General Troubleshooting

Windows 95/98/ME Modem/Network Troubleshooting



General Information

    In order to join someone else's game, a user on another system that is connected to your LAN, Internet server, or direct modem connection must first host a game. Usually, you can also host a game yourself, and others can then connect to you.

    If you have not already done so, check the game's documentation for instructions on starting or joining a multiplayer game.

    If you are having trouble connecting to games on an online service such as GameSPY or MSN Gaming Zone, please check with those services' technical support for help. Infogrames Technical Support cannot help you troubleshoot problems with these services.

Modem Game InformationBack to Top

    There is no way to connect to more than one other computer with a direct modem connection. Modems were designed to communicate with only one other modem at a time. If you want to play against more than one person, you will need to use an Internet connection, or possibly a direct dial multiplayer network such as DWANGO.

Modem TroubleshootingBack to Top

    In order to connect to another computer directly or via the Internet through a modem, the modem must first be installed in Windows. To find out if your modem is installed in Windows 95/98/ME:

    1. Click on Start
    2. Click on Settings
    3. Click on Control Panel
    4. Double click on the Modems icon.

    In Windows XP, you do not need to go to "Settings" You can go to the Control Panels window directly from the Start menu.

    If there is no "modems" icon, or no modems are listed, you will need to re-install your modem. Check the documentation that came with your modem or call your computer company for assistance.

    If your modem is installed, you can check to see if it is working properly. Go to the Control Panels icon again, but this time:

    1. Double click on the System icon.
    2. Select Devices.
    3. Look for your modem in the list of hardware shown.

    If your modem is not working right, there will be an ! next to it.
    If this is the case, contact your modem manufacturer or computer company for help.

    If the modem seems to be functioning, make sure that it is connected to a phone line and that the phone line is seated well in the jack. If you suspect that there may be a problem with the phone line, try plugging a regular phone into the jack to see if you can bring up a dial tone.

Network TroubleshootingBack to Top

    If you already know the steps to take to join or host a network session of the game you're trying to play, but can't get it to work, here's a few tips:

    You must have the network protocol that your game uses installed in Windows 95/98/ME/ME. To find out what protocols are installed in these operating systems:

    1. Click on Start
    2. Click on Settings
    3. Click on Control Panel
    4. Double click on the Network icon

    In Windows XP:

    1. Click on Start
    2. Click on Control Panels
    3. Double-click on the Network Connections icon
    4. Right-click on Local Area Connection and choose Properties to see the installed protocols

    All of our games that have a network option use the IPX protocol, TCP/IP protocol, or both. Check your game's documentation to see which one you need. If that protocol is not installed, you will need to add it. If it's installed, but the game still won't connect, check the other computers involved to see if they also have this protocol installed.

    Checking for & installing the TCP/IP Protocol:

    First, you'll need to determine if the TCP/IP protocol is properly installed on your system for the connection you'll be using like this in Windows 95/98/ME:

    1. Click on Start.
    2. Select Settings.
    3. Select Control Panel.
    4. Double click the Network icon.
    5. Look for any entries in the list of installed Network components labeled TCP/IP.

    In Windows XP:

    1. Click on Start
    2. Click on Control Panels
    3. Double-click on the Network Connections icon
    4. Right-click on Local Area Connection and choose Properties to see the installed protocols

    TCP/IP must be installed for your dial-up connection, network adapter, or both.

    1. Click the Add button.
    2. Click on Protocol.
    3. Click on Microsoft.
    4. Click on TCP/IP.
    5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

    It's also a good idea to make sure that the other computers involved also have TCP/IP set up correctly before trying again.

    Checking for & Installing the IPX Protocol:

    First, you'll need to determine if the IPX protocol is properly installed on your system like this:

    1. Click on Start.
    2. Select Settings.
    3. Select Control Panel.
    4. Double click the Network icon.
    5. Look for an entry in the list of installed Network components labeled IPX/SPX Compatible Protocol.

    If IPX is not installed then you'll need to add it now like this:

    1. Click the Add button.
    2. Click on Protocol.
    3. Click on Microsoft.
    4. Click on IPX/SPX Compatible Protocol.
    5. Click the OK button to complete the installation.

    It's also a good idea to make sure that the other computers involved also have IPX set up correctly before trying again.

    If only one computer out of a few will not connect, its network adapter may not be working correctly:

    From the network control panel:

    1. Click on Start.
    2. Click on Settings.
    3. Click on Control Panel.
    4. Double click on the System icon.
    5. Select Devices to see a list of hardware on your computer.
    6. Find your network card in the list.

    If it is not there, or it has an ! next to it, contact your system administrator to help.

Internet GamesBack to Top

  • Before attempting to connect to games on the Internet, please make sure that your Internet connection is fully functional. Contact your ISP if you are having a problem with this.

  • You usually need to know the IP address of the computer that's hosting the game, unless you are using an online gaming service such as MSN Gaming Zone or GameSpy. The person running the host machine needs to give you this information before you can join. Instructions for finding the IP addresses in Windows can be found below.

  • Your connection rate and Internet network traffic play a major role in how your game will run on the Internet. Even with the best Internet connections available to the general public, your game is likely to run more slowly and less smoothly than it would on a single computer or local area network. If you are using a 56K or slower modem and faster service is available in your area, you may want to consider upgrading.

  • In most cases, your computer's CPU speed and amount of installed memory will also determine how fast the game will run in a multiplayer environment. Remember that if you have a slow computer, and you are playing against others who have faster systems, yours will have trouble keeping up, resulting in slowdowns and choppiness. On the other hand, if you have a fast system and are playing against someone with a slow computer, you system may slow down to compensate.

Finding your IP addressBack to Top

    Games that support Internet play normally ask you for an IP address to connect to. If you are hosting a game and do not know your IP address in Windows 95/98/ME:

    1. Click on Start.
    2. Click on Run.
    3. Type in winipcfg.
    4. Press .

    To find your IP address in Windows XP:

    1. Click on Start
    2. Click on Programs
    3. Click on Accessories
    4. Click on Command Prompt
    5. Type in ipconfig
    6. Press <Enter>
    Many of our titles use Internet player matching services, such as GameSpy Arcade. For more information on running GameSpy Arcade, please consult the GameSpy documentation or the documentation for your specific game.

    Be aware that while GameSpy Arcade is included with many games, the GameSpy Arcade software is a third party product, for which support may be obtained through their Web site, at www.gamespyarcade.com.