Topic: Wireless connections and online play, Tech types please read

[KBFLordKrueg]

Do you still have your old settings entered for your main PC on the router?

Yes, even checked the settings via the laptop, still in DMZ mode. And, still waiting for a call from the shop telling me my other one's done...grrrr! 

[Lepton]

Can you define what you mean by DMZ mode?  I assume that you mean that you have a single laptop connecting to the router with an IP address like 192.168.1.100 and that is same IP address is entered into the router configuration.  One problem with DMZ mode is that if your router is configured to assign IP addresses dynamically (i.e. changing them depending on what machines are accessing the router), the router could change your IP address and you never might know it.  This is why Bonk suggested making the IP address static (one machine, one IP address forever).  Are there any other computers using this router?  I think this problem has got to be simple.  If he has access to the web and internet browsing, this suggests all the other ports are blocked in some manner.  This could only be for two reasons.  His computer is not actually in the DMZ or his software firewalls are not configured to allow programs access to all the ports it needs.  Perhaps it could be a port-forwarding table/DMZ conflict.  I'd make sure that the port-forwarding table is totally empty and that none of the ranges are set as enabled on the router configuration page that handles port-forwarding.

[KBFLordKrueg]

Can you define what you mean by DMZ mode?  I assume that you mean that you have a single laptop connecting to the router with an IP address like 192.168.1.100 and that is same IP address is entered into the router configuration.  One problem with DMZ mode is that if your router is configured to assign IP addresses dynamically (i.e. changing them depending on what machines are accessing the router), the router could change your IP address and you never might know it.  This is why Bonk suggested making the IP address static (one machine, one IP address forever).  Are there any other computers using this router?  I think this problem has got to be simple.  If he has access to the web and internet browsing, this suggests all the other ports are blocked in some manner.  This could only be for two reasons.  His computer is not actually in the DMZ or his software firewalls are not configured to allow programs access to all the ports it needs.  Perhaps it could be a port-forwarding table/DMZ conflict.  I'd make sure that the port-forwarding table is totally empty and that none of the ranges are set as enabled on the router configuration page that handles port-forwarding.

Define...hell, I don't even know what it means... I did it upon suggestion of me asking about configuring the router on the forums.
Normally there are 2 machines using the router, One: my desktop system, usually just plugged into the back of the router. When we got the router all I had to do with the desktop system was plug it in and set the router for DMZ to allow me to play online, took all of 2 minutes and everything worked great.
2: The laptop. It has a built in wireless connection and also required little effort to get it working online. But, never tried to game on it until I had to put my desktop system in the shop. Even when I bypass the router completely, plugging directly into the cable modem, and enabling the LAN connection rather than the wireless, I get the firewall message when trying to get onto D2 and games on GSA never appear for me to join. While I'm not super computer savvy, I do have some basic understanding of how they work and am fairly familiar with enabling the connection, since this is the 3rd computer I've set up to play with. Making it "one machine, one IP address, forever" is not going to be very practical when I get my desktop back. Also some suggestions have been made about uninstalling programs, with the "possibility" of the computer restoring them later. But, this is something else I'm not thrilled about doing since the laptop is primarily used by my wife for work and some online courses she's taking for said job. It was intended that I would use the laptop for temporary gaming only. It has however turned into a longer period, since my desktop seems to be taking forever to get done (BTW, just found out the shop is now closed until Tuesday due to Hurricane Jeanne's approach, it was supposed to be done Fri they told me... ). I've pretty much resigned myself that I simply will not be gaming online until I get it back now. I spent the better part of 2 days messing around with it, to no avail. I do greatly appreciate everyone to attempted to help me and made suggestions.
But I just give the hell up on it...

[Lepton]

If you have by-passed the router and it still does not work, then it would seem to be a software firewall problem to me.  I would connect directly to the cable modem, turn off the XP firewall, and leave ZoneAlarm on and see if that works.  If it does, you know it's XP firewall giving the problem.  If it still does not work, switch off ZoneAlarm as well, and try it.  If it still does not work, then I am stumped.  One thing about ZoneAlarm is that the first time you start up an application, you get that pop-up window that asks if you will allow the application to connect to the internet.  Perhaps you said "No" once and it saved this setting.  You should be able to go into ZoneAlarm, go to Program Control and see that OP has green check marks in all the slots to make it a trusted application.  If it doesn't, make it so.

[KBFLordKrueg]

Been there, done all that, Lepton. Even with XP firewall and Zonealarm completely shut down, it gives me the firewall message. Scroll down and you'll see my multiple posts about different approaches I've taken.

[KBF-Crim]

Damn...that's wierd...I wish I could help you out bro...

[Lepton]

Then it has absolutely nothing to do with your router.  I'd suggest that you check to see if XP Service Pack 2 did not do something to alter how your system is functioning.  Might be able to find something in Microsoft's support area.  Or you could just uninstall XP SP2 and see if that has any effect.

[KBFLordKrueg]

Unlikely...had the SP2 loaded on the other system, too. Didn't affect a thing. Actually made setting the firewall much easier.

[Cleaven]

Sorry if I missed it, but you have done the WON server update, right?

How did you do this? The mini-patcher or manually?

[KBFLordKrueg]

Sorry if I missed it, but you have done the WON server update, right?

How did you do this? The mini-patcher or manually?
[/quot
The Patcher

[Cleaven]

Been there, done all that, Lepton. Even with XP firewall and Zonealarm completely shut down, it gives me the firewall message. Scroll down and you'll see my multiple posts about different approaches I've taken.

What is the wording of the message? There are different messages depending upon the situation.

[Bonk]

These may seem like dumb questions but with the answers, more questions and time, I may be able to help.

What make and model is the router? <-Key info...

Are you running the latest firmware for your router?

You're not trying to forward ports to one PC and place another in the DMZ are you?

Have you read your router manual?

Do you know what DHCP is and how to configure clients on your LAN statically?


* Have you installed Gamespy on the laptop and tried connecting to gamespy?

[Lepton]

He can't even connect with GSA or D2 when he connects directly to the modem.  It ain't a router problem.  He's screwed.  Nothing else to say.  Now if he can't connect with all the software firewalls off, he is really screwed.

[KBFLordKrueg]

These may seem like dumb questions but with the answers, more questions and time, I may be able to help.

What make and model is the router? <-Key info... *Linksys Wireless 2,4 Ghz Wireless Boradband Model #WRT54G*

Are you running the latest firmware for your router? *Yes, have checked that about 20 frikking times lately*

You're not trying to forward ports to one PC and place another in the DMZ are you?  *No, just DMZ, have no ports forwared at all*

Have you read your router manual? *Yes, before I even opened the plastic, follow instruction for setup to the letter, was actually very easy. Have had zero issues until trying to game on the laptop. Has been several months.*

Do you know what DHCP is and how to configure clients on your LAN statically? *All Greek to me, sir.  *


* Have you installed Gamespy on the laptop and tried connecting to gamespy?
*Yes, after not being able to get on D2. Let's me into room, but upon game lauch, the game never appears for me to join. A host-forced rejoin also failed*

[Cleaven]

Is there any chance that you actually have another firewall running, because if it's not the router then it must be software on the laptop? Something that wasn't uninstalled properly perhaps. What does the Task Manager or MSConfig reveal?