Very hard to get server list when logging via WiFi

[pivo]

I understand, there is some kind of anti spam, anti bot attack against the server protection, that is causing this. But it is really hard for me to get a server list, when using WiFi. Sometimes after 30+ tries I just gave up for that day. i bet i tried over 30 times today already. Will try few more times, but it is starting to be a real drag. Many times I only have little time to play, I want to log in for a few minutes, do something quick, them leave, but with this problem... And I can't leave computer keep logged in once successful, since this one is weak and is getting hot...

I have read somewhere that there are certain setting I can change in my router. But there were no specific mentioned. Anyone can give any tips, how can I make this logging less painful? Sometimes this computer with wi-fi is my only option to log into the game

[Blayde]

Wifi vs Eternet is handled at the hardware and Internet protocol level. Any application under windows that uses sockets doesnt care wheather it is wifi vs ethernet. Your problem is likely just poor wifi connection, it has nothing to do with the game.

[pivo]

Wifi vs Eternet is handled at the hardware and Internet protocol level. Any application under windows that uses sockets doesnt care wheather it is wifi vs ethernet. Your problem is likely just poor wifi connection, it has nothing to do with the game.

Probably I worded it poorly, my bad. I have no problem logging in, I log in every time I try. Problem is, servers list doesn't shows up. It is know problem when using wi-fi. When logging in via Ethernet, server list always shows up.

[Blayde]

yeah - its likely packet loss from the server request because of poor connection. There is nothing in the game thats like - *if using wifi* - *send incomplete server list* . google for a wifi mapper and check your conenction in that spot of your play area - packet loss would likely be very high.

[loramin]

A VPN (like $5/month) will very likely fix it.

[Blayde]

Yeah, VPN might fix it because the server request would happen at the VPN's servers side. However that might cause another level of pass through that could cause latency or other issues (doesnt really fix the underlying problem). Also, Loramin, correct me if im wrong, but im not sure admins would look kindly on VPNs as you could mask your ip to circumvent various p1999 rules?

[loramin]

Yeah, VPN might fix it because the server request would happen at the VPN's servers side. However that might cause another level of pass through that could cause latency or other issues (doesnt really fix the underlying problem). Also, Loramin, correct me if im wrong, but im not sure admins would look kindly on VPNs as you could mask your ip to circumvent various p1999 rules?

I haven't been able to play without a VPN for at least a year now, and I regularly suggest it as a fix here in the forums. It is very much not, in any way, against the rules that I know of.

(Although, if you use it to get around the boxing limit, or otherwise break any other rule using it, then of course it is.)

Also, I haven't noticed any appreciable lag: you have to remember this game was designed for 1999 Internet :)

[Adron]

Take your laptop to within a few feet of your wireless AP/router/modem. Problem goes away? then you can buy a better wireless AP to solve the issue if you cant set up within wired distance.
Problem doesn't go away? VPN time.

[the_coyote]

I have the exact same problem. 99% of the time when i log in there is no server list.

But i found a fix that unfortunately may not be possible for everyone , let me explain : I'm using a total piece of garbage desktop computer, so garbage that it didnt even have a wifi card installed so i'm using a USB wifi dongle (or whatever its called).

Well my fix is pretty simple, before i log in i have to unplug/replug the USB Wifi dongle. This works 100% of the time, the servers will show up without fail for the rest of the day.

I have no idea what the unplugging does , maybe it resets some wifi setting somewhere. i tried many fix and this is the only thing i found that works.

[tristantio]

The server list sends via UDP which is lossy - this happens a lot with p99 on GNU/Linux hosts over WiFi in particular (probably MTU rate or something)

This tool fixes it: https://github.com/Zaela/p99-login-middlemand by running on a localhost port that then filters out all non-p99 servers from the list, resulting in a much higher rate of success.

[ChooChoo Train]

Hit the “chat” button it’ll refresh the server list.

[loramin]

The server list sends via UDP which is lossy - this happens a lot with p99 on GNU/Linux hosts over WiFi in particular (probably MTU rate or something)

This tool fixes it: https://github.com/Zaela/p99-login-middlemand by running on a localhost port that then filters out all non-p99 servers from the list, resulting in a much higher rate of success.

That tool used to fix it. Hasn't worked for me for over a year now (on Linux). I think Rogean is (semi-)constantly tweaking things, and a tweak he made awhile ago broke it (beyond the lossiness issue you're referring to).

It might still work for someone, but I haven't heard any reports of that.

[Izmael]

The tool works for me. Wouldn't be able to play without it half the time I'm on a wifi.

Dont forget to change eqhost.txt so you actually are utilizing the tool! Easy to forget.

[pivo]

Thank you everyone, you posted several fixes. Will try them all, something should help, thanks again! (in case I didn't mention in first post, yes running on Linux here also)

[tristantio]

I still hop on and play once in awhile and the tool (middlemand) is the only thing that lets me connect consistently on GNU/Linux + Wine (the eqhost.txt change is very forgettable - each time I apply a new p99 patch set I tend to forget and wonder if my internet is down).

[pivo]

This tool fixes it: https://github.com/Zaela/p99-login-middlemand by running on a localhost port that then filters out all non-p99 servers from the list, resulting in a much higher rate of success.

This did it, thank you very much, got list in first try! OK will keep in mind to edit that ini file after every new patch.

[loramin]

Ah, that totally explains why it stopped working for me. Has that file change always been required? I feel like I used middleman for a long time without ever doing it.

[sounion]

any fixes for windows os? about 2 days ago my wifi was shot, called my isp and they had me enter the modem and, without editing anything, clicked save changes (even though i didn't change anything. This fixed the lack of internet (my modem was showing power, dns, wireless, but no internet connectivity), but also dropped any servers loading after login.

I've flipped modem off/on, unplugged for minutes, flipped off for minutes, restarted comp, wiped DNS, checked that no port issues (port 5558? i made sure it was correct, just cant think of it now), and checked that i don't have any firewall up, even went into windows defender and made exemption for my p99 folder.

I have seen someone suggest doing a traceroute on project1999.org (same as the server itself apparently? I can't interpret the results though:

Hop Time 1 Time 2 Time 3 Host / IP Address
1 15.078ms 14.088ms 13.883ms 205.200.254.4
2 16.046ms 16.421ms N/A 142.161.194.97
3 16.758ms 16.25ms N/A 142.161.0.190
4 15.904ms 16.479ms 16.382ms 184.150.180.218
5 N/A N/A N/A N/A
6 N/A N/A N/A N/A

At this point I'm soldering a broken computer back together to see if another computer will have the same issues, but in the meantime, and if that doesn't work, anyone else have suggestions?

I will note that I tried tethering to my phone and had the server list generate at least twice, though my last attempt I couldn't login and received a timeout error immediately upon hitting enter.

Let me know if you have any suggestions!

[sounion]

I also just tried directly connecting to the modem with a cable and disconnecting from wifi and still no server list. I am out of ideas.

[sounion]

just tried a vpn connection and the servers populated. what does this mean?

[mcoy]

If it works via VPN then it's usually a routing issue with your ISP. These pop up from time to time and will eventually be resolved. Good luck getting them to admit it if you call them though. Earlier this month players using AT&T weren't able to log in for like a week without tethering through another provider or using a VPN.

-Mcoy

[Nukilop]

Do you know what the wifi amplifier is for?
It receives the Wi-Fi signal from the main router, and passes it on. It turns out that in the kitchen we already have a very good home network signal. It repeats the wireless network (that's why it's called a repeater). The repeater simply acts as an amplifier. Its main task is to accept a certain Wi-Fi network, and transfer it further. Interested in this topic, I reviewed many reviews here