New step forward on this problem.
It is probably (I mean surely) a DNS issue.

When I install Quake 4 + latest patch, I cannot see the multiplayer servers. It says "0 server".

When I open the console and type "net_master0" it returns "q4master.idsoftware.com"

Then I decided to bypass the DNS by entering the direct IP address with this command : seta net_master0 192.246.40.28:27650
And finally I can see the servers in the multiplayer tab.

>> When I do a ping on "q4master.idsoftware.com" in a Windows console, it works well.

This problem can be reproduce on Doom 3 and Prey. HumanHead Studio is aware of the problem on Prey and I pray (he he) that they'll find the origin of the issue.

Can you guys at Raven take a look on it ? I can confirm we are some guys on french forums having this prob. Some guys in 3Drealms forum were having the problem also on Q4, so... there is something wrong.

Up !

You never installed a warez version, did you?

A common hack is to edit \windows\system\drivers\etc\hosts to redefine id's IP addresses to the localhost, so that it cannot check your cdkey. Also means that you cannot talk to id's master...

no it is not a warez version, my HOST file is clean

this problem of DNS concern Doom 3, Quake 4, Prey, all using Doom 3 Engine and IDNET System.

For Prey, HumanHead is looking at it, the track is really starting, we see the problem concern guys from UK, France, Germany 'for now', and I still wait for more people to report it. The problem is that people won't help the track, most of them copy the IP address of the Master Server rathen than the DNS name and then play without giving a feedback.

But I'm still helping more players in french forums (i'm from france), for example 2 more guys today had the problem, and now its fixed. I also encourage them to post their DNS if that could help.

But this forum is dead, hey Raven Guys, are you HERE ?

Dunno that raven read this forum that often - or if they do, they dont post replies.

Do id know about the issue? Might be worth you emailing SyncError @ idsoftware . com with details.

Thank you for the information, I'll send an email to ID

Ok the next patch for PREY will fix the DNS issue !

http://www.3drealms.com/news/2006/08/prey_weekly_update_24.html

How to contact Raven now ? I was in touch with the devs and it's something bad in the ID code, would be cool to fix it also for Quake 4 !

did you email SyncError at id like I mentioned?

id have been controlling the point releases, and it is likely to be them who should apply this fix if the error is in the id codebase.

It might be worth emailing him again, although you'd hope that Human Head have already passed back what they've found.

Hello i did send the email and have an answer, the bug has already been properly reported to ID, good news !