Punkbuster is becoming more and more of an annoyance. Despite reinstalling Call of Duty 4 without the Punkbuster option, Punkbuster remained within my system, even if I can’t use it from COD4. What is wrong with these people? Why can’t they just provide a more convenient option where Punkbuster can be enabled and disabled as necessary? This program is behaving like malware and not a legitimate tool, since you can’t disable it from startup, there is no menu that can help you set options, and finally, it stays in your PC even after you expressly indicated that you don’t want it there anymore.
While I don’t cheat in online games and have nothing to hide, I understand how some people do. It also important to insure that these people are caught and prevented from ruining the games of everyone else. But does that justify invading people’s PCs? I don’t think so. Especially not after people have made a choice not to install it. Fine, maybe it was just left behind after my first installation where it was enabled. But I uninstalled everything related to COD4 to make sure. If COD4 can install it, why can’t it delete it? It’s just common courtesy. Besides, do they expect us to reformat just to get rid of the thing?
For those who want to really uninstall Punkbuster, the file PnkbstrA.exe is located in the Windows\System32 folder in Windows XP. Before deleting it, go to Start Menu -> Run -> type msconfig, then look at the Services tab. Uncheck PnkbstrA, and delete the file. That should get rid of the thing. If it doesn’t (I haven’t really tested for now) then it’s time a class-action suit is considered by gamers to set limits on how much computer games can invade their PCs. A word of caution, though, this site does not recommend using msconfig to remove services. Check it out before doing anything to your computer. I am not taking responsibility for any unintended effect, damage, or mayhem that may happen to your PC as a result of the instructions here. Better yet, check this site for advice on how to tweak the services in your PC.
8 Comments
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
Leave a comment
[...] Disclaimer Removing Punkbuster [...]
[...] Punkbuster, part 2 Jump to Comments Even up to now, my post on removing Punkbuster last December 24 is still being read. In fact, if you put “remove [...]
Cannot delete Pnkbuster A access is denied.How do i get past this?
I would advise against deleting the file. Check this post first: http://counterflow.wordpress.com/2008/01/20/removing-punkbuster-part-2/
I would advise against deleting the file. Check this post first: http://counterflow.wordpress.com/2008/01/20/removing-punkbuster-part-2/
Proper way of removing Punkbuster services is here:
http://www.evenbalance.com/index.php?page=pbsvcfaq.php
Download the PBSVC app and use it to uninstall the service.
Although its very much so an annoyance there IS a little download on there web sit that you can get to comletely remove the “Bugga”! I myself own the game COD4 and love the game! I would most definatly recommend the game! If any of you have “Xfire”, then you should add me and we could play some time. My username is frozen5585. For those of you who do not have “Xfire”, you may download it at http://www.xfire.com/ . I’ll see you on the battlefield! (PLEASE. DON’T CHEAT!)
[...] Removing Punkbuster « Bucking the Trend For those who want to really uninstall Punkbuster, the file PnkbstrA.exe is located in the WindowsSystem32 folder in Windows XP. Before deleting it, go to Start Menu -> Run -> type msconfig, then look at the Services tab. Uncheck PnkbstrA, and delete the file. That should get rid of the thing. [...]