Steam v. Gamersgate question

[Emre Yigit]

It really, really sounds like the problem is your pc, not steam.

It could be a PC issue, but I get the same problem on my ultrabook too. Now, that might not mean much, because the set-up there isn't vastly different to my desktop, and they use the same modem and line. But in both cases, all my other internet connections/transactions (which do include stuff a little more complicated than games sites) are OK, so I'm not so sure... unless you have a specific idea in mind that makes you go "really, really"?

By the steam store website, I assume you mean store.steampowered.com? Now, if only I could connect there... The picture below is some 15 minutes after calling the site up:

I don't seem to be able to connect to buy stuff on Steam whether through the Steam interface or through the website.

 

[Wezqu]

Btw its quite normal that it takes Steam support a week or two to answer your support question. They have quite many of those to go through. When they answer they will be more frequent with your support ticket. That still seems there is either something wrong with your connection or the company that provides you the connection or your firewall might be blocking some ports that Steam needs to use.

 

[Emre Yigit]

...your firewall might be blocking some ports that Steam needs to use.

I agree. Given that the Steam site cannot be down, that seems most likely (to me). Or my ISP. I'll be playing around with my dns, since that does sometimes cause problems over here. Thanks, good idea! I'll report back tomorrow.

 

[unmerged(512626)]

I agree. Given that the Steam site cannot be down, that seems most likely (to me). Or my ISP. I'll be playing around with my dns, since that does sometimes cause problems over here. Thanks, good idea! I'll report back tomorrow.

Good Luck!

If you're ISP isn't helpful, I can PM you a link to test a DNS for your router. It is from Comodo and is free. It is one I use and it's fast. It's also the firewall I use for games with much success. My ISP is worse than that of a 3rd-world country, too.

ETA: Actually, here is the link: The DNS #s are on the right http://www.comodo.com/secure-dns/
I just change my router to use that -- your config program should have a Test feature, if not, make sure you have the old setting -- I"m not sure how this works out of the states.

To answer the former Qs.

AV=Antivirus ESET is one brand of antivirus. There are complaints/fixes for it but you have AVG.
Since you have 2 computers affected it would seem to be your router or your ISP -- it could be your firewall.
You can narrow down the problem with direct connection of your laptop and PC to the modem, avoiding the router, too, if you want, and compare results.

Also, just so ya know, it's not Steam that causes the fraud flag on credit cards, per se. Companies like Visa have just become more aggressive with fraud detection in the gaming industry. I had to make calls 3 months in a row to make a membership payment elsewhere ... in any case I didn't want to imply Steam was to blame.

 

[Pyriel]

Yeah you have "certified by visa" with a personal password for example

 

[Emre Yigit]

Thanks!

Guys, I want to thank you all very much.

The issue was neither with Steam, nor with my firewall or anything.

The issue here was indeed with the DNS. You see, here in Turkey, we have an internet regulator who wants to make sure we don't access some sites. To quote Wikipedia:

the Telecommunication and Transmission Authority, can impose bans on Internet sites without prior judicial approval, (i) if the offending Web site hosts content that is illegal under Turkish law and is hosted outside Turkey, or (ii) a Web site contains sexual abuse of children or obscenity and its host resides in Turkey. The law prohibits:

• crimes against Atatürk (Article 8/b),
• offering or promoting prostitution,
• providing place and opportunity for gambling,
• unauthorized online gambling and betting,
• sexual abuse of children,
• encouraging suicide,
• supplying drugs that are dangerous for health, and
• facilitation of the abuse of drugs.

Web sites are also blocked for the following reasons:

• downloading of MP3 and movies in violation of copyright laws,
• insults against state organs and private persons
• crimes related to terrorism
• violation of trademark regulations
• unfair trade regulated under the Turkish Commercial Code
• violation of Articles 24, 25, 26, and 28 of the Constitution (freedoms of religion, expression, thought, and freedom of press).

While most would be considered highly reasonable, the TTA generally prefers to use a sledgehammer where a chisel would do. Hence, the infamous Turkish ban on all of Youtube in 2007-2010, due to a Turkish complaint against two videos (IRC). As this can result in some really annoying bans (you can wake up one morning to find, say, that access to your favourite blog ended due to a blanket ban on blogspot.com), and though the regulator has begun to use greater finesse lately, many Turkish users immediately change their DNS settings from automatic to a fixed, non-Turkish one. (This gets around the problem: there is only a Porous Wall of Turkey, unlike China. In this, we have the blessing of our President and PM, who apparently continued to watch Youtube during its ban.)

The problem is that, once in a blue moon, these fixed DNS settings can create problems, which was what I was suffering from.

Anyway, I changed my DNS settings (temporarily - I will be reverting asap) and I was able to access the buying pages on Steam, and buy the DLC. (I may have been overzealous and bought them twice, we shall see o)

Thanks again for putting up with my problems and all your help!

 

[cywang86]

Guys, I want to thank you all very much.

The issue was neither with Steam, nor with my firewall or anything.

The issue here was indeed with the DNS. You see, here in Turkey, we have an internet regulator who wants to make sure we don't access some sites. To quote Wikipedia:


While most would be considered highly reasonable, the TTA generally prefers to use a sledgehammer where a chisel would do. Hence, the infamous Turkish ban on all of Youtube in 2007-2010, due to a Turkish complaint against two videos (IRC). As this can result in some really annoying bans (you can wake up one morning to find, say, that access to your favourite blog ended due to a blanket ban on blogspot.com). While the regulator has begun to use greater finesse lately, many Turkish users immediately change their DNS settings from automatic to a fixed, non-Turkish one. (This gets around the problem: there is only a Porous Wall of Turkey, unlike China. In this, we have the blessing of our President and PM, who apparently continued to watch Youtube during its ban.)

The problem is that, once in a blue moon, these fixed DNS settings can create problems, which was what I was suffering from.

Anyway, I changed my DNS settings (temporarily - I will be reverting asap) and I was able to access the buying pages on Steam, and buy the DLC. (I may have been overzealous and bought them twice, we shall see o)

Thanks again for putting up with my problems and all your help!

wow....what do you know, you learn something new every day. Not that this information would come in handy during my lifetime, but still.

 

[unmerged(512626)]

Wow, Emre,

I too am enlightened. I think the insults one gets me, that could effectively eliminate access to over half of the internet, including most news sites that allow comments.

I had to laugh at this though: "insults against state organs"

OK, so I giggle when I'm stressed.

Glad you fixed the problem, at least for now.

 

[liamgamer55]

wow....what do you know, you learn something new every day. Not that this information would come in handy during my lifetime, but still.

I'd definitely be up for a new thread on this topic in OT if emre wants to start one.

 

[Agnitio Ex Mach]

It's completely impossible. Steam keeps a record of what's been purchased from them on your profile. It wouldn't be seen as legitimate and at best would be seen as a mod. I'm pretty sure Gamersgate would embed some of their own code as well.

 

[Emre Yigit]

I had to laugh at this though: "insults against state organs [and against private persons]"

Yep, Turks are extremely prickly characters. Under the law, for example, calling anyone a jackass could result in a 3-month to 2-year commutable prison sentence. This applies to dead people as well. In reality, I would guess 99.99...% of cases don't go to trial, unless, for example, you use a media outlet to express your views. Needless to say, we are very careful about when and how to insult.

I'd definitely be up for a new thread on this topic in OT if emre wants to start one.

Sure, why not? But I seem to remember there already used to be one on the Youtube ban, back in the day.

A discussion of Turkish laws against insults might be more amusing.