***HELP! Cant Connect at all to SL (Despite our best efforts...)***

I try to connect to SL in my Desktop and every time I click on the connect button the status bar goes off very fast and it prompts a message saying "Unable to connect to Second Life despite our best efforts something unexpected has gone wrong. Please check www.secondlife.com/status to see if there is a known problem with the server."

I can play on my laptop and everything is fine, but my desktop wont even attempt to connect. Does anybody knows why this message appears and why my pc doesn't allow me to connect, or even seems to attempt to??? Please This has me going nutz, and another thing is that my PC is a 512MB RAM and SL says its 511!!! HELP!!!!!


CPU: Intel Pentium 4 Northwood (2800 MHz)
Memory: 511 MB
OS Version: Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
Graphics Card Vendor: NVIDIA Corporation
Graphics Card: GeForce FX 5500/PCI/SSE2
OpenGL Version: 2.1.2
LLMozLib Version: 1.1.0 (Mozilla GRE:1.8.0.12_0000000000)
Viewer Digest: f955e3df-570c-3422-6f47-999476d0b501

Internet connection maybe???

My friend is having the same problem too. Any word?

Anybody? no one knows what could be happening?????

I've got the same problem, same error message. Someone has the solution?

I'm not sure about the others who have this problem but, the OP is trying to use SL on a minimally speced system.

There a few things to try (sorry if these are vague and old chiches but y'all are not giving much information to help out here). Check for more recent drivers for your video cards. Reboot your routers and/or modems. Check to make sure your firewalls are not blocking SL. Shut down any unnecessary background programs (like email checkers, instant messengers, etc). Uninstall SL and reinstall (after the uninstall search your computers for anything SL and manually delete it before the reinstallation). Try another viewer version.

And let us know what you've tried, how you tried it and any helpful information like computer specs. I'm just shooting in the dark here. I suppose no one has answered up to now is that they need more than "I have a problem, can anyone help?"

Well let me see what kind of information I can give you...

I install SL in to my Desktop and it installs successfully, then I run it and it opens without any problems. The problem is that it never connected to the Internet and in the screen it appears th SL logo. I put in my User Name and password and the status bar goes very fast and it prompts the "Despite our best efforts..." message. It looks like it never made the effort to connect to the internet or that for some reason it doesn't even try to do it. I got a Geforce Video Card by Nvidia, so that cant be the problem, my internet works fine with all the programs except SL which doesn't even tries to connect. The same problem I have with the Onrez viewer. About my RAM my PC is 512 MB of RAM but the SL program only displays 511 for some reason. But still the program runs, the problem is that it doesn't tries to connect to the net for some reason. Anything else needed to know ask me. Here is my full system info:



Second Life 1.20.8 (88152) May 22 2008 15:26:00 (Second Life Release Candidate)

CPU: Intel Pentium 4 Northwood (2800 MHz)
Memory: 511 MB
OS Version: Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
Graphics Card Vendor: NVIDIA Corporation
Graphics Card: GeForce FX 5500/PCI/SSE2
OpenGL Version: 2.1.2
LLMozLib Version: [LLMediaImplLLMozLib] - 2.01.15886 (Mozilla GRE version 1.8.1.13_0000000000)

With a P4 Pentium processor, 512 megs RAM, nVidia 5000 series card on a PCI slot your system is pretty dated for a program like SL. I bet your RAM is PC2600 too. All that considered you probably could play SL though at very low settings and most likely will experience a crash rate quite a bit above the average user. But, you could play.

On your connecting to the servers. I could be your system that is causing it.........not recieving the return packets so the servers know you are there, for instance. A few things to try that normally are causes for not connecting to the servers. Reboot your router and and/or modem. Check your firewall to make sure it is not blocking SL. If you are using Norton Anti Virus, that could be your problem.....Norton and McAfee have a history of interferring with SL. I think you mentioned you are connected by cat 5 ethernet cables.......if not, do that. Check your permissions on your network.

If your system was a little stronger I could almost say it's not that.......but you are so close to the edge I still think there is a good possibility that your system just won't work with SL.

I hope one of my suggestions work for you.......if not, I'm sort of out of ideas. Maybe someone else can help out further though.

I rebooted my modem.. and all is well now.

Thx, but I cant work this program, I disabled Norton, Turned off the Windows Fire Wall and nothing. It might be the system as for some reason it only registers 511 RAM. I'll upgrade the Ram soon and see, but does anybody knows what else could be happening that it doesn't seem to connect???

Cant anybody tell me if it could be something I have to activate or deactivate... and if I have the systems requirements cause it sucks that I cant play!!!!

We've done all we know to help you. You can call LL or submit a support ticket if you want but I'm afraid you are going get just about what we've given you. I don't think your system is up to being able to play SL. It may "meet" the minimum reqiirements on the download page but those were given back when SL was a lot less demanding on the systems than it is now. You are going to need at least a gig of RAM. A graphics card comparable to a 6000 series nVidia (7000 would be better). If your graphics does not have 128 megs of video RAM then you will need some help on the system RAM (meaning more like 1.5 gigs).

Sorry, SL is not a game that every computer can play. It's probably the most demanding game out there. Wish I had better news.

Editing to add that there are no magic settings except the lower all the sliders in the preferrences. But, you can't even get that far. There is no way around needing a computer that has the "muscle" to play. The computer does not have to be some power gaming box..........but it needs more than what you've listed as your computer.

Actually Im getting the same error, and my PC meets all the requirements. It seems to be something with the connection. Because the program opens smoothly the only problem is that it doesn't seem to connect!! Its very frustrating because I got no IDEA what it is. I have a DSL connection and every program that uses the internet connects ok, but SL doesn't even try to. Im not running a Firewall just Norton and I disabled it, but nothing. I also tried everything Peggy said but still I cant run it in my desktop. I got a laptop too and I get to play there but my desktop doesn't seem to be able t connect. Maybe it has a firewall or I might have to enable or disable something? Thx for the help, its appreciated!!!!

If you are using Vista then you do have a firewall. You can disable it but to be honest I used Vista's firewall for a few months and it gave me no problems at all with SL.

Hope you dont mind me jumping in on this thread,but im having the same problem.
When i open up the "about" window its telling me the following:

CPU: Intel Core Series Processor (1595 MHz)
Memory: 1014 MB
OS Version: Microsoft Windows Vista (Build 6000)
Graphics Card Vendor: Intel
Graphics Card: Intel 945GM
OpenGL Version: 1.4.0 - Build 7.14.10.1437
LLMozLib Version: [LLMedialLLMozLib] - 2.01.16001 (Mozilla GRE version 1.8.1.13_0000000000)
Viewer Digest: bb2966f6-cf81-a0de-1e21-dcd21f05428a

I never used to have any problems running SL but havent been able to log on since christmas.
Is my system just not up to running it anymore?

Thanks for any help people.

This is the exact same problem I'm having, and I don't understand!! Because for example your PC meets the requirement of SL. So whats going on? Cause I still believe it has to do something with the PC configuration. What exactly, thats what I don't know. I'll keep on digging to see whats wrong with our PC's that doesn't allow us to run SL.

im jumping in as well! my comp ran sl fine up til new year
had a gap of a couple of months not loggin on then tried all last week no joy,crash log appears goes mad and then error message appears.
defrag last night and files cleared,cache cleared,uninstalled sl ,reboot,reinstall and then sl worked!
tonight same story cannot get back into sl....oh its such a pain
HELPPPPPPPPPP

The "Despite Our Best Efforts.............." error message usually indicates that for some reason your computer did not connect with the LL servers. Or connected with errors that prevents a successful log in. That is not a crash. The client is still running (and probably properly) but could not do your requested log in. If all you are are getting is the error message the OP posted you need to look at your network or the networks between your computer and LL's servers............that is a lot of stuff to look at. I can help out with a bit of information about SL............it is working (there is no wide spread problem that has been lingering since the first of the year for people attempting to log in........intermittant problems, yeah, there have been a number of those).

I always say the first step when this happens is to look at your network........either a single computer on a modem or several computers connecting through a router and modem. Try rebooting your router and modems...........it's the easiest step and often solves the problem. And the second thing is if you are using a wireless connection that may be your problem. A lot of people have no problems with wireless but, I believe, an equal lot of people do..............try a hard wired connection.

But, I think some of you are actually crashing which is a completely different problem. This thread has become very confusing to me. If you are crashing, give us comething to work with...........like your computer specs, how you connect.........stuff like that. Everyone who reads this forum is interested in your problem. Some have suggestions and fixes, some have insight to what may be causing the problems. I know I want to help...........hell, I ask for help myself. And there are several others here just like me. But we really can't do a thing without some information. A "yeah, me too" does not give anyone a single thing to work with.

hi peggy from reading some of these forums you seem to have a greater understanding of computers!
the spec on my comp is as follows:

windows xp
media centre edition version 2002,sp2
pentium(r) D
cpu 3.40ghz
2 gb ram
nvidia geforce 7600 gs

The error/crash happens when i try and log in,the sl black screen appears,then the crash bar runs on the top left of the screen and flickers,followed by a pop up in the middle saying that sl has crashed.

On the further details tab,off the pop up,the details are as follows:
error signature name
app name.secondlife.exe appver 1.19.14 modname unknown
mod ver 0.0.0.0 offset 00060144
error report contents
i have noticed that the offset number is always slightly different at times i.e. 00060116,0006017e etc

The detailed report is sooo long i havent a clue! not that any of the above makes much sense to me.
Yesterday i deleted the sl cache,uninstalled s.l.,deleted files and did a defrag
rebooted reinstalled sl and it worked (a.m.) then in the evening back to square one.
hope this may give you some idea of the problem! its sooo frustrating!!!
thanks in advance peggy

I have just noticed in the crash log that flickers it says:
sending to alternate server 1

Second Life 1.20.8 (88152) May 22 2008 15:26:00 (Second Life Release Candidate)

CPU: Intel Pentium 4 Northwood (2800 MHz)
Memory: 511 MB
OS Version: Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
Graphics Card Vendor: NVIDIA Corporation
Graphics Card: GeForce FX 5500/PCI/SSE2
OpenGL Version: 2.1.2
LLMozLib Version: [LLMediaImplLLMozLib] - 2.01.16042 (Mozilla GRE version 1.8.1.13_0000000000)


I have a DSL connection through a Modem, now I'm sure it isn't my connection cause I'm able to connect to SL perfectly in a laptop with the same connection, so it has to be the PC. What it does is that I open SL and it doesn't even contacts LL servers cause as I hit connect the status bar goes very fast and it prompts the message so it has to be something my PC has not enabled or something thats is not allowing the PC to connect to the servers. I already turned off the norton, uninstalled it, and still the same prob, I also turned off the Windows firewall which I think is the only firewall I have and still nothing. Its weird because Im able to run every program that need an internet connection like Limewire, iTunes, etc.... So I'm wondering what could be stopping my Pc from accessing the LL servers, any ideas??????? If any more info is required ask me what u need 2 know, thx Peggy!!

Hahaha......why me? I'm just a user with some experience with SL and some of it's weirdness. And, sort of knowledgable about how to maintain a computer/basic trouble shoot........no expert by any means.

Three things come to mind from your post:
1.....you say you are using RC 1.20.5. I believe the latest RC is up to 10 (1.20.10).
2.....your system RAM is only 512. I know the minimum requirements page says that is enough.......it isn't. You need at least 1 gig.
3.....Your video card is a 5000 series nVidia. That's a pretty old card.......check nVidia's website for the latest driver for that card.
4....And a 4th I just thought of........you say you are sure it's not your modem. Just for giggles try rebooting it anyway. It's simple enough.......just shut down your computer then unplug the modem from the electrical source for about 3 minutes the plug it back in. Reboot and see if that helps you out. Also, I get the impression there is a router there too since you said your laptop connects okay. Reboot the router too if you have one.

Of course you've done the almost mandatory "clear cache" and relog?

Hope some of that helps.

tried everything funny all other programs work IMVU , KENEVA do just fine with my system.
IT must be SL. restricting accounts for some reason, or the new upgraded features lockin people out. Im afraid if i keep making all these changes to my computer i will mess it up.
Perhaps a complete system restore will work but then i have to reinstall all of my programs including all MS Office and get new licenses for them. Either that or just wait for the new version to download.

OMG!!! i nearly had a stroke, today i changed my system memory to let windows handle my memory and virtual memory. Later i went to the sl web page and logged in then clicked on a slurl location. the sl program launched but froze for a while then suddenly the screen slowly came up and a window saying my system did not meet the requirements and my graphics card is out dated. SL may run but the performance would be poor my system does not meet memory requirement. So i was able to clear the cache from preferences but lost the internet connection. I had to close all programs and restart, cant get back in explorer crashes and dr watson came up. But Jeez that was one exciting moment!!!!

fix it. internet cafes or game zones will let you rent a pc specially configured for gaming with
ALL the spec needed for sl. costs $3-10 per hour or $25 for the whole day.

and after 6-8 days you could have bought a stomping gaming pc upgrade yourself