Have also just tried allocating a smaller range of the 2300-2400 (one 2300-2350, the other 2351-2400) and now the machines can interchange but not connect at the same time. Maybe an even smaller range?

I'm beginning to suspect that this is down to having more than one computer behind a router i.e. same public IP and S3 doesn't like that... Help.

Hmm, finally did a translate on ramfun.de and found a little tool for DxPort mapping. I think I'm on the right track although having downloaded this tool and tried it - it's still not working. I have restricted the port map using this new tool but perhaps I need to re-open the complete range in the router instead of splitting it? Lets give it a go...

I'm fed up I'm going to bed.

I think I still need to point the ports from NAT on the router to local machine - from a limited range for DXport. My head hurts...

Having more than one computer on a router is basically the whole idea of having a router, but attempting to connect two Settlers clients to the lobby using the same ports is not something i'm familiar with or have ever tried.

But in principle, even a game as old as Settlers III should be able to understand that "This port is taken, use the next port", hence the 2300-2400 port range.

I'm also familiar with that router as I've had one; What happens when you forward all the ports listed to both internal IP addresses so they look indentical in your router?

If I forward identical ports (as per your post) only one machine is able to chat / host / join.

The other will connect to the lobby and thats it...

Netgeezer,

Unfortunately, in short I don't know how to fix your problem as I can't understand why one machine would take presedence over the other?

Not to worry Ian,

I've resigned myself to the fact that I can't establish two connections to the Bluebyte server through a router. I've tried three different routers (Linksys, 3Com and Netgear) with all ports correctly forwarded etc.

Basically I've gone back to having just one machine connect, and my brother (Vortex) connects from his home.

Maybe in patch 1.70 the problem will be fixed...?! All the best!

Hey, I just bought Settlers 3 Gold Edition off ebay and got it today (brand new, unopened case). I have Settlers 2 10th edition, Settlers 4 and Rise of an Empire, but I never played S3... ANYWAYS, I had the same problem as some people on this board with that "kernel.dll/ virus or incompatible system analyser" problem. I got the patch and it booted up perfectly. However, when I started playing a campaign it mysteriously froze up. I closed it and tried again, and after about 10 minutes of playing, it froze on me again! I'm not sure what's causing this, any advice?

Netgeezer,

When I get a quiet spell at work, I'll bring my 2 x Settlers III in to work and set it up on a test network to test some things.

Currently testing Settlers III with Windows 7 Beta 7000

mmmfloorpie,

Probably graphics related. Check your graphics card isn't overheating/cpu overheating (ie. the fans are spinning), and update the drivers.
You'll also find that the kernel.dll/ virus or incompatible system analyser problem and your freezing issue are infact, not related.

Thanks for the reply. I updated my display drivers and I went about 30 minutes this time with no lock up... Unfortunately, it did eventually lock up again... Everything with my video card seems fine... Any other ideas? What should the game display options be set to?

Ian,

Thanks, you're a scholar and a gentleman!

mmmfloorpie, what are the 12v rails on your PSU? I've had plenty of customers who have had good graphics cards but the PSU's don't meet the ratings for the system. Ideally you want a PSU with dual(or tri or quad) 12v rails, putting out as high a number as you can get.

Antec, Hiper and Coolermaster are several brands with a big range...

Alternatively - it may have nothing to do with your PSU, what graphics card are you using?

In the S3 setup screen use dithered instead of transparent shadows, and use the monochrome mouse pointer instead of the coloured one...

Just my two pennies!

Netgeezer, I don't know what half of what you said means...

I have an ATI Raedeon X1300 video card (PCIe)... My computer is a Dell XPS 9150 from about 3 years ago..

I'll try with the dithered shadows and etc..

mmfloorpie, apologies for not being clear.

There are certain power requirements for the parts in your computer. Often the power supplies that come with machines, especially brands like Hp, Dell, Sony etc are very weak and aren't very capable.

On the side of the power supply there is a sticker with a lot of numbers etc. Some of these will be like +3v +5v +12v etc.

The numbers to look for are the ones under +12v. If you only have one 'rail' (or output for that voltage) I'd expect a number higher than 25a. Anything less than this and I'd replace the supply. If on the other hand you have several +12 sections the number can be lower. Let me know what it is...

If I get a chance I'll try and dig out the specs for your card and find out how much juice it needs but tbh I am stacked out with work so don't expect too much very quickly!

Settlers4 was never intended for networking and BB wouldnt support it,hell it wasnt intended for routers back in the day,although its possible to network it,its not without its headaches,Im guessing S3 is the same.I remember TA trying to network S3 after been told it was impossible,he spent hours trying,the end result was he got the pc`s to see each other,but play was impossible.

How interesting...

My issue is certainly not with LAN play (I've had 8 computers networked with S3 as easy as winking, and thats cross platform on Win98, WinXP and Vista Home Premium)

The problem I face is using the same external IP to connect two pcs to the internet for multiplayer behind the same router. Having scouted on ramfun.de I'm not alone.

Standard network play is not only possible but very easy. You don't even need to be on the same workgroup or domain...

Have you tried asking on the German S3 forum,many of them will reply to you on there,if they can help

lol way ahead of you Penny - Google Translate is your friend...

There are a few bits to try but I've done most of them. When I next have some free time I will delve once more

I am trying to download that patch for xp and vista but I am getting an error that says "File Siedler3_00.f8007e01f.dat not found". I have already insteled the game so I am not sure what is wrong. Also, I'm not a computer wiz so I'm a little lost on what exactly is supposed to be happening. All I know is that I used to play this game and I loved it so I was hoping to still be able to enjoy it.
Kaybabi123
p.s. I have vista.

This is really such a simple process, please do not try and overcomplicate it.

Ok..

Follow these steps;

- Insert CD1 in to CD drive
- Install Settlers III
- Click this link: ftp://ftp.ubi.com/uk/settlers3/patches/s3exe.zip (Yes, it's the same patch for both XP/Vista)
- Save the file to your desktop
- When downloaded, Extract the S3.exe file to wherever you installed Settlers III, which will be the default directory C:\Bluebyte from memory.
- Windows will then prompt you to overwrite S3.exe in the currect directory - You want to REPLACE the file.
- Job done!

Instruction number one:

Follow or read (yes read) the instructions.

Instruction number two:

See instruction number one...


Just helping you out a bit Lord Harris (Vote Ian for President of The World advocate number one- that's me!)