I've seen various posts about this but no one has posted a fix. I get it when i try to connect to the mulitplayer. It will say that its starting network service and after about 20 seconds it will tell me it failed to initialize network service.

Ive opened the ports that were posted and have my firmware up to date but i am still with the same issue. Does anyone know how to fix this?

Moved to Technical Support.

Ok it seems the only way right nwo to be able to connect is by turning off Norton Internet Security.

I hope that theres a fix coming soon. I really dont like the idea of having norton internet security disabled when I play this game.

im getting the same thing, and i have tried everything to get this to work.

it doesnt help me when i turn off norton

same problem here. no AV, no firewall, enabled DMZ and still no LAN or Online success. I can create LAN dedicated server, but that's about it.
(PC exceeds the recommended requirements with all up-to-date drivers, including BIOS and mobo components; the latest router firmware)

P.S. Singleplayer runs fine

Same thing here FAILED TO INITIALIZE NETWORK SERVICE, I CANT GET ON THE MPLAYER AT ALL tied doing it over and over again nothing. I have no firewalls no virus even..... WTF

I fixed my network problem!!!!!!

I now have a 16 player dedicated server up and running and I didn't have to disable the firewall or put the server in the DMZ!

In addition to forwarding the correct ports, I simply disabled the routers ability to do UPnP and stopped the SSDP service on the server from the administrator tools.

This solution is the opposite of what makes sense, but it was somehow interfering.

WOOT!

Let me know if this helps anyone else, or if it is specific to my linksys wrt54g router.

I'll test that later today, is there any risk in disabling all that stuff?

quote:

Originally posted by InfestGoat:
I'll test that later today, is there any risk in disabling all that stuff?

Please post all your routers/switches model when you're having this problem and also the anti-virus and software firewall you might be using. That might help understanding that problem.

quote:

InfestGoat Posted Sat December 16 2006 08:13 Hide Post
I'll test that later today, is there any risk in disabling all that stuff?

All I had to disable was UPnP and that SSDP service which auto-detects routers on your network. Some applications, like AOL Instant Messenger and Peer to Peer file sharing will use UPnP to capture ports. If UPnP isn't available the apps will either work around it or ask you to open ports. I don't think it is needed unless you have an Xbox hooked to the same network because it uses UPnP for more stuff.

I have not had a problem with disabling SSDP on my server, because I think all it does is auto detect network devices which you can usually do through TCP configuration to be auto and network printer searches.

nah didnt work :\

OK... First I could not connect at all, the typically posted cannot connect to network message. So I open the posted ports and whalla, I'm on line enjoying the helloutta myself saying how sweet is to final have a close to R6/RS/UO/RvS experience...Lockdown flatout,just plain stunk...I go to bed only to wake up to no connection at all...recheck ports all ok... now I can get connected but just hang when I join a game...have to alt-ctrl-del to close game...WTF? any answers to this one?
Athlon 4200+Dual Core 2Gb matched Corsair XMS, Dual Asus 6800GTXPRO 256 per SLi, Asus A8n Deluxe MB, XG Dragon Case w/ 650wPS, 2 added fans plenty cool...XP Pro all updated all programs, AVG and System Suite 7 Pro...

HELP...Cause this game Rocks!!!!! And I'm jonesin for some Multi!!!! 360 just aint the same!!!!

I am having the exact same problem. i have tryed turning off all firewalls but i still get the failed message. i find it a bit strange as all my other games work fine even with my firewall up. i must admit this is the first UBI game i have ever had connection problems with.

Also have the problem with Norton IS 2006, I´ve opened the ports, too, but no use, all I can do is disable AV/Firewall, but I don`t want to play with my pants down...

Ok i got online to work. I did as Pest said and turned off my UPnP to my router. After that it still didnt work, until i disabled norton, then it started working. Hope it helps ya.

***PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE PORTS FOR THIS GAME OPEN***

I keep getting this message and therefore haven't managed to get on line yet. I have Norton IS 2006 installed, with a standard ADSL modem. Strange because, Nortons did ask me if I wanted to allow the game to access the internet (which I accepted). Please fix this issue as I don't want constant port scanning whilst I'm gaming!

I found out that (at least for me) the issue with Norton IS 2006 is limited to the connection/log-in to the UBI-Server only, so all I have to do is to disable Norton completely before log-in, but I can enable it again as soon as I´m logged in and can see the MP-gamemode & server selection screen. Everything works fine after that, i can connect to games with active AV and Firewall. Thus there is no need to have Norton switched off all the time. Maybe this works for other people who have no router but a direct internet connection as well (perhaps also for other AVs/Firewalls). Give it a try and report your results pls!

Right, disabled NIS 2006 and bam, straight in.

Trouble is I'm not going to keep disabling every time I want to play this game online.

I don't have to disable NIS 2006 for any other game, what makes this one stand out? Can this issue be addressed please.

Thanks

So you say that you cannot reactivate Norton after you logged-in to the UBI-server?