What error message will be displayed if my workplace blocks SL?

[Suki Hirano]

Does anyone know what error message will be displayed if my workplace blocks SL? I'm unable to access SL at the moment (yet I was able to last week). I want to know if it's a problem with some internet settings or if my company simply blocked SL's ports or something.

[Freya Mokusei]

The most predictable is "We're having trouble connecting. There may be a problem with your internet connection or the Second Life servers. You can either check your internet connection and try again in a few minutes, click Help to connect to our support site, or click Teleport to attempt to teleport home."

But it can depend on how the block was accomplished.

To determine whether or not your company is blocking, it may be best to try contacting sim servers or compare packets received from a working connection.

[Rolig Loon]

Depending on how daring you are, you could just ask your IT department. College campuses and corporations typically put limits on how much bandwidth you can use without specific permission, or may throttle bandwidth use at certain times of day.  It's their way of reminding people that they are supposed to be working or studying instead of playing games that chew up bandwidth for everyone else.  If SL is part of your job description or a class assignment, though, they may be glad to lift the block.

[Nalates Urriah]

Freya gave the most likely error message.

You can trouble shoot your connection using this information: http://blog.nalates.net/2011/10/26/troubleshoot-your-sl-connection/

Some anit-virus programs will prevent a main connection component of SL from working. Try disabling your AV for a few minutes to see if you can connect.