Topic: Starting DirectPlay Test Host... sigh

[DragonQ]

I fancied seeing if anyone still played this game and what mods were being used. However, after I installed the game I remembered that my router for some reason highly despises SFC3 (not any other game though). I have Windows 7 x64. Here's the steps I've done in trying to get past this stupid test host so far:

 - Installed game
 - Installed 534b patch
 - Installed Access Server patch 1.02
 - Set SFC3.exe to run as administrator and in Windows XP SP3 compatibility mode
 - Made sure the correct ports were open on my router (6073, 2302-2303)
 - Allowed all SFC3 Windows Firewall popups

I've then tried every combination of the following that I can think of:

 - Enable/Disable UPnP on router
 - Add/remove my PC from the router's DMZ
 - Add/remove "BehindNAT=1" line to/from sfc.ini
 - Add/remove "IP_ADDRESS=..." line to/from sfc.ini
 - Enable/disable Windows Firewall

Nothing works, I just cannot get past the DirectPlay Test Host. Windows 7's dxdiag doesn't let you test this either so I don't know if it's a specific SFC3 or DirectPlay problem. What else can I try? 

[SPMaverick]

Hi DragonQ,

Sorry it took so long for this reply. I haven't been checking lately. Unfortunately, I don't have a Win 7 system yet, so all I can recommend is to check all the stickies for suggestions. At first glance, it looks like you're on the right track with the list of things you've tried. Hopefully someone with Win 7 will drop by soon.

Edit: I just found this thread. Check it out.
http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/topic,163390180.msg1123007074.html#msg1123007074

Good luck,
Mav

[MiyamotoMusashi]

Maverick,
     Musashi here, MrCaesar's dad. Where can one go now to get into the DV3 nowadays?  I have noted that no one seems to be in the servers; is this a sign that the old SFC3 warhorse has been put out to pasture once and for all?
Regards,
M. Musashi, late of the KHB

[SPMaverick]

Hi Mr. Musashi. How are you and MrCaesar?

I believe the list of available servers you see depends on the patch level of SFC 3 you have installed. For instance, I think the list is different for the base version versus the 534b patched version.

When I checked a couple of days ago, I saw around 3-4 servers from my 534b installation. I haven't been on this past year, as I've been spending time on DDO, but I am getting the SFC itch again.

I think a lot of the old SFC players are on STO now. I heard a rumor that STO may be going free to play soon. I've been meaning to try it out, and if the rumor is true, I will when it goes FtP.

Good luck,
Mav