i have steam installed with DOD and CS. for some reason i am unable to connect to any server. it is not the inter net cause i know it works and the router is fine. so how can i get it to connect to a server? i am able to make my own server but no one can join it.take a look at your firewall settings, under the "exceptions" tab make sure valve steam is checkedi have added steam to the exception list but it still says "host server is not responding" cannot connect and it says it for every single serverfound on steam forums, basicly a list of 'have you's':
Quote from: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=915200

Network and Connection issues with Steam and Steam Games.

1. Have you renamed the clientregistry.blob to clientregistrybak1.blob

2. Have you removed and then re-added Steam as allowed in your firewall and each game exe (eg. hl2.exe).

3. Have you tested your bandwidth www.speedtest.net

4. Have you reset Steam. (see above in orange)

5. Have you checked to see if steam is blocked in your router (some do and the can loose there settings). Try connecting directly to the modem.

6. Have you tried forwarding steam ports. www.portforward.com
Ports:
UDP 27000 to 27020 inclusive
TCP 27020 to 27050 inclusive
(this is mainly to run servers on the net but can't hurt)

7. Have you downloaded pingplotter pro and tried to see if it is outside your network and isolate the issue. Note the ip Address the issue is happening at if there is one (run the test for at least 30 minutes during times when you have issues).

8. Have you tried a different PC on your connection or taken your PC elsewhere.
If your pc works fine from SOMEWHERE else the issue is one of these router/modem/isp (connect your isp for advice) make sure to do (7).
If your friends machine can play at your place it's definately your PC. (check firewall / antivirus / repair steam install / verify game cache / defrag / network settings / ip's? / windows updates / .netframework updates )

9. Have you tried a different router or connected directly through your modem.

10. Setting your PC's ip address rather than leave it automatic can help.
Network connections, right click/proterties, tcpip protocols, set them to what they are in (right click connection) status/support. Make sure to set it to automatic again to connect elsewhere.

11. Have you tried selecting a different download region. FILE / settings / downloads

12. If you are using Steamwatch (turn it off) download can count on your usage if you do.

13. Uninstall any nvidia network security (installs with motherboard drivers on boards with nvidia ethernet drivers)

14. Disabled/uninstalled any bandwidth contollers.

15. Have you downloaded and installed the latest firmware for your modem*/router. *(this will set them to default settings and may require configuring, make sure you have the settings required to connect to your isp, INCLUDING username and password for your connection, get them before you loose your connection)

16. When you change settings in a modem or router, apply changes the settings and save and reboot stores them. (not saving and rebooting will reset the old settings if it is turned off and on)

What kind of connection do you have? If you're on dial-up, you could be screwed.

When has a router ever been dial-up? I may be wrong... but I doubt it.

never
sorry for the short post

I'd be willing to pay you $50 for making your first useful post. Do you have what it takes?

I think a riskier bet is that pure water is H2O.