I just downloaded the new mIRC (v. 6.5 or so). It's been about 3 years since I was on. For US Folcs I would recommend picking a US server rather than sticking with "Random Server". You can get the list to expand and pick a named server. If you can't get on there, they try the nearest available server.
Good luck.
See you there.
cool
Artemis (LCArtemis on IRC)

History is easy once you've lived it. - Duncan MacLeod
Writing history is easy once you've lived it. - Artemis