Drat!

[Gben 20]

Here there - I connected a crossover (red) ethernet cable between my two comps (Xp & Vista)... after much hassle I can ping the two via dos... but when I fire up C&C3 on both comps - I can't see either of them on either comp.

 

I read somewhere that vista was causing some grief with IP6 between XP and Vista... but surely this is not the case here still.

 

I was able to play on these comps via hamachi but with my isp throttled down - that's not an option. Any reason why I'm having so much trouble connect with a physical cable?

 

same workgroup

same isp 192.168.1.XXX

same subnet

[Gben 20]

I discovered by accident that I had a ethernet hub stored away in a box which I had forgotten about. (shows how long since the last lan party!) So I wondered if the problem was the crossover cable. But even with traditional rj45 blue cables and hub I still couldn't connect via C&C3 over lan (XP Desktop and Vista laptop). We couldn't see each other in the lobby nor when either machine created a game.

 

We're both running patch 1.09, and as earlier stated we can ping each other. So what's wrong? I've checked in the network setup that we're both using the same ip range 192.162.1.XXX (I had three to choose from [Hamachi, Ethernet, Wireless]).

 

Funnily enough I started the car racing game TRACK MANIA which I had on both comps, and for no apparent reason it networks perfectly!!!

 

Which means the problem is specific to C&C3...

Anyone have any clues or directions? Where can I search for help?

[Gben 20]

According to this...

http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg/php/e...p?p_faqid=14564

 

QUESTION

How can I troubleshoot connectivity issues in Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars and Kane's Wrath?

Answer

 

When troubleshooting online connections, you should keep in mind that you are not only dealing with your home network, but also your Internet Service Provider's series of networks. Also be aware that there can be a number of routers that your connection will pass through in order to reach the game server.

 

Information transferred on the Internet is handled by shuttling bits of information, known as packets. For example, when you visited this web page, all the parts of the page were passed from the webpage server, through your Internet Service Provider's network, into your home network, and finally to your computer, all in packets. Downloading information from the Internet is simply a matter of passing packets back and forth between your computer and a server through a series of networks. If these packets fail to reach their destination, you receive errors concerning your connection. Here is a short list of some of the things that can stop you from connecting.

 

Firewalls

Software firewalls on systems and hardware firewalls on routers will prevent your computer from connecting to our servers.

Routers

Some routers have certain settings that can interfere with the transfer of packets.

Server outages

Occasionally servers will experience an outage. Typically an outage can last from 24 to 48 hours.

Internet security software

Internet security software will block or filter information that may be vital for the software to run.

Typically connection issues are caused by one or more ports being blocked by a firewall, router, or even your Internet Service Provider to help maintain security. These ports are the doorways used to send and receive information between your computer and the server. You must configure your router/firewall to have the game's ports open in order to connect to the servers properly. You may also need to contact your Internet Service Provider to ensure that these ports are opened as well.

 

The ports for Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars are as follows:

 

UDP ports:

 

8088 - 28088

TCP ports:

 

28910

29900

29901

You may also need to have your Internet Service Provider open these ports for you.

 

Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars also uses GameSpy software, please note that additional configuration may be required.

 

You can find information on firewall configuration with GameSpy here.

Before administering security software and firewalls, be sure that your Windows account has administrative privileges.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

If you are playing behind a software firewall, you will need to be sure you have added the following to the "Exceptions or Allowed Programs " list in your software firewall:

 

The game's executable file (typically located in "C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars\CNC3.exe")

The cnc3game.dat file, which is located in the latest patch version folder (typically located in "C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars\RetailExe\1.X", where X is the latest version number of the patched game).

If router settings are changed since the last time Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars is played, you will need to click the "Refresh NAT" button in the game's Network menu. To do this:

 

 

Select Options

Select Settings

Select Network tab

Click the "Refresh NAT " button.

 

If you are experiencing general NAT connection difficulties, perform the following steps:

 

Exit the game.

Delete the "options.ini" file in your Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars folder.

Restart the game.

Click the "Refresh NAT" button in the Network Settings menu.

 

If using a combination of a cable modem and a router, contact your ISP/cable provider in order to get assistance in disabling your modem's built-in firewall.

 

Right at the bottom one solution is to delete the options.ini file... but I can't find it in my installation. I've even turned on 'hidden files'...

 

Can someone confirm which directory this file is on their comp?

Edited July 30, 2008 by gben

[Luk3us 63]

E:\Documents and Settings\Luke\Application Data\Command & Conquer 3 Kane's Wrath\Profiles\Luk3us

 

That is where it is on my hard drive.

 

 

On a separate note, I have a cross over cable I use for my old comp I use for storage and stuff. I booted up TW and it worked fine, connecting and such. Though I couldn't play, as they both copies were using the same serial but yeah was easy for me. Though mine is an XP > XP exchange...

[Gben 20]

Thanks Lukus... I forgot that C&C3 installs to three locations...

c:\games...

c:\...\my docs....

c:\...\app data

 

What a strange way to organise files!

 

Anyway I renamed the file on both comps and it didn't help. The search for a solution continues, but now at least I've upgraded my isp to ADSL2 (1500) so Hamachi is once again a viable option...

 

[Sonic 296]

You do understand you need 2 copies and 2 keys to play over a network. If you have installed C&C 3 using the same CD key it won't work.

 

If you need another copy of C&C 3 I can give one, totally legal.... you just have to download it from the EA Store.

[Gben 20]

LOL. Yeah I know that... Lukus was just saying he could only test it so far because *he* only has one copy. I have two copies but I can't even see them comps in the lobby.

 

Thanks for the offer of the spare copy, but no need.

[Gben 20]

Ok over the weekend I tried to play C&C3 again over the network and realised I was still havin troubles playing through the network. I had to play via Hamachi through our wireless connection to the internet. The thing is I know the network is working because we were able to transfer music and video files too and fro between the computers, and we even played some STARCRAFT via UDP on the network... but for whatever reason I still can't solve my network issues.

 

Can someone give me a noobs checklist to go through and find out what the problem is???

Pretty, pretty, pretty please?

[Luk3us 63]

K.

 

Is the sky blue?

Are there dingos stealing babies?

 

Are the cables plugged in?

Are the network adapters active?

Can you ping each other?

Can you share files/internet?

Is your firewall set to deal with C&C3?

Is the IP setup properly in the C&C3 network menu?

 

 

[Gben 20]

Where do I download the blue-sky patch??? When I booted up this morning it was grey, overcast and 60% chance of rain!?!

 

 

cables? check!

hub? check!

comps x2? check!

'legitimate' c&c3 x2? check!

 

ping? check!

transfer files? check!

play other games via network? check!

 

firewall? I thought it was. To be sure, I have gone through and deleted all entry's in the program permissions lists - to 'restart' the permissions and watch what happens. But I haven't had a chance to test.

I have no idea how to check your last question.

[Sonic 296]

Completely disable the firewall software on both computers and try the game. If your networked via a router your safe.

[Luk3us 63]

If you go into options in the C&C3 menu, and naviagate to the network menu, it lists your IP. Ensure it is correct. Normally it just says 192.0.1 or some variation of the generic.

[Gben 20]

firewall disabled? check x2

game patched to same level? check x2

same ip address group 192.168.2.xx in C&C3 options/network screen? check x2

network game works? negative x2

 

 

notes:

Network configuration in the home:- adsl modem connected to wireless router; two comps in different room are connected via 8-port hub.

Hmmm... the adsl modem is 192.168.1.xx, the wireless hub is 192.168.2.xx but does the ethernet 8-port hub have a different ip range?

 

[Doctor Destiny 41]

A hub is merely a switch. It assumes the IP of whatever sends the connection, which should be your router.

[Gben 20]

Even though I'm using the same copy of RA3 for a LAN game, I appear to be having the same connectivity issues with RA3 as I am with KW. I've not tried Hamachi, which works with KW. Might try that later.

But this is an annoying issue...