Situation Update

[DennyMala]

My firewall don't restrict UDP and I doublechecked it, but dunno exactly when it comes to size. Any way I can test that to see if there are restrictions?

Beside, the test was done with low detail setting on everything and music disabled.

I managed only to see Eclipse's nick flashing when he was trying to chat but nothing else.

[Vice]

Ok, lets try this. Here is a dedicated voice chat program that uses the same system as the game. It runs entirely independent of the game. Ports 3788 TCP and 3789 UDP are needed. Just extract the program from the ZIP and run it on the systems you want to test. You can use your local LAN address to test on two or more machines locally or use your external internet address to test with others. If this program works, but the game doesn't, that would suggest a resource problem. If this program encounters the same problem as the game does on your system, then that would suggest something network/connection related.

To use the program, start it first on the system you want to use as the 'server', then have other clients join in. When prompted by the program, give each tester a unique name and verify you are using the correct IP address for the host and all clients. Note that you won't be able to hear your own voice when broadcasting, only receiving players will be able to hear you. It would probably be good to have an instant messenger going while testing this over the internet with others.

This program includes some additional debugging options that will report any errors if they occur. For example, if you enter the wrong IP address, the program should report an error with binding the TCP socket. So if an error does occur relating to the sound problem, this may help find the cause.

http://www.starwraith.com/evochronmerce ... ceChat.zip

[DennyMala]

Good, I'll check this out and see to connect with Marvin and anyone else that wants to help.

Thanks Vice.

[Marvin]

Do I need to DL and install the program too (for testing)?

[DennyMala]

yup Marv.... download only.... nothing to install.

[Marvin]

Okay, after Eclipse gets it working and I get back from paying bills, I'll email you to arrange a time to test this.

[Vice]

The other errors are probably related to the first, which is not binding to the correct IP. Try this, always enter your LAN IP only, don't use the external internet IP, even when hosting a session for others over the internet. Just make sure the ports are forwarded to that LAN IP in your router. To verify your LAN IP, you can launch the game's server program and it will be displayed on the lower left side.

[Vice]

I connected to it and it seemed to work fine.

[Marvin]

Okay, I'm back from paying bills (car battery died on me ... had to walk all over town). Downloading now.

[Marvin]

Well, the program seemed to work okay. Hard to tell (as a client, what was I looking for?). But Denny was evidently OTL (or OTD). So, I guess, another test needs to be scheduled, with Eclipse as host. Before that happens, can I see a screenshot of what a successful test looks like ... from the client's perspective?

[Marvin]

Okay, then I assume you need two people ... same as in the game. One transmits and one listens. Since you plan to have it up tomorrow, I'll have my daughter test with me until (and if) Denny can get on line. Just to make certain it works for me.

[Marvin]

My game machine takes longer than that to warm up! At my age, nothing happens with a 10-minute notice.

[MMaggio]

ROFL! I know that feeling! ;)

[Marvin]

I'll be hunting for Denny in EM sometime around 11:00am, Pacific time. If he shows, we can do the test ... assuming Eclipse remembers to crank up the Host server (sorry 'bout yesterday, Eclipse).

[DennyMala]

I just saw the posts and e-mails. I'll see if I can get online after dinner for testing.

[Marvin]

I'll be in EM ... on MM's server.

[DennyMala]

Good news, we struck the problem.

I'm sorry if I made anyone here waste some time, but we discoveder that the issue was COMODO FIREWALL that even with the fully unrestricted application was evidently blocking the chat.

Disabled the protection and the chat was working perfectly with the game setted to full detail and music on.

Now I'll have to ditch deep into the firewall settings to discover what is wrong with it.

Firewall works on an file basis, so I autorize on demand or by setting a single executable to work freely on the system and net. Is the chat in the EM executable or in a separated launched application?

[Vice]

That's great! The game handles all chat fuctions internally, so the problem is probably with the firewall refusing to allow the packets for chat through because they are too large for the firewall's settings or something.

[SeeJay]

Great news.

Happy for you.

[Vice]

I did some research and the problem likely relatest to the Comodo firewall blocking packet fragmenting (which apparently violates the internet RFC standard). The problem effects all large UDP packets, so it impacts more than just games. There is a 'block fragmented IP datagrams' setting that can be unchecked to restore RFC-compliant packet handling behavior or using a compliant firewall would also be an option (depending on what you prefer to do/use for security).

[Marvin]

If you understood any of that, Denny, we can test it tomorrow ... regular time.

[DennyMala]

I'll check the firewall options in search of that setting. Thanks a lot Vice.

We'll see when we meet Marv, sunday's session is still a firm point.

[Marvin]

Okay, make it Sunday. I've a lot of junk to get done today anyway.

[Marvin]

Very strange behavior today. Denny could hear everyone on the in-game chat but couldn't transmit ... except when transmitting in Clan mode. If he was in Sector mode, nobody could hear him or see his callsign.

[Vice]

Has he removed the Comodo firewall and replaced it with something else?