POL blocking Korean IP/ISP

[MaachaQ]

About a week ago I was suddenly unable to log into Playonline at all, kept getting POL-1160 error, as if my internet was down. All other internet programs were running properly however, only POL could not connect on PS2, PS3, and PC.

I tried the web-chat service on POL site 2 times, but the guys there could only tell me to reset my modem and router again and again. My 2nd call the tech answered that because I live in Korea that they cannot guarantee service to all countries, which leads m to believe that my IP address and others from my same ISP are now completely blocked from using POL/FFXI. My husband was able to log our accounts in from a computer at his work, so I know our accounts are still fully functional and not all of Korea is blocked.

My question is, how would we set up a proxy server to allow me to log in to POL/FFXI from home without having to change ISPs (since we don't know if other ISPs have been blocked as well and do not want to break our service contract and have extra fees).

I have already sent several letters to POL Customer Service asking them why my IP/ISP was blocked and if they can unblock it, but I really need to get back to the game... People count on me to be there for things, and I have a number of trigger items my groups need to be able to pop our NMs (sea gods, Omega, ZNMs, etc). My only way to log in right now is to use a VNC Viewer to connect to a computer we have back in the US, and the connection is WAY too slow to be able to do anything on the game other than send a few friend list messages every couple days...

[Kaylia]

Are the port open (no firewall on your router?). If they are open, the problem most likely come from your ISP blocking certain port or something.

[The Stig]

Does any other MMORPG work? You know, the Koreans and their MMORPGs ... they are more or less kings.

[MaachaQ]

Does any other MMORPG work? You know, the Koreans and their MMORPGs ... they are more or less kings.

Umm... I actually don't have any other MMORPGs at the moment...

Downloading the WoW free trial now to see if that gets blocked, and I'll have my husband find us something else to test when he gets home from work... I think Aion is still in Beta here so we might be able to get a copy of that...

I'll also have him check the router settings later, pretty sure we have a firewall on the router but not sure the settings on it myself.

[Senoska]

You can try this:
http://www.mobilefree.jp/jp/

Japanese VPN. Although, I think this is a problem with ports and router issues more than SE cockblocking koreans.

[Ikith]

Doesn't FFXI utilize UPNP?

[Gatsby]

I'm in China and Taiwan often for work. I've needed to use a VPN to access FFXI and POL.

To be sure I tested it on at least 6 seperate connections spread in many different areas of both countries.

In the end I decided to pay for a American based VPN. Witopia personal VPN and its been great. Laggy as hell but thats more of a matter my connection.

[Senoska]

^ You should seriously try mobilefree. It's a free VPN service that really isn't t hat slow. I mean if you're doing some seriously bandwidth intensive stuff it'll be slow. But things like simple games will run perfectly fine. I play TF2 through VPN sometimes and don't even notice.

[yayaok]

its been an issue for korean ffxi gamers for quite a long time, i'm surprised it affected you so suddenly... did you change your isp recently or anything for that matter?

its been confirmed that square blocked all 100-199IP in korea, i'm not sure why but they did... there was a fellow whose gf worked at square so he got it checked out with an official :[

however, if you use 10~99ip or 210~250ip, there's a good change you won't run into any problems

you can have your husband check this link out
:::::::::::: Final Fantasy XI 팬 사이트 FFXIZONE :::::::::::::::::
there are lots and lots of threads on methods to bypass this, its in korean tho.. np with your man though, right?

edit:
http://www.ffxizone.net/bbs/view.php...desc=asc&no=59

seems like that link is the best solution, free vpn for you to use :]

[aduidarnenye]

I used a proxy to connect in South Korea when my ISP went out for a long time until I found an ISP that worked with FFXI. Unfortunately, that was the same ISP that Maacha was on and apparently is now blocked along with all the other ISPs.

I could never get windower to work with the proxy though. There's a thread on Allakazham main board called "Connection Issue in South Korea" or something like that which explains how to set up the proxy.

[Kilhart]

Didn't they start blocking Korean IPs after RMTs started using them or something? At least, that's what I heard from one of my Korean friends.

[Siralin]

Karma is a bitch huh.

[MaachaQ]

OMG, I'm back...

Thank you all for your help! I showed my husband your responses tonight and he's set up a VPN which has allowed me to log back into the game. He should be able to set something up in a few days to allow our PS2 and PS3 to log in again, but for now both of our PCs at least are back online.

I should have known there was a Korean FFXI site out there, this being the land of MMOs, but I've really only visited the main US and JP sites before today... definitely keeping that bookmarked from now on in case we have any more trouble.