System Shock 2 multiplayer co-op

[calthaer]

After looking at Ed Oscuro's "hybrid" avatar for a whole week and saying "YOUR SONG IS NOT OURS" every time I see it, I began to think that it was time for me to go through System Shock 2 again - multiplayer co-operative.

The first purpose of this thread is to see who out there has the game (or can get it), and who is interested in participating. You would need high-speed internet access and a microphone (for Roger Wilco or TeamSpeak). Cracked copies of the game (no-CD crack) will not work - you must have the latest patch for it along with the original CD.

I was looking for around 3-4 players; I've already gone through it once with 2 and, even though it's still extremely cool, it doesn't allow -full specialization. I wanted to do an all-psi character, but I still ended up having to get energy weapons because we needed something to take out the bots. The multiplayer game is set firmly on HARD mode, so you can't bump it down to an easier level (or up to a harder level) to adjust the amount of cyber-modules they have in the game.

We could also decide what sorts of strategies we could have for what sorts of characters we'd like to build. With four, we could have:

-one Marine who has heavy + standard (big on strength + endurance stat)
-one Navy with energy + all computer / cyber skills (upgrade, modify, hack, was there another one?), big on cyber stat + agility
-one psi
-one "xeno" who does the alien weapons, maybe research, and perhaps standard weapons as well up to a point.

[portnoyd]

That'd be awesome, but I'd need to get an original CD first.

dave

[Ed Oscuro]

More GLORY TO THE ... um, sure, we'd be happy for anybody who comes along.

(I've been going through the game again this last week - yesterday I played until SIX in the morning from about midnight...I never do that! Kept getting killed off in hyroponics without saving my research progress. Yikes. Oh: Shift + ; and "summon_obj ap clip," then Shift + ; and Tab!)

[SoulBlazer]

Dude, I am SO there. :D

I did MP with a friend a few years ago and it was a blast. I'd also love to do it with three other people.

The game can still be found -- Amazon has it for $15, last time I checked. I paid full price for it when it came out and never regreted it. The game is a CLASSIC. One of my all time favorite games.

I'll happily play any charcter. Let's hope there are some other people out there! 8-)

[Ed Oscuro]

Would be nice if there was a dedicated server for the game, but...

I think it'd be a good idea to get through the first level by spawning a couple access cards. You know. We've all seen more of Medical than we need to.

Now a crazy question - can the server start from a saved game? I don't remember from the last time I saw SS2 MP being played.

[calthaer]

Yeah, dedicated server would be nice, but with only 4 players it isn't totally necessary. The game's multiplayer aspect was really tacked on at the end, only being introduced in the game's final patch.

The multiplayer game also isn't quite as stable as the single-player. I've only had it mess-up once, but...spawning key items left and right might not be the greatest idea. Besides, unless I'm wrong, the whole game won't be new for any of us. We've all played through it before. The difference comes in playing through it with four people - coordinating attacks (i.e. - how to take care of those two turrets that pop up near the battery recharger in medical) and all that stuff.

And, finally - yes, the server can definitely be started from a saved game. We can save and then continue our adventure later at any point.

So we have three, and four if portnoyd can rustle up a CD. The lowest price on Amazon.com at this point is around $30, from what I can see. Careful, as there are lots of people selling SS1 under the SS2 item heading. There's a guy in Hong Kong who's selling the game for about $30 on eBay as well.

I want to do an all-psi character. Once a psi guy gets replicate, there's no need to "spawn" any items at all. And the recyclotron...man we have to play this game soon. My IM info should be on here; feel free to contact me. Hope we can get a fourth musketeer.

[SoulBlazer]

Just a quick question -- are you sure about the CD? I applied a No-CD copy to mine a couple of years ago, and the game still runs great, and it DOES have the MP Patch. So I'd still need to put the CD in the drive to play online?

I also downloaded.....oh, what the heck was the group that did it....there's a unofficial patch that changed some of the graphics, like the midwifes and what not. Would I need to restore to a original game to play online?

I can be contacted by PM on here as well, and I'm usually free most nights late after work, although Friday and the weekends are my free time.

The only problem I had when I played online last time was a little lag. The person with the best computer should DEFENTILY host. ;)

I can't wait to try this out also! :D

[portnoyd]

I'm going to track down the ISO.. money is pretty tight right now. I played MP with my roommate, and we were able to save no problem, and we only had one CD (his).

I'll take the class no one wants. You'll probably have to guide me through the xeno route... it's been 4 years. :\

dave

[BenT]

Here are the two mods I used in my playthrough in May.

Many redone models (essential, once you've seen it):
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/etienne.aubert/sshock/sshock_rebirth.htm

A few redone textures (the engine strictly limits which textures can be replaced, unfortunately):
http://shtup.home.att.net/shtup_beta4.zip

In multiplayer, I'm unsure if one person having the mods means everyone has to have them. It's quite possible, so be aware. Also IIRC, spawning items triggers a game-stopping bug in the Rickenbacher, so I'd not do that. Better safe than sorry.

Have fun.

[Ed Oscuro]

I'll have to check for this "item-spawning bug," but by that point most players should be able to get all the stuff they need together beforehand.

Oh, and they tried to give the midwife...sex appeal? O_o

[SoulBlazer]

No, they tried to make it more realsitic. LOL

But there has'nt been any work on the patch in a while.

I'll have to try to connect with someone and see if the CD IS needed to go online or not. My CD is on loan to a friend two states away right now. :o

This is a great idea, and I'm really looking forward to trying this.

I don't think it will take that long to get through the first few stages of the Van Bruan. We're all experienced players, or at least have gone through the game once on solo. We know what we have to do and the best way to go about doing it. Having everyone come along when ever someone crosses a bulkhead is a little annoying, but there are areas where we can still split into two teams and go take care of things at the same time.

We'll still need to hit the major loads of weapons, bullets, nanites, etc. in order to keep well stocked for the end game, but at least whenever someone gets cyber modules EVERYONE gets the same ammount will help with the upgrades.

The biggest danger I see is the cameras. They are hard to see and notice in the SP game -- if we're all charging down a hallway in a major firefight, none of us may notice one till it's too late. :P

[portnoyd]

I found a BT file for System Shock 2, I should have it in a few hours. If one of you guys wants it just in case, I can pass it along.

I will probably play it a little in SP to get used to it again. I've played it through 3-4 times, but like I said, it's been a long time.

dave

[Ed Oscuro]

No, they tried to make it more realsitic. LOL
Looks like the work of a bunch of crazy Germans to me. See, Nurse Bloome had black hair, and in any case they took away the chest plate.

That said, the new model looks a good deal like some of the early concept art for the Midwife.

[SoulBlazer]

Okay, Midwife ASIDE, both of the patches that were linked to eariler in this thread ARE very good and help give the game a nice facelift. ;)

I highly suggest both of them.

I'm going to have to try to connect MP with someone and answer questions about CD's and patch files.....if anyone is interested, shoot me a PM. I'm not doing much the next couple of days.

[calthaer]

RE: cracked .exe files:

All players must be connecting using the same version of the game in order for multiplayer to work. The latest official patch requires the CD each time the game starts in order to function. From what I've seen, the latest versions of the no-CD .exe file were not able to connect via multiplayer. Of course, if all parties were using the same no-CD crack, then it might work. I'm not sure.

From what I understood, those new facelift patches only replaced the graphics / mesh files. If that's the case, then each player could install whatever patch they want - it just affects what each individual sees on-screen. If the "patch" replaces the .exe file and changes the version number...

One other thing: does everyone have either Roger Wilco or Teamspeak so that we can communicate?

I'll have some free time this weekend, probably either tonight or Saturday night, so I'll shoot you a PM - maybe we'll see each other on an IM program (I use Trillian).

Oh and on the cameras / nanites...

With four people we should actually be fairly well-stocked; I don't anticipate too much trouble. Engineering is probably the toughest part in the game, largely because AP bullets are scarce and it's too early to have energy weapons...and those exploding servo-bots are all over the place. Once the psi gets item duplication, and once we can hack the vending machines, and once our maintenance guy can efficiently repair our weapons, and then we'll get a recyclotron...

Cameras are no problem once you have a psi who can cast the remote tampering or whatever it is that drains the alarm level down to zero.

We'll probably be doing very well in terms of nanites / ammo / etc. if we have four people with all those skills.

[SoulBlazer]

Well, I actually use GameDrive Manager and then just click on the game CD -- a 'virtual' CD -- to play it. So it's not really a no-cd crack.

I've used Teamspeak in the past, but I'll have to download it again and get it working again.

I use ICQ, MSN, and Yahoo Messenger -- hopefully everyone has one of those. ;)

[portnoyd]

I was actually just planning on mounting the image using Daemon Tools and running it that way. No harm, no fuss.

I have Teamspeak installed, but no server to play on. Wilco sucks, btw.

dave

[calthaer]

I've never had any problems with Roger Wilco. It might not be the most elegant solution, but TeamSpeak's server is a pain in the neck to set up from what I've seen. I could never figure it out.

[Ed Oscuro]

Cameras aren't a problem if you time out the alarm. That's a tier one skill.

By the way I just got finished with something like four hours of SS2ing (internet was down for some reason) and got killed in the mall by a millitary droid :angry:

Anyhow, pretty much the only good weapons in the game are the crystal shard (when you pick it up it's too late to be going melee though), the pistol/assault rifle, and the grenade launcher. The rest of it's fun at times but pretty useless.

For multi, does everybody get damage bonuses from one guy's research?

[calthaer]

Yes: one guy's research benefits everyone.

The crystal shard isn't too bad against those lumbering, thunder-footstepped beasts. It's worthless against the flying brians, of course...which is why you have that worm gun.

I always find the grenade launcher to be pretty difficult to use. It doesn't always have the best range for the long-range guys, and you can't use it up-close. I personally LOVE the fusion cannon - it does some particularly wicked damage to just about anything. The EMP rifle is also excellent for one-shotting all those cyber-nannies.

They all have their uses at the appropriate time. If we coordinate our skill-choices, we shouldn't have too many problems...been reading some FAQs on GameFaqs about this, though.

[calthaer]

Well, Soulblazer and I fired up SS2 and tried to get it working tonight. Here's the lowdown:

-the latest nVidia detonator drivers won't work with the game. I had version 45.23 and those seemed to work fine. 57.whatever they have now doesn't. You may need to downgrade your drivers to get it to work. Not sure how ATI peeps will be affected.

-Everyone needs to be running the same version of the game. The exact same version - 2.03 Final. I have the patch if anyone needs it; I believe it's also widely available. Soulblazer had the texture patches and had modified some of the cfg files to lower the spawn rate - we're pretty sure that those were the reason we couldn't connect to each other initially (there may also have been some router problems, but we eliminated those). After a fresh install, we connected to each other fine. Neither one of us had the noCD crack, but I'm assuming that this patch wouldn't work. Soulblazer has the ISO or something virtually loaded while his real CD is on loan or something, so I'm not sure what's going on with that; have to ask him.

It works, there is little or no lag, and it will most surely rock when we can get 3 or 4 of us in there.

[Ed Oscuro]

Hmm. Worm launcher is useless! I tapped it three times as a mutant was right in front of me to see how much damage it'd do to him (annelid mode of course) and it took three hits. I'm guessing it does much better at long range - I hope so, anyways.

Fusion cannon, eh, that stuff might work well in the mall and other levels. Certainly wouldn't be a winner in Ops or the Rec Deck's regular areas. Well, that's all obvious stuff, though.

As for graphics - I've got an Intel board (haha) on this machine and SS2 runs like a charm. No Dentonator schmetonator needed, either.

[SoulBlazer]

Indeed. After some inital teething problems, which calth was VERY kind to help me out on ( :D ) we ran around the Van Bruan for a few minutes to confirm the status of everything. The game runs better in MP then it really has a RIGHT to. LOL

I was usually a virtual copy of the CD, yes. Basicaly, the game checks for the CD first and THEN shows you the main menu -- if you can get THAT far, then you're good to go. And it seems like we all need the same version -- the basic game with the official patch, nothing else.

(What I did to lower the spawn rate in solo games was create a user.cfg file and just type in the command there and saved it. It can be found on GameFAQ's, along with a file saying how MP worked for another group of people.)

Now we just need some more players! :D

(Did I mention how I forgot how FREAKIN scary this game is? :eek 2: )

[Ed Oscuro]

I think it's more funny than scary, much of the time. I spent a minute playing matador with a protocol droid by the main elevator on Rec Deck :)

By the way, pissed me off that I lost three hours of progress today. Ouch.

[SoulBlazer]

Well, Ed, are you in for a MP game? If we can get one more person, we can have a great old time. :D

One other thing. The in game chat works fine but it may not be the best thing in the world for furious situations. If we all have microphones, we should see if we can get them working so we can talk in the game. That's the one thing calth and I did'nt test tonight.....maybe we can try it tommorow.

[Ed Oscuro]

I hate microphones :>

I'm fine with ingame chat, myself. 'sides there's very few times where you should be surprised by monsters, at least until you get to deck five and even then it's pretty rare (had a hybrid pretty much soundproofed on the other side of a card door - that was rare).

So yeah, I'm in. Of course :)

[portnoyd]

I got the image file, and it's installed. Daemon Tools couldn't do the job, so I had to rip out the SafeDisc protection. I don't know if that will affect things - it *shouldn't*. I played this with my roommate MP, and we had one CD.

I have an ATI 9800XT, and it runs great, except for locking up momentarily, and getting two error messages from my vid card. :\ I'll see what Irrational Games has to say.

I'm down, but not until Sunday. :\

dave

[calthaer]

You really do need a microphone when playing this game multiplayer, for several reasons:

a) You need to know where your friends are. Our HP isn't really going to be that higher than the enemies, so one hit from one of our comrades could kill us. I have done that before :(

b) It's impossible to get all the weapon skills, so there's a good chance that at some point one or the other of us will be running away from an enemy that we can't whack yelling "come get him come get him come get him! aaaaahh!" Needless to say, it is pretty much impossible to run and type at the same time.

The latter is really the big reason.

[Ed Oscuro]

a) You need to know where your friends are. Our HP isn't really going to be that higher than the enemies, so one hit from one of our comrades could kill us. I have done that before :(
You need me on the assault rifle, then, lol.

Alright, when is this gonna happen?

[SoulBlazer]

Indeed. You can't harm each other with physical weapons, but we CAN hurt each other with anything that shoots. :)

Well, Port said that he's available Sunday. Sundays are normaly kinda poor days for me, because I nap at night before going in to work audit, but I can try to be around.

What the four of us need to do is all get on the same chat program, like ICQ and MSN, and condinate a exact time to start. :)

[Ed Oscuro]

#vbender or should it be #ss2? http://www.digitpress.com/forum/images/smiles/js_bigsmile.gif

In any case PSI is good...I wanna be PSI...but I also like blowing stuff up! Oh my...well.

[-hellvin-]

I shall install this game tonight and patch it up...wish I had the multiplayer ready version instead of searching down a crack. Just drop me a line on AIM if possible at DeathMetalIsGod and I'll be ready to play. My MIC hasn't been used since CS so I'm not sure if it'll work. None the less, I always play as a navy operative and learn the hacking and tech skills and use small arms and melee.

[calthaer]

I just tested it with Portnoyd - his noCD crack worked fine, whichever one it is. We should all try to get it working sometime. When is a good time for everyone to do it? I'm free tonight (Sun.,) and have some flex-time Mon, Wed, Thurs, and Fri (i.e. - I have stuff to do, but can shuffle it around to another night).

We should all get and install Roger Wilco, too. It may not be the best chat prog, but I'm not sure how to set up TeamSpeak.

[portnoyd]

I used the (_DUCK_) patch on www.megagames.com. Just click PC Game Fixes, then S, then page 11 or 12, System Shock 2, then Game Fixes. You'll want what should be the last patch on the list.

It'll have three files in it, a readme, unsafedisc.exe, and the patcher. Unzip and put unsafedisc in another directory, and the other two in your SS2 directory. Run unsafedisc and choose your shock2.icd. The program will spit out the true exe file as testme.exe. Rename the current shock2.exe to shock.exe.bak, and rename testme.exe to shock2.exe. Then run the patcher. All done!

I haven't tried the patch with the Rebirth update, as I have it working with calthaer (and most likely SoulBlazer), so I'm not going to touch it until after we finish.

dave

[SoulBlazer]

Because I'm working audit tonight and tommorow, Tuesday is going to be my next free day.

I'll try to download Wilco and get that working. I've used TeamSpeak successfully but never touched the other program.

[calthaer]

I have used Teamspeak *client* successfully, too, but never the server. I've looked at some of the server things, and I'm not sure if it allows you to run the server and the client on the same machine, or what. It seems ridiculous to set up a separate machine just to be a server for the voice chat.

If we had 10-16 players, a Teamspeak server would probably be the best option. Since it's just four of us (max for SS2), I think Roger Wilco is probably the most maintenance-free method for running voice-over-IP. It's just as easy and simple to set up as the SS2 host is - one person hosts, the rest simply connect to the IP address. One key can be assigned to turn on the voice, like a walkie-talkie.

Tuesday night I'm busy; Wednesday is probably the first free day for me, then.

Who knows? After we get this one working and go through SS2, maybe we'll be able to get a group together to play all sorts of other games through co-op. I have tons of MP games I've never gone through MP coop, including Dungeon Siege, Unreal (the original), the whole Baldur's Gate / Infinity Engine set...

Or others that are multiplayer competetive, like Black & White, Freedom Force, etc. Just never tried 'em out.

[portnoyd]

You know, we have two cable modems in the house. (Wireless router was NOT working out) I can run TS off one machine, and use mine for gaming?

dave

[Gamereviewgod]

Ok, I just bought this game and figured it would be best to post here instead of a new post:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8111102239

I guess that was a good deal, but I know nothing about PC Stuff.

Problem is, I can't get the damn thing to run. I'm using Windows ME and I can get through all the options menu right up to the point were the game would start and it just goes black. I hear sound but I get nothing else. I've never played this game and all I ever hear is how damned good it is. Well, I really, really, really, want to play it.

Can anyone help me?????

[portnoyd]

First try to roll back your graphic drivers a couple versions, and see if that helps.

dave

[calthaer]

@Gamereviewgod:

You did get a good deal on that game.

Portnoyd is right - it does seem like some of the latest video drivers (probably ones that take full advantage of a lot of DirectX 9 effects and whatnot) will screw up System Shock 2 when you run it...at least, that's what we've found to be the case. I'm not sure if you have an nVidia- or an ATI-based video card, but either way you will probably want to downgrade your video drivers to play the game.

Without knowing any more specifics about what system you have, we can't really give you too mu more assistance, but if you have a Raedeon card running Windows XP you can find older drivers here:

http://www.ati.com/support/products/radeonwinxppreviousdrivers.html

and for whatever reason Nvidia's website is screwing up on this atrocious Mac computer I'm on here so I can't direct you to older Detonater drivers on their site - but I know they're there. Just make sure that your video card is supported by the driver, and try to get one that's from mid-2003. SS2 is a fairly old game (1998), and used DirectX6 at the time...that's why the problems.

[Gamereviewgod]

My PC is from 2000 and I think the latest version I have of Direct X is 7 something. I don't have a clue about video drivers or any of that stuff. I'm not a computer person......at all. Is there anyway to just cut and paste that info here?

[calthaer]

Yes, there is.

Somewhere on your computer (mine is in C:\Windows\System32 - you can just do a "search" for the file), there is a file called dxdiag.exe - find and run this file. This will create a comprehensive list of your PC's specs. There should be a button at the bottom called "Save All Information." Click that, and save the info in a text file somewhere you can find. Then open up the text file, and cut & paste the info here.

[SoulBlazer]

The only problem with 4 of us is that we're going to have a hell of a time trying to all get online to play for a few hours. :o

For example, I'm free Tuesday night. calth indicated that he will be later on in the night. I don't even know Ed's and Port's status.

Perhaps the best thing to do with be for all four of us to post out normal free time each week, see if we have a period that overlaps, and just set a fixed 'MP game time' for then.

My free days are Friday and Sat, although I can also do Tuesdays afternoon and evenings.

[Ed Oscuro]

I'll have to get stuff set up Tues. evening. I don't work the next day :P

Still have some technical problems on my end, but I'll have to see if I can't sort them out.

[qaotik]

I'm going to track down the ISO.. money is pretty tight right now. I played MP with my roommate, and we were able to save no problem, and we only had one CD (his).

I'll take the class no one wants. You'll probably have to guide me through the xeno route... it's been 4 years. :\

dave


So let me get this straight, you've finished the game 3-4 times (obviously enjoyed the game) had 4 years to buy your own copy but you didn't and now you're helping other people to get a hold of the warez version?

With any other game company I wouldn't even bother but its twats like you that helped Looking Glass go under so excuse me when I tell you to go fuck yourself.

To people like Gamereviewgod who actually buy their games I'll lend a helping hand and guide you to www.ttlg.com/forums where by reading the faqs and using the search you'll get your game running.

[portnoyd]

So let me get this straight, you've finished the game 3-4 times (obviously enjoyed the game) had 4 years to buy your own copy but you didn't and now you're helping other people to get a hold of the warez version?

With any other game company I wouldn't even bother but its twats like you that helped Looking Glass go under so excuse me when I tell you to go fuck yourself.

Awww, I'm sowwy. Here's a smiley face to make you feel all better. :fist:

But anyway, I'm free tonight, tomorrow night, and maybe friday night. Saturday and Sunday are up in the air. I can be flexible on the weekend, usually. Probably the only thing that'll displace SS2 time is sleep.

[Gamereviewgod]

Ok guys....help me out....

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/15/2004, 18:45:50
Machine name: HPPAV
Operating System: Microsoft Windows ME (4.90, Build 3000)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
Processor: Intel Pentium III, 933MHz
Memory: 382MB RAM
Page File: 147MB used, 1518MB available
DirectX Version: DirectX 7.1 (4.07.01.3000)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 4.07.01.3000

------------------
DirectX Components
------------------
ddraw.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 344064 bytes
ddraw16.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 28496 bytes
ddrawex.dll: 4.87.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 36864 bytes
ddraw.vxd: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 30469 bytes
ddhelp.exe: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 46352 bytes
dxapi.sys: 4.87.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 2416 bytes
d3dim.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 638976 bytes
d3dim700.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 688128 bytes
d3dref.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 155648 bytes
d3dramp.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 606208 bytes
d3dhalf.dll: 4.04.00.0068 English Final Retail 8/30/1996 00:42:38 110080 bytes
d3drampf.dll: 4.04.00.0068 English Final Retail 8/28/1996 03:40:38 101376 bytes
d3drgbf.dll: 4.04.00.0068 English Final Retail 8/28/1996 03:44:16 101888 bytes
d3drg8f.dll: 4.04.00.0068 English Final Retail 9/3/1996 13:45:32 201728 bytes
d3drg16f.dll: 4.04.00.0068 English Final Retail 9/3/1996 13:45:40 202240 bytes
d3drg24f.dll: 4.04.00.0068 English Final Retail 8/28/1996 04:04:38 146944 bytes
d3drg32f.dll: 4.04.00.0068 English Final Retail 8/28/1996 04:07:18 145920 bytes
d3drgbxf.dll: 4.04.00.0070 English Final Retail 11/13/1996 15:36:40 106496 bytes
d3drg8x.dll: 4.04.00.0070 English Final Retail 11/13/1996 15:39:50 206848 bytes
d3drg55x.dll: 4.04.00.0070 English Final Retail 11/13/1996 15:48:04 249344 bytes
d3drg56x.dll: 4.04.00.0070 English Final Retail 11/13/1996 15:43:58 249344 bytes
d3drg24x.dll: 4.04.00.0070 English Final Retail 11/13/1996 15:50:44 151552 bytes
d3drg32x.dll: 4.04.00.0070 English Final Retail 11/13/1996 15:53:24 150016 bytes
d3drm.dll: 4.06.02.0436 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 446464 bytes
d3dxof.dll: 4.06.02.0436 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 118784 bytes
d3dpmesh.dll: 4.06.02.0436 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 102400 bytes
d3drm8f.dll: 4.04.00.0068 English Final Retail 9/3/1996 13:45:10 450048 bytes
d3drm16f.dll: 4.04.00.0068 English Final Retail 9/3/1996 13:45:20 451072 bytes
d3drm24f.dll: 4.04.00.0068 English Final Retail 8/28/1996 03:53:36 122368 bytes
d3drm32f.dll: 4.04.00.0068 English Final Retail 8/28/1996 03:56:02 122368 bytes
dplayx.dll: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 242960 bytes
dpmodemx.dll: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 34576 bytes
dpwsockx.dll: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 64272 bytes
dplaysvr.exe: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 38160 bytes
dsound.dll: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 552720 bytes
dsound3d.dll: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 1331984 bytes
dsound.vxd: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 56259 bytes
dinput.dll: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 144656 bytes
dinput.vxd: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 10874 bytes
joyhid.vxd: 4.87.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 12107 bytes
joy.cpl: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 250128 bytes
gcdef.dll: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 255760 bytes
gchand.dll: 4.05.01.1998 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 98304 bytes
pid.dll: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 38160 bytes
gameenum.sys: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 10608 bytes
hidgame.sys: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 8912 bytes
dmusic.dll: 4.07.00.0705 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 81920 bytes
dmusic16.dll: 4.07.00.0701 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 11488 bytes
dmusic32.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 28672 bytes
dmband.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 40960 bytes
dmcompos.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 61440 bytes
dmime.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 90112 bytes
dmloader.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 36864 bytes
dmstyle.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 90112 bytes
dmsynth.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 65536 bytes
dx7vb.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 614400 bytes
dxsetup.exe: 4.04.00.0068 English Final Retail 9/13/1996 18:00:16 37888 bytes
dsetup.dll: 4.04.00.0069 English Final Retail 12/4/1996 17:32:52 24576 bytes

-------------------
DirectX Media Files
-------------------
actmovie.exe: 6.01.05.0130 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 36864 bytes
amstream.dll: 6.02.11.0608 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 74512 bytes
danim.dll: 6.01.09.0727 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 1220608 bytes
devenum.dll: 6.02.11.0608 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 54032 bytes
dxmasf.dll: 6.04.07.1121 English Final Retail 9/21/2001 14:44:32 498448 bytes
dxtmsft.dll: 6.03.2800.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 07:07:38 351232 bytes
dxtmsft3.dll: 6.01.05.0124 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 552960 bytes
dxtrans.dll: 6.03.2800.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 07:07:38 187392 bytes
lmrt.dll: 6.01.09.0727 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 425984 bytes
lmrtrend.dll: 6.01.05.0124 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 49152 bytes
mciqtz.drv: 4.00.96.0729 English Final Retail 8/17/1998 05:21:54 11776 bytes
mciqtz32.dll: 6.02.11.0608 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 46352 bytes
mpg2splt.ax: 6.02.11.0608 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 63760 bytes
mplayer2.exe: 6.04.07.1112 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 12288 bytes
msdxm.ocx: 6.04.07.1128 English Final Retail 9/24/2003 17:18:36 845072 bytes
qcap.dll: 6.02.11.0608 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 182544 bytes
qcut.dll: 6.02.11.0608 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 200464 bytes
qdv.dll: 6.02.11.0608 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 225552 bytes
qdvd.dll: 6.02.11.0608 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 360720 bytes
quartz.dll: 6.02.11.0608 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 1011984 bytes
quartz.vxd: 4.00.00.0501 English Final Retail 8/17/1998 05:21:56 5672 bytes
strmdll.dll: 4.01.00.3925 English Final Retail 4/20/2001 12:14:22 251904 bytes
unam4ie.exe: 6.04.05.0809 English Final Retail 8/9/1999 15:49:34 66048 bytes
vidx16.dll: 0.00.00.0000 English Final Retail 8/17/1998 05:21:56 10240 bytes
iac25_32.ax: 2.00.05.0052 English Final Retail 7/2/1998 18:28:04 199680 bytes
ir41_32.ax: 4.31.16.0002 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 857600 bytes
ir41_qc.dll: 4.30.62.0001 English Final Retail 12/13/2003 22:33:18 120320 bytes
ir41_qcx.dll: 4.30.64.0001 English Final Retail 12/13/2003 22:33:18 338432 bytes
ir50_32.dll: 5.1538.15.0044 English Final Retail 7/2/1998 18:28:06 739328 bytes
ir50_qc.dll: 5.00.63.0038 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 212992 bytes
ir50_qcx.dll: 5.00.64.0038 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 196608 bytes
ivfsrc.ax: 5.04.02.0040 English Final Retail 7/2/1998 18:28:08 142848 bytes
tm20dec.ax: 2.00.06.0006 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 397312 bytes
atl.dll: 3.00.8449.0000 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 07:07:38 73785 bytes
comcat.dll: 5.00.1601.0001 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 16384 bytes
msvcrt.dll: 6.01.8637.0000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 290869 bytes
oleaut32.dll: 2.40.4515.0000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 614672 bytes
olepro32.dll: 5.00.4515.0000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 164112 bytes
urlmon.dll: 6.00.2800.1400 English Final Retail 1/21/2004 16:20:40 484352 bytes
wininet.dll: 6.00.2800.1405 English Final Retail 2/6/2004 18:05:06 588288 bytes

---------------
DirectX Drivers
---------------
framebuf.dll: 4.10.00.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 24576 bytes Certified
framebuf.drv: 4.10.00.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 22192 bytes Certified
msanalog.vxd: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 12216 bytes Certified
msjstick.drv: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 2352 bytes Certified
supervga.drv: 4.00.00.0950 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 52320 bytes Certified
tsd32.dll: 1.03.03.0007 Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 32768 bytes Certified
vga.drv: 4.90.00.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 52080 bytes Certified
vjoyd.vxd: 4.07.01.3000 English Final Retail 6/8/2000 17:00:00 33873 bytes Certified

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) 82810E Graphics Controller
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type:
DAC type:
Device ID: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_7125&SUBSYS_71238086&REV_03\BUS_00&DEV_01&FUNC_00
Display Memory: 6.5 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (24 bit) (default refresh rate)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: i81xdw9x.drv
Driver Version: 4.12.01.2641 (English)
DDI Version: 7 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/8/2000 15:40:08, 53152 bytes
Driver Certified: Yes
VDD: *vdd,*vflatd
Mini VDD: i81x.vxd
Registry: OK
DDraw Test Result:
D3D Test Result:


-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Crystal WDM Audio
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2415&SUBSYS_56438086&REV_02\BUS_00&DEV_1F&FUNC_05
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: cwawdm.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.01.4026 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Certified: Yes
Date and Size: 7/27/2000 00:00:00, 58108 bytes
Other Files: cwawdm.sys
Driver Provider: Crystal Semiconductor Corporation
HW Accel Level: Full
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result:


-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\gm.dls
Version: 1.00.16.0002
Ports:
Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
DMusic MPU-401 In [300], Hardware (Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
DMusic MPU-401 Out [300], Hardware (Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
Microsoft Kernel DLS Synthesizer, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
MIDI Mapper, Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth, Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
MPU-401, Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
MPU-401, Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
Registry: OK
Music Test Result:

-------------
Input Devices
-------------
Device Name: Gravis GrIP
Driver Name: GRIP.VXD
Driver Version: 529.529.00.0529 (English)
Driver Attributes: Beta Retail
Date and Size: 5/26/1997 18:54:00, 47778 bytes

Device Name: Gravis GrIP
Driver Name: GRIP.VXD
Driver Version: 529.529.00.0529 (English)
Driver Attributes: Beta Retail
Date and Size: 5/26/1997 18:54:00, 47778 bytes

Device Name: Gravis GrIP
Driver Name: GRIP.VXD
Driver Version: 529.529.00.0529 (English)
Driver Attributes: Beta Retail
Date and Size: 5/26/1997 18:54:00, 47778 bytes

Device Name: Gravis GrIP
Driver Name: GRIP.VXD
Driver Version: 529.529.00.0529 (English)
Driver Attributes: Beta Retail
Date and Size: 5/26/1997 18:54:00, 47778 bytes

Device Name: GamePad Pro USB
Driver Name: joyhid.vxd
Driver Version: 4.87.01.3000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 6/8/2000 17:00:00, 12107 bytes

Registry: OK

-------------
Input Drivers
-------------
Registry Key: msjstick.drv<0000>
Active: Yes
DeviceID: ACPI\*PNPB02F\00000000
Matching DevID: *PNPB02F
16-bit Driver: msjstick.drv
32-bit Driver: vjoyd.vxd

Registry Key: msjstick.drv<0011>
Active: Yes
DeviceID: HID\VID_0428&PID_4001\0000USB&VID_0428&PID_4001&INST_0
Matching DevID: HID_DEVICE_SYSTEM_GAME
16-bit Driver: msjstick.drv
32-bit Driver: vjoyd.vxd


----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (4.07.01.3000)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (4.07.01.3000)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (4.07.01.3000)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (4.07.01.3000)
DirectPlay Test Result:

-------------------------
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
-------------------------
DirectPlay Voice Chat (Retrofit) - Registry: OK, File: dpvhelp.exe (4.07.01.3000)

------------------------------------
Inactive Display Entries in Registry
------------------------------------
Card name: Intel(R) 82810 Graphics Controller
Driver: i81xdw9x.drv
Card name: Intel(R) 82810 Graphics Controller
Driver: i81xdw9x.drv
Card name: Intel(R) 82810E Graphics Controller
Driver: i81xdw9x.drv

----------------------------------
Inactive Sound Entries in Registry
----------------------------------
None

[calthaer]

Well, looking through your list, it actually looks like you might need to consider UPGRADING your stuff rather than downgrading it. Looks like you haven't put any new or updated software on your machine since you got the thing in 2000.

You have a built-in Intel graphics chip, it looks like. New drivers for your Intel graphics chip are here:

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df/Product_Filter.asp?ProductID=798

You only have DirectX 7.1 - you will probably want to upgrade to 9. That, along with a lot of other upgrades for Windows ME, you can probably find at:

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

There are probably a fair number of security updates and other stuff for your machine that you will need, too - hope you have a high-speed connection.

Those are my first suggestions. Try them and do tell how well they work.

[SoulBlazer]

Well, it looks like three of us could do either Friday night or Sat afternoon or night -- if Ed posts his free times, we'll see if we can set a apoinment.

[Ed Oscuro]

Hmm...I'll be in Chicajo Friday; I'll be working Saturday but not during the night. I have Wednesday (tomorrow, or maybe today by the time you read this) off, as well.

[Gamereviewgod]

Ok, did everything you said. I had almost all of the Windows updates, downloaded the Intel stuff, and got Direct X 9. I now get this message:

"Direct 3D device does not accurately report texture memory usage."

The it says to update the drivers. Didn't I do that by downloading the Intel file thingy???? :hmm:

[calthaer]

OK, now we're getting somewhere. This is the same error I was getting with my GeForce3 Ti200 card when I tried to run it.

Did you get the latest drivers? You probably need an earlier version of the drivers - which ones did you download? Try to get ones that are not the latest, but from early to mid 2003, if you can. I would download several drivers, install each of them in turn, and see if one of them works - i.e., one earlier one, one later one.

[Gamereviewgod]

They only offer one version lower, 6.6 down from 6.7. I get the same problem. If you have have anything else, go ahead. I greatly appreciate this calthaer, but I think this proves why I hate computers. LOL

[Gamereviewgod]

Never mind....I got it! The readme file had a line that I had to put into some comfig file. It works and I just started it. Maybe I'll be able to join you guys one of these days after I get deep into it.

[calthaer]

10 pm tonight - EST; we have three, a fourth can join if they are able.

Ed, you were having trouble connecting multiplayer, right?

[portnoyd]

My apologies about last night. I was planning on meeting my friend at Barnes & Nobles just to hang out for a bit, but since he had a clanmatch, I stayed home, and decided to lay in bed for a while and watch TV.

Next thing I know it's almost 2 am. @_@ This first week of work took a lot out of me I guess. Sorry guys. :\

dave

[SoulBlazer]

Well, no worries -- we're going to try again tonight. I should be here most of the night. :)

[Ed Oscuro]

We gotta do this again.

:D

[SoulBlazer]

That WAS a fun time. :D

I was happy to see that once we got the bugs worked out and actually got to the VB the game was very stable and the loading time was quite quick. I can see supplies are going to be hard to come by the rest of the game, but we should be allright.

I doubt I can play Monday, but my normal best times for games are Tuesday night, all day Friday and Sat, and Sun afternoon.

I'll try to get a adapater for my microphone also.

[portnoyd]

Tuesday night should be good for me. It was a good time, and ammo is amazingly abundant when you conserve it. ;)

I thought I took screencaps with print screen... guess not or I'd post em here. :o

dave

[calthaer]

Next time we can try to take screenshots and then ALT+Tab out and put them into another program. PrintScrn should do it - that's screen capture in Windows - IF the program has that key reserved for it. Might need to modify the .exe's settings to make sure that the key is reserved for Windows' use.

That was a great time. The game is nowhere near as scary when we were all joking around, so I wouldn't recommend it for a first-time play experience with the game (would ruin some of the ambience), but it was definitely cool. It's still great fun, though - playing through a classic with other people. I wish I did more of it with MAME or Snes9x or with other PC games.

Resources are somewhat scarce, but nowhere near as bad as they could be. With four people, we can *really* specialize with our skills. Having a Hack of 4 probably allows Soulblazer to get through security with a lot fewer nanites than it would take if he couldn't get that many. Once we get our skills up there and once we get our weapons upgraded, we'll probably be able to take out the bad guys with a lot fewer shots. It's really nice being able to have Projected Pyrokinesis while we're still only on the Engineering level :angry:

We can also run around MedSci looking for hybrids to whack with wrenches - this would probably be a good way to pick up some spare nanites. Even the sodas could be turned into nanites once we get the Recyclotron (at which point I'll have to relenquish my plants and cease being the Woodsie Lord).

A third thing we can do is try to let Soulblazer's turrets take care of more of the bad guys. Those don't cost us anything to use. I don't think there are too many turrets on the Hydroponics level, though. Well there's that one section with a whole lot of them, but.

The fourth thing: we need to make sure we pillage all of the pods for the red slimy things. I have an anti-toxin psi as well as that enviro-suit, so I should be able to get close without too much trouble.

Tuesday night is good for me as well, at least for this week. The weekends are mostly free, too. Hopefully tomorrow we will create much dischord :evil:

[Ed Oscuro]

Man, it's sorta crazy not having to shoot stuff on walls to lower poly count any more ;D (well, my older PCs played at good, if slower, framerates; slow loading mostly).

Anyhow, think about picking up coffee cups and cigs, as those can be recyled too. Mostly the coffee cups. It's just one nanite a pop, but it's better than nothing.

If you find soda or chips, make sure the PSI guys (well, isn't that just Calthaer mostly?) get some. Us leathernecks can drink anything from soda to whiskey, and possibly even lighter fluid, but the PSI guys have more delicate sensibilities :P

Also have to wonder about what the hell was going on that people were tossing/stashing cyber modules and nanites in waste bins. :P

I'm wondering if it would be a good idea for Calthaer to get ahold of that item-finding power. I know where all sorts of crazy stuff is up high and down low, but that was playing on "Impossible." I guess there might be less at lower difficulty levels.

Also a thought - breaks - if somebody has to take a break it might be a good idea to pause the game instead of guarding their inert body. They could tell us when they're back with a voice chat message, or we could just hold the game for 1 minute at a time if they aren't heard.

Can't wait to get to the Love Sim Units - there's some NICE goodies in one of the rooms. We shouldn't waste any nanites going to see the dude...yeah, that dude. You know, the chain smoker. (Now you know why Malick hacked the sim units - nefarious reasons.) LOL

[SoulBlazer]

I don't think I'll have a chance to pick up a adapater for my mike before tommorow, but I can defentily play.

What time will work for you people? I should be home from a date by 8, maybe 9 at the latest, and can last till about 1 or so.

[calthaer]

I could be ready even as soon as 7:30p EST.

Which one is the item-finding ability? I've never really played a Psi before; I'll have to look into that. Psi was always too weak against the bots for me to really consider them a viable solo character.

[portnoyd]

I'm good for 7:30pm est. And I have those blobbies researched, so get em while they're hot. Btw, I have so much shottie ammo. Jesus.

dave

[SoulBlazer]

The date was changed to Friday, so I can be on a little eariler also.

Now I just hope Ed can make it. :)

[Ed Oscuro]

I was all set to do it tomorrow. Get your shit together! =P

[SoulBlazer]

No, NO, Ed, I ment MY DATE, as in, ya know, with a woman? :D

As far as I know, all four of should be able to play again tonight at 7:30 PM.

Looking forward to it. I'll see if I can get my mic working.

[calthaer]

Werd up. I'm down with it. I've been researching a bunch of the psi stuff I can get...I have a feeling I might have quite a few cyber-modules available once I purchase the (quite expensive) fourth, fifth, and sixth tiers of Psi. Maybe I should pick up Repair along with the Psi to Cyber stat increase psi ability so that Soulblazer can focus on energy. Once he gets the EMP rifle we'll be able to take out those annoying cyber-nannies in one shot (on the Overloaded level, at least). We'll need to get Maintain up there, too, pretty soon...

I want to upgrade my psi stat, too, so that I can really put a hurtin' on the fleshies we come across. So many endless possibilities! And the fusion rifle - oh the bliss that will be ours once the fusion rifle comes into play!

[SoulBlazer]

Whoa, what happened here? @_@

[portnoyd]

There is an arrow somewhere. Delete it.