Downloading and Installing

The usual Errant Venture file host seems to be down right now. To download the EV go to http://www.majesticsites.net/xvtworld and use the download section there. The site is also well worth checking for news of other star wars space combat games or mods!

When the download completes open and extract the files (It is a zip file!) to a known location on your computer. Now you are almost ready to begin!

Make sure you are connected to the net and open the new file, now click on redist (the only file you will see at this point) and then on 'sample'. It will ask you if you want to run the file, obviously you do so click yes. If you have done everything so far you should be greeted with a picture of a Star Destroyer. Now click the image and another screen will open, click connect to be met with another screen. THIS IS THE ONLY TIME YOU WILL NEED TO ENTER ANY TEXT!!

Fill in the user name you wish to be known by and a password, then click login. If successful it will tell you that your user name etc has been added to the server.

You have now entered the Variant! Say hello to everyone, play a game or two and relax knowing that you have successfully completed the first steps to becoming a truly great pilot.

Problems Running the EV

Occasionally there are problems, usually cause by firewall or router problems. I have included two articles here, both of which were taken from the TRA (The Rebel Alliance) website's knowledge base. To see the articles in their original context click this knowledge base link.

Article one:

1. Before you begin make sure the following Windows components are installed:
   • Microsoft .net Framework 1.1 and all service packs (all windows versions)
   • Direct X 9.0c or later (all windows versions)
   • Service pack 2 for XP
   • Service pack 4 for 2000
2. Download and extract the redist package from here or the EV Comlink. (Click on the blue colored version number to download it.)
3. If you have a Router:
   • open the following ports: tcp/udp1001, 2403-2404<-Ev Required
   • udp only: 2300-2400, 47624 and 6073<- For Direct play If your router doesn't allow port forwarding you can set the DMZ option.see your router manual on how to do this.

Your hardware is now set up for playing.
If you don't have Windows XP and service pack 2 skip to the next part.

In windows security center add the following to your exception list THESE MUST BE ADDED EVEN IF YOUR NOT USING WINDOWS FIREWALL!

1. Sample.EXE

   When you host a game room you will have to add it again as sample needs server rights. Security center will keep blocking until you tell it to unblock. A pop up window will occur to notify you of this. If you cant host this may be the reason.

2. Microsoft direct play helper-required to host a xvt game.
3. Z_xvt_ .exe (do this when you first launch the game. You will have to alt-tab out or ctrl alt delete to see the messages)

If your running zone alarm:

1. Sample.exe must be allowed to the internet with server rights if you want to host. (Note: this may apply to your firewall program as well.)
2. Microsoft direct play - zonealarm may already know this but if it doesn't add it to the allowed program list.
3. Z_XVT_.exe- XVT program.

You're almost ready to play!

Launch the Sample.exe program.

1. a drop down window will appear with the main server in the box. Connect there first.
2. Should you fail there connect to the next one and so on. If you have a favorite server type the address in this box.
3. Complete the registration process and your ready to go!

NOTE: For Each server you want to play on you may have to re-register until VR 11 is released

Article 2:

Many people with a broadband connection (cable, DSL) will be using a router, or a modem with routing capabilities. These devices require some configuration before you will be able to play any internet-based game, including multiplayer XvT. Configuration details will vary from one type of router to another; see the documentation that came with the device and/or visit the manufacturer's website for more specific information.

There are two main ways to configure a router:

1. DMZ mode. This is the most commonly used configuration BUT it should be considered a last resort. If you configure your router so that your PC is "in the DMZ" you are putting your computer out on the internet in a completely exposed state, with no protection from hackers, spyware, viri or Trojans / worms. Don't do it unless there is no alternative, and if you must use this, do so only for as long as you are gaming, then change your config back to something much more secure.

   To use DMZ mode, you will define a "default DMZ server" or other words to that effect. This will be the IP address of the PC on which you are gaming. You may also need to provide the IP addresses of at least one DNS server, which your ISP can provide. Both your own IP and that of a DNS server can be found by doing the following in Windows:

   • Click START, then RUN
   • Type "cmd" (without the "") and click OK
   • At the resulting command prompt, type "ipconfig" (without the "") Your info will be displayed.

2. Port Forwarding mode. This is a much safer way to enjoy internet gaming, and requires only a little more effort to configure. In order for the router to protect your PC, it needs to intercept all traffic coming in from the internet and allow only that which is safe / which you have specified you want to receive. It can also allow you to have more than one PC using the same broadband connection. Each program or game uses specific "ports" to send & receive its own traffic. You need to tell the router to allow your XvT and EV traffic and forward it to/from your gaming PC. The following ports (and port ranges) are needed for playing XvT on the EV:

   • 1001
   • 2300 - 2400
   • 2403 - 2404
   • 6073
   • 47624
   • 2020 - required to run an EV server)

   All of these (mentioned in various parts of the EV client Readme file) should be enabled for both TCP and UDP. Again, see your router's documentation for exactly how to do this.

   For the security conscious, you should use one router configuration for gaming (with the above ports forwarded) and one for the rest of the time (with port forwarding disabled).

Online play and updates

To play a game on the Errant Venture you must ensure that your game is up to date with the latest patches from Lucasarts. Links to the sites for both XWA (X-Wing Alliance) and XvT (X-Wing Vs Tie-Fighter) are available on the links page. Also available are the links to download the ship patch update for XvT (allowing you to fly new craft, online and solo), plus a link for instructions to edit your ship list in XWA!!

While you may be quite happy playing against your friends, you may notice people in the Venture with strange initials! Don't be afraid! They are members of a clan and may be engaged in a tournament against some of the other clans playing both XvT and XWA. If the idea of joining one of these groups appeals to you then feel free to talk to one of them in the Errants main chat room, or using the Errants own personal messaging service. Alternatively, you can use this site's club links pages to look at each clubs allegiance (either Imperial, Rebel or Neutral), it's home page and the games played by that clan.

 

 

VISTA

There have been problems getting XvT and EV to run with Vista. This is another extract from the TRA knowledge base, makes no sense to me as I use XP, so hopefully someone will know what it means!

Here is the installation procedure for XvT on Vista 64-Bit operating systems:

1. Install and patch XvT on another computer with a 32-bit operating system.
2. Copy the installed files over.
3. Export the registry entries.
4. Import the registry entries.


In order for EV to work with Vista, simply do the following:
Right click on the EV icon, and "Run as Administrator".

Have fun and Good luck.