🚀 go-pugleaf

CharlieB wrote:

> I am unable to set up the serial port in D2 in DOS. The com port is
> definitely there because msd can find it. The address is 2f8 at irq 3 just
> like a standard com 2 port but D2 cannot find it. When I try to select it
> "No UART found" is returned.
>
> Any ideas what might be causing this?

I have absolutely no idea but why not just build in a network card? 
Those are incredibly cheap these days, easy to setup and they can 
transfer tons of data. You don't even need a hub for 2 players.

Consindering you've got an old PC it might even be cheaper to by some 
used ISA card on ebay.

Moon wrote:

> CharlieB wrote:
> 
>> I am unable to set up the serial port in D2 in DOS. The com port is
>> definitely there because msd can find it. The address is 2f8 at irq 3
>> just like a standard com 2 port but D2 cannot find it. When I try to
>> select it "No UART found" is returned.
>>
>> Any ideas what might be causing this?
> 
> I have absolutely no idea but why not just build in a network card?
> Those are incredibly cheap these days, easy to setup and they can
> transfer tons of data. You don't even need a hub for 2 players.
> 
> Consindering you've got an old PC it might even be cheaper to by some
> used ISA card on ebay.
>
Actually Moon I was considering that but I have no idea where to begin. I
don't know anything about networking. Do I need an IPX driver? If so do you
know where can I get a inexpensive one? I am running d2x in Linux also and
would like to connect to it to an older computer with D2 in DOS. Is that
possible with a network cards?

Try not to laugh too hard, but is a network card much faster than a direct
serial port?

Can you connect 2 network cards together with a single network cable?

Is there a Web site I could go to for more info?

Thanks for the reply. Sorry to ask so many questions.
Charlie

CharlieB wrote:

> Actually Moon I was considering that but I have no idea where to begin. I
> don't know anything about networking. Do I need an IPX driver? If so do you
> know where can I get a inexpensive one?

I can't remember if Descent 2 comes with a built-in IPX Dos driver or 
not. However, usually the IPX drivers come with your network card. Buy a 
noname PCI 10/100 mbit card for about 5 $. In most cases it has a 
Realtek chipset like RTL8139 which most Linux distributions support 
natively.

> I am running d2x in Linux also and
> would like to connect to it to an older computer with D2 in DOS. Is that
> possible with a network cards?

Of course, however I have no idea how difficult it is to connect via IPX 
between DOS and Linux. In any case I'd recommend you upgrade the DOS PC 
to Win 98 which makes networking a lot easier. As long as you got at 
least 32 MB RAM it should run at an acceptable speed.
 
> Try not to laugh too hard, but is a network card much faster than a direct
> serial port?

If I remember correctly the serial port can transfer 115200 bit/s max 
and a current network card can transfer 104857600 bit/s (= 100 Mbit)
that's about 900 times faster. Of course Descent does not need that much 
cause you can play almost flawlessly over a modem or ISDN line, however 
it's a cheap and convenient way to connect PCs.
 
> Can you connect 2 network cards together with a single network cable?

If you go one on one without using a switch you need a crosslink or 
crossover cable which looks identical to a patch cable. Just ask in the 
shop it will cost the same. Later on if you decide to make a larger 
network you can use this cable to connect to the switch's uplink port so 
you don't waste any money.
 
> Is there a Web site I could go to for more info?

I bet there are tons of pages, however you gotta find them yourself with 
Google. You might wanna try this: 
http://www.wown.com/articles_tutorials/mspc2pct.html
-- 
Moon's Descendarium - THE single-player guide to D1-D3
http://moon.descent-3.com
Maintainer of The 'Official' D3 FAQ
http://www.descent-3.com/faq/

Thanks for the info Moon,
Charlie

Moon wrote:

> CharlieB wrote:
> 
>> Actually Moon I was considering that but I have no idea where to begin. I
>> don't know anything about networking. Do I need an IPX driver? If so do
>> you know where can I get a inexpensive one?
> 
> I can't remember if Descent 2 comes with a built-in IPX Dos driver or
> not. However, usually the IPX drivers come with your network card. Buy a
> noname PCI 10/100 mbit card for about 5 $. In most cases it has a
> Realtek chipset like RTL8139 which most Linux distributions support
> natively.
> 
>> I am running d2x in Linux also and
>> would like to connect to it to an older computer with D2 in DOS. Is that
>> possible with a network cards?
> 
> Of course, however I have no idea how difficult it is to connect via IPX
> between DOS and Linux. In any case I'd recommend you upgrade the DOS PC
> to Win 98 which makes networking a lot easier. As long as you got at
> least 32 MB RAM it should run at an acceptable speed.
>  
>> Try not to laugh too hard, but is a network card much faster than a
>> direct serial port?
> 
> If I remember correctly the serial port can transfer 115200 bit/s max
> and a current network card can transfer 104857600 bit/s (= 100 Mbit)
> that's about 900 times faster. Of course Descent does not need that much
> cause you can play almost flawlessly over a modem or ISDN line, however
> it's a cheap and convenient way to connect PCs.
>  
>> Can you connect 2 network cards together with a single network cable?
> 
> If you go one on one without using a switch you need a crosslink or
> crossover cable which looks identical to a patch cable. Just ask in the
> shop it will cost the same. Later on if you decide to make a larger
> network you can use this cable to connect to the switch's uplink port so
> you don't waste any money.
>  
>> Is there a Web site I could go to for more info?
> 
> I bet there are tons of pages, however you gotta find them yourself with
> Google. You might wanna try this:
> http://www.wown.com/articles_tutorials/mspc2pct.html