Gamespy
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"GameSpy Arcade is 100% reliant on your Internet connection being fully functional. The same holds true for any games that you want to play online against other people. Firewalls and proxy servers are designed to block your Internet connection in order to minimize the chances that your computer will be accessed (or hacked!) by "unwanted visitors." They also have the unfortunate side-effect of disabling many of the things you might want to do online -- like play games -- since these activities depend on your PC making an unimpeded connection to other computers. Therefore, if you are using a firewall or proxy, Arcade may not function properly nor will you be able to download and install all of the files that you need in order to use the software to play games online.
Connecting to different places online requires access through "ports" in your PC's Internet connection, and firewalls and proxies will close certain ports for your protection. This is not always necessary, but you as the firewall/proxy owner are the only one who can open those ports. We can't do it for you - but we can give you some tips on how to configure your firewall / proxy to allow Arcade to work properly.
What is a firewall or proxy?
Firewalls and proxies are software programs or pieces of hardware designed to protect your computer and/or network from Internet intruders. Some of these are:
Norton Internet Security
Tiny Personal Firewall
Zonealarm
Sygate (proxy)
Wingate (proxy)
Internet Connection Sharing aka ICS - provided by Windows 98SE and higher (proxy)
Linksys Routers (hardware firewall)
D-Link Routers (hardware firewall)
Cisco Routers (hardware firewall)
Working Around the Firewall / Proxy
If you are behind a firewall/proxy and are able to change its settings, Arcade needs the following TCP ports open in order to function:
6667 (IRC)
3783 (Voice Chat Port)
27900 (Master Server UDP Heartbeat)
28900 (Master Server List Request)
29900 (GP Connection Manager)
29901 (GP Search Manager)
13139 (Custom UDP Pings)
6515 (Dplay UDP)
6500 (Query Port)
University Internet connections - Universities usually protect their networks with firewalls. In most cases these cannot be opened by you the user. You'll have to consult a technician at your University to see if a workaround is possible. It might be necessary to open more ports in order to run certain games. Also, please not that this is a list of recommended ports. It does not mean that your particular firewall will be easy to configure. Please consult your firewall/proxy manufacturer for detailed instructions. In reality, getting Arcade to work on certain restrictive networks may even be a little harder than opening these ports. DirectPlay games in all likelihood will not launch properly at all.
Disabling firewalls will not work
Unfortunately, in most cases, firewalls/proxies cannot simply be disabled in order to allow you to use Arcade and your game. Disabling the firewall / proxy will not open the necessary ports. It will simply shut down the firewall/proxy and leave the ports closed. Also, many factors may conflict with your firewall: Internet Connection Sharing, the use of more than one firewall, or your operating system may all cause conflicts that keep you from enjoying Arcade. To work around these issues, you will need to consult the manufacturer of your firewall/proxy.
Special notes to WindowsXP users:
WindowsXP has a built-in firewall. If you are using 3rd party firewalls/proxies with WindowsXP, you will have to consult both the firewall/proxy developer and Microsoft to determine their compatibility with one another. You will also need to speak to your game's developer in order to determine the game's compatibility with WindowsXP, its firewall and your 3rd party firewall/proxy.
Many broadband service providers are reporting an incompatibility between WindowsXP and some high-speed modems. Please consult your Internet Service Provider to ensure your WindowsXP compatibility with their modem and software.
What errors might I see caused by my firewall/proxy?
Aphex.exe has caused an illegal operation in Module (followed by a sting of several numbers).
Arcade is telling you that it was disconnected from the Internet, which in turn caused an error to occur in the Arcade software (which won't function without an Internet connection). Many firewalls will disconnect a program that they feel is creating a risk if the firewall is not configured in advance to allow it.
Game version does not match (and I KNOW I patched my game right!).
Firewalls essentially place games in the dark -- if you are using a firewall/proxy, the game cannot see itself or its version, and will return this error.
My Profile didn't save. I used it yesterday and now it's not there!
If you are behind a firewall, Arcade can not actually communicate with GameSpy's database (where your profile is stored). As long as you are behind the firewall, Arcade may never save profiles you create, nor will it recognize you to compare to our registration database if you are registered. Firewalls have to be configured for Arcade to have a "clear shot" at the database and save your information. This can be corrected by properly configuring your firewall with permissions for Arcade.
When I enter a game room, no game servers come up.
This is most likely because the port for our master server is blocked and it cannot refresh your game list. See the lists of ports above, and configure your firewall appropriately.
My friend asked for authorization to add me as a buddy and I never receive his/her request.
Once again, an incoming port is blocked, and this has prevented you from receiving any information sent to you through Arcade. Open the ports, and the information will flow like beer through Homer Simpson.
When I host a game it never shows up on the list in the room.
Your firewall/proxy is protecting your connection, and this overactive security is not letting Arcade transmit your game information beyond your PC. Therefore, your listing will not show up in Arcade, and no one will be able to join your game.
When I try to activate my registration it says "Not a valid email address"! I used the correct email address in my Profile for registering.
If your firewall/proxy is blocking our database from seeing you it will not recognize you when you attempt to log on, nor will it be able to exchange information with your computer necessary to validate your registration status.
Disabling / Permission on Specific Firewall Programs
We do not recommend disabling your firewall. Disabling it will not make it open up the ports it has already closed. Instead, you need to configure it to allow access to Arcade. This is usually called "giving permission," and can be accomplised quickly by following these steps:
Black Ice - Set the security level to low.
ZoneAlarm - The best course of action for ZoneAlarm, in our experience, is to make sure it allows your online applications. Make sure that, when you open Arcade and ZoneAlarm alerts you that Aphex.exe is trying to access the Internet, you allow it to do so, and check the box to "remember this application." It will ask again later if you want to allow the downloading of config files. Again, tell it to allow it and remember. You can still leave ZoneAlarm on medium to high security. But don't forget that it will also want to ask for your permission for each and every game you play the first time you start it up. If not told to allow your game and remember your settings, you will again encounter difficulties.
Alternately, but less effective, set ZoneAlarm to recognize Arcade as a part of your Local Network and set both local and Internet settings to "Low.""
) are best for you.
. So my gaming time would be from 8pm EDT - 11pm EDT.
, so I'm stuck with it)
