Help needed regarding multiplayer mode on win xp 64bit os

[Alex]

Hi guys,

Recently received an e-mail from a friend of mine (who doesn't have an account in here) reporting some problems related to multiplayer mode (which I don't play) on a 64bit operating system (which I don't have).

I'm currenty running Win Xp 64 bit OS and I'm having troubles with hosting multiplayer properly. The problem is that all my players seems to crash just after the game loads and I can't figure out what is the reason of it ? I tried launching sh3.exe as win xp 32 application via compatibility mode, unfortunetly it gave no luck: players drop out at all at once after the game loads. So I'm somewhat stuck breaking my head looking for a solution here.

It never happened before when I was running my servers on XP 32 bit, but now it's weird and I wonder is there a fix for it..Apparently it's not related to different SH3 installations (the guy is running stock SH3 without any mod enabled).

Of course I was hosting my server with plain vanilla SH3 and no mods attached.. It must be something with 64-bit OS configuration that kicks out all the players instantly and all at once just after complete load of the game. I also noticed that somewhat my game does not wait for other players to synchronize the game with them (multiplayer game loads too fast, compared to loading time on XP-32 bit). On the other hand I have NO problems joining other servers. So it's a one way problem when my server loads the game but all other players simply drop out of it.. I already tested it dozen of times with lots of ppl and every time it's the same, so it' can't be Identical Installation problems, it is something weird and must be lying deeper in win XP 64 bit configuration or so.. Wonder if anyone else can host their servers from 64 bit systems or is it just me ?Any help would be appreciated !
Thanks in advance.

[GoDeep]

I would begin with basic troubleshooting steps, such as checking firewall configurations, etc. It's entirely conceivable that when the simulation loads, some control connection or some other has to be established which is blocked somehow.

Since you've obviously switched your OS from 32-bit to 64-bit, you also have a new Windows firewall configuration. Perhaps there's something you need to allow there? Perhaps allow incoming connections, allowing SH3 to act as a server as opposed to simply acting as a client?

[GoDeep]

Yes, 32-bit or 64-bit firewalls act exactly the same, or at least they should.

Has anything else changed since you last hosted a game correctly? That was on 32-bit Windows, presumably. Did you change something with your internet connection? A new router? UPnP running on the router? Did you add a security package from McAfee or Norton or some such, that also acts as a PC firewall? Are there any error logs produced? Do the dropped players get an error that holds some information?

As it stands, it is hard to troubleshoot from my end, unfortunately...

[GoDeep]

I agree, someone playing online with a 64-bit version of Windows would be nice to have chime in. I don't run Windows at all, so I can be of no help in that department.
That being said, when I am not sinking Allied tonnage, I am a network admin, so I may be able to help there. :03:

However, the fact that SH3 loads as fast as you say, could indicate another problem. Your computer may be too fast but could it also be that your installation of SH3 for online play is corrupt somehow? Have you tried installing another vanilla instance of SH3 and see if that works better?

[GoDeep]

Do people on the other end get an error when they are disconnected?
Is there a log file in the SH3 directory on your computer that could provide more information?
Do you get an error when people are dropped?

[Alex]

You're welcome dude ;)
Still no one running the game on a 64bit OS willing to help actually ?

[GoDeep]

I think it would be helpful to know if other people get an error on their end and what that error message says. You might also try to launch a multiplayer server session with firewall and everything security related disabled. Perhaps that will make a difference. It will help eliminate other potential problems.

Let us know if this makes a difference.