Dropping out online

[Fixx]

Hi, when I try to play Nitro online I last for about 30 secs or so and then I get an asterisk on my screen, the camera spins around my car, and I eventually end up back in the lobby.

I've gone through the forum for this and was hopeful when I found similar problems with solutions but I've had no luck.

- I've tried disabling my Zone Alarm (not loaded at startup)
- My DSL modem has no DMZ option (or any other setting options for that matter) It's a Speed Stream 4200
- Internet downloads and Interstate '82 both work fine (don't drop out)

I have:

1.8 Ghz Athlon XP 2200+
Windows 98SE
Ati 9550 video
Basic DSL (twice speed of dial-up) - yes I'm a cheap bastard
Fresh installation of Nitro


Nitro has worked on this same machine in the past without a problem.


Any Ideas ???

[Lightfoot]

...- My DSL modem has no DMZ option (or any other setting options for that matter) It's a Speed Stream 4200...

You can't play I'76 or Nitro Pack behind a router...end of story. Sorry.

[KIV 6051 [SH]]

His ISP may force him a private IP address. Bell South DSL does that. Also make sure (if you haven't already) that you don't have duplicate protocols and your other internet connections in My Network Places are disabled.

[Fixx]

I checked, I have no duplicate protocols or any other connections.

Does that mean that everyone playing is on either cable or dial-up?

Sounds like I should phone up Bell and tell them what to do with their DSL!!

If I can't play Nitro online then I have very little use for an internet connection.
Unless I can get my I82 working.

[Lightfoot]

...as stated before, numerous times:

If you are behind a router and have a non-routable IP address you will NOT be able to run the game.

Non-routable IP addresses start with 192, 172 or 10 typically....

[Fixx]

That's ok, I'm working on access to a dial-up connection.

For the record I wasn't aware that a DSL modem was a router

[Lightfoot]

...the old "it's not a router, it's a modem" arguement?

I ripped PacBell a new ass one day over arguing semantics...

I don't care what they want to call it but if it's getting an IP address from the ISP and giving you a different one, it's a router...despite whether it modulates and demodulates...which isn't even true if you're on a digital line.

$0.02

[Fixx]

I wasn't actually arguing, I was just saying I didn't know. I was taking your word for it that it acts as a router in the sense that it hinders direct communication to my network card. My knowledge of computers is dated to say the least (want to program your C64 to water your lawn - I can do it) the inner workings of PCs these days seem far more complex and I don't have the time or inclination to learn about 'em - translation: I'm getting old) and my knowledge of networking is rudimentary (I know more than my parents )

Anyway my soon to be new ISP is DSL but also offers 10 hrs per month of dial-up with the package (no added cost). Other would be Nitro players may want to see if they also have this ability.

[Lightfoot]

I wasn't saying that you were arguing, I was just stating that the argument has existed for years on whether a DSL modem is really a modem or a router...

Regardless, if you can get an PUBLIC IP address routed to your machine through your modem you should be good to go...any NAT is bad, m'kay?

[tex [FD]]

just my info.......
to play nitro online,

i have to unplug my router, reboot machine, turn off router software, start modem software and im good.

my modem is a speedstream 5360

im on dsl.

maybe you can see if that unit works from your isp, then find a used one on ebay.


also, my first year or two online i had a free dialup isp with banners.. so i played i76 with banners on top the whole time.

[Fixx]

I'm not sure but I may have it sorted. When they asked if I wanted their firewall I said no so I think that I have no router software (I sure can't find any) and so after typing in the proper address I managed to stay online (though perhaps not visible) for a good 2 hrs or so. I'll keep checking for a game and try to join (hopefully tonight)

[KIV 6051 [SH]]

I had to set up a DSL this week over the phone, and the one I used (it was a ____ brand 645) had a login and password just like my router and a connection wizard full of parameters that I don't think I'd remember so I'm thinking there may be a way to log into your DSL modem and disable the "router function" and use it as a straight modem. The browser address was 192.168.1.1, login: admin and password: 1234. It's worth a shot.