ALFA 003 Beta has a new host.

AcadiusLost · Post by **AcadiusLost** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:47 am

[edit: server down, host machine out of commission]
[edit: server up, though intermittently]
[edit: clean format, reinstall, dedicated host machine up again]
[edit: IP address]
[edit: port to 5121]
[edit: new host, new post]

Module is named "ALFA 003 Test Server", lists under PW Story in gamespy. Player password is ALFA's standard one, DM password is posted in the 003 build forums.

Haks and PWC available via the main ALFA worldgate host, connection details in the "How to play on the 003 Beta" thread - just jump to the final post.

Enjoy!

AcadiusLost · Post by **AcadiusLost** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:17 am

The Master File Table / File Allocation Table suddenly developed a huge pile of errors, rendering the hosting machine unbootable. Have the HDD slaved into my toolset/gaming rig now looking into whether the OS can be salvaged, but it's touch and go for now.

Unless it's posted otherwise, 003 is unavailable for Beta testing pending a new host (or a file-recovery miracle).

indio · Post by **indio** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:42 am

Time to do a fundraiser. Should be easy enough.

All we need is $500, and probably less.

AcadiusLost · Post by **AcadiusLost** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:53 am

I'll spend some time with it and see if it's salvageable, but (right now, at least) time is more a precious commodity for me than cash for repairs- so I don't see fundraising as the answer to the present dilemma. We can try to get one or more of the other prospective hosts set up, perhaps- though that's going to require a fair amount of time as well, even if all goes smoothly.

indio · Post by **indio** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:57 am

Nope, not repairs.

We need to buy you a new computer....Core 2 Duo.

I can certainly host in the meantime.

Rick7475 · Post by **Rick7475** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:04 am

I'll check with angel_caller tomorrow and get an eta.

AcadiusLost · Post by **AcadiusLost** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:28 am

Pulled the host machine's hard drive out, slaved it into my toolset/gaming rig- the file allocation table was all corrupted, near-total data loss. Not sure if it was a virus or just some seriously catastrophic windows error. I ran every diagnostic I've got on the drive, and it seems to be functioning fine (it's reasonably new and in good shape overall, so it seems like it wasn't a physical damage to the drive itself.

I no longer have a disk for the OS that was installed on the hosting rig (win2k professional), so I'll look into buying a new OS and see if I can run a clean install from scratch in my spare time. Here's hoping that sorts out the problems in a satisfactory manner.

indio · Post by **indio** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:43 am

Use the old OS. Why buy a new one?

AcadiusLost · Post by **AcadiusLost** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:18 pm

AcadiusLost wrote:I no longer have a disk for the OS that was installed on the hosting rig (win2k professional)...

Lost into the sands of time, years ago- I'd managed to transfer the same install across a motherboard and CPU replacement, and then a switch to a newer, faster HDD, but the reason I'd subjected myself to such a chore, was that said install disk is long since gone. Doesn't appear you can get win2k professional anymore either, so I'll be looking at XP professional or *wince* Vista- absurdly, Vista is actually less expensive than XP, but not sure if it would be worth the trouble of learning it's ins and outs (and/or dealing with the driver woes).

indio · Post by **indio** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:59 pm

If you've bought a copy of Windows, even if you've lost the discs, then you can most certainly acquire a replacement copy over the web. It's not even breaking the law.

AcadiusLost · Post by **AcadiusLost** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:21 pm

The new OS disk is due to arrive tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll be periodically hosting on my toolsetting/playing computer, since I don't have much time for playing or toolsetting currently. Same IP and port, should show up in History and gamespy.

I've patched to 1.12, so you'll need to run Worldgate for the new haks and PWC to test.

Also- the server vault was lost, so it's a clean start for everything. Don't panic to see your beloved characters missing- reroll them and use the XP gong in the Start area to beef them up as necessary.

Please report any oddities that might be patch 1.12 -related.

Wynna · Post by **Wynna** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:25 pm

This means builders have to update to 1.12 also, so that our work is compatible with the server, right?

AcadiusLost · Post by **AcadiusLost** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:12 pm

Wynna wrote:This means builders have to update to 1.12 also, so that our work is compatible with the server, right?

Not necessarily, though it would probably be a good idea. Opening a module in an updated (1.12) toolset makes that module a 1.12 module- so if I were to upload my copy, I'd recommend using 1.12 to open it. As is, everything on the FTP is still 1.11 currently, and that's fine. When I open them up on my end to make the PWC for worldgate and host, they become 1.12 at that point.

So, the "essential tipping point" for updating is whether the official uploaded module version has been opened in 1.12- since Rick has it for a little while longer, we'll see if he updates first or uploads first.

Eventually, we'll all be on 1.12, so doing it a bit sooner than later shouldn't hurt, unless you have essential toolset plugins you may need in the next few days. (actually, that might be a good reason to hold off with the main module a bit, if Indio wants to use some of his plugins this weekend that haven't been updated yet).

AcadiusLost · Post by **AcadiusLost** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:27 am

The new OS is installed- turns out the CD drive wasn't working too well either, so the process took longer than expected. Had some more trial and error to get the Distributed Server made and compatible with MotB 1249 - but it's done now.

Those who are interested to Beta test, are welcome to- just means patching up to 1.12 (make sure your override is cleared out first!) and running the worldgate to get the latest PWC file.

The vault and database was lost in the HDD wipe, I hadn't been keeping meticulous backups since it was just for Beta- accordingly, I've cleaned up the SQL tables, so you can reroll old characters again without worry about DB conflicts.

Wynna · Post by **Wynna** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:31 am

That's good news. Thank you, AL.