Playing Baldur's Gate 2 through TCP/IP!

Hey Ashtray

Hey guys, not sure if any of you can help with this one. A friend and I want to play BG2 using the TCP/IP connection. We're both behind a router, but we believe we've followed every step for making it work, and it doesn't. Basically what we've done is opened the ports specific to the game, installed and connected to each other with Hamachi (which successfuly pings), and then tried connecting using the Hamachi IP.

It doesn't matter who hosts, neither of can connect, we get the "Cannot join game session". Firewalls and antiviruses are off, our cache and framerates are set the same, the game is patched using the same version, every single thing we can think of has been done. Is there any way to get this to work. We're both running PC's.

Thanks for your help, nothing posted on the net so far has worked for us.

Derrick

Have you tried simply not using the routers for a minute just to see if that's the problem?

Hey Ashtray

This may be a really stupid question: It's a DSL router/modem in one. So the cable from the phone jack goes into the DSL spot, and then the ethernet goes from the box to the computer. So as far as I can tell, there's no way to entirely bypass the router. If there IS, let me know, I'm not too great at this type of stuff.

DeShadowC

Eww gateways. Tip of the day. Some models of AT&T gateways have a hardware firewall on them. So even if you setup port forwarding it doesn't work.

Hey Ashtray

Well, I'm not with AT&T. I'm with an eastern Canada company called Aliant. The router is a Seimens Speedstream 6520, and I've tried the portforwarding. So I'm not really sure.

ApexMirage

lol 6520. The firmware has a DMZ option, try that. It's basically like opening every single port.

Hey Ashtray

I'll try that when my buddy is online, I know he tried his and it didn't work, but maybe if we both have it selected, it'll work. If not, is there any explanation for it not working?

ApexMirage

TCP/IP isnt only for lan is it? have you tried without hamachi and just plugged in eachothers IP's?

PirateJon

then tried connecting using the Hamachi IP.

which IP now?

Hey Ashtray

Well, Hamachi basically assigns your computer a permanent IP, rather than going through the process of making it for yourself. We tried without Hamachi using our router's IP (found by running CMD, then IPCONFIG), and it was the 192.168.X.X variety, but that didn't work, and apparently shouldn't work. So Hamachi simply picks a static IP for both computers, and it has worked in the past.

We're not in the same location, hence why we can't LAN. I may be doing something horribly wrong, but as far as I can tell from what I've read, this is how most people have been successful. Still haven't tried DMZ, I'll have to do that tomorrow.

NP

You can't use your internal IP when connecting to computers outside of your network. To get your external IP, you can go to a website like www.ipchicken.com and use that when connecting to your friend (after setting up the ports or opening up the DMZ).

ApexMirage

Yeah, the 192 addresses are within your router's network, but your computer still has an IP address on the internet, which you can get from the router's firmware or with the website mentioned above amongst many others. That's the IP you'll want to connect with.

Fizban140

That website above still gives me a 192 address...nevermind now it isn't. I have been trying to do exactly this for a couple days. It seems pretty random, sometimes it will work and sometimes it will not. I think it might be the cheap modem they gave me.

ApexMirage

There's nothing wrong with the 6520 model itself as far as i know from my time as tech support for my local ISP.

Bendery It Like Beckham

Fizban140 wrote: »

That website above still gives me a 192 address...nevermind now it isn't. I have been trying to do exactly this for a couple days. It seems pretty random, sometimes it will work and sometimes it will not. I think it might be the cheap modem they gave me.

http://whatsmyip.org/

Try connecting using Hamachi and IPX? Does BG2 offer an IPX connection?

PirateJon

Bendery It Like Beckham wrote: »

Fizban140 wrote: »

That website above still gives me a 192 address...nevermind now it isn't. I have been trying to do exactly this for a couple days. It seems pretty random, sometimes it will work and sometimes it will not. I think it might be the cheap modem they gave me.

http://whatsmyip.org/

Try connecting using Hamachi and IPX? Does BG2 offer an IPX connection?

Wouldn't work. Hamtaro uses the class A range 5.x.x.x. The software installs a (shim? plugin?) to capture, encrypt and forward any traffic destined to that range.


OP, since you said you can ping him, now try portscanning the remote address. That should show you if the correct TCP ports are open between the two systems. This one is free and works pretty good.
http://www.radmin.com/products/utilities/portscanner.php

Hey Ashtray

Ok, so let me get this right. If the corrects ports are forwarded on my router, OR the DMZ is enabled, and either one of us try to connect to the other using the ipchicken IP address, without Hamachi or anything like that, then this SHOULD work? Is this the correct process?

Hey Ashtray

Hey guys, update here. My friend came over with his comp, and we're trying to get it to work just locally. What's the best way to do this? We couldn't get it to work even using the above described scenario.

So we're trying to use hamachi here, but still can't connect. The only possible reason I can think of, and didn't think of this before, is that my friend is using a NO CD crack, as he left his disks at school over Christmas. I imagine this could affect things, anyone know?

Hahnsoo1

If you are connecting locally, then you shouldn't have to use Hamachi (in fact, I wouldn't). Just plug both computers into a router, get an IP for both computers (you can check out what it is by Run > Type "cmd" > Enter > Command Prompt will appear > Type "ipconfig" > Enter. Don't use the gateway address = the router), and search for the other game.

If he is running a No CD crack, it depends. Some No CD cracks change the version number, making it unplayable with other games that don't have it applied (physically changes the version number). Some do not do this. It's something to rule out.

Hey Ashtray

Alright, he's making an ISO of my disk as we speak.

Hahnsoo1

Hey Ashtray wrote: »

Alright, he's making an ISO of my disk as we speak.

I hope he has his original non-cracked .EXE (and other files) backed up, too. Because (and I've seen this happen before) you'll get the disk, and accidentally try to run the game with the cracked EXE. It still won't work, and you won't know why until the answer dawns on you a day later.

Hey Ashtray

Yeah, he did a clean install, ISO, and it doesn't work. We have tried EVERYTHING. What is going on? We tried to create an IPX game, but clicking new game doesn't do anything, it just stops the music.

Are we missing something fundamental here?

Hahnsoo1

I doubt you have tried "everything" at this point, but you've certainly tried a lot of things. Are your computers even set up for the IPX protocol? You can tell by going to your control panel > Network Connections > Local Area Connection (whatever you are using) > Right-click > Properties. This will get you a window that says "This connection uses the following items:" Followed by a list. NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol should be checked.

If clicking New Game doesn't do anything, IPX may not be the way to go. It should work under TCP/IP. What configuration do you have right now? Are you wired or wireless? Do you know your local IP addresses and the IP address of your router? Are you both plugged into the SAME router or different ones?

EDIT:
Also, from the readme.txt file:
"Make sure you have the ports 2300-2400 and 47624 set up on the server for both "inbound" and "outbound" messages on both "TCP" and "UDP" protocols."

And one more thing: If both players do not have the same settings (for graphics and performance), you may not be able to connect. My girlfriend and I have been able to run games with different graphical settings and such, but the important one is the Gameplay > Miscellaneous > AI Options Frame Rate. Both computers must have the same number.

EDIT 2: Also, you can play BG over a Null Modem Cable. *cheesy grin*

thejazzman

I have never gotten bg to work over the net, but its pretty easy to get it to work locally.

All you do is hook up to the same router/hub or whatever, then host a tcp/ip game as if it was going to be over the net. Then going into command prompt and type ipconfig to get your local IP

it will be something like 192.168.0.5 or whatever

the other person just connects to that IP on join game. This works for us every time since we long since gave up trying it over the net.

Hey Ashtray

Ok, we'll start over. This is what we're trying right now: We are in the same room, I'm on a laptop connected to the router wirelessly, and he's plugged directly into the router. We know our router IP, which is of the 192 type, and then our local ip's we get from a site like whatismyip.org or ipchicken.com. Everything about the game itself is exaclty the same version. We have both tried hosting the TCP/IP type games with no success. The host starts the game, the person joining hangs for a moment and gets the 'Cannot join game session'. We even went as far as to try through Gamespy, in a brief moment of desperation.

I guess we don't have IPX set up, because that is not in the protocol list, but as thejazzman said, we shouldn't have to use IPX. Thanks for the help so far, this is like beating my head off a wall.

Hahnsoo1

Hey Ashtray wrote: »

and then our local ip's we get from a site like whatismyip.org or ipchicken.com.

Oh, no no no. Those websites will get you your IP as the internet sees it, not necessarily your local IP. Your local IP should be identical to your router's IP except for the last digit. For example:
My router (listed as "Gateway" on cmd > ipconfig): 192.168.1.1
My computer: 192.168.1.2
My girlfriend's computer: 192.168.1.5

To connect to my computer, I host a game on my computer, and my girlfriend connects to the Host IP of 192.168.1.2.

Make sure BOTH computers have their software firewall down (all Windows XP and Vista computers have a software firewall), or at least baldur.exe unblocked. Or open up the software firewall and unblock the appropriate ports. The router firewall should not be an issue (since you aren't playing over the Internet, just a local game).

You should list off your OS version (XP and SP number, Vista Home or Pro, etc.), your specific IP addresses on both computers, and the IP address of your router (which should be 192).

You may also try running a wire to your laptop instead of connecting wirelessly. But only after you definitively rule out everything else.

Don't try Gamespy. It doesn't work.

Hey Ashtray

Hey, yeah, we've been connecting to our respecting 192 ips, that's correct, right? We're both running windows XP pro, SP 3, and we've had firewalls off, and even DMZ enabled.

Hahnsoo1

Hey Ashtray wrote: »

Hey, yeah, we've been connecting to our respecting 192 ips, that's correct, right? We're both running windows XP pro, SP 3, and we've had firewalls off, and even DMZ enabled.

DMZ shouldn't matter, as that's a hardware firewall issue (built into the router). What do you get when you ipconfig? On both machines? Just list off the IP address, Subnet Mask, and Gateway. Sometimes, ISP change your subnet mask to 255.255.255.240, which may mess things up.

Hey Ashtray

Hey, our subnet mask is 255.255.255.0 and both our ips are only one digit off from the default gateway, so I don't think there's anything unusual there.

Hahnsoo1

Have you updated to the latest version? Also, are you playing Throne of Bhaal in addition to Shadows of Amn? Or do you just have BG II: Shadows of Amn?

EDIT: Sorry if this is a bit disjointed, but I'm just throwing out ideas as they come to me.

Hey Ashtray

Yes, latest version, no we're not running the expansion.

Hahnsoo1

When you say "both your IPs are only one digit off", you mean they say 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.3 or something like that? Not both IPs are identical? This can happen on certain wireless networks meshing with wired networks (with inconsistent/disasterous results). Also, you are using the other person's IP address when you are joining their game, right? (Dumb question, I know, but I have to ask)

Have you tried running the game in compatibility mode? Right-Click on baldur.exe > Properties > Compatibility Tab. Try for Win 98/2000.

Have you tried running both games in Windowed mode? I know that the game doesn't run at all on my machine (XP with SP3) without being in Windowed mode.

Hey Ashtray

Hey, we got a fix for it. Took the advice of someone earlier, we both installed the IPX protocol and we could connect locally. Doesn't really help us over the net, but from everything I've read online, hardly anyone is having success with TCP/IP. Ok, so IPX worked, as far as we can tell. Thanks for that piece of advice. Anyway else that is having problems, pretty much everything we read is summarized here:

http://davelevy.dyndns.info/snipsnap/space/Dave/FRPG+Games/BG2%2C+Multi-player

Thanks! It's good enough for now. Oh, we also tried compatability mode, it did nothing. We didn't try the windowed thing, but again, thanks for all your time. We're gonna play now, and never stop.

Hahnsoo1

Congrats! I find it odd that TCP/IP doesn't work, as that's what we (and everyone else in the Internet) use here at home. IPX will only work for local multiplay. If you finish up your BG II content, and want some more, there are quite a few mods out there that are fun to play (I recommend Check the Bodies, The Darkest Day, or Shadows over Soubar). That will probably require its own H&A topic, though. *grin*

Grambottle

So my brother and I are now playing BG1 with EasyTutu so this should apply to BG2:

We were trying to get the game working online with TCP/IP. Having ports 2300-2400 and 47624 (as mentioned above) AND port 6073 opened on TCP and UDP got the game working for us. We had 2300-2400 and 6073 opened before (that's what portforward.com says is needed) and it wasn't working, then I saw this thread and had the idea to try adding 47624, and success was had!

Thought I'd revive this old thread for this and to say thanks for the idea to use 47624!