Where do I find a "null modem" serial cable?

• Most computer supply stores stock cables appropriate for direct connect use. Ask your salesperson for a "null modem serial cable" or "laplink serial cable"
• Also, there are many cables designed for Microsoft Windows 95 direct cable networking. Any serial cable designated for use with Win95 direct cable networking will work with Firestorm direct connection games.
• Parallel cables are not compatible with Firestorm direct connection games.

You can use HyperTerminal to determine which COM port your null modem cable is using and to verify your null modem cable is working properly.

• Click on "Start"
• Click on "Programs"
• Click on "Accessories"
• Click on "HyperTerminal"
• Double click on "Hypertrm"
• Click on "choose a name"
• Click on "OK"
• Select the COM port you have the Direct Link Cable plugged into
  

  (if you don't know what COM port you have the cable plugged into you will want to call the computer manufacturer to determine the COM port number)

• Click on "OK" two times
• Now start HyperTerminal on the another machine that you wish to communicate with
  

  (same method as above)

• By typing at the blinking cursor (you might not be able to see anything you type), the text should appear on the other computer’s monitor. If you have tried all possible COM port combinations between the computers and still fail to communicate between them, chances are you do not have a null modem cable or you have a hardware conflict between the null-modem cable & another piece of hardware.

I am creating a game, but the other player is never able to join it. Why?

• You might be experiencing a hardware conflict
• The cable might not be of the right type (null modem or laplink serial cable)

To determine if a COM port has a conflict:

• Click on "Start"
• Click on "Settings"
• Click on "Control Panel"
• Click on "System"
• Click on the "Device Manager" tab
• Double click on the "computer" icon
• Make sure there is not more than one listing for each COM port (Communications Port).
• If there is more than one your hardware is conflicting and you need to call your computer manufacturer.

Most common causes of lag:

• Make sure that you have the most updated DirectX compatible video and sound drivers.
• Close any fax, modem, or answering machine type programs.
• Turn off Music and Sound on all systems.
• With a cable over 10 feet long you can have signal loss.
• Each adapter you use will increase the amount of signal loss.
• Checking The COM port Settings
  • Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel
  • Double Click on "System"
  • Select the "Device Manager" tab
  • Click on the "+" sign next to "Ports (COM & LPT)"

    (if there is no "+" sign call your computer manufacturer to fix the problem)

  • Select the COM port that you are using for the Direct Link, and click on Properties
  • Select the "Port Settings" Tab
  • change the Flow control to "Hardware".
  • Adjusting the Bits Per Second: (Set and keep them equal on all systems)
    
    • If you experience lag (slow game with lots of waiting for other player messages), set the Bits Per Second as High as possible.
    • If you experience players being dropped during game play try lowering the Bits Per Second by one setting until you can play without players being dropped.

To determine whether you have a serial or PS/2 mouse and the resources that it is using:

• Click on "Start"
• Click on "Settings"
• Click on "Control Panel"
• Click on "System"
• Click on "Device Manager"
• Double click on "Mouse"
  • This will tell you what type of mouse you have
• Double click on the mouse type and then Resources tab
  • This will tell you the resources that the mouse is using

You can use HyperTerminal to determine which COM port your null modem cable is using and to verify your null modem cable is working properly.

• Click on "Start"
• Click on "Programs"
• Click on "Accessories"
• Click on "HyperTerminal"
• Double click on "Hypertrm"
• Click on "choose a name"
• Click on "OK"
• Select the COM port you have the Direct Link Cable plugged into
  

  (if you don't know what COM port you have the cable plugged into you will want to call the computer manufacturer to determine the COM port number)

• Click on "OK" two times
• Now start HyperTerminal on the another machine that you wish to communicate with
  

  (same method as above)

• By typing at the blinking cursor (you might not be able to see anything you type), the text should appear on the other computer’s monitor. If you have tried all possible COM port combinations between the computers and still fail to communicate between them, chances are you do not have a null modem cable or you have a hardware conflict between the null-modem cable & another piece of hardware.

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