Issues. (Aka: Verifying Protocol Version)

So a few nights ago I decided to join Second Life (membership) and got the basic plan. All was going well, no problems --

I convinced my boyfriend (who uses the same network) to get it too.

Last night, I logged in fine with no problems. But he got the "Verifying Protocol Version" for about 20 seconds and then it took him back to the login screen. We tried a lot (reboot, checked firewalls, re-install), but he could not get in.

Now today -- He's in. Yay? No. Today I tried logging in, and now it's my turn to have "Verifying Protocol Version".

I'm sorry, but I'm very annoyed. We can't play together? Can someone PLEASE help. If we can't play, there's really no point in being a member, now is there?

A little ticked.

-Minai

Are you two sharing a single IP through a router? This sounds like it could be a problem with how the router is handling NAT for UDP. There have been a few threads on the feasibility of making it work, but it's kinda up to how the router handles it if that's the case. UDP is a tricky protocol to handle for NAT.

I had that verifying protocol problem too! I had my network administrator open up a port for me to see if that's the problem, and I'm still getting bumped back to the login screen with some message about cannot find server or server may be down. I'm not a techy, so I didn't understand the comment about routers, but I may be hooked to a hub. What I can tell you is that our network is set up through ethernet connections and our server is probably unix-based. I'm running XP on a AMD 1800+ motherboard and just installed an nvidea 5600 card. I'm wondering if this is a network problem solely could there be some other reason for the unsuccessful logging on. Is there any way to tell on Second Life's end what happens when I try logging on?

Morrisette,

I've seen your increasingly desperate postings about your problems of logging in. I'm afraid I can't help - I'm not tecchie enough - it's a bit like passing a drowning person and being unable to swim. I just wanted to say that I do hope you manage to get it sorted out eventually.

Have you tried [email]support@secondlife.com[/email]?

I did try support but made the mistake of trying to diagnose the problem myself and they gave me the port and IP addresses to make available. But when I saw the other person's posting about stalling during the verifying protocol process, I realized there may be another problem other than being behind a firewall. I think it just isn't practical to run this program from my work computer but that's the only computer I have that is modern enough to run second life. I'll try support again. Thanks!

Minai:

I'm sorry you are having problems. Going through support is usually the best way to get specific help; however, if you know the make and model of your router, I can tell you if it's on our "known problems" list or not.

Router, in this case, refers to whichever box allows you and your boyfriend to use your network connection at the same time.

For what it's worth, our entire office connects to Second Life from behind a NAT, so it's certainly a well tested setup. However, many of the consumer "DSL/Cable modem router" devices are completely broken, and there's nothing we can do about it.

Morrisette:

You should contact support, and include the exact text of the error message that comes up when you try to connect. That should go a long way towards letting us figure out what part isn't working correctly.