SP2 and Compatible/InCompatible games list

G

Guest

Ok I have compiled a list of games (mostly microsoft oddly enough) that are
not compatible with Win XP SP2 due to either security/firewall/other issues
by my OWN experience. These particular games we're troubleshooted on my
system as well as my 2nd PC on my LAN with all the latest updates, drivers,
directx, router config. (Basically I have ruled out anything that could
possibly cause connectivity issues)

Please note: Before SP2 (i.e XP SP1) ALL games on the list worked flawlessly
whether Single, Internet, or Lan based games.

Before SP2 install: (all games below work fine)

Freelancer
Command and Conquer: Generals
Command and Conquer: Zero Hour
Halo: Combat Evolved
Starwars: Battlefront
Rise Of Nations
Impossible Creatures
UT 2004
Warcraft III
Battle Chess (www.apezone.com)

After SP2 install:

Freelancer (works singleplayer, No LAN or Internet games) hangs in task
manager.
Command and Conquer: Generals (uneffected, works fine single, internet, and
Lan)
Command and Conquer: Zero Hour (same as Generals, works fine)
Halo (same issue as freelancer)
Starwars: Battlefront (works fine singleplayer, Internet, and Lan)
Rise of Nations (same issue as freelancer)
Impossible Creatures (same issue as freelancer)
UT 2004 (works flawlessly single and Internet/Lan)
Warcraft III (works fine, Internet/Lan, single)
Battle Chess (same or similiar issue as freelancer) hangs in task manager

I can't say I'm an expert at Windows XP but I have spent hours
troubleshooting these games before and after the SP2 install and these are my
findings.

I have other games that I have not tested yet but the list I have provided
will be updated as I get more info. Whether this is helpful or not to anyone
i don't know, but these are just observations and tests I have run for the
last week or two.

ZoneMaster
 
G

Guest

I forgot to mention in addition these were tested with Windows Firewall
enabled and disabled, exceptions added/removed, and software firewalls both
Windows and my current software firewall (NetDefense: SystemSuite 5) enabled
and disabled.

I also even tried a direct cable connection to the internet through my cable
modem, in case anyone brings this up.
 
C

Chris H.

There is a Microsoft Knowledge Base article about multiplayer games not
working after installing Service Pack 2:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;875363 which
contains the fix for most issues you're seeing.

Additionally, here's a list of most Microsoft games with ports required to
be opened for multiplayer games:
http://support.microsoft.com/search...&kt=ALL&mdt=0&comm=1&ast=1&ast=2&ast=3&mode=a
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -
 
G

Guest

What? I just said I had the windows firewall disabled. Why would I have to
unblock a program if it's not being blocked in the first place? I have
already tried this several times.
 
G

Guest

Oh it says to goto Windows Security Dialog box and check Unblock. I never get
the dialog box at all (windows firewall disabled maybe?) so how can I unblock
it? In firewall settings I have it completely OFF. I already tried adding the
games to the exception list, it does no good.
 
G

Guest

Well I'm not sure what I'm suppose to do actually. I have Windows Firewall
completed shutoff? Are you saying it is STILL trying to block it from
accessing the internet? Why does it do the same on my LAN as well when i try
to start a LAN game. I would think my server would show up on the list if
nothing else. Oh before Freelancer hung again for the 6th straight time today
I managed you get a dump of netstat.exe.

Active Connections

Proto Local Address Foreign Address State PID
TCP 0.0.0.0:135 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING 956
TCP 0.0.0.0:445 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING 4
TCP 127.0.0.1:1047 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING 2896
TCP 192.168.1.102:139 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING 4
UDP 0.0.0.0:445 *:* 4
UDP 0.0.0.0:1025 *:* 1120
UDP 0.0.0.0:1029 *:* 1228
UDP 0.0.0.0:1032 *:* 1120
UDP 0.0.0.0:1291 *:* 1120
UDP 0.0.0.0:1292 *:* 1120
UDP 0.0.0.0:1373 *:* 3680
UDP 0.0.0.0:1374 *:* 3680
UDP 127.0.0.1:123 *:* 1060
UDP 192.168.1.102:123 *:* 1060
UDP 192.168.1.102:137 *:* 4
UDP 192.168.1.102:138 *:* 4
-->the last three are freelancer<--
UDP 192.168.1.102:1372 *:* 3680
UDP 192.168.1.102:2302 *:* 3680
UDP 192.168.1.102:46779 *:* 3680

Why is it trying to connect to 3 different UDP ports? I thought it only used
2300-2400 UDP? I DO NOT have this problem with other games (at least not
microsoft ones that is)
 
G

Guest

Ok already talked with one friend of mine who has been a network adminstrator
for 10 years and personally beta tested XP SP2. He said you might as well
reinstall windows XP and NOT update to SP2. What the hell. Why can't you guys
admit there is a problem with SP2 and try to fix the problems? I am tired of
this wild goose chase of trying this and that and this and that and NOTHING
works! It's pure BS. I have the same EXACT problems on both my LAN pc's only
AFTER updating to SP2...go figure. Never mind this conversation is getting me
knowwhere forget it.
 
C

Chris H.

What do you mean "you guys"? I'm a user just like you are, and my
multiplayer games seem to be working just fine with XP SP2 installed on my
systems - both among my LAN systems and over the Internet.

I'm sorry what I've suggested hasn't helped you. Perhaps you need to look
to your router settings, and make sure the proper ports are being forwarded
to the appropriate systems on your LAN.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -
 
T

therblig

please add Special Weapons Over Normandy to the list of
games that do not function with SP2. Suggested that the
DirectX version rise from 9.0b to 9.0c is what is causing
the game to hang during start-game want DirectX v9.0b .
Anybody have any idea of how to correct this so game plays?
 
G

Guest

unfortunately you cannot "reinstall" a previous version of DirectX without
reinstalling your OS from scratch. There is a tool called DirectX Eradicator
that I thought would help but all it did was create an even bigger problem
and I had to use system restore to revert back to 9.0c. If you could actually
reinstall over an existing version of DirectX I would have done that already.
Maybe there is, I just don't know how it's done.
 
C

Chris H.

There would be no reason to go to an earlier version of DirectX from 9.0c on
Windows XP with SP2, it is backward compatible. The game, Secret Weapons
over Normandy, requires at least DX 9.0b, and is supported by LucasArts
here: http://support.lucasarts.com/trg/tg.asp?id=147&x=73&y=12 Perhaps a
simple upgrade of the graphics card drivers will fix the problem.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -
 
J

Jimmy S.

Hi Robin,

You might be blocking popups and that site uses one to
deliver and install a game patch. I hope that helps! :)
Also, add them to trusted sites, and accept their cookies.

--
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.
_________________________________________________________
 
R

RobinTh

Hi Jimmy,

I've add both game to my accept list on my firewall but problem be still.
Today, I'll back home and uninstall xp-sp2.... back to sp1... ^-^

It's better for me to do that. 'cause I have not much knowledge
about computer... ha ha ha... poor me!


Jimmy S. said:
Hi Robin,

You might be blocking popups and that site uses one to
deliver and install a game patch. I hope that helps! :)
Also, add them to trusted sites, and accept their cookies.

--
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.
_________________________________________________________

I would like to include some of my playable game
which cannot run after install XP sp2

1. Flyff www.flyffonline.in.th
2. Khan www.khan.in.th

I decide to change my XP back to sp1
but I don't know how to do!

... anyone can help me please...

are
my
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
J

Jimmy S.

Hi Robin,

This isn't a firewall issue, it's an Internet Explorer issue.
It's easy to make those changes, I'll post them if you like. :)

--
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.
_________________________________________________________

RobinTh said:
Hi Jimmy,

I've add both game to my accept list on my firewall but problem be still.
Today, I'll back home and uninstall xp-sp2.... back to sp1... ^-^

It's better for me to do that. 'cause I have not much knowledge
about computer... ha ha ha... poor me!


Jimmy S. said:
Hi Robin,

You might be blocking popups and that site uses one to
deliver and install a game patch. I hope that helps! :)
Also, add them to trusted sites, and accept their cookies.

--
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.
_________________________________________________________

I would like to include some of my playable game
which cannot run after install XP sp2

1. Flyff www.flyffonline.in.th
2. Khan www.khan.in.th

I decide to change my XP back to sp1
but I don't know how to do!

... anyone can help me please...

Ok I have compiled a list of games (mostly microsoft oddly enough) that
are
not compatible with Win XP SP2 due to either security/firewall/other
issues
by my OWN experience. These particular games we're troubleshooted on my
system as well as my 2nd PC on my LAN with all the latest updates,
drivers,
directx, router config. (Basically I have ruled out anything that could
possibly cause connectivity issues)

Please note: Before SP2 (i.e XP SP1) ALL games on the list worked
flawlessly
whether Single, Internet, or Lan based games.

Before SP2 install: (all games below work fine)

Freelancer
Command and Conquer: Generals
Command and Conquer: Zero Hour
Halo: Combat Evolved
Starwars: Battlefront
Rise Of Nations
Impossible Creatures
UT 2004
Warcraft III
Battle Chess (www.apezone.com)

After SP2 install:

Freelancer (works singleplayer, No LAN or Internet games) hangs in task
manager.
Command and Conquer: Generals (uneffected, works fine single, internet,
and
Lan)
Command and Conquer: Zero Hour (same as Generals, works fine)
Halo (same issue as freelancer)
Starwars: Battlefront (works fine singleplayer, Internet, and Lan)
Rise of Nations (same issue as freelancer)
Impossible Creatures (same issue as freelancer)
UT 2004 (works flawlessly single and Internet/Lan)
Warcraft III (works fine, Internet/Lan, single)
Battle Chess (same or similiar issue as freelancer) hangs in task manager

I can't say I'm an expert at Windows XP but I have spent hours
troubleshooting these games before and after the SP2 install and these are
my
findings.

I have other games that I have not tested yet but the list I have provided
will be updated as I get more info. Whether this is helpful or not to
anyone
i don't know, but these are just observations and tests I have run for the
last week or two.

ZoneMaster
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
G

Guest

I'm with ZoneMaster on this one. I am unable to get Impossible Creatures
multiplayer to work after installing SP2. My Tribes Vengeance Multiplayer is
working fine. He and I appear to have tried all the published suggestions
which generally boil down to working around the firewall but as he stated
several times, we have turned off the firewall so most of those suggestions
don't seem applicable. We have also opened up ports that are necessary for
the games to work. The problem is that these programs and the OS do not give
sufficient information to help a user resolve the issues! What is needed is
a tool to help troubleshoot and report the EXACT issue that someone may be
encountering. Some function is failing, there is some return code, and it
would be nice if that would be presented to the user in a useful manner.

I am also, ready to reinstall XP and not upgrade to SP2 as has been mentioned.
 
C

Chris H.

Have you made Impossible Creatures one of the trusted applications in the
Firewall settings? Check this Knowledge Base article:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;812330

You may also find assistance with this KB article:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;842242
Additionally, this KB article is a precise step-by-step troubleshooter for
multiplayer games, including a couple streaming videos which guide you
through the processes:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;819836
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -
 

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