Can't connect to servers! Why?

Atreyu · #1 August 21st, 2004, 04:28 AM

When trying to download games off of the internet, like say for instance Scrabble, I get the 170mb setup file to my desktop, then when I double click on it, I get a popup window that says Connecting to Server with a long rectangular status box and a square box with a green dot flashing in it and the word 'connecting' next to it. Then nothing happens at all. I waited up to 15 minutes one time. I tried numerous sites and still got the same result. Zip files are not a problem, but "Connecting to Server" files are. I have Windows XP, I have the newest Java 2 Runtime, I removed AVG in case that was blocking it. My popup blockers are not enabled presently, I moved my security setting down to LOW, I deleted my temporary internet files and still it does no good. Can anyone tell me what the problem might be? Something is obviously keeping my computer from connecting to these individual servers. Does anyone know where I should look and/or what to look for and possibly delete or disable? Please Help! Thank you, Troy

Edited by lufbra : CTH is not an e-mail service.

enat66 · #2 August 21st, 2004, 05:36 AM

Welcome to CTH.

Did you check to see if Windows XP firewall is on?

Atreyu · #3 August 21st, 2004, 12:26 PM

No I haven't, unfortunately I don't know how to check if it's on or not. Could you give me a hand? Thank you! Atreyu

enat66 · #4 August 21st, 2004, 05:43 PM

This tells you how to turn it on...if the box is already checked try playing the game with it unchecked.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...nmore/icf.mspx

Atreyu · #5 August 21st, 2004, 08:45 PM

The firewall wasn't checked. Any idea what else could be preventing me from downloading from "connecting to server" situations? Thank you, Troy

enat66 · #6 August 22nd, 2004, 12:22 AM

Perhaps it is some setting in the game itself...do you have this problem with other games?

Steven.Bentley · #7 August 22nd, 2004, 08:36 PM

I'd suspect a Java VM issue here, you can download it from under Hot Download on http://java.sun.com - if you get that and download it you may find you get more progress

Atreyu · #8 August 22nd, 2004, 10:54 PM

To the first question. It's not necessarily a game, it could be any download from the internet that isn't a direct link. Downloads that have to be acquired from a server that have to be connected outside of the immediate website are the ones I have the problem with. The other question sounded most helpful, unfortunately though I didn't see anything that said 'Hot Download'. The VM that you're referring to in Java VM, is that Virtual Machine? I do have the updated version of Java 2 Runtime. Is that not what you're talking about? Also at the bottom of your entry it says "Please don't PM for support, use the forums instead." What does PM mean? Thanks for your concern and your support, Troy

Steven.Bentley · #9 August 23rd, 2004, 09:29 PM

VM is indeed the Virtual Machine, and I clearly didn't read your initial post properly

PMs refers to the private messaging system built into the forums.

I'd be looking at repairing Internet Explorer from under Windows Components in Add/Remove programs as the next step

Atreyu · #10 August 24th, 2004, 06:51 AM

O.K. I'm not the brightest bulb in the box when it comes to computers! I'm a scientist, not a computer operator, but I'm learning quickly. Anyhow, I found the Window Components window. What do I need to do there in order to repair Internet Explorer? Another thing, a site I'm having trouble with is The Sims website. In the category called "Exchange", downloads are available, created and posted by members, for various aspects of the game or it's expansion packs. This is one of the places where I'm experiencing the trouble "Connecting To Server" and nothing happening. Their tech support downloaded one of those files with me on the phone, stating, "There's nothing wrong at all, I just downloaded a file in a matter of 10 seconds." This is the strange thing...I went to my town library and tried their computer and got the same result as I get on my computer. So either the Internet Explorer thing you're talking about is whacked or some other silly thing that is familiar between my computer and the library's computer is creating the same faulty effect. You have been most helpful. Troy

Steven.Bentley · #11 August 25th, 2004, 06:14 PM

Try this link for info on fixing IE

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;318378

that may well address the second issue as well so we'll consider that afterwards if need be.

Atreyu · #12 August 28th, 2004, 06:35 AM

Thanks for all your help! I noticed that a lot of files on my computer are cleared out of the registry somehow, so I bet that's the problem. I visited the URL location you gave me for repairing internet explorer registry and it's very unclear. A lot of things that it says I'll see in the instructions aren't as they're described and other instructions are very vague and not user friendly, unless you're a computer whiz of course. So I guess I can't go any further. I'll just have to live with it the way it is. Thanks again for your kind and thoughtful input. Troy Theisen