Xbox live problem - any ideas?

[TonyDA]

I'm having a problem connecting to any private matches on xbox live. As an example, today I tried to play Bankshot Billiards with someone on my friends list. I created a private game and invited him, but he got a message saying he couldn't connect to host; I asked him to create a game, and I got the same message.

I then created a public match - someone joined me and we played three frames with no problem at all. I then played Table Tennis and had no problems searching for games and joining them, but when someone invited me to a game, I couldn't connect.

I've played on live most of the weekend, and have expereienced the same problems as detailed above. I can join people in public lobbies, but as soon as I, or anyone on my friends list, tries to create a private game, I can't connect.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? I'm running the 360 through a Netgear router, and the internet comes from NTL, via a set top box, which is connected to the router. Also connected to the router is a Mac and a PC - turning them on/off makes no difference at all.

Any help appreciated. Thanks!

[yosai]

Are you using a private voice comm channels at the same time?

I've had probems trying to connect to friends when I've had an active voice channel with them.

[EvilBoris]

It sounds like NAT errors, run the Xbox live test on the system blade.

If you get anything other than "OPEN" that will be the problem.

[TonyDA]

Yosai - No, haven't been doing that. Thanks though.

EvilBoris - Indeed it is. Have just run the test and the Nat setting is "strict." Worryingly, the blurb about it says my router may be incompatible - likely, do you think, or just MS bull? Cheers for the advice.

[EvilBoris]

First thing to do is get a firmware update for your router, that can often sort out the problems.
If it doesn't then you need to do something called port forwarding or Set a DMZ to your 360 (De Militerized Zone) which will allow all data to go through to your 360.