sounds like the same prob i have, and so far i aint been able to get around it
my mate also tryed the same thing and he has a direct conx, the server gets listed on the global list but no one can join.

anyone out there know anything?

Devil

I had this problem for 7 days connecting from home to a server I controlled and knew was not the issue. I also had the previous 7 days of problem free connecting from home, so my issues were well defined. I tested the router, then the cable modem, and it turned out the cable modem was dropping packets just enough to make steady connections impossible. I had Internet, albeit slow, and I could see the global server lists, but no connections. Look to the hardware if you're sure all aspects of the packet passing to and from your location are allowed.

Browclops

Are all your firewalls out that can help.

When it is going good, then you know where you must look!


Jericon

Ok .... it sounds like a similar problem I had....I dont know your level of knowledge, so if it sounds like I am talking to you like an infant, i appoligize...
ok!!?!?
Here are things to check
1- is the server dedicated?? If not, then try hosting a Dedicated server game and either call or gamevoice your friends and see if they can join it. if this doesnt work, then you might want to check this:
1a) check your DirectX version- 9.0a is out and should make multiplayer more stable. This is what worked for my machines...
1b) insure your friends can PING your IP, and visa versa. It might be on thier end...ask them to try and join another server....
1c) check your router for any updates to its BIOS- sometimes this might be hard or simple.. pending on your router...
1d) since you have a router, make sure the ports are open for THAT ip address(192.168.x.x) - or open up the router for all ports to eliminate this issue...
1e) try joining a multiplayer game yourself and have your friends join the same one... if everyone can join it, then you know it on your end and not thiers...

2) if the server is dedicated and you connect to it thru a 2nd computer, then you can try this...
2a) before launching the dedicated server on the one PC, boot up the second and make sure you have the same version of the game(mods) and directX on both machines...
2b) launch your game and server - goto multiplayer and connect thru INTERNET - see if your server comes on the list; it should have something like: 192.168.x.x - your dedicated machine - THIS IS NOT THE SAME IP YOU GIVE TO YOUR FRIENDS...
If you dont know your own IP address the WWW see's, goto: www.whatismyip.com This will show you your ip to your cable/dsl modem and is the IP for your server.
2c) if all else fails, save your router settings and reboot your router and modem with nothing else turned on. This lets your router to re-establish connection between the WWW and your house and clears out the cache. boot your machine and check the router settings and make sure that the ports for that IP address are still open...

Microsoft has an ongoing forum as well.. check them out if none of my suggestions work.... But i hope this helps..
Striker

"Ive come to kick ass and chew bubblegum...and Im all out of gum"

one more thing...

There is a README file on the CD - check it out if you havent yet...there is good info on there...

Hope this helps

Striker

"Ive come to kick ass and chew bubblegum...and Im all out of gum"

hey striker511

very nice list u made there, and im sure for most people that will work, but i think i have tryed all of that already, apart from the ping (never works) everything else works fine, i can connect to a sever with mates, and i can host and it gets listed but no one can join p.s the FIRST time i hosted a server it DID work - just any other time it dont.

same for my mate and he has a direct conx.

btw i never did say thx...so thx striker511

Devil

Just a real quick test you can try:

Start FL from a cmd line:

\\file location\freelancer.exe /s server IP address

I had a similar problem and had my friends connect his way.. no issues now.