Something fishy is going on

[TheGreatGodPan]

For a while nnow when I've tried to connect to the site, I get an error page, saying the web site might be down or something. This happens with Firefox, IE and SBCYahoo browser (which uses IE, but I figured it was worth a shot). Using Babelfish to translate the site from a randomly selected language to English works to a certain extent (it makes things much slower and pictures and background don't load correctly) but I can't log in that way. I don't think the problem is with the Codex, because when I leave my dorm and go to my university's Digital Computer Blah Blah Blah I can log on just fine. I thought it was just a fluke last time, but this seems to confirm things. I figure a lot of you are wiser in the ways of the internet than me and might know what's going on. The problem started about half a week ago. I was in the middle of reading stuff here, then when I went back to the sub-forum and tried clicking on another topic, I got the error, and then I couldn't connect to the main site at all, and that's the way its been since. I haven't had this problem with any other site and I can't imagine why the people administrating the dorm's network would single out this place if the problem is them firewalling it or something. Any ideas?

 

[TheGreatGodPan]

It just gets more and more fucked up by the minute. After I posted this, I went to gen-gaming, and after about the second topic I looked at, I got the same error. tcp or something. I couldn't access the main site either. So I shut off the computer I was on, hopped to the next one over, and voila, here I am. Seriously, what the fuck is going on?

 

[Chefe]

The internet hates you.


No really, what's the text on the error page that you get? Is it like a typical 404 error, the "No page to display" error, or what?

 

[Elwro]

I got an Internal Error nr 500 today while trying to edit one of my posts and couldn't return to the site for about 10 minutes iirc.

 

[Drakron]

Happens to me from time to time ... usually after I make a reply.

 

[Taluntain]

There have been some issues with the server today, but I'm aware of it. Anyway, try to make a screenshot or at least copy the error text, otherwise it's really impossible to say what the issue is.

 

[TheGreatGodPan]

I'll try to remember it, but as soon as the computer receives the error, it can't connect to the site again. I'll try logging on with the computer I already screwed over, e-mailing myself a picture or something, and then posting it.
EDIT: It has a blank white background with black text, and the first line is bold


Network Error (tcp_error)

A communication error occurred: "Operation timed out"
The Web Server may be down, too busy, or experiencing other
problems preventing it from responding to requests. You may
wish to try again at a later time.

For assistance, contact your network support team.

 

[Taluntain]

I've never seen anything like that myself, and I'm pretty sure it's not an issue with the server if you got that error now, because it's running normally right now. Sounds almost as if your IP is getting banned. But that would only happen with a large number of simultaneous connections...

 

[TheGreatGodPan]

I've never had this problem before at TTLG, but I just had it now at this computer while I was making a post. It said I wasn't logged it, then I got the error, but I was able to go back and attempted to make the post, but it didn't let me because it was a duplicate as the post had actually gone through the first time. However, that was just temporary, whereas with this site it has been consistent. The IP ban would seem to explain what's happened. I don't know if my IP address is randomly generated or constant though.

 

[Taluntain]

I don't see how you could get banned if you weren't doing something fishy, however... have you tried running a virus and a malware check? Just in case your computer is zombied...

 

[TheGreatGodPan]

I'll do that as soon as I get back to the computer in my dorm. The one I busted belonging to the school will just have to stay busted.

 

[Chefe]

I've got the 500 error before, forgot to point that out, more often recently though. The site goes out for a few minutes, but then I get it back up again.

I don't see why your IP would be banned. Have you tried running Firefox with a proxy and accessing the site?

 

[Killzig]

connection was amazingly shitty to this site and also DAC this evening. Still running pretty slowly.

 

[Shagnak]

I got an Internal Error nr 500 today while trying to edit one of my posts and couldn't return to the site for about 10 minutes iirc.

Same here, just 20 mins or so ago.
Exactly the same error.
It's happened several times in the last couple of weeks, haven't really noticed before then.

 

[TheGreatGodPan]

Have you tried running Firefox with a proxy and accessing the site?

I don't know what you mean, although I already mentioned using Babelfish. Just a minute ago I logged on with another of the school's computers, attempted to make a witty post insulting Roqua, but as soon as I hit reply I got another computer banned.

 

[Chefe]

If you go to Tools>Options>Connection Settings in Firefox, you can manually enter proxies (do a google search for some).

 

[TheGreatGodPan]

I just got another computer banned. It's only a matter of time before there are none left. DUN-DUN-DUNNNNNN!

 

[Taluntain]

It's really anyone's guess how you manage that, since it takes several dozen simultaneous connections to the server to do that. More likely there's something else that's the real issue here.

 

[Drakron]

Well if its part of a large network I am not suprised ... I can understand why I am banned since I am on a cable network and it might ban me because too many requests from diferent people accessing the server.

 

[TheGreatGodPan]

I'm new to this IP proxy stuff, but I entered it into google, found some addresses and ports, entered them into that Firefox option thingamajigger, and it still doesn't work. I'm probably doing it wrong though.

 

[DarkUnderlord]

I've been getting quite a few Internal Server 500 errors of late myself.

 

[kingcomrade]

Me too

 

[Balor]

Perhaps all those Oblivion threads is too much of a burden to the server, it it's falling apart under strain .

 

[kingcomrade]

The servers are eroding (realistically)! The data transfers are being drowned out by Patrick Stewart's voice!

 

[TheGreatGodPan]

Apparently, Oblivion threads have caused so much damage that I got unbanned. I've tried pretty much everyday to log in, and today it worked. So, hooray.