PnkbstrB heartbeats stopped

[HMARS]

I am being kicked from pr servers because of aforesaid failure. Manually opening pnkbstrB.exe doesn't help; even though there was not a new update, updating punkbuster worked once, but then the second server I joined kicked me just like before. What's punkbuster's problem this time?

[bad_nade]

Try to reinstall pbsvc.exe and update punkbuster using pbsetup.exe. Also check if your computer is really busy right after loading a map?

Sometimes tuning up punkbuster may help as going thru all the files it'll check is both processor and disk intensive task. To do this, open the file "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\PunkBuster\BF2\pb\pbcl.cfg" with notepad (create the file if it doesn't exist) and make sure there is one line saying:
pb_Sleep 500

There might be similar line with different value in the file already. In that case just edit the value. Leave all the other possible settings to their current values. Then close the file and save your changes.

[thepalerider]

Punk Buster not updated:
Before you go online to join a server
you should:

1. Download pbsvc
2. Start pbsvc installer, you should see options for install, uninstall, test.
3. Run the Uninstaller, then delete the PB folder to remove any leftover files.
4. Restart your computer.
5. reinstall punk buster files with pbsvc( if your using Vista DO NOT set compatibility to XP, run as admin ok)
6. After pcsvc installs, click the "test" option to check the punk buster install you just did.
5. Make sure it comes back "all green"
6.Download pbsetup(pbsvc DOES NOT install pbsetup.
If your using Vista DO NOT set compatibility to XP, run as admin ok)
7.Create a pbsvc installer shortcut AND pbsetup program shortcut on your desktop.
8.Run pbsetup (from the shortcut on your desktop) add BF2 to the games list, then hit update."

(pbsvc installs the punk buster 'engines' or applications.
PBsetup installs the files/gas the 'engines run)

Check Punkbuster B is set to auto re-start.
To reduce or stop PnkbstrB heartbeats stopped kicks.

Open your Control Panel. Go to Administrative Services. Click on Services while PR is running. Select Punkbuster B, right click, select properties, select the recovery tab and make sure they all say "Restart the service" for all three dropdowns. You can do the same for PB A, but generally speaking, it's the B client that stops responding. Any time you update PB, you may need to re-do this step.

Firewall not set up (open) for BF2 and punk buster
UPDATE YOUR FIREWALL

Make sure your firewall has permission for:

BF2.EXE
PBSETUP.EXE
(search for your location)

PNKBSTRA.EXE
path:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSWOW64\PNKBSTRA.EXE
or (not 100% sure but for 32 bit O/S I think it's)C:\WINDOWS\SYSWOW32\PNKBSTRA.EXE
PnkBstrB.exe
path:
"C:\Users"your user name here"\AppData\Roaming\PnkBstrB.exe"
Don't forget to open for BF2VoipServer as well:
C/Program Files/EA Games/Battlefield 2/BF2VoipServer.exe

Good luck
Hope it helps

[AC_337]

If those dont help you
1)Open up control panel
2)Go to administrative tools
3)Select services
4)Scroll down to PnkBstrA and stop the service
5)Launch PR and you should be good to go

[HMARS]

Thanks so far guys, but, well, It still doesn't work.
entering pb_sleep 500 into the console doesn't work.
Uninstalling/reinstalling/updating doesn't work.
Stopping the punkbusterA service doesn't work.
all parts of punkbuster AND PR AND BF2 are exceptions in windows firewall.
setting both punkbuster services to autorestart doesn't work.
The weird thing is, I've had this problem in vanilla bf2 and in bf2142, but it's never been nearly this persistent.

[thepalerider]

What happened when you ran the test:
6. After pcsvc installs, click the "test" option to check the punk buster install you just did.

[HMARS]

I got a "test completed without error" message. Everything is green, the test doesn't seem to have any problems.

[Oskar]

PR Technical Problems Thread - Tactical Gamer

[maarit]

i have also this problem and i have try all the things what i have seen about this problem.
i get that error just once.then when i close pr and start again,then theres no error.
and when i start to play i checked,theres both punkbusters...when i get error there still both punkbusters.

edit:heh,i forgot to wrote that i have xp(but same problem)
but i think that i get my problem solved,maybe .
i visit to the control panel,administrative tools and set the punkbuster start again if service shuts down.
i hope that i fixed that

[HMARS]

Weirdly, PR was set to run in xp compatibility. I turned that off, and now the message about pnkbstrb has bee replaced by "no packet flow" when I am kicked. This is weird, because BF2, pr, and both punkbuster services are excpetions in my firewall. Disabling firewall temporarily and killing antivirus program processes temporarily have no effect on this error. This time it takes slightly longer (about 70 seconds instead of 45) to be kicked.

EDIT: the no packet flow error was caused by PB not being updated. It is now, and the pnkbstrB error has returned.