Hi all.
I've recently set up another gaming computer on my home network and have
come into what I consider a very strange problem. My 2 gaming computers
cannot see or connect to games made by one another. (any games. Warcraft III
or Battlefront II for some examples).

My LAN settings seem ok. I have file and print sharing enabled and my
firewall(s) have the games I want to play over the LAN set as exceptions to
allow activity through. I can share files fine, see shared Network folders
and printers and all of that fun stuff. Its only when I create a LAN game
(say in Battlefront II) and go to join the LAN game on the other computer
that I cannot see the game. In fact, if I make it an internet game, the
other computer can see it, but is unable to join.

Any suggestions or answers are welcomed. I'll try my best to check on this
to answer any other questions people may have to help me track down the
problem.

Running Windows XP Home with Service Pack 2.

Hi Brad,

When LAN games don't connect, there are a few variables to consider, for
example check for a patch at: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a

1. Disconnect from the Internet by physically unplugging the cable or DSL
line, and then since there's no longer danger of outside attacks, turn off
your software firewall (Norton's, McAfee, Zone Alarm, Outpost, ICF,
etc.) as these firewalls could be blocking data to and from your system.

2. If you use a router, it could be blocking you as well:
Routers have built-in port blocking firewalls based on NAT technology.
DirectX games require that ports be open in order for the data packets
to be able to travel from one system to another. Here's How to Configure
a router for Multiplayer: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/PortRoute.html#howto

3. If Step 1 applies to you, but you want an alternative solution, pick up a cross-
over cable from your local supply shop to directly connect one computer to
the other on a 2 player LAN, especially if both computers are close together.

4. If you have multiple network adapters, the game might be using the wrong one
To verify this behaviour, click Start / Control Panel / System / Hardware Tab
/ Device Manager, click the + next to Network Adapters, right click the adapter
which accesses the Internet, and "Disable" it from the right-click menu. If that
works, open Control Panel / Network Connections, click Advanced / Advance
Settings / click the LAN Connection and then the UP arrow to change it's priority
so it's at the top of the list. Test your Internet games to see if they work this way.

5. DirectX 9.0b may need to be installed on both systems:
http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...ate_redist.exe

6. Universal PnP might need to be disabled in your router, or in Windows XP:
a) To enable or disable UPnP in XP, click Start / Run / type: services.msc
and you can then right-click Universal Plug and Play on the list to Start it.
b) Consult your router manual for the UPnP instructions for your model.

7. Network Adapter drivers may need to be updated on one or all machines.

8. You may need to specify the target IP using a game specific method.
Consult your game manual or readme file in the game directory. For MS
games: http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;gmsnetw

9. You might be specifying the Public IP instead of the Private (LAN) IP.
To easily find the Public and Private IP numbers of the computer you
are using, visit: http://www.u.arizona.edu/~trw/games/nat_or_not.php

For more in depth troubleshooting, try this MS Network Troubleshooting article:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e.../02april08.asp

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default...d=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
__________________________________________________ _______



"Brad H" <Brad H@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:882AEAD8-F57D-492F-8CD7-46688A87FC03@microsoft.com...
| Hi all.
| I've recently set up another gaming computer on my home network and have
| come into what I consider a very strange problem. My 2 gaming computers
| cannot see or connect to games made by one another. (any games. Warcraft III
| or Battlefront II for some examples).
|
| My LAN settings seem ok. I have file and print sharing enabled and my
| firewall(s) have the games I want to play over the LAN set as exceptions to
| allow activity through. I can share files fine, see shared Network folders
| and printers and all of that fun stuff. Its only when I create a LAN game
| (say in Battlefront II) and go to join the LAN game on the other computer
| that I cannot see the game. In fact, if I make it an internet game, the
| other computer can see it, but is unable to join.
|
| Any suggestions or answers are welcomed. I'll try my best to check on this
| to answer any other questions people may have to help me track down the
| problem.
|
| Running Windows XP Home with Service Pack 2.

Hi Jimmy,

Most of those I had already tried and they didn't work. I updated the
firmware on my router however to find that it didn't help.

- all games I've tried to LAN are running the same version, the most up to
date
- The firewall has been crossed out of the list of possibilities due to
exceptions, but to be thorough, I've turned off all firewalls with no change
- The router Is configured to pretty much let anything through and let
software firewalls handle it. I didn't set up a DMZ for gaming, mostly
because that would disable the ability for my brother's laptop to easily
connect to the wireless LinkSys router and play games without reconfiguring
for him.
- one adapter per computer
- Using Direct X 9.0c (not b) on both comps. Maybe thats the problem?
- UPnP has never been enabled.
- Network drivers are up to date
- No specification required in any games I've tried so far on this network
(they create a listing of available LAN games and the created games won't
appear. If they did, thats when I could find out that game versions are
incompatible as typically it tells you when joining)
- specification of public or internal is irrelevant as I'm not specifying.

I thought it may have to do with Service Pack 2 and thought there might be a
Service pack fix for it. I couldn't find anything weird in my network setup
at all. My old network setup is almost exactly the same save for the OS
running was Win 98 and Win 98 SE on the computers and they were fine.

"Jimmy S." wrote:

> Hi Brad,
>
> When LAN games don't connect, there are a few variables to consider, for
> example check for a patch at: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a
>
> 1. Disconnect from the Internet by physically unplugging the cable or DSL
> line, and then since there's no longer danger of outside attacks, turn off
> your software firewall (Norton's, McAfee, Zone Alarm, Outpost, ICF,
> etc.) as these firewalls could be blocking data to and from your system.
>
> 2. If you use a router, it could be blocking you as well:
> Routers have built-in port blocking firewalls based on NAT technology.
> DirectX games require that ports be open in order for the data packets
> to be able to travel from one system to another. Here's How to Configure
> a router for Multiplayer: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/PortRoute.html#howto
>
> 3. If Step 1 applies to you, but you want an alternative solution, pick up a cross-
> over cable from your local supply shop to directly connect one computer to
> the other on a 2 player LAN, especially if both computers are close together.
>
> 4. If you have multiple network adapters, the game might be using the wrong one
> To verify this behaviour, click Start / Control Panel / System / Hardware Tab
> / Device Manager, click the + next to Network Adapters, right click the adapter
> which accesses the Internet, and "Disable" it from the right-click menu. If that
> works, open Control Panel / Network Connections, click Advanced / Advance
> Settings / click the LAN Connection and then the UP arrow to change it's priority
> so it's at the top of the list. Test your Internet games to see if they work this way.
>
> 5. DirectX 9.0b may need to be installed on both systems:
> http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...ate_redist.exe
>
> 6. Universal PnP might need to be disabled in your router, or in Windows XP:
> a) To enable or disable UPnP in XP, click Start / Run / type: services.msc
> and you can then right-click Universal Plug and Play on the list to Start it.
> b) Consult your router manual for the UPnP instructions for your model.
>
> 7. Network Adapter drivers may need to be updated on one or all machines.
>
> 8. You may need to specify the target IP using a game specific method.
> Consult your game manual or readme file in the game directory. For MS
> games: http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;gmsnetw
>
> 9. You might be specifying the Public IP instead of the Private (LAN) IP.
> To easily find the Public and Private IP numbers of the computer you
> are using, visit: http://www.u.arizona.edu/~trw/games/nat_or_not.php
>
> For more in depth troubleshooting, try this MS Network Troubleshooting article:
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e.../02april08.asp
>
> --
> Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
> Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
>
> Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
> Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
> MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default...d=sz;en-us;top
> My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
> __________________________________________________ _______
>
>
>
> "Brad H" <Brad H@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:882AEAD8-F57D-492F-8CD7-46688A87FC03@microsoft.com...
> | Hi all.
> | I've recently set up another gaming computer on my home network and have
> | come into what I consider a very strange problem. My 2 gaming computers
> | cannot see or connect to games made by one another. (any games. Warcraft III
> | or Battlefront II for some examples).
> |
> | My LAN settings seem ok. I have file and print sharing enabled and my
> | firewall(s) have the games I want to play over the LAN set as exceptions to
> | allow activity through. I can share files fine, see shared Network folders
> | and printers and all of that fun stuff. Its only when I create a LAN game
> | (say in Battlefront II) and go to join the LAN game on the other computer
> | that I cannot see the game. In fact, if I make it an internet game, the
> | other computer can see it, but is unable to join.
> |
> | Any suggestions or answers are welcomed. I'll try my best to check on this
> | to answer any other questions people may have to help me track down the
> | problem.
> |
> | Running Windows XP Home with Service Pack 2.
>
>
>

Hi Brad,

I don't believe that the version of DirectX is the culprit here,
however you may want to toggle the UPNP to see if it works
in the enabled position for your network setup... also use the
DirectX Network tab to diagnose your network setup:
http://www.updatexp.com/directx-diagnostic-tool.html

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Visit my MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
MS Games Help and Support Center: http://support.microsoft.com/?pr=gms
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
__________________________________________________ _______

"Brad H" <BradH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2AF2B94E-8EC8-4699-961F-AB7551D73D55@microsoft.com...
| Hi Jimmy,
|
| Most of those I had already tried and they didn't work. I updated the
| firmware on my router however to find that it didn't help.
|
| - all games I've tried to LAN are running the same version, the most up to
| date
| - The firewall has been crossed out of the list of possibilities due to
| exceptions, but to be thorough, I've turned off all firewalls with no change
| - The router Is configured to pretty much let anything through and let
| software firewalls handle it. I didn't set up a DMZ for gaming, mostly
| because that would disable the ability for my brother's laptop to easily
| connect to the wireless LinkSys router and play games without reconfiguring
| for him.
| - one adapter per computer
| - Using Direct X 9.0c (not b) on both comps. Maybe thats the problem?
| - UPnP has never been enabled.
| - Network drivers are up to date
| - No specification required in any games I've tried so far on this network
| (they create a listing of available LAN games and the created games won't
| appear. If they did, thats when I could find out that game versions are
| incompatible as typically it tells you when joining)
| - specification of public or internal is irrelevant as I'm not specifying.
|
| I thought it may have to do with Service Pack 2 and thought there might be a
| Service pack fix for it. I couldn't find anything weird in my network setup
| at all. My old network setup is almost exactly the same save for the OS
| running was Win 98 and Win 98 SE on the computers and they were fine.
|
| "Jimmy S." wrote:
|
| > Hi Brad,
| >
| > When LAN games don't connect, there are a few variables to consider, for
| > example check for a patch at: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a
| >
| > 1. Disconnect from the Internet by physically unplugging the cable or DSL
| > line, and then since there's no longer danger of outside attacks, turn off
| > your software firewall (Norton's, McAfee, Zone Alarm, Outpost, ICF,
| > etc.) as these firewalls could be blocking data to and from your system.
| >
| > 2. If you use a router, it could be blocking you as well:
| > Routers have built-in port blocking firewalls based on NAT technology.
| > DirectX games require that ports be open in order for the data packets
| > to be able to travel from one system to another. Here's How to Configure
| > a router for Multiplayer: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/PortRoute.html#howto
| >
| > 3. If Step 1 applies to you, but you want an alternative solution, pick up a cross-
| > over cable from your local supply shop to directly connect one computer to
| > the other on a 2 player LAN, especially if both computers are close together.
| >
| > 4. If you have multiple network adapters, the game might be using the wrong one
| > To verify this behaviour, click Start / Control Panel / System / Hardware Tab
| > / Device Manager, click the + next to Network Adapters, right click the adapter
| > which accesses the Internet, and "Disable" it from the right-click menu. If that
| > works, open Control Panel / Network Connections, click Advanced / Advance
| > Settings / click the LAN Connection and then the UP arrow to change it's priority
| > so it's at the top of the list. Test your Internet games to see if they work this way.
| >
| > 5. DirectX 9.0b may need to be installed on both systems:
| > http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...ate_redist.exe
| >
| > 6. Universal PnP might need to be disabled in your router, or in Windows XP:
| > a) To enable or disable UPnP in XP, click Start / Run / type: services.msc
| > and you can then right-click Universal Plug and Play on the list to Start it.
| > b) Consult your router manual for the UPnP instructions for your model.
| >
| > 7. Network Adapter drivers may need to be updated on one or all machines.
| >
| > 8. You may need to specify the target IP using a game specific method.
| > Consult your game manual or readme file in the game directory. For MS
| > games: http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;gmsnetw
| >
| > 9. You might be specifying the Public IP instead of the Private (LAN) IP.
| > To easily find the Public and Private IP numbers of the computer you
| > are using, visit: http://www.u.arizona.edu/~trw/games/nat_or_not.php
| >
| > For more in depth troubleshooting, try this MS Network Troubleshooting article:
| > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e.../02april08.asp
| >
| > --
| > Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
| > Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
| >
| > Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
| > Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
| > MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default...d=sz;en-us;top
| > My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
| > __________________________________________________ _______
| >
| >
| >
| > "Brad H" <Brad H@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:882AEAD8-F57D-492F-8CD7-46688A87FC03@microsoft.com...
| > | Hi all.
| > | I've recently set up another gaming computer on my home network and have
| > | come into what I consider a very strange problem. My 2 gaming computers
| > | cannot see or connect to games made by one another. (any games. Warcraft III
| > | or Battlefront II for some examples).
| > |
| > | My LAN settings seem ok. I have file and print sharing enabled and my
| > | firewall(s) have the games I want to play over the LAN set as exceptions to
| > | allow activity through. I can share files fine, see shared Network folders
| > | and printers and all of that fun stuff. Its only when I create a LAN game
| > | (say in Battlefront II) and go to join the LAN game on the other computer
| > | that I cannot see the game. In fact, if I make it an internet game, the
| > | other computer can see it, but is unable to join.
| > |
| > | Any suggestions or answers are welcomed. I'll try my best to check on this
| > | to answer any other questions people may have to help me track down the
| > | problem.
| > |
| > | Running Windows XP Home with Service Pack 2.
| >
| >
| >

Hi Jimmy,

That helped a bit for testing (I didn't know of the Direct X network test
tool). I tried the network test both with UPnP enabled and disabled
(disabled by default).

When I create a test session on one computer, giving me my internal IP of
192.168.1.100 for a TCP/IP test case, I go to the other computer and choose
to join a session, give that IP, and am given an empty list. Being unable to
join my test directX session.
I am still able to share files through the network under both enabled and
disabled UPnP. Can you shed any light on this? I've broken down and asked
for help from friends at work whom have come to the conclusion that I should
partition my drives and test with a lower version of windows having
eliminated all hardware possibilities (swapped in work hardware for my own)
and game software (same version games. Testing with Spawnable games to
eliminate problems as they were designed specifically to be added to multiple
computers for LAN gaming).
Any more help is great (as you've helped a lot so far)

Thanks

"Jimmy S." wrote:

> Hi Brad,
>
> I don't believe that the version of DirectX is the culprit here,
> however you may want to toggle the UPNP to see if it works
> in the enabled position for your network setup... also use the
> DirectX Network tab to diagnose your network setup:
> http://www.updatexp.com/directx-diagnostic-tool.html
>
> --
> Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
> Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
>
> Visit my MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
> MS Games Help and Support Center: http://support.microsoft.com/?pr=gms
> My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
> __________________________________________________ _______
>
> "Brad H" <BradH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2AF2B94E-8EC8-4699-961F-AB7551D73D55@microsoft.com...
> | Hi Jimmy,
> |
> | Most of those I had already tried and they didn't work. I updated the
> | firmware on my router however to find that it didn't help.
> |
> | - all games I've tried to LAN are running the same version, the most up to
> | date
> | - The firewall has been crossed out of the list of possibilities due to
> | exceptions, but to be thorough, I've turned off all firewalls with no change
> | - The router Is configured to pretty much let anything through and let
> | software firewalls handle it. I didn't set up a DMZ for gaming, mostly
> | because that would disable the ability for my brother's laptop to easily
> | connect to the wireless LinkSys router and play games without reconfiguring
> | for him.
> | - one adapter per computer
> | - Using Direct X 9.0c (not b) on both comps. Maybe thats the problem?
> | - UPnP has never been enabled.
> | - Network drivers are up to date
> | - No specification required in any games I've tried so far on this network
> | (they create a listing of available LAN games and the created games won't
> | appear. If they did, thats when I could find out that game versions are
> | incompatible as typically it tells you when joining)
> | - specification of public or internal is irrelevant as I'm not specifying.
> |
> | I thought it may have to do with Service Pack 2 and thought there might be a
> | Service pack fix for it. I couldn't find anything weird in my network setup
> | at all. My old network setup is almost exactly the same save for the OS
> | running was Win 98 and Win 98 SE on the computers and they were fine.
> |
> | "Jimmy S." wrote:
> |
> | > Hi Brad,
> | >
> | > When LAN games don't connect, there are a few variables to consider, for
> | > example check for a patch at: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a
> | >
> | > 1. Disconnect from the Internet by physically unplugging the cable or DSL
> | > line, and then since there's no longer danger of outside attacks, turn off
> | > your software firewall (Norton's, McAfee, Zone Alarm, Outpost, ICF,
> | > etc.) as these firewalls could be blocking data to and from your system.
> | >
> | > 2. If you use a router, it could be blocking you as well:
> | > Routers have built-in port blocking firewalls based on NAT technology.
> | > DirectX games require that ports be open in order for the data packets
> | > to be able to travel from one system to another. Here's How to Configure
> | > a router for Multiplayer: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/PortRoute.html#howto
> | >
> | > 3. If Step 1 applies to you, but you want an alternative solution, pick up a cross-
> | > over cable from your local supply shop to directly connect one computer to
> | > the other on a 2 player LAN, especially if both computers are close together.
> | >
> | > 4. If you have multiple network adapters, the game might be using the wrong one
> | > To verify this behaviour, click Start / Control Panel / System / Hardware Tab
> | > / Device Manager, click the + next to Network Adapters, right click the adapter
> | > which accesses the Internet, and "Disable" it from the right-click menu. If that
> | > works, open Control Panel / Network Connections, click Advanced / Advance
> | > Settings / click the LAN Connection and then the UP arrow to change it's priority
> | > so it's at the top of the list. Test your Internet games to see if they work this way.
> | >
> | > 5. DirectX 9.0b may need to be installed on both systems:
> | > http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...ate_redist.exe
> | >
> | > 6. Universal PnP might need to be disabled in your router, or in Windows XP:
> | > a) To enable or disable UPnP in XP, click Start / Run / type: services.msc
> | > and you can then right-click Universal Plug and Play on the list to Start it.
> | > b) Consult your router manual for the UPnP instructions for your model.
> | >
> | > 7. Network Adapter drivers may need to be updated on one or all machines.
> | >
> | > 8. You may need to specify the target IP using a game specific method.
> | > Consult your game manual or readme file in the game directory. For MS
> | > games: http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;gmsnetw
> | >
> | > 9. You might be specifying the Public IP instead of the Private (LAN) IP.
> | > To easily find the Public and Private IP numbers of the computer you
> | > are using, visit: http://www.u.arizona.edu/~trw/games/nat_or_not.php
> | >
> | > For more in depth troubleshooting, try this MS Network Troubleshooting article:
> | > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e.../02april08.asp
> | >
> | > --
> | > Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
> | > Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
> | >
> | > Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
> | > Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
> | > MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default...d=sz;en-us;top
> | > My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
> | > __________________________________________________ _______
> | >
> | >
> | >
> | > "Brad H" <Brad H@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:882AEAD8-F57D-492F-8CD7-46688A87FC03@microsoft.com...
> | > | Hi all.
> | > | I've recently set up another gaming computer on my home network and have
> | > | come into what I consider a very strange problem. My 2 gaming computers
> | > | cannot see or connect to games made by one another. (any games. Warcraft III
> | > | or Battlefront II for some examples).
> | > |
> | > | My LAN settings seem ok. I have file and print sharing enabled and my
> | > | firewall(s) have the games I want to play over the LAN set as exceptions to
> | > | allow activity through. I can share files fine, see shared Network folders
> | > | and printers and all of that fun stuff. Its only when I create a LAN game
> | > | (say in Battlefront II) and go to join the LAN game on the other computer
> | > | that I cannot see the game. In fact, if I make it an internet game, the
> | > | other computer can see it, but is unable to join.
> | > |
> | > | Any suggestions or answers are welcomed. I'll try my best to check on this
> | > | to answer any other questions people may have to help me track down the
> | > | problem.
> | > |
> | > | Running Windows XP Home with Service Pack 2.
> | >
> | >
> | >
>
>
>

Hi Brad,

Let me reach into my bag of solutions ...

... reaching deeper ...

Here's an exceptional troubleshooter, by a fellow MVP:
http://www.michna.com/kb/wxnet.htm

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Visit my MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
MS Games Help and Support Center: http://support.microsoft.com/?pr=gms
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
__________________________________________________ _______

"Brad H" <BradH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:B0F6EBD2-696C-4AE2-80D0-7F51928A64A3@microsoft.com...
| Hi Jimmy,
|
| That helped a bit for testing (I didn't know of the Direct X network test
| tool). I tried the network test both with UPnP enabled and disabled
| (disabled by default).
|
| When I create a test session on one computer, giving me my internal IP of
| 192.168.1.100 for a TCP/IP test case, I go to the other computer and choose
| to join a session, give that IP, and am given an empty list. Being unable to
| join my test directX session.
| I am still able to share files through the network under both enabled and
| disabled UPnP. Can you shed any light on this? I've broken down and asked
| for help from friends at work whom have come to the conclusion that I should
| partition my drives and test with a lower version of windows having
| eliminated all hardware possibilities (swapped in work hardware for my own)
| and game software (same version games. Testing with Spawnable games to
| eliminate problems as they were designed specifically to be added to multiple
| computers for LAN gaming).
| Any more help is great (as you've helped a lot so far)
|
| Thanks
|
| "Jimmy S." wrote:
|
| > Hi Brad,
| >
| > I don't believe that the version of DirectX is the culprit here,
| > however you may want to toggle the UPNP to see if it works
| > in the enabled position for your network setup... also use the
| > DirectX Network tab to diagnose your network setup:
| > http://www.updatexp.com/directx-diagnostic-tool.html
| >
| > --
| > Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
| > Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
| >
| > Visit my MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
| > MS Games Help and Support Center: http://support.microsoft.com/?pr=gms
| > My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
| > __________________________________________________ _______
| >
| > "Brad H" <BradH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2AF2B94E-8EC8-4699-961F-AB7551D73D55@microsoft.com...
| > | Hi Jimmy,
| > |
| > | Most of those I had already tried and they didn't work. I updated the
| > | firmware on my router however to find that it didn't help.
| > |
| > | - all games I've tried to LAN are running the same version, the most up to
| > | date
| > | - The firewall has been crossed out of the list of possibilities due to
| > | exceptions, but to be thorough, I've turned off all firewalls with no change
| > | - The router Is configured to pretty much let anything through and let
| > | software firewalls handle it. I didn't set up a DMZ for gaming, mostly
| > | because that would disable the ability for my brother's laptop to easily
| > | connect to the wireless LinkSys router and play games without reconfiguring
| > | for him.
| > | - one adapter per computer
| > | - Using Direct X 9.0c (not b) on both comps. Maybe thats the problem?
| > | - UPnP has never been enabled.
| > | - Network drivers are up to date
| > | - No specification required in any games I've tried so far on this network
| > | (they create a listing of available LAN games and the created games won't
| > | appear. If they did, thats when I could find out that game versions are
| > | incompatible as typically it tells you when joining)
| > | - specification of public or internal is irrelevant as I'm not specifying.
| > |
| > | I thought it may have to do with Service Pack 2 and thought there might be a
| > | Service pack fix for it. I couldn't find anything weird in my network setup
| > | at all. My old network setup is almost exactly the same save for the OS
| > | running was Win 98 and Win 98 SE on the computers and they were fine.
| > |
| > | "Jimmy S." wrote:
| > |
| > | > Hi Brad,
| > | >
| > | > When LAN games don't connect, there are a few variables to consider, for
| > | > example check for a patch at: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a
| > | >
| > | > 1. Disconnect from the Internet by physically unplugging the cable or DSL
| > | > line, and then since there's no longer danger of outside attacks, turn off
| > | > your software firewall (Norton's, McAfee, Zone Alarm, Outpost, ICF,
| > | > etc.) as these firewalls could be blocking data to and from your system.
| > | >
| > | > 2. If you use a router, it could be blocking you as well:
| > | > Routers have built-in port blocking firewalls based on NAT technology.
| > | > DirectX games require that ports be open in order for the data packets
| > | > to be able to travel from one system to another. Here's How to Configure
| > | > a router for Multiplayer: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/PortRoute.html#howto
| > | >
| > | > 3. If Step 1 applies to you, but you want an alternative solution, pick up a cross-
| > | > over cable from your local supply shop to directly connect one computer to
| > | > the other on a 2 player LAN, especially if both computers are close together.
| > | >
| > | > 4. If you have multiple network adapters, the game might be using the wrong one
| > | > To verify this behaviour, click Start / Control Panel / System / Hardware Tab
| > | > / Device Manager, click the + next to Network Adapters, right click the adapter
| > | > which accesses the Internet, and "Disable" it from the right-click menu. If that
| > | > works, open Control Panel / Network Connections, click Advanced / Advance
| > | > Settings / click the LAN Connection and then the UP arrow to change it's priority
| > | > so it's at the top of the list. Test your Internet games to see if they work this way.
| > | >
| > | > 5. DirectX 9.0b may need to be installed on both systems:
| > | > http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...ate_redist.exe
| > | >
| > | > 6. Universal PnP might need to be disabled in your router, or in Windows XP:
| > | > a) To enable or disable UPnP in XP, click Start / Run / type: services.msc
| > | > and you can then right-click Universal Plug and Play on the list to Start it.
| > | > b) Consult your router manual for the UPnP instructions for your model.
| > | >
| > | > 7. Network Adapter drivers may need to be updated on one or all machines.
| > | >
| > | > 8. You may need to specify the target IP using a game specific method.
| > | > Consult your game manual or readme file in the game directory. For MS
| > | > games: http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;gmsnetw
| > | >
| > | > 9. You might be specifying the Public IP instead of the Private (LAN) IP.
| > | > To easily find the Public and Private IP numbers of the computer you
| > | > are using, visit: http://www.u.arizona.edu/~trw/games/nat_or_not.php
| > | >
| > | > For more in depth troubleshooting, try this MS Network Troubleshooting article:
| > | > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e.../02april08.asp
| > | >
| > | > --
| > | > Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
| > | > Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
| > | >
| > | > Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
| > | > Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
| > | > MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default...d=sz;en-us;top
| > | > My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
| > | > __________________________________________________ _______
| > | >
| > | >
| > | >
| > | > "Brad H" <Brad H@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:882AEAD8-F57D-492F-8CD7-46688A87FC03@microsoft.com...
| > | > | Hi all.
| > | > | I've recently set up another gaming computer on my home network and have
| > | > | come into what I consider a very strange problem. My 2 gaming computers
| > | > | cannot see or connect to games made by one another. (any games. Warcraft III
| > | > | or Battlefront II for some examples).
| > | > |
| > | > | My LAN settings seem ok. I have file and print sharing enabled and my
| > | > | firewall(s) have the games I want to play over the LAN set as exceptions to
| > | > | allow activity through. I can share files fine, see shared Network folders
| > | > | and printers and all of that fun stuff. Its only when I create a LAN game
| > | > | (say in Battlefront II) and go to join the LAN game on the other computer
| > | > | that I cannot see the game. In fact, if I make it an internet game, the
| > | > | other computer can see it, but is unable to join.
| > | > |
| > | > | Any suggestions or answers are welcomed. I'll try my best to check on this
| > | > | to answer any other questions people may have to help me track down the
| > | > | problem.
| > | > |
| > | > | Running Windows XP Home with Service Pack 2.
| > | >
| > | >
| > | >
| >
| >
| >