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WHAT IS AN IPX NETWORK?

IPX is a protocol used by a network to connect two or more computers.

To use an IPX network connection you must have a network card that supports the IPX protocol in each computer. Most computers connected by a network will either utilize a coaxial cable linking each computer, or a twisted-pair cable linking each computer to a central hub.

CAN'T SEE IPX GAME

If your network uses Ethernet, you should verify that all computers are using the same settings.

- To change the settings:
  - Click on the "Start Button"
  - Select "Settings"
  - Select "Control Panel"
  - Double-click on the "Network" icon
  - Find and select the section of your networking list that mentions IPX
    - Click "Properties"
    - Click "Advanced"
    - Set "Frame Type" to 802.3
      (Note: If you have a network administrator, check with him/her for the correct frame type settings on your network)
    - Set "Max Connections" to 16
    - Set "Max Sockets" to 32

It is also possible that IPX is either not configured correctly on all of the systems trying to play, or that IPX is configured for use on a different network device such as a Dial Up Adapter.

- If you have a network administrator, you will want to contact him/her about properly configuring IPX.
- You can check to see if IPX is set up for your network card by doing the following:
  - Click on the "Start Button"
  - Click on "Settings"
  - Select "Control Panel"
  - Double-click on the "Network" icon
    - If IPX is setup for your network card and you have more than one network adapter, then the IPX entries should mention that adapter.
      For example, it could say "IPX/SPX-compatible Protocol -> NE2000 compatible"

INSTALLING THE IPX PROTOCOL

If you don't currently have the IPX protocol installed under Windows, you will need to install it.

- We recommend contacting your system administrator.
- The steps to install the IPX protocol manually for Windows 95 are:
  - Put your Windows95 or Windows95 companion CD into your CD-ROM drive
  - Click on the Start button
  - Select Settings
  - Select Control Panel
  - Double-click on the Network icon
  - Click Add
  - Select Protocol
  - Click Add
  - Select Microsoft from the list
  - Select IPX/SPX-compatible Protocol
  - Click OK
  - The system should now find the CD in the drive and copy some files onto your system. When it is done, you will be prompted to restart your system. Once your system has restarted, you will have IPX/SPX installed and operating on your system.
- The steps to install the IPX protocol manually for Windows NT are:
  - Select The Start Button
  - Select Settings
  - Select Control Panel
  - Select Network
  - Select Protocol
  - Make sure the NWLink IPX/SPX Compatible Transport is loaded.
  - Select the NWLink IPX/SPX Compatible Transport and Select Properties, Make sure that the Frame Type is set to Ethernet 802.3.

INITIALIZING IPX

- If you have a network administrator, you will want to contact him/her about properly configuring IPX.
- One way to find the reason your computer has stopped using the IPX Protocol is to remove all protocols but IPX/SPX for your network card and see if you can still transfer files or access resources with other computers on the network.
  - Click on the "Start Button"
  - Select "Settings"
  - Select "Control Panel"
  - Double-click on the "Network" icon
  - Verify that you are using IPX for your Network Interface Card (NIC) on all computers.
  - Remove Protocols one by one until only the IPX/SPX compatible protocol is left.
  - Then click on "ok" and restart the computer.
  - If you are not able to transfer files or access resources chances are there is a problem with the NIC’s IPX drivers and you should contact the NIC manufacturer or your System Administrator.

SLOW IPX CONNECTIONS

While rare, performance degradation can be the result of low memory conditions.

- Try disabling music on all systems and make sure that you have closed all unneeded programs prior to running Firestorm.
- If you are not sure what programs are needed for your sytem to run please contact your Computer manufacturer.
  - To close the unneeded programs:
    - Press (ctrl, alt, del) at the same time.
    - When the Close program menu appears it will show a list of programs.
    - Select one of the programs you want to close and click on end task.
    - If you see a message about one of the programs click ok or end task again.
    - You will then need to reopen the Close program menu and continue this untill only the programs you want are in the list.
    - Note: Normally you only need "Explorer" and "Systray" to run windows, this can differ with each computer system.
- If this does not help, try disabling sound effects and/or music. Also please take note that slower video cards or computers can affect the network performance. This is due mostly to Firestorm trying to equalize the performance over the network connection.
- If none of these solutions fix the problem, it is possible that you have some sort of hardware conflict either in your network or in one or more of the systems playing.

IPX AND WINDOWS NT

Select "The Start Button" Select "Settings" Select "Control Panel" Select "Network" Select Protocol Make sure the NWLink IPX/SPX Compatible Transport is loaded.

- Select the NWLink IPX/SPX Compatible Transport and Select Properties, Make sure that the Frame Type is set to Ethernet 802.3.

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