I'm doing something wrong here (IRC CHAT)

SO I get home from work and Hubby2Hen had “fixed” my puter. He has also erased my chat program. I reinstalled it but now I can’t get into that chat! What is a Mama to do? Someone help!

Sounds like a configuration problem.

One problem with usenet is that most of the built-in server lists are outdated.

Try going through webchat, and also check that you aren’t trying to access obsolete servers - you’ll get an “unable to resolve IRC server” message in your status window if you are.

Go to http://www.undernet.org/webchat.php, and select the Amsterdam server from the drop down menu (it’s usually pretty reliable). When you are connected to #newbies, type /join #straightdope in the text box.

If you tell us which IRC client you have installed, we might be able to troubleshoot it for you.

Hope to see you back in chat soon.

Oh yeah - hubby didn’t install a firewall when he “fixed” your 'puter did he? If so, you’ll have to tell it to allow IRC to act as a server.

mIRC? That’s what I used before. I don’t see anythng about firewalls.

What is actually happening when you try to connect to an undernet server? What error message are you getting in your status window? I’m trying to find someone in the channel with yahoo messenger to see if they can help out.

Well I type in #straightdope once I am connected like I always did before and it takes me to a room with just me in it!

That means the server you’re connecting through is split from the net.

You can wait for the nets to merge, or change servers.

Try graz, graz2, Amsterdam, or Paris.

If you’ve reinstalled mIRC, you’ll probably find it worthwhile to update your server list - a lot of the ports aren’t included in the dropdown lists.

To manually change servers, type

/server amsterdam.nl.eu.undernet.org (or whichever server you want to switch to)

There’s a complete list of current servers at http://www.undernet.org/servers.php.

MamaHen

Sounds like you haven’t connected to an undernet server, unless you do so the server you are using will create a room just for you.