MSG: Contacting Server - Troubleshooting 101

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[FONT=Verdana]Ventrilo uses Industry Standard TCP/IP communication protocols (TCP & UDP) in its client/server connection. When there are connectivity issues it is most likely due to 3rd party applications that have the capability of blocking ports, ie: Firewalls, Anti-virus, routers, etc. (other factors may include LAN card drivers/configuration or your ISP). Some firewall applications will notify you with a popup window that a certain application is trying to make internet connectivity, but there are those that do not notify you. In the latter case it is up to you to configure the firewall to “allow” a specific application access to the internet, with the options for both incoming and outgoing.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]There are well over 1 Million+ users, with just as many different system/network configurations, that are able to connect without a problem so it's just a matter of figuring out your individual system configuration settings.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Listed below are items to check for possible interferrence.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]General Information: [URL="http://forum.ventrilo.com/showthread.php?t=23257"]http://forum.ventrilo.com/showthread.php?t=23257[/URL][/FONT]

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[FONT=Verdana]Basic Network Test[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Perform these basic tests to check for valid network connectivity to the server:[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Make sure the server is running (this will also verify the ipaddress/port# are correct) > [URL="http://ventrilo.com/status.php"]http://ventrilo.com/status.php[/URL][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana](enter the serverhostname and port# found in the vent client server setup)[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Try powering off the modem-router-pc (in that order) for at least 60 seconds each (this will clear all cached data)[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Perform a traceroute to the server and post the results:[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Start > Run[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]cmd[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]tracert serverhostname(found in server setup)[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Try telneting to the server:[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Start > Run[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]cmd[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]telnet serverhostname port#[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana](where serverhostname={the server ipaddress or hostname of the server you’re trying to connect to (found in vent client server setup)} and port#={port associated with that server}[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana](example: “telnet 75.125.43.51 3784” or “telnet [URL="http://www.myserver.com"]www.myserver.com[/URL] 3784” without the quotes)[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]If telnet is able to connect then the screen will clear. Hitting the ESC key should end the connection.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]If telnet is not able to connect then you will see an error message stating such. If telnet fails then Vent won't connect either as telnet uses the same TCP protocol, which is part of the network operating system. If it can't make a tcp connection then something is preventing the connection on that specific port#.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Note: Users running the Vista Operating System must first enable telnet.exe[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][URL="http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/81b6d4b7-905e-4d70-8379-7934913fedb01033.mspx#EO"]http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/81b6d4b7-905e-4d70-8379-7934913fedb01033.mspx#EO[/URL][/FONT]

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[FONT=Verdana]Windows Firewall[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Start > Control Panel > Windows Firewall > Exceptions Tab[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Click the “Add Program…” button[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Find Ventrilo in the list or click the “Browse” button and navigate to the folder with Ventrilo.exe[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Windows Defender[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Start > Control Panel > Windows Defender[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Click on “Tools”[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Click the “Quarantined items” link[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Verify that Ventrilo is not in the list[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Windows DEP[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Start > Help and Support[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Type “DEP” into the search box[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Select the “To turn Data Execution Prevention on or off for a program” link and follow the directions[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Vista[/FONT][FONT=Verdana] – User Account Control (UAC)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Start > Control Panel > User Accounts[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Select “Turn User Account Control on or off”[/FONT]

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[FONT=Verdana]Anti-Virus Programs[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]There are many Anti-virus programs that inspect the application’s version information to see if it has changed. If there is a difference then confirmation is required if the program will be allowed to run. Sometimes the user does not see this request and hence the program is permanently banned from accessing the network. This technique is used by A/V programs to prevent system components, or other applications, from being spoofed by a Trojan/virus. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]It is beyond the scope of this text to explain how to adjust every Anti-virus/Firewall application but will attempt to describe in general terms what to look for. Please consult your product’s documentation for a more detailed explanation.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Here are some places to look in order to find your product’s control-panel program:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Start > All Programs > {A/V name}[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Start > Control Panel > {A/V name}[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Windows System Tray (The system tray is located in the Windows Taskbar, usually at the bottom right corner next to the clock). Typically right-click on the icon to access a menu or double-left-click to start the program.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Once you start the program, find the advanced settings for either Applications or Internet. Look for any/all entries of Ventrilo and remove them. While here you can re-enter Ventrilo into the list. There should be an option to “Add” a program to the list by clicking a “Browse” button. The default path for Ventrilo is C:\PROGRAM FILES\VENTRILO (your harddrive letter may be different).[/FONT]

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[FONT=Verdana]Network Properties[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Start > Control Panel > Network[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Listed below are some options that can be changed in order to troubleshoot connectivity[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Disable all unused LAN ports. (some newer PC’s include both a wireless as well as a wired network connection)[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Disable QoS Packet Scheduler – Quality Of Service[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]VPN Software – temporarily disable to troubleshoot[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Click the “Configure” button next to network card name[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]There may be a Checksum Offload property, if so choose the Disabled option. Not all network card drivers will list the name as "Checksum Offload" exactly, but it should be named something similar. Most cards that include this option are built-in to motherboards using the nForce chipset. This may also be listed as Hardware Checksumming.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Try changing the Speed/Duplex to Force 100 Full Duplex. If you have an older router you may need to use base 10 full duplex. This may also be listed as Media Type/Connection Type.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]If there is a Power Management tab in your network card properties, click it and unselect the "allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" if selected.[/FONT]

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[FONT=Verdana]Solutions from Ventrilo Users[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana](these are listed here due to unique configurations)[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]1. If you are running a motherboard with nVidia chipset and have "NVIDIA Forceware Network Access Manager" installed from the Forceware package try uninstalling it as it is an add-on you don't need that only conflicts with Vista.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]2. Router w/Speedboost - [URL="http://forum.ventrilo.com/showthread.php?t=29288"]http://forum.ventrilo.com/showthread.php?t=29288[/URL][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]3. Thinking Outside the Box - [URL="http://forum.ventrilo.com/showthread.php?t=35315"]http://forum.ventrilo.com/showthread.php?t=35315[/URL][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]4. The Ventrilo2.INI file becomes corrupt. (this is rare but has been seen to cause connection problems)[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Exit Ventrilo[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Goto START > RUN and enter: %appdata%\ventrilo[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Right-click on Ventrilo2.ini and select “Rename”[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Give the file a different name[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]or[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Delete the Ventrilo folder[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Restart vent[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Re-enter your username and server information[/FONT]

Mobile Wi-Fi/Broadband Adapters

Check the device configuration for "Proxy" settings and try disabling it.

[URL]http://forum.ventrilo.com/showthread.php?t=39591[/URL]

(consult the device documentation for location of settings)

Verizon FIOS Firewall

[URL]http://forum.ventrilo.com/showthread.php?t=39948[/URL]

[Prog-Rocker]

[FONT=Verdana]Booting Into Safe-Mode[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Restart Windows[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Keep hitting the F8 function key before the the Windows logo appears. You should see a list of options to choose from. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Select “Safe Mode with Networking”. This will boot windows into a very basic configuration but also allow network drivers to load.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Start Ventrilo to see if it connects all the way. If it works properly then there is something that is loading during the normal boot that is interferring with the connections.[/FONT]