"Unknown Network Error"

[icecold]

Hey guys,

Been an old time player of SH3/4 and thought recently after a HD failure il install it again. So i did, updated correctly and opened all the ports on my router.

But everytime i go into the multiplayer online section, just after entering all my details to sign in, it says connecting to online lobby... then it says "Unknown Network Error" and goes back to the multiplayer screen.

Anyone familiar with this? Or wana give and old captain some troubleshooting!? Because i REALY want to get back into the old pack hunting again online.

[CTU_Clay]

Seems it is currently a world wide server problem with UBI. It has been like that since yesterday.

Hopefully UBI will get it fixed soon.

[icecold]

I would love to let ubisft know but their submit a question is currently down lol

I think someone forgot to pay their electricity bills lol


>:( They are not doing a good job of impressing me as a customer atm.

[icecold]

Ahh tech support is back online, guess i will wait 2 weeks for the usual "update driver" reply and then an additional week explaining to them everythig is up to date... Go to love them.

[CTU_Clay]

Seems to be still down for my connection try.

[CTU_Clay]

Anyone know if anything is being done about this yet. I have posted on UBI Tech site. But no updates yet.

[icecold]

I am still waiting on a reply from ubi tech.

[CTU_Clay]

Here is a response I just got from UBI.


Please follow these instructions to troubleshoot what exactly is causing your connection issue:

- Please make sure that you have all of the available patches for the game installed. You can download patches for all Ubisoft games from our website at http://support.ubi.com (http://support.ubi.com/) in the game patches section.

- If you are using Windows XP, please make sure that the default firewall is disabled. (Please refer to your Windows XP documentation on how to disable this feature). If you have any other type of firewall software installed, please make sure that it is configured to allow access for the game that you are playing, or disabled. Mcafee Personal Firewall and Norton Firewall are the exceptions, if you have either of these software packages installed, then will need to be completely uninstalled before running the game.

- If you have a router in your home network, please make sure that you have the latest firmware installed for that device. Your router manufacturer should be able to help you complete this update.

- In addition, the following ports will need to be open in your router or any firewall software you may be running:

TCP: 3074
UDP: 3074-3174

Also, please note that placing the computer into the "DMZ" via your router's configuration will not solve this problem; you MUST manually configure these port settings.

If you are unsure of how ports work then the best course of action would be to contact your system administrator or ISP for more information.


Just to make sure. I did check all my mechanical devices, firewalls, antivirus, spam-blockers, and found not a thing out of line.

Now. We each should keep making contact with UBI and show that this is an International issue and not individual based on our gaming machines.

[icecold]

Agreed. I have done all these task long ago...

It still says "Unknown Network Error".

[CTU_Clay]

I am happy to report that after continuing to pound on the desk of UBI Sopport, the "unknow network error" has been corrected.

Try yours and see if it works.

[icecold]

Still not working :(

[CTU_Clay]

Still not working :(

Most of our Members at DeepRaiders are reporting they have connections now. The others have yet to try and report in.

I would suggest; that you again check your system to make sure all ports, firewalls etc are in order as mentioned in an earlier post in this thread.

[icecold]

I have, its either a country problem or some other peice of software interfearing. Either way i can no longer be bothered.

Multiplayer is a lost cause for me.

[CTU_Clay]

I have, its either a country problem or some other peice of software interfearing. Either way i can no longer be bothered.

Multiplayer is a lost cause for me.

Don't give up the boat yet. MP is enjoyable for us here in DeepRaiders. We had a very good patrol yesterday that consisted of players of Russian, USA, UK, and Spain countries. We experienced no problems. Command Submarines Pack has a larger playing base of players than we do. I would think...that if you would get on their Teamspeak server and tell them your problems. Someone there would be able to help you too.

Sorry to hear you are letting your boat go down.

Cheers.

BTW: Where do you live? What City/Country?

[icecold]

Do they use xfire, so i can contact them?

And i am from UK, london.

[u-168]

Hi icecold.

Ya i got the same problem when i sign in to ubi on sh4 m8:hmmm:

U-168

[CTU_Clay]

Has your problem been fixed yet?

If you are using a router with your connection configuration;
....Have you tried bypassing the router and connect directly through your modem?

[icecold]

Yeah i tried that to see if it was the router, no luck, i have a feeling its program related or possible area related.

[Graf Paper]

Ubisoft's SH4 server is notorious for these mysterious outages that can last from a few hours to a few weeks. :-?

The multiplayer code in the game itself is very unstable, like the trouble with dropping out of the online game when you Alt-Tab over to the desktop or another application for even just a moment. Such flaws may be exacerbating any issues on Ubisoft's end.

The only two things I can recommend is:


Sit tight and keep bugging Ubisoft's tech guys to fix the problem. The more of you that submit complaints, the better. It might motivate them more if there's a full ticket queue for SH4 support every single morning they punch in for work. As my dad used to say "The squeaky wheel is the one that gets greased first." So raise a polite, but persistent, fuss!
Use a service like Hamachi to get your multiplayer fix, via LAN mode, until the main server is back up. Of course, that's a different can of worms with its own issues and hoops to jump through but it seems to be the most popular method used by the SH4 skippers around here.

Anybody have any luck logging in since the last report from the frontlines?

[CTU_Clay]

DeepRaiders are reporting no problems at this time.


DeepRaiders.com is under construction.

[icecold]

SOLUTION FOUND


Turns out that the last 3 XFIRE patches conflicts with installshield and similar files. SH4 utilises several files that act like instalshield when it opens files.


CLOSE XFIRE


Personal note: IT HAS TAKEN ME BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS but it tutned out to be bloody xfire. It also explains some of instances of it working and it not working... because you may or maynot have xfire open. SOLUTION found and i am god.

[icecold]

No its down again...

Its now deffinatly area related. Theres nothing my end thats stopping it >:(

[Graf Paper]

Have you also checked to make sure your anti-virus software is disabled or shut down? Norton and McAffee are notorious for busting SH3 and SH4 multiplayer games. While their "resident protection" is checking every little file that's being accessed, SH3 or SH4 can have fits.

I'm beginning to suspect it's some sort of software conflict that's keeping you disconnected, icecold. :hmmm:

[icecold]

Ok heres the answer. Turns out its XFIRE that conflicts with the game when i try to go online. If xfire is on, i cannot go online.


BUT also it appears that UBI are having prblems maintining their connection in the UK. In other words, if i turn off xfire i might or might not be able to connect to the lobby lol

Besides that fact, everytime i do get onto the lobby now its empty :(

[Graf Paper]

I recall something a few guys over there told me about the U.K. having some network issues in general, not just Ubisoft, but that was roughly a week ago. I wonder if the trouble still hasn't been completely fixed?

When you are able to connect, the best way to find a game is to either post a notice here in the SH4 Multiplayer Matchup forum or to join up with one of the multiplayer organizations listed in the sticky.

I'm usually up for a game of SH4 most any time. If you're using a big mod, chances are I have it installed. Otherwise, a stock 1.5 install is fine.