INDEX
- 5 Steps to Play Quake III Arena Online
- Stuck at Awaiting Gamestate or No response from master server
- Couldn't load opengl subsystem
- Couldn't load default.cfg
- Invalid CDKey or Someone is using this CD Key
- No Response from id master server
- PunkBuster Specific Issues
- Server uses protocal version xx
- Where can I buy Quake III Arena?
- User interface is version 4 expecting version 3
- 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 Common Q3 Problems/Errorstype "/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 and install PBSetup, which will allow you to manually update PunkBuster. It will take a few moments 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.
While you are connecting, open up the console (to open the console press the tilde key "~" on your keyboard), are there any error messages?
- Try using an alternative game server browser, such as the All-Seeing Eye.
- Make sure a firewall is not blocking it, (better yet turn it off IF you have a hardware based one).
- This problem seems to afflict some users behind routers. If you have a router try the following:
- 1. Try playing online without the router to see if that works.
2. If the router is using DCHP, try setting your computer to a static IP.
3. Right-click on the Quake III shortcut you use to start the game and select Properties. In the Target field you'll see a line like "C:\Program Files\Quake III Arena\quake3.exe", add the Quake III net_port command to specify a unique communication port for each system. The complete field should look like this:
"C:\Program Files\Quake III Arena\quake3.exe" +set net_port 27660
4. Forward ports 27960 and 27660.
(Type it in, do not cut and paste)
127.0.0.1 authorize.quake3arena.com
- Open the console while you are trying to connect to the server by pressing the tilde key ("~") on your keyboard and type "/timescale 200". This will allow you to attempt to connect to a server at a faster rate.
"Could not load OpenGL subsystem" Error
- - Check to make sure you have a supported 3D video card to play the game. In additon, make sure you video card's drivers are up-to-date, by visitng your video card manufacturer's website. Quake III Arena requires that you have one of the supported 3D cards to play the game. Your card must have 100% OpenGL support and at least 4 MB of memory. A list of the supported chipset is listed in the minimum system requirements on the bottom of the box.
- Make sure the 3D hardware acceleration is turned all the way up.
1) Right-click on the My Computer icon on the desktop and select Properties.
2) Select the Performance tab and click the Graphics button.
3) Make sure the acceleration slider is set to Full.
- If you have a motherboard with an onboard video card you need to disable it in the system BIOS. Refer to your motherboard manual and/or contact your motherboard manufacturer on how to do this.
If you try to run Quake III Arena and receive the error message, "Couldn't Load default.cfg", the game is basically telling you that it can not find the \baseq3 directory that is part of the original Quake III Arena. Most often this message appears when you have a minimum install of Quake III Arena, and then attempt to run either game without the Quake III Arena CD in the CD-ROM drive.
There are three possible solutions to this problem:
- Quake III Arena uses data that is contained in the \baseq3 directory of Quake III Arena. If you are using a minimum install of Quake III Arena, you must have the Q3A CD in your CD-ROM drive when playing Q3A.
- Simply copy the pak0.pk3 from your Q3A CD to the "Quake III Arena\baseq3" folder.
- Uninstall the game, delete the game folder and then reinstall the game to the default directory. After reinstalling to the default directory, make sure that you've deleted any shortcuts from the previous installation, since this will still cause problems when you try to launch the game.
Each individual copy of Quake III Arena has been issued an exclusive CD Key. A cdkey is only valid if you bought the game and have a cdkey on your cd-case. Using a cdkey generator will allow you to overcome the checksum check within Quake3, stating that your cdkey is valid, however it is only valid for single player and will not allow you to play on the internet.
Invalid CD Key errors may occur for a wide number of reasons. The most common causes of this error are configuration issues on the client (player) machine or problems with your connection to the id's Authentication Server.
Try the following:
- - Make sure you have one q3key file located in your "Quake III Arena\baseq3" folder and that it contains the correct cd-key. If you find any q3key files in your mod folders, delete them. (common cause)
- - Perhaps there is some type of firewall or security software blocking your game's communication to id's cdkey auth server. Be sure that UDP port 27952 is open for clear communication if you have a firewall or some type of security software.
- - Manually enter your CD Key into the Q3KEY file on your hard drive.
- 1) Open Microsoft Wordpad.
2) Open the Q3KEY file on your drive. Please note the file does not have an extension. By default the path is:
C:\Program Files\Quake III Arena\baseq3\q3key
3) Enter your complete CD Key in lower-case letters at the beginning of this file. Do not use any formatting or spacing.
4) Save the file and try the game again.
- 1) Open Microsoft Wordpad.
- - You may also receive this error if you are moving rapidly between different servers. The Master Server keeps a record of your CD Key, IP address, and which server you're in. If you leave a server then jump into a new one the Master Server may see this as multiple uses of the same key. Generally speaking, it's a good idea to wait 5-10 minutes before joining a new server, especially if you've been dropped from the previous server due to a connection problem.
- - Be sure that your computer is not behind a software or hardware firewall of any kind. This includes firewalls built into routers or other equipment, as well as programs like Zone Alarm, Black Ice, and the integrated firewall in Windows XP. Activision does not support the use of our games from behind a firewall. If it is not possible to disable the firewall you will need to open the ports for Quake III Arena. Quake III Arena transmits and receives network traffic on ports 27950, 27960, 27965 and 27952 using both TCP and UDP. The exact details on opening these ports is specific to your firewall. For more information check with the firewall documentation or manufacturer.
- - Another common cause of problems is a poorly configured router or connection sharing solution. If you are using a router, ICS, NAT or a software gateway you may have problems playing on the internet. This is because the router may not be forwarding the correct information back to your machine. It may be possible to get around this problem using port forwarding or DMZ. You can find more information on configuring shared connections for multiplayer gaming at http://www.practicallynetworkd.com. Please be aware that like a firewall we cannot actively support using shared connections to play online.
- - Use the in-game browser to search for and join servers. Third party applications such as All Seeing Eye and those released by Gamespy may cause Invalid Key problems. Conversely, if you are already using the in-game brower, try using the All Seeing Eye game browser.
- - If you are on a dynamic IP connection try renewing your IP address.
Windows NT/2000/XP- 1) First launch the Command Prompt.
2) At the command line type "IPCONFIG /RENEW".
- 1) Open Microsoft Wordpad.
2) Open your Q3CONFIG.CFG file. By default this is:
C:\Program Files\Quake III Arena\baseq3\q3config.cfg
3) Add the following to the end of the file:
seta pb_system "1"
4) Save the file and try the game again.
- 1) First launch the Command Prompt.
Try using an alternative game server browser, such as the All-Seeing Eye.
PunkBuster Specific Issues
Check the following link for issues/problems related to PunkBuster: http://www.evenbalance.com/index.php?page=faq-q3.php
"Server uses protocol version xx" Error
A protocol is the "language" in which the server communicates with the client. If the server uses a differend protocol as your computer (the client) then you won't be able to connect to that server, since the server and client don't understand each other. You will be dumped back to the menu with a message "server uses protocol xx" where xx is the protocol number.
Quake 3 uses different network protocols depending on the point release used.
Point Release
Protocol:
- 1.16 43
1.17 45
1.2x 48
1.30 66
1.31 67
1.32 68
Where can I buy Quake III Arena?
You can directly order the game online from id's website: http://www.idsoftware.com/store/index.php?view=quake
"User interface is version 4 expecting version 3" Error
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.
*** If you have any additonal questions/problems/concerns feel free to post a detailed explanation of your situation in the T&T forum so we can help you.
Good Luck and Happy Fragging
