Unable to intiate network/forward to NAT (Direct IP issue)

[Soulshorne]

No-one seems interested in conversing in Tech or Multiplayer forums, sooooo... thought I would try here, as every post has multitudes of responses.

My brother and I bought the Gold release (never tried Demo) for the sole reason/idea to Co-op. However... he keeps getting a "unable to initiate network" error message upon simply trying to LAN or Internet, other than "direct IP connect", in which case he gets some NAT error.

Funny thing is, is that we do not have a NAT setup, nor firewalls, nor etc.

My setup is fine, without errors. Spent several hours trying to match his network setting identical to mine, to no avail.

A couple of questions, then:

1) anyone faced and solved this? There are multiple entries in tech help forum (tho none in M-player), and not the slightest hint of a response towards helping/fixing.

2) barring #1 question, is there a way a current tech can help an old (pre 2001) tech in the effort to copy and transfer/overwrite XP settings (specifically network settings, obviously) from one system to anothour?

All of my instincts, observations, and personal diag's ...as well as readings of the forums... scream that this is an XP network issue in conjunction with the game's coding. An incompatibility of a setting, or even a sub-install.

Sadly, I quit teching just when XP came out; my MCSE and A+ certs are as antiquated/near obsolete as any system from 2000 -> '01.

My natural instinct as a tech (since it is not _MY_ system, of course...) is an OS overwrite. For some odd reason, my brother is resistant to such drastic measures

SOOOooooo... General forums ppl, I beg a conjuntion of minds, surely SOMEONE out there has experienced this problem, or problems, and knows the fix... and sinply failed to report said fix to the general community once it WAS fixed. I mean, who cares about the problem that frustrated you so long, in regards to others experiencing it also, when you can now play the game!?!

All I am even really asking for is a hint... I can tech it from there if for some reason one does not want to divulge the entire proccess.

PLease, just narrow down my search parameters...

~Ken/Störme/Soulshorne

[NightCreeper]

First of all, make sure you have the XP Firewall disabled.

Second, you don't use any firewall software or hardware and don't use a router? What about Anti-Virus? If that's the case, I'd suggest fixing that problem before worrying about playing an MP game. Get a good free firewall software like Sygate Personal Firewall or something. And if it's feasable, purchase a router like a Linksys that uses a built in firewall and allows you to forward ports, which the host would then need to do.

As far as the question about carrying over XP settings. I don't know of a solution there, but there shouldn't be much that needs changing in Network settings, especially if DHCP is being used. Just make sure that crappy excuse for a firewall, the XP Firewall is disabled.

Oh, and if it's true that you both have been on the internet for a period of time without using a router or firewall software, then I'd suggest, trying multiple spyware/adware removal tools such as AdAware and/or SpyBot if you aren't already using them. I'm sure others can probably make some suggestions here as well. I can imagine what your PCs look like if you've been open to the internet without firewall protection.

[Soulshorne]

Actually we DO use a router and it is indeed a Linksys, for the very reasons you mentioned Nightcreeper. So I am assuming it is the "port forwarding" you mentioned I need to do as host... unfortunately my teching skills were/are hardware focused, and rather poor in networking, just the very basics only.

Thank you SOOOO very much for narrowing down the problem, you are awesome!

I will start researching this "port forwarding" issue, but any hints, suggestions, directions, etc you could provide for XP OS run system(s) would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks again, Nightcreeper...

~Ken/Störme/Soulshorne


PS: upon re-looking at settings, I do not believe we have a DHCP setting... although I honestly suck at XP. Any insight as to how to verify if we indeed do not have it set up, and how to do so if not would also be welcome.

Thanks again!


PPS: I do not believe it is, as I cannot seem to find it, that he has XP Firewall up. I never intentionally did, could it be possible it was accidently, and how do I tell if so?

[NightCreeper]

Sorry to get back to you so late, but let me see if maybe I can help a bit here.

First, let's start with the Port Forwarding. Again, if it's LAN you're playing, then you shouldn't need to do this. But, here's a site with pretty good instructions for most routers. Find your Linksys Model and take a look to see if it makes sense. Linksys' site also has a bit of good info if you want to browse their support pages regarding router firmware upgrades and such.

http://www.portforward.com/routers.htm

http://www.linksys.com/support/default.asp


Now, regarding checking Network settings. Go to Control Panel, click Network Connections. One in the list should be Local Area Connection. Right click on it and select Properties.

Highlight Internet Protocol(TCP/IP) and click Properties. If Obtain an IP address automatically is checked and Obtain DNS server address automatically is checked, then you have DHCP set up. If that's the case, then your router is acting as your DHCP server, handing PCs that log onto your network their IPs. So, the problem you may notice is that if DHCP is used, you may get different IPs sometimes. For example, you have 2 IPs on your network, one is x.x.x.100 and one is x.x.x.101. If maybe .100 is turned off, and .101 is then rebooted, it will be handed .100 after log on. And you'll notice that port forwarding needs a specific IP to forward to.

Also, back in Local Area Network Properties, where you highlighted TCP/IP, there should be an Advanced Tab. Here's where you should see whether the XP firewall is enabled or disabled.

How to find out your PC's IP...Goto Start>Run and type cmd. This will open a DOS window. Type ipconfig /all. You'll see your PC's IP information. Should be getting an IP like 192.168.1.x if you left the Linksys to it's defaults.

Not sure if any of that will help, but it's actually easier than I made it sound. Let me know if I can help further.