TCP/IP Connection

How To Play FB Pro98 Via TCP/IP

It is possible to play this game WITHOUT having to deal with WON.NET (aka. SIGS) It's a very simple process.

Here's what you do: (of course you are already connected to the net)

1. The Non Hosting Team needs to know the IP address of the Hosting team. There are a couple of ways to find this. If you use Windows 98 or ME then you can go to start -> run ->winipcfg. If you use Windows XP, then you can 1)just go down to your connection icon down in the lower right hand corner and double click on it and go to details. From there, go to details and the ip address is listed as the "Client IP Address." This is useful if you have a dialup or a DSL account where you have to login before connecting. 2) You can go to start -> run -> ipconfig. This will bring up a DOS Shell window with your ip address.
2. Both teams need to have the correct GAMExxyy.IN file loaded in the FBPRO98 directory. For an example, let's say  it was GAME1111.IN
3. Start the game up. 4. Click on the Online/Remote Play button (figure 1)

fig 1

5. Click on the League button that pops up (figure 2)
fig 2

6. Be sure the Online bullet is highlighted, and then DOUBLE click on your GAMExxyy.IN file (figure 3)
fig 3

7. Click on the Network/Modem bullet, and then click on the OK button(figure 4)
fig 4

8. Now you are at the important screen (figure 5). Be sure to follow closely:
  • a. Put in your name in the Player Name field.
  • b. I'd leave the Game Name field alone.
  • c. Be sure you set yourself to the home or visitor correctly.
  • d. Be sure the LOW LATENCY box is checked or the clock will move so slowly you won't see it move.
  • e. Now you come to the part that makes it work. You'll see right below the LOW LATENCY thing a field that is titled Connect Using: Well, click in the field until you see it say: Internet TCP/IP Connection for DirectPlay.
  • f. The HOSTING team then clicks on the CREATE GAME button and waits. NOTE: The home team does NOT necessarily have to host the game. It is recommended that the team with the better internet connection (DSL/Cable vs. Dial Up) host the game, as this will help.
  • g. The NON HOSTING team has to do it the hard way. You will click on the FIND GAME button. Up will pop a window asking for the IP address you wish to connect to. Simply put in the Hosting team's IP address and click on okay. It will then find the game. Once you see the game listed in the big window click on the new button that appears JOIN GAME. That's it. You are off to the races!!
    fig 5

    Important info:

  • If the home team logs off before you connect, you will need to get the new IP address since it changes everytime you log off and back on.
  • If you crash, simply restart the game with the same steps as above. You should pick up right where you left off.

  • If you crash, restart the game and then exit out before connecting to your opponent, you are screwed because that will delete the important files. So, you may want to copy the below files to a backup directory if you crash before restarting the game:
    game.org
    game.in
    game.sav

    game.in2 (only if you've gotten past halftime)

     

    Again, the Home team does not have to host the game. If a team is connected to a router or a network and cannot give a real IP address and the other team is able to do so, then let the other team host the game.

    That should do you up nicely.