[macnewbie05]

I use a sportsbook from the US which doesnt technically do business here.

I have been able to access it with no problem via comcast through my airport until recently.

For some reason, comcast will not allow me to access the server for my sportsbook. I have tried using my laptop and ipod - nothing. Yet i am still able to access it from my phone.

I'm thinking that comcasr has blocked my ip from my system from accessing it. Is there any way to hide or change my ip to make my life easier?

Thanks in advance. As you can tell i'm a newbie!

[Thorzdad]

It's probably not Comcast. Many sportsbooks block US-based IPs themselves, for legal/liability reasons. You seem to indicate that the sportsbook itself is located in the US. If this is so, then they are definitely blocking your IP themselves.

[macnewbie05]

thanks for replying thorzdad.

Funny thing is that other people here in my neighborhood can still access the site, and through comcast too.

The same thing happened to me last year, and it lasted for a couple of weeks. Then all of a sudden i was able to access it out of nowhere. Weird.

[macnewbie05]

The sportsbook is huge - pinnacle, and is based out of costa rica or something. I find it hard to believe they would waster their it resources on a couple of tiny accounts like mine.

[reader50]

Cycle your modem. If you are on dynamic, then they may have blocked someone in your neighborhood. That person cycled their modem, and you inherited their blocked IP address the next time you cycled your modem. Kind of like passing a hot potatoe around.

Failing that, email their support box, asking if your IP has been blocked. If you are on dynamic service, be sure to point that out.

[macnewbie05]

Thx reader.

I will google instructions right after post and let you know how i turn out.

[reader50]

"cycle your modem" = turn the power switch off, or unplug the cord if there is no power switch. Wait a minute or two, turn back on. With luck, it will pull a different IP address. If you waited a few hours (turned off when you leave for work, for example) it will almost certainly pull a different IP address. Assuming you are on dynamic service of course.

If you keep being blocked, use the contact email on their site. Either way, no need to Google anything.

[macnewbie05]

I unplugged the modem and airport overnight, reset the modem this am - all to no avail.

Damn. I had a lot of hope in this. Can anyone think of anything else?

[Cold Warrior]

Maybe your dns is wonky. That is a primary difference between your phone (using your cell provider's dns) and Comcast.

What version of Mac OS X are you using? I suggest changing your dns servers in OS X and also flushing your dns cache.

[macnewbie05]

I'm using 10.5.8

how would i go about changing my dns server?

sorry for the questions - this stuff is all greek to me.

thx cold warrior

[Simon]

Test it on your Mac first.

In Sys prefs > Network > AirPort > Advanced > DNS

Add 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. (Google Public DNS).

[macnewbie05]

Thx simon. I just typed that stuff in, but for some reason i can't remove the original one of 10.0.1.1.

I can add/remove other servers but this original one is in faded letters/can't be edited.

Am i missing something?

[Simon]

Once you enter the new DNS the faded 10.0.1.1 should disappear all by itself.

[macnewbie05]

I just checked again.

It shows the 10.0.1.1 in fade, still 1st

and below that i have the 2 public DNS sequences you told me to put in in bold type.

I have tried everything to erase the 10.0.1.1 and just can't, but i can edit the 2 google ones.

this is so frustrating.

[Simon]

Shucks yeah, in Leopard it stays there. In SL the grayed out 10.0.1.1 is removed once you supply your own.

But with the Google DNS IPs listed, has the behavior changed?

[macnewbie05]

Not that i can tell.

I still can't access pinnacle sports. What other types of behavior should i look for?

[macnewbie05]

not that i have any idea what i am talking about, but would typing it in manually under "configure IPv4 or IPv6" under TCP/IP help the cause?

[reader50]

Guys, I don't have an AirPort, but the grey'd 10.0.1.1 address sounds like primary DNS is being supplied by his router. If so, the solution might be to load Airport Utility and change the default DNS address there.

[Cold Warrior]

Very likely, and it'd be good to change it. However with at least 10.5 and later, OS X will use the manually-supplied DNS over those provided by an ISP or router.

You (the OP) could still try flushing your dns cache. Open Terminal (in your Applications/Utilities folder) and type dscacheutil -flushcache then press enter.

[macnewbie05]

trying the flush now cold warrior...

[macnewbie05]

cold warrior - just typed dscacheutil -flushcache

exited browser, reopened and pinnaclesports still won't open

reader50: should i open the airport utiility and try changing it?

thx for the help guys. I'm sorry i'm so illiterate regarding this stuff

[Simon]

Go ahead and change the DNS on the AP base station to Google's: 8.8.8.8., 8.8.4.4.

[macnewbie05]

ok simon thanks. i will try it now.

[macnewbie05]

Well i just changed the dns on the base station to the google's and turned the airport off.

checking the system preferences, the 10.0.1.1 disappereared temporarily, but reappeared after i turned it back on.

still can't connect to pinnacle - tells me the server can't be accessed but i get everything else.

i'm lost.

[Cold Warrior]

what happens if you click the site's IP address? http://216.152.164.88

[macnewbie05]

wow that's weird - the same thing happens. it says "server is not responding".

But i can log into other sites? how can that be?

[Simon]

At this point that does look like Comcast blocking that IP to me. Have you tried calling them and asking about it?

[macnewbie05]

No SImon i have not. But why am i not able to open the link above either?

[macnewbie05]

I called comcast and they had no idea what's going on either.

They opened up a "ticket" to diagnose it on the back end

who knows how long this will take. will keep you guys update.

thanks for all your help

[Cold Warrior]

Maybe you should check with your sports site too. Perhaps they are blocking based off of originating IP.

[macnewbie05]

That's what i think the problem is cold warrior.

But if that's the case there is no way i can get around it except to get a new ip.

[macnewbie05]

How would i go about changing my ip to get around their ban? Is it as simple as unplugging modem/airport for a couple of hours?

[Andy8]

Have you tried using a VPN?

[macnewbie05]

I've heard about them but don't know much. Can you recommend one for macs?

[BLAZE_MkIV]

Tor would work too.

[macnewbie05]

Ijust did a search and came up with blacklogic. Seems pretty easy to use.

ANyone know of another one? thx guys