Why no local servers on CoD4?

[w4e2e0d]

I'm currently deployed in Iraq and a bunch of my buddies have CoD4 on their PC's. They all have the most up to date downloaded version of the game. I bought the game and downloaded a patch to update it. My problem is, when I look for local servers it always shows 0/0. I can't figure out why it does this but it's really annoying because I know that my all my friends are playing on a local server. What do I have to do in order to make it to where I can play against everyone else? Is there a certain reason it always shows 0/0 servers?

[JollyRogers]

I'm currently deployed in Iraq and a bunch of my buddies have CoD4 on their PC's. They all have the most up to date downloaded version of the game. I bought the game and downloaded a patch to update it. My problem is, when I look for local servers it always shows 0/0. I can't figure out why it does this but it's really annoying because I know that my all my friends are playing on a local server. What do I have to do in order to make it to where I can play against everyone else? Is there a certain reason it always shows 0/0 servers?

Hey bub. My son is in Afghanistan... Stay safe... and thanks for your service from a one vet to another.

My youngest on a Vista box and I play all the time... We LAN with me running a server on my Mac Pro using pezbot mod to add bots for action since there is only 2 of us:)

The trick is the console... use ~ to bring it up then type "connect XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX" X's= the IP address of the server. Save it as a favorite if they always use the same IP and you will be good to go!