CD key issue

(d3nza) #1

Ok i know there are already some threads related to the cdkey issue but there is still no acceptable solution.

“Server Disconnected - You have been kicked via Punkbuster (for 2 minutes) … Empty CD Key Not Allowed on this Server”

Yeah right, very funny but may i ask wich cdkey ? How retarded are the pb ppl to leave cdkey check code in their pb for rtcw-et ? :disgust:

The only solution i saw was “disable punkbuster” - sorry but i take that solution as a joke because that answer cant be serious (please dont use the punkbuster feature even if we recommend it during the installation ha ha).

I know i shouldn’t complain about a free game and i really appreciate your work but that really p*sses me off coz i cant play with my buddies on several servers.

I would be glad about a solution that doesnt sound like a joke.

Thanks and best regards,
Denzer

PS: If you find any bad grammar you can keep it :slight_smile:

(McAfee) #2

The game generates a random cdkey on install.

My tip is to uninstall, delete any remaining files and the folder, and reinstall.

(ep) #3

I have the same empty cdkey problem. I just reinstalled and it didn’t help. Is there a file where the cd key is located that I can manually patch?

(ep) #4

Turns out my problem was that I didn’t have ET enabled as a server with ZoneAlarm. Changing that fixed me right up.

(Hazim) #5

I’m getting this same issue (as well as a few others I’ve talked to), here’s what I’ve tried:

Created a new profile with default settings (no custom configs)
Enabled/Disabled then re-enabled PB
Manually updated all PB files by downloading them off their website
Used the pbweb tool to update the PB files
Re-installed ET

I’ve found that sometimes (very rarely) if I sit watching the console after being kicked, the PB client will eventually connect and generate a cd key (which can be displayed by issuing the command \pb_myguid )

ET worked flawlessly for me less than 12 hours ago and I had not changed ANYTHING before getting the error. To me that would almost indicate a problem with the PB servers, except for the fact that there’s still a ton of people playing.

Anyone have any suggestions? :???:

(NoRm) #6

me too, was ok this afternoon but now its broke

(Ifurita) #7

I think it might be a problem with the PB servers. I ran into the same problem, got booted, updated PB used pbweb.exe, got booted

(Hazim) #8

Here’s some reading, dunno how helpfull it is (didn’t help me)

Evenbalance’s ET FAQ
http://www.evenbalance.com/index.php?page=faq-et.php

http://www.swertcw.com/view.php?id=1731

Note: To try the fix in the 2nd link, you’ll need to set the cl_punkbuster variables from the command line, as they are write protected. Click start, then run, then type in: “C:\Program Files\Path to ET\ET.exe” +set cl_punkbuster 0 (or 1) to enable/disable, make sure you use the right path to your ET.exe as well. I’m pretty sure toggling this from the ingame browser has the exact same effect tho.

(Stee) #9

Started happening to me a few hours ago as well, some servers I can get on but others I can’t even If they are from the same provider.

(Karin) #10

i get the same also :frowning:
i cant connect anywhere tonight coz of the stupid pb…actually i get kicked from everywhere :
i tried all the above but pb cant connect/update whatever it wants to update…

just a promising saturday night of gaming wasted … :frowning:

(d3nza) #11

It looks like the PB AuthMasterServer is screwed for some reason:

Here’s what ET is requesting from the PB Master:
Punkbuster Client: Cdkey Registration Request sent to GuidAuth Master at 192.246.40.62:27960

That’s what’s coming after the retarded PB Master reply:
Punkbuster Client: GuidAuth Packed Ignored : Incorrect Challenge Response

I guess we have to wait until they fix their obvious screwed server :disgust:

Anyhow solutions are still welcome.

Best regards,
Denzer

(d3nza) #12

Ok during my post i kept trying to receive a cdkey from the screwed authmaster and suddenly i got response with a key and a new file in the etmain folder called etkey with no extension.

I thought about posting the key here but im afraid that would cause duplicate key errors.

It still works fine even after i generated a complete new profile to test if the cdkey relies on the profile (made a copy of the cdkey of course as well as setting attribute to “read only”).

Since i did nothing to fix it i hope it will just work for you other people too now.

Good luck.

Best regards,
Denzer

(magaman) #13

Here’s what we did. Keep trying to join a server until you can get into one. Play for a couple of seconds and exit the game. Go into the Et folder and right click on the Etkey file, select properties, and make it read only. So far this has worked. Please post this fix. Thanks.

(MAN-AT-ARMS) #14

The post above about the auth servers is correct.

I don’t think there is anything you can do client side to fix this other than keep trying.

(Stee) #15

I used pbweb to update the files, It took a while before It started updating, I was just going to close it but it suddenly connected to the server and added some new files, I ran it agian to make sure and it added some more, now when I go on a server I still can’t connect first time but when I try to reconnect It works ok, still a bit annoying but not a major problem anymore.

(SmokeyTarget) #16

Quote www.evenbalance.com

ET, PunkBuster & Missing CDKeys Comment!
Sunday, June 1, 2003, 05:10 | Jube
Even Balance Inc. have updated their PunkBuster Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory news with information on “Empty CDKey” messages. Here’s the full scoop:

Players who are getting “Empty CDKey” messages trying to connect to PunkBuster ET Servers may attempt a manual CDKey registration. Press the tilde key (the ~ key) to bring down the game console from any game screen and enter the following command (without quotes): “/pb_cdkeyreg”. You should see a message stating that a Registration Request was sent to the GuidAuth Master Server. After a few seconds (perhaps up to 30 seconds) you should see a message stating that the CDKey Registration was successful. After that, there should be no more messages about an Empty CDKey when trying to join a PB Server. Players having problems with this procedure (or any PB-related problems in ET) should email support@evenbalance.com and describe in as much detail as possible the problem encountered.

Give that a crack,

ST.

(TwoBit) #17

Tried the manual update and still getting the same :bored:

Even put up 4 extra servers today as well and its annoying i cant play on them :poke:

(magaman) #18

Check my post, it works, haven’t had that problem since. Just start ET, pull down the consol and type: /pb_cdkeyreg, wait for the confirmation. Then go into the ETmain folder, right click on the file “etkey” and select properties, then make it read only. Thats it.

(d0nd0n) #19

Any reason why I’ve tried about 5-6x times today…waiting in excess of 10+ minutes each time and still…nothing?

Please, thx.