My CFS3 problem

[boomerang]

I bought this game so I could go online and play multiplayer.  I had to buy a joystick and then I had to get a decent  ADSL connection, because a 56k modem was too slow.

Since getting ADSL I have had an intermittent problem connecting to the multiplayer server, which results in me only being able to connect about once a week (if I'm lucky). I don't have any other internet connectivity problems.

I've already checked my router, my firewall, etc, and found nothing wrong.  (there is no error message, the list of games just doesn't appear)

I have posted my problem in this forum (early April) but no one seems to have a solution or any suggestions as to how I should troubleshoot the issue.  

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from this point?

[ozzy72]

Boomerang can you list your systems specs, especially your OS and firewall (this is the most likely culprit), and I'll try and help.
Oh and which MP connection are you using? The Zone?

Ozzy

[Bogey51]

I had a similar problem when I networked my computers to a cable router, even though it was the same cable connection, CFS3 was not configured for the router and I could only connect occasionally to certain servers. I uninstalled CFS3 and reinstalled it and everything has been fine ever since. I know it's a pain in the 6, but when you change hardware, even a modem, CFS3 has a problem with it and I haven't yet found a way around it without reinstalling the game.

[boomerang]

Boomerang can you list your systems specs, especially your OS and firewall (this is the most likely culprit), and I'll try and help.
Oh and which MP connection are you using? The Zone?

Ozzy

More detail:

Symptoms:

     Sometimes, when I click on the on the "Game List" button in the Multiplayer
     menu I get a blank list with the description "Connecting" or "Retrieving
     Server List", but I don't get any further. (just sits there)

     If I close the game, and come back, say, in an hour or two, and click the
     "Game List" button sometimes the games appear straight away.

     Last night I tried to connect. I joined a game, played for a while then  
     left the game, returning to the Server list.  No games were listed, only  
     the message "Retrieving Server List".  

Environment:

     Pentium 4 1.8G 512MB RAM
     64MB Geforce 4 440 MX
     Windows 2000 Pro
     CFS3 ver 3.1 with NO CD patch
     Location is Australia
     Router is a Netcomm NB3300 ADSL Modem Router  
     (with the relevent ports redirected, and a
     Firewall with the relevent ports open.  
     i.e. ports 2300, and 28883 - 28886 UDP)


     Note:      When I do get the "Server List" up, I have no problem  
           connecting to a game. My System has no problem running  
           the game.

Things I've tried:

     1.       Switching off Anti-Virus, or Firewall, or both (don't like doing this)
           Result: No effect

     2.      Redirecting all Ports from the Router to my machine
           Result: No effect

     3.      Tried Pinging zone.msn.com (not sure if this is the server to check)
           Result: get responses, but no effect on Game Server connectivity

I assume that I am connecting to zone.msn.com(is there anywhere else?)

When examining my firewall log files (when the game is running) I see multiple remote IPs,
none of which appear to be zone.msn.com (which I understand is: 207.46.203.12).  When the game is not connecting, I see no remote IPs in the firewall log file.

Is there a reference to the multiplayer server within the game config files?  How do I confirm that it is the zone that I am connecting to?

I haven't tried to reinstall the game.

let me know if you need more info, and thanks for offering to help.