Crashing Multiplayer? - Info on Firewalls, Routers and Proxies

[isak]

Try it with ZoneAlarm on and this time make sure it allows the programs (Civilization3x.exe, Gamespy and Directplay) access to the internet and server rights.

I use zonealarm too, and I have no problems with it turned on.

And, I feel like i'm starting to repeat myself, but if there was a way for the Civ3 programmers to code their way around your firewall, it wouldn't really be worth sh**, would it?

[art_vandelai]

Received a message from Infogrammes Tech support last night FWIW. He said that I needed a "true IP connection" in order for the game to work, and suggested that I check with my ISP.

The girl at the ISP seemed clueless - said that my TCP/IP was working, since I was able to connect to the internet, browse and play other MP games successfully. I asked her to walk me through my settings to ensure I was OK, and I am apparantly connected OK.

I sent a message back asking if what he meant by "true TCP/IP connection " is a static IP address - my ISP uses DHCP and this may have something to do with what's causing the issues. If I get any more response from Infogrammes, I'll let the board know.

Here's how I got it to work, Last night I played a couple of hours of a great, albeit a little slow 3 player game, until getting booted due to loss of sync.

One of isak's messages on this thread mentioned "DirectPlay" having to be enabled as a server in order to play. In the list of programs which have attempted to connect to the internet, there was no listing at all for DirectPlay. I checked out the dxdiag, and noticed that DirectPlay has some settings which require it to connect using IPX protocol. I attempted to test those settings, but I couldn't see any other IP's out there on the list of test sites, so I knew DirectPlay wasn't connecting properly. Then, I went over to the Network panel and noticed that I had no IPX protocol enabled. I installed that protocol from the Win98 CD and rebooted the machine. Wnen I ran the game, sure enough I got a message from ZA asking me to authorize DirectPlay to connect to the internet, which I accepted, making sure to also enable it to act as a server.

I also had to change the internet zone in Zone Alarm from "high" to "medium" security. That does leave your computer visible and therefore more open to attack, but at least it lets the PTW traffic in.

[Dis]

well I did allow zone alarm server access. I'll have to try it again though. maybe it didn't stick.

[isak]

Originally posted by art_vandelai
I sent a message back asking if what he meant by "true TCP/IP connection " is a static IP address - my ISP uses DHCP and this may have something to do with what's causing the issues. If I get any more response from Infogrammes, I'll let the board know.

My ISP uses DHCP too, and it doesn't seem to cause any problems

Then, I went over to the Network panel and noticed that I had no IPX protocol enabled. I installed that protocol from the Win98 CD and rebooted the machine. Wnen I ran the game, sure enough I got a message from ZA asking me to authorize DirectPlay to connect to the internet, which I accepted, making sure to also enable it to act as a server.

It's great that you got it to work, but I still see no need for and IPX protocol. I can't explain why DirectPlay wasn't triggered before, but I know for sure that having an IPX protocol, isn't necessary. Coz, I ain't got one, you see

I also had to change the internet zone in Zone Alarm from "high" to "medium" security. That does leave your computer visible and therefore more open to attack, but at least it lets the PTW traffic in.

This probably helped a lot too, since Zone Alarm at highest security setting will block any traffic that hasn't specifically been requested for, and this could give anyone huge problems Hosting and Joining, I fear.

[duckthatsits]

I have the 1.04f patch and have been playing MP for over a week on a LAN with no crashes bugs or other problem.

I was able to play striaght out of the box, with no problems. I have not noticed any problems with slowdowns or speen issues (of course I have a 100mb full duplex LAN too .

Just thought some would like to hear from someone that is very pleased with the game and is having no problems.

[Panag]

hi ,

sometimes you get a chrash with dynamic ip on , .....

have a nice day

[isak]

Are you sure it's related to the Dynamic ip - i'm sure people are getting crashes with static ip too, so why do you think it's related to the dynamic ip?

The only thing I can think of is if your ISP's DHCP server performs 'violent' IP-updates, accidentally disconnecting you for a short period every time the server updates. But that would really be something you should get your ISP to take a look at, cause I'm sure that's not what's intended to happen.

Is that what you mean? If not, please elaborate

[Panag]

Originally posted by isak
Are you sure it's related to the Dynamic ip - i'm sure people are getting crashes with static ip too, so why do you think it's related to the dynamic ip?

The only thing I can think of is if your ISP's DHCP server performs 'violent' IP-updates, accidentally disconnecting you for a short period every time the server updates. But that would really be something you should get your ISP to take a look at, cause I'm sure that's not what's intended to happen.

Is that what you mean? If not, please elaborate

hi ,

if the same game does not chrash with one fixed ip , but does so with dynamic , .........

and there is the time-out from the isp , no problem with civ2 or other games , but chrash with civ3 , ......

and sometimes the server does not know you are online , even as a host , and you start to be pinged a zillion times , ones again a chrash

have a nice day

[art_vandelai]

From Infogrammes:

Actually, there's a number of ways in which your computer can connect to the
internet, and depending on what software your ISP provides, it may not be
configured correctly for a TCP/IP connection.

No, PTW does not require a static IP address. A true TCP/IP connection is
one that uses the TCP/IP protocols built into windows when connecting to the
internet, as compared to another program like WinPOET, or something unique
to your ISP. DHCP is a normal part of a proper connection, so you won't
need to worry about that either.

There are two options to try. First, you could contact your ISP again, and
make sure that you've got the connection setup properly to play games, and
that you don't have anything like a firewall that's obstructing your ports.

Second, you could try loading up Gamespy Arcade from the PTW cd. PTW uses
the Gamespy Arcade software as a game browser, so running Arcade
independently could give you an idea of what's happening. If Arcade can
run, and play other multiplayer games on your computer fine, then we'll know
that you're having a problem with the game. If it doesn't run, we'll know
it's a problem with your connection.

[Yodaz]

My server runs Windows 2000 with ICS and I myself use Windows 2000 too. Anyone know of any way to open those ports on my server or any other program that might make it more easy? I haven't seem to find anyone replying to it here and there must be lots of ppl stuck behind a Windows 2000 ICS.

[Asterothe]

I used to play PTW without poblem till
I got a router. (linksys) Even after that
I was able to join games and play. But now
most of the times I cannot even join games.
yeterday I didi once , all the rest I was told to
open ports. I am using default
settings for LinkSys. What should I do?

[Panag]

Originally posted by art_vandelai
From Infogrammes:

Actually, there's a number of ways in which your computer can connect to the
internet, and depending on what software your ISP provides, it may not be
configured correctly for a TCP/IP connection.

No, PTW does not require a static IP address. A true TCP/IP connection is
one that uses the TCP/IP protocols built into windows when connecting to the
internet, as compared to another program like WinPOET, or something unique
to your ISP. DHCP is a normal part of a proper connection, so you won't
need to worry about that either.

There are two options to try. First, you could contact your ISP again, and
make sure that you've got the connection setup properly to play games, and
that you don't have anything like a firewall that's obstructing your ports.

Second, you could try loading up Gamespy Arcade from the PTW cd. PTW uses
the Gamespy Arcade software as a game browser, so running Arcade
independently could give you an idea of what's happening. If Arcade can
run, and play other multiplayer games on your computer fine, then we'll know
that you're having a problem with the game. If it doesn't run, we'll know
it's a problem with your connection.

hi ,

internet works fine , its just that arcade thing that aint correct , not to mention about all the things that need to be fixed , so when is the new patch going to be there firaxis

have a nice day

[isak]

Originally posted by panag
internet works fine

If only things were that simple, Panag. The fact that your internet connection lets you browse HTML and probably connect to a POP3 server to get your email, doesn't mean that it works perfectly in every respect. There are numerous things that can be wrong with your internet connection, but which don't show up until you try to use a specific application which needs those resources.

And the fact that other games work, only means they don't need the resources that are currently (probably) not working on your computer.

I have dynamic IP and the game works for me, so there is your proof that there is nothing wrong (per se) with Dynamic IP in PtW.

Still not saying that PtW is bugfree even after 1.14f, but don't you ever want to play the game in MP like the rest of us are now doing? Maybe it's time you started giving us more information about what happens when you try to connect. The fact that 'there is a crash' isn't really very helpful. What kind of crash is it? Any error messages? Does it happen every time or is it tied to doing things in a special sequence. Does it only happen under some circumstances? How do you know that you are the one experiencing the crash and not someone else trying to join the same game as you? Etc. etc. etc...

PC's are complicated stuff - figuring out what's wrong with them is twice as complicated, especially if you're trying to figure it out in complete darkness, blindfolded and with both hands tied behind your back. So speak up!

[Panag]

Originally posted by isak


If only things were that simple, Panag. The fact that your internet connection lets you browse HTML and probably connect to a POP3 server to get your email, doesn't mean that it works perfectly in every respect. There are numerous things that can be wrong with your internet connection, but which don't show up until you try to use a specific application which needs those resources.

And the fact that other games work, only means they don't need the resources that are currently (probably) not working on your computer.

I have dynamic IP and the game works for me, so there is your proof that there is nothing wrong (per se) with Dynamic IP in PtW.

Still not saying that PtW is bugfree even after 1.14f, but don't you ever want to play the game in MP like the rest of us are now doing? Maybe it's time you started giving us more information about what happens when you try to connect. The fact that 'there is a crash' isn't really very helpful. What kind of crash is it? Any error messages? Does it happen every time or is it tied to doing things in a special sequence. Does it only happen under some circumstances? How do you know that you are the one experiencing the crash and not someone else trying to join the same game as you? Etc. etc. etc...

PC's are complicated stuff - figuring out what's wrong with them is twice as complicated, especially if you're trying to figure it out in complete darkness, blindfolded and with both hands tied behind your back. So speak up!

hi ,

ahem , when panag says internet is fine then it means its fine , there is nothing wrong with the connections , ..... when you get from half a dozen countries the same errors , with different types of connections and still have the same error , even with different OS , well is there not a good chance then there is something wrong , PC is easy , just follow some basic rules , when you buy one you open the box and read the book , if the book aint good call the people who sold it , etc , ......

but here there are to many things wrong , for starters , some people who have Xdsl get an dynamic ip like every so many minutes or whatever , thats a problem , actually the whole multiplayer is full of things that could be solved , ..... to long to mention here

why dont they just trow the arcade out

why dont they take a couple comps , set one up in DC the other one in Chicago , ..... and then they just have to wait and see , .....

have a nice day

[isak]

I have XDSL and my dynamic ip is updated every 30 minutes - it isn't giving me any problems

I know that a lot of people experience crashes, but that doesn't mean it's the same error. The same error message can be caused by a number of unrelated things. And vice versa, the same problem can trigger a number of different error messages.

And yes, basic PC skills are easily achieved, but you can not by looking at the computer tell whether your TCP/IP protocol is broken, your Windows Registry is corrupt, your Winsock is outdated, your Infrared devices are bugging your Ethernet Adapter, your Internal Modem is interfering with your Client program or your Printer server is trying to take your PC's IP adress.... and that's just for starters.

If PC's were simple, I'd be unemployed today, so I thank god they're not

After Direct IP has been introduced, I guess it would be possible to throw Arcade out, but they've already made a deal with Gamespy, and besides, not everyone is comfortable handing out their own IP adress just to play a game. (re: the invention of firewalls btw.). Heck, some people even seem to enjoy hanging out in the Gamespy lobby. Peace be with that.

If you only have problems when you try to use Gamespy, you either need to find out why, or stop using Gamespy - pretty straightforward, and not something we should expect Infogrames to break a contract over, is it?