Right off the bat says there is a communication error -8

Question

I am running iChat 3.1.9 and trying to chat with my dad on my iMac running 10.4.11. We used to have no problems iChatting, now right off the bat we get this communication error box with this long log of the communication error -8. Any suggestions? TIA!

Answer 1

Hi,
Of all the iChat Error codes on Failed Connection this one is the catch-all one.
The log can be posted here (But I would say don't post the bits below the Line the says "Binary Images for iChat" as this hold no useful information for solving this.
Most often the Error 8 refers to ports or IPs being incorrect in some way.
Of those when it has worked before is using Port Forwarding to open Ports on a device that is doing DHCP - sooner or later the computer gets new IP and the Port Forwarding is pointing to the Old IP.
Check in System Preferences > Network what IP you are getting (And if it says "Using DHCP")
Compare this with the Router (or routing Modem) set up (pages) and what and where the ports are pointing.
The next most common issue is adding an extra router to the set up at one end.
This means that your (or your Buddy's) LAN can be set up with two subnets and iChat has an issue if this is not done the right way.
More than you will ever want to know about an Error 8 log http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/page14.html
This expanded and commented Error 8 is a very late failure in the process.
If you don't have the CSeq line get beyond INVITE or don't have the "Trying", "Ringing" and 200 OK comments in what looks like repeats then you have failed earlier than this.
Of course you will not have this Log and I understand you will need to get your father's
Old Logs will be in his Home Folder/Library/Logs/iChatConnectionErrors
(Long path Hard Drive/Users/(His Shortname/Account)/Library/Logs/iChatConnectionErrors)
It is most likely be that I will pick up any reply on my tomorrow (I am here for about 3 hours each day 7.00 - 10.00 My local time - See end of Post/Sig section)
9:18 PM Monday; November 29, 2010
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"