How To: Get IPX Games to Work in Vista | Posted at 11:04 PM
Update #1: Looking for information on how to get Red Alert 2 working on Vista? Try this RA2 patch.
If you are a classic gamer, someone who plays the old Command and Conquer series like Red Alert 2, Yuri’s Revenge, and prior, you may have realized that trying to LAN on Vista doesn’t work.
That’s because these games use the IPX protocol, not the new TCP/IP. Since Windows XP, IPX has been supported on Windows but now the new Vista doesn’t support IPX.
I did find a post about how to maybe get it working. I can’t vouch for this as a solution because I don’t use Vista (old habits die hard) but perhaps it will work for some of you.
If I had Vista, I’d post a walkthrough with his steps but alas, I do not.
Alternatively, I have my own idea (that my friend mentioned):
Use a virtual machine with Windows XP and LAN over that. That would entail everyone having the virtual machine installed (or using XP) and running XP… but… if you’re really that hardcore…
You could also dual-boot XP and Vista, switch to XP for those classic games. When you can buy 750GB for $99, well, there’s no reason not to!
Comments
Pretty amazing that someone actually tried to write this "how to" without actually even owning Vista
Posted by: John
On July 5, 2008 2:26 PM
This is just reposted from someone's walkthrough. I mention that I do not have Vista therefore cannot vouch for this solution.
Posted by: Kamran
On July 5, 2008 3:00 PM
I tried this - no dice. Vista 32 bit, says IPX is installed, but when you go to run a game like red alert 2 is does't see the protocol being associated with the adaptor. I am only using one network adaptor, and I rebooted.
Posted by: figment
On July 7, 2008 10:03 AM
That's too bad, I wish I could play with it and find a way to make it work.
Posted by: Kamran
On July 7, 2008 2:25 PM
For Vista: Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center, then, on the left side panel, click on 'Manage Network Connections'. Now press Alt, click on Advanced > Advanced Settings and put Hamachi at the top of the list.
Posted by: Peter Williams
On September 2, 2008 8:56 AM
Download this,
http://www.understorm.net/cnc/lan/ts_ra2.php
put the wsock32.dll in your Red Alert2/Yuri's folder and play, you might need to go to network in the options menu first to be able to access the network menu.
Posted by: Matt
On October 3, 2008 7:44 PM
non of this works the game will work on vista but no to network. vista was not made to have an IPX. there is no work around. if you want to play the game down grade to XP pro. sorry. no im not him i just have the same name.
Posted by: Bill Gates
On October 23, 2008 2:50 AM
THIS WORKS! Thanks!
Matt wrote:
Download this,
http://www.understorm.net/cnc/lan/ts_ra2.php
put the wsock32.dll in your Red Alert2/Yuri's folder and play, you might need to go to network in the options menu first to be able to access the network menu.
Posted by: Wayne [MSN IATS]
On January 1, 2009 7:16 PM
i have installed ipx on a mates pc with vista, all works as per the description and no it wont show up when i play ra2, i believe the problem is in network connections/ properties. on my pc, which has xp, in order to network on ra2 i had to go to network connections, then properties, then click on the ipx/spx protocol and select properties, then change the 8 digit number, usually starts as 00000000, everyone on the network has to do the same and no 2 computers can have the same number, perhaps there is a way to do this with vista, i have tried but the properties bar cannot be selected in vista, i love my old fasioned windows
Posted by: tyson
On January 28, 2009 2:25 AM
thanks for your help. i can play now the red alert 2 with my vista
Posted by: apolinario
On April 17, 2009 3:23 AM
None of this would work for my game. I want to play Warcraft 2 over a LAN on Vista. So far nothing, any ideas please email to me.
Posted by: Kooky
On August 29, 2009 12:45 AM