Hope some kind soul can offer suggestions as to how to approach solving my
problem:

Symptoms:

     Sometimes, when I click on the on the "Game List" button in the Multiplayer
     menu I get a blank list with the description "Connecting" or "Retrieving
     Server List", but I don't get any further. (just sits there)

     If I close the game, and come back, say, in an hour or two, and click the
     "Game List" button sometimes the games appear straight away.

     Last night I tried to connect. I joined a game, played for a while then
     left the game, returning to the Server list.  No games were listed, only
     the message "Retrieving Server List".

     At this point I don't know whether this is something I should take up with
     my ISP, a system configuration problem, or a problem with the game.  When I
     first started (about two weeks ago) I had no problems, but started having
     problems connecting last weekend and it appears to be getting worse.


Environment:

     Pentium 4 1.8G 512MB RAM
     64MB Geforce 4 440 MX
     Windows 2000 Pro
     CFS3 ver 3.1 with NO CD patch
     Location is Australia
     Router is a Netcomm NB3300 ADSL Modem Router
     (with the relevent ports redirected, and a
     Firewall with the relevent ports open.
     i.e. ports 2300, and 28883 - 28886 UDP)


     Note:      When I do get the "Server List" up, I have no problem
           connecting to a game. My System has no problem running
           the game.

Things I've tried:

     1.       Switching off Anti-Virus, or Firewall, or both (don't like doing this)
           Result: No effect

     2.      Redirecting all Ports from the Router
           Result: No effect

     3.      Tried Pinging zone.msn.com (not sure if this is the server to check)
           Result: get responses, but no effect on Game Server connectivity

hope someone can help T.I.A

P.S 12-APR-2003 11:58 pm

I mentioned in the original post the problem appeared to be getting worse, it has now become terminal.

I can no longer bring up the game list, and therefore can no longer play multiplayer  


P.P.S 13-APR-2003 2:40 am

Haven't changed anything on my system, and yet, for some reason, the game list suddenly populates  with servers!!  At least I can play....but for how long?  

P.P.P.S 14-APR-2003 9:51 am

I have been able to log on only once since 13-APR-2003
All my other online games work just fine  ???

P.P.P.P.S Apr 15-APR-2003 10.43 am

Logged in and Game list came up, joined a game for two minutes, quit the game and no Games appeared in Game List.
????
No idea of the cause of the problem.

Does anyone have any ideas?