8.ta blocking Steam Content Servers?

[JaggedTeeth]

I've been working with Steam Support for almost two weeks now, and they have basically flung their hands up in despair.

I can't connect to the Steam content servers at ALL! I'm using the 8.ta 10gb +10gb contract and it used to work fine. Suddenly, no content servers, no matter what I try.

The ports (27014-27050) apppear closed no matter what I do regarding my computer and router firewalls, so the logical explanation must be that it's my ISP.

I also, to my intense shock, tried to open a website (mediafire; they have a Mass Effect 2 Shepard headmorph I wanted) last night only to be told that I have been blocked from accessing it due to my something policy (it was late and I didn't think to screenshot it) by 8.ta.

So my questions are: Is anyone else having this problem?

When did 8.ta start blocking sites and ports, and why didn't they tell anyone about it?

Is there a way to fix this issue? (the Steam one is obviously more important than the website, but the website was a major shock to me )

 

[jes]

I'd be interested to know if anyone else is experiencing the same problems.

 

[sal12344]

60Gb+60Gb prepaid works fine

 

[Glipsie]

10GB contract here, steam is working fine for me. What was the website you tried to access?

 

[JaggedTeeth]

Mediafire. Understandable if they did block it - it's mostly used for pirate things (except when people use it to share Shepard faces and blocking makes me not get them).

But yeah, Valve says it must be ISP-side. I get a standard 'content servers unreachable' message whenever I try to download anything. I've turned off my firewalls both on my router and on my pc, separately and together, and nothing. I've even connected directly through a 3g modem instead of a router and STILL no change.

Nobody else having this problem?

 

[ryan10]

I got blocked on mediafire and goo.im.
Just tested Steam now, working fine for me.
I'm on 60GB+60GB prepaid.

Here's screen shot of the blocked message.

Sent a request to 8ta support to find out what's this all about, they couldn't explain it. They said they don't block websites and they don't have a parental control feature.

 

[JaggedTeeth]

That's EXACTLY the message I got! You say they couldn't explain it? That is weird...

When you say you tested Steam, did you try to update or install anything? Because everything else on Steam works, including updating the actual Steam client, except updating or installing games.

ETA: Portal and NWN2 work and can be downloaded, Skyrim, DOTA2, Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion and almost everything else does not. Can you check on any of the listed games if you can download them?

 

[ryan10]

Hey, You are right, everything else on Steam works except for some game updates and downloads...
Changed my Steam server locations, still doesn't work with 8ta sim.

Yeah, tried to update Skyrim and Sleeping Dogs, it shows, Suspended...

Tested with my Cell C sim card and it works, I can download and update.

Definitely something wrong on 8ta's side.

And iv'e been have issues with downloading android apps from Google play store, I can browse, but download doesn't start. Works perfectly with Cell C sim card though.

Going to Telkom/8ta store at the mall to see if they can explain.
blocked message comes from
http://business.telkom.co.za/essp/public/blocked....

 

[Hummercellc]

I get that every now and again with Gmail & Youtube, reconnecting usually sorts it out....

 

[JaggedTeeth]

So it's definitely not a problem with Steam. Drat it. Steam's customer service is way better than 8.ta's :-/

Let me know what the 8.ta store says. Meanwhile I shall be harassing them on the phone.

@hummercellc: Reconnecting definitely doesn't sort this one out, I'm afraid

ETA: Just spoke to 8.ta. They are telling me that they do, in fact, restrict certain sites, and Steam may have gotten hit with an 8.ta banhammer while someone was being 'special' one day, although I would have to speak to a tech to be sure that this is the issue. So, another person going in to the store tomorrow -.-

 

[ryan10]

Went to Telkom/8ta store, explained the problem to the tech guy there. He couldn't help, they issued a new sim card and transferred my data bundle to new sim to test, that still didn't work.
Bought a new sim card, new number, 2+1GB promo, still doesn't work.

Explained to him that this issue is on their servers and if they are blocking websites and application, they should at least have some knowledge about it...
He said he would escalate the issue. Wonder how long this is going to take to sort out.

So now I have to buy Cell C data bundles, to get steam games and updates...

 

[JaggedTeeth]

This is just ridiculous. How can they be blocking applications and services and just NOT KNOW about it?

I haven'd had a chance to go to the shop here, but I'm sure they will say the same thing when I do :-/

 

[sajunky]

This is just ridiculous. How can they be blocking applications and services and just NOT KNOW about it?

Think Echelon?

 

[w1z4rd]

Mediafire. Understandable if they did block it - it's mostly used for pirate things (except when people use it to share Shepard faces and blocking makes me not get them).

But yeah, Valve says it must be ISP-side. I get a standard 'content servers unreachable' message whenever I try to download anything. I've turned off my firewalls both on my router and on my pc, separately and together, and nothing. I've even connected directly through a 3g modem instead of a router and STILL no change.

Nobody else having this problem?

Whaaat? 8ta are blocking mediafire? wtf. Thats not normal. Ive never had a site blocked by any ISP ever...

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

I've noticed with my dynamic IP account that for our 8ta setup, 8ta has blocked incoming ports since 1st of Feb. Thought it was my 3G router but its been working fine for 6 months since I last played with settings.

 

[Glipsie]

Weird. My steam updates (its currently downloading a 100mb update) and I can access mediafire (well the main page at least).
What IP range are you on? (I'm on 41.151.44.x)


*edit*
Steam updating:

 

[JaggedTeeth]

Steam updates for me too. As I said in a previous post, everything about steam (including updates to Steam itself) works, except for updates to some (ie. the majority) of games. Specific games you might want to check are Skyrim and DOTA2. Portal and Neverwinter Nights 2 are fine.

@ cbrunsdonza : Might have been Feb first mine stopped working, I hadn't actually updated anything in a while before I noticed the issue. I thought it might be my router or firewall at first too, but it appears to be 8.ta itself.

 

[Glipsie]

Ok, ran out of my 10Gb so I had to buy a 2+1 special (might have changed something). Dota 2 updates for me:

My IP range is 41.150.49.x.

Its strange that Portal works but Dota doesn't (both being Valve games).

Are you still unable to access mediafire? If so, do you have a specific link or is the main page blocked?

 

[JaggedTeeth]

The main page seems to be fine, but I tried to follow a link to a Mass Effect 2 Shepard headmorph I liked and got the message someone linked above.

And I thought it was thoroughly strange that DOTA doesn't work but Portal does. If 8ta is blocking a specific set of ports, it could be that the two games update trough different ports. I might be talking through my hat here; I'm no IT tech and I don't even know if that's possible.

And I'm glad the 2+1gb thing worked for you, but I'm certainly not doing it lol. I give 8ta enough of my money :-/

 

[Chris14]

what is your connection like playing on Steam ? and what have you played with Steam ?