Can't connect to TF2 server - need help troubleshooting

[Howler]

I've reinstalled twice now to verify nothing is wrong in the install. Here's what I get:

[gameserver@pv-linux orangebox]$ ./srcds_run -console -game tf +ip xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx -port 27015
Auto detecting CPU
Using SSE2 Optimised binary.
Server will auto-restart if there is a crash.

Console initialized.
Game.dll loaded for "Team Fortress"
Particles: Missing 'particles/error.pcf'
maxplayers set to 24
Unknown command "startupmenu"
Network: IP xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx, mode MP, dedicated Yes, ports 27015 SV / 27005 CL


I cannot connect from steam, even using the IP manually in the favorites. This is a FC7 box that is straight on the internet, running iptables with this line:

-A RH-Firewall-1-INPUT -m state --state NEW -m udp -p udp --dport 27015 -j ACCEPT


I've looked through the forums, and it seems like the particles/error.pcf error isn't important. I can't find much on the 'startupmenu' issue. This is the second machine I've installed it on as well with the same results.

I'm stuck.

[fqdn]

i believe you need to open up everything between 27000-27015 some are tcp too. that would be a good place to start.

[Howler]

I added these to the iptables config

-A RH-Firewall-1-INPUT -m state --state NEW -m udp -p udp --dport 27000:27015 -j ACCEPT
-A RH-Firewall-1-INPUT -m state --state NEW -m tcp -p tcp --dport 27000:27015 -j ACCEPT

Same output:
[gameserver@pv-linux orangebox]$ ./srcds_run -console -game tf +ip xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx -port 27015
Auto detecting CPU
Using SSE2 Optimised binary.
Server will auto-restart if there is a crash.

Console initialized.
Game.dll loaded for "Team Fortress"
Particles: Missing 'particles/error.pcf'
maxplayers set to 24
Unknown command "startupmenu"
Network: IP xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx, mode MP, dedicated Yes, ports 27015 SV / 27005 CL


Still I cannot connect via steam. Any other suggestions?

[hypereall]

Some of my guys have been having problems with this also ... BUT it seemed to us that the STEAM server lists were causing it! rather than the server it's self