I also have the same issues. It's rediculous. I think its an xp issue because I installed from disk and went through all the updates on my friends vista pc with no issues at all and can log in. And it's not my pc, that's for sure. All my equipment is testing out just fine and I build my own systems, making sure to match equipment to avoid any compatibility issues etc. So unless I go to my friends house to play, I am no longer in game. Personally I think they should refund my money for my subscription fees until this stability issue has been resolved but that would be a pipe dream.
Now I remember why I didn't really care when I came back to the game after my last deployment in the RL Army to find I forgot to renew my sub and my castle dropped. Just don't really care anymore I guess. Way to go development team! You have convinced me to not care about a game that I have played for over 8 years. Every time I return from a RL Military Deployment it seems like the game gets worse...
meh.... have fun folks, I think this time I'm done for good unless something drastic changes and quick.