Disconnecting issue SOLVED...

[Eohmer]

Many thanx to TwistidSoul and eticket109, I managed to get MY zones fixed.
Basically, you just have to go into your router set up and change your MAC address on your LAN.
You can go here on a guide to change your MAC address on a Linksys router...

http://www.overclock.net/networking-security/16451-how-change-your-ip-linksys-router.html

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Disconnecting issue SOLVED...

Talked to POL customer service once about this matter. When you cross into another zone, you're actually connecting to another server within your world server. Sometimes, with an update, some changes can to your own configurations can occur, so the server no longer recognizes your usual address and you get timed out when you access the next zone's server.

This actually happened with me shortly after the December update on PS2, something within FFXI changed and I couldn't access Omgwtfbbqkitten after I zoned her into East Sarutabaruta and timed out, then I couldn't log in as her at all. Then I took my mule, Omgwtfbbqkitty, to East Saruta and the same thing happened again. I timed out and couldn't access that character.

That considered I was scared to move Foobar out of South Sandoria.

You have to reset your MAC address, reset your router or re-wire your cable into another slot of your router so the server has an entirely new address to access instead of some old configuration that doesn't quite mesh with the current one on the server.

So, yeah, its not that pol.exe thing, it really is you.

[Eohmer]

Re: Disconnecting issue SOLVED...

You have to reset your MAC address, reset your router or re-wire your cable into another slot of your router so the server has an entirely new address to access instead of some old configuration that doesn't quite mesh with the current one on the server.

So, yeah, its not that pol.exe thing, it really is you.

Hmm, interesting. I didn't know about the server thing... Thanx for that.

I DID change my MAC address and I DID reset my router, but I used the same ports.

[Avenius]

Re: Disconnecting issue SOLVED...

So, the router is the core of the issue here? I tried rewiring my connection straight from my broadband modem to the computer, but I still experienced the same issue. So I guess in my case the router can't be the problem, can it?

I did a reset of the router first, after trying in vain to find a way to change the lan/wan mac address(es?). That didn't help either, which is why I tried hooking the computer straight to the modem.

So, for those here who might know something about this, do you have any ideas?

(And I still don't quite grasp how this can be a local problem when it only affects FFXI, though I suppose it could be sort of hard to explain.)

[WishMaster3K]

Re: Disconnecting issue SOLVED...

I live in a dorm, hence... no problems. But this is odd because the issue is SO widespread.

I guess the update really fudged up the settings hardcore.

[Eohmer]

Re: Disconnecting issue SOLVED...

Yeah... mind boggling...

And how would PS2 users fix it? Can you change the MAC address on a PS2 and/or 360?

[WishMaster3K]

Re: Disconnecting issue SOLVED...

Technically you can't change your MAC address, because it's hard-burned into the interface during manufacturing.

What the OP is referring to is going into the router, and making the router's MAC address be your PC's MAC address. Most (if not all) routers nowadays have the ability to "MAC Address Clone," it's just a matter of finding it and implementing it.

[Eohmer]

Re: Disconnecting issue SOLVED...

Well, those 2 zones I kept DCing are working fine now for me...

Now... I DC in La Theine Plateue.

/sigh

[TwistidSoul]

Re: Disconnecting issue SOLVED...

Does anyone know why I can remove my router from the system and plug my modem directly into my computer to change my IP address, but changing the MAC address of my router and unplugging everything overnight doesn't change my IP address?

I'm still only able to enter certain zones by removing my router. >.<

[Clever Ninja]

Re: Disconnecting issue SOLVED...

Doesn't really solve it, only randomizes it. My brother is having the DC issues and can't even attempt this since he's behind a campus connection.

[raidenn]

Re: Disconnecting issue SOLVED...

I have an example:
I dc in Jugner. So when it happens, you'll be able to still move your character while that * downloading data.. message is going on for a minute or two. Move your character away from the area and zone out of the area. As soon as you're sure you're in another zone, log out of ffxi and playonline. Start Playonline and ffxi and you'll be ok. Thats what I did yesterday and it worked.

[Omniblast]

Re: Disconnecting issue SOLVED...

Does anyone know why I can remove my router from the system and plug my modem directly into my computer to change my IP address, but changing the MAC address of my router and unplugging everything overnight doesn't change my IP address?

I'm still only able to enter certain zones by removing my router. >.<

Are you talking about your 192.168.x.x IP address for your computer?

If you are, then the modem cable or dsl assigns you a global IP address that your computer uses. Sometimes it's dynamic, sometimes it's static. Anyways, the IP address from your cable number is your global address, and it can change whenever you request a new number or whenever your dsl/cable provider changes one for you. Your Router IP address is always assigned to you by your router through dhcp or by static. If your router is randomly dropping you, something might not be working correctly on your router and changing the MAC address doesn't really help it. Unless your cable/dsl provider knows what mac address your computer uses, it doesn't really matter.

If this isn't what you mean, please dis-regard this post.
And yes, most routers can clone your MAC addy.

[TwistidSoul]

Re: Disconnecting issue SOLVED...

Thank you Omni, that helps. Unfortunately, I've now got an additional problem. When I plug my modem directly into my computer, I can't get through Playonline Viewer to FFXI. It lets me login and gets through the "Checking Friends List/Email" stuff, but the screen just after you log in doesn't pop up. The screen is blank and if I wait long enough, I get "The network is busy, or there are problems with your connection or proxy server". For some odd reason, my connection let's me get past log in, but not beyond that. I don't have this problem when my router is plugged in. I can get into FFXI with my router, but have the R0 problem in certain zones (which wouldn't be such a big problem if Ru'Lude wasn't one of them, but I need to do my genkai 4 on this character >.<)

And yes, most routers can clone your MAC addy.

Could this fix my problem?

[Clever Ninja]

Re: Disconnecting issue SOLVED...

Depends on your connection. If you have the modem available(which you apparently do) then it might. But if its anything like what my lil bro is going through then it won't matter, since he had to register through the Campus IT department for internet access, and tis done via mac address. And cloning it wouldn't even let him on the web.

It's obviously an issue with certain ISP's, cause here in NYC I'm experiencing no dc issues whatsoever.

[TwistidSoul]

Re: Disconnecting issue SOLVED...

Alright, I cloned my MAC address and now with my router plugged in, I'm getting the same behavior as I do with the modem connected directly to my computer. This is a good thing. If it's now acting like it does when I just have the modem hooked up, it makes me think I can now go to those select areas without going R0.

Now, I'm just left with one problem. I still can't get to the screen in Playonline Viewer where you click "Games" and choose Final Fantasy XI. I can log in no problem and get past "Retrieving Emails" and "Retrieving Messages", but after that, the screen remains blank. This problem didn't exist before I cloned my MAC address. Any idea what's causing it and how I can fix it without going back to the router's default MAC address? Thanks for your help everyone