Cant get on a cod4 server? Keycode prob!

[Sir_Real]

I've been playing cod4 online for months with no probs yet over the last few days i've started getting the below error when i try to connect to a server. Any server !
Last time it happened it went away after a few mins. But now its been happening for over an hour.
And no its not a doggy copy & no i've never given out my cd key.

Any ideas anyone google searching hasnt really helped.

 

[mastrdrver]

Are you running the game with the cd in? I know I couldn't get on servers that I'd never been on without the cd in. I had no problem after I put the cd in or playing on servers without the cd. I have a legit cd.

 

[A Cheese Danish]

+1 on what mastrdrver said. Make sure the cd is out of the drive. Also, try and retype your cd key in the game itself, under the option part.
If that doesn't work, you may have to reinstall again...That is what I did.

 

[ShiBDiB]

re-enter ur key in the options and try with the cd in(shouldn't effect it but worth a shot) if that doesn't work contact either activision or infinity ward (whoever runs mp) and tell them ur situation.

 

[Sir_Real]

I've already tryed putting the cd key in again but i was only over typing what was already in. Its strange because its now letting me on all the servers again !

I get the feeling somehow someone somewhere is using my cd key for a pirate copy.

If it carrys on i'll do what ShiBDiB surguested & phone activisions help line.

 

[ShiBDiB]

theyll problly ask for proof of purchase of some kind and get u a new key

 

[Kursah]

I've had that issue before when I re-installed windows but didn't re-install the game (I install my games and such on a seperate partition from the OS). It was the only time that happened in many windows re-installs, but re-entering the CD Key fixed it. Hell there was a time for a couple months we my fiance and I played CoD4 online using my CD-Key, that was early 2008 though, I'm sure the newer patches fixed that right up lol. Though we did only play on my clans' servers at the time.

 

[reverze]

Seems to me like your CD key has been stolen and is being used..

Use any hacks lately?

 

[EastCoasthandle]

Wow, I guess this is the time you learn to always backup your profile. One way to fix it is to delete the mpdata file. Then start the game. It will creates a new one. However, you will loose all your stats. I suggest you make a backup of your profile now. Then delete the mpdata file and then replace it with your backup copy and see if that helps. However, like most have said, inputting your cd-key normally fixes the problem. Worst case scenario is to uninstall/re-install COD4.

 

[Sir_Real]

Check this out: http://activision.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/activision.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=19520&p_created=1194627171&p_sid=MNZOpLBj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MTMsMTMmcF9wcm9kcz0xLDYyMyZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9Mi42MjMmcF9jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PWtleSBjb2Rl&p_li=&p_topview=1

Now I'm p*ssed off. My above cd key prob is still happening now & again ! Someone somewhere is using my cd key to play online.
I wouldnt mind so much if it was my fault ! I brought the game new & av never showed anyone the cd key.
Seems activision dont give a dam bout there customers.

 

[A Cheese Danish]

Wow that sucks. Mine hasn't gone out since I reinstalled mine. Like I said before, I had this same issue, but then I reinstalled it and haven't had issues.
But I guess there could be problems with that as well.

 

[Sir_Real]

I've tryed reinstailling & everything else i can think of. It must be someone else using my cd key. If i do nothing apart from keep clicking on a server at some point it desides to start working again.

I just sent this email to activision/support:

Hi

Now and again when i try to go online on my cod 4:mw i get this error message on every server.

"Key code in use. Please try connecting again later"

What is going on? I brought the game new & I've never shown anyone my cd key. So how can it be in use?
I payed money for the game & cd key. Turns out someone else is using the same key.
Please reply with a useful answer & not ( Nothing we can do about it ) There is something you can do about it.

Cheers Lee

 

[A Cheese Danish]

Hopefully they will get you a new cd key or something to assist you with getting your game to work like it should.
If not, maybe a few people could write in as well.

 

[EastCoasthandle]

Here is what you do.
-Uninstall COD4
-Reboot
-Got to the Run box and type Regedit
-You are now in the Registry
-Go to Edit then "Find"
-Enter Call of Duty and look for any entries and folders using that name and delete them all. Side note: If you find a folder also look for a Call of Duty folder as well.
-Enter Activision and look for any entries and folders using that name and delete them all.

This search process can take up to 5 minutes for each entry. Just make sure you delete only entries that relate to COD4. Once completed reboot and then re-install COD4. This time make sure you install Directx found on the disc!

 

[reverze]

Honestly.. the only time this error occurs is when someone else is using your key.

Most likely you got a hold of something infected and it grabbed your key and it's in someone elses hands now.

Stray away from suspicious .exes.. Don't always trust ever no cd or things to that sort. Make sure it is a secure source and even then scan it and check it out in depth..

 

[eidairaman1]

there is a probable chance you need to send in a snapshot of your keycode with a paper next to it with your Name/email address.

I've tryed reinstailling & everything else i can think of. It must be someone else using my cd key. If i do nothing apart from keep clicking on a server at some point it desides to start working again.

I just sent this email to activision/support:

Hi

Now and again when i try to go online on my cod 4:mw i get this error message on every server.

"Key code in use. Please try connecting again later"

What is going on? I brought the game new & I've never shown anyone my cd key. So how can it be in use?
I payed money for the game & cd key. Turns out someone else is using the same key.
Please reply with a useful answer & not ( Nothing we can do about it ) There is something you can do about it.

Cheers Lee

 

[Sir_Real]

Honestly.. the only time this error occurs is when someone else is using your key.

Most likely you got a hold of something infected and it grabbed your key and it's in someone elses hands now.

Stray away from suspicious .exes.. Don't always trust ever no cd or things to that sort. Make sure it is a secure source and even then scan it and check it out in depth..
07-01-2009 11:50 PM

Think thats pretty much the case. I know theres ilegal software out there (brute force hackers) remember reading bout them a while back. Theres big money to be made selling working keycodes. These hacking software input random key codes into software at a rate of around 2,000 combinations a second !
Can take minutes or weeks but a working key will be found at some point.


I got a reply from activision/support today. As i expected fat lot of help they are.

First thing the email says in big capital letters is:

"PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL! IF YOU REPLY TO THIS EMAIL YOU WILL NOT GET A RESPONSE."

Then it just says to check me internet connection & firewall settings & try reinstalling. I've already done that.

Ne mind guess i'll just av to go online when it lets me.

 

[eidairaman1]

tried updating punkbuster?

 

[Sir_Real]

tried updating punkbuster?

I would have thought PB auto updates like anti virus. I maybe wrong is there a newer version or something?

 

[reverze]

Yes, it usually does.. But if you really want to try it:

http://www.evenbalance.com/index.php?page=pbsetup.php

Download PBSetup and run it.

 

[eidairaman1]

PBSetup is the easiest way to update punkbuster

 

[Sir_Real]

My cod4 mp prob still happening !

I've just sent activision/support another email:

"Hi

I recently told you about the problem i'm having with my new cod4:mw (Question Reference #0***01-0***65).
How i often get this error "Key Code in use. Please try reconnecting later". When i try to connect to all the online servers. You sent a reply saying to check this & that.
It has become obvious its not any type of Internet connection problem or anti virus/firewall that is at fault. Its the fact someone else somewhere is using my cd key that i payed for !
As i know for a fact i've never giving out this keycode then its not me to blame. If theres hackers with keygens stealing peoples cod4 cd keys then that is something activision should sort out & not just brush it aside & give out useless auto replys to complaints.

Please send me a useful reply or i will have to see a small claims solicitor about this matter. I have the receipt to show where & when i brought it.

Cheers Lee"

I'll never really take legal action over this but they dont know that

 

[TheCrow]

Give em some shit Real!

 

[Kenshai]

They don't have to do anything about it, your cd-key was stolen from what I gather through this thread. Probably due to either hacks or a no-cd crack or something along those lines that grabbed your cd key. Don't expect them to do anything the error can be replicated quite easily for people trying to scam their way into another cd key.

 

[infocus]

Let me know and I'll send you my key code I don't use!!