Topic: Windows Vista and Gamespy Arcade SFC support

[Pestalence_XC]

If you haven't noticed, you can't join game lobbies in Gamespy Arcade when using Vista (GSA needs to make a patch)

Currently, I have a work around to where Vista users can join a game lobby.. and it is quite easy..

I will post for Orion pirates now and later today I will post for SFC 1 and EAW

Make sure game is installed so that Gamespy Arcade recognizes it.

Make sure you have latest version of Gamespy Arcade

Launch Gamespy Arcade, let it scan for games.

Sign into Gamespy Arcade


To enter a game lobby. just press CNTRL + O

then put in the room URL below

SFC :

sfc:///?type=group&group=-1

SFC EAW:

strfltcmd2:///?type=group&group=-1

Orion Pirates :

sfc2op:///?type=group&group=-1

SFC 3 :

sfc3:///?type=group&group=-1


The second way to enter is to use your buddy list and join your buddies location.

anyhow I hope that this helps

[KBFLordKrueg]

Part of the problem solved anyway.
Now, if you could figure out how to get Vista connected to the D2, you would become a God...

Nicely done, sir.

[Pestalence_XC]

Vista does connect to D2.

Follow instructions for the OP Enhancement Package v5.0 install

It will show you how to install SFC OP without any problems.

OP Enhancement Package is optional

[FPF-Tobin Dax]

For those in Canada who don't want to deal with Dell, MDG can still build you a system using XP on it.

[KBFLordKrueg]

Vista does connect to D2.

Follow instructions for the OP Enhancement Package v5.0 install

It will show you how to install SFC OP without any problems.

OP Enhancement Package is optional

Then you have indeed elevated your standing...
This is great news for dozens of players I've seen post about not being able to join campaigns because of issues with Vista after they bought a new super powered gaming computer...
Outstanding!

[Pestalence_XC]

SOrry.. I           FUBARED

Vista connected Once to the Directory servers, and logged into a server 1 time earlier today..

So.. trying just now, I got to the directory server and saw Stray's Tavern, The BoneYard, and Test Server...

Trying to join .. it counted down and then dumped to desktop.. However I did connect into The Boneyard earlier today..

Now the problem seems a DNS resolution on Vista's side.. Iam working on a work around currently..

Please bare with me for a day or 2.. I'll get 100% stability soon

[Pestalence_XC]

OK it seems that the problem is the way Direct X 10 communicates with DirectX 9.0c ...

I put OP into compatibility mode for XPSP 2, Disabled scaling, turn off visual themes, and disabled desktop composition..

Launch game..

Multiplayer gave me FIrewall detected..

Clicked back button

Clicked Dynaverse connect again

OP asked me to log in..

I go to Test Server

I click connect

I log on to server.. Movement crawls from hex to hex.. Purchases take several min in drydock, nevermind buying a ship.

Launch of game works fine mission works fine, going back to server is fine, but movement is slow and same issue with drydock.. now I get screen parts disappearing after clicking repair button, then it re appears if I click map then supply again..

Repair cost does not take effect for several min.

Anyhow, I am still trying to get it more stable.. Looking into maybe updating the DLL's from the Direct X 10 SDK and see what happens.

It is definately a Direct Play issue.. Similar to what SFC 3 had when Direct X 9 came out.

This may require a user side patch or a newer version of Direct X 10 that is backwards compatible with Direct Play.

[KBF-Crim]

You Rock.

[FPF-Tobin Dax]

The solution would seem to be to upgrade to XP. 

[Lepton]

OK it seems that the problem is the way Direct X 10 communicates with DirectX 9.0c ...

I put OP into compatibility mode for XPSP 2, Disabled scaling, turn off visual themes, and disabled desktop composition..

Launch game..

Multiplayer gave me FIrewall detected..

Clicked back button

Clicked Dynaverse connect again

OP asked me to log in..

I go to Test Server

I click connect

I log on to server.. Movement crawls from hex to hex.. Purchases take several min in drydock, nevermind buying a ship.

Launch of game works fine mission works fine, going back to server is fine, but movement is slow and same issue with drydock.. now I get screen parts disappearing after clicking repair button, then it re appears if I click map then supply again..

Repair cost does not take effect for several min.

Anyhow, I am still trying to get it more stable.. Looking into maybe updating the DLL's from the Direct X 10 SDK and see what happens.

It is definately a Direct Play issue.. Similar to what SFC 3 had when Direct X 9 came out.

This may require a user side patch or a newer version of Direct X 10 that is backwards compatible with Direct Play.

This is totally consistent with my dynaverse experiences under Vista so far.  Takes forever to login.  May get totally shut out with firewall for no good reason.  If I can connect to the directory servers, logging on to a specific dynaverse server takes forever.  Once on a server, hex movement is exceeding slow.  Switching between views (i.e. shipyard, supplies) is slow and the views take a while to update.  All in all, a pretty rough experience.  Also, connecting to other players in missions is pretty damn slow and spotty as well.

[Pestalence_XC]

OK I thnik I may have found a solution..

Everyone tries to put OP into XPSP 2 compatibility by default..

Put the game into Win 2K compatibility

also put a check into disable desktop composition

This re-enables TCP/IP connection buttons in game

it also re enables the Launch Gamespy Arcade button..

on first attempt, I got the directory servers really fast.. but I went to join the wrong server..

Afterwords I get Firewall issue.. but I am going to try again..

I'll post back as soon as I can gain a server..

If mocement is fast.. problem solved..

I had forgotten that OP was built on Win 2K.. so it is not surprising that Compatibility mode needs to be set for same.

Anyhow, I'll post back about the Dyna

[Pestalence_XC]

New Gamespy Arcade fix for Vista

Right click on Icon, put compatibility mode for XPSP 2

put check into Disable Desktop Composition

Click OK.

Gamespy Arcade works like it is suppose to.. lobbies and all

[Lepton]

New Gamespy Arcade fix for Vista

Right click on Icon, put compatibility mode for XPSP 2

put check into Disable Desktop Composition

Click OK.

Gamespy Arcade works like it is suppose to.. lobbies and all

Not for me it doesn't.  I tried that already.

[Pestalence_XC]

New Gamespy Arcade fix for Vista

Right click on Icon, put compatibility mode for XPSP 2

put check into Disable Desktop Composition

Click OK.

Gamespy Arcade works like it is suppose to.. lobbies and all

Not for me it doesn't. I tried that already.

It must be because I installed VIsta RC SP 1 on my system...

GSA is working for me now.. Still has some bugs in the GSA program whn going into BF1942 room, but after the "Can't use <>+_" message, the page loads and I can join lobby..

Anyhow if you want the RC SP 1 vor Vista.. I can post a link for you to get it.

[Lepton]

OK I thnik I may have found a solution..

Everyone tries to put OP into XPSP 2 compatibility by default..

Put the game into Win 2K compatibility

also put a check into disable desktop composition

This re-enables TCP/IP connection buttons in game

it also re enables the Launch Gamespy Arcade button..

on first attempt, I got the directory servers really fast.. but I went to join the wrong server..

Afterwords I get Firewall issue.. but I am going to try again..

I'll post back as soon as I can gain a server..

If mocement is fast.. problem solved..

I had forgotten that OP was built on Win 2K.. so it is not surprising that Compatibility mode needs to be set for same.

Anyhow, I'll post back about the Dyna

Movement is zippy for me until I move onto a planet or station, where it takes forever for the supply or shipyard button to light up if it does at all.  When I try to move off of the planet or base, it is very slow and slow thereafter, until for some reason it clears up again and movement is zippy.  I was testing this out on the Boneyard server.  Only person on it.  The movement problems might be related to the mission button resolving itself.  It seems when the mission button does not light up right away then movement is slow.

[I, Mudd.]

Maybe I DLed from the wrong place, but when I installed Vista RC SP 1, rebooted and clicked on the Gamespy icon with the properties selected as you stated, it was the first time I'd ever seen the Blue screen of death in Vista. From that point, it would simply reboot, bluescreen repeat until I opened in safe mode and did a system restore prior to installing the 'update'.

Before installing Vista RC SP 1, I had all the Windows updates available from MS, so I am rather confused and a little more than exasperated at what to do next. XP is not an option on this Compaq machine as some of the Hardware is integrated to use specialized HP drivers, or so my meager research has shown ...

I am considering running OP under the VMware I have installed to run 3dmax on, but am a little hesitant to do so for fear of increased lag ... lol

... any suggestions?

JM.

[Age]

New Gamespy Arcade fix for Vista



put check into Disable Desktop Composition

Click OK.

What is this?I bet you are having fun with this.

[Pestalence_XC]

Well so far..

Win Vista using SP 1 Beta RC version 6001

GSA fixed (to the most part) by setting to XPSP2 compatibility and disabling Desktop Composition.

Dynaverse ...

Still same issue.. periodic Firewall message, but I can access the directory servers more often..

Logged on to Boneyard.. Movement crawls, supplies take 1 to 2 min to update.. etc..

This is a TCP/Ip issue or a Direct Play issue..

Still researching Direct X to find out a solution.. but we are getting closer.

For those wanting to play TCP/IP direct games, the buttons for TCP/Ip are fixed in vista SP 1 RC by setting game to Win 2K compatibility and disabling Desktop Composition.

So so far GSA and SFC OP TCP/IP are working..

Not a bad start for 3 days.. now let's see if I can get the Dyna going..

I do have 1 question

Anyone try to host a Vista based Dyna Server?

I'll put one up for Testing.

[Pestalence_XC]

OK Vista based Dyna server Up

[Pestalence_XC]

 OK server on Vista seems to be much more stable than that on XP for Vista users..

Movement is much faster than those on other servers, however it is still taking a moment to update position repair and supplies, but it is no where a crawl like trying to play on an XP server.

The test server is the b37 stock server.. no modifications to server kit except the directory look up file.. It is running Flatfile not SQL

Also the results I got may be biased due to me connecting to my own computer through the directory server..

IE, I ran the game on the same PC as the server is running..

that may have introduced lag..

Vista users, please try logging on and playing.

Post back any feedback please.

[Pestalence_XC]

Someone just CRC checked bad.. You must have Stock game installed with latest patch..

No OP + 4 shiplist.. game should be stock

[Pestalence_XC]

Restarted server.. adjusted *.dll files for stability

You should be able to log on now.

[Pestalence_XC]

Performed DB wipe due to corruption of chat channels from changing DLL files.

Server back up.. No further changes to be done.. will check DB tomorrow after I get back from work..

Please log in and play..

[Marikar]

Hi,  I'm still not able to even login.  I just get a you are behind a firewall message, even though I have port forwarded the correct ports for dx8 and all the others in your install guide.  I have also taken my pc out from behind my routers firewall and still have the same problem.  The login button refuses to come on! and and the firewall message. 

I hope you find a good universal solution soon.
I will keep trying different firewall settings.

Something that has occurred to me is to try the IP addy of the directory servers instead of the dns ones.  But I don't know what they are or if they are likely to change regularly.

Keep up the good work Pesty.

[Lear]

YOU ROCK Pestalence, some times I need to flip back to the selector screen(Firewall) and try
again. now this 1,000 dollar Laptop that I bought works for OP( which is why i Bought it)
movement is still a little jerky but she moves right along. Haven't tried to draft anyone.
no one seems on when I am

[Pestalence_XC]

Hi, I'm still not able to even login. I just get a you are behind a firewall message, even though I have port forwarded the correct ports for dx8 and all the others in your install guide. I have also taken my pc out from behind my routers firewall and still have the same problem. The login button refuses to come on! and and the firewall message.

I hope you find a good universal solution soon.
I will keep trying different firewall settings.

Something that has occurred to me is to try the IP addy of the directory servers instead of the dns ones. But I don't know what they are or if they are likely to change regularly.

Keep up the good work Pesty.

Sometimes the Directory servers go down.. sometimes they work fine..

On Dyna servers.. sometimes it may take up to 2 min to see the server listing.. others it takes just 10 seconds..

The servers are hosted in Houston.. so imagine how much traffic is on Time Warner Cable there, even business class gets bottlenecked.. that explains the slow down.

As for Firewall, set your machine into DMZ mode through your router.

Also make sure that Windows firewall is turned off and that your Anti-Virus firewall is off (the router is your firewall)

Double check your Internet Company to see if they have ports that are blocked by default.

If you are installing on XP or Vista.. make sure that Anti-Virus is disabled before you install.

Make sure User Accounts is disabled.

Another thing you can try to do for Vista is after game install and ready to install OP Enhancement Package before running the OPEnhancement exe, right click on it and set it to Win 2000 compatibility (same as game should be set) then after you close the properties box, right click on the EXE and select Run as Administrator.

Also on Vista, I suggest trying the Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate .. it updates your net code quite a bit to add stability.. it is not 100% Xp compatible.. but it is closer...

the Release Candidate is use at your own risk and make sure you read all the information on installing and uninstalling the service package before you get it I and D.Net are not responsible for results on the Vista Service Package.. however I am using it and it seems more stable.

Hope this helps.

[Marikar]

Thanks Pesty,  I have been trying not to use the vista sp1 beta, but I might try it out and see.  I have no firewall exept the router running and have vista in admin mode.
Still refuses to work even when the pc is outside the firewall.

I hope I will fix this soon, or I will have to think about an upgrade to XP    Problem with that is I can't get it anymore, I have a copy of XPProf but can't run it legally now I have a different job and I simply cant afford to buy it at the moment, even if I could find it in the shops, lol.  I upgraded to Vista because I had no choise, grrrr.

[KAT MRess]

Maybe I can shed some light on the Vista SP1 situation.

It is due to be released soon (not sure of the exact date), but in the meantime, I have read this on various forums.

SP1 Beta had issues with compatibility, especially retro.
SP1 RC was a disaster. Many systems that installed it crashed and would not restart until you re-installed.
SP1 RTM was much better, have heard nothing but praise for it. The word is, the Kernel was entirely rebuilt on it. This should alleviate the connectivity issues. I've been using SP1 RTM on my Vista for about a month now and most of my problems have disappeared.

Vista on the whole stutters on a regular basis because of it's structure, this may be the cause of the connectivity issues. As it tries to update all the stuff it is running it can bog down and stutter, especially on disk or network refreshes. While SP1 RTM has reduced this greatly, more so than SP1 Beta and RC, but the hiccups are still there.

Try again with RTM or the official release and see what happens.

[FA Frey XC]

A couple corrections:

The Dynaverse Servers are hosted in Dallas (Garland, specifically). We are on a T1 upstream business connection.

I closely monitor the bandwidth utilization, and rarely are we utilizing 100% of our upstream bandwidth. In fact, rarely are we utilizing over 50% continuously. We see peaks here and there of 60-70%, but that's it.

Our backbone here in Garland is considered one of the best. While we have had issues stemming from - ultimately - theft of services on the node we reside on, this has been resolved and hasn't happened for over 6 months now.

The issue with Vista is DX10's inability to play nice with previous Direct X versions besides 9, and even then from what I've read it doesn't play nice all the time, especially with DirectPlay.

Ultimately, the solution until Microsoft gets it's act together? Dual boot your Windows. Installed Windows XP first, then Vista. If you've already loaded Vista, that's bad, don't try to load XP.

I've a feeling Windows Vista will be remember along the same lines as Windows ME.

Regards,

[Tulwar]

Except for the illegal code keeping Netscape from launching in a timely fashion, I never had a problem with Win ME.  In fact, when that computer (it came in a lousy case) burned up, I simple took the HD out, and put it in a new machine!  Try that with XP!  As far as Win Vista....  Ooh!  I nearly destroyed my expensive, little laptop several times before I decided that I didn't have the temperament to deal with Vista.  To protect my investment, I had to shell out another $150.00 to M$, and pay someone to put XP on this laptop.  In researching how to do it, I found that installing the drivers was easier said than done.  Fortunately, Toshiba uses an Intel chipset, so drivers could be found, but, a USB floppy drive would be needed to install them.  A floppy drive in 2007?  Geek Squad and the guys at the computer store wouldn't touch it.  I had to go to Uptech for some real professionals.  I should have paid them to build my machine in the first place.  There used to be an advantage in buying a computer off the shelf when Toshiba, Gateway, Dell, put useful accessories on the machines, but now they only load them with crapware.

I really feel sorry for all those people that bought Vista machines with only 1 Gig of RAM.  My neighbors machine runs at a glacial pace.  With 2 Gigs, mine actually worked....  Except that I needed to buy all new software!  I couldn't alter my games w/o long, involved tedium!  The Activation Assistant for M$ Office couldn't be uninstalled after uninstalling M$ Office!  It couldn't link to my XP machine!  I couldn't get my machine loaded and configured after a month, so I stopped trying.  When you waste two consecutive weekends, just trying to uninstall the crapware, and software that wouldn't load correctly, you have an OS that doesn't work.  I really feel bad about not being able to use Vista, but dealing with its problems was sapping my time in a most unpleasant manner.

Down-grading to XP made this machine useful.  When the subject was broached, I just had to vent.  I forgot how frustrated I was when I took this machine out of the box.  My old ME machine was a really good deal.  It had a 40 Gig HD back in 2001!  Pity the case was a piece of crap, the machine burned up!  Coming up with the money to buy a new MB, processor, case, and power supply really hurt back then.  Now, the expense is not as painful as being played for a sucker.