Multi-Player Troubleshooter

COMMON PROBLEMS & ERROR MESSAGES

 

However if your game doesn't start and you get the "We have paused your connection" message, try reinstalling the game and update your Video/Sound card drivers. 

 

Video Based Errors

 

Use my Video Troubleshooter for Game Crash / Black Screen problems.  Especially the updating Video/Sound drivers section, or the AOE II Troublshooter has good driver advice for all games! 

 

Failed To Launch or Can't Host Games

 

If your Game Failed to Launch try either starting or not starting your game before clicking Launch in a Zone room.  Some games prefer one method over the other.

Mods /Addons:  Did you install any mods, extra levels, maps etc.?  If you did, that may affect your ability to host games.  Freshly re-install the game using the How To Properly ReInstall Your Game/Patch section further down on this page.  Another problem could be that you don't have the same Mod installed as the Host does.  In that case ask the host and other players which mods they've installed.

Multiplayer Error Message:  Unable to Join Game

Applies to most games not just Ubisoft titles.  If this applies or if you aren't able to JOIN games, or LAG out a lot check your connection.
 
If you're Unable to Launch or Join games it's usually a firewall problem that can be solved  by using the Network Routers and Firewall Section.
 

 

Windows XP

  If you're using Windows XP try Disabling the XP Firewall, Use the "Increase Broadband" settings from: Win OS Central's XP Tip Site, and also running the game again, after Changing the Compatibility Mode.  New Patch for XP Please Insert CD Bug

 

 

Ad Blockers, Download Accelerators, etc.

 
 
 It has been discovered that the use of Ad Blockers and Internet Accelerators, have hindered the ability to enter rooms and play games on the Zone.  Uninstall them, Reboot, Run Regcleaner, and Reboot.

 

 

GAME NOT DETECTED

 

"We are not able to detect 'game' installed on your hard drive"

 
A good site for that error is: http://turn.dk/mw3/zone.html as long as you realize that it's solutions are not just specific to MW3.
 
If its a CD  game make sure that you have the original CD in your CD Rom Drive.  Most games won't work with backup copies.
* Multiplayer patches check for warez copies.  If you're not using the Original CD you're wasting your time trying to play it online.
 
Make sure that you're using the correct Zone rooms for your game.  If it's a TRIAL version, it will only work in a TRIAL game room.  If you're playing a game that's part of a series like AOC, make sure you're on the AOC Zone Page.  Many go to the AOK page by mistake.  

* The game can be installed to any drive and path with the exception of the root folder of a drive.  C:\game may not be detected by the zone where as c:\program files\game will be detected.

If you're using a non-English version of a game, the name of the registry key for the path (location) of the game might not be found.  If that's the case, you can ask the manufacturer, or another player of the game for the proper name and location of that key, and then manually add it to your registry.

If all the above has been tried, and the game is still not detected continue to the next section and reinstall your game (and patch).

 

 

How to Properly Re-install a Game & Patch


 
Step A: Follow the Selective Startup Instructions.  Do not enable your AntiVirus as they suggest though in step 4.   Reboot and go to Step B. 
 
Win 2000 instructions: Reboot, and then Exit or disable any programs that you're running, especially download accelerators, and Anti-Virus software by right clicking their icons by your clock.  Press Ctrl-Alt-Del,  click on "Task Manager", and "End Task" every Application listed.

Step B: In Control Panel / Add-Remove Programs, delete the game and then the game's folder especially if you previously experienced problems with a patch, or if you installed the Trial, Mods, NO CD patches, etc.

Note: Click Start to Search or Find your game.  Many times there are two installs of the same game on a system and the patch installs to the wrong one.   Also if you installed a Trial version of the game, this could be causing a conflict.  Uninstall the Trial and delete it's folder.

Step C: Install and Run RegClean to find and delete any references to your game.  Reboot your computer,  Exit or disable any programs using the method in Step A, and then re-install the game.

Step D: Go online and Download the patch from the Patch Download section of the Zone's CD pages, and save it in the games folder.
You can also find most patches at the ZoneSysops Patch page.  If no patch is listed at either of those locations, skip ahead to Step F.

Step E: Double click the patch to install it.  If it's a .zip file, unzip it to the game's folder and follow the instruction in it's readme.txt file.

Step F: Reboot your computer, and then Exit or disable any programs that are running again using the method in Step A.

Step G: Play a game offline in single player mode. Many games need  to be launched in single player mode once to insure that the system registry is updated with the current patch version # that the Zone will look for.

Step H: Reboot your computer, and then Exit or disable any programs that are running again using the method in Step A.  Now  start a single player game while in that game's Zone Chat Lobby.  That's worked as a permanent solution for people who weren't able to join or host games.
 

 

 

Network, Router and Firewall Issues

 
 
Do you have firewall installed or a router with a built in firewall?  If you do that can prevent you from connecting to games.  Internet Traffic can also prevent a game from launching, or during a game it can drop you or give an out of synch error.
Also, to see if a firewall is running on your computer, look at the little icons next to your computer clock for common firewall names such as: ZoneAlarm, Nortons Internet Security, McAfee, etc.  Now if you right click it's little icon to disable it, you should be able to play again.
 
If one of the icons says "Internet Connection Sharing" you'll need to configure your ICS  by opening the Zone and DX ports needed to play. 

Another way to detect a problem is by clicking on this link: Nat or Not  which will expose if you are behind a NAT firewall either because you're using ICS or a router/modem with a built in NAT Firewall which their tech support reps can help you with by opening these Game Ports...

 
Don't stop reading!  There's more below including Win XP Firewalls!

Routers

 

Ports also have to be opened if you have a router.  A router is a small box that's used to setup a home network, or connect your computer to most Cable and DSL connections.  Common router brands are LinkSys, Dlink, NetGear, SMC Barricade, etc.

 

Windows XP Users 

 

Did you disable the XP Firewall?

 

 

Note about Software Firewalls

 

If you use one, and don't want to disable it, make sure that you allow the game to act as server, and lower your security to at least medium if you want to host.   If the game seems to hang while starting it, press ALT+TAB to see if your firewall is asking for permission to allow your game to access the Internet.

 

 

Note about Lag and Latency

 

Don't underestimate the importance of tweaking and re-installing Network components as suggested in steps 1 through 4 of this troubleshooter.  It DOES make a difference.

 

 

How to Get 2 Computers in the Same Online Game

 

If you want to play in the same game on the internet using 2 or more computers on the same network, ask your ISP for a Public IP address for each of your computers.  This is your easiest solution to the problem.

You don't need a router or ICS anymore.  Just connect your computers to a hub with their own IP addresses setup in their TCP/IP settings.  Your internet provider can help you with those settings.

 

 

ZONE GAMES TROUBLESHOOTING
If you have a corrupted version of a free Zone game it could be the cause of your problem.  Lets use Spades in the following example, although the same would apply to hearts, chess, etc.

You'll need to go to the C:\Program Files\MSN Gaming Zone Folder and  Delete Zone.Zat, lobbyres.dll, and lobby.exe as well as spades.dll, and the spades folder. (If Chess, delete chess.dll and Chess folder, etc.)

Using Start/Find to search for those will sometimes turn up 2 copies of the same file or folder.  If that is the case, delete both copies, and return to the spades lobby to download new files and correct the error.

 

 

  ZONE EUCHRE TROUBLESHOOTING

 
If you are having problem playing Euchre on the Zone, try these steps:
 

  • To play Euchre on Zone.com, you will need to download and install the latest version of Microsoft DirectX. Here's how.  For any problems or error message use the DirectX Troubleshooter.

A Firewall will prevent Euchre from working.  To detect and eliminate Firewall blocks in your connection try the tips in the Network Router and Firewall Section.  Lag or latency can also affect Euchre, try the Connection Troubleshooter. 

In case your Euchre installation is corrupt; Delete  the folders mgcommon, common, and the entire euchre folder which are found in: C:\Program Files\MSN Gaming Zone.  New replacement files will automatically download & install.

 

HOW TO PROPERLY RE-INSTALL THE ZONE

 
If your problem is that a Zone game isn't working, and the last step didn't resolve it:  Remove and Re-install the Zone.

 

 

IF SINGLE PLAYER GAMES WON'T LOAD

(Bejeweled, Word Twist, Etc.)

Try STEP 5 first if it's a new game since October 2003.  They have switched to Flash for most of the newer Single Player Games now.

1• Click START / Control Panel / Internet Options and click on the Advanced Tab.

2• Below HTTP 1.1 is the Sun Java/ Microsoft VM  section:  Make sure all Java choices are unchecked (especially JIT) and then press [OK].  You may be prompted to reboot.

3• If you don't see a Microsoft VM section then download Java for Win98/Me/NT/Xp or Java for Win2000 SP2or3

4• After you download Java, double-click the file to install, and then perform Steps 1• and 2• to setup Java properly.  

* Whenever you get a Java Virtual Machine Security Update from Windows Update site, you will have to follow Steps 1• and 2• again.

5• Some games require you to Install Shockwave Flash

6• Disable any Firewall /Anti-Virus /AdBlocker /Popup Stopper or other programs which might be interfering.

7• If  the problem persists Adjust Your Browser Settings. and try the suggestions on Zone's Java Games Help Page.

8• If you see a coffee cup icon in your icon tray, or have Sun Java listed in Control Panel / Add-Remove programs  uninstall or disable it to prevent conflicts with MS VM.

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