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Internet optimizations for RA2 Multiplayer (Lag fixes & speed ups)


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#1 FReQuEnZy

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Posted 03 January 2012 - 05:11 PM

Problems and solutions related to internet connectivity for XWIS supported games

 

The first step you should take is check if your internet connection uses a router to connect to the internet. You can observe this by seeing your computer connected to a box like device that usually has antennae attached to it, commonly there are flashing lights on it to show enable functions. If you do indeed use a router then this means that it most likely has it's own firewall with ports on it. Meaning you will need to configure that firewall correctly to allow connections to pass through. How ever If you are directly connected to the internet by a USB modem or a direct cable to the wall connection aka ''cable'' you can skip this port forwarding guide.
 
 
Problems / Symptoms

  • Unable to connect to other players when hosting or joining a game, including Quick Match.
  • Error messages such as "unable to connect to ...", "The game's host has reported a connection problem".
  • Error message such as "error timed out" when connecting to other players.
  • Game freezes after starting. ( in game credits are frozen at 143 )

 

 

Solutions

Configure the router firewall to forward / open ports
 
1. Check the device/box to see what make and model it is. This information can usually be found underneath of the device.
 
2. Select your router from the list here http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm

Note : Scroll down along the page to find the specific make and model. The routers are listed alphabetically.
 
 
3. Click your router name and then click ''skip this advert on the next page that appears''. ( This link can be found on top right of the advertising page ).
 
4. On the applications list page scroll all the way down to X until you find XWIS. (A sample applications list can be found here)
 
Note : Remember to make sure that you have selected the correct router from the routers index page or the guide will be different from the one that applies to your specific device.
 
 
5. Follow the instructions listed in the guide for your device. (A sample of a routers settings guide can be found here)

Note : Sometimes you might have to reset the router before applying your settings, which is usually a very rare case.
 
 
Exclude the game's executables from a software firewall network traffic filtering
 
Some firewalls block the game from connection to the internet by default, due to security standards. In these cases the game's executables should be added to the exclusion list of the firewall or simply allowed to pass the network traffic filter. Due to too many variables in modern firewall softwares it is impossible to list a guide for all specific firewalls here.
How ever below is a link to a guide on unblocking network traffic going through a Windows firewall. Many of the firewall softwares are similar in features and their interfaces, which should help in their configuration.

Unblocking network traffic for a program in Windows firewall. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ie/windows/communicate-through-windows-firewall#1TC=windows-7
 
1. Unblock the following game executable files. game.exe, ra2.exe, red alert 2.exe mph.exe to resolve any of the related connectivity problems.

Note : Unblocking mph.exe usually resolves the problem where the game freezes after loading with the credits frozen at $143.

 

 

Optimizing the internet connection for gaming
Use this part of the guide to speed up your internet connection.

 

Optimizing the internet connection will make the connection smoother and eliminate the possibility of lag spikes. Depending on how many other people use/share your internet connection or on how many other programs are using your connection simultaneously.
 
 
Problem / Symptom

  • Delay when giving units orders (Clicking to order a selected unit to move or attack).

 

 

Solution
 
1. Download a configuration program called "TCP Optimizer" from here http://www.speedguide.net/files/TCPOptimizer.exe

 
2. After it's finished downloading, start the program. Something like this should pop up.

 
tcpo_v3.png



 
3. Select the "Custom" option from the "Choose settings" line at the bottom of the program's interface.
 
 
4. Click the MTU/Latency tab and then click the ''Largest MTU'' button at the bottom.
 

5. After the program has finished measuring your optimal MTU setting. Take note of the number and set the MTU on the first tab (General Settings) shown below to the results that you got.


6. Adjust the settings as shown below, for best compatibility.
 
Note: Optimal settings vary for each system depending on the hardware (computer, network, router) configuration. 
To get the best results at this stage it's best to experiment with using different settings and testing the results in game.

 TCPSettings.jpg
 
 
Note : Don't worry if you don't see some of the settings, it just means that you have an older operating system.

Advancedsettings.jpg


7. After configuring these settings click ''Apply changes''.
then ''Ok''. After you're asked to reboot click yes and wait for your computer to restart with the new
optimized settings.

Note : You should now experience smoother gameplay, less delays and be able to enjoy any XWIS supported title without
any connectivity problems, unless your opponent has not configured the hardware and network settings for best functionality.

The results will vary depending on the hardware and the speed of your internet connection.
The correct configuration will however greatly reduce problems related to connectivity and network induced delay.

 

 

Red Alert 2 Settings optimizations

 

Problem / Symptom

  • Delay, lag, slow, freezing gameplay during explosions and animations.

 

 

Solution
 
1. Browse to the directory in which you installed C&C Red Alert 2 and find the file called Ra2.ini then open it with notepad.
 
Note : You should see a list of settings in the file separated by different categories.
 
 
2. Find the [video] category and add these 2 lines under it.

VideoBackBuffer=no
AllowVRAMSidebar=no

 
These 2 settings should speed up RA2's performance on modern PCs.
The first setting reduces lag when there are a lot of animations being displayed on the screen.
The second setting disables the in game's ability for the sidebar to be stored in the videocards VRAM, which might provide a small boost.


Edited by FReQuEnZy, 03 July 2014 - 01:09 AM.


#2 connyconny

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Posted 02 July 2014 - 08:33 PM

I get a freeze on the game when it starts. And the in game credit is at 143. 

 

I allowed all the exe ra2 files including mph. Also opended all of the ports. Is there anything else to do?

 

Regards, Mattias



#3 FReQuEnZy

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Posted 03 July 2014 - 01:07 AM

The credit freeze is related to MPH.exe being blocked some how.

You should double check the firewall entries and if you're using a wireless or a wired router you should forward ports for the game or configure a DMZ to allow for a firewall free connection to the internet.

 

A guide to forwarding ports can be found on portforward.com, the first part of this guide already covers that.



#4 dsector

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Posted 03 July 2014 - 01:59 AM

Do you have the wsock32.dll file in your RA2 folder? If you do, remove it.



#5 FReQuEnZy

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Posted 03 July 2014 - 03:32 AM

Some wsock32.dll files are compatible with RA2, though the old version of the LAN patch can still cause problems.



#6 singer

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Posted 10 December 2018 - 01:17 AM

When I was going to login in, it just happened an msg"Yuri's revenge has encountered an internal error and si unable to continue normally. After the game just quit.


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