Can't even install - connect problem

Oh, where to start...

I've tried to get this game to install on my system for over a week now with no luck. I have a home network with my wife's computer and a laptop on the network. I've installed the game on the other computers with no problem...but when I try to install on my computer - no luck.

Here's what happens. Insert the game CD, screen pops up saying "Connecting to ArenaNet" with a progress bar. Progress gets to 3/4 of the way through and then stalls...nothing else happens.

I've tried opening ports (6112), disabling firewalls, updated drivers, turned off antivirus software, even buying a new network card (hey, it was worth a try...huh?). Nothing. Bypassed the router and went directly from the DSL modem...same thing. I've all but eliminated the problem from being a network problem. I can run other on-line games (ie. WoW) just fine.

So then I figure that if the other computers work, why don't I try setting up Internet Connection Sharing to use a "working" computer to install. Actually made "some" progress there. Actually got a connect to ArenaNet server for enough time to get to a download screen (presumably downloading update content)... only to run into that stall again.

I'm completely at a loss as to why I can't seem to connect to the server. It's like their server is just ignoring me. ?? I've run some IP monitoring software which shows activity to and from their server...but thats all it shows. Still after about 2-3 minutes, just stalls and nothing else happens.

Could it be some mysterious hidden setting deep within the bowels of WinXP SP2 that has been turned on/off? I'm at a loss (for words and of $50 for a game I can't play.) I've contacted thier support team (which has got to be the worst I've ever seen)...but all they can do is offer is canned responses which typically have nothing to do with my problem. I wonder sometimes if they are even reading my responses...

Anyone out there have a similar problem? Any computer whiz kids out there can lend some help?? PLEASE! This is driving me crazy!

I'm dying here...

well,
perhaps i can give you another option to look for.
my comp (win XP ) is behind (LAN) another "firewall" comp (Linux) that is connected via DSL to my provider.
It happened on my first guild wars days that i could get the connect to the main Arena net server ( screen after starting the client ) but on the download screen the progress bar didn't increase.

i did some network sniffing and found out that the first connect is towards a single arena net server. He gives you several download servers to which your client tries to connect afterwards for download. These connections have the purpose of data transmission which leads to the fact that the IP packet size got fully used up to my MTU (Max Transfer Unit Size ) Size.

And here was my problem:
the game pc had a network MTU setting of 1500 on the LAN card ( default ) and the linux / firewall PC had a 1492 MTU Size (optimized for DSL ). The automatic traffic reshaping didn't seem to work, or the guild wars client couldn't accept it - whatsoever.

The Solution:
lowered the MTU size on my game PC to 1492 and that's it.
( i have to remember that fact - everytime i reinstalled my comp since then. )

so perhaps you check your MTU size - the setting is buried in the registry of Win XP - just make a search in the internet on somehting like "adjusting MTU size" .

PS:
Arena support couldn't help - they always assured just a setup is used by their devs as well, without any problems.
And that they don't do any security checksum ( which was my first guess ) in that stage of connection )

Notice
1492 is my setting - it may be less for your setting (depends on line quality)

Thanks Socke for the response. Sounds interesting and I will give that a try as soon as I can. I'll let you know how it works.

Just as an odd out of the blue suggestion, is your network cable ok? I saw a couple of posts about people who had kinks in their cable that caused problems with their connection.

Should check and make sure theres nothing on it or bending it.

Yeah, unfortunately I've ruled that out also.



I've been messing with ping programs to see if there's a problem with the network and keep getting the same result, like this...

Target Name: ftp.guildwars.com
IP: 64.154.197.2
Date/Time: 5/19/2005 1:20:19 PM

1 249 ms 262 ms nas155.Chicago1.Level3.net [63.215.29.196]
2 221 ms 213 ms unknown.Level3.net [63.215.1.3]
3 182 ms 173 ms ae-1-51.bbr1.Chicago1.Level3.net [4.68.101.1]
4 209 ms * as-1-0.bbr2.LosAngeles1.Level3.net [64.159.0.246]
5 N/A 215 ms ge-2-1-54.car3.LosAngeles1.Level3.net [4.68.102.101]
6 * * [-]

Destination not reached in 35 hops

Is this normal? Just wondering...

I tried ping and traceroute one day multiple times with no responses. Other people (on a different forum) have related the same issue. Apparently, their server/firewall is configured to ignore any ping or traceroute packets. I am guessing that behavior is part of a "denial of service attack" defense strategy.

This was happening to me.

Apparently there was still a remnant of a firewall remaining that was screwing it up. I just had to track it down.

I had the same problem , I have cable and my cable modem is seperate from the router. All I had to do is bypass the router and it worked fine, Im looking for info now on what ports GW uses to connect, routers usually only have a certain number of ports open and looks like the game is trying to use one that is closed