PunkBuster MD5 Tool Issues

Okay, this is driving my crazy. I am frequently getting kicked by PB for "Ignoring MD5 Tool Queries" and I haven't been able to solve it.

My computer is a fresh install of Windows XP, w/SP3 and patched up to date. The Windows Firewall is on and allows exceptions. I am using MS Security Essentials for AV. Not a lot else is installed on this machine.

Here is what I've done:

1. Tried disabling the Firewall. Didn't help.
2. Added the exceptions to MSE as documented in the forums here. Didn't help.
3. Grabbed and installed the last PB files for ETQW from the link on BH forums. Didn't help.
4. Typed regularly "pb_security 0" to allow updates. Didn't help.
5. Reinstalled PunkBuster, ETQW & Windows XP

None of it helped.

I don't get kicked from the CrYpT, ESM or Killers servers (no surprise on that one), but regularly get kicked from BH, Oi Oi and Villa.

I have noticed that I get messages about PnkBstrB.exe getting started successfully, so it seems to be working. There are no warning messages I see before the actual kick.

I DON'T get this problem on the same computer using my Linux install, but then VoIP doesn't work. Bad trade.

Any ideas?

-chill-

I have heard ms security essential is a issue.

And the answer is...

Microsoft Security Essentials must be totally disabled. Once I did that, no more problems.

yeh.. i always have to remind foxylady to disable it

I uninstalled MSE completely. I just use AVG Free 2012 and Spybot Search & Destroy. Works fine for me.

No need to uninstall MSE. What I do after someone here told me is to disable (turn-off) the part called real-time protection. There is a known conflict between PB and real-time protection.

I'm just saying that AVG's real-time protection doesn't interfere with PB. No need to mess with turning it on/off. It kind of defeats the purpose of having MSE if you're constantly turning it off, and then probably forgetting to turn it back on.