PnkBstrB.exe Handshaking Failed

[Argus13]

Even after I auto start PnkBstrB it shuts itself down by the time I start a game. WTF!!? It won't stay running. I've done ALL the updates, and the PBSVC and everything. HHHHEEEEELLLLLPPPPP!!!

[Masterchief1105]

Originally Posted by Argus13

Even after I auto start PnkBstrB it shuts itself down by the time I start a game. WTF!!? It won't stay running. I've done ALL the updates, and the PBSVC and everything. HHHHEEEEELLLLLPPPPP!!!

Same :P? Thing is Im using BF2 and have the same thing...weird & really freakin annoyin...

[Argus13]

mcAffe has to have something to do with this. I don't see an option anywhere in McAffe to allow PnkBstrB. I see it in the outbound internet events section and I click to allow. I'm losing my friggin mind

[Stridsvagnen]

I have this problem also! Since the PB update my PnkBstrB.exe just turns off and I get this annoying message : Handshaking failed. Before I play I have to run the pbsvc.exe, then go to services and manuelly start the program called PnkBstrB.exe. But when entering a server this program stop running and will be deleted from the services list so I can´t start it again! Some days ago I could play some hours before this happend then I have to drive pbsvc.exe and then I could play some hours again. But since some day ago this stopped work and I can´t longer play online....really annoying. Fuck PunkBuster!

[schatje85]

me exactly the same thing ... i've done absolutely everything that's written on forums but nothing changed ... finally i mailed the PB support guys asking for help, they open you a thread named "trouble ticket" ... it's 4 days since i told them about my problem and there's no answer. i bet they're trying to find out what's the problem.

[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!