I can run 2 CM sessions at once on my computer, but I cannot connect them both online at the same time. It gives me a network error. I have 2 accounts I use, but only 1 at a time.
I have tried installing 2 physical copies of CM, but it wont let me install the 2nd instance (it detects the 1st instance).
How can I play online with 2 different ids at the same time?

Note: How I get 2 simultaneous CM sessions in the 1st place is to run them with different Windows accounts (ids), for example run one as Administrator and the other as Guest, etc.

To be specific, here is what I tried:
1. Run CM as Windows Administrator. Logon to online as CM userid1. No problem.

2. Start a 2nd CM session started as Windows MainUser. No prpoblem so far.

3. Logon on to online as CM userid2. Now there is a problem. It gives an error : COULD NOT INITIALIZE NETWORK SUPPORT.

It sounds like your second instance is having problems because the required ports are in use by your first instance. That being said, I don't think there's a way around your problem.

Even if you could get past this, you'd still have problems playing online, as both instances would be using the same serial number (that's not allowed, either).

You can try contacting technical support at http://www.support.ubi.com, but I doubt if they'll help you, since what you're trying to do is technically against your license agreement.

Thanks KHollister. My soluton to the serial number problem was to install 2 copies of CM. So I went out and bought another copy. But it won't let me install a second instance becuase it detects the 1st instance.
I was now thinking I can get around this by creating a Virtual machine in another window and install the 2nd instance there. Don't know if its going to work. I'll keep you posted.

Here is UBI support response to this problem.

"Unfortunately, you will not be able to play 2 copies of the game online simultaniously on one computer. The ubi.com service uses your IP address to communicate, and that IP address is unique to the computer."

What this does mean though is that since a VM (virtual machine) is assigned its own IP address, I should be able to run 2 sessions on 1 physical computer (even though its still 2 logical machines). I'll let everyone know how it works out.

Well, this wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong about something...

First, let me apologize. When I first read your post, I knew you were trying to install CM twice on the same computer (to different locations); but I didn't know you had 2 legal copies of Chessmaster -- or else I would have spared you the "you're breaking the license agreement" lecture...

I haven't used a VM before, but it sounds cool -- I'm going to have to check it out.

I have now installed Microsoft Virtual PC:
Free download at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx
I don't know if its free forever.
I have installed it and configured a virtual drive for the operating system.
I now have to install the operating system on the virtual drive (using my MS XP O/S disk).

Are you aware that you are not legally allowed to install XP home on a virtual machine ?

And that if you use the same key for the virtual machine and for your PC it's a second infringement to the MS license agreement ?
In some states, two infringements lead to the death penalty !

Last but not least, I'm afraid that a virtual machine can't simulate a virtual graphics card with hardware acceleration.

You risk a lot to finally get a black box in your virtual machine screen.

But it can work anyway...

Yes the host OS cannot share the graphics hardware, with the Virtual Computer, the Graphics are only emulated as a 64mb basic video card, that's hardly suitable for modern gaming purposes.
As for Installing Windows on a virtual computer, as far as I was aware, it's legal if you have another legal windows disc and key, otherwise, why would Microsoft make Virtual Machine available?

If it's a retail copy of XP, there might be problems with activation/authentication.

If he's using an OEM copy of XP, it very well could re-partition and re-format his hard drive...

No one here condones illegal copying and/or installation of software.

That being said, if he succeeds in what he is trying to accomplish, I doubt that Microsoft will send out an execution squad.

Virtual Machine is really aimed at non gaming environments, as this quote from Microsoft shows:

quote:

Windows Vista Enterprise includes the rights to four virtual operating systems for no additional cost. Now you can continue to run your applications in their current state on their original operating system while still taking advantage of the latest improvements and enhancements in Windows Vista Enterprise.

As part of the 90 day trial of Virtual PC you are allowed to install the operating system on the VM for "developmental" purposes. BTOG46 is completely correct. Giving you a 90 day trial would be useless if you have to spend 500 or a thousand dollars on another O/S license.

Besides that, I'm installing Windows ME on the VM from my old PC that I had CM on (My current PC uses XP PRO MULTIMEDIA).

One other virtual computer to consider is VirtualBox, this has the advantage that you can run this with XP home as the host OS instead of Vista, I use it to run my old Dos games.

The problem with CM X is that it needs hardware acceleration. If you disable video hardware acceleration on your PC, CM X simply doesn't work whether you are in OpenGL or Directx mode.
As far as I remember, only VMWare offers a "limited" simulation of hardware acceleration, but it's recent and not in the free version.
So VMware is your best bet.

For the Windows licenses, you have to consider that Bill Gates is now retired and that it would be unfair to deprive a humble retired man of his pension.