Getting CFS3 multiplayer working in Vista and Windows 7
Since Microsoft shut down its game server service for CFS3 the only option for online players is IP-to-IP games (Join Private Game on CFS3's Multiplayer menu). Vista and Windows 7 will not allow a program called CFS3.exe to connect online, so follow the instructions in this thread to get online.
If you prefer video guides, Tailwind's excellent videos are linked velow.
This thread combines information from previous sticky threads by Deadmeat1971, Blacksheep-ghost03, Tailwind, Grizzly50 and others.
Connecting online with Vista
For VISTA users:-
Note: You will have to allow extensions for all known file types to be seen on your machine, or the re-naming will not work.
Here is how to do that:
For seeing hidden files and folders, and revealing file-name extentions:
Open a folder, say My Documents. At top left click on Organize and then Folder and Search Options. Click on View and you will find both selections in the list.
Here goes. Maybe this will seem clearer:
1. Copy the cfs3.exe icon from the Combat Flight Simulator 3 main game folder in question and paste it to a safe location anywhere outside of the main game folder. Your desktop will do just fine.
2. Go out to your desktop, or where ever you copied it to, and rename it to whatever name you choose, keeping the extension intact (*.exe). Example: Rename cfs3.exe to cfs3mp.exe.
3. Cut (DO NOT COPY) and paste this newly-named icon from the desktop (or where else you copied it to) from there, back into the Combat Flight Simulator 3 main game folder.
Note: Do not delete the original cfs3.exe from your main game folder.
4. While still in the Combat Flight Simulator 3 main game folder at this time, right-click on the newly-pasted icon and send it to the desktop. This will be your CFS3 Start icon.
5. Now go back out onto the desktop and look for the new cfs3mp.exe you just sent there. Then right-click on it and select Properties. Then pick Compatibility and check "'Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows XP (Service Pack 2)" under Compatibility mode. Check Top toys and Menards Ad. You may also want to choose "Run as administrator".
I hope this helps.
(originally posted by Grizzly50)
8 Attachment(s)
Connecting online with Windows 7 (part 1)
Here's what you do to set up CFS3 in Windows 7 for multiplayer.
First install CFS3 on Windows 7. Just stick the CDs in the drive and let it get on with it. There's no special tricks even in 64-bit, the default options work just fine. You'll finish up with a CFS3 icon on your desktop. Fly the thing, then update to 3.1a via the two patches from Microsoft's CFS3 site and fly it again. You now have a vanilla CFS3.1a installation.
This is the 64-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium. Find the CFS3 icon on your Desktop:-
Attachment 64823
Attachment 64824
Attachment 64825
You now have a copy of cfs3.exe named cfs3-Copy.exe. Rename this - I've called mine CFS3Online.exe:-
Attachment 64826
Create a shortcut to this renamed copy:-
Attachment 64827
Attachment 64828
The shortcut can now be configured for multiplayer via the shortcut's properties:-
Attachment 64829
Attachment 64830
1 Attachment(s)
Connecting online with Windows 7 (part 2)
So far it's like configuring for Vista, but up to now CFS3 will still crash if you try to connect!
There's one thing remaining, OLEACC.DLL. It's in your CFS3 folder and it must be deleted before multiplayer will work (don't shed any tears for this file, Win7 has its own version on the system):-
Attachment 64831
You're now ready to fly online using the CFS3Online shortcut. Watch your six, especially if Tailwind's around...
Video guide to connecting online in Windows 7
If a picture is worth a thousand words
Then a movie is worth a million
Hope this helps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOoqL0Isxac
Cheers
TW
(originally posted by Tailwind)
Sources for this information
The idea here was to reduce the sticky count on the forum, but if you want to read the original SOH threads, they are:-
Attention VISTA users!!! (Shell.exe is NOT needed)
ETO for Win7 with WinXP Host
Windows 7 install fix
Tailwind's New Instructiional Video
There are more issues discussed in these threads which you may find helpful.