Stuck on "region handshake"...

[Weasel Quixote]

Okay, so I've been a member of Second Life for many years. Even bought plenty of Linden Dollars. But I haven't logged on in many months. I normally use Firestorm viewer. I have a Dell System XPS L502X gaming laptop with a Microsoft Windows 7 Professional operating system and an Intel Core CPU.

Whenever I try to log into Second Life, it takes three attempts for "requesting region connection," then crashes when it gets to "waiting for region handshake," saying I have a problem with my Internet connection or the region is having difficulties.

I have two SL accounts. I've tried both of them. Same thing. I've tried logging in on both Firestorm and the official SL viewer. Same thing. I've tried changing the region I log into. Same thing. I've tried using MetaBOLT and other text-based viewers to go in and check, then change my Group title in case it had symbols in it, but they won't even seem to load my groups, friends, or inventory for me.

I know it's not my firewall. I've completely disabled every part of it. Still having the same problem. I've tried allowing specific ports and such. No luck, but my Firewall allows all ports and IP address anyway. I tend to use different wireless Wi-Fi networks every time, since I'm homeless, and I'm told I need to allow each individual IP Address, but I can't find any instructions online on what I'm supposed to do when I know the IP Address.

I'm at my wits' end. I'm desperate for some long overdue SL time. And before you ask, yes I have the latest versions of both SL Viewer and Firestorm. I actually tried logging on before I updated. Same problem before updating them, same problem after updating them.

I have a hardware anti-virus program called Microsoft Security Essentials. There doesn't seem to be any method of allowing certain programs or turning it off.

Can anyone help me, please?

[Rolig Loon]

That's usually a firewall issue, but it could just as easily be an overly zealous antivirus routine.  Norton does that, especially after an update.  Check to be sure that you have made exceptions for your viewer's executable files, including SLPlugin.exe.

Check out http://wiki.phoenixviewer.com/antivirus_whitelisting

[Lindal Kidd]

If you're roaming about and getting onto the web by using random WiFi networks, you are, by definition, running up against the WiFi access point's NAT firewall.

Not to mention the fact that unless it's a public network, the owners probably don't appreciate your snagging a good sized chunk of their bandwidth for SL.

And if it IS a public WiFi network, it's not at all secure.  I don't recommend using SL on any public networks, it's too easy for someone to steal your login information.

[Nicholas Melchior]

I know this is an older post but I'm having similar issues. I frequently cannot log in to my home spot. I get stuck on region handshake. I can log into other regions, but when I try to tp to my home spot I get disconnected from the grid. It's not a viewer issue. It's not a firewall issue. The only thing I can see that could be causing it is that my home spot is on the mainland. I'm convinced this is an issue with mainland regions. But I have no idea how to resolve it other than to just stay away from the mainland altogether.

[Rolig Loon]

Submit a support case and report a region performance issue.