Random Network Connection Errors

[Age_R]

Hi Guys,

Have been playing Wipeout HD for about a week since joining with absolutely no problems.

Tonight I now randomly get kicked out of online play with 'Network Error: Cannot contact server' or similar related messages.

I can login to online play every time, and join a game every time, I just usually get kicked out after about a lap or two, consistently in the first race anyway.

Have no such trouble playing other games online eg. GT5, LBP .. running Internet Connection Test is fine, Type 2 NAT etc. so I have no clue what it could be.

Please help !! I really love the game this is so annyoying out of the blue.

[blackwiggle]

Try changing your selected online location.
Go to online where the boards are, then press square, you will have a choice to select between EU, US, AUS, JAP, KR.

This has worked before for others that have suffered this problem, if it works for a while then the same problem returns just change back to your original.
Sometimes it's just server overload that causes it, so switching to another sorts it.

It could also be somebody else in your household is using the internet at the same time and is slowing down your upload speed, so you get disconnected.

Also, if using a wireless modem, do a check to see how many devices are using it, you wouldn't be the first to get a nasty shock if you find that you next door neighbor has been connecting to the internet via your wireless modem.

[Age_R]

blackwiggle - thanks so much for the tip of changing zones I will definately give this a go.

I have suspected things like LAN congestion, I am on wireless but my PC was idle not running any downloads or filesharing software etc. and my WLAN is secured with WPA2 (though I'll double check tonight for any stray clients) so I'm fairly sure its not a local issue.

Again hope I can get it resolved !!! Loving this game ..

[Frailavi]

If it's possible, try directly connecting your PS3 to the modem for a little while and see if your troubles continue. It's not a permanent solution, but it does help diagnose the problem.

With a router in the way it could be one of many things (As much as NAT2 should say it's fine, always better to check).

[Age_R]

Frailavi - thanks for the tip.

The PS3 is permanently wired to the Modem/Router via CAT5 cabling, only my laptop PC and (which I occaisionally run PS3 Media Server) is on Wireless connection - so I am fairly sure its not a LAN/WLAN issue.

[Frailavi]

But the router is the most likely issue, just bypassing it for a bit to see if the problem continues can rule out a lot of possibilities.

[blackwiggle]

Most Modem/Routers are built as a single combined units now days, I haven't had separate units for years.
What's more worrying for me is I've been looking at upgrading, as the whole of Australia is getting a new National Broadband overhaul to super fast cable [100mbs]
But there are very few wired modems if you look at manufacturers sites, most of them are wireless, which makes having super fast broadband pointless if you throttle it at the last stage because of wirelesses transmission/receive limitations.

[amplificated]

I think that's the case here, but typically it depends on your connection type, BW. Cable is a completely different beast to A/DSL.

Also, if the modems you're looking at upgrading to are ADSL, I can't see how the actual connection to the internet can be wireless - I haven't heard of a wireless telephone line connection? Most ADSL modems would require a connection to the phone line, which is always physical. I think the wireless you're referring to is the router side of things, in which case you're better off just getting a proper router - which would nearly always be a vastly better option than using a modem's routing/multi-connection capability.

If you're thinking of upgrading because of the NBN, I'd definitely hold off until you know what kind of modems you'll be getting. ADSL modems will not work with a fiber-optic service, but the NBN modems will definitely be able to plug into any router. The NBN modems will most likely be handed to you as part of installation anyway, and you'll probably never have to change or upgrade it again.

Shopping for a dedicated router opens up more options for home networking capabilities, also. I'd rather have a basic modem that does an admirable job of being connected to the interwebs, and have it plugged into a router rather than have a "wireless modem" any day.

[Age_R]

I've been looking at new modems to replace my existing Router/Modem combo, mainly to get 802.11n into my house, currently 802.11g is a bottleneck at 52Mbps (Streaming HD via PS3 Media Server over Wireless often breaks up).

An 802.11n Modem/Router running Wireless at 300Mbps should be no bottleneck either for streaming video, or accessing the new NBN at 100Mbps.

This Router seemed like the best choice for me, as it provides a FTTx ready port for when your NBN link does come in, and offers a 4-port Gigabit switch incase the Wireless is still an issue.

http://www.billion.com/product/wireless/BiPAC-7800N-11n-ADSL2-Broadband-Firewall-Router-Gigabit.html

I wouldn't ever have my PS3 running over wireless, only for laptops and other mobile devices in the house ..

[amplificated]

Yeah, those features sound neat. However, don't shop on features alone: do some research first and see if there are any common user complaints. If the router seizes up every other day and you have to reset it, it's going to be ever so mildly annoying - and that's said from experience :( Especially when it seizes up while you're playing a game.

If routing is your problem it might just be worthwhile getting a cheapie to fill in until you're sure you can get something that will last a while when the NBN comes your way.

[Age_R]

I really dont think my Router/Modem or ISP is the problem - I've had fantastic performance for several years, and my current one is a Billion Bipac like the new one mentioned above so I'd have no hesistation recommending the brand overall :)

Also all other online games (GT5, LBP etc.) as mentioned have no problems connecting, and the Internet Test from PS3 Network Settings is absolutely fine.

I'll be testing the changing of servers tonight as per blackwiggles original suggestion hopefully that fixes my issue with Wipeout ..

[blackwiggle]

Ampflicated
I have never used wireless for any long term installation, it has always been a PITA, and I have always got better performance via cabled set up.
So that is what I use.
So come the roll out of the National Broadband Upgrade, I for one will not be stupid enough to throttle it by using any sort of wireless interface.

Wireless distribution would kill any gains gotten via optical fiber directly to the home.
I know that, you seem to know it, but I bet the vast majority of people don't either know it, or expect a massive speed increase while using wireless as it is known now.
Which isn't going to happen.

[Age_R]

Well I'm sorry to report I'm still getting the network errors and disconnections from Wipeout HD :(

I tried changing all the different locations, confirmed no other clients on wireless, rebooted router, disabled UPnP on the PS3 but still the network disconnections occur.

Is there a support email for Studio Liverpool I can email with the issue ? I seem to recall hearing about one on here somewhere.

Thanks to everyone again for their help - if theres any other suggestions please let me know I'm suprised I am on the only one getting the problem.

[blackwiggle]

Have you tried connecting with a different PSN user account?
There was a problem 2 years ago where people couldn't connect with their primary PSNID, but they could when they made a second account.
Their problem was that they couldn't connect at all, maybe your problem is a new variation of it.

Any problems with any other games?

Maybe the HD/FURY game data has somehow been corrupted, you might want to consider saving/backup all your HD/FURY game saved data to a USB stick, plus any ghosts you want to keep, then deleting HD/FURY, then going to download history at the PStore and reinstalling from there.

Clutching at straws here, maybe try rebuilding you hard disc data base as described in the link below might help?
It couldn't hurt.
http://www.ps3trophies.com/forums/guides-reviews-articles/35771-how-speed-up-your-ps3-rebuilding-your-hard-disk-database.html

[Age_R]

Well I have thrown everything including the kitchen sink to try resolve my issue including the latest suggestions but still no luck:

- Rebuilt PS3 Database
- Created New PSN ID
- Tried both Wireless and Wired Connections to Modem/Router
- Disabled/Enable UPnP
- Changed MTU to 1492 (from Auto)
- Upgraded Firmware in Modem/Router (Billion Bipac 7401VGP) to latest
- Set IP Address of PS3 to DMZ Host

Absolutely no problems at all with other online games as mentioned. I can leave Gran Turismo 5 or Little Big Planet in Online gameplay for as long as I like with no issues.

It leaves either my ISP (TGP Australia) or the above mentioned Billion Router as the suspects. I have tried an email on the TPG forum at Whirlpool no response as yet.

I haven't deleted and re-installed Wipeout yet, may try that tomorrow but I really can't see how that will have an effect, the game loads and plays just fine otherwise, never crashes or freezes, purely just the network connection error issues.

If I've missed anything else grateful for the help.

PS. Is there a support email for Studio Liverpool to at least report the problem ?

PPS. Is there a way to check the version of Wipeout Installed ? And manually update it ?

[blackwiggle]

There's no direct contact address that I know of with SL that you could report you problem to.
Maybe ring Sony Technical help desk.
Australia: 1300 36591

I'd try deleting and reinstalling first.
If your console has ever frozen and you have had to do a hard reset, it can lead to a dodgy section being left on the HD when the writing arm might of come in contact with the disc platter.
This could of corrupted the data, or damaged that disc sector.

If you can get to the online boards then you have the latest version of HD/FURY, you won't even be able to view them without updating as it's both automatic and compulsory, and NO you can't roll back to a earlier version.

There's only one real way to find out if it's something gone amiss with your internet set up or components, or your ISP for that matter.
And that's to take your PS3 around to a friends place and use their internet and see if the problem still exists, if it doesn't you have eliminated that it's your PS3 or HD/FURY game data have been corrupted, so it would only leave your ISP/ modem and/or settings between the it and the PS3.

[Age_R]

I'd try deleting and reinstalling first..

I'll give this a go as a last resort.



If your console has ever frozen and you have had to do a hard reset, it can lead to a dodgy section being left on the HD when the writing arm might of come in contact with the disc platter.
This could of corrupted the data, or damaged that disc sector.

I dont think so, and I'd imagine more severe things would happen than being kicked safely out of online game randomly in the middle of a game - but its possible.


There's only one real way to find out if it's something gone amiss with your internet set up or components, or your ISP for that matter.
And that's to take your PS3 around to a friends place and use their internet and see if the problem still exists,

Thats *exactly* what I had in mind !! I will be doing that this weekend presuming re-install fails.

I intend to get to the bottom of this :-)

[amplificated]

Have to agree with BW and suggest you delete the game from your console and re-download. There's nothing to worry about; it doesn't hurt your save files, and re-downloading is also a non-issue, the 5 download limit PSN content has refers to the number of consoles the content can be downloaded to.

Honestly your issue at this point is sounding pretty unique, and it would seem like your PS3 is the problem. ISP issues are incredibly doubtful, and given your circumstances it sounds like your modem/router isn't the problem either.
I don't think it should, but perhaps a database reconstruction will help ensure there are as few problems as possible after you delete the game/before you redownload.

[Age_R]

Tried the full delete/reinstall and just tested Wipeout HD (without the Fury addon) inititally, and it only happened just as quickly again.

Will try it at a friends place over the weekend, he has the same ISP but a different router so it should be a good test .. I'm hoping its the router I was planning an upgrade anyway .. but maybe not the Billion Bipac model since thats the brand causing me trouble now (and I've heard others having trouble with newer models too).

Going back to earlier discussion, what brand of ADSL2+ modem/routers are people using successfully here ?

[blackwiggle]

Are you saying you have not got the FURY DLC? or that you tried to connect first without it, then installed it and it still doesn't work?
Not having FURY might your problem.
The same "unable to connect issue" was happening to people until the FURY DLC came out, I'm pretty sure FURY wasn't just DLC, it was a game update as well.
I think you should definitely have FURY installed.

I use a NetComm NB5Plus4, it's recently been superseded by the NB6Plus4
http://www.netcomm.com.au/netcomm-products/adsl-broadband/nb6plus4

I did a bit of research on suitable modem/routers before I bought it, and this one came recommended by a lot of people who know a lot more about them than I do.

I read at the Whirpool forums that you shouldn't really expect a modem/router to stay working flawlessly for more than 3 years, there specs can drift out over time.
This is my first wired ADSL2+ modem, I've never had a problem with it and the software is easy to use when you need to, but from my previous experience with plain wired ADSL [slowly started losing signal, then suddenly died completely] and wireless modem/routers [depended on the phases of the moon's of Jupiter if it would work or not] I would tend to agree with their findings.

[amplificated]

You can still play online without the Fury pack, just not on Fury maps and people with Fury ships appear to be piloting HD versions IIRC.

As long as the game is completely updated, there should be no problems. Fury isn't an update, just an expansion pack. It would be pretty unfair if people who only had HD couldn't play online once Fury came out, eh?

And really, you should expect a router to operate at maximum capability for at least the warranty period, and it shouldn't just "naturally degrade" over time. I think you mean that standards change, so old equipment may no longer be "up to date" if it's 3 or more years old. Those are very, very different things.

@ Age_R, connection type doesn't matter. I'm pretty sure you're one of the only people in the world with this problem, and there are a lot of different connection types being used for the game out there.

[blackwiggle]

I was alluding to the problem people had before FURY was released, they couldn't connect online at all with their main PSNID and had to use a different account.
I just searched back, there was a game update for HD that came out the day before FURY was released , the effected people bought the FURY DLC anyway to use with their second accounts, but then found that they could then use their main accounts again.
So nobody was quite sure if it was the update or the FURY DLC or a combination of the both that fixed the problem.
Killakills86 [POST #73 in the how to fix online problems thread] recently reported that he was still suffering this problem, but I'm not sure if he bothered to get the FURY DLC or not.

[amplificated]

That's what you seemed to be intending at first, but then you said:


I'm pretty sure FURY wasn't just DLC, it was a game update as well. I think you should definitely have FURY installed.

Which suggests that he needs to have Fury installed to play online properly. I was just saying I don't think this is correct.

[blackwiggle]

Well yeah, by rights he shouldn't need to, HD should work as a separate entity.
But for Killakills86, and others previously, it hasn't.
We still don't know if Age-R has exactly the same problem, it could just be his modem.
Guess we will find out when he tries to connect his console online at his friends place.

[Killakills86]

Killakills86 [POST #73 in the how to fix online problems thread] recently reported that he was still suffering this problem, but I'm not sure if he bothered to get the FURY DLC or not.
I did get Fury, it being free was the main reason I got back into Wipeout. After redownloading from not being able to log in under my main account, I loaded up Wipeout on its own first and then again with the dlc, both still gave me the error. Age-R's problem sounds like it could be from his modem since he actually can get onto the servers.

[blackwiggle]

I think I've found a way around this problem by accident.
I found that I couldn't connect online myself for several days, so I though stuff it, I'll create a new user account and try that.[I've never had a second user account before]
What I did was create a new user account but I forgot to register it with the PSN so it could be used online, I opened up HD/FURY with the new name, then tried to connect online.
It did connect, but under my Blackwiggle PSNID, which it wouldn't do before.

Worth a try to those who are having the unable to connect problem.

[Age_R]

It's definately not the PSNID issue with me, I can always get onto the servers and join a game - its just I get randomly kicked out *during* games.

I have now tried the following:

- 2 x PS3's
- 5 x ISP's
- 2 x Modems

There is not a single common denominator, some cominbaitons work, some do not.

eg.

- Tested my PS3 on brothers connection, works perfectly.
- Tested same PS3 on my home connection with *his* working router, does not work.
- Tested second PS3 on same home connection, multiple routers, does not work.

It's not the ISP either as I have tested unsucessfully on different ISP connections.

I am certain it has something to do with the v3.66 System Update, as it was almost exactly at this time I started experiencing the problem. Prior to this everything was fine.

So I'm completely at a loss, if we could revert back to v3.65 would be easy to test if its indeed an update bug, but there is no way to revert a PS3 back is there ?

[amplificated]

Importantly, have you managed to play on your home's ISP using any PS3 *at all*?

It sounds like it is an ISP issue from the examples you provided. If you have tested on the same ISP elsewhere and had it work, that doesn't count - only your home's connection does. If you're satisfied that you've exhausted all other options, I'd recommend calling your ISP and telling them about your problem. From the sounds of things, your only avenues for support are your ISP and perhaps Sony if it's a technical issue on their end with either a hardware fault, or some crazy networking issue.

[Age_R]

Hey guys ..

Just a quick update that my problem with Wipeout HD & network errors is over !!

v3.70 appears to have done the job, whatever Sony put into v3.66 (that first caused me the problems) and subsequently took out of v3.70 has worked I havent had a dropout in several races using exactly same home setup as before ..

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and help along the way !

[Colonel]

Can't connect to the WO server atm, just getting the "Connecting..." message. Anyone else having problems? I'm hoping they're doing maintenance on the leaderboards (wishful thinking I know).

[Age_R]

Can't connect to the WO server atm, just getting the "Connecting..." message. Anyone else having problems? I'm hoping they're doing maintenance on the leaderboards (wishful thinking I know).

Aggh yes I am having the problem too !!! Just as they fixed the other issue now this ...

Anyone sussed out whats going on ?

EDIT: Ignore just saw the other post about the leaderboard update :)