", and delete it.
3. Download PBSetup from this site: PunkBuster Online Countermeasures
4. Activate "PBSetup", and press "I agree".
5. Click on "Add a game"
6. Scroll down and choose BF2 and press "OK"
7. Left click on BF2 at the list, then "Check for updates".

Then it has to work

I did all of this...worked briefly then the handshaking error message.

To remedy this I had to disable my Webroot Spy Sweeper then it worked like a charm.

A better fix would be to somehow make punkbuster an exception to the rule...in Spy Sweepers config file. That way you still can play and remain protected at the same time.

[schatje85]

ok, i've just seen that after using pbsvc or pbsetup and doing all that installing crap, just afterwards if i go to administrative tools/services i can see both pnkbstrA and B are working, but one day later (or later that day if i try to turn on BattleField 2) it disappears pnkbstrB from there (administrative tools/services) ... why is this happening? i don't know, but i don't have it blocked by the firewall nor my antivirus.
please help!! nothing works!!

[Simoncu]

Hi, I had the exact same problem, I cannot assure you that what I did resolved it totally, but at least I could play. I ran pbsvc and hit unuinstall, that's it. Then I ran BF2, and while it starts it installs all the pb corectly. And while in the game, pkbstB was running, and when you stop playing, it stops too. PkbstrA is always running. Try this, it worked for me

[Quitnaggingme]

i went to services and pb B is not in the list, How do i get it in there?

[Simoncu]

It doesn't "by se", You have to play to see it in the services - At least that's my experience. And once you quit, it disappears from the services. And I think that PkbstrA should do the same, it's just sitting there, waiting for what ?

[toquito2]

I FINALLY got it to work. i had the same problem. i went to the control panel then administrative tools and then services. then i found pnkbstrA and stoped the service. after that the game worked fine