Having connection problems...

[Stonk]

Hello.

A friend and I just tried to fight each other online for the first time. We're both running XP, but I've got a 56K modem while he's running NTL broadband. Neither of us has played online before, so we're not sure what's going wrong.

My system was used as the server on which the game was played (I have ZoneAlarm, but turned it off), but he could not connect to my IP address.

We tried it the other way around, but I couldn't connect to his IP address either. My screen reads:

Connecting (F10 Cancels):
unreal://*IP address*/index.unr

This is there for about five minutes (56K modem), but then it changes to "Connection Failed".

Has anybody got an ideas as to what could be wrong?
Do we both need to have the same level installed?
Do we need to have the same version of the game?
Is there anything in the Server Config which should definitely be set one way or the other?

Please feel free to ask questions.

Thanks.

[Stonk]

What's the difference between clicking "Start" and clicking "Dedicated"?

Ta.

[KrazyLoCo]

If you don't have the same map installed as the server, you will have to download it off of the server before you can enter. So it is quicker to get it on the net before you try to play.

Yes you both have to have the same version. Version 436 preferably.

Best choice of connection would be one of you starts a server and gives the other your IP address. Then the other person simply has to click Multiplayer > Open Location and type in the IP address (EX: 123.456.78.910).

Make sure ZoneAlarm is fully closed (check CTRL ALT DEL to end any processes pertaining to it).

The difference between clicking Start and Dedicated is that one starts a listen server (Start) and the other a Dedicated server (Dedicated).

When you click 'Start' you will go straight to the map and wait for the other people to connect. Your ping will always be 0. So it's a bit of a disadvantage.

When you click Dedicated, UT closes and opens another program that sits in your Taskbar, it is the dedicated server. You won't be in it, but your server will be up and running and people can play on it. You can open the game again and join the server, but you will get massive lag and it will be unplayable.

[Stonk]

Thanks for your help KrazyLoCo, but is it okay to turn off the Firewall?

I wondered if entering his IP address as a "Trusted Zone" in Zone Alarm would do the job. Of course, the IP would be different everytime, but wouldn't that be safer if it works?

Thanks for answering my other questions. The answers were very helpful.

Cheers.

[KrazyLoCo]

Originally posted by Stonk
Thanks for your help KrazyLoCo, but is it okay to turn off the Firewall?

I wondered if entering his IP address as a "Trusted Zone" in Zone Alarm would do the job. Of course, the IP would be different everytime, but wouldn't that be safer if it works?

Thanks for answering my other questions. The answers were very helpful.

Cheers.

Add his net to the Trusted Zone. EX: if his IP is 123.456.78.35, add 123.456.*.*

I think you're better off allowing UT to have full internet access in ZoneAlarm!