I need some help from old school gamers

[nukethewhales]

Hello, i have been trying to play "Simcity Network Edition" over a LAN with my friend. Of course this wouldn't be possible unless i ran it on a windows 98 computer. (i tryied 7 and XP's compatability modes and failed, even ran it in 256 color)

So, here is what i did. I created a virtual machine on each comp (my comp and my buddys comp) useing VMware Workstation Version 7.1.3 build-324285. I installed windows 98se on each, and installed Simcity NE. (Before you ask, all the drivers are working properly and i have VMtools installed)

after hours of messing with the network settings both within the virtual machine, within the VM workstation, and within windows 7, no luck.

I have tryed so many things to get this to work it would take too long to type it out, so if you suggest something, i will let you know if i tryed it.

The only problem i can think of is that perhaps the Virtual machine must have a router to connect to the network, because technically it would be four comps connecting to each other, and all we have is a Cat5E connecting our two computers.

(BTW, i am posting this on all the gameing fourums i take part in)

A few random specs from my comp (don't know my friends):

MS Windows 7 home premium 64-bit
Pentium Duel-Core CPU T4500 @ 2.30GHz, 3.0GB RAM

Our virtaul machines are the basic Windows 98 se build.

Thank you if you at least took the time to read all this XD
Thanks much for your help.
(Also The Elder Scrolls IIaggerfall lags a bit :3 )

 

[Raikov]

If you haven't already, try to run both the program setup.exe file (the install .exe), and the program start .exe file in compatibility mode, just to see if it works.

If you get that far, get Hamachi for the network part. And you really should get some kind of hub between the comps, or at least use a twisted network cable.

EDIT: don't forget to limit the program to use just one of your processor's cores when using old programs. Just right-click the process in the Task Manager and click the 'set affinity' button.

 

[BENZOOKA]

Well, as far as I know, you have the wrong cable. (Please not that my terms might be slightly wrong here, because it would take me a long time to find, possibly needless, translations):

Cat5 (or Cat5e, Cat6, it doesn't matter) are straight-connected. If you're going to connect two computers straight to each other, you need a cross-connected cable; a zero cable (a zero modem cable), to make it work. After that, on CMD, look up the ip:s with ipconfig, and ping, to see if the connection works. If it doesn't, there's probably a firewall in the way.

Having virtual OS:s might complicate this a bit, but otherwise new hardware should still support this. I agree with Raikov. Try to get it work with just compatibility settings, and then use Hamachi (often simpler and quicker) to create a virtual LAN, even if it could be done physically as well.

 

[DigitalAtlas]

Fact: I was hoping this was going to be about old-school consoles.

 

[nukethewhales]

Fact:
DOS = 1981
NES = 1984

 

[nukethewhales]

i tryed to do the compatablitiy mode in XP and in 7, i first tryed 95, the 98. i also used the installer in compatability mode keeping it constant throghout. But i have not tryed Hamachi, i heard it can lead to hacker issues, but we won't be connected to the internet i guess. Thank you, ill give it a try. Also i think i miss spoke about the Cat5E XD ping does work, and firewalls were completely turned off. i guess hamachi is my last hope unless i want a duel OS. Thanx

 

[nukethewhales]

The only thing you said that i have not tryed yet was the processor thing. I think it says in the VMworkstation that the OS has only one processor accessing it, but i will see. (And i think i misspoke about the Cat5E XD)
Another person also suggested hamachi as well so i will try that too.
Thanx a bunch.

 

[Tsaba]

As far as running the program, I am sure there is some software some where out there on the internet, that could be used to run old school programs.

As far as linking up computers, if your having some issues connecting to two computers you will need a router that isn't hooked up to a modem.

EDIT: as far as software, I know there is a program for linux called "wine" you could look into it and then branch out from there.

 

[Aur0ra145]

Try Tunngle as well before just giving up after hamachi. I've found that lots of games will run rather well with Tunngle when they don't even function with hamachi.

link: http://www.tunngle.net/

 

[oplinger]

Well, as far as I know, you have the wrong cable. (Please not that my terms might be slightly wrong here, because it would take me a long time to find, possibly needless, translations):

Cat5 (or Cat5e, Cat6, it doesn't matter) are straight-connected. If you're going to connect two computers straight to each other, you need a cross-connected cable; a zero cable (a zero modem cable), to make it work. After that, on CMD, look up the ip:s with ipconfig, and ping, to see if the connection works. If it doesn't, there's probably a firewall in the way.

Having virtual OS:s might complicate this a bit, but otherwise new hardware should still support this. I agree with Raikov. Try to get it work with just compatibility settings, and then use Hamachi (often simpler and quicker) to create a virtual LAN, even if it could be done physically as well.

Cross-overs are handled by NICs now. Not cables.

OT: As far as I know SimCity 2000 is the only one with a Network Edition. So, back in 1996, it may be too old to run through a network. possibly the network interfaces and protocols are no longer supported under windows.

For example, Simcity 2000 Network Edition uses IPX as a protocol. IPX is no longer supported under windows, and only gets support through Novell. You would need to talk to Novell to even USE IPX under windows 7.

However, Simcity 2000 Network Edition does use TCP I believe, So look for a setting to use TCP instead of IPX.

Tunngle or Hamachi cannot help you with IPX, as neither suppoort it either.

 

[BENZOOKA]

Cross-overs are handled by NICs now. Not cables.

I had a slight hunch about that, since it's been such a long time...

Cheers for the correction.