ET wont play online BUT(!) with two clients running

(ponka) #1

Hi, the last time I played ET there were no patches or the order of installation was logical, so I may be doing it all wrong - but I dont think so.
Game -> 1.02 -> 2.60.

I start the game, no servers show up. No “hello palayeyer 22364831!1” line scrolling (only that it is ET 2.60 running) over the filtersettings and so on. I try the allseeing eye, get a “server full or unresponsive” (may be unrelated) everytime I click on a server, do a force connect, et starts up, awaits for connection with no response. Pull down the console and get the “enemy territory folder - ET key deleted due to empty CD key” and can’t connect. I’ve tried pb_cdkeyreg and something I dont remember, I did this previously before I gave up.
Have updated pb with pbweb.

Anyhow, now to the mysterious part. When I started two clients by accident (teh angry not so very pleased erratic double clicking) one is like before and the other, second one, CONNECTS without a problem!
What the hell is up? This is my second attempt, with an uninstall in between.
No residue on the first one - I think, can’t say for sure, sorry - but with the post uninstall (cfgs and such) there on the second attempt in the otherwise empty folder which then got the new install - ie now.
When I exit the server and try the ingame browser it’s the “hellio player 345864!!!” and servers show up instantly. Everything is as it should be. Same when I start two instances from the shortcut not connecting to a server via the ase.

The problem is the gamma doesen’t reset after quitting, and pressing ctrl alt delete in mid action to kill the dry one isn’t ideal since the order varies - I read it out from how much memory it takes up, and this only works when one is running a game.
Also it does crap to the gamma ingame sometimes with the ctrl alt delete and the tabbing that takes effect.

what could be wrong here? :frowning:
I really need some ET love to make me last to the QW release. Any help appreciated, especially from someone knowing what goes click when one client is started over another one. Doubleregistry or what?

edit: clarified the part about fresh install vs now not so fresh install.

(ponka) #2

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/7909/emptycdkeyvh6.jpg
screenshot showing the error message in it’s whole, also what connects and what nots. The “key deleted” and “failed to resolve” part - as formated in the bottom of the picture - then goes on and repeats itself indefinietly. Nothing else.

(ouroboro) #3

Firewall.

When your gamma gets fux0red, run fix-gamma.exe by Rain.

(ponka) #4

thank you for responding! :clap:
but with that said, I CAN play under certain circumstances without doing anything to my nat router which should be a clear indication that it’s not a matter of closed ports and a firewall. Thats’ what I thought at first, pb being cut off.

edit: I forgot - thank you for the ups on the fix-gamma app!

(ponka) #5

this is starting to get on my nerves. Just found out I can’t play on servers that require a cd key, the double client just allows me to connect but since the cd key is deleted or never existed those servers (the good ones) kick me out. Even tried opening a port punk busters rtcw: et faq mentions, though in conjunction with saying “if you can play the game, your’e probably all set since pb communicates through the same channels as the game itself”
I just want to palay teh game :frowning:

edit: sorry for bumping it up, but I just realized something; I do get a “hello player 2354654!” and that should be guid / cdkey related shouldn’t it?

(Homer J) #6

/pb_cdkeyreg

(I think that’s the command to get a new CDkey)

(ponka) #7

you were right. I pulled the router the other day - something i’m very reluctant to do because of the downtime when replugging and some people actually relying on the broadband for work not play - and bam, et works instantly.

I’ve googled for fw configuring solutions and there where some useful stuff out there, people using packet sniffers to see what ports et use in real time and such, and let me tell you; there is A LOT more to it than what is stated by the pb faq and such when it comes to ports. But no luck. Think i’m gonna backtrack and see if I did it right - which i’m already pretty sure I did, but you can never know.
Anyway, my hope on ever playing ET with a router is basically gone as it is. Finito, Null, Sadness and cry. Right now my hopes go to the future and et:qw and that it will be more compatible - if not, well then i’m one left behind and lonely bugger.

(Homer J) #8

From the Evenbalance FAQ

However, we have recently discovered that some broadband routers routinely drop OOB (Out of Band) packets for no apparent reason. Since all PB packets are OOB, these routers can actually block PB’s communication (again for no apparent reason). To determine if the router is the cause of this problem for you, remove the router and connect directly to the internet. If you are able to play this way, then the cause is very likely the router.
Based on user feedback, the following router brands/models are reported to have problems. Not necessarily all models of a brand might be affected, and the list is in no way complete but it can give you a few hints. Also, we do not claim that our list below shows the only solution to fix your issue, nor that it will fix it for sure even though it has worked for others. It could very well be that changing some settings in your router could help as well. Contacting the company directly might help you as well.

* Linksys - possible solution: Use firmware 1.44.2
* Motorola - possible solution: Update to latest firmware
* Netgear - possible solution: Disable SPI (statefull packet inspection)

I should add that’s from the RtCW FAQ, but should apply equally to ET.

(ponka) #9

Interesting! Thank you Homer J, had missed that bit. :drink:
I’ve done a quick text search in my routers pdf manual and found no trace of spi or “stateful firewall”, so I guess I could try updating the firmware if there is any and if d-link still provides it. Any other suggestions on tweaking the router with this in mind, ie more complex stuff than opening ports, like that with the spi.
It’s a DL-804.

(Homer J) #10

I use a D-link router, a 604 I think and have never had to do anything to get ET running with it.