Preventing meaningless threads, read this before asking

[Survivor]

A guide to prevent meaningless threads from people who could have used the search function.

This example uses “C:\Program Files\Quake III Arena” as the install directory for quake. If you have installed it to a different directory use that one.

When I join a server I get the following error:
“The server uses protocol version xx”

You either did not install a pointrelease or made a mistake with the install.
If you desperately want to join that specific server than install the appropriate pointrelease according to the following list.

Pointrelease->Protocol:
1.16 43
1.17 45
1.2x 48
1.30 66
1.31 67
1.32 68

If you just want to play update to the latest pointrelease which is what is used on most servers. You can download it here.

I get kicked from servers by punkbuster

This can be because of three causes:
1. You don’t have it enabled.
Open up the console and enter this command “\pb_cl_enable 1”
2. It isn’t updated.
The fastest way to update punkbuster is manually. Download pbweb from here and put it in “C:\Program Files\Quake III Arena\pb”. Run it TWICE because the first time doesn’t always get all the files.
3. You did something which pb blocks like cheating or have a cd-key which is already in use.
If you cheated, tough luck. If you have a duplicate cd-key then return the game to the store and get a new one. We do not give out keys.

I cannot find any servers through the ingame browser. Common error: ” No response from masterserver”

The old masterserver went offline a long time ago. Some new ones are up but most people use a third party gamebrowser. I will give the links to some of the most used ones.

All Seeing Eye (ASE)
Xfire
Gamespy Arcade
HLSW
Qtracker

I don’t have the map which is being played on the server and it takes ages to autodownload

Most maps being played now are mostly custom maps made by the community or maps included with mods. A good start is to download at least OSP. Below are also some links given to other much played mods. They can be quite big in filesize.

OSP
CPMA
RA3
Threewave CTF

If you just want one specific map, writing down the name and typing it in google might give you a faster download link. When downloaded put the .pk3 in “C:\Program Files\Quake III Arena\baseq3”

[dzjepp]

Thats what the stickied begginers discussion thread was for but I guess the newcomers don't bother reading it

[Foo]

That, and members dont bother referring people to it.

[Survivor]

Thats what the stickied begginers discussion thread was for but I guess the newcomers don't bother reading it

Just plucked the most asked question out of the last month. The sticky is a bit crowded so that's why i think it isn't read.

[Cooldown]

STEPS TO PLAY QUAKE III ARENA ONLINE

1) In order to start playing, first you must update the game with the latest patch, Point Release 1.32. This update includes up-to-date game fixes as well as PunkBuster, Anti-Cheat software used to prevent online cheating.

2) In order to join PunkBuster enabled servers you must type "/pb_cl_enable" in the console (press the tilde key: ~ on your keyboard to open the console while in-game). In addition, you should enter "/pb_sleep 500" and "/pb_system 1" in the console in order to reduce any slowdown or stuttering due to PunkBuster's scanning.

3) Afterwords, you should download PBWEB.exe, which will allow you to manually update PunkBuster. Place the file in your "Quake III Arena\pb" directory and launch the executable. It will take a few minutes for it to update, be patient.

4) Next, Download and install All-Seeing Eye to browse for game servers. While not necessary, ASE is far superior to the in-game browser, therefore I suggest you use it. Open the All-Seeing Eye program. In ASE, under the Game column, you'll find what mod the server is running. Baseq3 refers to a server running w/o any modifications. If you don't have the mod that the server is running you'll have to download it (use google to locate mod developers website and the corresponding mod files). Rocket Arena 3, Threewave, OSP, DeFraG, CPMA and Urban Terror are some of the more popular mods, just to name a few.

5) In addition, you may find servers running maps you do not have (indicated by their red color in ASE). You can either turn automatic downloading of missing files on by typing "/cl_allowDownload 1" in the console or finding the map via Google. Some of the more popular maps are ztn3tourney1, hub3aeroq3, cos1_beta7b, along with the Threewave CTF and CPMA map packs. You can find even more custom-made maps at LvLworld.

Also, be sure to check out the FAQ, it contains a wealth of information and may contain answers to any additional questions you may have.

[forbidden]

Thanks, i just started playing and this thread helped me alot

[forbidden]

oh one more thing, anybody got a good config or some hot tips about commands to use to get your ping sorted out.

like : \rate 25000
is one of them, any other??

[spookmineer]

http://www.funender.com/quake/info/fps.htm for cl_maxpackets.
Rate as high as possible (25000 is good in this case) it is server side capped anyway.

Snaps and other cvars: http://ucguides.savagehelp.com/Quake3/connection.html

[Cooldown]

oh one more thing, anybody got a good config or some hot tips about commands to use to get your ping sorted out.

like : \rate 25000
is one of them, any other??

rate "25000"
snaps "40"
cl_maxPackets "125"
cl_packetdup "1"
cl_timeNudge "-12"
cl_allowDownload "0"
cg_smoothClients "0"
cg_optimiseBW "1"

If your pings are unstable, lower your maxpackets to 100, 60, or 30.

[Oeloe]

cl_timeNudge "-12"
cg_optimiseBW "1"

If your pings are unstable, lower your maxpackets to 100, 60, or 30.

Nonsense to recommend timenudge -12. Some servers with PB will kick you for it and timenudge makes everything choppier. That last cvar is for CPMA only and forced to 1 by servers by default. Maxpackets 20 helps to make things more smooth if you use timenudge -something.