After buying my new computer that came with Vista installed, and adding my subscription McAfee Antivirus/Firewall combo, I found that I could not connect to a game from the Main Lobby. The problem lies with Vista and the Firewall blocking certain ports, and not having the ability to open them.
For those of you that do not wish to un-install your AV/FW combo, the following work-around will solve your problem.
The solution is to partition your hard drive, and install Windows XP onto that partition. This allows you to run Allegiance along with your AV/FW combo.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ THE NEXT SENTENCE!!!
This solution requires that you possess a Windows XP disk and valid key, on top of your Vista installation and key. If you do NOT have an XP disk & key, DO NOT attempt this!
For those with Vista already installed, complete the following tasks IN ORDER (all files to download are on my server, have been verified, and are malware-free):
1. Prepare your Windows Vista Restore Disk. For those of you that have a Windows Vista DVD, skip to Step 2.
For those that do not (example, your computer is like mine as it came shipped with Vista installed and no DVD was given) you need to perform the following subtasks:
a. Download ImgBurn. This program will burn ISO files to a DVD.
b. Download the Vista Recovery Disk ISO.
c. Using ImgBurn, create a Windows Vista Recovery Disk.
2. Create a partition on the hard drive containing Windows Vista.
a. While logged into Vista, go to Control Panel. Double-click Administrative Tools.
b. Double-click Computer Management.
c. In the tree to the left, click Disk Management. Depending on your HD size(s), it may take awhile to compile the information.
d. BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOW. In the list on top, click on your C: drive. In the bottom list, it will appear highlighted.
e. Right-click on your C: drive, then select Shrink Volume. The system will check for available space on the HD.
f. In the highlighted text box (Enter the amount of space to shrink in MB), type in 20000. That equates to 20GB. If you feel you need less, for example 10GB, enter 10000. Double check the amount you enter as you may take up too much of your Vista Partition.
g. Click Shrink. The system will now reduce the space that your Vista partition uses, and create free-space on your hard drive. Do not create a drive at this time.
3. Install Windows XP into the free space on your hard drive.
a. Put your XP disk into your CD ROM. Cancel any prompts given.
b. Restart your computer. If your computer's boot order is not CD ROM first, change the Boot order in your bios. While it is booting up, hit whatever key your bios needs to enter the bios menu.
c. Change your boot drive order to CD ROM first. Save and exit.
d. Install Windows XP as normal. Make sure you install XP into the free space you created.
e. After the first stage of XP's install completes, it will restart. 99% of the time, you will get an boot loader error after the restart. Do not worry, this is what you made a Vista Recovery disk for.
f. Put your Vista Recovery Disk into your CD ROM and restart. When the Vista Recovery Menu appears, select Restore your computer.
g. Select the appropriate operating system (Vista) from the following list and continue.
h. In the next menu, select Start-up Repair. Allow the utility to complete.
i. After the repair is finished, restart. You will boot into Vista.
4. Download and install EasyBCD, a free dual-boot software.
a. Download EasyBCD and install.
b. Launch the app and go to Add/Remove Entries.
c. Under “Add an Entry” and under the Windows tab and select in the Version drop-down list “Windows NT/2k/XP/2k3”.
d. Change the Drive to E:\ (or whatever drive that XP installed itself into) and the name to “Windows XP”, then click “Add Entry” and “Save”.
e. Restart your system.
At this point, go back into your bios and return your boot order to the normal setting (which is hard disk first, then CD ROM). After saving and restarting, you will now see a Dual-Boot menu in which you can choose Vista or XP. If you wait too long, it will automatically choose Vista and boot into that operating system.
We want XP. Once in XP, you will then have to download your normal Windows Updates, to include NetFramework. Install whatever AV/FW combo you wish.
Download your Allegiance Setup and enjoy!
If you have any questions, please post them here.
Failed to Connect? - SOLUTION: Problems with Vista and a AV w/Firewall
Last edited by Newtype on Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Until they all come home." - Support The Troops
Ogo's counter solution:
Step 1:
Download NOD32, Avast (the one w/o bundled firewall) or obtain any other non-bundled AV.
Step 1a (for those who are not behind router):
Download or obtain in some other way stand-alone software firewall.
Step 1b (for those who are behind router):
Make sure your router's firewall is up and running without any unnecessary openings (numerous tutorials for your router make and model are available on the net). Make sure pings from outside are blocked.
Step 2:
Disconnect from internet and uninstall Norton, McAfee or other crappy, overpriced piece of software designed specially to significantly reduce your system's performace.
Step 2a:
Gape in awe at your system's newly gained lightning-like speed after you reboot.
Step 3:
Install the previously donwloaded/obtained in other way protection software.
Step 4:
Play Allegiance.
That way you don't have to waste HDD space purchase or dig out from the closet older OS, your comp gains in performance AND you can play Allegiance!
Step 1:
Download NOD32, Avast (the one w/o bundled firewall) or obtain any other non-bundled AV.
Step 1a (for those who are not behind router):
Download or obtain in some other way stand-alone software firewall.
Step 1b (for those who are behind router):
Make sure your router's firewall is up and running without any unnecessary openings (numerous tutorials for your router make and model are available on the net). Make sure pings from outside are blocked.
Step 2:
Disconnect from internet and uninstall Norton, McAfee or other crappy, overpriced piece of software designed specially to significantly reduce your system's performace.
Step 2a:
Gape in awe at your system's newly gained lightning-like speed after you reboot.
Step 3:
Install the previously donwloaded/obtained in other way protection software.
Step 4:
Play Allegiance.
That way you don't have to waste HDD space purchase or dig out from the closet older OS, your comp gains in performance AND you can play Allegiance!
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Grimmwolf_GB
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Grimmwolf_GB
- Posts: 3711
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2003 7:00 am
- Location: Germany
- Contact:
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Grimmwolf_GB
- Posts: 3711
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Dark_Sponge
- Posts: 386
- Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:43 am
Wow, dual boot....Yawn
Not really a solution at all.
Ogo is right.
About the only decent thing made by norton anymore is systemworks (which works fine with Alleg). Everything else is horrible.
Norton 360 is beyond horrible.
Not really a solution at all.
Ogo is right.
About the only decent thing made by norton anymore is systemworks (which works fine with Alleg). Everything else is horrible.
Norton 360 is beyond horrible.
Last edited by Dark_Sponge on Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
