Can't go online....

[DC_Tox]

Ok, I've tried my best without success, so here I am asking for help.

1- registered my user/pwd on EA site
2- started Porsche.exe (version 3.0) and went to internet game
3- program says I must update, clicked OK
4- back to desktop, no Porsche in task manager, wait for hours and nothing happens...:'(

I also tried steps 2,3,4 after patching the game with Version 3.5 and had the same result (says I must update then exits and nothing happens).

Finally I ran NCOPS but nobody joined my race and no race was open (actually 1 was, for about 1 minute, but I couldn't join it from PU, maybe it was just a NCOPS test without a real race?).

Suggestions?

Thanks,
Corrado

[AccadaccA]

To the best of my understanding the E.A server is down and has been for many hours.

I do not play PU so I'm sorry I can't be of more help. Somebody with PU online experience will be along shortly to steer you right.

[@Unicorn]

Server's are working again so you might as well give it another try....if the patcher still fails to initialize after about 10 min's or so it's clear the patcher doesn't apply to your current system/connection, it's a well known problem for some but a possible reason could be a ('port-blocking') firewall (not saying that it is but as a "could be" ! :D )

This link will (always) show the ("current") PU-servers "up" or "down" status :
PU server status (http://www.earacing.com/PU_ServerStatus.phtml) (better bookmark ;) )

[jtace]

just trying to clarify... you did eventually get the autopatcher to work right? that's how you got to version 3.5? I'm not 100% sure the downloadable version of 3.5 will work online, anyone know for sure?

[DC_Tox]

Some answer:

1. I'm not under a firewall, so there should be no "port-blocking"

2. I'm using the downloaded (from nfs2000.de ) version 3.5 Patch because I couldn't upgrade from PU, but also that is not accepted and PU tells me to upgrade (if I skip this it won't let me enter)

3. I've checked now and the servers are up with 33 players that are having fun while I'm here fighting with PU and getting no download... :(

I guess that maybe the autopatcher could be installed wrong or not installed at all :confused: I'll try to re-install it from the PU CD

Corrado

[NewWheel]

I am pretty sure that EA autopatcher works.

I also believe that in your situation uninstall and reinstall game (full install) and game patcher is the best option.

But BEFORE that, make backup of your whole SAVEDATA folder to at least one safe place !!! Doing so you will not loose your owned cars, their modifications, game settings, etc.

After reinstaling game temporary create same persona as you have now, goto 'multiplayer/internet games' and try as many times as needed to succesfully patch game to version 3.5.

After sucessfuly patching game simply replace whole contents of the SAVEDATA folder with previously saved SaveData backup.

Hope this helps a bit, and ... welcome to the best internet game community in the world! -^
NW

[jtace]

Yes, good suggestion, I'd copy your savedata and then try a fresh install from the CD.

[DC_Tox]

Thanks, I'll try the fresh install way, although I'm not convinced it can do any difference:

1. When I tried the connection the first time I had version 3.0 original and it didn't work. Since I never patched the game with strange things, it was just like a fresh install, wasn't it?

2. I've made a back-up of original files (version 3.0) of the game, restored them to remove the dowloaded 3.5 patch and now all the files in NFS directory have the original dates/times, so this should be again like a fresh install.

Anyway, since we're used to illogical situations in the software world, at least since MS created MS Windows :) , I'll go for a fresh install again.

:)
Corrado

[NewWheel]

I had tried and tested PU game including 3.5 upgrade, on plenty of very different PC configurations. Never had single problem with updating.

The game can be installed everywhere, in any folder on any hard disk drive. However, i always did full game installation AND left game updater to install on its default (suggested) location 'C:\\Program Files\\EACom' if i remember well.


Could this be the cause of your problem?

Good luck Corrado, i am sure you will find and eliminate source of trouble, but if not, here is the right place to find further help.

And, if anything else fails, you can find my e-mail address with a click on the 'profile' button below my posts. I am willing to help further with details, which could possibly be beyond interest of majority board members. After solving problem we could post here the cause and solution of it.

NW

[Jone]

Originally posted by Corrado
2. I'm using the downloaded (from nfs2000.de ) version 3.5 Patch because I couldn't upgrade from PU, but also that is not accepted and PU tells me to upgrade (if I skip this it won't let me enter)


Is this a complete V3.5 patch or a NOCD crack for an allready patched v3.5? The upgrade to v3.5 should contain several files that goes into different directories. Does you version.txt say 3.5?

You could try the patch from here:

http://ncops.racerplanet.com/?section=downloads

Or download the Myth crack (it is complete), if you wan't to keep you CD in it's case :)

http://www.megagames.com/cracks/html/c32835_0.htm

From what I understand you can not possibly have patched it right.
You may have to set "castanet=0" two places in fe.txt

Jone.

[DC_Tox]

The miracle happened :)

Immediately after posting my last message yesterday, before re-installing the game I made another try and... guess what? It started the download and the game patched itself!!!

Well, after 3 trials to be honest :( , but that was my ISP's fault because yesterday the line was falling continuously...

Maybe the previous days the "EA update server" wasn't running (it's possible that this is different from the game servers...isn't it?)

I've seen that it downloaded many files (not just porsche.exe and version.txt, like the downloaded 3.5 patch did before), so that's maybe why the previous patch wasn't accepted. Anyway, the previously downloaded patch was a NOCD one (the EXE was 2MB and the ICD wasn't included) while this from EA Update goes back asking me to insert the CD when the game starts. Maybe the EA Update checks the existence of a updated ICD file, who knows?

Thanks again for the info, now you'll see me on the virtual streets of EA online :cool:

Corrado aka "Tox"

[jtace]

Glad to hear it worked!!

:beer: