Punkbuster Headache ("Manually Update")

[Aspie]

I recently built a sweet new rig, and everything is working perfectly, except I'm encountering a nasty little PB error that I have never seen before. Shortly after joining any server, I will receive the message:

"PB Notify: Please visit www.evenbalance.com to manually update your Punkbuster files."

The problem is, I HAVE updated my files, numerous times. I have tried do the copy + paste with the files on the site, as well as using the pbsetup.exe provided there. Nothing seems to make a difference. If it helps, I'm running 2142 and NS 1.25.

I am on Vista, which is known to have problems with PB, but the known issue is related to O/S restrictions, and I do not get that error (I have also enabled admin rights to BF2142, which is the suggested fix for the common PB Vista issues).

Any suggestions? I submitted a ticket at PB's site, but I have no idea when they'll reply, and if anything they tell me will be useful. Thanks!

[sc1ence]

pb being blocked by a firewall so it cant update? I have heard of so many issues with pb and vista. meh.

is there a command in game to update? I know in other games I used to type pb_sv_update to update my client files. I think that was sof2 or wolf:et

[Aspie]

Originally Posted by sc1ence

pb being blocked by a firewall so it cant update? I have heard of so many issues with pb and vista. meh.

is there a command in game to update? I know in other games I used to type pb_sv_update to update my client files. I think that was sof2 or wolf:et

No to the firewall. It's clearly updated. I'm guessing that the files are up to date but something else isn't functioning properly. As for the in-game commands, I'm not familiar with any, and the one listed does not work.

Thank you for the suggestions, but I'm still busted

[Telorn]

I have your best solution:

Uninstall Vista and go back to XP. Vista is too 'new' and shouldn't be used if you want a stable OS. Wait at least a year after an OS is released before installing it so MS has time to work out their kinks and software/hardware developers have time to create good drivers and make their software better compatible.

[Superfast]

I agree totally with Telorn. I've tested Vista on several machines at work and home, and drivers, programs and functions are sometimes just not working right. It's just too early. Wait after SP1 at least is my advise.

[marstein]

I finally got things to work on Vista but it's not smooth. I had to give special permissions to PnkBstrA and B, start teamspeak and the games as admins, etc. Even then the game stutters once in a while for a while (with a 8800GTS "build for Vista" video card).
I dual boot Vista and XP and right now default is Vista but it starts to feel uncomfortable. Better wait until drivers are there and bugs are gone.

[jonan_]

When did you install NS. I installed mine after the last patch and started having problems so I went back and reinstalled the last patch and if fixed everything. I can't remember which punkbuster error I was getting so I don't know if it is the same problem you are having. Good Luck.

[Aspie]

Originally Posted by jonan_

When did you install NS. I installed mine after the last patch and started having problems so I went back and reinstalled the last patch and if fixed everything. I can't remember which punkbuster error I was getting so I don't know if it is the same problem you are having. Good Luck.

Yeah I actually did that, which fixed the problem with me getting booted with the "unmodified content" message, but didn't fix my PB woes. Thanks though!

As for the options of XP and Vista, I don't have too much of a choice, as I picked this up OEM and don't have any fresh XP keys left from my other licenses.

EDIT: marstein (or anyone with knowledge): How did you give special permissions to the various PB apps? Thanks.

[Relmar]

You installed Vista? I'm sorry. My condolences.

[Aspie]

It magically works! I came back to my system this morning, and poof, no problems for several hours.

I have no idea why it suddenly started to work again...