When you guys get to server select, and you click play, does it attempt to bring you to char select? Do you get that far? Can you click enter world and then it dumps you back? Where exactly does it boot you. My friend is having the same problem, and even then, sometimes when he does get in, maybe 1 in 50 ... the next time he zones it says "zone file does not exist" and kicks him out. He's given up trying to play too, which is unfortunate because he was hyped to started. If someone can post exact step by step it would be appreciated.
Example: Open SoD Patcher, Advanced, Repatch all, Patch and run, login, get to server select, play, loads, get to char select, pick char, enter world, crash
Something like that.
EDIT: Also please include your hardware specs, be as detailed as possible. Thanks.