PR Server Browser finds only 8-18 servers; PRSPY doesn't work

[Knautscher]

Hi.

I've recently reinstalled Battlefield 2 and PR 0.98. Unfortunately the in-game server browser is search-challenged and only finds between 8 and 18 random servers, but never the full list. Sometimes the server browser only finds empty servers, sometimes it finds one or two populated ones among them, sometimes I get 18 results, other times I only get 6. I don't know where to look for the cause of this issue.

I have tried:
- updating punkbuster via pbsetup.exe
- checking punkbuster via pbsvc.exe
- using a friend's pb folder
- using the BF2 retail exe (just to make sure)
- opening the following ports
UDP: 1024-1124,16567,27900,28910,1500-4999
TCP: 1024-1124,29901
- connecting via PRSPY: Game starts, then shows this message "Your connection to the server has been lost."

When using the BF2 vanilla server browser, I have no problems finding BF2 vanilla servers, so the problem seems to be solely PR related.

I have installed Battlefield 2 as follows, it is a completely fresh install, so re-installing can not possibly fix anything. Of course I run all of the programs involved as admin, including all of the installers, patches etc.


Battlefield 2 (retail DVD, not steam)
-> started BF2
-> all works fine

Battlefield 2 Patch 1.41
-> started BF2
-> all works fine

Battlefield 2 Patch 1.50
-> started BF2
-> all works fine

Project Reality 0.97
Project Reality 0.98
Project Reality Mumble
-> started PR and set up my video options etc.
-> server browser shows only a random selection

I use Win7 64 home premium as OS.

It would be great if somebody could help me fix this. While I hope I have provided all info necessary, I might have missed something. If you need more info, please ask. I would play PR for ArmA2 instead, but ppl have stopped playing that, so...

[LITOralis.nMd]

I'm stumped on the ingame server browser not finding servers.


A working solution, but not a permanent fix, is to do the following:
Open web browser, go to PRSPY webpage
- connecting via PRSPY: Game starts, then shows this message "Your connection to the server has been lost."
Keep PR open.
alt-tab back to web browser
Connect to server again using PRSPY.

--------------------
TO try to fix,

option 1 which everyone should be doing:

Also, try Psyrus 's partial fix for the connection lost to server error. This might fix the initial connection errors.
https://www.realitymod.com/forum/f27-pr ... ction.html

option 2, specific to your problem:
Sounds like the Gamespy Arcade server browser ports are blocked,
specifically Default Battlefield 2 server port; UDP 29900

but others as well:
more info
GameSpy Arcade - Play Hundreds of Online Multiplayer Games!

And finally, please check your firewall, antivirus and router to make sure your software or hardware is not blocking the gamespy ports.

[Knautscher]

Have tons of my finest thanks good sir!

It seems to have been this TCP port:

28900 (Master Server List Request)

I just added that port (because of it's name) et voil?: 71 servers in the server browser. This particular port was not in the list of a German site I had used for setting up my port config, so thanks for pointing me at Gamespy directly, next time I'll know where to look!

I'll keep my eyes open for a few days, but it seems to have been fixed.

Should any other problems arise, I will start by using the other fixes you posted and only then will check back.

Swift reply, issue resolved - THANKS!

[LITOralis.nMd]

IF you check in again, which piece of software, firewall, antivirus or physical router was blocking this port?

I'd like to know for future reference for anyone who runs into the same problem.

Good to hear you're all set, see you on the battlefield!

[Knautscher]

I just entered those ports into an exception rule for my router. However, I seem to have the problem again, even with the cleared ports... Working on it, I'll let you know if I can fix it.