Server running great and all...but

Everyone is able to connect to me and play and everything runs great.

Only problem is...I can't connect and play.
I cannot connect with the pc that also runs the server but saw in other thread that you can't anyways.
Nor can I connect using other pc that shares the same router.
I am able to type in login/pass but when it gets to the server select, it comes up 'Unable to connect to server'.
I've tried using the actual IP (that everyone else connects with) and the router IP of the pc that is running the server...both are a no go.
Anyone have any idea as to how I can fix this so that I can either play on the same pc as the server is or on my other one that is connected through my router?

**To Recap**
PC1-runs the server and router IP=192.168.254.1
PC2-router IP=192.168.254.3
IP=74.33.153.73

hotuk.ini uses 74.33.153.73 and everyone else can connect but I cannot

thanks in advance...any help is appreciated.

Have you tried to use ip 127.0.0.1 for the client?

If you have, there are only 2 posibilities:
- your client has errors or inadequate to your server
- firewall on your computer

Yes I have and I get to server select and thats as far as I get (when hotuk is set to 74.33.153.73).

If I set my hotuk, reg, and Idata to 127.0.0.1 I am able to connect with the same pc that the server runs on but of course that means that noone else can...heh

no, I mean you change ip for the client only (ldata & registry), not for server.
Because if your server & your client are in the same computer, ip 127.0.0.1 should be ok for your client.

and another way is delete two rows in server's hotuk:
*DEBUG_ID test
*DEBUG_IP 10.0.0.5 10.0.0.5 10.0.0.5

Yea I know and that's when I am only able to get as far as server select.

on PC1:
when hotuk.ini is set to 74.33.153.73
and Idata.bmp and the reg is set to 127.0.0.1
I can login with username and pass but when I get to server
select screen, it says 'Unable to connect to sever'

What should I use on PC2 to try and connect??

**edited first post for clarity**

then my last recommend is use your real ip and delete two rows in server's hotuk:
*DEBUG_ID test
*DEBUG_IP xxxx xxxx xxxx

Ok deleted those lines from hotuk and...

On PC1:
hotuk=74.33.153.73
Idata=74.33.153.73
reg=74.33.153.73

also tried it on PC2 with same Idata and reg settings

can't even login now -_-

oh, I forgot one important thing. Because your friends can connect to your server so I think you must have forwarded ports for your router. but have you opened internal ports for your computer? If not, please read:
How to manually open ports in Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP

Yes I have opened 10003 and 10007 (seen in other posts) for my firewall.
What ports in router need forwarded??

ePT - 10007
jPT - 10007
kPt - 10003
bPT - 10008

If you still cannot connect, then you should use Hamachi instead.
You can find some threads in forum about this software. I'm also using it, I think it's good enough for you. ( hamachi.cc )

I've opened the ports and everything
and now have tried connecting using PC2
If I set Idata and reg to 74.33.153.73 I cannot login
If I set them to 192.168.254.1 I can login but when select the server I get 'Unable to connect to server'

And still everyone and their dog in the outside world can connect to me.
This is so retarded it isn't even funny...

I found a bit of a work-around
I created 2 more Game_Server entries in hotuk:
*GAME_SERVER NOTTHISONE 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1
*GAME_SERVER ORTHISONE 192.168.254.1 192.168.254.1 192.168.254.1

the first one allows me to connect with PC1 when both ldata and reg have 127.0.0.1 and the second let's me to connect with PC2 using 192.168.254.1 in the two files and the gameserver is still able to run on the actual IP which is listed in the hotuk as a 3rd server,everyone is able to connect, and all works great.

Thanks for all the help tittit, I don't think I would have gotten it without your tips.

you're welcome!

But like what you said, you and your friends still cannot connect to one server? you can connect to server on local & Lan but not Wan, while your friends in reverse?

That means the problem's still there. Why don't you try Hamachi?
I think that's a good solution for you. It abolishes all troubles with IPs & Ports.

No everything works..since technically all the serrver IP's go to the same place everyone is connected to the same server but for some reason I just have to use local/LAN ip to connect while they use the WAN.
It's kinda weird really but it works as were all able to see each other and play perfectly fine.


*******
All IP's in hotuk are 74.33.153.73 which is what my friends use in their reg/ldata which I have labled -->RhazesDarkkPT<--
PC1's reg/ldata uses 127.0.0.1 and connects using server labled NOTTHISONE
PC2's reg/ldata uses 192.168.254.1 and connects using server labled ORTHISONE
*******

Like I said, it's weird but hey...it works! LoL
And reason for not wanting hamachi, I like to keep things simple for all my other users even if it means that it my be a little difficult for myself...eventually I get it working in the end.

Please can u post your hotuk,i may halp someboby to set up his server(me first lol)
thanks