Logging into the foyer under Windows XP

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Done.

Next problem: Is it possible to manually change the needed stats from Shogun original's installation 'patch'.(probably 1.00) into 1.12. (I mean the stats needed to make it possible to play with others on 1.12)

I don't seem to be able to run shogun normally when installing 1.12. I know it did run ok when I didn't patch and only installed to play some SP, years ago.

If I manage to log in with Shogun Original I would like to play it with Tomisama and perhaps some others.. in case I can't get it work with WE.
But if I can't get it to run at all.. I will have to get a new shogun original copy.

The stats for original shogun are not viewable or editable.

[Tomisama]

Drisos,

Everyone I have run across on the server so far is playing WE/MI.

The whole idea of loading the original Shogun and upgrading to v1.12 was to test your ability to log on. If you can’t log on with the origional STW, which is easier (I understand), you probably won’t be able to log on with STW WE/MI.

The process is to do the easiest things first (baby steps), and work up to getting you fully functional.

Can you log on with the original Shogun, and/or with it upgraded to version 1.12?

[Drisos]

I can't run shogun original normally... and I can't get to the Multiplayer Menu.
So I can't log in.

I will be trying it by leaving shogun unpatched...

[Drisos]

I tried using Shogun Original version 1.01.

No succeses after about 25 tries...

[Tomisama]

OK. I just did the same thing.

7. Install the original Shogun.

8. Upgrade to version 1.12. (I did not upgrade, to stay with you)

9. Install Shambles TW in the game's main folder.

10. Find STWserver batch file in that folder and run it, selecting Shambles server.

11. Check shamblesSTW folder’s CFG file says:

ChatserverIPAddress = ShogunTW.no-ip.info
ChatserverPort = 8793
NewsserverIPAddress = daphne.eagames.co.uk
NewsserverPort = 8797
ShogunTotalWarWebsite = http://dflw.2ya.com

12. Reboot your computer and try to login again.

Without any changes to “anything”, was able to log on in two tries.

Now, we need to start here to solve the problem. Adding anything else (upgrades) will only complicate matters.

Have you done "exactly" as I have done above?

[Kansuke]

I had no problems on XP either.

BTW, your not copying the old directx 8 are you?

[Drisos]

Yes Tomi have done exactly that. Something must be different on our computers.. we need to find that and eliminate the change at mine.

Kansuke, what do you mean with the directX comment? I installed 8.0 from the shogun WE cd. is that ok?

[Kansuke]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Thats it. XP uses a newer version ie directx 9, so u need to update this, uninstall STW/WE install it again without directx 8.

STW/WE works fine with directx 9.

Kans.

[R'as al Ghul]

Kansuke, what do you mean with the directX comment? I installed 8.0 from the shogun WE cd. is that ok?

If it's not a directx issue, like Kansuke suggests, we may have to think
about your modem/router issue again.
I looked into the manual for your Acer Speedtouch 580 and found out that,
similar to my router, you have two choices to connect:
1. Store the information (Online-Name and password) needed to connect to the internet in the router
2. Don't save any info in the router but use it as a dial-up modem.

Option 1 means you're (or rather your router) always online. When you open
your browser it connects instantly.
Option 2 means you create a dial-up-connection in Windows. This means
you're only online when this connection has been manually started.
Also, all other features of the router like firewall etc. are then disabled because it acts like a modem.

The idea behind this is that Shogun is that old that it may not work correctly with routers. I intend to check this out myself some time in the future because I guess this could solve my hosting problems.

[Kansuke]

My bad, I thought he couldn't get stw/we running, oops.

[R'as al Ghul]

My bad, I thought he couldn't get stw/we running, oops.

His problem is that he can't connect to the lobby.
You could be right about directx nonetheless. In directx there's also
directplay whic is used for MP.
I was also thinking about the other problem (hosting) that drisos and I still have.

[Drisos]

Where can I find directX 9.0?

ehmmm, any suggestions left?

It obviously isn't working, neither on stw original. configuration is correct. I have choice. I have XP SP2. I have tried it without a router. I have tried without firewall.

No succes.

The last thing to try seems to be changing a partition into fat32. Plz tell me how, someone...

I will also be heading for other places where people might know how to fix this kind of problems.

it would truly be a very BIG disappointment in my life, if I can't get stw to run. Shogun mp is my greatest hobby, you see.

[R'as al Ghul]

Drisos,

if you have Rome you can install it from the CD,
otherwise simply go here
and download it.
Concerning fat32 you can, if you have a spare partition, simply
go to "Computeradministration" and per right-click format a drive
into a fat32 drive.
Iirc you don't have an empty spare partition.
To explain how to create one, that is how to partition your drive
is quite complicated, but I'll see if I can find a Howto.
Don't despair.

[Just A Girl]

I can walk him through the partitioning and formating in to fat 32.
But he will loose all his stuff that he has on the pc now.
So im avoiding that course of action.

[Tomisama]

By all accounts posted here, it should not be necessary to reformat.

There are other things that can and should be done first.

Contact your internet provider, and explain the problem. Make an appointment with a tech service at a local shop, or have the Geek Squad make a visit, whatever.

If you start doing things you personally don’t understand, you could be digging your self even deeper into the hole on this.

XP wise, this is a "no brainer". Shogun works on XP fine. There is something else wrong. It could be as simple as something wrong with your copy of STW, or it might be with your internet provider.

Have you tried other Total War programs, and verified that they do or don’t work with your computer and connection?

Have you picked up another copy of Warlord (or Shogun) yet, to give that a try?

Please do the simplest and least expensive things first

[Just A Girl]

Actualy This problem is 100% xp based.
And only afects Xp systems.

What exactly the problem stw has with xp is yet to be discoverd.
But the situaton only occurs under windows xp.
Prehaps NT as well as they use the same basic design.
NT was never designed to run games, And as such XP is not built on the best foundations.

I fixed the same problem By fixing my windows XP to run with it.
I did Lots and Fat 32 was the thing that worked.
Meaning that xp no longer uses The NTFS system which was NEVER designed to work well with games.

Others using xp, dont suffer the problem to such a degree Although All xp users Suffer from the log in problem, No xp user can log in to the foyer in 1 try every time. (98 users can,)

This has been a known STW issue since Xp's release. And has undoubtedly helped the demize of the MP comunity since.

[Tomisama]

Others using xp, dont suffer the problem to such a degree Although All xp users Suffer from the log in problem, No xp user can log in to the foyer in 1 try every time.

But all XP users “can eventually” logon.

Drisos can not even achieve this basic level of inefficiency.

That’s why I say his current problem is not XP.

Though there may be ways to improve performance by changing formats, if he can not gain connection even “one time” now, there is something else wrong!

[Tomisama]

I can't run shogun original normally... and I can't get to the Multiplayer Menu.
So I can't log in.

I will be trying it by leaving shogun unpatched...

Here is a possible clue?

[Tomisama]

The patch for the original Shogun is v1.12

The patch for Shogun WE/MI is v1.02

If you add the v1.02 to the original Shogun, it wont work.

http://www.totalwar.com/community/download.htm

And I was able to logon to your server with the original STW, "unpatched", in two tries.

That is a good test.

And I can logon with my firewall “on” and “no” services running settings checked.

Maybe he needs your libraryfiles program?

http://shoguntw.2ya.com/Index11.htm

He may need to add the “MS-DOS 6.22” files to “C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32” folder.

Just open the MS-DOS folder and copy and add the contents to SYSTEM32.

http://www.clanwarscomp.org/shogun

[Drisos]

Windows Firewall is permanently shut off.. since a long time. I don't use it beacuse I have norton. Besides, the only problem firewalls seem to cause have to do with hosting games. (which is bad enough of course...)

Thanks for you guys efforts to help so far. sadly I still can't log in, and I am still dying to get back. I miss you guys, and the game. In little more then a year, I would be able to get my own comp, and things would be easier. But now, it seems like there's not much options left. the conversion to a fat32 partition might fix it... but I'm afraid that such action will need me to install all software on the computer again and my parents will not be happy with that... can't get another os either, or another comp(for now).

It seems like this 'common' problem is not so well known in the community after all... I have been working with it a lot, because I was constantly trying to get as many people in the foyer, old and new. Some had this problem, to call a few of the well-known names: IsaneApache, Kaneyashi, MizuCBR. they couldn't login at all, just like me. it seems like it's the same problem shambles has. shambles has it 'less' and is able to log in most of the time. however, the tricks to give me more chance to log in haven't had any succes so far. The problem is not about wrong installing, configuration or just some game settings... it is caused by something that goes along with XP. all people who have it, have XP. not all who have XP, have the problem. It can be something about XP itself, or something which is only on new computers(which always have XP... so it seems it's about XP), I think.

I am trying to find a big forum for any technical problems.. I can explain there and hope for a way to fix this. it must be possible somehow...

[R'as al Ghul]

Drisos, mate, I'm sad to hear that.
I can't find any time atm to play on the server myself. So, I know how you're feeling.

4 things to consider:

1. Do you have the possibility to get the PartitionMagic program? (it's the easiest and possibly only way (without using linux) to partition your drive and keep Win XP alive)
2. Do you have any old hardrive lying around. (put it in and format it to fat32)
3. There's a way to install more than one OS on a hardrive. (I have a dual boot with linux, dual boot with win98 is possible)
4. GAH!!!!

[Drisos]

1 - I don't know, what does it take?
2 - sadly not :(
3 - intresting thing to consider... is it just like installing a program, then running it and windows changes into 'other os'? :)

[R'as al Ghul]

1. The recent version is too expensive. Over 100€ I guess.
An older second hand copy would do.
2. :(
3. OS=Operating System. Win XP is just one out of hundreds possible.
One of the others is linux. There's however not one linux-os but different
vrsions, so called derivates. One of these derivatives is SUSE.
That's what I have installed.
Before I had installed it I already had win xp which I didn't want to loose. That's exactly the situation SUSE is prepared to deal with. Now, SUSE is capable of modifying the so called MAster Boot Record of your hardrive.
That's the first physical sector on the drive. It stores info that's needed to boot the OS. SUSE installs a so called bootloader that's loaded first and gives you the opportunity to chose which OS is going to be booted. (Dual boot system)
I usually have my win xp on default, so when I turn on my machine it directly (with 5 sec delay in the bootloader menu in case i want to change the OS) boots into windows.
Now, we come to the most interesting part. SUSE brings a tool called YAST (j(y)ust another setup tool), which is capable of partitioning your harddrive during the SUSE install without harming windows. (you only need to have it defragged)
You can easily partion the whole drive like you want to including
a fat32 partition. Basically it lets you do everything you ever wanted.
Did I mention it's free an certainly has a dutch version?
Download is ca. 700MB.
You should really consider it. The pros are that whenever windows has any probs you still have the other OS to check the internet for help, you can safely scan your windows for spy, malware and viruses and it's genrally very safe in terms of internet surfing. You would however have to give up a few gigs to the new system.

is it just like installing a program, then running it and windows changes into 'other os'?

So basically it's like, installing a big program and creating the fat32 drive out of thin air without harming windows or windows even noticing.
How large is your drive?
Btw, did you install the latest directx 9c?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SUSE

1 - I don't know, what does it take?
2 - sadly not :(
3 - intresting thing to consider... is it just like installing a program, then running it and windows changes into 'other os'? :)

[Drisos]

Sounds intresting!!! If I download that I can run shogun on another OS and on a fat32 partition... two chances of solves the problem at once! :)

I will sure try this out... I have more then enough GB (160), but the download time will be quite long. I can download about 80 kb/sec, so the download time will be almost three hours. It will be hard to find three hours somewhere. I will do it the first time I can find a three hours somewhere.

I assume a link to the download is on the wikipedia page as well?

oh and, no don't have directx9c yet... I will find that through google and get it today.

[R'as al Ghul]

Drisos,

you will only be able to run Shogun under Windows. It's not really supported by linux. There's however a windows emulator called wine, that might work with older games. (It's included in SUSE)
The idea to use linux is a workaround to get the desired fat32 partition.
The SUSE install can get really big, also there're two versions, DVD (4gigs)and CD(700MB).
There's another option. You can get Knoppix (700MB), which brings the Partition Magic Clone qtpart. I've heard that it's also easy to use.
Either way, I'd recommend to print out some how-to's concerning installation procedure. Read it through and sleep over it.
Before you install SUSE defrag your drive. It's important.
Be aware that a linux system does some things different. Your harddrive that you know as C:\ will be called hda (hd=Harddisk,a=first). When you create a second partition it will be hdb etc. One partition will be swap, it will handle the swap-memory known as pagefile under winxp.
I suggest to give the linux partition 5 gigs and the swap 500MB-1gig.
Another possible partition (don't know what the defaults will do) is home, where all your settings and documents will be stored.
You can always mail me or pm me for further help.
PLEASE, before you do anything else, go to microsoft and get directx.
It contains files for directplay, which are used to connect to MP. That may already be enough to login.
Download links are on wikipedia or easy to find via google.

[Drisos]

Have updated directx to directx9.0c

Tried about 15 logins... no succes.

ehmm, a question on SUSE - will things be different when I choose to run in windows? (like the hda instead of C)

[R'as al Ghul]

No, it won't be different under XP.
In windows everything will be as before.
One difference though, since you will use SUSE to "steal" some gigs
from the harddisk without Windows being involved, Win will recognize
that some space is missing and will run a check on the disk, suspecting that
something is wrong. The check wil come clean and all is back to normal.

SUSE just uses different "names" for the same things. You won't have a harddisk C: under SUSE but hda. There're other differences but don't worry, it brings a nice graphic surface like windows has, a startmenu etc.

Sorry to hear that the directx update didn't help. It could've been so easy.

[Drisos]

Okey, will try to find some time to read about SUSE check if there's no problems. If all is ok I will download it... hopefully with 'yast' and 'wine' I'll be able to get back in the foyer...

[R'as al Ghul]

I realize this is a big step.
Remember though, if you have SUSE installed and want to get rid of it,
it's very easy. You need to boot once with your windows cd and clear
the master boot record (I'll you how when we get there) and afterwards you
just go to Computer-Administration and change the new linux partition back to windows and everything will be as before.
Oh and when you're in the install procedure of SUSE, nothing will happen until you confirm the setup.

[R'as al Ghul]

about Using SUSE to repartition an MS partition


Clicking next with Shrink Windows partition selected brings up this screen for resizing your existing Win partition.



You can use the slider in this window to change how big you want each partition. Click next when you are satisfied. The partition resizing won't be done until the hard drive reformatting stage. That is after you press accept on the main YaST window, so you can go back and change it at any time before pressing accept.

You should also change the boot loader options so that it will boot your Win OS as the default, usually after the default 10 seconds, which you can change to longer if you wish for more time. When you decide that you want Linux to boot first, you can change it later with YaST.