It seems that due to our ever-expanding technology environment and lack of new patches for the Settlers III community, we are losing players at a ghastly rate!

Below is a simple how-to guide for the Settlers 3 die-hards

Using a router with Settlers III:

You must first forward Microsoft Direct X Play ports to your local LAN address.
These ports are: 47624 TCP and 2300-2400 TCP/UDP (both)
The lobby chat ports are: 3343-3400 UDP
Port Triggering is the same (or using a proxy server) If your router doesn't support forwarding.

DMZ:

In your router you may be familiar with the DMZ. Basically this just means "Forward all ports to a specific IP address".
This is not necessary to play Settlers 3 online, so you can leave this unchecked.

uPnP:

Sometimes this can automatically configure ports in your router, but I would suggest turning this feature off as it can conflict with your manual port set-up.

Dropping while chatting with >20 people in lobby:

The issue is down to Windows Internet Control Message Protocol broadcasting IP addresses across the WAN.
Okay, sounds confusing? There's a very simple fix, but can only be applied to Windows XP Professional 32bit/64bit & Vista Ultimate 32bit/64bit at present.
There is currently no fix for XP Home or Vista Basic.
My guide for the fix can be downloaded here: Lobby Fix


Not seeing any chat in the lobby?

This will be down to ports.
Make sure your Windows Firewall is turned off, and the correct ports are forwarded to your router.
Note: XP Firewall is pointless if using a router. This is because your router is the firewall.
To turn your XP/Vista Firewall off: Go into Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (XP), Windows Firewall (Vista) > [Right Click] > Properties > Startup type: Disabled > Service Status [Click Stop]
Any third party firewall such as Norton-Internet Security will also block ports to the Lobby Server.


Windows XP 32bit/64bit:

Settlers III works fine with Windows XP SP3 32bit/64bit (tested). The patch can be downloaded here: XP/Vista/7 Settlers III Patch


Windows Vista 32bit/64bit:

Settlers III works fine with Windows Vista SP2 32bit/64bit (tested). The patch can be downloaded here: XP/Vista/7 Settlers III Patch


Windows 7 RC 32bit/64bit:

Settlers III works fine with Windows 7 RC 32bit/64bit (tested). The patch can be downloaded here: XP/Vista/7 Settlers III Patch

Note: If you've installed the game from the Settlers 3 Gold Edtion, then you will need to run the FileConvert program once you've copied across the new S3.exe patch. For users that install the seprate disks, then you'll not need to run the FileConvert program.
FileConvert.exe can be located in your Settlers III installation directory!


Unable to join games:

Again, this will be down to ports in your router.


Unable to make the "Red" button turn green, or unable to see other users turn their button green:

This is down to synchronisation between the Lobby and client PC's.
Try hosting with a different host.


Quest Of The Amazons ISO Download:

QOTA Download (You will need a genuine serial key to play it online!)


Lobby Down?:

Log on to the alternative Lobby Server: Settlers III aLobby


Still got problems? E-mail me on: ian.harris303@ntlworld.com and I'll be more than happy to help.

Ian Harris
Settlers III

This message has been edited. Last edited by: IanHarris,

Hi Ian,

I know you posted this ages ago

I used to play settlers3 a lot until i got xp and it wouldn't work. I have it working on XP now, but i have a router and it wont let me play. I can connect to the lobby and see the chat. I can play lan on my network , but i'm buggered if i can join a game online.

I can see by your instructions i need to open a port on my router. but i cant figure it out.. i have a 3com office connect adsl wireless router if that helps you know how to do it. Also added you to msn (look for dude)

Yep - It's slightly fiddily to say the least. We talked, did we sort it? If you're able to configure your router, you should be good to go. However I can do it for you over Remote-Assistance through MSN if you wish. Cheers!

For anyone that needs help Via e-mail - my E-mail address is: Ian.Harris303@NTLWorld.com

This message has been edited. Last edited by: IanHarris,

Well Ian Harris I've got the same problem which Assimilate69 have, and I've tried all I can with ports and that stuff but I still can't make Settlers 3 work online. I would really appreciate you helping me out. I've added you on MSN with both your e-mail adresses, but I haven't seen you on MSN anyway. If you would plz add me e.a.iversen@hotmail.com

THX

Sorted.. no problem.

Can people please please please make sure that Windows Firewall is turned OFF - Otherwise you will not be able to join games or see chat in the lobby Server on Settlers 3.

Thanks a lot !


Ian Harris.

The way I like to turn Windows Firewall off (So it's permanently off) is to:

Click Start >
Run >
Type: services.msc [press Enter]
Scroll down to Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing and right click it > Click on Properties.

Select 'Startup type' to DISABLED and then click stop.

Repeat the same Process for Security Centre about halfway up that page as it is not required.

Note: This only works in Windows XP SP1/SP2.

IanHarris, thanks for all your help
you helped me play S3 on LAN with my brother and also over the internet!

thanks again

:::Updated:::

Updated Links

Thanks Ian

Hey all! I just my copy of Settlers 3 (ah, the amber hues of yesteryear...) and I can't play it on XP, I gather. The links seem not to be working, though. Any ideas?
Thanks a lot, take care!

Hi Emoreno,

Which link doesn't seem to work?
You need to Install Settlers 3 and then use the XP Patch above to over-write your S3.exe file in your Bluebyte directory, then the game should play - Assuming you're installing the game from a Settlers 3 (Orange Case) disk. If you're installing it from a Settlers 3 Gold Edition, then you'll need to copy the file over and then run the FileConvert.exe program in the BlueByte directory. Hope that helps!

Thanks for your reply! It seems that the link for Windows XP 64 bit patch is not there. Expired, maybe? That seems to be the case with every link I've tried to follow.

Thanks again.

The Link definately works as I've just tried it.

Here's the link directly to the FTP:

ftp://ftp.ubi.com/uk/settlers3/patches/s3exe.zip

If that doens't work, then something is blocking your FTP (21) Ports !

Hope that helps.

Goodness. So complicated!
I've turned off the firewall, and there was a little popup prompting the link's download. Relief, at last!

I've gold edition, as well. So i'll probably be right back here asking you what to do;

thank you SOOOO much!

IT WORKS! YOU RULE!

quote:

Originally posted by IanHarris:
The Link definately works as I've just tried it.

Here's the link directly to the FTP:

ftp://ftp.ubi.com/uk/settlers3/patches/s3exe.zip

If that doesn't work, then something is blocking your FTP (21) Ports !

Hope that helps.

It doesn't help Me, I downloaded the patch file, But since I have XP x64 sp2, I can launch setup, But It just stays in Memory and seems to do nothing, I've even tried compatibility mode too which is no better, Any ideas? I'll try and copy the CD to a folder on My hdd and install from there, But I'm thinking that will do no good either. My CDs are the two Orange CDs and I have the old registration number(Which I won't reveal, Although It's about 20 wide minus the hash marks "-" that is).

Hi, having much the same problem as listed above, and the fixes, port forwarding and updating seem to have helped a bit.

Sometimes when i log into s3 lobby i can see the list of people, and sometimes it just hangs and then disconnects. There are no problems playing the game, no errors or exceptions.

I updated the game after install, updated the s3 XP patch, and then updated the Host Patch.

The real problem is that if i change the compatibility under the XP properties menu, i can log into lobby with no problems, except that changing this setting always causes structured exception errors when the game loads.

seems im stuck with the fairly patchy lobby?

Im pretty sure ive got the ports forwarded properly, and at any rate, i can always see the updated number of people in the lobby, just cannot get in...

any ideas? Thanks
obiwan