Left 4 Dead Server Problems

[ZzBloopzZ]

I have been trying to resolve this issue for the past two weeks, on and off. Spent HOURS reading forums and google. I am very frustrated! :c(

Basically, I am trying to host a small dedicated server on a spare box using Windows 2008 Server Standard x64. The server is not overclocked and has an Intel C2D E6600 @ 2.4GHz and 3GB DDR2. Windows firewall is disabled. I have forwarded port 27015 for both TCP/UDP.

The problem is that I can join my server via LAN. However, my friends cannot see the server. Here is my SRCDS console window when I first start the server, errors highlighted in red:

Quote:#Console initialized.
#Unable to remove c:\hlserver\l4d\l4d\left4dead\addonlist.txt!
#Game.dll loaded for "L4D - Co-op - Normal"
Server is hibernating
Queuing heartbeat send to legacy master server.
Game supporting (2) split screen players
maxplayers set to 18
NET_GetBindAddresses found 192.168.0.20: 'Intel® 82562V 10/100 Network Connection'
Network: IP 192.168.0.20, mode MP, dedicated Yes, ports 27015 SV / 0 CL
---- Host_NewGame ----
Compact released 131072 bytes to the backing store
Host_NewGame on map l4d_hospital01_apartment
Executing dedicated server config file
Commentary: Loading commentary data from maps/l4d_hospital01_apartment_commentary.txt.
steamservice.cpp (229) : Assertion Failed: BOpenService failed (1060)
Queuing heartbeat send to steam master server updater.
Queuing heartbeat send to steam master server updater.
Adding master server 69.28.140.246:27011
Adding master server 69.28.140.247:27011
Connection to Steam servers successful.
steamservice.cpp (229) : Assertion Failed: BOpenService failed (1060)
VAC secure mode is activated.

My startup command:

Quote:C:\HLServer\L4D\l4d\srcds.exe -console -game left4dead -autoupdate +hostip 192.168.0.20 -port 27015 +map l4d_hospital01_apartment

Installation command used:

Quote:hldsupdatetool -command update -game left4dead -dir C:\HLServer\L4D -verify_all

I am not using ANY mods. This is just a vanilla server. I have tried countless generic server.cfg configs but the same problem. I have also restarted the server and my router several times. I used to host a Killer Floor server on another port which worked flawlessly.

I would be grateful for any suggestions. Thanks You!

[SBT]

Try opening 27000-27050

[ZzBloopzZ]

(10-29-2009, 07:28 AM)SBT Wrote:  Try opening 27000-27050

That is way too many ports to open don't ya think? Could be a security risk.

But I'll give it a shot to see if it'll work temporarily. Should I do TCP/UDP or both?

Thanks

[dualcore1289]

Both, also you have security risks when opening one port, hell you have security risks even without opening ports. . . you should be fine.

[Mooga]

(10-29-2009, 09:15 AM)ZzBloopzZ Wrote:  

(10-29-2009, 07:28 AM)SBT Wrote:  Try opening 27000-27050

That is way too many ports to open don't ya think? Could be a security risk.

But I'll give it a shot to see if it'll work temporarily. Should I do TCP/UDP or both?

Thanks

As long as there are no vulnerable processes running on those ports (there shouldn't be), you will be fine.

Post your server.cfg

Also, change your startup line to this:

Code:

C:\HLServer\L4D\l4d\srcds.exe -console -game left4dead -port 27015 +map l4d_hospital01_apartment

-autoupdate doesn't work under windows. +hostip is an old command line and might be causing issues. If you need to define your ip, use -ip 192.168.0.20

[ZzBloopzZ]

Sorry for the long delay. I have been busy with school/work.

I forwarded ports 27000-27050 for both TCP/UDP and even restarted the router. Same exact problem.

Server.cfg:

Quote:// Main Server Settings
hostname "[LBM] Low Budget Mafia"
sv_region 0 // East Coast
sv_consistency 1
sv_lan 0 // enable LAN = 1; disable LAN = 0
sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0

// Server Semi-Private Settings
rcon_password "PWHERE"
//sv_search_key ""
//sv_password ""
//sv_steamgroup xxxxxxx

// Game Settings
mp_disable_autokick 1
sv_alltalk 0
sv_voiceenable 1
sv_cheats 0

// Game Type & Game mode Settings For MatchMaker - If you add // infront of sv_gametypes & mp_gamemode it will default to all the game types / game modes
sv_gametypes ""

//Sends heartbeat to the master servers
heartbeat

Start Up Line:

Quote:C:\HLServer\L4D\l4d\srcds.exe -console -game left4dead -ip 192.168.0.20 -port 27015 +map l4d_hospital01_apartment

Any other suggestions? Thanks for the suggestions so far.

[dualcore1289]

What IP are you giving them to connect?

[ZzBloopzZ]

My dyndns IP, I also tested with my actual WAN IP and still same crap.

I have hosted many many servers over the years. This is the first time I am having issues. I am starting to think L4D was broken with the latest DLC. I met two other people with same issue/error. :c/

[mack87]

(11-06-2009, 05:45 PM)ZzBloopzZ Wrote:  My dyndns IP, I also tested with my actual WAN IP and still same crap.

I have hosted many many servers over the years. This is the first time I am having issues. I am starting to think L4D was broken with the latest DLC. I met two other people with same issue/error. :c/

"-ip 192.168.0.20"

Is that the correct Ip for your system? Are you *sure* you have port forwarding enabled to THAT ip? Can you bypass your router and see if it works like that? It's def. a router issue.

[tomdagreek]

(11-13-2009, 03:07 PM)mack87 Wrote:  

(11-06-2009, 05:45 PM)ZzBloopzZ Wrote:  My dyndns IP, I also tested with my actual WAN IP and still same crap.

I have hosted many many servers over the years. This is the first time I am having issues. I am starting to think L4D was broken with the latest DLC. I met two other people with same issue/error. :c/

"-ip 192.168.0.20"

Is that the correct Ip for your system? Are you *sure* you have port forwarding enabled to THAT ip? Can you bypass your router and see if it works like that? It's def. a router issue.

hi.
i would first check and make sure windows box is not blocking ports(firewall)
check ur ip from whatsmyip.com
if ur gonna put a ip in the command line make sure it is ur wan ip
(i am not sure on this but it is worth a try) i have static ip's
can u play the game locally?
i wanna say that playing the game locally behind the same router may limit friends from joining since there was no lobby started.
have ur friends enable console on their games and see if they can join ur server w/out u just to test

[ZzBloopzZ]

Hey Tom,

I heard to always use the internal LAN IP of the server for -ip, since WAN automatically gets picked up. I did try WAN before though just in case and didn't make a difference. I've hosted other servers and I remote desktop into my PC everyday with zero issues.

I am updating the L4D server now and see if it fixes things.

[tomdagreek]

(11-19-2009, 06:39 AM)ZzBloopzZ Wrote:  Hey Tom,

I heard to always use the internal LAN IP of the server for -ip, since WAN automatically gets picked up. I did try WAN before though just in case and didn't make a difference. I've hosted other servers and I remote desktop into my PC everyday with zero issues.

I am updating the L4D server now and see if it fixes things.

well im used to using linux,I might be at a loss here but i would imagine its damn close.usually i do not use a ip in the command line.you may wanna try it for sh++ts and giggles.
i have used a wan ip in command for windows cod servers but they were not really needed.
if u are connecting to valve master servers u are half way there.
maybe dynamic dns is a prob? you dont really need it unless u want ur server public