In order to connect online with MTM2, your game must be able to exchange information with other computers across the internet. This information is sent and received through PORTS. You can understand what a port is if you think of it like a doorway that you can use to bring things into and out of your home. So, for us, MTM2 must be able to use these ports or you cannot play online. The ports, or doorways, must be open.
In order to play MTM2 online you need to do a few things.
1. Turn off windows firewall. Access it from the windows control panel.
2. Turn off any software firewall you may be using. Eg. Zone Alarm or Symantec.
3. Configure your router to allow information for DirectX ports to your computer. This is a two-part process (find the local ip address of your computer, and configure your router). Configuring your router may be done in two different ways (by DMZ host or by port forwarding).
And that's it. If you do these few simple things, you can play online problem free.
Q. Where do I find my local ip address?
A. From the local area connection box. For more info, click here.
Q. What are the DirectX ports?
A.
Q. How do I configure my router?
A. Read the manual that came with your router. If you don't have the manual, then look up your router at portforward.com. That 'should' help.
Q. I don't have the password to my router's settings.
A. I don't have your password either.
Q. No but really, how do I configure my router?
A. There are just way too many routers for me to know each and every one of them. portforward.com is the best resource on the internet. If you cannot find your exact router, then look for one that's similar. The process is basically the same for all routers.
Q. I've done everything but it still doesn't work.
A. Sometimes other programs use the same ports. For example, Yahoo Instant Messenger has been known to interfere wtih MTM2. So, turn off all non-essential programs and give it a try. If it works, then turn your programs back on one-by-one. When you find the program blocking MTM2 you will need to decide whether you should keep it or delete it.
Q. I've done everything but it still doesn't work.
A. You have not done everything.
Q. Well, I'm not going to turn off my firewall program.
A. That is your choice, but unless you do then you won't be playing MTM2 online.
Q. I've set my firewall to allow MTM2 but I still can't play online.
A. MTM2 is not the problem; the ports are. Turn off all firewalls. I don't just mean disable it. I mean set it so it never starts, then reboot. Then, if you can join, go back and reconfigure your firewall for the ports. If you can't join, continue turning off programs until you can. Once you can join, retrace your steps and turn things back on until you find the programs interfering with MTM2. Then decide if you need them, or at the very least you'll know what to turn off when you want to play online.
Q. It worked yesterday but it doesn't work today. What's wrong?
A. Your router probably has DHCP enabled. No big deal. That just means that each time you turn on your computer, or you reboot, the local ip address changes. Check the address again and make sure your router settings are up to date.
Q. Is it better with DHCP enabled or disabled?
A. Doesn't matter. As long as the correct ports are being forwarded to the correct local ip address, you can play MTM2 online.
Q. Is DMZ host better or is port forwarding better?
A. Both will work fine. But do not do both. Using both can cause potential conflicts, so don't do it. Use DMZ or port forwarding but not both.
Q. You didn't answer the question. Is DMZ host better or is port forwarding better?
A. DMZ can sometimes be better for trouble shooting because it doesn't block anything. DMZ allows all ports through. Port forwarding allows only the ones you specify. If you can do port forwarding, your computer is less vulnerable. Note - whichever you use, you should enable it before play and then disable it again after you're finished playing. Do not leave ports open if they don't need to be.
Q. What's this TCP / UDP protocol stuff? Do I need to use both?
A. Technically speaking you only need to forward TCP but experience shows there are less problems when you enable both TCP and UDP.
Q. It still doesn't work. I'm serious. It should work, I can see no reason why it shouldn't, yet it still doesn't work.
A. If you normally use an antivirus program make sure it does not start a firewall by default. If it does, then disable the antivirus. Not just disable, but set it so it does not start, then reboot. Also, when it has been disabled, redownload and reinstall the rengames software. Sometimes an antivirus will interfere with a proper installation, so cover your bases when you have it turned off, and reinstall.
Q. No sir, it still won't go.
A. If rengames will not let you host or join, try joining using direct ip.
Q. Can I test my ports?
A. Yes. Try ShieldsUP! https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2. Click the proceed button, then copy and paste 2300-2350 into the text box and click "User Specified Custom Port Probe" to see the results. Repeat for "2351-2400 6073 47624". If everything is working correctly, the test should show your ports are available but they are closed (which means nothing is going through them). If the ports are not detected, then they are not available for online play and MTM2 will not run.
Q. I give up, this just isn't going to work.
A. Check the manufacturer's website for your router. If there is a firmware update, run it and try again. If it still doesn't go, send a note to their support department and describe to them that you are trying to run MTM2 and all the steps you've taken to make it work.
Q. I don't have a router, I'm connected through my school/college/university.
A. You can try contacting the school's IT department but there's a good chance you're out of luck, sorry.
Q. Can two people play online using the same IP address (ie behind one router)?
A. It's untested but give DX Ports a try.
The small print
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