Microsoft KB Archive/942014

Knowledge Base

Error message when you try to connect to Games for Windows LIVE "Error: Can’t connect to LIVE. Make sure that the selected network adapter can connect to the Internet and try again."

Article ID: 942014

Article Last Modified on 9/11/2007

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APPLIES TO

• Games for Windows - LIVE

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Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista

SYMPTOMS

When you try to connect to Games for Windows LIVE, you receive the following error message:

Error: Can’t connect to LIVE. Make sure that the selected network adapter can connect to the Internet and try again.

CAUSE

This issue may occur when the Games for Windows LIVE game tries to use the wrong network adapter to connect to the LIVE service. Sometimes the wrong adapter is used when the Internet connection uses the Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) protocol.

THINGS TO TRY

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Determine which network adapter connects the computer to the Internet.
   • Windows XP: Click Start, click Run, type ncpa.cpl, and then click OK.
   • Windows Vista: Click Start, type ncpa.cpl in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
2. Examine the entries that appear in the Network Connections window to determine which network connection connects to the Internet.

   Note Typically on computers that have more than one network adapter, Local Area Connection, Wireless Network Connection, or a custom connection name may appear in this window. If there is more than one entry for a category, they may be numbered. For example, they might be Local Area Connection 1, Local Area Connection 2, and so on.

   Note the exact name of the connection that connects the computer to the Internet. Make sure that the spelling is correct.
3. Create and configure the ConnectionOverride registry entry that points to the network adapter that connects the computer to the Internet. To do this, follow these steps.
   
   Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
   1. Start Registery Editor.
      • Windows XP: Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
      • Windows Vista: Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.

        Note If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type a valid password, or click Continue.

   2. Locate and right-click the following registry subkey:

      HKeyCurrentUser\Software\Classes\Software\Microsoft\XLive

      
      

      [GRAPHIC: Xlive Subkey]
   3. Point to New, and then click String Value.
      [GRAPHIC: New String Value ]
   4. Type ConnectionOverride to name the value, and then click OK.
      [GRAPHIC: Value Name]
   5. Double-click ConnectionOverride.
   6. In the Value data box, type the name of the network adapter that you noted in step 2, and then click OK.
      
      For example, if the Local Area Connection adapter connects to the Internet, type Local Area Connection in the Value data box, and then click OK.
      [GRAPHIC: Type connection name]
   7. Exit Registry Editor.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information how to back up the registry, how to edit the registry, and a list of references, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Windows registry information for advanced users

Keywords: kbexpertisebeginner kbgamesforwindowslive kbxbox360pacrimportal kbxbox360ext kbxbox360europeportal kbxbox360americasportal kbgraphxlink kbpubtypekc kbinfo KB942014

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