MTW Firewall Problems ??

[YAKOBU]

Hi everyone

I used to play MTW:VI with a friend in Belgium no problems until RTW came along. Now we cannot play MP on either MTW:VI or RTW. I think during this time I moved my service provider to NTL and added a firewall to my home system. Before going on-line I would take down the firewall. On MTW: VI I can host but others cannot see my game and also my friend can host and I cannot see her game. Is it possible I have another firewall that is not showing? How can I check this?

Thanks for your help

[Tomisama]

I am no expert at this, but beyond turning off your Windows firewall and knowing that MTW and MTW/VI players can not see each others hosted games:

If your added firewall was hardware, like part of a router package, you will also have to configure the router.

If you want to deal with port switching, there is a no-brainer software package called Port Magic you can try for free at:

http://www.purenetworks.com/products/

If your firewall is software. I have had a software firewall that even when shut down, sill would not allow me to host. I had to uninstall it in the end.

You can check the Org Apothecary forum, and the GameSpy forums for more help.

Good Luck

[Clips]

I am expert in this, i sorted many people problems in VI and Rome, ive done business networking as part time job before and i research alot, but can you please state whether you are using a home network, router, or just 1 standed connection to web and if any firewalls are installed on your pc and which ones if they are, also what operating system are you using?

[YAKOBU]

Hi Clips

I'm on a single home PC but have added a wireless internet connection for my lodger which is linked to my PC. I have ZoneAlarm which I switch off when I try to MP. I am using Windows XP. I previously has AOL as a service provider but now have NTL but don't think they have a firewall.

Appreciate the help

[Elkwyn]

I, too, would like to be able to host, and am looking for some help on the matter. I'm on a home PC with a Norton Personal Firewall. I've tried disabling, disallowing firewalls from the control panel, and opening ports, but I can't seem to find the problem. I'm on DSL. Thanks in advance!

-Elkwyn

[Clips]

@Yokobu: One last question, the wireless connection between the 2 pc's, is this through a router for your wireless network or just a networking card from your pc to the other pc/laptop your friend is using, and please state whether its a pc or laptop, helps as some laptops have built in networking settings. But i think i have a answer to ya question if you provide this last piece of information mate.

@Elkwyn: is your pc a straight connection to the internet, or is it on a home network? as for norton firewall isnt that mate, i have this on my computers at home and its fine for hosting ones you enable it access which it should ask about when you first access the game, click permit then at bottom tick box to make it take action every time, then after this all flows to and from game are authorised. have you done that already? and after ya tell me that last information i can help your case also.

[Elkwyn]

It's a home LAN network. I don't remember about a firewall thing coming up when I first accessed the game, is there any way I could find out?

[Clips]

Well 2 easy ways to sort both of your questions but isnt the safest answer is some routers have an online system where you can change settings, to get into this for some routers you go to your internet browser and in the address bar type in 192.168.2.1 or go into your router settings if you know how and enable something called dmz hosting yet this puts you outside the routers firewall but can still be safe.

Or you can also go into your router settings page and enable a specific list of ports which enables you to host on VI, Rome or GS the list of these setting can be found at: http://www.totalwars.net/forum/kb.ph...3a730825d06343 or try site Tomi listed.

[Clips]

@Yokobu, well if your trying to host from the laptop, things could get a bit complicated as you have to configure the laptops wireless networking system to allow flow, but from what i am getting from ya sounds like your hosting from ya main pc. Ok first things first if your hosting through a router you will have to enable the ports on the post by me above or use dmz like me ok well next you will have to make sure your Windows XP firewall is turned off, for this go to control panel, then to network connections, then right click on the connection your using and go to properties, in properties click the advanced tab at the top of the window, then under internet connection firewall make sure this box is unticked.

One thing i will say for the firewalls some when you allow access to the game allow you to host, norton firewall is liek this, ounce you permit it, it will allow you to host...if theres no router ^^ but yes you are right ZoneAlarms is a bugger and even if you allow the game and it lets you enter it and host but no one will see your game like you said.

One problem you will have is because ZoneAlarms isn't a firewall which allows access flow in and out of your pc whilst staying relatively secure what ever you do, you will be putting your pc at risk of hacking, this is the reason why over half the community doesnt host online, most of the people which do use Norton or McAfee or one which allows. Yet your safest option if you want to host whilst keeping relatively secure is to disable the XP firewall and ZoneAlarm and then enable the router ports which are given in the link above. Nearly all routers have what is called an NAT firewall which is an hardware firewall which is over 100times better then any software firewall so your pc should be dead safe almost, unlike dmz, where it puts your computer outside the firewall and so full access is easily gained to your computer.

Alot of this probably dont make sence lmao cause i have not read back through it and have just been typing away like i do :P but if i see any problems or if you have any further questions please ask YOKO and i will post again with extra information.

[Clips]

Btw if you enable DMZ you dont have to mess around wiht any port settings but you are put outside the routers firewall (if your router has one, and if its turned on) Also if DMZ is on you are basically usiong a straight connection to the internet again but you will have no security but you will be running of a routers i.p. address which is supposidly unknown to hackers but thats crap lol trust me anyway if you have a anti virus with latest definistions with or without a firewall of any security if anything gets in your pc then it wont go anywhere, the anti virus will detect and destroy it instantly.

@Elkwyn, the information about routers reflects on your problem too as you said your using one also, (btw this is irrelivant but if you dont know anything about routers this is espeically to wireless router users, then your connection is most probably not encrypted and any body can gain access to web through your service lol for free, just thought id let ya know ^^)

To get up a list of blocked/permitted/semi permitted items double click on your little icon for the firewall should be greeny ball thingy lol in bottom right of pc screen, then when ya norton home firewall screen comes up go to personal firewall section tab on left of screen then 4 more sections inside there drop down and you should click on Internet Access Control in here is the full list of everything thats permitted and blocked etc you can delete things out of the list if you wish and if mtw or vi is in there id advice deleting them then next time you access the game a block pop up should come up and when it does hit permit and then tick in bottom left of the box always do same thing lol, btw many people dont check all the settings of there firewall to the left with all the sections, it pays too :)
Privacy Control is another main tab, in here you can set your information level, you home users may want to set it too medium it gives ou more info on game access for example when accessing them then on low, and it will pop up with permit/block option for more games

Anyway my minds gone blank now, so if any more help is needed ask, trust me its simple guys and your get there evntually.
Hope i was of help

[YAKOBU]

Hi Clips

Thanks for all your help, it is appreciated!!

I am already having trouble trying to access my router. From your link I managed to identify my IP address. Putting this into my internet browser brings up nothing and I can't find my router in the Control Panel. Any ideas how I find the flipping thing .

Do you also recommend I lose ZoneAlarm as I got it free?