How to: Play Red Alert 2 (RA2) or Yuri’s Revenge (YR) over LAN using Windows XP/Vista : Divide By Zero

Update #1: Try using this RA2 patch that makes the game use UDP instead of IPX. It claims to make the game work on Vista.

Today, I had my friend over and we decided to play some Red Alert 2: Yuri's Revenge. This is my favorite CNC game of the whole franchise, but it did come out in 2000-2001. As such, playing it over LAN can get complicated and confusing. That's why I created this post. To help out people who are having trouble getting LAN to work.

Step 1: The set up

I have a router in my network configuration that is hooked up to a Network Switch (not a "Hub") that all my computers plug into.

When I first tried to network our game, my friend was using my laptop on my wireless network. This didn't work, at all.

Here's what did work: I plugged both computers by LAN cable into my Network Switch, not directly into the router. A hub might also work.

Step 2: Network Configuration

The next step is to make sure the network protocols on each computer are configured. Red Alert 2 is an older game and instead of the regular TCP/IP protocol that today's games use, it uses the IPX protocol.

Hey, Windows Vista Users!

Windows Vista does not officially support IPX. In fact, from the research I’ve done it looks impossible to get IPX working. However, there’s a great WikiHow article on how to apply a 3rd-party patch to replace the IPX functionality of RA2 with UDP instead. See if that works!

The Rest of Us

For the rest of you, by default, Windows XP doesn't install IPX on your network.

Alternate Solution without using IPX: WikiHow: Play Red Alert 2 Over the Internet

To install the IPX protocol on your network connection, do the following on each computer:

Go to Start > Control Panel > Network Connections
Find your Local Area Connection. This is the network card that you've plugged your LAN cable into, it's usually just named "Local Area Connection."
Now, right-click your Local Area Connection and select Properties.
If "NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol" isn't listed, then we need to install it.
Click "Install..." then select Protocol, then click "Add..."
You should see NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol listed (I already have it installed). Select it and click "OK".
Return to the Property page, you should now see the new protocol listed just above "TCP/IP."
Select it and click "Properties"
For the field "Frame Type" select "802.2" and for Network Number use "00000001"
Click OK and Close to exit out of the dialogs.

What we've just done is added the IPX protocol to your network connection. If you don't add this, Red Alert 2 will not go to the Network page when you click Network, it will bring you back to the Main Menu.

Step 3: Configuring RA2

Start up Red Alert 2.
Click Options and then Network
For Network Adapter, select the one that begins with "00 00 00 01" and then a bunch of numbers and letters. That's your Local Area Connection.
For "Destination Network" type in "00.00.00.01"

Click Back and Back again to return to the Main Menu screen. Now click Network to go to the Network Lobby. Stay there. Repeat all of the above steps on the second/third/fourth/etc. computer. Once all is said and done, you should all see each other in the Network Lobby.

If you don't see each other

If you don't see each other, make sure you're all connected through the hub or switch. Make sure all the "Network Number" fields for the IPX protocol are the same. Make sure no one is accidentally connecting to your wireless network.

Try disabling your firewall. I don’t use Windows XP Firewall when I play, so the wireless issue was a strange one. However, if you are using wired ethernet, make sure to disable any Internet Security or Firewall programs.

These were the settings and conditions under which we played successfully. You may not even have to edit the Properties of the IPX protocol if you are connected through a switch. I just made them the same just in case, I didn't test it using default settings. I think it may have to do with your router, that's why I said to connect them to a switch or hub.

Anyway, I hope this helps people in the future!

Update: A lot of people hit this page, so I’ve added pictures to help!

Comments

it doesn't work

Posted by: magnus
On July 10, 2008 6:38 AM

There are many things that could go wrong. Make sure you follow everything, you should also try the patch to see if that works in that WikiHow link.

Remember if you're connecting directly to a router it might not work. Try to use a hub or switch instead.

Posted by: Kamran
On July 10, 2008 7:02 AM

Interesting Solution!

Posted by: CNC Information
On July 15, 2008 10:46 PM

thanx a lot for this solution, this work for me... =)

Posted by: dazeD
On July 26, 2008 4:13 AM

Thank you but it is old information and easy what really made me tired win vista really bad
thnx

Posted by: Ahmed
On July 26, 2008 6:05 PM

thanks...
it works to me.

Posted by: Ronne
On August 6, 2008 12:05 PM

great work bro

Posted by: fuad
On August 8, 2008 8:05 PM

Worked for me! Thanks!

Posted by: Dan
On August 29, 2008 9:48 AM

it doesn't work because it told me that we have the same serial# and i don't know how to change it or what to do...plz help me quickly!!

Posted by: Moro
On September 1, 2008 9:38 PM

http://www.wikihow.com/Play-Red-Alert-2-over-the-Internet
better method i guess.

Posted by: virmantas
On September 3, 2008 12:15 PM

Nice! Good to see that Red Alert 2 is still alive, people are trying to play with each other and are helping another to get the connections working.

Posted by: Leendert
On September 23, 2008 2:13 AM

how i connect to the network without having any hub or connected to other computer
i want to play it with a player from the internet

Posted by: yossif
On October 18, 2008 8:26 AM

Ty very much

Posted by: AriFerrari
On October 19, 2008 2:22 PM

Oh well, It great for me..
thank u man...

Posted by: Somalen
On October 22, 2008 10:00 PM

hey buddy , thanx a lot!! works gr8!!

Posted by: khalid
On December 24, 2008 7:34 PM

works gr8 , thanx buddy!!

Posted by: khalid
On December 24, 2008 7:35 PM

i set up all the connection and evry thing is ok , but when i tried to conect the game it always says that u have same serial # , so what should i do plz ???

Posted by: mido
On January 23, 2009 2:57 PM

hey you guys need to have games with different serials on both computeres for the multiplayer to work .

Posted by: chetan sharma
On February 23, 2009 7:04 AM

i did all these things but i still have a problem ..
when my other computer create a game i can see him .. but when i click join it says "the game is incompatible"

what can i do ?? i installed the game on the 2 pcs from the same CD !!

any ideas ??

Posted by: EliE
On February 24, 2009 5:01 AM

Hamachi network: ra2.com pass: 123

Posted by: ra2com
On March 19, 2009 3:32 PM

Posted by: ra2com
On March 20, 2009 4:24 AM

Hamchi network: ra2.com pass: 123

Posted by: ra2com
On March 20, 2009 4:29 AM

activa Option Internet play (share commponet internet)

Need v 1006 del red alert 2 or yuri Revenge

join Server FREEE!

install (no need modify host )

Install/UnInstall server:

xwols.net/xwoltools/XwOlseverLinstallR.rar

Join Lobby chat:

xwols.net/xwoltools/install_xwol_chat_ServervRedG.zip

enjoy!!!!

Posted by: xwol
On March 27, 2009 12:25 AM

install (no need modify host )

Install/UnInstall server:

http://www.xwols.net/xwoltools/XwOlseverLinstallR.rar

xwols.net/xwoltools/installhttp://www.xwol_chat_ServervRedG.zip

Posted by: xwol
On March 27, 2009 12:29 AM

hello dear... i have a problem... with windows vista... when i enter proprieties on local connecion .. and instal .. protocol ... here i don;t have any protocol.. i don;t have this NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS what's the problem

Posted by: samir
On June 22, 2009 6:42 AM

Posted by: bilal
On August 10, 2009 10:05 AM

yo me and and my bro want to play Yuri's Revenge on LAN but it says the same serial is already being used in that game

searched many forums every1 keeps yelling GET A NEW SERIAL well guess what I DID. the serials ARE different (i checked the registry for both RA2 and Yuri's Revenge) but still it says the serial is in use. this problem freaks out too many people to go unanswered, is there any1 out there who's got a REAL solution?????

Posted by: G
On August 10, 2009 12:35 PM

dear... yap a little problem, i can connect thought but the thing's is when i get started my friend exploded it self about 10 second,how i can solve this problem??... thx..

Posted by: phillip
On October 5, 2009 5:57 PM

thanks,,

Posted by: alfin
On October 31, 2009 4:08 AM

Posted by: tien
On November 11, 2009 9:19 PM