DirectX 7: How to Test Your DirectPlay TCP/IP Connection

• Microsoft Windows 95
• Microsoft Windows 98

SUMMARY

This article describes how to use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (Dxdiag.exe) to test your DirectPlay TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) connection on a Microsoft Windows 95- and Microsoft Windows 98-based computer.

NOTE: To use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, you first need to install DirectX 7.0 or later on your computer if you have not already done so. You can download and install the latest version of DirectX from the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/directx/homeuser/downloads/default.asp

MORE INFORMATION

To test your DirectPlay TCP/IP connection, use the following methods in the order in which they are presented.

Establish the Host System's Current TCP/IP Address

1. Connect to the Internet via your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or Local Area Network (LAN).



2. Click Start, and then click Run.



3. Type winipcfg, and then click OK.



4. Note the IP address that is displayed in the IP Address box.
   
   If 0.0.0.0 is displayed in the IP Address box, verify that the Ethernet adapter listed is the same as the Ethernet adapter installed in your computer. If not, click the correct Ethernet adapter, and then click OK.

Test the DirectPlay TCP/IP Connection

1. Click Start, and then click Run.



2. Type dxdiag, and then click OK.
   
   NOTE: If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool does not start automatically:
   
   
   1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
   
   
   
   2. In the Named box, type dxdiag.exe.
   
   
   
   3. In the Look in box, click drive where drive is the hard disk on which Microsoft Windows is installed.
   
   
   
   4. Double-click Dxdiag.exe.
   
   
   
   NOTE: If you cannot find the Dxdiag.exe file, reinstall DirectX. When you finish the installation, repeat steps 1 and 2.



3. Click the Network tab.
   
   NOTE: If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window does not have a Network tab, reinstall DirectX.



4. Under DirectX Features, click Test DirectPlay.
   
   NOTE: You should attempt to host and to join a session when you test the DirectPlay connection. If you experience problems, refer to the "If You Experience Problems While Testing Your DirectPlay TCP/IP Connection" section of this article.



5. Click OK.
   
   If you are able to chat with other members of the test session, DirectPlay is probably functioning properly.



6. Click Test DirectPlay.



7. Click Join Existing Session, and then click OK.



8. Type the IP address for the host computer, and then click OK.
   
   If you are able to chat with other members of the test session, DirectPlay is probably functioning properly.

If You Experience Problems While Testing Your DirectPlay TCP/IP Connection

1. Verify that the latest version of DirectX is installed on all of the computers that are participating in the test session.



2. Check the DirectX Files tab for found problems.
   
   To do this, click the DirectX Files tab in the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window, and make sure that the "No problems found" message is not displayed in the Notes box. If the "No problems found" message is displayed in the Notes box, contact the manufacturer of your game for information about how to resolve the issue.



3. If you are playing a game through a firewall or a proxy server, verify that the proper ports are open and that the firewall or proxy server is configured to allow DirectX games to pass information through the firewall or proxy server.
   
   For additional information about how to configure a firewall or a proxy server to allow DirectX games to pass information through them, click the article number below to view the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   Q240429 DirectX: How to Play Muliplayer Games Through a Firewall or Proxy Server

Additional query words: msgame direct-x diagnose win95 win98 dplay testing

Keywords : kbnetwork kbtool kbimu msgame
Version : WINDOWS:
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto