It lets me join servers, but doesnt let me join any channels. and it says "cannot join channel (+r)". help?

You need to register your nickname to be able to join the channel, I'm assuming. Try /who. If any of these have "@services.network.net" in their address (usualy "nickname!user@host") try /msg <name> help. It should provide instructions on how to register your nickname.

Or just join the #help channel. Most have the information right in the topic and if they don't have it there, you can just ask and they'll tell you how.

Depending how the network is setup, this might be impossible to do as well (unreal-ircd can set all channels to +r by default) So, best off determining which service handles the nick registration and get your nickname registered. (If unsure, just give /msg nickserv help a shot.) If the network has a website, check there. Most often its listed there what needs to be done. If no website is avaiable, check the MOTD ( /motd ) for admin contact email addresses and email an admin directly.

Any network that puts the #help channel as +r is stupid and not worth using.

lol :p

i'll mess with the config and see if it does it.. just, afaik, if unreal-ircd is set to 'set::modes-on-join +r' then all chans get it, regardless.. but it may make an exception for the help channel.