[Solved] 'Failed to connect' error. Punkbuster?

[TheOldBreed]

I'm at the end of my sanity. Had to reinstall BF2 and PR yesterday. Install went like clockwork. However, I now try to connect to a server and I get the 'Failed to connect. Please check your network connection(s) and try again' error.

Figured it could be a punkbuster error. Done all the necessary firewall and anti-virus exceptions. Done 3 uninstalls-reinstalls of punkbuster (via pbsvc and pbsetup). However the same error message crops up. I have noticed, however, that there is no pnkbstrA/B file in my battlefield2/pb folder. The only place where the pnkbstrA/B files are located are in system32. Is this the source of my problem?

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Tried connecting to a server on vanilla (as if that many people still play vanilla!), same message appears. I believe it's now a port-related problem. I am connected to the router by cable via one of those TP-LINK plugs.

[LITOralis.nMd]

Have you any other online games you play? Are they working?

Which model of TP-Link plug?

[TheOldBreed]

Hi LITOralis.nMd, thanks for your time!

Yeah, I play Battlefield 3 and ArmaII, both of which connect and work fine. I believe the model is the TL-PA211 200mbps.

Since my post, I have done battle Tron-style inside my router setup, using the guide on portforward.com (My router is a Netgear DGN1000SP courtesy of Orange). But this was to no avail; both vanilla and PR come up with the same message when I try to connect to a server.

PR used to connect and run fine until I downloaded the .973 patch months ago and I got the CTD upon splash page (which I why I reinstalled it yesterday).

Figured I'd look for an error report, but I have no prerror.log file in my directory!

[MaSSive]

TL-PA211 - does it have built in software? It should so go into it and disable QOS. I suppose it should not have NAT or anything related to it.

As for Netgear look here its all explained Port Forwarding Battlefield 2 on the Netgear DGN1000SP - PortForward.com

If it wont work after you forward ports, try and disable Firewall temporarily see where it takes you.

[TheOldBreed]

Hi MaSSive,

I forwarded the ports using the portforward.com guide yesterday, though this did nothing.

The TP-Link resource tool doesn't have a 'disable QOS' option per say, but I deselected the options in the QOS tab so there is nothing selected (which I assume has disabled the built-in QOS). I have also disabled QOS packet scheduler via control panel/network and sharing centre/manage network connections/local area connections - properties. However, I still get the message upon trying to join a server.

I then disabled NAT/firewall in my router config. After this though, the server refused connection upon logging into PR.

Do you think another reinstall is necessary?

[MaSSive]

Hmm no I dont think reinstall will solve this. Have you rebooted your routers after doing all this? Do that first. Then check you firewall ( Windows firewall or whatever you use ) if its not blocking BF2 or anything related to it. Try adding PnkBstrA and B to exception list.

Alternatively try to connect without TL-PA211 if you can and see what that does.

Do a Tracert on a servers IP you frequently play or any that is close to you. Also do this for gamespy.

Post back results.

[TheOldBreed]

Managed to get it working! It was to do with the Netgear router, apparently there's a few problems with using Neatgear for online gaming. Basically, I went into the router setup to ADSL settings, and switched the multiplexing method from VC to LLC. Restarted the router and hey presto, I connected to a server in both vanilla and PR.

Thanks for your time MaSSive, was greatly appreciated.

[MaSSive]

Cheers, locking.