I amtrying to set up my first PBEM game but am having some problems. My apologies to more senior players who must have heard this a hundred times before but I would really appreciate some advice.
My opponent (Herr Oberst) and I have made sure we are both using the same game patched with the same update (Sicily '43, patched to v1.06 from HPS website).
I chose the scenario and completed my first turn then pressed the 'Nest Turn' button and sent the PBEM file to my opponent with a covering email listing the optional rules which were active.
However, the file will not open on his machine.
He has tried creating the game himnself and sending it to me but this will not open correctly on my machine.
When I choose to view the 'Replay' I get the message "Error reading from replay file" and then a map completely blacked out except for one hex in the top left corner or, if I try it again the same error message but a map appears corresponding to the scenario but with no units on it and it won't scroll.
Any suggestions?
Thank you very much to anyone who takes the time to help me out,
Andy
This is almost always due to the players being on different versions of the game. If either of you are on Vista, it is easy to have the patches be applied in the wrong spot and the game isn't updated, even though you might think it is. No idea if this is the problem in your case, but with the game running, open the About dialogue - on the far right (I am at work so I don't have specifics) and that will give the version of the game you are running. You both should check this and make sure it matches.
Another possible problem, but it shouldn't be a problem for both of you, is that you are running an add-on scenario rather than one that came iwth the game. If so, make sure you both have the identical download for the alternate scenario.
If that doesn't work, I will give you my email to send to and you and I can try to get a game running to rule that side of things out, then we can work with your opponent.
Rick
(07-07-2010, 12:23 AM)Ricky B Wrote: [ -> ]This is almost always due to the players being on different versions of the game. If either of you are on Vista, it is easy to have the patches be applied in the wrong spot and the game isn't updated, even though you might think it is. No idea if this is the problem in your case, but with the game running, open the About dialogue - on the far right (I am at work so I don't have specifics) and that will give the version of the game you are running. You both should check this and make sure it matches.
Another possible problem, but it shouldn't be a problem for both of you, is that you are running an add-on scenario rather than one that came iwth the game. If so, make sure you both have the identical download for the alternate scenario.
If that doesn't work, I will give you my email to send to and you and I can try to get a game running to rule that side of things out, then we can work with your opponent.
Rick
Rick,
Thank you very much for the advice.
I did notice that when my opponent sent me the scenario it did end in '..._Alt' which my version of the game does not have. I assume that this goes to your second point about add-ons and may explain why his scenario won't work on my computer.
The file I sent however was just a regular scenario which came with the game (I haven't added any extra scenarios at all) so I assume that for this not to work on my opponent's computer is more likely due to us running different versions? I am running XP and have already checked the 'About' tab under 'Help' which states I am running v1.06 (copyright 2008).
Thanks again,
Andy
But if your opponent has a modded file (OOB, MAP or SCN) in there, the file won't load.
(07-07-2010, 02:14 AM)cazart! Wrote: [ -> ]But if your opponent has a modded file (OOB, MAP or SCN) in there, the file won't load.
One more possiblity, and I doubt this is it but I'll mention it anyway.
The BTE file has to be in the game folder.
Oh - and I alway recommend zipping the file before sending it. You don't have to some some email programs just put text files in teh email message and you are forces to extract the real BTE for the text of the message. It is always a good idea to ZIP before you send.
Glenn
To expand on what cazart! said, your opponent is running the Volcano Man _alt version which is not compatible with the stock versions of the scenario that came with the game titles. You can always recognize the VM modified scenarios with _alt added to the name as you mentioned.
If you want to play the modded version you need to set up an account at volcanomods.com and download them from there.
Dog Soldier
Thank you to all above who have offered their advice. It is very much appreciated.
Unfortunately we are still having problems.
My opponent started the scenario off this time on his computer using the standard version of the scenario and emailed it to me. This file opened on my computer and I completed my first turn and returned it but now the file won't open on my opponent's computer.
I still have not downloaded the Volcano Man mods at this stage. Could this cause a problem even though we are not using one of his scenarios?
Or am I doing something wrong when sending my file back?
I just play my turn as normal, then press the 'Next Turn' button which produces a message telling me the file is ready to send. I then start a new email to my opponent and find the PBEM .bte file and attach it to the email.
Concerning what Glenn mentioned about always zipping the file before sending; I have noticed that the file seems to automatically ZIP when I attach it to an email so I have not 'manually' zipped it myself.
Thanks again,
Andy
The fact that you can open your opponent turn, but he can't open yours, is a strong indicator that he does not have the latest patches for his game. Again, have him check the version he is running - if it is the latest and matches yours, then it is something else, but it sure sounds like his patches have not been applied, which is common with Vista, as mentioned above.
Rick
The best way to make sure you guys have correct versions is checking under menu "help/about" AFTER installing patches. Both should be the same and then there should be no errors. Good luck!
ps: the other posibility that comes to mind is that you are running a 3rd party scn and/or mod (as mentioned before), both should have it installed in his respective computer then.
Thank you to all who have written in to help me out.
It turns out it was an issue with us using different patches.
I am new to the forum (still in boot camp until I finish one of the games I've got on the go!) and really impressed with how you all pitch in to help out and make me feel welcome.
Thanks again,
Andy