Problems Connecting to Servers

Hi,
I am having major issues with connecting to online servers to play all sorts
of online games. I get error messages about possibly blocked firewall ports
and/or just general failure to connect to server messages, or sometimes I
just fail to connect to online versions of games altogether. I have tried
everything I have seen or know to try, including: allowing ports in Windows
Firewall, turning Windows Firewall off altogether, opening ports on my
router, turning off my anti-virus program, and even using my computer from a
different location in case it was my router or ISP causing the problem. None
have worked. Some specific programs with which I have had problems include:
Battlefield 2 Complete(fully updated), Texas Hold'em on Facebook, and various
games on Kongregate.com. Can anyone help me?

The only other things I can think of are that 1) maybe I have accidentally
deleted some file/program that is necessary for these connections and/or 2)
there could be some other Firewall program on my computer that I am unaware
of. Or, 3) anything else I have no idea about.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
-Steve

=?Utf-8?B?U3Rldi1v?= <Stev-o@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
news:CDD86FCD-022F-45F3-A4BC-227AB7B9950D@microsoft.com:

> Hi,
> I am having major issues with connecting to online servers to play all
> sorts of online games.

> The only other things I can think of are that 1) maybe I have
> accidentally deleted some file/program that is necessary for these
> connections and/or 2) there could be some other Firewall program on my
> computer that I am unaware of. Or, 3) anything else I have no idea
> about.

No system specs, easiest way to fix would be to run System Restore (Start >
Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore) Choose a date from
before you started having problems, click OK, your system should reboot a
few times then try the games again.

Could be something you installed borked something. System Restore rewinds
your system files, shouldn't effect your documents/data, but you may need
to reinstall some applications, but keep in mind something you may need to
reinstall may be causing your problem.

Oh, if you disabled System Restore, turn it back on, it's useful. Worse
case scenario, backup data, do a Windows Reinstall. Most brand name systems
have restore CDs to restore your software to factory specs.

Good luck.

--
-A.

Thanks Andy,
Actually, my situation is kind of the opposite. I just did a reinstall of
Windows and that is when the problems started.

Anyway, since my last post, I tried using my computer at yet another
location and had some success. So, I am thinking it may be an issue with my
router, which I, coincidentally, bought at about the same time I reinstalled
Windows. I have no idea how to effectively bypass this, since my attempt to
do so obviously failed. Anyway, I am at another computer now, but if you
need it, I can post my computer's specs and my router's name later.

In the mean time, if you, or anyone else, can help me with successfully
allowing my router to unblock these ports, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks again,
-Steve

=?Utf-8?B?U3Rldi1v?= <Stevo@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
news:EF30EEAE-5E77-4A5F-A847-C92699E3D79B@microsoft.com:

> Thanks Andy,
> Actually, my situation is kind of the opposite. I just did a
> reinstall of Windows and that is when the problems started.
>
> Anyway, since my last post, I tried using my computer at yet another
> location and had some success. So, I am thinking it may be an issue
> with my router, which I, coincidentally, bought at about the same time
> I reinstalled Windows. I have no idea how to effectively bypass this,
> since my attempt to do so obviously failed. Anyway, I am at another
> computer now, but if you need it, I can post my computer's specs and
> my router's name later.
>
> In the mean time, if you, or anyone else, can help me with
> successfully allowing my router to unblock these ports, I would
> greatly appreciate it.
>
> Thanks again,
> -Steve
>

most, it not all, routers have a reset switch, it's usually a little
hole you have to get a paper clip to press it. Press the switch and hold
it for a few seconds, then release and try your system again. That
should reset your router settings to default.

A lot of ISPs try to prevent you from using different connections, since
your router is a different MAC address you might call your ISP, ask them
to reset your modem and that you've been having problems since you got
your new router.

Go to your router's website and see if there is updated Firmware for it.
Lots of modern firmwars can download updates automatically. Read your
Router manual for more info.


--
-A.