Unable to host any game

[Saracenus]

Whenever I try and host a game on the server (or hosting on my computer) the hosted game briefly appears and then disappears off the Custom Games tab and I have to shut down to get out of it. (hosting on my computer gets a "There was a problem, please try again" message). I have cut and pasted part of the log file that seems to be the section dealing with a hosting failure.

I can join a game no problem.

ASUS Laptop:

• AMD Bronze Dual Core E450 1.65 GHz
• 4 GB RAM
• Windows 7 64bit
• Atheros AR9285 Wireless Card
• Realtek PCIe GBE Ethernet Port
• Norton Security Suite

Home Network (not working):

• Comcast internet
• Connecting via WiFi (no Ethernet option available at my location right now) using 802.11n
• Technicolor TC8305C Modem

Mom's Network (not working):

• Comcast internet
• Connecting via CAT5 Ethernet cable directly into modem (also tried via 802.11n).
• Technicolor TC8305C Modem

Guardian Games Network (working):

• Comcast internet
• Connecting via WiFi using 802.11g
• Different modem.

Red Castle Games (working):

• Provider Unknown
• Connecting via WiFi using 802.11n
• Modem/WiFi Router Unknown

This problem didn't start until I updated to 3.1 (I updated from my 3.0 install, but there was a 3.1 test install in parallel). Prior to this I had very stable connections via 3.0 and the test version of 3.1 worked perfectly.

Troubleshooting steps taken:

• Uninstalled and res-installed.
• Re-uninstalled and re-installed but deleted the OCTGN folders for a clean install.
• Installed on a different computer (same issue on the new machine).
• I have had one instance where I was successful, but then it went right back to not working. This happened when I installed on the other computer (which failed to host) and then logged back in on my own computer. I repeated this and have not been able to host again.
• Turned off firewall (no joy)
• Different location (no joy)
• Test with Ethernet hardwired connect @ different location (no joy).
• Created new account and logged in with it (no joy).
• Found that Windows Firewall was turned on alongside Norton. Turned off Windows Firewall. (no joy).

Future steps

• I have not changed or messed with my firewall and NAT router ports, but given direction on which one I might need to open up to OCTGN I am willing to try it.

Previous problem self hosting turned out to be a separate issue that was solved with the 3.1.24.108 update.

[kellyelton]

So this shows you were trying to make a local game. You said you were also having problems hosting online games?

[Saracenus]

Kelly yes. I have the same problem with online games. if you like i will save the old log to a new name and post a clean log with my account trying to host an online game.

[Saracenus]

Is there a reference I can view so I can format the log output better?

[db0]

You can see the github flavored markdown guide just above your new comment box

[Saracenus]

Forgot to post. I tried this with both my primary account (saracenus) and my testing account (thothovich). Neither worked.

[kellyelton]

If you could get a log from when you're trying to play an online game that would really help(they weren't useful so they were removed)

[Saracenus]

It basically repeats this second part until I kill the program. If you need me to I can upload the entire log file so you can see every line. There is a limit to amount of text the comments will allow me to post.

[Saracenus]

Just as an aside I saw one person in OCTGN chat complain of the same problem last night but for the life of me I cannot remember who it was.

[Saracenus]

Update, changing locations did nothing. Ethernet direct connection to a network did nothing (ultra fast internet). Let me know if you need anything else. I have updated the OP with the troubleshooting steps taken.

[Saracenus]

Tried using a new account to see if something with my account was to blame. No joy.

[kellyelton]

Looks like you're also trying to host an offline game?

[Saracenus]

Kelly, I know you are busy with the memory leak (big issue, many people), but you asked me this two days ago (see your post above) and then you asked me to post one where I used the server (which I did). Yesterday the 2 part info dump I posted disappeared. So, here we are.

What info do you need? Do you need me to try again using the server (I have tried hosting a game a couple a time each day, no joy). Both machines that I have installed OCTGN on are Windows 7 laptops. Next time I am over at my mom's house I will try it out on the remaining XP box my family has. Everything else have are Windows 7 or Windows 8 machines.

The only other thing I have not tried is a non-comcast connection (all my family are using comcast). All are routing through the new Technicolor TC8305C WiFi Modem they are pushing out in preparation for their high speed video streaming services.

Let me know what you need to troubleshoot this issue.

[Saracenus]

Sorry hit the wrong button just now.

[kellyelton]

I removed the log because the info in it wasn't relevant. I try to keep these posts clear of chatter and information that isn't useful(not your fault, we just didn't have enough logging in that part.

[Saracenus]

Unfortunately the logs that I get when I fail to host are too long to post here in their entirety. Is there a way to upload a file to you here? I am sure there is, I am just not used this bug tracking system.

So, should I clear the log, log in, and then try and host a game on the server again? If I do, where do you want the log file uploaded?

[Saracenus]

If you want to see my latest attempt to host a game of ANR (I have also tried to host Cards Against Humanity) you can get it here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/c14zry6q7npox0r/log.txt

[kellyelton]

cool thanks(using dropbox is quite a bit less intense :P)

[Saracenus]

I figured it would be.

So, to give context to the complete, fresh logfile I sent you. That one is from my Windows7 Laptop (the info that I provided in the original report is from that machine).

I logged in with my account saracenus. I setup a hosted game on the server. The game flashed up on the Custom Games Tab and then went away. The system never left the Start A Game Pop-up Window. I finally had to close OCTGN with the X button to end it.

[kellyelton]

All right. I haven't got a chance to dig into it yet, but I may need to add some more logging around those parts if there isn't any relevant info in your log. I'll keep you posted.

[Saracenus]

I finally got over to my mom's house and installed OCTGN on the XP box. No joy. Logged in with my primary account (saracenus) and got the same problem that I get on my own Windows7 laptop.

Windows XP (all updated patches) Desktop box with cat5 connection to Xfinity Technicolor Modem. Norton Security Suite

Just to be thorough, logged in with secondary (testing) account (thothovich) and got the same response above.

Just to be anal about it, used the brand new account I created to just to make sure it wasn't my accounts at fault account (Hellbatty). no joy, same response as the first time. GAH!

[kellyelton]

Did you try with completely disabling Norton, or any firewall/antivirus?

[Saracenus]

I have tried it with my firewalls completely disabled. When I found that windows firewall was working on my laptop for some stupid reason (I didn't turn it on) I shut both it and norton down and there was no joy.

Is there a specific port that OCTGN 3.1 is using that maybe the Technicolor modem is blocking? I can setup an exception for OCTGN and see if that makes a difference.

[kellyelton]

it uses a wide range, so like 10000-20000 for online games, and 5000-6000 for offline games.

[Saracenus]

I want to point out, that until the conversion to full 3.1 OCTGN, my 3.0 version and the 3.1 test version were working perfectly. I have installed OCTGN on to 2 completely different machines that had never run OCTGN before and I get the same issue.

When I am at Guardian Games or Red Castle next, I will log into their networks and make sure this isn't some bizarre Comcast issue.

Also, just to make sure, turned off Norton with the XP box and no joy.

This has been very frustrating to troubleshoot.

[kellyelton]

Yeah we didn't really change any of the networking stuff, so I'm a bit mystified myself.

[Saracenus]

Welp, I logged into the technicolor modem to see if there are blocked ports or some other weirdness and none of those controls are turned on.

Just for kicks I hit Steve Gibson's Gibson Research Corporation and ran ShieldsUP! to see how the world sees this computer (c-71-59-211-253.hsd1.or.comcast.net) and ran the diagnostics. Pretty normal NAT setup for this modem. The first 1056 TCP ports are Stealth-ed but not closed. Tested ports 10000-10063 (SheildsUP! can test only 64 ports at a time in a custom test) and all showed to be stealthed but not closed.

[kellyelton]

hmm...well octgn doesn't even host on any ports(unless you play offline) so generally none of that is necessary, unless you block outgoing traffic as well(which the advanced windows firewall does on windows server etc)

[Saracenus]

Just realized I forgot to disclose that I am running Windows7 64bit, though that should not have any affect.

[Saracenus]

Kelly,

Whatever you did in 3.1.19.102, I could host a game on the server. However, with the update to 3.1.19.104 I am back to square one and cannot host any games (I tried ANR and Dominos). I still cannot self host and I have added my name to the folks with that issue.

Thank you for your patience.

[wierzbowski16]

I've got the same problem as Saracenus. 2 days ago I was able to host games on OCTGN server. I haven't been able to set up a game since yesterday. I can join hosted games without any problem.

Here's my log: http://pastebin.com/tgbHqc9A Here's the screen: http://i39.tinypic.com/fehrtj.jpg - it is trying to set up a game without any effect. I can't close this window, I have to restart OCTGN. I can join another game while "Start a game" window is still active & loading.

I'm using Windows 8 + Norton 360

I've already tried (with no effect):

• restarting OCTGN
• reinstalling
• reinstalling with deleting OCTGN folders
• disabling firewall
• disabling antivirus

[Saracenus]

wierzbowski16

A couple of clarifying questions:

• Are you running 32bit or 64bit Windows 8?
• Who is your internet service provider?
• What is the make and model of the modem that connects your computer/network to the internet?
• Is this happening while you are using WiFi or is this happening with a direct connection to the network with a CAT5 * Ethernet cable (looks like a telephone cable on steroids)?
• Can you self host a game?

You are the first person to confirm that this issue is beyond just myself. Its a relief to know I am not the only one experiencing this issue.

[wierzbowski16]

Hi Saracenus,

• I'm running Win 8 64bit
• Polish provider UPC
• I'm using Thompson TWG870UG
• I'm using WiFi
• I can self host a game but noone can join my game & can't join self hosted games

[soulsweeper87]

I'm having the same issue as wierzbowski16. We also have the same provider and modem, but I'm using a direct connection (via Ethernet cable) and Win 7 64 bit OS.

[Saracenus]

weirzbowski and soulsweeper,

Well its not a provider wide problem (I proved that by using a different location with the same internet provider). The question has become, is this a hardware issue (the modem) or is this something upstream on our particular segments of the provider network. Maybe I can convince Comcast to loan me a different modem for my mom's house (my personal setup is connected to an alarm system, so I cannot change it) so I can test the hardware theory.

The ability to self host but no one can join points to a possible routing problem (e.g. packets are getting dropped on their way back to us). I can confirm that from my home location I cannot get anyone to join my self hosted games. I will try it at one of the game stores when I am there next to confirm that its localized and maybe part of our server hosting problem.

Thank you both for helping out with this. Hopefully this will get us closer to a solution that Kelly (the dev) can do something about.

[soulsweeper87]

I've just tried starting a game using different internet provider, modem and computer (although it's also Win 7 64bit). It worked, so I guess it's a problem with our provider/modem.

Do you know the range of port numbers used by OCTGN?

[lidiador]

I have got to report the same issue. I initially thought that the symptoms were due to OCTGN running under WinXP and an older .NET version, but I encounter the same issue under Win7, the latest .NET (4.5) and a fresh OCTGN install. Do you think manual port forwarding would help? If so, what is the port range?

[lidiador]

OK, more info. I know for sure that some players using UPC host Android games normally, so I don't think it's a provider-related issue. (They would have to block OCTGN at the level of their own servers, which seems highly improbable). Today, for test purposes, I created a DMZ on both computers (under Win XP and Win 7), one at a time, disabled all antiviruses and firewalls, so that nothing could possibly block communications, to no avail which makes me sceptical about this being a hardware problem (unless packets are indeed being lost). BTW, I use a Technicolor modem, like Saracenus. I know of one Polish player who experiences the same problems hosting Netrunner games but who is able to host other games (in this case: Star Wars LCG). When I get home I will try to install and host other games to confirm it. Saracenus, wierzbicki, soulsweeper - can you try this as well? It could well be some bizarre OCTGN/Netrunner plugin-related issue.

[kellyelton]

OCTGN doesn't host anything when you host on the server, it's all on the server, so unless you're getting your outbound traffic filtered/blocked, that shouldn't be an issue. I would imagine though that if that IS happening, it's most likely on the provider level, at which point the best you could do is call them and tell them their service is screwing up. Honestly, I would think that would be the best route in all these cases.

[lidiador]

Kelly, I followed your advice and called the ISP. The guy swore that they are not filtering anything at their level, so I'm not sure that's a good lead. Could it be an issue with some modems? Technicolor and Technics could be suspect here - Saracenus does not have the same provider but he has a Technicolor modem, just like me. BTW, I didn't manage to host any game, neither of Android, nor of any other game, so that's probably not the issue at hand. The today's update didn't bring any improvement.

[wierzbowski16]

I was able to host/join offline game of A:NR using Hamachi. I had similar technical issues with my ISP & modem. Manual port forwarding solved that problem. Kelly, could you give us OCTGN's port range?

[kellyelton]

(All of these are out only)

• chat&login:80 443 5222-5223
• playing games: 10000-20000

[Saracenus]

lidiador, I have successfully hosted the game at a different location that has Comcast as a provider but had a different modem. The only test I can do to confirm that it is indeed the hardware and not some dropped packets/routing issue is to swap out modems at my mom's house and see if it works. I just don't have the time to go down to the Comcast center and sweet talk them into letting me borrow one to test my theory.

I found the Comcast manual for the TC8305C that I have, they have finally made it available. https://www.dropbox.com/s/i0k0pb4ndjfl6e6/Wireless_Gateway_User_Guide_030811.pdf

I don't know if you are using the same model number but now I can futz around with the settings.

[lidiador]

I am able to host games since the OCTGN version which has changed something with IPs and DNS some 15 days ago, so I guess it could have been something related to this - I haven't tampered with my modem too much. So for me this issue is now resolved.

[brine]

do you have a space in your username?

[lidiador]

No. :)

[kellyelton]

So who is still having this issue?

[wierzbowski16]

I'm still unable to host games on OCTGN server :/ I can host/connect to offline game using Hamachi.

[kellyelton]

What is your username?

[wierzbowski16]

Verjigorm.

[kellyelton]

If you could repost a log of you trying to login. We have more data collected now with the logs and it may shed some light on the issue.