DISCONNECTFAQ

***** DisconnectFAQ ***

Frequently Asked Disconnection Questions

Q: I keep getting disconnected from the chess club, what can cause
this?

A: The most common causes of disconnection from the chess club
include:

* Large File Downloads   
  (on your computer or on other computers on your network) 
* Peer-to-Peer File Trading Programs 
  (on your computer or on other computers on your network) 
* Wireless Networking 
* University Networks 
* Corporate/Business Networks 
* Dial-Up Internet Connections
* A Bad DSL or Cable Modem 
* Noise in the DSL or Cable Modem line 
* Spyware 
* Viruses and Trojans 
* Disruptions in the Internet at large

Q: I keep losing games as a result of getting disconnected, what can I
do?

A: Ideally, you'd like to fix the cause of the disconnections. This  
help file aims to assist you in identifying common causes. In the mean
time, you should ensure you only play games which allow you to
reconnect and resume in the event you get disconnected. This means you
should avoid playing in the 5-minute and 1- minute pools while you are
experiencing problems. You should also type "set noescape off". If you
get disconnected, simply reconnect immediately and then type "resume"
to send a request to your opponent to resume the game. Please return
immediately to finish your games to ensure your opponent doesn't 
depart.

Q: I am able to browse the Internet just fine. Why am I constantly
getting disconnected from the chess club?

A: Your Internet browser works by connecting to a website, downloading  
a webpage, and then disconnecting immediately. Connections to the
chess club are quite different... once you login you stay connected.
This enables you to promptly receive match challenges, game moves, and
chat. While your web connections last a few seconds while downloadng a
webpage, your connections to the chess club to stay open the entire
time you're here. It is therefore very possible to experience problems
with your chess club connection while you're still able to browse the
Internet. (Although you may find images periodically fail to load on
web pages if your web connections are getting lost.)

Q: I'm on a university network. What can I do?

A: Many universities restrict the amount of network traffic available  
to students. Some of our members have had greater success connecting
to the chess club using port 23 instead of 5000. At the login dialog
when connecting, click the more button and change the port number to
port 23.

Q: I am on a corporate/business network. What can I do?

A: Many corporate networks use a firewall to secure the company  
network. Some companies will allow you to access the chess club
through the company proxy server. See "help firewall" for tips
configuring Blitzin to work with a firewall. Other companies simply
block all access to game related websites. If this is the case, we
recommend you simply connect from home instead.

Q: How can I check if my computer has Spyware installed which may
interfere with my Internet connection. 

A: There are a large number of free Spyware scanners available. Many
of our members have reported success detecting spyware using Lavasoft's 
free scanner, AdAware. To download, visit:

http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-1   

Q: I insist the problem is with your server. What can I do?

A: While problems with our server or network are very rare, they do  
occasionally happen. When they occur, our engineers work hard to
detect and repair the problem quickly. The best way to learn if there
is a general disruption is to ask in channel 2, the advanced peer-to-
peer help channel. Type "tell 2 Hi, I'm having problems staying
connected to ICC. Is anyone else experiencing problems?" If the
majority of other players indicate they are not experiencing problems,
then you may want to continue to troubleshoot your Internet
connection. See also "help lagstats".

Q: I just lost due to disconnection when I had a won position. Is it
possible for my opponent to cause me to disconnect?

A: No, this is not possible. While