4 replies to this topic

[TankMastaG]

Hello, TankMastaG here with quite an annoying problem:

I am trying to install BF1942 and play again and am having quite a bit of trouble, even when i considered myself an expert on it. I keep getting kicked from PB servers due to "Service Communication Failure: PnkBstrA.exe" or whatever.I have reinstalled twice, with both patches, pb, and tankpanzer's update, and i even tried the 2nd fix on that thread you guys have posted. I also tried copying someone else's pb folder who has a working pb. Still the same problem. I am running windows 7 on my Lenovo Thinkpad T510 laptop. I am on the Illinois State University network, i have both firewalls down and all anti-virus disabled. Still nothing. What am I forgetting? Please help, I have run out of ideas lol.
-Tank

[Lin]

According to what Monkey says, you should have it all covered.

Service Communication Error

Double check to make sure all instances of PunkBuster are allowed through your firewall. Even though you may have had them in before readd them to be sure.

A Service communication error is due to Punkbuster not being able to call into EvenBalance for possible update or things along those lines. Anytime you have a communication error, first check the firewall. There are known issues with MacAfee, some have found it was better to shut it fully down than to try to add, since they were not surfing there was no worry about downloading a virus.

Is it possible that ISU has certain ports shut down and unavailable?

OH! And when you did the reinstalls, did you COMPLETELY delete all folders, starting over with the install? Including the BF1942 and PB folders? That has made a difference before as well.

[Warrior124]

Hey Tank. Welcome to MoonGamers. I don't know if you have tried this, yet. However, do a search for both PnkBstrA.exe as well as PnkBstrB.exe, and do the following for each file you find...

1) Right click on the file, and click Properties.
2) Click on the Compatibility tab.
3) Check mark the Run this program as an administrator.
4) Click the Apply Changes button.
5) Click the OK button to exit out.

Note:
Do this for each file. Once finished, restart your pc for the changes to take affect. Please let us know whether or not this helps. If not we will continue to do what we can to assist.

[TankMastaG]

I don't know if you have tried this, yet. However, do a search for both PnkBstrA.exe as well as PnkBstrB.exe, and do the following for each file you find...

I can't even find a PnkBstrA.exe? and my other file is PnkBstrB, no .exe on the end. Not sure if that matters? I'm also already running everything as an administrator already.

Is it possible that ISU has certain ports shut down and unavailable?

OH! And when you did the reinstalls, did you COMPLETELY delete all folders, starting over with the install? Including the BF1942 and PB folders? That has made a difference before as well.

I did not delete all folders, maybe I ought to try that.

How do I check my network to see if ISU shut certain ports down?

-Tank

[Warrior124]

I can't even find a PnkBstrA.exe? and my other file is PnkBstrB, no .exe on the end. Not sure if that matters? I'm also already running everything as an administrator already.



I did not delete all folders, maybe I ought to try that.

How do I check my network to see if ISU shut certain ports down?

-Tank

You will need to reinstall punkbuster services then to get PnkBstrA.exe. In order to do this run pbsvc.exe. Once you are finished installing pb services do a search for PnkBstrA.exe, and set it up to run as administrator.

You may need to update pb as well. As Lin suggested please make sure you delete your pb folder in your main BF1942 directory before updating as some files may not get updated, and may give you problems.

Concerning the file extensions it looks like your system hides the extensions. To view them go to any folder and do the following...

1) Click on Tools > Folder Options
2) Once folder options opens click on the View tab.
3) Look for "Hide extensions for known file types", and uncheck it.
4) Apply changes, and you should be able to see all file extensions.