I already had samurai empire installed on my laptop before I lost the CD, tried that (which failed) so downloaded ML which also has the same problem, so I'm only presuming that that isn't the problem

Hmm not sure
What kind of connection are you using? A LAN? Wireless?
I'm running Vista and UO connects aok, hmm

Not sure if this helps or not - ANSWER
Oh also, when you get that error message, does the game actually patch? or does the error come up when the patcher launches?
Could you note down the exact error message?

Thanks for the info. I've read that answer on EA support and, funnily enough, I am on a university network. However, I went downstairs to my friend (who will be on the same network), downloaded ML on his PC (XP), and it connected and patched fine, no problems at all, so I discarded that problem, although I dunno?

Sure, I get the message when the patcher opens, it doesn't actually patch at all.

Exact error message is:

"Error reading okay message from socket
Error reading divert address from socket
Could not connect to a patch server
Make sure you have an active connection to the Internet via an ISP or a direct connection.
Your client may not be the most recent version.
You may be able to play the game with your current client.
Check http://www.uo.com/ for help on resolving patching issues.
Click OK to play the game or Cancel to abort."

Hmm, do ya run any firewall software at all? Like Zonealarm?

Only Norton Protection Centre, which is basically the old Internet Security (I think) with added anti-virus software.

Hi Romie,

Do all your other Internet apps and games run fine? Do you have your Windows Vista CD?

I would try disabling norton and trying again

And is your Norton subscription ran out... just uninstall it. You can get just as good security for free.

Some links to some software that he could use would be helpful

Hi Drakelord,

Good idea. Just as a FYI, anyone with a GameXbar (like the UO Toolbar, DAoCXbar, LOTROXbar, MMOXbar, WARXbar, WoWXbar, etc.) installed has a full safety menu at their fingertips all the time. Almost any security app I or anyone else would recommend, is already categorized in the Safety menu (if you have one installed, take a look).

But for those that don't, here is kind of a home-brew security suite that can be done with free software:

• Anti spyware: SpyBot - Search & Destroy.
• Anti phishing: McAfee SiteAdvisor.
• Anti virus: avast!, AntiVir, or AVG. People squabble over which one is the best, but honestly... all three of them are great. Pick only one.
• Alternative browser: Mozilla Firefox. All browsers are good, so long as they are kept consistently up to date. Just that with FF being updated more often, automatically as it's own app, and the best extensions... pushes it above the others.
• Alternative email: Mozilla Thunderbird. The Firefox of email. If you already have Outlook 2003 or 2007, or as a Vista user have Windows Mail, use those. But if you're (anyone here) using XP and still using Outlook Express (or Outlook XP/2000, 97 and older)... STOP using it. Use a modern, secure email client.
• Firewall: This is trickier, so nothing is written in stone... just general rules of thumb. If you're on dialup, you need a software firewall... Comodo Firewall Pro Free or ZoneAlarm® Firewall. If you have broadband (cable, DSL, FiOS), depends if your modem/network has a router. If it's just a basic broadband modem (no extra LAN ports, no WiFi), you likely do not have a hardware firewall... get one of the software firewalls (above or from a GameXbar safety menu). If your broadband modem does have that stuff (like extra LAN ports, a WiFi antenna, or your have a seperate router), than you likely do have a hardware firewall... use that hardware firewall -and- the Windows software firewall built into XP SP2 and Vista, that'll get the job done fine. This is for entertainment purposes, batteries not included, and your mileage may vary... meaning the reality depends on your individual PC, ISP, & network configs.
• Instant messanging: ZoneLabs IMsecure (for XP only), secures your IM app (AIM/ICQ, MSNM/WLM, YIM, even Trillian). I know this is going to start a fight, but... no, ICQ is not safe. None of them are, but ICQ is the least safe. A Vista user, just use Trillian (a multi-IM client that supports the others, more secure client and better encryption).
• Memory protection: Comodo Memory Firewall, protects your system RAM from buffer overflow attacks.

There are other choices, and additional protections in the safety menu. Depends on what one needs, and how technical they want to get. I intentionally left tools like the often recommended HiJackThis and registry cleaners out of the the safety menu... as a lot of novice users get in trouble with them, end borking their Windows Registry, and then have to reformat/reinstall or taking their system to a repair shop.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the further info. I have also tried disabling Norton, which again didn't work. Also have set it so that UO is allowed to run. My subscription has not ran out yet, so I presume it's not worth installing some of the progs you have suggested, Nok?

And yes, everything else is running 100% fine. Sorry for the constant questions, I'm !!!! with computers!

Ta.