I'm having a hella time also. I'm not sure if it's my ISP or my machine. I get the "hi", "flush your..." , and a successful connect to the bbs about an equal percentage of the time.

I try a series of steps and then give up. 8 hours later it alternates to one of the other two. I'm hoping its my ISP (noos.fr) and it'll work itself out over time.