Hi Blair,
Since you asked for ideas, perhaps my LAN Troublshooter can help.
When LAN games don't connect, there are a few variables to consider.
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 correct 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.
5. DirectX 9.0b may need to be installed on both systems:
http://download.microsoft.com/downl...-4c98-baf3-0c67e7f3751f/dx90update_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.aspx?scid=fh;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
--
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.aspx?scid=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________
| This is really odd: I have been trying to connect to a
| friend's computer to play ANY DirectPlay games.
|
| I have an older Win '98 machine and an XP Pro machine.
| Most games won't run on the '98. This is important
| however because:
|
| I enable the DMZ on my router to point to the '98 machine
| and it works fine. I point it at the XP machine and it
| doesn't work!
|
| The DirectPlay test WORKS on the XP machine but the games
| just never connect.
|
| I've tried with ICF both on and off but it makes no
| difference.
|
| Anyone got any ideas? Thanks!
|
|
