angelito said:

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Whole thread edited today due to the fact, Zone doesn't support Heroes 3 anymore.
The only ways to play Heroes 3 online will either be through TCP/IP connection (explained later) or through servers like Gamespy or Gameranger.
To be able to play on Gamespy, u have to go [url=http://www.gamespyarcade.com/download/]here[/url] and download "Basic ad-supported", which is for free and enough to play H3 online. Just create an account and enter the lobby.
Same counts for Gameranger [url]www.gameranger.com[/url]

Some problems could occur while trying to play online. Here are some of them listed and the way to solve them.


Here we go:


BASIC PROBLEMS

1. What version do I need to be able to play on Gamespy?
---> For Restoration of Erathia you will need version 1.4, for Armageddon's Blade you will need version 2.2, for Shadow of Death you will need version 3.2. If you have Heroes Complete, your version is 4.0 and this will be compatible to all upgraded versions.


2. How can I figure out what my current heroes version is?
---> Look for your heroes3.exe file. Normaly it should be located in c:/programs/3DO/Heroes...  Rightclick it, chose properties and then version


3. Where can I download the patch to upgrade my version?
---> The most known site to download the patches is: [url=http://www.heroes-iii.com/]WCL[/url]


4. Which patch do I have to download and what should I do with it after the download?

---> You only have to download the patch which shows YOUR current version and the version you want to have.
For example: You have version 1.1 and you want to upgrade to version 1.4. If so, you have to downlad the patch "Heroes3 11to14.zip".
As you can see, the patch comes as a zip file. When you click on the link, you have to chose "save" on the next appearing window. It doesn't matter where on your computer you will save this zip file. Be sure to be able to find it again after finishing the download..
When the download is finished, you have to unzip this file. In normal cases, the needed program (winzip) will start automatically when u doubleclick on the zip file.
Extract the file and save it in the same folder where your heroes.exe file is located. Although it isn't important where to save this file, because it will find your current heroes.exe file automatically, I have made the experience in the last weeks, sometimes the heroes.exe file didn't show the upgraded version after patching it. Mostly because Heroes wasn't installed in the given path.
You can prevent this "mishap" by running the patch from the same folder where your current heroes.exe is located.


5. When I want to join a game, it fails, and it says something like:"...check if the game is properly installed"

---> The reason for this message is most of the times because Heroes was not installed in the expected (default) path.
The solution is easy, you only have to download the file [url=http://www.heroes-iii.com/files/setupreg.exe]setupreg.exe[/url].  Save it in the same folder where your heroes.exe file is located. When you doubleclick it, a black DOS window will occur for about 1 or 2 seconds. This is how it is meant to be...  You don't have to be afraid about this file, it will only "refresh" some datas in your windows registry.
Reboot your computer after this and join gamespy again.


6. When I tried to launch a game, a message occured saying  something like "There was an error trying to connect to this session...."

---> This message mostly occurs because you have an enabled firewall and/or you are playing through a router.
First of all, you can add Gamespy and Heroes in the "exceptions" list of your Windows Firewall and your Anti-Virus program.
For Windows XP users, it works like this:
Click "start", "control panel", "Windows Firewall". The middle tab there says "Exceptions". Add Gamespy and Heroes3 there, and u will be fine.
How to do that with your Anti-Virus program should be mentioned in its description.
The second way of solving this problem has something to do with your open and closed ports.


Here is the way for XP-users to change port settings:
Click on your "network-connections", there u can find a symbol for your LAN-connection. Rightclick on it, "properties". In the appearing window u can see 3 symbols in a row, the 3rd one should be called "TCP/IP-protocol". Click on it ONE time, so it is marked. Then click on "properties", on the next window on "advanced". Next window has 4 tabs, click on "options", there u can see "TCP/IP-filtering". Click on "properties" again here. Now u are in the menue for editing your port settings.

These are the ports "heroes3" needs:
2300 to 2400 TCP & UDP (trigger port = 6073), 28800 to 29100 TCP & UDP (trigger port = 6667) and 47624 TCP and UDP

There is a great helping site about Router problems and how to configure them.
Look here: [url=http://www.portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm]How To Forward or Open Ports[/url]

If you still have problems to connect to others, or if you don't have access to your router, there is another solution for you to be able to play online games with others: HAMACHI
Hamachi is a small program (can be downloaded [url=http://www.hamachi.cc]here[/url] for free) which creates a virtual LAN (local area network). Everybody who knows your network name and password can join this network, and no router will do any harm. Important: download version 1.0.1.5 (currently the only bug-free version refering to H3)


7. When I tried to launch the game, after 2 seconds an error message occured "Game launching failed...".

---> This happens, when the heroes game has been started already and runs in the background before clicking the "launch" button. Close the Heroes game and then press the launch button again.


8. How can I host / join a game via TCP/IP?

---> If you want to host a game, you have to know your internet IP adress. Most of the sessions failed, because the host gave the joiner the WRONG IP adress.
When the host starts his Heroes game, then clicks on "New", "Multiplayer", "TCP/IP", "Host", a blue window appears, which has your IP adress on the top. This is most of the times the WRONG IP adress, because this is the IP adress of your LOCAL network and not for the internet-network. Most of the times, this local IP starts with 192.....
If you want to figure out your current IP adress, the easiest way is to go to this site: [url=http://www.whatismyip.com]IP-Check[/url]
It will instantly show your current internet IP.
But have in mind, this internet IP will change everytime you connect new to the internet, if u don't use a server.
Now you have figured out your IP adress, you can start the IP session like mentioned above (Start Heroes, New, Multiplayer, TCP/IP, Host). You don't have to give it a different name nor put in a password. When you have done this correctly, the scenario window of heroes will appear, where you can chose your scenario and the advanced options.
Now give the IP adress to your opponent. He has to make nearly the same steps as the host, except one: After clicking the "TCP/IP" button, he has to click the 3rd button on the right row, which is named "Search". In the appearing window he has to write the IP adress of the host and then press "ok". When everything works fine, he will occur on the players list in the scenario window.


9. How can I speed up the connection between my opponent and me?

---> The most important thing you can do, is to empty your map folder (--> You have to keep at least ONE map though!!). The whole information of your both map folders is given to your comps while sending data. Make sure you only have about 5 maps in this folder at max. You can create a new folder like "mymaps" and put all the maps you have downloaded there. You only need to copy the needed maps in the original folder.


10. Where can I download some of these "fixed" maps?

---> [url=http://www.toheroes.com/h3maps/maps.html]ToH[/url]


GAMESPY QUESTIONS

1. Why is every room locked with a pass?

---> Does the door of your house stand open all the day?
90% of the players do play for tournaments. There are running 2 tournaments right now:
[url=http://www.heroes-iii.com/]WCL[/url]
[url=http://www.toheroes.com/]ToH[/url]

They play for points, gold or rankings. So THEY want to decide with whom they play and with whom not.
If you want to join a room, first of all, read the Info-line on the top of the room. This infoline shows the rule the room-owner sets for his games. If you fulfill the requirements given in the Info-line and like to play with the given rules, look for the name of the room-owner on the playerslist to the right of the chatroom.
Rightclick on the name and chose "open private message tab". Now you can write him/her a message and ask him/her if he/she wants to play with you.


2. Is it possible to chat in the gamespy lobby while playing a game at the same time?

---> Yes it is. On the opponent's turn, you can change from your heroes game to your game room by pressing alt+tab. Click the button "resume" and now you can write and read in your room and in the gamespy chat.


Any more suggestions to this "First Aid" are welcomed and can be implemented quickly. Just send me a HCM or an email.



08/08/09 Info about Hamachi added (point 6.)
04/04/2009 LRH is down, deleted /replaced all links
05/16/09 revised point 6.) refering to Anti-Virus programs
05/16/09 Gameranger added in the opening part of the thread as alternative place for meeting H3 players.

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