Connection Fixes

Here are some quick things to try for anyone experiencing connection problems:

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Make sure that you have the minimum system requirements as shown on the Opportunity Technologies, Ltd. System Requirements page.

VISUAL BASIC: It is possible that you don't have the up-to-date Microsoft Visual Basic runtime files on your computer.

It must be noted that Opportunity Technologies, Ltd. Products have been designed for the MS Internet Explorer (IE) 5.5+ Browser with Service Pack2 or later installed. AOL users must use the IE browser to utilize the room. New or reformatted computers with IE 6.0 installed will be missing these VB files as Microsoft no longer includes them with the browser (part of a falling out with Sun Microsystems).

SECURITY SETTINGS: Others may have their SECURITY settings too high so they should run this file (do not Save, click on OPEN): Voice Settings.

Regularly check the Microsoft Updates site for the latest files that your computer may need, especially SECURITY PATCHES as the Opportunity Technologies, Ltd. system has just been upgraded and our rooms will ONLY work if the latest patches are installed. This is designed to make sure that the BANISH feature can't be over-ridden: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/default.htm

ILLEGAL USERNAMES: Please note that if someone is able to enter the room then has a 'connection/disconnecting' message in the voice chat area, it is due to their entering unusual characters in their Username...they must only use normal letters and numerals. The Opportunity Technologies, Ltd. system LOCKS them if they enter any unsuitable characters so they will need to OPEN one of these files to allow their Username to be changed to a 'normal' one:

You can RUN one of these REGISTRY files applicable for your system. This will enter a new acceptable NIC (Do NOT click SAVE, you must click OPEN):

1. OLD WIN 95/98 - For Windows 95/98 Operating Systems.

2. OLD WIN2000/ME/XP - For Windows 2000/ME/XP Operating Systems.

The following should be used for Opportunity Technologies, Ltd. rooms created after March 2002:

3. NEW WIN95/98 - For Windows 2000/ME/XP Operating Systems.

4. NEW WIN2000/ME/XP - For Windows 2000/ME/XP Operating Systems.

Please Note: Your Username can have no more than 4 repeating characters, nor more than 10 of any character and no invisible mode. This is necessary to stop people entering strings of 'bad' characters which can cause other user's browsers to FREEZE.

JAVA BASED ASSISTANCE: We suggest that you install the following MS Virtual Machine which is necessary to run many JAVA based programs and isn't always included with the latest browsers: Virtual Machine.

UPDATES AND NEW REVISIONS: As new revisions of the Opportunity Technologies, Ltd. software become available, please be aware that there will be some downtime and possibly a delay while ISP's around the world update their CACHES. We suggest that you get the changes as quickly as possible by changing your DNS settings using the instructions found at the Configuring DNS Site.

UNRESOLVED PROBLEMS: If after following all of the instructions as listed above please complete the Technical Support Form.