"The server has refused your connection" = Stupid

[Systema]

Hello all

I just recently reformatted my PC to the factory state a few weeks ago.
I have a windows 7 64 bit operating system.
Upon reinstalling BF2 on Steam, I attempted to log in to join a vanilla server to optimize everything and what not.
When trying to retrieve my account, I got the "The server has refused your connection" error message.

I decided to use a different email and make a new account. Same results.

I've updated PB manually and also have updated to 1.50 manually to see if that would work, and still no jello.

Ideas gentlemen? Any help would be appreciated. I'm dead stoked for 1.0 and I'd like to get this working soon.

Thanks, and have a wonderful day/night/evening.

!Forgot to mention, I've looked EVERYWHERE online and couldn't find a solution.!

[Psyrus]

So, to be clear... you can't even log into the account server of BF2?

[LITOralis.nMd]

You probably have windows firewall running, and it blocked your outbound connection to the Gamespy auth server...

I know this cause I've had this exact same problem.

It's either the firewall that comes with windows, or a 3rd party firewall that came with factory OS image, or a 3rd party firewall you installed afterwards.

B.) Firewall Fix:

Download and run pbsvc.exe from evanbalance
(PunkBuster Online Countermeasures)

Run test and make sure all answers are green (no blue or red)

If it says;

C:\Windows\system32\PnkBstrA.exe NO
Is PnkBstrB explicitly allowed?
C:\Windows\system32\PnkBstrB.exe NO

..then you need to clear both of these executables through the windows firewall, and run the test again.
OR you can disable the firewall: Start --> type firewall --> Windows Firewall --> Turn Windows Firewall on or off

Same goes for any 3rd party firewalls.

When the test comes up all green your all good.