Topic: Can't Find Servers

[Piett]

I'm sorry if this has an answer somewhere else, but after a long time of searching, I couldn't find any solution. I'm trying to get into the multiplayer campaign. I can get into to it, get past the Test Host thing, log into my Gamespy account, but then it just comes up with a blank server list. Refreshing doesn't turn up anything new. I've tried this several times over a couple days, and still nothing. Any help would be much appreciated.

[Centurus]

Have you installed the directory server patch?

[Piett]

Yes, I have.

[Centurus]

Do you have a router?  And what game patch are you using?  531 or 534B?

[Piett]

I have a router, but I got it past it, thus getting this far. I have patched it to 534b prior to using the directory server update.

[Centurus]

Sounds like you installed everything correctly.

I think one of the Xenocorp guys should address this one then.

Maybe the access server is down.

I'll see if I can get someone to help you out.

[FCM_SFHQ_XC]

Since you say you have a router I must first say this....

'SFC3.ini file'. Check to make sure it is recognizing your connection

In this file under the META section check this info.

[Meta]
Name=
Password=
MapName=Map4.mvm
TestPatchUtility=1
EmpireMapView=1
Nickname=
MapDetail=0
NewsSort=0
BehindNAT=1

It is just 3 sections you need to fill in if they are empty with your settings
Name, Password, Nickname.

Then add the line

BehindNAT=1

I can say though that the server directories for SFC3 are up and running at 100%

[Piett]

Already had all that in... It's connecting and logging in, just not displaying any servers.

OK, this is odd. I tried it yet again. This time, after hitting refresh once or twice, the Alternate B server randomly appeared, with nobody else playing. After waiting a liitle and pressing the refresh button several more times, nothing else popped up, just the empty Alternate B server.

[Centurus]

Sounds like there aren't any servers active right now.

I don't know if that's the case.  I haven't flown D3 in almost a year.

If there is a server going on, chances are the guys over at Puterz would know.

Copy and paste the following into your browser:  sfc3.puterz.net

[Piett]

I tried again and couldn't even get Alternate B to come up anymore. I went to that site, but found it very difficult to figure out how to find the answers I'm looking for.

Do people just not play SFC anymore?

[Centurus]

I tried again and couldn't even get Alternate B to come up anymore. I went to that site, but found it very difficult to figure out how to find the answers I'm looking for.

Do people just not play SFC anymore?

The D3 player base has diminished a bit in the past few years, but there are still servers put up.

WorfHonour is working on getting a new server up if memory serves, if he hasn't already. 

[marstone]

I tried again and couldn't even get Alternate B to come up anymore. I went to that site, but found it very difficult to figure out how to find the answers I'm looking for.

Do people just not play SFC anymore?

OH people are still playing SFC, but I think the SFC:OP is busier the SFC III

[Piett]

I also have EAW, but that always gives me a blank server list as well. Why must everyone play the one that I don't have?

On a side note, after I installed the 534b patch, I was happy to find that I had voices responding to my orders like in EAW, but they only lasted the first time I played after I patched it. Now they're gone. Anyway to get them back? I didn't see any option for it in Options.

[worfhonour]

Hello,
There are about 7 servers running on 534b, including my Marquis test server.

I had this problem once, did you follow the 534b install instructions, e.g. dont load Directplay 8.1, gamespy etc.

Make sure it is the 40Mb patch, there is a 30 something Mb patch for 534b which is corrupt.

When i did not follow the above I also had a blank directory listing.

Also double check your port settings.

Ports which should be forwarded are:

47624 to 47624 TCP
2300 to 2400 Both
6667 to 6667 TCP
3782 to 3783 Both
27900 to 27900 UDP
28900 to 28900 None
29900 to 29901 None
6500 to 6515 Both
6073 to 6073 UDP
13139 to 13139 UDP

Triggering ports:

47624-47624
2300-2400
6500-6500

I think 2300 - 2400 are the directplay ports, but not sure.

The above ports allows playing and hosting a server

1 last thing ensure your firewalls are off when you change the ports, dont forget to turn them back on. 

Hope that helps, see you on the SFC3 dyna.

Worfy 

[Piett]

Thanks "Worfy". I used a patch entitled SFC3_Patch_1.01_Beta_2_Build_v534_b.exe and it is 40.5MB. I never installed any Directplay or Gamespy stuff. I used to be unable to get past the Test Host thing until I used the DMZ function on my router, and that fixed it. I have no firewall software going.

Have any more tricks up your sleeve?

[worfhonour]

Hello,
This may sound daft, but do you have a Gamespy Acount?

If not load the game follow the instructions e.g. install directplay, install gamespy, that will give you the  464 server  multiplay the original. (dont forget the Sfc3 XP directplay patch)

This will, i dont understand why, force the comps registery to recognise your gamespy account even though you dont load it on the 534b server.

By the way what is your operating system, XP, Vista, etc.

If you have Vista please follow 'Pestilance' instructions. 

I am pretty sure if it is not 'Vista' or the above it is a router thing, any way give it ago and let me know.

Worfy 

[Piett]

Yes, I have a Gamespy account, and it lets me log into it, just doesn't show any servers. I'm using XP.

[Piett]

When the community runs out of ideas to help you, you know you're in trouble. 

Again, if it's of any help, I did get the empty Alternate B server to appear once, and I'm having the same problem with EAW.

[worfhonour]

Hi,
Ok.
Is the XP firewall active (it can be a pain but needed) and do you have the service pack 2?

How many time have you logged into the dyna, the XP firewall and the DMZ setting sometimes gets twitchy, the XP firewall dont like all those darn ports open, he he.

I tried DMZ on my old router with the XP firewall active and sometimes it listed the directory and other times it did not, only one or two servers in the list.

I think there is a tutorial in these forums somewhere that advises on the XP settings.

Try logging in and out a few times or apply the actual port settings, it should soon show the complete directory listing.
One bit of advice if you apply the actual port setting it will run approx two or three time before the XP firewall likes it.

If that fails the best place for advice is 'puterz.net' or 'startrek-games.com', very experienced with connection issues for SFC3.

Let me know how you get on, we aint beaten yet, 

I'll continue to scan through my notes, dont worry i've been where you are at now.

See ya on the dyna 

Worfy 

[Piett]

I don't have the XP Firewall going, and I'm pretty sure I have SP2. I tried taking my computer out of the DMZ and just using the normal port forwarding on my router. I can still get into it, log in, just not see any servers still. I'll take a look at those sites. Thanks for not giving up on me yet Worfy. 

EDIT: On a side note, I just got my crew voices working again, so that made me happy.