[micol]

Hi guys,

I've had a good check and can't find any answers to my party invites problem. If i send an invite to a friend (or vice versa), as soon as it is accepted you see a "loading" screen and then a message saying "the game session no longer exists" (or something like that) and sends you back to single player mode

I did a google search and found a few other similar threads but no answers. I read that it is a PS3 problem that is being worked on, but that thread was months old.

Does anybody know if this is a problem or are you having the same problem? Or is everything fine with you on party mode?

I would love to get to the bottom of this as after weeks of missing my friend online, when we finally both were online at the same time we could not hook up and "party!"

Any help would be much appreciated

[teggs]

it's a network problem that's very common! it's probably to do with your router.


There are a few ways to solve the online issues with GTA4

One option is to open ports on your router - All routers should allow you to open up ports.

Another option is to set up DMZ on your router – this is an IP address that is not hidden behind your routers built in firewall/protection. Not all routers have DMZ functions available.

The above 2 options should solve the problems for most people. If you want a more detailed explanation I may be able to help.

Another thing to note is that there is a problem with Thompson Routers where by there is no current fix. It is something to do with the chipset. Thompson Routers come as standard from BT home hub and from Bethere broadband plus others.

If you list your router make/model I’m sure someone can help.

[Mickus]

Nowt wrong with Thompson routers & GTA. It's the firmware loaded on them by BT that's the problem.

Myself & my mate have Thompson Speedtouches 585 - one of us (me) has a NAT 2 connection type and it work fine, but he had to configure his router as a DMZ (assign a public address to an interface) for him to work - NAT 1.

Before he done this he had the same problem as the OP....

[teggs]

Originally Posted by Mickus

Nowt wrong with Thompson routers & GTA. It's the firmware loaded on them by BT that's the problem.

sorry, yeah you are right.

i got this off the Bethere member forums

I've been looking in a lot of Forums about the 'disconnecting online isssue' in GTA4. I ended up phone Rockstar customer support yesterday, and this is the deal.

This issue affects all Thompson chipsets, the BT homehub being another major group affected. The guy I spoke to said it would be unlikely a patch to fix this would be released.
It is basically because BT and Be have custom firmwares and are not upto date with the latest chipset updates. Alot of people on different ISP's fixed this issue by updating the firmware on there router.
I've logged a ticket to see what Be can do, because the guy at Rockstar seemed to think the ISP can help. At the end of the day we should have the latest chipset firmware. I wouldn't expect a magic cure to fix it, its a router issue, much like the fact that new PC games won't work if you have got upto date drivers

[Dave_C]

I don't even need to open ports on my Thomson 585v6 for it to work perfectly, just need to have upnp enabled (which it is by default).

[micol]

Thanks for your help! Im not much good with routers but should be able to muddle through and sort out the problem. It's only when i invite a friend though so could it be his router? It happens when he invites me also so probably both our routers? I'm getting confused writing this!!

My Router is a Linksys Wireless G WRT54GS if that tells you anything?

Many thanks!

[Dave_C]

It will be you if he doesn't have problems with other people. The easiest way to solve the problem without having to deal with forwarding ports would be to just enable upnp on your router, you can do this by:

*Going to http://192.168.1.1 in your PC browser.
*Enter your username and password (default is a blank username and admin as password I think)
*Click Administration in the menu
*Check the enable upnp box and click save settings.

After doing this you may need to redo your PS3 network settings for it to recognise that upnp has been enabled.

[Mickus]

I think the first plan of attack is to ensure that both of your routers are running the latest firmware. As Dave has specified above, upnp should take care of any port issues...

As with any firmware upgrades, ensure you load the correct software onto the correct model number and read the instructions carefully. Otherwise you'll turn your router into a fancy paper-weight! Details on linksys.co.uk:

http://www.linksys.co.uk/acatalog/WR..._G_Router.html

If that fails to resolve the issue, then look into portforwarding or DMZ configurations.

After getting the issues myself, and resolving 2 mates connection problems I can say that your problem is definitely router related as this was the cause of all our problems. Good luck!

[micol]

Fantastic! Thanks again for the step-by-step guide. That will help enormously.

By the way...what does Upnp actually do? will it cause any problems with security or other programs??

Sorry for being such a noob with this

[teggs]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Plug_and_Play