every time i join a punkbuster enabled server it kicks me saying "no packet flow" or something like that. I tried googling it, but 1: everything was about BF3, and 2: all the solutions were over my head and i couldnt understand them. help me out please so i can play on some better servers and play search

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

Click the "For All Windows Games" link, save the zip file somewhere and unzip it. After that run "pbsetup.exe" and a window should pop-up.

Then click "Add a Game", select cod4 from the drop down list, hit okay and then press "Check for updates". This will update PB and it will tell you when it's done. Then you PB should be okay.

will this work even though i have COD4 through steam?

yes it will, you might have to link it to the game in the steam folder location but should be easy.

yep, that worked, thanks guys