Some people unable to access the forum?

[Brian]

I have been getting some contact from members saying they are unable to access the forum the past few days.
Oddly, some of these are via pm's, which mean the members were on the forum at the time. I also don't have an explanation of what exact problem they are having, but I'm looking into it. I think there may be some attacks on the server lately, flooding with hacking attempts...maybe DDOS or otherwise. But if anyone is experiancing issues and can describe exactly what the error is, it will help.
I have no doubt it will be temporary, and we'll get it sorted. Just need to identify exactly where the issue lies.

[Kantaro]

Last days it is very difficult to access and almost impossible to post anything...

[Brian]

Guys..seriously. If you are going to mention access issues, there is zero I can do about it unless you are VERY specific about what the issue is.
I need exact error messages, screen shot if that is easier. What browser, phone, pc or mc etc etc.
It is extremely difficult to know how to address issues if I don't know exactly what the error is. Some have zero issues accessing, others have a problem, which to me suggests it is overseas lines or related to cables somewhere, but I can't look into it unless I get as many details as possible.

I would suggest starting at places like these, and see if the site is down for everyone else or just your location/country

https://pulsetic.com/is-website-down/
https://semonto.com/tools/website-reachability-check

https://www.websiteplanet.com/webtools/down-or-not/
https://www.site24x7.com/tools/check-website-availability.html
 

 

[eternal_newbie]

For me personally, the only issue I've observed is that the site seems to become unresponsive around 12:30am my time (GMT +8:00). This lasts anywhere from 5 minutes to half an hour. I assume it's the server doing some sort of maintenance, and since it's consistent I don't really mind.

[Kantaro]

Hmmm OK lets see and give you some more info Brian: a Desktop PC Windows 10 Home on Microsoft edge / ExpressVPN 

All your test sites above are OK

Problems: Some wheel start to turn and says "controlling access" when logging in + having to post 2-3-4 times the same message before it gets thru (after being controlled)

With putting a pic I get this message:

Sorry, an unknown server error occurred when uploading this file.

 

(Error code: -200)

[Brian]

Can you try it without the VPN engaged?
I'd like to see if the server is blocking you because it is detecting a VPN. Also worth trying a browser like Firefox or Chrome. 
But I suspect this may be a conflict with the security software and your VPN if you are using it all the time. Or try change the location of your VPN to the USA or elsewhere and see if that changes anything?
If you aren't using the VPN, try switching it on, choose one of the other countries and see if that changes anything?
It's not happening in most other places, so has to be between the server security and your ISP.
You can also open a command prompt and type ping www.militaria.co.za and see if any of the packets are not making it through?
 

[Kantaro]

OK Brian! It was the VPN.

Everything works fine when I put it on USA.

 

Thanks!

[Brian]

If anyone is having trouble accessing the forum, one more thing to try.
Please check if you are accessing via www.nihontomessageboard.com/nmb or www.militaria.co.za/nmb
If one is working and the other isn't, please update here so I can investigate. The second link is the primary one and recommended one, the other is a redirect.

[Bruce Pennington]

I use www.militaria.co.za/nmb, and had a moment yesterday, mid morning West Coast, US, time.  I had already been on the forum and was simply moving from one discussion to another, when it just hung up.  Came back later in the day and everything was fine.  Sorry I didn't note more details for you.

[Scogg]

Both links are currently working for me on an apple computer via google chrome 

Have not had issues lately, but when I do, they typically resolve within an hour or two. 
-Sam