Topic: Help with an online game  (Read 5189 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Simon

  • Lt. Junior Grade
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Help with an online game
« on: October 28, 2008, 07:20:51 am »
I'm an old school SFB player from years ago, and me and a friend have bought SFC2, and we want to destroy each other. We've played succesfully in the office over the LAN using TCP/IP. I'm trying to play a remote multiplayer game, but the only entry listed is "Local Area Network".  No gamespy or dynaverse.

I tried adding my friend as a new entry to connect directly, putting his IP address in, but I can't see it when he hosts the game. He can't see me when I host a game either. He turned off his firewall.

I found this link http://startrek-games.com/startrekforum/showthread.php?t=10493 and updated my WONserversetip.gf with the instructions.

I am using a netgear router DG834. It may be that I'm not setting up a firewall rule correctly - I've no idea.

Is there any kind soul who can help me?

Thanks,

Simon



Offline marstone

  • Because I can
  • Commander
  • *
  • Posts: 3014
  • Gender: Male
  • G.E.C.K. - The best kit to have
    • Ramblings on the Q3, blog
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2008, 07:31:41 am »
one place to look is in here.  http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/board,3257.0.html.  Read in the OP enhancement Package v5.1 thread.  That should get you up and running.

Others I am sure will give pointers also.
The smell of printer ink in the morning,
Tis the smell of programming.

Offline marstone

  • Because I can
  • Commander
  • *
  • Posts: 3014
  • Gender: Male
  • G.E.C.K. - The best kit to have
    • Ramblings on the Q3, blog
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2008, 07:32:31 am »
Oh and welcome to the Dynaverse from another old time SFB player.  Looks like we are of the same vintage.
The smell of printer ink in the morning,
Tis the smell of programming.

Offline Simon

  • Lt. Junior Grade
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2008, 08:44:27 am »
one place to look is in here.  http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/board,3257.0.html.  Read in the OP enhancement Package v5.1 thread.  That should get you up and running.

Others I am sure will give pointers also.


That's really kind. I only have EAW, picked up second hand from Amazon. Will I need to get OP as well for this to work?
I want to make kitty-litter out of a lippy Mirak! The frustation is almost as bad as sneezing on your fleet in SFB.

Offline Bonk

  • Commodore
  • *
  • Posts: 13298
  • You don't have to live like a refugee.
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2008, 08:49:59 am »
Ensure your router is set to allow pings from the WAN, ensure your LAN IP is configured statically, forward ports 47624 TCP and 2300-2400 TCP&UDP to your static LAN IP, otherwise use the DMZ. Also ensure any UPnP features of your router are completely disabled.

Offline FPF-Paladin

  • 'Thou shalt not CAD.' - DH
  • Lt.
  • *
  • Posts: 588
  • Gender: Male
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2008, 09:19:47 am »
Welcome from another old school SFB player :)
~Life cannot find reasons to sustain it, cannot be a source of decent mutual regard, unless each of us resolves to breathe such qualities into it. ~

Offline Simon

  • Lt. Junior Grade
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2008, 09:49:53 am »
Ensure your router is set to allow pings from the WAN, ensure your LAN IP is configured statically, forward ports 47624 TCP and 2300-2400 TCP&UDP to your static LAN IP, otherwise use the DMZ. Also ensure any UPnP features of your router are completely disabled.


You are talking to an idiot, I'm afraid. I have a static IP address, I know. There is one IP (I guess this is the network one) which I use to log in to the router - starts 192.168. I have another one which I get when I do "What is my IP?"

So this is what I have done. I've added a service for the range 2300-2400, and then for 47624 (I put the same value in the FROM and TO box). I've added inbound and outbound rules for these services using that 192, leaving the WAN set to "any" and the boxes blank using the iinstructions on portforward.com. Is there any way I can tell if all this has worked without contacting my friend just yet? Should I see more than "local area network" on my list of possible connections?


Edit: It says here http://sfc.strategyplanet.gamespy.com/sfc2/faq_online.shtml I should open port 6500 too.
« Last Edit: October 28, 2008, 10:41:22 am by Simon »

Offline Bonk

  • Commodore
  • *
  • Posts: 13298
  • You don't have to live like a refugee.
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2008, 10:49:21 am »
You are talking to an idiot, I'm afraid. I have a static IP address, I know. There is one IP (I guess this is the network one) which I use to log in to the router - starts 192.168. I have another one which I get when I do "What is my IP?"

So this is what I have done. I've added a service for the range 2300-2400, and then for 47624 (I put the same value in the FROM and TO box). I've added inbound and outbound rules for these services using that 192, leaving the WAN set to "any" and the boxes blank using the iinstructions on portforward.com. Is there any way I can tell if all this has worked without contacting my friend just yet? Should I see more than "local area network" on my list of possible connections?


Edit: It says here http://sfc.strategyplanet.gamespy.com/sfc2/faq_online.shtml I should open port 6500 too.


Only the directplay7 ports are necessary for tcp/ip and dynaverse, other ports listed there are gamespy related.

There should be an "address book" in the tcp/ip game setup somewhere, make an entry to the box you're connecting to and use it. If not hosting yourself.  I don't have the game on this machine and have not looked at the screens myself for a while as my PC is in storage, perhaps someone can post an instructive screenshot or two for you?

I'll take a look at your router manual when I get a chance and see what you might be missing...

You could also give my sfcdirect a try... though I have not tested it for a while. It worked pretty well last I tested it

Offline Simon

  • Lt. Junior Grade
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2008, 11:03:27 am »
I think I have opened up the ports correctlly using the portforward.com suggestions. I didn't see anything labelled "NAT" though.

On my list of possible conections I can see my friend's entry (the one I added), and Local Area Network, but that's alll. He'll be back shortly so I'll try connecting again. If he hosts, should he type in my "What is My IP address" address that I found?

The sfcdirect thing says "java.security.accesscontrolexception:access denied java.net socket permission irc.dynaverse.net resolve."


Offline Simon

  • Lt. Junior Grade
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2008, 11:37:30 am »
Thanks for everything guys, but still no joy.

We've both install the sfcdirect and that works to create a gmae and take us through to the anounce screen, but I can't see the game on the list, whichever of us hosts it.

Any further help gratefully received.


« Last Edit: October 28, 2008, 11:56:30 am by Simon »

Offline FCM_SFHQ_XC

  • There is life outside of Windows..
  • Administrator
  • Lt. Commander
  • *
  • Posts: 2267
  • Gender: Male
  • Starbase Atlantis [X-refit]
    • 9th Fleet
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2008, 11:55:09 am »
On thatMultiplayer screen, click "new entry", type in any name and then the WAN IP of your friend you are attempting to connect to(if he has a router too make sure he is NOT giving you his LAN IP, the 192.168.x.x). Click OK and then highlight the new entry below the LAN listing, click connect. Games will list in there once the host has announced the game assuming port forwarding is correct on BOTH computers.

Quote from: Bonk
You could also give my sfcdirect a try... though I have not tested it for a while. It worked pretty well last I tested it
it was a few months ago that me, Frey, and a couple of other XCers got on sfcdirect since GS was acting very funny. Works very well still :)

Quote
I think I have opened up the ports correctlly using the portforward.com suggestions. I didn't see anything labelled "NAT" though.
Not all routers will label this as NAT. Others will stream this into advanced firewall configurations, and others put it in something like "Advanced LAN setup", etc. Look around the config for where you can add entries for categories of Starting port, ending port, protocol(TCP or UDP or Both), Server IP address(**this is where you put in your computers LAN IP address)

Quote
I still can't connect to my friend, nor he to me. I installed that sfcdirect thing, and the console is now working, but I've got no idea how to use it
Works just like gamespy,just need to get used to the interface some.


Quote
starts 192.168. I have another one which I get when I do "What is my IP?
Yes the 192.168.x.x is your LAN IP, the other is your WAN IP. You'll want the LAN one for NATing, and WAN for connecting over TCP/IP
Starfleet Headquarters out.

Fleet Commodore, XenoCorp, ISC Fleet.

Offline Simon

  • Lt. Junior Grade
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2008, 12:13:30 pm »
On thatMultiplayer screen, click "new entry", type in any name and then the WAN IP of your friend you are attempting to connect to(if he has a router too make sure he is NOT giving you his LAN IP, the 192.168.x.x). Click OK and then highlight the new entry below the LAN listing, click connect. Games will list in there once the host has announced the game assuming port forwarding is correct on BOTH computers.

Quote from: Bonk
You could also give my sfcdirect a try... though I have not tested it for a while. It worked pretty well last I tested it
it was a few months ago that me, Frey, and a couple of other XCers got on sfcdirect since GS was acting very funny. Works very well still :)

Quote
I think I have opened up the ports correctlly using the portforward.com suggestions. I didn't see anything labelled "NAT" though.
Not all routers will label this as NAT. Others will stream this into advanced firewall configurations, and others put it in something like "Advanced LAN setup", etc. Look around the config for where you can add entries for categories of Starting port, ending port, protocol(TCP or UDP or Both), Server IP address(**this is where you put in your computers LAN IP address)

Quote
I still can't connect to my friend, nor he to me. I installed that sfcdirect thing, and the console is now working, but I've got no idea how to use it
Works just like gamespy,just need to get used to the interface some.


Quote
starts 192.168. I have another one which I get when I do "What is my IP?
Yes the 192.168.x.x is your LAN IP, the other is your WAN IP. You'll want the LAN one for NATing, and WAN for connecting over TCP/IP


Thank you very much. As far as I can see I've set it up correctly; we just can't see each other through WAN or sfcdirect. But then I can't see his IP when I ping it either - I get 4 transmitted, 0 received.
Is there any way to tell which ports if any aren't configured properly?
Should I change my Internet Connection Sharing Settings?







Offline FCM_SFHQ_XC

  • There is life outside of Windows..
  • Administrator
  • Lt. Commander
  • *
  • Posts: 2267
  • Gender: Male
  • Starbase Atlantis [X-refit]
    • 9th Fleet
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #12 on: October 28, 2008, 12:28:59 pm »
Quote
Thank you very much. As far as I can see I've set it up correctly; we just can't see each other through WAN or sfcdirect. But then I can't see his IP when I ping it either - I get 4 transmitted, 0 received.
Is there any way to tell which ports if any aren't configured properly?
Should I change my Internet Connection Sharing Settings?
one of you has a firewall up then blocking ICMP packets, or one of you still does not have allow pings on WAN enabled.
Now I will say as well there are VERY FEW but a couple of people who just cannot connect at all thanks to their ISP and their security, and in that case not much can be done execpt switch ISPs.
Do this

If you have the administrator tools enabled.

Start -> Administrator Tools-> Services
scroll down till you find Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
If this service shows as started
right click -> properties
STOP THIS SERVICE
then in startup type, set this to DISABLED.
Windows XP firewall is EVIL for gaming, if you have it on.

If you do not see administrator tools in the start menu

Start -> run
type in
%SystemRoot%\system32\services.msc /s
click OK.

scroll down till you find Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
If this service shows as started
right click -> properties
STOP THIS SERVICE
then in startup type, set this to DISABLED.
Windows XP firewall is EVIL for gaming, if you have it on.

If this service is already disabled
Time to troubleshoot  some more.
OK, you can't see him, but can he see you when he pings your WAN IP?
Starfleet Headquarters out.

Fleet Commodore, XenoCorp, ISC Fleet.

Offline Simon

  • Lt. Junior Grade
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #13 on: October 28, 2008, 12:57:30 pm »
Quote
Thank you very much. As far as I can see I've set it up correctly; we just can't see each other through WAN or sfcdirect. But then I can't see his IP when I ping it either - I get 4 transmitted, 0 received.
Is there any way to tell which ports if any aren't configured properly?
Should I change my Internet Connection Sharing Settings?
one of you has a firewall up then blocking ICMP packets, or one of you still does not have allow pings on WAN enabled.
Now I will say as well there are VERY FEW but a couple of people who just cannot connect at all thanks to their ISP and their security, and in that case not much can be done execpt switch ISPs.
Do this

If you have the administrator tools enabled.

Start -> Administrator Tools-> Services
scroll down till you find Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
If this service shows as started
right click -> properties
STOP THIS SERVICE
then in startup type, set this to DISABLED.
Windows XP firewall is EVIL for gaming, if you have it on.

If you do not see administrator tools in the start menu

Start -> run
type in
%SystemRoot%\system32\services.msc /s
click OK.

scroll down till you find Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
If this service shows as started
right click -> properties
STOP THIS SERVICE
then in startup type, set this to DISABLED.
Windows XP firewall is EVIL for gaming, if you have it on.

If this service is already disabled
Time to troubleshoot  some more.
OK, you can't see him, but can he see you when he pings your WAN IP?

I've disabled the service. I did have it turned off. I'll wait to hear from my friend, and then get back to you. You wouldn't believe it but I actually run a software company!

Offline Pestalence_XC

  • "The Terminator"
  • Commander
  • *
  • Posts: 2636
  • Gender: Male
  • "The Terminator" Pestalence_XC, Xenocorp
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #14 on: October 28, 2008, 03:26:51 pm »
It sounds to me like your computer is using Vista..

What is needed to know is if you are using Empires at War or Orion Pirates.

I am under the impression that you are using Empires at War.. so the instructions below are for EAW on Vista.

The steps seem long, so read through them completely before you continue, it will only take about 30 min to get your game going so long as you get the materials needed for the game first.

Things you need.

1)   Copy of SFC II :EAW
2)   Bonus Missions located at http://www.dynaverse.net/go.php?id=11&source=downloads
3)   Game patch 2002-2036 located at http://www.dynaverse.net/go.php?id=13&source=downloads
4)   Replacement game script http://www.dynaverse.net/go.php?id=52&source=downloads
5)   Directory Server Fix http://www.dynaverse.net/go.php?id=56&source=downloads
6)   DLL Updated files ftp://ftp.xenocorp.net/game_files/Star_Trek/starfleet_command/Starfleet_Command_OP/Updates_Enhancements/dll.zip
7)   EZ-INI game configuration utility ftp://ftp.xenocorp.net/game_files/Star_Trek/starfleet_command/tools/EzINI-2.0.rar. You will need Winzip Trial or WinRAR trial to extract this file.

Optional

8)   High Resolution Detailed Models for Federation, Klingons and Romulans .. ftp://ftp.xenocorp.net/game_files/Star_Trek/starfleet_command/Starfleet_Command_II/Mods/sfcd2hr.zip
9)   Co-Op Ace Script http://klingon.pet.dhs.org/sources_and_utils/coop-ace-4.0.exe
10)   Sector Assault Script http://klingon.pet.dhs.org/sources_and_utils/coop-ace-3.2.exe
11)   Additional Installs located at Dynaverse.net (www.dynaverse.net/forum) and at Firesoul’s (http://klingon.pet.dhs.org/sources_and_utils/) and current additional mission scripts located at http://www3.telus.net/NuclearWessels/sfc/downloads/NWPackEAW.exe (direct Download) and guide for additional scripts http://www3.telus.net/NuclearWessels/sfc/missionguide.html


Prepping your computer

1) Go to Windows Updates and make sure you install Microsoft update (upgraded version of Windows Updates).
2) After Microsoft Updates is installed, perform a CUSTOM scan, and get all available updates for your computer, restart and then go back to Microsoft updates and use CUSTOM scan again.. ALWAYS USE CUSTOM SCAN. Restart system after each update.. when you run a scan and no updates appear, restart computer one last time and run another CUSTOM scan to verify that there are no other updates available.
3) Turn off your Anti-Virus at this point. Anti-Virus has been known to cause files to not install correctly or patch correctly. This is to ensure system stability.
4) Download the latest version of DirectX from Microsoft.. use only the redistributable installer, not the web installer (it skips files). Location of the package is at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=C1367BC3-4676-481A-BFAA-5C15D1D7199D&displaylang=en. This is the full install package and is approx. 80.3 MB. There is a method to installing this package:
     a) After downloading the package, double click the file to run, it will ask you to select a folder to extract to.
     b) When selecting a folder, select to install to My Documents folder in the folder selection window.
     c) After closing the folder selection window, in the path box at the end of the line add without spaces or quotes “DX”
     d) Click OK to extract.
     e) Delete the DirectX file you just extracted. It is no longer needed.
     f) Go to My Documents > DX folder
     g) Double Click Setup.exe and follow install instructions. When finished, close installer.
     h) Delete the DX folder.
     i) Restart Computer for update to take effect.
5) Right click on My Computer and select Properties from the pop up list. Go to Hardware tab, click on Device Manager. Scroll down to Display Adapter and look at what model display adapter you have. If it is Geforce, you have an NVidia. Check the model number, write it down. If you have a Radeon, your card is an ATI. Check the model number and write it down.
6) Next check your Sound, Video, and Game controllers section of your Device Manager. Look to see what Audio device you have. Write the name and model number for the audio device.
7) Go to System Devices. Look for Intel, AMD, or NVidia. This is your system chipset.. you will need to know which one of the 3 companies your system is built upon.
8) If you have an Intel system, go to www.Intel.com and go to support area, go to desktop chipsets and find the Chipset Identification utility, Download it and run it to identify your system chipset. Once you have the chipset version number for your computer, back up to where you see Desktop Chipsets in the menu again and look up your system chipset .. You want to download the Chipset Installation Utility package (executable) and run it to update your system drivers to latest version to improve system performance. Do the same thing if you have an AMD chipset or an NVidia chipset (NVidia drivers for the main board chipset is called NForce).
9) Next you want to do the same thing for your Video drivers and finally your sound drivers. Your system may have to go through several restarts in order to get completely up to date.. just make sure you restart after every install.



SFC II : EAW game installation – Vista:

1)   Make sure your Anti-Virus program is disabled or file corruption of your game could occur upon install.
2)   Install game from game CD. During the install menus, use Custom install and in the following screens make sure that you do not install Gamespy Arcade or DirectX (make sure that they are unchecked).
3)   At the end of game install, the installer will ask again if you want to install DirectX and Gamespy Arcade. Say NO to both. Then the game installer will ask if you want to register the game. You can skip and forfeit this since Interplay no longer supports the game.
4)   Go to your game installation folder after the installer exits completely. Default location is C:\Program Files\Taldren\Starfleet Command Empires at War
5)   Right click on the game directory folder and select PROPERTIES, at the bottom of the pop up window, you will see Read Only with a square box in it, remove the box to where it is empty and click APPLY. A window will pop up asking how you want to apply this attribute, select All Files and Folders and click OK.. give your system a min to apply the changes.
6)   While still in the Properties of the Starfleet Command folder, Click on Security tab. Click Edit button, go user by user and put a check mark into Full Control. Click Apply after each one. When finished click OK until all Properties windows close.
7)   Go inside the Starfleet Command Empires at War game folder and find the Starfleet2.exe game file, right click and select properties. Go to Compatibility tab and select Compatibility mode for Windows XP Sp 2, Disable Visual Themes, and Run as Administrator and click OK.
8)   Right click on Starfleet2.exe game file and select Copy, go to your desktop and right click, select Paste Shortcut (you can rename the shortcut to anything you like). This is the shortcut you will use to launch the game. The shortcut created by the game installer in your start menu points to SFC2.exe which is bugged badly. This file should be avoided like the plague.
9)   Install the Bonus Scripts from step 2 above by right clicking the file and selecting Run as Administrator.. you may get a warning pop up, just click OK.
10)   Install game patch 2002-2036 from step 3 from the top of this email by right clicking the file and selecting Run as Administrator.. when launched you will see a readme file for game changes. Close this file so that patch can begin to apply.
11)   After patch is finished installing extract the Replacement Game Script from the download listed in step 4 at the top of this email. This script needs to be copied to your Starfleet Command>Assets>Scripts folder and overwrite the script that is present. (the patch installer installs a corrupt version of the script preventing the campaign from continuing, which is why the script needs to be replaced.
12)   Next install the Directory Server Fix from step 5 above Install the Bonus Scripts from step 2 above by right clicking the file and selecting Run as Administrator.. This will re-enable connection to the Dynaverse.
13)   Extract the DLL file from step 6 above, this is to improve graphic display of EAW and stabilize multiplayer game play. Move the files to your Starfleet Command Empires at War game folder and overwrite the files currently there.
14)   Extract EZ-INI utility, this utility allows you to change game configurations since the game included tools are broken and there is no On Screen adjustment for the settings. Use EZ-INI any time you like, it will not affect game play. Changes in EZ-INI must be done before any game launch to see changes. On the EZ-INI utility file, right click and select Properties, click compatibility mode and put a check mark into Run as Administrator and click OK. This will give system permission to edit the game settings.
15)   You can now install optional components for Empires at War if you like.
16)   For Instant Action multiplayer games, go to www.gamespy.com and download the current Gamespy Arcade installer. Once the arcade is installed, right click on the desktop shortcut, select Properties, Go to Compatibility tab and select Compatibility mode for Windows XP Sp 2, Disable Visual Themes, and Run as Administrator and click OK. Next find the Gamespy Arcade program folder in Program Files, right click, select Properties, Click on Security tab. Click Edit button, go user by user and put a check mark into Full Control. Click Apply after each one. When finished click OK. Click on the General tab and uncheck Read Only and click OK.. in the pop up window select All files and folders and click OK
17)   You can now re-enable your Anti-Virus for your computer. Remember if you are running installers to add to Empires at War (or any other software on your computer) you must disable Anti-Virus before running the installers and you must run the installers as Administrator. For Multi-Player game play, please disable your Anti-Virus and Firewall to stop accidental corruption or blocking of game dependant packets from being transmitted or received.
18)   NOTE: Dynaverse game play may not work correctly in Vista due to Vista’s new networking protocol.

That is about it.

Optional components are mainly scripts and models that will improve visual experience (especially high resolution model package above) and add scripts that you can edit into the campaign files and scripts that will become active for Multi-player game play.

As a side note, not many servers will be up for EAW nor are there many players for Multi-player for EAW any longer.. most players have moved over to EAW’s big brother, Orion Pirates (basically the same as EAW with 8 more playable races, an added era of ship production, and the ability for many more ships to be added to the game and much more Moldable). Unfortunately players of EAW cannot join in games with people playing Orion Pirates or vice versa. Orion Pirates is a Stand Alone expansion of Empires at War.

Also you may need to disable Universal Plug and Play and Windows Firewall.. additionally, if you have any software starting with your computer such as mouse drivers or logitech control panel, you will need to go to start button > run > type in MSCONFIG > click OK > click startup tab > uncheck everything you do not need, but most specifically anything concerning Logitech.

Hope that this helps.

Pestalence_XC
"You still don't get it, do you?......That's what he does. That's all he does! You can't stop him! It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead!"

Member :
Xenocorp / Dynaverse.net Moderator & Beta Test Team
SFC 4 Project QA Coordinator
Taldren Beta Test Team
14 Degrees East Beta Test Team
Activision Visioneers SFC 3 Beta Test Team

Offline Simon

  • Lt. Junior Grade
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #15 on: October 29, 2008, 04:36:17 am »
Thank you - we are both using XP actually. This is very comprehensive adviice, and we'll try to track down some copies of OP - if I'd researched properly we probably would have bought this in the first place.. For the moment though, we are stuck with EAW. Does most of your advice apply to XP?

I'm waiting to hear about the ping.

Offline Pestalence_XC

  • "The Terminator"
  • Commander
  • *
  • Posts: 2636
  • Gender: Male
  • "The Terminator" Pestalence_XC, Xenocorp
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #16 on: October 29, 2008, 04:23:34 pm »
Well the things you need and system prep are the same as above

SFC II : EAW game installation – XP:

1)   Make sure your Anti-Virus program is disabled or file corruption of your game could occur upon install.
2)   Install game from game CD. During the install menus, use Custom install and in the following screens make sure that you do not install Gamespy Arcade or DirectX (make sure that they are unchecked).
3)   At the end of game install, the installer will ask again if you want to install DirectX and Gamespy Arcade. Say NO to both. Then the game installer will ask if you want to register the game. You can skip and forfeit this since Interplay no longer supports the game.
4)   Go to your game installation folder after the installer exits completely. Default location is C:\Program Files\Taldren\Starfleet Command Empires at War
5)   Right click on the game directory folder and select PROPERTIES, at the bottom of the pop up window, you will see Read Only with a square box in it, remove the box to where it is empty and click OK. A window will pop up asking how you want to apply this attribute, select All Files and Folders and click OK.. give your system a min to apply the changes.
6)   Go inside the Starfleet Command Empires at War game folder and find the Starfleet2.exe game file, right click and select properties. Go to Compatibility tab and select Disable Visual Themes and click OK.
7)   Right click on Starfleet2.exe game file and select Copy, go to your desktop and right click, select Paste Shortcut (you can rename the shortcut to anything you like). This is the shortcut you will use to launch the game. The shortcut created by the game installer in your start menu points to SFC2.exe which is bugged badly. This file should be avoided like the plague.
8)   Install game patch 2002-2036 from step 3 from the top of this email.. when launched you will see a readme file for game changes. Close this file so that patch can begin to apply.
9)   Install the Bonus Scripts from step 2 above.. you may get a warning pop up, just click OK.
10)   After patch is finished installing extract the Replacement Game Script from the download listed in step 4 at the top of this email. This script needs to be copied to your Starfleet Command>Assets>Scripts folder and overwrite the script that is present. (the patch installer installs a corrupt version of the script preventing the campaign from continuing, which is why the script needs to be replaced.
11)   Next install the Directory Server Fix from step 5 above. This will re-enable connection to the Dynaverse.
12)   Extract the DLL file from step 6 above, this is to improve graphic display of EAW and stabilize multiplayer game play. Move the files to your Starfleet Command Empires at War game folder and overwrite the files currently there.
13)   Extract EZ-INI utility, this utility allows you to change game configurations since the game included tools are broken and there is no On Screen adjustment for the settings. Use EZ-INI any time you like, it will not affect game play. Changes in EZ-INI must be done before any game launch to see changes.
14)   You can now install optional components for Empires at War if you like.
15)   For Instant Action multiplayer games, go to www.gamespy.com and download the current Gamespy Arcade installer.
16)   You can now re-enable your Anti-Virus for your computer. Remember if you are running installers to add to Empires at War (or any other software on your computer) you must disable Anti-Virus before running the installers. For Multi-Player game play, please disable your Anti-Virus and Firewall to stop accidental corruption or blocking of game dependant packets from being transmitted or received.


Now for connecting LAN, both computers need to be on the same network, Firewall off, and you need to disable your ROUTER firewall and that the router is set for WEP connection.

Then you need to use your Internal IP address to connect on private lan.. if playing Multi-player online, then each computer will need to have its own external internet connection, not a home network.. in other words, 2 independant connections - 2 independant External IP addresses.

Hope that this helps.
"You still don't get it, do you?......That's what he does. That's all he does! You can't stop him! It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead!"

Member :
Xenocorp / Dynaverse.net Moderator & Beta Test Team
SFC 4 Project QA Coordinator
Taldren Beta Test Team
14 Degrees East Beta Test Team
Activision Visioneers SFC 3 Beta Test Team

Offline Simon

  • Lt. Junior Grade
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #17 on: October 30, 2008, 07:59:14 am »

Now for connecting LAN, both computers need to be on the same network, Firewall off, and you need to disable your ROUTER firewall and that the router is set for WEP connection.

Then you need to use your Internal IP address to connect on private lan.. if playing Multi-player online, then each computer will need to have its own external internet connection, not a home network.. in other words, 2 independant connections - 2 independant External IP addresses.

Hope that this helps.

Am I right this means I can't connect to my firend remotely from my LAN, even if I do all that port stuff up thread?

Simon

Offline FCM_SFHQ_XC

  • There is life outside of Windows..
  • Administrator
  • Lt. Commander
  • *
  • Posts: 2267
  • Gender: Male
  • Starbase Atlantis [X-refit]
    • 9th Fleet
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #18 on: October 30, 2008, 08:07:14 am »
Virtual LAN(VPN) can work like that, I personally have never tried to connect to someone on OP or EAW via a VPN, but that should work for using the Local Area Network entry connection to see someone in the VLAN. No 100% guarentee though since I've never tested a VLAN with OP/EAW game connections.
Starfleet Headquarters out.

Fleet Commodore, XenoCorp, ISC Fleet.

Offline Pestalence_XC

  • "The Terminator"
  • Commander
  • *
  • Posts: 2636
  • Gender: Male
  • "The Terminator" Pestalence_XC, Xenocorp
Re: Help with an online game
« Reply #19 on: October 30, 2008, 10:26:09 am »
Both computers have to be on the same network.. basically a router.

The router Firewall needs to be disabled as well as Windows Firewall and UPnP

the router needs to be configured for WEP connection

then One person can host an IP game and the other can connect using the Host's internal IP address. Example :

If one computer internal IP address is 123.234.345.1

and the other computer's internal IP address is 123.234.345.2

then lets say game host computer IP address is 123.234.345.1, the person connecting would be attempting to join the first PC by entering the Host IP address.. the guest computer on internal IP 123.234.345.2 would have to enter the internal IP address of the Hosting computer.. which is 123.234.345.1 in order to connect to a TCP\IP game..




for playing Multiplayer Online like in Gamespy Arcade or on the Dynaverse, each copy of the game needs its own independant external IP address.
"You still don't get it, do you?......That's what he does. That's all he does! You can't stop him! It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead!"

Member :
Xenocorp / Dynaverse.net Moderator & Beta Test Team
SFC 4 Project QA Coordinator
Taldren Beta Test Team
14 Degrees East Beta Test Team
Activision Visioneers SFC 3 Beta Test Team