Connectivity

[arya]

I've been tryin to get into AC for awhile now. I get to connect/update screen, update about 3%-4% then get a server disconnected msg. I've already disabled my firewall so I could play other games and they all work. I've set it so the port is auto detected. Still not working. I've worked with MS help ppl and got the answer that my processor is too slow (300) and the requirement is 333. That doesn't make too much sense to me, given the error I'm getting. So now, my question is, can I uninstall DM, reinstall plain old AC, re-subscribe to old AC (has a lesser processor requirement) and play 'till I get a newer computer? I've paid enough money over the past 6 years to expect to be able to play. My patience is wearing thin.

[molecule]

Well, I've got a 1.8ghz machine and everytime I get to 3% on the update screen I get the server lost message.

This is REALLY frustrating me. AC is the most difficult freaking game to get into because of the firewall settings anways, and I have no way of knowing WHY I'm getting this message. Are my settings bad? Who knows?! Is it the server? Who knows?!

I'm only pissed that I already spent the $12.95 to start this account. If I had known getting in the game was going to be this much of a pain in the ass I would have just taken that $12.95 and restarted my old UO account.

Anyone have any ideas on this?

HEY TURBINE: Here's a novel idea... fix AC so that you don't have to be a freakin' networking genius to get the damn thing running on your home network!

[arya]

kewl. your response leads me to believe that it's not the fact that I have slow processor then. which is a good thing. I'm figuring that even though the req. is a 333, a 300 should work, just not great...which I can deal with for the time being.

[llib]

Don't be running Decal when you log in. My update failed at about 45% consistently until I stopped Decal. They're coming out with a new version as we speak. (Unless you know somebody, then you might get a pre-release beta...) ;)

[arya]

I don't even have decal installed. =(

[wookie270]

Same problem

[arya]

I know just from sitting in some of the staging rooms that this is a fairly common problem, but yet I haven't seen it addressed anywhere...

[wookie270]

Just to see if it could be a slow computer, which mine at home is not. I installed AC at my lab on a 200mHz computer, well wouldn't ya know it I connected!! Guess what, it has a static IP address. Too bad I can't play AC at my lab. It would be nice to play at home though. Every place I've tried with a static IP allows me to connect, too bad my apartment ISP doesn't do that. Well Ill just keep posting till I get some real answers not the same "change your port settings, re-install AC," Obviously we've tried these things, hence the postings on this web page forum.

[Lutieus]

There must be something odd with your ISP's central office that causes them to have problems with dynamic IP addresses. I've used several DHCP-based Internet services before, and none ever had issues like yours. You might try setting up a free trial period with another ISP and see if you can connect that way, for comparison purposes. If the trial service allows you to connect, it's definitely your ISP.

[arya]

well, it doesn't make much sense that a bunch of ppl with different ISPs would have the same problem.

[Lutieus]

It does if those ISPs are using the same hardware.

[wookie270]

That is probably what is causing the issue. LIke I said in a different post, this problem only started in mid december. Should I just have them contact IBN or someone at turbine then?

[arya]

bump

[MIdnightFire7]

*Scratches head* humm..no decal, tryed reinstall, tryed changing port...This is really odd problem. They need to offer a place to get update on the web so people can use programs like download accelerator plus, so when d/l stops they can resume it and eventually get it.

[Bekka]

Ever since the January patch, connecting has been impossible. I started out not being able to update but after playing the un/re-install, update, re-update un/re-install game, I can now get all the way up to the lauch screen in my account. I still cannot get in because I get a 100% packet loss and my ping says ????. I time out after 40 seconds, and get booted. I've been playing AC for over two years now and this is my only account--I have already cancelled my subscription and it will expire 17 Feb. I think it sux I paid for this month already.

[Bekka]

If one more jeenyus tells me to turn off decal I'm going to scream. I have never, nor will I ever run decal because I prefer to play the game not have the game play itself.

[arya]

unfortunately I think a lot of people are just so frustrated that they're dropping accounts. I'm willing to give it awhile and see what comes of it, but like I said, my patience is wearing thin. It's a shame 'cause I really like the game and am really looking forward to the lotr game turbine is coming out with as well, but I may even forgo trying it out after this experience. I'll try contacting my ISP tomorrow, but they've never been much help with anything else so I doubt this will be any different.

[wookie270]

Bekka, that is exaclty how my problems started. Every now and then I can log in or start updating, only to get can not connect to server or get booted basically right when I start moving. Can't connect now at all though. Something is wrong here and needs to be addressed by the devs, since AC should be compatible regardless of what ISP you use. I guess bump again till this is addressed by Devs

[arya]

bump

[arya]

well, I just tried to update through my dial up account which is through a different ISP than my cable modem. same thing, got to 3% and server disconnected. I called my cable modem ISP, all they could give me was 'we don't block any ports, talk to the game helpdesk people'. Bit of a runaround. =(

[arya]

ahh, I just read the forum rules. no bumping. sorry folks.

[arya]

I just bought a p3 800 off a friend. maybe that'll help.

[arya]

how lovely would it be to have a real, live, person who knew what they were talkin about, and actually gave a damn to help people who are paying for services they can't even use, to talk to? ohh, utopia.

[molecule]

Oh well, I've cancelled my AC1 account. So much for coming back. $12.95 down the drain, but hey, not like I've never wasted money before.

Maybe when Turbine gets their sh*t together I'll give it another shot. I'm sure this transition thing is hard, but I still think it's absolutely ridiculous that I can't get any kind of info on this problem.

Screw 'em... maybe I'll try ROE or M59.

[wookie270]

Well wouldn't have to bump this thread if someone from turbine actually took the time to answer our concerns or direct us to someone who can. I mean the devs answer stupid questions all the time, it would be nice if they would answer a legitimate gaming issue that prevents people such as us (been playing since Jan 2000) from playing the game.

[arya]

as I've said...Utopia

[arya]

ahha. a network dude friend of mine just walked me thru wot I had to do, and it seems to be working. I'm at 15% now. ahwoo. hopefully it continues.

[xarfet]

if it works, be sure to share the steps to help all the others! :)

[molecule]

Yeah, don't abandon us Arya... please share! Might as well use the last 28 days of my account :P

[wookie270]

So did it work? wonder why no moderator has even replied to this post yet? To let us at least know about some of these issues.

[arya]

it worked =)

I had port 9000 open, but I only had it udp...or is it tcp...whichever one it is AC uses, I didn't have open.

I don't know if that helps anyone, I'm pretty much banking on it not, but good luck anyway.

[wookie270]

I changed my settings to detect my port automatically, didn't work. But how do i change the setting from being UDP or TCP? thanks

[arya]

I had to go into my router's settings. Did a search on my router, found the manufacturer's site, downloaded the manual for my model. Had to go to a dos prompt ( it's start>run>command, at least for me), type in ipconfig (you might need to use winipconfig I think), got my default gateway #, plugged that into my browser, and came to a login screen for my router. From there, following the manual, I had to find virtual server settings (setup>virtual server) and specify what ports to open. Next to the port it gave me a radial button to check either tcp or udp. Then I went into AC settings (dbl click the AC icon > settings) to make sure I had specify port 9000 on, and voila, I'm in.

Hope that helps!

[arya]

oh, when I specified my port in my router's virtual server settings I did one for udp and one for tcp, just in case, since I dunno which AC uses.

[wookie270]

Unfortunately I cant connect to the router in my building that way I believe the ISP controls that. Is there any way to change AC so that it uses TCP instead of UDP?

[arya]

sorry, I really have no idea. that's one you're going to have to try to get from someone else. =(

[arya]

okay, new problem. I get in to ac. I stay for about 30 minutes. then I start dropping connection every minute or so. anyone else have this happen n have a fix? I'm about to start kicking things.

[molecule]

Not trying to be a smartass or anything, but in my opinion, there are WAY too many MMORPGs out there that connect flawlessly right out of the box to even worry or get frustrated about a game as old as AC.

And since Turbine is still more worried about making game expansions or whatever it is there doing than to worry about the fact that people can't even connect to their bloody game is irritating.

Cancel account, play different game. Have you tried any of the host of other games? EQ, UO, DAoC, RoE, Horizons (still buggy since it's a new release, but you know what? You can connect and play!). Too many choices to get frustrated with AC.

<shrugs>

Best of luck.

[wookie270]

Arya,

that is how my problem began. I spoke in length with my ISP and found out what the deal is.

Since I am not an IT person I will explain it in laymans terms the way it was explained to me.

Basically AC uses and old client software/hardware. They never anticipated that people would connect from local area networks to their game. If you have T1 as i do for your internet or any form thereof, you have a local area network. Basically AC anticipated that all clients would run from their own network such as cable or DSL with static not dynamic IP addresses. Because you use DHCP does not mean that you can't connect. BUt if you go to ipconfig or winipcfg and if you do release all and get a different IP address, most likely you are affected.

I sent all the microsoft and turbine port and server info to my ISP. They said they have none of those ports closed. They told me that they only have problems with old software such as AC.

Additionally some ISPs slow down certain ports to prevent trojans and p2p file sharing programs from crippling the network and shutting down the whole system. This may also be affecting numerous players,if all of a sudden you now have horrendous lag and slow ping times, you may be affected.

Basically what AC needs to do is bring their software into the 21st century, we don't live in the 90s anymore and LANs are becoming very popular.

It is sad but their player base will continue to dwindle unless they update their connection abilities.

Why am I able to play other MMORPGs? Obviously there's nothing wrong with my network.

IT would also be great if the Devs actually looked at this thread. Yet I see them answer stupid questions all the time.

What is wrong with you IBN?

Answer this thread!!

Well I know I'm cancelling my account when it expires this month, just have to have my brother hold my cottage for me, in case it ever gets fixed.

Just let us know devs that you are considering our problem!!

[Bekka]

I don't understand how Turbine, could overlook this issue when planning server moves. Everything was good when MS had it, so evidently Turbine wasn't equipped or preparred for this connection glitch. It must be some finiancial issue, maybe they can't afford it cuz they ain't got Gates' $$ to pay they people to update or buy the hardware they need.

The worst part is, the are letting us all sit and rot--with no offical explaination, or at least a plan of attack so we can fix it ourselves.

With all the people having this issue, it can't be about ISP's or config files--Turbine dropped the ball.

I wish there was a middle finger emote-icon --- I'll try this

,!,,

[wookie270]

well put!

[arya]

I dunno if this'll help anyone, but I solved my dropping problem. I had to go back into my router, find where it said IP Address of Virtual DMZ Host, plug my IP in there, and click enable. This allows any packets to come to my computer freely, which also increases virus risks, but all should be well if you keep windows up to date.

[wookie270]

according to scan.sygate.com

We have determined that you do not have any firewall blocking UDP ports!


Hmm, why can't I connect?

[wookie270]

Arrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

[wookie270]

I'm tired of this. Turbine you have complete disregard for your players. I don't understand how you can't even take several minutes of your time to answer us about connection problems. Just look around the threads about this problem have grown in recent days.

It's quite a shame to do this to your customers, you don't deserve my money anymore until this is resolved.

[Roltmire]

here is a repost of the message i left on the offical Microsoft board trying to get some help... Looks you guys are having the same probs. The explanation about ac's connect protocols makes sense, as i can play AO just fine.

microsoft.public.games.zone.asherons_call
Subject: [AC1] Connection stability issue 12/13/2003 2:03:10 AM

I am posting here because I am looking for a solution to
the connection probs I have been having.

I am able to connect to the MSN zone servers, and get
into AC succesfully but I get booted from the game and
receive the 'Server connection lost' message after aprox
3 - 5 min. I am able to fully enter AC and interact with
monsters, other players, and shopkeepers until the
disconnect takes place.

Even if I am not fully logged into the game itself, the
drop will still take place, if I am patching I also lose
connection after 3-5 of DL, or if fully patched I get
dropped from sitting at the char selection screen.

my account is an AC:DM subscription
my machine is running WindowsXP pro
I have played AC on and off since the beta. I have had a
few pieces of hardware switched out since I was last
actively playing.

I am on a LAN with my roommates, we are sharing a Cable
highspeed connection. We do have a firewall, but I have
asked our network admin to open up the required ports
mentioned in "Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 236430".

Still having difficulty with connection, after the ports
were set to open, my network admin placed my IP "outside
the firewall" or as he called it in the "demilitarized
zone" I am still experiencing the same connectivity
issues.

I am experiencing no other problems with my connectivity
that I am aware of. I have played other online games (AO,
chat, etc).

Any light that could be shed on this prob would be
greatly appreciated :)

Thank You,

-Roltmire- HG

[Roltmire]

since then i have been experimenting trying different things

I found that if i unhook our entire network and plug straight into the cable modem i get connection to ac fine, stable and all.

just wanted to throw my 2 bits in and show this does affect one more subscriber.

I know the frustration this can bring forth, so to those who have been pulling their hair out over this, im with ya. At the same time i want to cut Ibn a bit of slack. I guarentee if Ibn had an answer for this he would have already posted it.

My guess is that with graphics updates and whatever is comming up, a new client is in the works

my hope is that THIS issue is addressed, and a post to calm us down wouldnt hurt hehe

-Roltmire- HG

[Ibn]

Originally posted by Bekka
I don't understand how Turbine, could overlook this issue when planning server moves. Everything was good when MS had it, so evidently Turbine wasn't equipped or preparred for this connection glitch. It must be some finiancial issue, maybe they can't afford it cuz they ain't got Gates' $$ to pay they people to update or buy the hardware they need.

The game servers are still under MS operation, and all technical support is still handled by MS. Until Turbine takes over these two tasks, it is very difficult for us to us to resolve this issue.

The game hardware was not changed when it was moved to the new data center.

[molecule]

Since all these issues seem to be of the same nature, why don't one of you Turbine folks get in touch with one of them MS folks and come up with a solution?

Joe Schmoe calling MS Tech support isn't going to get the same kind of attention as you would. Plus, you know who to talk to, whereas we have to deal with some random tech buffoon.

<Still aggravated by lack of customer service here... I really don't care WHO it comes from, just figure this out!>

[pacesetter]

IBN,


I have been having alot of problems with red/yellow links.

I spent most of the week-end and monday evening going completely through my computer, and working with my ISP.

My computer is clean. Everything is working and at average or above average speed. My ISP tested my connection and placed it within the top 10% of connectivity. ( good/solid connection).

I have been tracking when and where I have the most problems.

1. At the mansion. on the coast directly west of plateau. I get yellow linked going in and every 1-5 minutes while there.
2. G-man quest. booted 3 times.
3. Caul- west of the drop, within 1 clic as I was afraid to venture too far.
4. Rithwic, mostly near the mage or in martines reteat.
5. Old sub. I can get yellow links 4-5 times just getting down to the portals.
6. Seems to happen alot when I try to ID something.
7. I always know when a baddie is going to spawn because I lag badly or get red/yellow links.
8. Get yellow linked alot opening a window with a vendor. This has happened in Rithwic, Arwic, Zakhail, Glendon Wood, Martines retreat, Shoushi, and Kara that I can remember.

I can get away from a problem area and run normally.

As a test, I ran insta-og macro on my lil mage for 2 days, at my cottage in Avatania cottages and had no problems. So it seems to be linked to certain areas, not the connection or my computer.

Hope this helps in the diagnostics.

[wookie270]

Hey IBN you don't have to get so defensive about the situation. Most of us aren't blaming "the move" and we are also aware that turbine does not have full control over the servers at this time. We are asking for help from you or soemone else who might know what was changed in the code or the client that causes these problems. Mine began in december, worked again for about two weeks then ever since I can't even connect. All the ports are open and not blocked. I've been living here with the same ISP for 18 months now, I can guarantee it is not them. It's not coincidental that most people with this same problem had it also begin just recently. I think this problem deserves attention and not some irrational reply by you IBN because you are offended that someone blamed turbine for the problem.

Just pass it up to whoever is in charge of it, set up and LAN at turbine and try to connect to AC. That is what I would do to troubleshoot this, how hard can that be? Yes I have tried all the suggestions already on the MS help.

You try and contact microsoft about technical support. After a year you have to pay to speak to someone.

You have the resources and the connections to get this "bug" through to people that can do something about it. What If I was duping items? That would get immediate attention, this is also an exploit, one for all the people that can connect are leveling past me. That is not fair.

[molecule]

Hey Turbine! We're still waiting for a little assistance here. Please don't just pass the ball into the MS court and then ignore the problem. PAYING customers are having issues here.

[Ibn]

Regarding paying for tech support, AC falls under free-forever tech support, the phone # is (425) 637-9308.

I apologize if this seems like I'm "passing the buck" but I am being 100% honest when I tell you that no one at Turbine has the resources currently to try and diagnose this issue, and it is Microsoft's responsibility at this time.

Come March 1, this will not be the case.

[wookie270]

Thanks IBN,

I'll try and give them a call and see what they say.

[Roltmire]

thanks Ibn

wookie post what ya get from them here! hehe

-roltmire-

[wookie270]

didn't get a chance yet to call roltmire, but I'll keep everyone informed about this as soon as I do!

[arya]

I found out that if I set up the DMZ I can get into AC fine. I just switched computers, causing my local IP to change, and the DMZ wasn't setup for the new IP. I had the same connection problems I was having before, 'till I plugged my new local IP in. Now my connection is great and has been since my last post.

[Bekka]

No idea what you just said Arya. but congrats and thanx.


Can anyone break that down into computer illiterate terms. All I do is play games and post on boards:D
(porn excluded of course
:eek: )

[Bekka]

Thanx Ibn.

Didn't mean to holla at ya, just needed a lil luv of some kind.

[wookie270]

I told ya all I wouldn't leave anyone hanging, so here is what happened the past week.

I got the e-mail of one of the administrators of my ISP.

I went to the log in page for the servers and clicked on help. I copied all the conncectivity issues from this page and on the microsoft knowledge base pages and pasted them into an e-mail to this admin.

1 week later I am able to connect.

It turns out that certain ports are slowed WAY down to prevent people on our LAN from using Kazaa and other such programs. THerefore you will pass the port tests but will be unable to connect to AC from an LAN unless you provide to your ISP exaclty all the AC info they need.

I hope this helps all the other people out there who can't connect, its unfortunate that AC uses those same ports.

[Mortal]

I'm similarly tearing my hair out here, and I'm loosing the will to be bothered to fix it.

So... this is my situation.

I have 2 PC's here, 2 accounts. Hardware router and a cable modem.

I live in the UK and I'm not about to make a transatlantic call to get MS support.


I haven't modified my router or have ever need to - since the server moves from MS to Turbine everything has been fine.


But.. since the server restarts for the lag logging stuff it hasn't been fine. I can now only selectively conect to some servers. I can connect to all servers but Leafcull, FrostFell and Thistledown, which is painful since Leafcull is where both myself and my wife have our main characters.


I get to the connection screen with the blue bars and it just fails to connect if I try those servers.

So this is why I'm particular confused, since if I want to, I can play on some servers without any issues, but I try any of the 3 stated above, and I can't even connect.


So if I can connect to some servers successfully without having to meddle with my router, why not all of them?

Yesterday I turned my cable modem and router off for over 8 hours. Apparently, our ISP clears your allocated IP address after 8 hours so I needed to do this to get a new one. My theory was that the IP address that we are presenting was somehow getting blocked to the hardware server that those 3 servers sit on, e.g. LC, FF and TD all sit on one physical hardware box.

Interestingly, yesterday we both managed to connect, until a point where we got booted and now we're back in the same situation. We weren't IG at the time, both of us were on the character selection screen, but Alt Tabbed reading the boards.

I've also experimented with connecting my cable modem directly into my PC and that does work.


I'm not running Decal.

I'm not a networking genius, but i know enough to be able to connect into my router. I can't, however, find any way to add a range of IP addresses if they are indeed needed. It looks as though I could set a SUA (whatever that is) for a given port number to a single IP address. What IP address would that be, Turbine have only given out a range.

So I'm at a loss. I either have to abandon Leafcull and play on a server I can access, find some solution that I can't figure out myself, make a costly phone call to MS technical support in the US, or give up entirely and start a new life as a dolphn trainer in New Zealand.


Can anyone explain why I can consistently and reliabley connect to some servers but not others?


Any clues at all?

*sobs*

[braisyn]

Sorry, but I totally disagree with the fault being the end-user's hardware. I have played AC for a long time and now this is happening since Microsoft turned it over to Turbine. I can't connect either now. Hangs at the Update screen. I have contacted my ISP, Microsoft, and even some guy at Turbine that basically said hey, you'e on your own. After trying all the ports, blah, blah, they finally told me to hook up to my regular 56k connection and do away with my DSL if I wanted to play it. Duh, I have cancelled my account for good and will play NOTHING by Turbine in the future. There are too many good MMORPG games out there to spend so much time on this. Good luck everyone, and see you around in one of the other MMORPGs. :)

[molecule]

Hear hear... Turbine's really screwing themselves right now. I hope that in the future they clear up this mess.

[Delwic]

Windows XP Home
P4 3.0Ghz
512 RAM
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 128MB
Linksys BEFSR41 Router
Motorola SB5100 Surfboard Cable Modem

Ok, now that that's all out of the way :) Here goes...

Starting either this past Thursday or Friday (2/19 or 2/20), we started getting packet loss in AC (usually don't see any loss, now seeing 10-15% with higher gusts) and ping times all over the place (from 100 to upwards of 7000 ms). I've spent the last 3 days troubleshooting our systems but have found nothing. The only change we made in that time was installing the AC2 free trial. Since the packet loss/ping time problem "appeared" to coincide with that install, I uninstalled (and also ended up doing a system restore) with no help.

I've also eliminated the router and connected directly to the cable modem (including resetting the cable modem) and see the exact same symptoms.

One last piece to this puzzle which hasn't made sense to me yet. We play another MMORPG called The Realm. Since this latency problem with AC has reared it's head, if I try to play AC, then log out of AC and close all windows, then launch Realm, I experience alot of lag in Realm. However, if I reboot (after exiting AC) or play Realm without having tried AC, I don't experience the same lag problem in Realm. Strange.

I've tested this at least 10 times over the last few days since it seems to make no sense. I'm at my wits end now.

Anybody have any suggestions? I been troubleshooting this since Friday night and haven't made any progress. Thanks in advance.

[Mortal]

I'm curious, do you get the same problem with all servers? I'm trying to work out why I can connect to some servers, but not others...

[B L E]

Sounds like the same problem I am having.........I can get to the connection progress/update progress page and nothing happens other then getting the failed to make connection with the server message.

I have played this game for almost 4 years now,the last 3 of which,I have used the same computer,same ISP,no external router,no firewall or anti-virus software when I play,the only thing that has changed is MS moving the servers.Before this move I never had any trouble,I could play when others couldn't,now I can not even get on to get BOOTED.

I have contacted MS and they tell me to contact my ISP. I contact my ISP and they laugh and say contact your cable modem manufacturer.they laugh and say contact MS.

Seems to me that if MS made the move,which causes the problem,that MS should FIX it. I am not a computer wiz and should not have to be to play a game. Game= Fun, this is NOT FUN.

[Delwic]

Aye Mortal, I have the same problem on all servers. Even though I know it's not my ISP, I called them last night with the info. They insist on sending a tech to my house tomorrow, a waste of my time and theirs. We'll see.

[wookie270]

My ISP laughed at first too, till I persistently called them over and over and over. Finally I e-mailed them all the info for the servers from the help page and I connect fine now, coincidence, I think not.

Here is the deal as I mentioned before. Your ISP probalby installed new software on their main routers that prevent programs such as Kazaa or those worm viruses from taking down all of their system. all the ports are open, but some are way slowed down. Alot of times the software will just slow down all ports other than what IE6 or telnet or other programs use, nothing specific for the shutdowns. that is why you have to send the ISP the info. The guys they have watching the equipment probably don't even know that. I have the fortune of being a grad student at one of the best computer science schools in the nation (not me btw), so an IT student helped explain it to me. Keep pestering your ISP, it is indirectl turbine's fault for using old client software to run the game, but directly your ISPs fault for blocking you for a service you pay for so that they can cover their ass for the 10% of people who are brain dead and don't have either firewalls or virus protection and take the system down.

I guarantee that is the connection problem.

Good luck

[Bextreamlia]

I've been getting 'Server Connection Lost' since Tuesday evening Feb 24th. I was able to dl Patch without any problems.

Other peeps seem to have same problem when I view rooms from website. Several peeps waiting to get in game so I'm assuming they're having similar type problems and daily since Tuesday!

I can get to the Connected scroll bar but the Update Progess gives nothing with a quick pop up pops of 'Server Connection Lost' Screen.

Its not my firewall, ISP or server - all have been checked confirmed and reafirmed!

And I certainly do hope the dev's are looking into this and can get resolved quicky. I've tried the portal. dat, uninstall both zone and ac - all in vain!

AC Deprived :(

[QuickBlade]

tag for future reference

My problems are 2 fold.

Often I freeze up at the zone authentication window when it tries to connect to the game servers.
This is very intermitent.

If I do manage to get in game . I can be playing along fine and out no where. I crash to desktop.

In both these situations my screen and comp lock solid, resulting in having to a total reboot.

I have been round and round with MS zone help and my isp on this and no soultion is in sight after several hours spent on the phone, reloading ms zone, reloading game, doing total virus scans, system tests, etc.

btw it's not a decal problem..it happens whether I have deacl loaded or not.

[n8bowa]

Originally posted by Bextreamlia
I've been getting 'Server Connection Lost' since Tuesday evening Feb 24th. I was able to dl Patch without any problems.

Other peeps seem to have same problem when I view rooms from website. Several peeps waiting to get in game so I'm assuming they're having similar type problems and daily since Tuesday!

I can get to the Connected scroll bar but the Update Progess gives nothing with a quick pop up pops of 'Server Connection Lost' Screen.

Its not my firewall, ISP or server - all have been checked confirmed and reafirmed!

And I certainly do hope the dev's are looking into this and can get resolved quicky. I've tried the portal. dat, uninstall both zone and ac - all in vain!

AC Deprived :(

I have the same problem: The first blue vial fills up, but the update vial just stays empty until I get "Server Connection lost".

Ive tried doing the following:

I opened all ports necessary (I've tried to connect w/o router too btw), disabled all firewalls, and contacted my ISP (ended up paying $25 for secondary tech support, which ofcourse ended fatally; problem still persists).

This is really ******* me off. I am a returning player who just subscribed to AC1 again a few days. I was so frikkin' excited to play, and then instead only became unbearably frustrated.

[Unsi]

Umm... My atomic clock says it is March the 24th. Is Turbine doing the server connect stuff yet? I could not even stay in game long enough to write down my character's stats before being booted. I kept a log of the times I got thrown on one morning, and even changed to a different phone number from my house out, to see if it was a problem with the phone lines. (I am on dial up) I did a thorough scandisk, and a defrag, and deleted all my cookies and reinstalled them. I am averaging 20 minutes in game before finding myself suddenly thrown to the desk top and in most cases disconnected from the internet entirely. Sometimes there are lag spikes when I cannot stay on for longer than a minute at a time though. I even run with two different internet providers so if one is down I can use the other one, and it made no difference. I have a terrible time getting past the Zone login. I have to back up to a previous window, or completely start over again several times. I think this is probably a Zone problem rather than a Turbine problem, but I have not been able to play for about a week now. Oh and I have tried with Decal and without it, and actually I stay in a fraction of a moment longer with Decal running.

[Suini-Tanis]

Originally posted by Ibn
The game servers are still under MS operation, and all technical support is still handled by MS. Until Turbine takes over these two tasks, it is very difficult for us to us to resolve this issue.

The game hardware was not changed when it was moved to the new data center.


than maybe hardware needs to be..i've had this problem for over 6 months(after 2 months i gave up...i come back and still have it)

why????

[lop-ibn-sung]

My ISP (Charter Communications) has run a thorough diagnostic of my system and theirs, after I complained about the recent development of packet loss issues while in game. They even contacted AT&T to check the internet backbone.

The end result, is they believe that the problems are being generated by a lack of bandwidth. Which makes sense, cause why would MS want to continue to pay a bunch of money on bandwidth for servers housing a game they no longer own.

I have forwarded their findings to Ibn in hopes of Turbine contacting MS to see if there has in fact been a reduction in bandwidth since the buyout.

[n8bowa]

OK, I e-mailed turbine and got a reply with the following message:

Response:
Hi,

It sounds like there may be a program running on your computer
interfering with the patching or a connectivity problem somewhere on
the internet.

If you wouldn't mind sending us some more information it would be
greatly appreciated.

Please go to

www.download.com

and search for and download a program called hijackthis. This
program creates reports from you system that shows processes
running, programs installed, and registry keys entered for internet
connections. We are looking at these logs to look for similarities
in them with other people experiencing the same problem.

After downloading the program, double click it to run it. Down at
the bottom right you will see a button that says Scan. Click on
this and then click on the button that says Save Log. Save the log
to someplace easy to remember such as desktop. Then click on
Config. on the bottom left and select the Misc Tools tab. Please
check the "List also minor sections (full) and List empty sections
(complete) then click the Generate StartupList log button and save
the notepad file to your desktop.

Also please send us a DXDiag report. To get this report, click
start>run and type in dxdiag. This will bring up the DirectX
Diagnostic Tool. At the bottom of the tool, click the button that
says save all information. Save this file to your desktop as well.

Once you have all these files, please e-mail startuplist.txt,
hijackthis.log and DxDiag.txt to techfiles@turbinegames.com.
Please include your inquiry number in the subject line.

Hopefully all this information will lead us in the right direction
of figuring out what is causing this problem.

Turbine Technical Support


We hope this will help resolve this inquiry. If it does not, please use the
link below to come to our website and add to or clarify your question. You may
need to cut and paste the entire link (it may span two lines) into the address
line of your web browser.

http://www.fuzeqna.com/asheronscall/consumer/clarify.asp?incidentID=%7B8FA7392F-EEB4-4A48-95C7-800A2D4FFB4E%7D


Follow the directions and hopefully we can help them out. ;)