MSN Zone and multiplayer

[MusicMan]

I have done a couple of multiplayer flights at MSN zone and have noticed something odd.  When I have joined a flight, the only other player I can see is the host, maybe.  Even if there are more than the two of us actively flying, all I see is just one other player.  I asked the "other player" how many aircraft he saw, and he said maybe six or seven.  In the chat queue, I can see other players' names, but in the simworld, just the one other.  Also, I don't get the chat traffic from the other players.  ???

[Lethal.Ambition]

well make sure you are in the same area they are.

As for the chat traffic, that stumps me. The ZONE never was good anyways...

try www.vatsim.net

Good day

[MusicMan]

OK.  I have been to VATSIM and downloaded SB.  I am now facing difficulties connecting to any of the servers.  I don't think I am getting beyond my own network.  I have a home network -->  cable modem to wireless access point router to computer(s).  Would this do anything within the flightsim network?
I'm also getting time-out messages when trying to connect to a server, or Invalid callsign or password.  I use my VATSIM info, right?

Please help a confused and really interested flight sim enthusiast!

[Reap]

Right well I have gone through this whole thing recently and it is a nightmare trying to get everything running properly for Vatsim or IVAO but i got there in the end so I'll give you any help I can.

Firstly as well as Squawkbox do you have SB relay, if you have FS9 you will need version 1.2

You also need to install Host SB as a module within FS9 (this is pretty easy and just requires moving a downloaded dll file into your modules folder).

If you have all this then let me know and i will try and walk you through it. I work away a lot tho so dont expect a quick reply

[Scottler]

There's a great tutorial on the VATSIM getting started page that will help a lot.

The problem is probably with your router.  Most of the people I know who try to do multiplayer flying with a router in the mix have run into problems.  Search around these forums a bit.  I know there are several threads about it.

[Reap]

One thing that may help, are you running a firewall?

I was running Norton Firewall and the only way i could connect with squakbox was by disabling the firewall to connect squakbox. I could then re-enable the firewall and all would work fine

[MusicMan]

Through a variety of a experiments, I finally made it onto VATSIM.    I've flown a number of VFR and IFR flights with multiplayer ATC.  Let me tell you, the first time was rather daunting.  I think I was flying out of Boston, taxiing to an active runway.  I was given taxi instructions, to include holding short of a runway enroute.  Got to the intermediate runway and saw another player landing right in front of me.  THAT was cool.    I was then given clearance to proceed to my runway, which was a cross runway!  FS98/2K/2K2/2K4 AI ATC does not have THAT much flexibility in assigning landing and departure runways - it just chooses the longest runway based on wind direction.
I do remember flying from Cuba to Miami, which was a pretty neat flight.  The coolest thing about the flight was the approach and landing.  As I was vectored into my ILS approach fix, I saw probably a good dozen other players on the KMIA tarmac or runway.  Let me tell you, those ATCs were really busy that day!
Anyway, thanks a bunch for your assistance, and I hope to see you in the air on VATSIM sometime.

Musicman

[terbert]

Hi,

Yes, Steve you are right. Firewalls block you out, and need to be disabled. Joining to Ivao or vatsim is more difficult with 2004 than 2002, but as you say, when you are new, it seems a bit overpowering to start with, but once mastered becomes second nature. You are recent at it but are giving out info so proves my point. I have just been on the FSHost forum, and there also seems to be more than enough problems with routers and ports etc. Keep at it guys, you will get there

Tony C     (VUK116....IVAO)