EverQuest Patcher / Login Down For Some

For some players, attempting to log into EQ gets a network error.  In addition, they can not reach the SOE EverQuest forums.

Since some people have no problems, while others had the problem but it disappeared, while others still report being unable to log in, it appears that it is somehow related to SOE's network as it connects to various ISPs and/or geographical locations.

Bypassing the LaunchPad and patcher and directly logging in seems to enable everyone with a problem to log in.

How to bypass the LaunchPad and patcher:

1. Go to your EverQuest folder (if you aren't sure how to get there, the LaunchPad has a "gear" icon on the lower left side, press the gear to bring up the Advanced settings menu, then click on Open Game Directory) . 
2. Find the file "eqgame.exe" (it may be listed as just "eqgame").
3. Make a shortcut to desktop for it by right clicking it, choosing Send to, and picking Desktop (create shortcut). 
4. Right click the new shortcut on your Desktop and choose Properties. 
5. Change the Target to: C:\whatever is here leave alone \ whatever is here leave alone \eqgame.exe patchme.  

In other words, leave the Target exactly how it was, just add patchme to the end (leaving a space between eqgame.exe and patchme).

NOTE: If the Target is in quotation marks you need to add a space and patchme after them. For example: "C:\whatever is here leave alone \ whatever is here leave alone \eqgame.exe" patchme. 

See this link if you want pretty pictures.

Remember to only use this for now. Don't use it after SOE fixes the problem. Because you need to have an up-to-date patched EQ to play after they patch.