What is going on!? What should (can) I do?

from Sins Forums
So, I just tried to join a game, and this came up:




As you can see, there is no "go" button, no team/race selection, nothing...

Then, when I tried to log out, then log back in, my old "player slot" remained filled in the game, and so I couldn't join due to a "full game."

This happened after several attempts (party leader would kick the "ghost" of my account from the lobby, I would rejoin, the cycle continued...)


So, any clue what is up? It would have been nice to play with my friends...
technical
4,542 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
Was it the very first time that it had happened to you ? Could you join a game before ?

Have you closed any sofware firewall (including the cheap one which comes with Windows) ?

Are you behind a router ?

My questions are attempting to identify what could be interfering with the transmission of 100% of the data.

Have you tried to join after a Windows reboot ?

Would you have background programs running that might be interfering ?

Computer troubleshooting and problem-solving has a lot to do with a trial-and-error approach : you have to learn to know your machine (hardware and software) and to try various hypothetical solutions until things work. Sometimes, they finally work, and you never understand what was wrong in the first place.
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

@CyberMage

1. The Windows Firewall is not cheap (it is included which makes it free) and it's the simplest yet most effective sotware firewall out there costing the least amount of network transport "overhead" which in turn reduces your overall network latency. Sorry, CyberMage way off base there.....Lesson # 1 with networking: "keep it simple". (note: the windows firewall loves SINS, I've hosted every game with the windows firewall fully enabled  :D )


2. Please don't tell anyone that "trial and error" is the preferred approach to systems troubleshooting?? Reading, understanding and implementing community-provided guides should always be the preferred approach to systems troubleshooting. Your computer may be different from mine but the network transport issues remain the SAME for all of us.



@Alehkhs

Please read the Technical FAQ and other "stickied" threads at the top of the technical forum. I've written an "easy-to-read-and-understand" guide for SINS networking/multiplayer which is linked-to from POST #66 in my "stickied" thread. Download it, read it, and contact me via xfire (the1monk) if you have any questions regarding the information in that guide. I'll be glad to help.

the Monk
The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
I have managed to join games before (on same network, with no difference in settings), but this is not the first time it has happened.

I do recall alt+tabbing shortly before this occurrence however, and I know that has bad effects on some programs, has this ever happened to anyone else?
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
I have managed to join games before (on same network, with no difference in settings), but this is not the first time it has happened.

I do recall alt+tabbing shortly before this occurrence however, and I know that has bad effects on some programs, has this ever happened to anyone else?
End of quote



Well, now that we have more information....  :D 

Yes, the above does sound like it may be related to a video-bug. Not that I've experienced it myself (I am alt-tab nut and rarely stay in the same screen for long..  ;p )

What kind of video card are you using, and what is the driver version and OS?

thanks,

the Monk
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
@ the Monk

1a. Too bad I cannot edit my previous post anymore : "cheap" was not the best word I could have chosen.

1b. But you cannot generalize the value of the Windows Firewall based on your personal experience. Some people seem to have no problems with it, and I know some people who had a lot of issues with it : that does not constitute proof, one way or the other. Your reply is as dogmatic and biased as my post was -- in the opposite direction. But I do agree that "cheap" was a cheap-shot against Windows.

2a. You misquote me ! I never used the term "preferred" (and I didn't even imply it). That was intellectually dishonest on your part : criticizing a text by editing it a posteriori with invented words is a favourite tactic of conceited fanatics -- since the Middle Ages (if not since earlier).

2b. Well, Lord IT Genius, we "lazy" gamers do not have PhDs in Computer Science and we do not run three high-tech corporations at the same time. We often have to resort to trial-and-error troubleshooting on-the-fly, with or without Internet data-base research.

You quote me out of context AND misrepresent my statement (by inserting your term "preferred", with emphasis). I was just trying to help a fellow gamer : I was not at all indulging (as you have done on other threads) in a pretentious, condescending Lecture.

For one "expert" like you who has an opinion, we can find a-dime-a-dozen other "experts" who will defend a contrary opinion. What you have just written on the Windows Firewall is just that : an opinion.

Since I am far below your level, I won't bother you any further -- not on this thread, and not on any other.
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
Vista 32-bit
Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T7300 @2GHz, 2GHz
RAM 2046MB
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M


Yes, I realize that I'm not exactly running a Max Requirements machine, but as I said, I HAVE connected to games previously.
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
Vista 32-bit
Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T7300 @2GHz, 2GHz
RAM 2046MB
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M


Yes, I realize that I'm not exactly running a Max Requirements machine, but as I said, I HAVE connectred to games previously.
End of quote



Your system specs are fine.  :)  Many people with "less" hardware are running the game very well indeed.

I would like to know what your video driver version is though. Maybe you can post back with that info? Have you checked for an updated video driver?

the Monk
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
what version of the game do you have?