Cannot access 4oD

Chris_Noble · 31-10-2009, 21:49

Hi chaps,

Firstly apologies if this is in the wrong section.

I'm an ex NTL customer, now Virgin Media, attached via cable modem. Whenever I try to access the programmes at channel4.com/4od I get the same error: "The Service is not currently available in your area".

I'm in East London.

Now, BBC iPlayer and ITV.com both pick up my geography correctly.

I've also checked with Quova.com, as I believe that Channel 4 uses them for geolocation. It puts me in the right place.

I had an e-mail back-and forth with 4oD support, their e-mail said:

Quote:

I have checked your IP address using Quova and can confirm that the problem
is not that your IP is outside the UK, it is that you are using Anonymizer
software to disguise your IP

Making a direct connection without IP shielding should resolve the issue.

Now the thing is, I'm not using anonymiser software. I ran a Tor relay for about 1 week in July following the Iranian election to try and help the guys there, but that's it. Nothing of that sort has run for 4 months now. No proxies are set, nothing - and, Quova spots me fine.

I told the good people at 4oD support this and asked for further guidance but received no reply, despite a couple of prompts over the last two months.

So I'm wondering - has anyone else had similar problems? And has anyone found a way to fix the issue.

Many thanks

Chris.

Stuart · 31-10-2009, 22:37

If it helps, the forum software is showing your IP correctly (which it wouldn't if you were using an anonymous proxy or if you were going through a TOR relay)..

The DNS name also shows you are in London (it actually shows which part of London, but for obvious reasons, I will not be revealing that).

Is it possible that Channel 4 have blocked your IP for some reason?

to the forum, BTW.

Chris_Noble · 31-10-2009, 22:47

I suppose it's possible that I'm blocked. But I've just been racking my brains and I can't think of any reason why I would have been. My e-mails were horribly polite and it's not like I've ever mooned in a Right to Reply booth with my IP address tattooed on my buttocks.

... at least, not that I recall.

Thanks for the welcome

Chris

Stuart · 31-10-2009, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_Noble

I suppose it's possible that I'm blocked. But I've just been racking my brains and I can't think of any reason why I would have been. My e-mails were horribly polite and it's not like I've ever mooned in a Right to Reply booth with my IP address tattooed on my buttocks.

... at least, not that I recall.

Thanks for the welcome

Chrs

It might be that the previous user of your IP was a little naughty. Virgin's IPs don't change often, but they do change.

---------- Post added at 23:56 ---------- Previous post was at 23:50 ----------

Try changing the MAC address of the device attached to the Modem (be it your PC or a router) and rebooting the modem. That should get you a new IP.

Stuart · 31-10-2009, 23:01

The only sure fire way is to change the MAC of the router and reboot the modem. The switch off for n days method only works if someone takes your IP while your modem is off (which may or may not happen).

Chris_Noble · 31-10-2009, 23:13

I am now the proud owner of a new IP address. And what do you know, 4oD now works again.

Thank you Stuart for your help, and for burning the midnight oil.

Chris