Do not make it read only, I always time out when I do this. Just be VERY sure there are no spaces/cariage returns at the ends of any lines. I you have ANY you will get the xp-mitchell crud and it won't work. I gaurantee you still have returns or spaces in file if it is marked read/write and you are getting the timeout problem (assuming you have correct client version).

well just to give you a little back ground i have the newest version and i wanted to get back to eqemu , and need lil help i dont even see the servcer selection after putting in the password . wow things have changed since the last i played but seems better , i thing when i get a chance to go in :)

just checking back to see anyone has any more ideas about this

After getting a timeout I look at my eqhost.txt file and it reads
[LoginServer]
Host=xp-smitchell:7308

I change the Host file to read (I'm using minilogin):
[LoginServer]
127.0.0.1:5999

I run eqgame with the command N:\EQlocal\eqgame.exe patchme
I get a timeout when I try to login
I look at eqhost.txt and it reads:
[LoginServer]
Host=xp-smitchell:7308

I enter the following:
[LoginServer]
Host=127.0.0.1:5999

and it runs fine and the eqhost file does not change. Maybe this info will help.

Something keeps changing it back to that if you dont have the host=