This is a puzzle. What sort of security software are you using? Do you have DEP enabled on your computer? While you are at it, what sort of computer do you have and how does it connect to the internet.

In general, the only advantages that our UD client has over BOINC are graphics and better built-in compression. We are beta-testing some graphics for BOINC right now.

Lawrence

While the standard response of "it's probably your firewall" may help a lot of situations, I'm kinda frustrated that neither the Help nor the forums offer any alternatives.

I'm fairly savvy when it comes to my computer. I'm a software developer and manage my in-home network with scrutiny and precision.

I currently use Bionic without any trouble. However, I cannot get the World Community Grid agent to connect (receiving the same message Evert sees).

I'm running XP SP2, connect through a Linksys router to my cable modem, and have Norton Internet Security 2005 (v8.2) running.
DEP is enabled only for Windows programs.

I've attempted to add server.worldcommunitygrid.org as a trusted site and I've also completely disabled the firewall to no avail. Any other suggestions?

If your firewall is an SPI firewall that actually inspects the traffic going through AND is set up to ensure the proper traffic is going through the specific port, your firewall may very well be blocking the UD agent.

Though this scenario typically only applies to commercial firewalls and not home variants, it's not out of the question. UD uses a proprietary encryption protocol instead of SSL over port 443, so if your SPI firewall is expecting the traffic over 443 to be SSL, it may be blocking the traffic. The solution to this is to set up some rules to allow any traffic going to server.worldcommunitygrid.org:443 through without inspecting it.

As I said, I don't believe this is your problem if you are at home, but we have run across this in corporate intranets.

There are actually thru the WCG Forum history posts, that have this error message and weirdest 'solutions' coming out and the root cause never pinpointed.......

1. Redo the WCG UD My Profile selecting all projects...try again
2. Uninstall, clean out the WCG program folder and Re-install with the firewall disabled
3. Explicitly permit the server.worldcommunitygrid.org ip+443 port
4. Switch of ISP

Far as i know the WinXP build in Firewall is dead as a doornail far as outbound traffic.....even try booting into save mode with network options enabled......who knows?

......never had this.....guess I've been fortunate.

ciao

To be honest, BOINC is better anyway. It almost has too many advantages to list.