Not sure if it's a firewall issue, specs issue, or something more...

Hiya Folks

I recently bought a new Acer PC running Windows 7 x64. Here's the issue. I can run games locally, and on my local wireless LAN. But when I try to run games online (like via Steam, or Everquest, etc) I can't connect. I have been running through all possibilities such as compatability, specs, etc, but my machine beats all the min specs for the games, and I can't see any problems with the compatability either. I can't work it out at all. I have tried turning the firewall off, making the rules allow all connections, and nothing works.

I am really hacked off about this as I have contacted Steam, Acer, Microsoft, and each one says update drivers and check again (the old pass off move). I'm new to Windows 7 but not to PC's and have tried everything I can think of and this is my last shot before I chuck this thing out the window

The txt file is a complete list of my pc specs for info

Many thanks in advance

What antivirus are you running?

Hi there

I am only using the native windows firewall and defender. I was hoping to set everything up then get the anti-virus in place.

Cheers

Try adding your games to the "allowed program or feature" option in the firewall.

Control Panel / Windows Firewall / "Allow a progream or feature through windows firewall".

Once you click the link, you might see the game in the list and you can simply check all the boxes next to it.
If you don't, You can add the game executable through the options.

Done it and nothing I also tried playing Battlefield heroes, Everquest II, it seems anything via the net is blocked. Yet I've looked thru all the programs and they are all allowed thru the firewall. I know my net connection is good as I speedtested it and it's at about 2mb/sec and I also installed the same programs on the wifes laptop (same operating system and good specs) and she can play, so my router must be okay.... I am stumped Thanks again

Uninstall one of the games your having trouble with. Reinstall it (run as admin) to something like c:\games & see if the issue persists.

Hiya There I uninstalled Steam (It's a fairly universal game app I figured) and then reinstalled it to c:\games\steam. Once it finished installing it did the "checking for updates" and just closed. I checked task manager and it's not even running in the background. So the program closed and didn't even give an error report this time. Any thoughts? Cheers again

Did you check defender it might be blocking it. If all you have is built in to w7 security- either its firewall or defender is blocking it. It is nothing else that can do so- unless maybe a corrupt install.

For the record- a new build- first things you should do is get the pc right and its system drivers and windows updates- the very next thing is install all security and anti virus before surfing the net. You are surfing the net now with out a anti virus- it is also possible you have picked up a virus or spy ware already, and can be causing you some problems..

Other programs and or games can wait. You should focus on your system and its security first- then other programs or games- or do so at your own or your pc's risk..

See ya..

Okay, I've sorted out anti-virus and it actively made exceptions to allow steam to opperate thru it. I installed AVG free 2011. I did read that steam had issues with older ver of AVG, but this new version doesn't mention any problems. I have also tried online games "Battlefield Heroes" and "Everquest", both with the same result as Steam...

Could it be something else that I am missing? The fact that I can't play anything online is really annoying now... Any ideas?

Cheers!

Also, this message has pooped up the last couple of times I've tried starting it. Could point to a cause maybe?

"Steam.exe (main exception): Unable to find steam.dll entry point steam StartEngine"

I have used the online install file from the steam website that is x64 compatabile....

Cheers!

Any thoughts?