Can't Connect to Server Lobby

[DarkWeeble]

I'm posting from work (stickin' it to The Man) so my info here will be a little incomplete.

Windows Version (and Service Packs): Vista 32bit updated fully (checked last night)
Processor Speed: AMD Athlon 3200+ (I think) dual core
RAM: 4gb
Video Card (Make and Model#): GeForce 8800GTS 320mb
Sound Card (Make and Model#): Soundblaster Audigy
Connection Type (Dialup, Cable, DSL, other): Cable
Modem (Make and Model#): provided by Comcast...Scientific somethingorother
Router (Make and Model#): D-Link DI-624 RevC
Internet Service Provider(company name): Comcast
Location(State/Province/Locality, and Country): Massachusettes, USA
Installed Mods: graphics updates (single player works fine)

Make and Version of firewall: NONE, windows firewall is OFF
Make and version of anti-virus: McAfee

Confirm that you have the following installed:

* .Net 2.0 [X]


Ok with that out of the way, here's the problem:

When I click the search for games button the game will hang with the "Connecting" screen up. About three seconds later, my internet connection stops working, then resumes. The connection to the lobby is never made. The wireless computer on the network also loses connectivity to the internet.

Here's what I know:

1) Without my router not connected I can freely join the lobby and any game I want. I therefore narrowed the issue down to just my router.
2) I have the latest firmware for my router, which has played nice with all of my games for several years.
3) I got frustrated and reset the whole thing to factory default two nights ago and was able to join games. It was too late to do anything by then so I just went to bed and shut my computer down. The next time I went to play, the issue returned. Nothing had been changed except rebooting my computer.
4) When I ENABLE a DMZ on my local IP, Shields Up (https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2) lists ports 2300-2400 CLOSED. DISABLING the DMZ Shields Up will say they are open. Figure that @#(! out.
5) I do NOT have a static IP set up on my system. The router is told to DHCP me whatever it wants with a lease of 1 week. I've checked my computer's IP a few times (ipconfig/all reports the same as the DHCP assignment) and it's remained the same through this whole process.
6) I have tried all manner of firewall rules and port forwarding/triggering (with DMZ on and off, even though it shouldn't be necessary) to no avail.

Here's an emulator of my router's screen so you can at least see what I'm dealing with:
http://support.dlink.com/emulators/DI624/h_wizard.html

I've been trying to crack this problem for two days on my own now and my next course of action is going to be flashing my router again to the latest firmware (if it will even let me). That's the harshest reset I can come up with.

So the big questions: Why does Allegiance's port 2300-2400 connect attempt kill my network when it's fine with everything else? Is it possible to get Allegiance to use different ports on either the router side or the computer side? Like, have it request 2100-2200 at my router and have my router move them to 2300-2400 on my computer or something similar? I'm only thinking of this because of my ability to join any other game I own. Maybe I can use the ports for TF2 or something.

EDIT- Does anyone know of any programs that Allegiance doesn't play nice with? I run Steam in the background and I just now thought about it. I think when I did the reboot on my router I had closed out of Steam completely, and obviously it rebooted with my computer the next day. I'm not sure if I did, but I guess that's something else for me to check. Could the two programs be fighting to use the same ports and exploding my network?

I'll be at work checking this thread until 4EST, but I'm not going to be able to fiddle with anything until Wednesday night. This gives you all plenty of time to figure things out before I take a hammer to the damned thing.

[FreeBeer]

I honestly don't believe it's your router. I did read your description, and in your situation I'd probably come to the same conclusion. But you have McAffee installed. We know that to be a culprit in blocking Allegiance. I suspect McAffee is sometimes blocking you, and sometimes not depending on it's mood. (We've seen instances where McAffee has done this in the past.)

Try uninstalling McAffee and rebooting (very important). Then try connecting again. If that works, then we can set you up with a replacement AV that will work (and is free).

[DarkWeeble]

Thanks for the quick reply! I'll try that out tonight if I have time and let you know what happens.

[DarkWeeble]

Yea no dice. Still the exact same issue. It's definitely my router. I tried firing up my laptop to try it on there and discovered that it won't start. I'm getting three beeps every few seconds which I'm assuming is an overheat alarm. No clue why...haven't used the thing in some time and when I put it away it was fine. I'm having a rough hardware week.

Any other suggestions?

UPDATE - Got my laptop working through no effort of my own. Just turned it upside down to check the model number, turned it back over and it started with no problem. Whatever. The important part is that the laptop has the exact same issue, running windows XP and no firewall/virus defense. I've got the whole house to myself all day tomorrow so I'm gonna yell and throw things at my router. Perhaps the threat of physical violence will change its mind.

[FreeBeer]

Ok. Time for a check again: can you connect on both machines when you by pass the router?

and yeah.. having it work after turning upside down for a couple of seconds would pretty much indicate it's a router problem. But you should experience the same problem with other games.

[DarkWeeble]

No no I mean my laptop itself started working. Totally unrelated to the router problem. Both computers work fine when I bypass the router.

[DarkWeeble]

Holy @#(! I got it working. I went into my router and disabled uPnP. I can't believe I didn't notice that little tidbit on the wiki. I feel like an ass, but thanks for your help!

Any idea why this works? I'm not a networking expert, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once and I just don't get it.

I'm dead tired tonight, but tomorrow I'll see you guys in game!

[FreeBeer]

Well done! That particular little trick is an old one... and one I haven't seen used for a while. I should have thought of it.

But you've got it working, and that's all that matters. See you in-game!

(Closing thread as resolved)