Aces High Bulletin Board
Help and Support Forums => Technical Support => Topic started by: Pudgie on March 01, 2020, 02:16:04 PM
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Hi All,
I just recently had the game shut down by Win 10 (1909 vers, OS build 18363.657) when trying to start it saying the game was not allowed to start due to it not being the right version so it refers the user to get w\ the game producer for assistance.
It is now appearing to arrest the AHIII Updater when a new version is ready to be applied so Win 10 won't allow it to run.
Had to go to HTC site & download the full new version install package to update AHIII to the latest version for Win 10 to allow it to run.
I know this is due to a very recent Windows upgrade but haven't a clue as to which 1 it is that is interfering w\ the AHIII updater written into the game client that when 1st started looks on the servers to see if there is an update available.
So be on the lookout if you're running Win 10………………………not a AHIII bug issue...….MS is back!
FYI...…….
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Update:
It's getting more weird. Since going the full installer route to update AHIII to get around the Win 10 issue, that has fixed the game starting & running & all that....but now since doing all this my MSI Afterburner software (thus HWINFO 64 as well) overlay will not hook & start up when starting AHIII to either DX9 or DX11 version as before but will still hook into the AMD Radeon Adrenalin Settings interface when it is executed & all settings within both utility software's setup are still intact & operational within Windows so from all this it looks like Win 10 may have some issues concerning DirectX (which can be the cause for AHIII not being allowed to update itself as well as the AB\HWINFO64 utility software to hook & run as it does this thru DirectX.....)
Checked the game's temp folder for any created .dmp files but the latest date found was for a .dmp file created on 1-1-20 so nothing was created from the game side to have any influence on this issue at this time thus another piece of evidence that the issue is related to the OS-side...…..
Stay tuned...…………..……..
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try updating msi afterburner, and your radeon software, and your video drivers also.
ah3 runs just fine for me on the latest windows update. im wondering if one of your other programs is interfering.
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try updating msi afterburner, and your radeon software, and your video drivers also.
ah3 runs just fine for me on the latest windows update. im wondering if one of your other programs is interfering.
All are the latest versions running. This is clearly Win 10 interfering w\ the AHIII client auto updater routine on my box. Never had it do this ever until now (been running Win 10 for 3 yrs+ so not new to it), so it's most likely due to some Windows Update that got installed. Was thinking it was Windows Security related (embedded in Win 10) but AHIII (both Dx9 & Dx11) is still checked to be allowed to operate unhindered (but Windows updates this embedded security software regularly so it may still be suspect). My read is that MS wants all software to adhere to the "Windows Store" routine for "security reasons". I'll find out if this was an outlier on the next AHIII vers update...…….
Once I downloaded the full game software install package from the AHIII web site & installed it (to get the latest updated version of AHIII) Win 10 was happy now & all is running well. Now as far as the issue w\ my latest versions of AB & HWINFO64 not hooking into the latest version of AHIII when it starts up now so my overlay will appear, again this is due to an issue related w\ DirectX (also embedded in Win 10)….have been here before (why I updated all to latest versions before this happened as everyone has to try to keep up w\ MS to maintain backwards compatibility w\ Dx9 & Dx11.....if MS had it's way all would be forced onto Dx12 API). I use these 2 softwares for monitoring purposes only (all control is thru AHIII game client\AMD Adrenalin Settings\drivers thru the OS) so it's no big deal if it's not hooking right now.....it'll get sorted out.
I have noticed w\ this latest AHIII vers update something has indeed changed....for the better as I noted that the in game FR has jumped higher when running the Dx11 version on my RX Vega 64 vid card w\ Enhanced Synch enabled driver side. The 3503 vers would run at native monitor RR of 144 Hz (so 144 FPS), now this latest 3507 vers is exceeding the native monitor's RR & is running at 166 Hz or 166 FPS. This is due to AMD's Enhanced Synch now being allowed to unsynch from the monitor's native RR & max out the vid card's ability to process (as Enhanced Synch is coded to do) but still maintain tear free graphics (which it is doing, also as Enhanced Synch is coded to do). Now this could be from Hitech making improvements in the Dx11 version to enhance VR graphics operations that my RX Vega 64's drivers are picking up on (nothing wrong w\ that at all if it is what is occurring as the game does need to move forward) which the latest versions of AB & HWINFO64 can't hook into....yet. But this is the same client software coding used in the Dx9 vers as well (AB & HWINFO64 can't hook into this 1 either now) so the issue IMHO isn't related to the game client per se but it is related to the Windows 10 OS as it handles all Dx calls from the game client then translates them to the AMD vid card drivers (where the AB\HWINFO64 software hooking takes place) to execute so the issue is centered around the OS, not the AHIII game client.
Now this FPS improvement is a good result to have but the OS interference w\ the game client's auto updater routine isn't & this has nothing to do w\ any other software except the OS & AHIII's auto updater routine. I highly suspect a Windows Update that is related to some new security measures that decided that AHIII's updater routine is a "security threat" so it wouldn't allow the game to run to update itself. It would allow the update to occur the old fashioned way so the OS can run it's security checks (as well as any 3rd party anti-virus software running) on the download package before installation (allowing the game software to erase\write files to itself & thus to Windows).
I posted this to bring awareness to this development as I have never seen this behavior before from Win 10 concerning AHIII as others, depending on which version of Win 10 they're using & how they've set it up as far as security goes, may run into this sometime down the line.
:salute
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FWIW I'm running the latest updated version of Win10 /64 pro with all drivers updated as of yesterday. Latest versions of AH working fine.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
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This is funny from my perspective since I just upgraded from Win7 to Win10 two weeks ago and could not get my CH products to work for a while in AH3. Now I'm at fault for forgetting I needed once in windows then in the game to calibrate the stick and throttle. Once I did my analog axis showed up and worked but not my buttons.
I discovered the internal file format for Win7 jsm files were different than Win10 jsm files. You cannot just copy over the files. Then I discovered even with the default files and manually remapping buttons, the mappings did not save in the jsm files in the Settings folder. Ended up during the install all the files were set read only by Win10. Fixed that and the ownership in all the folders. Still no joy on being able to save button mappings. Then I hit the default button and the jsm file settings from the stickdef folder did stay mapped.
So I opened the two CH files from the stickdef folders and manually updated my button mappings from the Win7 definition files. Then when I hit the default settings button, my mappings stayed permanent. Win10 I'm finding is Oh so overly helpful.....
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Well it's not an outlier situation on my box...…...Win 10 is interfering again w\ the AHIII Auto Uploader.....will not allow the game to auto update to the newest version.
Gonna do some digging to see if I can find where the issue is coming from...…………
FYI.
:salute
In the meantime I'm gonna need to download the full install of 305 vers 9 to update the game on my box if unsuccessful but link on home page is still linked to 302 vers 11......needs updated.
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https://youtu.be/48Zs96zZfrY
Here is a video of what I'm talking bout.
:salute
PS--In the meantime until I can find the cause for this on the OS side, I need to get a full copy of the latest version of AHIII (3.05 Patch 9) to download to my computer THEN update the game from my HDD side to get around this......this needs to get updated on the AHIII home page of the web site as the link provided is not the latest version of the game (3.05 Patch 7...this has already been updated & installed prior).
Question....is this issue due to the game client being compatible to be run on Steam thus Win 10 is picking up on this (I don't use Steam at all) & refusing to let the game's updater run (thus not allow the game itself to run) since it is trying to communicate w\ the AH servers to initiate a game client upload to update the game client on the computer's HDD?
I've checked both Windows Defender & Webroot SecurityAnywhere anti-virus software on my end & verified that both aren't interfering w\ this at all so this particular issue is directly a recent Win 10 OS issue in that it doesn't like the AHIII updater comms w\ the AHIII servers when a game client update is available for downloading...won't allow the built in AHIII updater to run to update the game client from the AHIII servers BUT will allow the update to take place once a full version is physically downloaded from the AHIII servers to my HDD then run from there to update the game client (the old way the game used to be updated).
I already know that if I download the full game client to my hard drive before execution of it this gets around the Win 10 "watchdog" & allows the game to be updated & then run w\o issues (did this the 1st time I encountered this).
Waiting...………………..…………..
:salute
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Try running as administrator. I would also consider taking ownership of the install directory ... speaking of which where is your AHIII installed?
I had a similar problem switching from the steam version to the direct download version. I had to make sure all AH installs where removed from my system and I had to reinstall to C:\Hitech Creations\Aces High III. DO NOT install to C:\Program Files (x86) Windows UAC acts like a psychotic crazy ex girlfriend over this and the windows folders.
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Try running as administrator. I would also consider taking ownership of the install directory ... speaking of which where is your AHIII installed?
I had a similar problem switching from the steam version to the direct download version. I had to make sure all AH installs where removed from my system and I had to reinstall to C:\Hitech Creations\Aces High III. DO NOT install to C:\Program Files (x86) Windows UAC acts like a psychotic crazy ex girlfriend over this and the windows folders.
Hi Mayhem,
I only recently ran into this issue on my end (1st happened back in March during AHIII 3.05 Patch 7 update to 3.05 Patch 8) & this is the 2nd time it's occurred which makes it to not be an outlier type of issue. I've never used or ran Steam. I have the game installed to my E:\ drive and not on my C:\ drive since I switched to Win 10 some 3 yrs ago and have been running/updating the game this way w\o issue thru several Win 10 version updates since then until March. Have already tried the administrator route w\o success. Have also went back thru most of the Win 10 updates I've installed (have it set up to download but not install any until I have a look at the update to see if it is something I either want or need before letting them install) and can't find anything that may have something to do w\ this so from my position the only thing I can deduce that since the AHIII client has been made to run under a Steam account that somehow the current version of Win 10 Home (vers 1909) I'm running is now detecting the AHIII game client's updater software when it comms to the AHIII servers upon the initial startup of the game and detects a new version of the game client software to be downloaded then Win 10 shuts the game down and displays the message shown in the video I recorded.
The 1st time this occurred the link was current to the latest version on the AH home page so I just downloaded the full version of the game to my HDD then ran the update w\o issues and Win 10 allowed the newly updated game to start up & run as normal so I know it isn't the game client software itself that Win 10 is squawking over....it's the new AHIII updater software embedded within the game client package that Win 10 is stopping by shutting the game down when Win 10 detects this updater software trying to run after it detects a new game version update package to be sent from the AHIII servers to the game client so that it can be run to update the game client software to the latest version.
This time Hitech hasn't provided a link to the latest version full download (3.05 Patch 9) to use to get around this issue (have already checked the link several times....links to the same 3.05 Patch 7 full download which I already have). Don't know why this hasn't happened yet......or maybe this is rescinded due to going to the updater route to accommodate Steam usage along w\ non-Steam usage? Looked thru all the announcements & found no notice of this being the case so I assume that he's still providing access to the full download version...……….
I made the video to post so that folks would see what I was referring to.
I might try to move all to my C:\ drive to see if Win 10 will then let it run thru but at this time I highly doubt it will.
:salute
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Some Ideas .....
https://appuals.com/fix-this-app-cant-run-on-your-pc-error-message-on-windows-10/
https://ugetfix.com/ask/how-to-fix-this-app-cant-run-on-your-pc-error/
https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/this-app-cannot-run-on-pc.html
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Some Ideas .....
https://appuals.com/fix-this-app-cant-run-on-your-pc-error-message-on-windows-10/
https://ugetfix.com/ask/how-to-fix-this-app-cant-run-on-your-pc-error/
https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/this-app-cannot-run-on-pc.html
Have been a little busy since last posting but thanks for posting these.
I have tried them all w\o success....Win 10 on my box just will not allow the AHIII updater to run (thus won't allow the game to start up) since it detects a new software version update of the game to be auto updated. Will only allow a full install version to be downloaded to my box then allow the update to happen.
If the link to the full install version was updated on the AHIII web site home page so that I could download it this would have already been resolved for me but it hasn't so I will send Hitech a PM as he may not have seen this.
Thanks for the help!
:salute
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Got all resolved!
Thanks Hitech!
:cheers:
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Update:
FYI.........
I have since updated Win 10 Home to vers 2004 from vers 1909 & I still get the OS interference to not allow AHIII to auto update itself thru the AHIII Updater on my box.....only thru downloading the full AHIII vers install onto my box THEN install it can I get around this so this is my path going forward until I get around to doing a clean reinstall of Win 10 brought up to the latest vers to then see if this corrects this........
Just to report the steps:
When I started the game up & clicked to sign in, I got the dialog box that informs of an update to AHIII is available (the sign in tags the AHIII server in which the updater looks to see if there is an update available then sends the notice to the game client if 1 is available....which my OS also sees). Then when I click on it to process the AHIII auto update it starts to initiate it then the OS stops it & displays the dialog box that I recorded & attached in an earlier posting in this thread...............
The issue IMHO is most likely located w\ some Windows OS security update downloaded\installed back in late Feb\early Mar but so far I haven't isolated it yet.....nor have I really pushed into resolution since due to it being far less of a hassle to just download the latest full AHIII vers download to my box then let the AHIII installer run the update from there since my CenturyLink ADSL service is much improved now & I updated my MSI mobo's LAN drivers to the latest version (this latest AHIII update was done within 20-30 mins from start of download to finish\restart of game) so it's not the hrs long wait this used to be.......especially w\ this Ryzen 9 3900X CPU on a X570 chipset equipped mobo over a GigaBit LAN......
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I'm on the same version of Win10. All updates. Not having any issues with AH.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
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I'm on the same version of Win10. All updates. Not having any issues with AH.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Yeah I know that this is on my end w\ this copy of Win 10 I have (Home retail version) since it appears that no one else has ran into that started occurring on my box back in late Feb\early Mar of this year out of the blue. Prior this I had no issues either.
A reset of Win 10 would most likely rectify my issues but I done got old & slow since. Also doesn't help my motivation to fix it either w\ the full version downloading being so fast nowadays so the workaround is easily the lesser of the 2 evils............ :D
:salute
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Ah! I have pro, maybe that's it. I got that version so I could have at least some minor control over the updates. Not much more mind you!
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
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Yeah I know that this is on my end w\ this copy of Win 10 I have (Home retail version) since it appears that no one else has ran into that started occurring on my box back in late Feb\early Mar of this year out of the blue. Prior this I had no issues either.
A reset of Win 10 would most likely rectify my issues but I done got old & slow since. Also doesn't help my motivation to fix it either w\ the full version downloading being so fast nowadays so the workaround is easily the lesser of the 2 evils............ :D
:salute
Have you tried fixing the current Windows instead of reinstalling it? I'd start by running "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" (without quotes) in admin privileged Command prompt or Power Shell and after that "sfc /scannow" to see if they fix anything.
If that proves unsuccessful, upgrading to your current (same) version of Windows from a memory stick created by the instructions on https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10) should leave your programs and files untouched.
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Have you tried fixing the current Windows instead of reinstalling it? I'd start by running "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" (without quotes) in admin privileged Command prompt or Power Shell and after that "sfc /scannow" to see if they fix anything.
If that proves unsuccessful, upgrading to your current (same) version of Windows from a memory stick created by the instructions on https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10) should leave your programs and files untouched.
Hi Bizman,
Sorry for the delay.....................bee n busy w\ wife after her foot surgery........ Thanks for the suggestions (had forgot about trying those)!
Have tried to run DISM as you have typed but kept getting an "error 87", then retyped it to use online-wim instead of online-image (what was shown thru the help command) but still kept getting the "error 87" so I then for giggles ran sfc /scannow not expecting the results to show any errors and the results of the scan confirmed it.........reported no errors found.
Haven't taken the time to research the error 87 within DISM yet but I'll get around to it at some point but I also am not hopeful that this, once resolved, will find\correct anything either simply due to nothing actually being wrong structurally within Windows (especially if it's a specific Windows security type update that is targeting something specific within the AHIII client updater\server upgrade process starting from late Feb\early Mar of this year onward......).
Just the fact that I can download the full AHIII install version (which still uses the same AHIII client updater) to my drives then run it from my box's mem once it's loaded (gets all this thru all Windows security protocols) IMHO pretty much points to this. I do know it's not specific to Windows Defender (have already ran numerous tests including removal of WD) and my WebRoot SecureAnywhere AV software (have done the same as w\ WD) so the issue is strictly within the OS itself, most likely thru a specific Windows update that came during the late Feb\early Mar time frame while I had vers 1909 running that vers 2004 hasn't\didn't rectify and I couldn't (or haven't taken the time needed to) find and remove so unless I can find the source of the issue and remove it, it isn't gonna make much sense to go thru an OS reset\reinstall when just downloading the full version of the game whenever a game update is available to update the AHIII client to the latest version works just fine for now. This issue doesn't affect any other application on my box......only AHIII and ONLY when AHIII is attempting to auto run it's updater to patch up the game client as I have shown.
The fact that no other Win 10 users are having this issue is making this issue most likely specific to my box's specific setup\configuration in accordance w\ Windows but I haven't changed anything during the late Feb\early Mar timeframe configuration-wise (all changes were done in Dec '19 w\ last UEFI upgrade done in Jan '20) to give a clue into this outside of some specific Windows update I missed that got installed.........
Will eventually get to the bottom of it.
:salute
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I worked with Pudgie for a while yesterday and isolated the issue. I have never seen this before.
His system will not let Aces High connect to port 80 (the normal http port) . AH is failing when ever it tries to connect to dload.hitechcreations.com port 80 to download a file. This is identical to how a browser downloads a file. He can go to a browser and download the file (like terrains and terrsets) install it in AH and he runs fine.
Just had one thought I had not asked pudgie if he is running a VPN. This could possibly be intercepting the html headers and doing something strange.
But anyone seen any thing like this?
HiTech
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Could be something in his router settings possibly blocking port 80
Depending on if he is using certain router features..... Could also happen in Windows10's firewall/ network settings if he has accessed it and possibly accidentally changed settings
Just some thoughts
Best of luck with it
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Have you tried fixing the current Windows instead of reinstalling it? I'd start by running "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" (without quotes) in admin privileged Command prompt or Power Shell and after that "sfc /scannow" to see if they fix anything.
If that proves unsuccessful, upgrading to your current (same) version of Windows from a memory stick created by the instructions on https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10) should leave your programs and files untouched.
Update:
After working w\ Hitech yesterday I got around to checking into the error 87 in DISM.......invalid parameter. I went back over how I typed it in Command prompt and found I had fat-fingered it.....typed it in correctly & ran it........all ran successfully then again ran sfc /scannow.....and again all came back clean but when I went to test the game again I got the same issues so I finally broke down last night & went thru the process. I went ahead & updated my graphics card drivers to the latest vers then downloaded the Windows Media Creation tool, set it up to reinstall Win 10 Home x64 keeping my external files & programs intact & reinstalled the OS. All went well w\ no hiccups or issues so she came back up clean w\ all still intact & functioning well. Was after 2:08 hrs MDT so I shut it down & went to bed.
Got up this morning & tested AHIII to see if we got anywhere (had manually updated game yesterday).....game would start up fine, went online to the arena clipboard fine, was pinging the AHIII arena server just fine but when I clicked to go into any arena my box wouldn't allow the AHIII server to download the terrains to my box & allow access to the arenas....would default back to the AHIII menu clipboard. So I got an idea to move the entire game folder to another folder on my E:\ drive so I could then manually reinstall AHIII back to the same syntax so it would be a fresh install (not written over) but to my box it would look the same. Got that done, made all the geek tweaks to the Settings folder then ran it. Game started up just fine, went online to the arena clipboard just fine, pinging the AHIII arena server just fine. Tried to enter the Open Melee arena.....it downloaded the terrain/connected up just fine....all looks well....but then backed out & tried to access the rest of the arenas (which reside on the same server so pinging the same IP address) to test.....my box blocked all the other arenas but will now allow the Open Melee arena to download\run just fine.
Hitech informed me that he was pushing down a game patch this morning so that we could test to see if the patching interference was resolved\still present. Started & signed into the game after some time, saw the dialog box indicating that a patch was available, clicked it to run it & my box promptly blocked it as seen in the video I posted so this issue still exists. Hitech had also sent me the link to get it manually if it did get blocked so I manually patched up to patch 14 then went to start the game.....game started up just fine, went online as stated earlier just fine, accessed the Open Melee arena just fine, ran just fine but still would not access any other arenas except the Open Melee arena. Just to clarify, all this is happening w\ both Windows Defender AND WebRoot Anywhere AV's fully active w\ AHIII setup in both to allow the game full access thru the firewalls (checked & verified MANY times) & it appears that both firewalls are allowing AHIII clear passage so this is the quandry I have going on. The reinstall of Win 10 doesn't appear to have had an effect so it would "appear" to be software related....something on my box is blocking HTTP port 80 when AHIII servers are trying to access it to run the patch updater or when AHIII arena server is trying to download terrains\connect the arenas to the game client on my box but I have absolutely no idea of what it could be as I haven't installed any new software since I upgraded the CPU\mobo back in Dec '19....why I suspect some Windows update as a cause but I have no idea as to which 1.....the reinstall won't rectify this either as it will reinstall all of them as well to the fresh install.
So this is the monster I'm trying to chase down within my box but now at least I can play the game again! :rock :D
Gonna take awhile but eventually will be found.
Could be something in his router settings possibly blocking port 80
Depending on if he is using certain router features..... Could also happen in Windows10's firewall/ network settings if he has accessed it and possibly accidentally changed settings
Just some thoughts
Best of luck with it
Been going down that path as well TC. I have checked, rechecked, checked some more, reset my modem\router several times....router setup is default & has been working fine (outside of Centurylink recently having issues at their DSLAM & our router getting too hot due to the wife crowding too many pictures around it blocking airflow to it--uses passive cooling--cleared some space around it then reversed the ceiling fan rotational direction to output airflow across the ceiling & down the walls to create air movement around the modem\router.....fixed the overheating) so can't find any issues there. Now as for my onboard LAN's network settings I'll have a look at them but I wouldn't know which setting(s) would try to block access to a specific port for any application much less just AHII as the only settings I changed in there are the transmit\receive bit widths. I'll go back & reset all this back to default to see if this changes anything but I kinda doubt it. I did run a traceroute to the AHIII server IP address from my Centurylink router & it failed a couple of times but finally went thru & completed....but running Ping Plotter from my box to the same address at the same time completed every time so I just might look into trying another modem\router if I can't find anything in Windows but all hops that were showing failing were not located in my general area of the state (including the Albuquerque area) so I can't see the router being bad at this time anyway.
I did recently update the LAN drivers to try to see if updating the drivers would fix this but it did not.
This has been for me a tough nut to crack w\ as of this time going thru a clean wipe\reinstall of OS then manually updating it along w\ individually installing every piece of software to try to catch the culprit is not something I'm looking forward to be doing just yet so I'll just keep nipping at it......at least Hitech helped to confirm what the issue consists of so this narrows it down some.
Now yesterday working w\ Hitech we got Win Defender to shut down & thought we had WebRoot shut down as well to get them out of the way while running tests but when I rebooted my box sometime later Win Defender still showed it was shut down but WebRoot restarted itself somehow, even though I have it checked in the WebRoot Advanced Settings to allow the AV to be manually shut down......
May go in & wipe WebRoot to see if anything changes.................
Well any way now y'all know..................
:D
:salute :salute
PS--Already informed Hitech but I ain't got no VPN going in my system....neither hardware or software....FYI.
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Hey Pudgie
just thinking about it after reading your reply above....
have you ever accessed the settings of your router? via the router's default assigned ip address to open a webpage and login and change settings etc? or did you just plug it in and it automatically worked? and has firmware updates set to install automatically?
If it is all auto, without you doing anything or manual setting it up (my personal preference on routers), then it could have possibly got an automatic firmware update that has a bug in it or something that is causing the port 80 problem..... just trying to brainstorm what could possibly be going on with your gear.....
hope this helps maybe........ Good Luck
TC
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Hey Pudgie
just thinking about it after reading your reply above....
have you ever accessed the settings of your router? via the router's default assigned ip address to open a webpage and login and change settings etc? or did you just plug it in and it automatically worked? and has firmware updates set to install automatically?
If it is all auto, without you doing anything or manual setting it up (my personal preference on routers), then it could have possibly got an automatic firmware update that has a bug in it or something that is causing the port 80 problem..... just trying to brainstorm what could possibly be going on with your gear.....
hope this helps maybe........ Good Luck
TC
Hey TC,
Yes I have accessed & checked my router's settings directly several times....all still as set for the last yr. Have ran ping & traceroute traces directly from the router to AHIII arena server & AHIII download server & outside of 1 traceroute test to the arena server failing on 1 instance but completing the rest they all came back as good....the only problem w\ this is that I need to perform these tests from my router to these 2 servers specifically thru remote port 80 to validate that there is no issue thru it & the port is open between the 2 (nothing else is occupying/interfering w\ it).
I have done this on my box (all day googling myself thru Networking 101.... :D) after deleting WebRoot SecureAnywhere AV to get it out of the way & verifying Windows Security AV is actually allowing AHIII to cleanly pass thru it's firewall & still having the terrains downloaded\arena connections blocked from the AHIII arena server\download server to my box.
Went thru both the Windows Command Prompt (in administrator mode) using the "netstat -aon | findstr :80" command (looks for all running processes that is\are listening to port 80) & finding none across TCP, only UDP (svchost.exe), which the results indicate that I have no rogue processes on my end tying up TCP port 80 to prevent AHIII servers from downloading data packets back to my box from a connection integrity standpoint.
I then followed this up thru Windows Powershell (also in administrator mode) using the "Test-NetConnection -ComputerName (both AHIII server IP addresses) -Port 80" command (tests connection from my box's IP address to the 2 AHIII server's IP addresses thru the remote TCP port 80) in which both test results came back as true meaning the remote TCP port 80 is open from my box thru my router to the AHIII servers so the connection between them both is good so according to these results there is nothing preventing the AHIII servers from connecting thru my router & to my box thru the remote TCP port 80 connection-wise...........
The only thing I can't do is run these same tests from the AHIII servers back thru my router to my box's IP address thru the remote TCP port 80 to verify the connection both directions........
I also reinstalled my LAN drivers to make sure that they're at default settings to see if these were contributing to this issue but got no change.
From here the only other thing I can think of myself that could be an issue is if my router for some reason is misrouting\dropping the incoming AHIII server data packets (they are coming from physical IP addresses) due to mishandling the incoming packet header routing info thus is timing out on us. My router's firmware is the latest vers (was in the router when I bought it from CenturyLink...C1100T ADSL...last yr to replace another router I had...NetGear Nighthawk 1900 ADSL...go bad) so can't reflash it at this time so unless I'm missing some method to actually test my router for this I'm stuck as all else shows to work just fine.....AHIII is the only program\process that is being affected in this manner on my box\system. All local stores in my area have stopped selling ADSL modem\routers for quite some time (everybody going FIOS\cable so only selling cable modem\routers) so I'd either have to go online & order 1 that is compatible w\ CenturyLink's ADSL or have to go to CenturyLink & get another 1 which will take at min 7-10 days to get it in (or longer due to COVID-19 concerns) to replace my existing unit to then see if it rectifies the issues.
I'll see about getting again w\ Hitech to see if he would be willing to test this from his end once I give him my box's IP address (if he don't already have it from prior server logs) to verify if their servers can physically connect to my box thru my router as it is currently configured thru remote port 80..........
I would love to get some confirmation of my router being the issue before going thru the hassle of replacing it...........the data test results I have gathered currently is suggesting that the issue is most likely within my router & not within my computer\LAN.
Now blowing off WebRoot did free up some resources for Windows to boot up much cleaner\faster & run a little more crisp so I got some good out of that but it clearly wasn't the culprit causing my problems w\ AHIII.
Gonna take a break from this thing tomorrow & do some work on my Stang then gotta repair a leak in my sprinkler line that I found this evening after that..............
Getting it narrowed down...................choppi ng 1 limb at a time. Giving me a headache though..................
:noid
:salute
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So you can access the Melee arena but not the others?
Have you tested it in Safe Mode? Agreed, it's very clumsy but at least you'd be able to test if you can access an arena or not.
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So you can access the Melee arena but not the others?
Have you tested it in Safe Mode? Agreed, it's very clumsy but at least you'd be able to test if you can access an arena or not.
All works fine unless he goes into an arena that needs to download something like a terrain.
The issue is something on his computer is blocking Aces High from connecting on port 80 (http) to do downloads.
He can connect on port 80 (http) with a browser to manually download anything from the same address dload.hitechcreations.com . Hence I can not think of any reason the router would be involved.
HiTech
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All works fine unless he goes into an arena that needs to download something like a terrain.
The issue is something on his computer is blocking Aces High from connecting on port 80 (http) to do downloads.
He can connect on port 80 (http) with a browser to manually download anything from the same address dload.hitechcreations.com . Hence I can not think of any reason the router would be involved.
HiTech
Didn't we once have the opportunity to DL terrains without having to log on and create an arena? Anyhow, I wonder if Pudgie created an arena then meticulously downloaded avery single terrain if that would fix the issue?
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Didn't we once have the opportunity to DL terrains without having to log on and create an arena? Anyhow, I wonder if Pudgie created an arena then meticulously downloaded avery single terrain if that would fix the issue?
Is not that difficult now. The offline terrain chooser lets you download them directly.
But that would not help because the game is still being blocked.
HiTech
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All works fine unless he goes into an arena that needs to download something like a terrain.
The issue is something on his computer is blocking Aces High from connecting on port 80 (http) to do downloads.
He can connect on port 80 (http) with a browser to manually download anything from the same address dload.hitechcreations.com . Hence I can not think of any reason the router would be involved.
HiTech
That's why I suggested the Safe Mode in Windows. Often many restricting safety programs are turned off there so if everything works there the culprit must be a-v software related. But as I said, the game is clumsy in Safe Mode so even getting to a download can be challenging.
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Update:
1st off, I got sidetracked by Mrs. Pudgie this morning so I got delayed from going outside to start work on my Stang but this issue was still buzzing around in my head so I got back into troubleshooting & I think I have now caught the culprit...........after going thru a little more Networking 101 training....... :D:
The issue is Win 10 telemetry (ntwk.msn.net) starts tracking the AHIII client after the client is initially executed, signed in then right when I click to go online the Win 10 telemetry will tie up the TCP port 80 like it is trying to report in to MS but never destinates & won't release it until I exit the AHIII client. Then Win 10 telemetry releases the TCP port 80.
It doesn't do this to any other program except AHIII.
IOW's it's the damn OS that is blocking the AHIII client from downloading any files from the AHIII servers when the AHIII client initiates the process. As Hitech has noted once we go thru the browser (which gets around this nag) to download any files from the AHIII servers all goes thru then the game will function just fine so I knew that whatever it was that was causing the issue was leaving a trail thru the network....just had to learn how to type this stuff in thru the Windows Command Prompt\Powershell then find the offending IP address\email address then ran it thru Ping Plotter to track the hop hits to locate the network destination to then identify it.......my hunch was what ever it was that it had to come thru a Windows Update as I had done absolutely nothing to have caused anything except to not play for quite a while due to my 2nd retirement gift to myself.....a '09 Ford Mustang GT 45th Anniversary Glass Roof Edition causing me to miss a LOT of playing time driving\modding\breaking & repairing it\hanging out on the online Mustang forums so could have easily gotten by me. Thank COVID-19 for redirecting my attention back to the game................ :D
I could see there was something happening thru the Command Prompt active connections dump (netstat -ab) after trying to run AHIII that was tying up the port right after figuring out the IP sequencing-to-game process steps....right after clicking on the arena to enter it Win 10 telemetry will tie up the TCP 80 port so the game couldn't download terrains\connect to my box thus rinse\repeat until I exited out of the game then Win 10 tele would release the port. When I added the -f suffix to the netstat -ab command (now netstat -abf) this forced the IP address to show as an email address then when I looked thru the active connections again this 1 IP address that kept grabbing the port 80 couldn't be identified so I then ran it thru Ping Plotter which then showed the ntwk.msn.net hop hits but never would reach destination so I then googled the email address which says this is MSN.net.....Win 10 telemetry! This is why it could hold the port 80 hostage......
Ran traces after several attempts to see if I could establish a pattern & saw it was consistently going to this MSN network even though the IP addresses would change (DHCP).
Now I got to figure out where it is located in Windows then kill it to then test to see if all is fixed.................
This is where I'm at at this time.
Steadily chopping off them limbs........................ .
:noid :D
:salute
PS--In chasing this kind of stuff down Networking 101 tracking thru the Windows Command Prompt and Windows Powershell can reveal a LOT of things.......once you learn how to use it..... :D
Funny thing is bout back in '98-'99 I had enrolled to take night courses @ San Juan Community College here in Farmington to get a degree in Networking (was suggested by the college counselor when they saw my transcripts as they saw this field was going to grow up here) while working in the oilfield (w\ ConocoPhillips) to use as a potential side gig for some extra money whenever I reached retirement. Tried for 1 semester to attend classes at night while putting in 12-14 hr days at work but I just couldn't make it work out so I dropped out............
Funny how all this stuff seems to always find a way to come back into my focus...............
:D
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After thinking it thru I think that, since I wasn't using the game client for quite some time the OS decided that AHIII was a dormant\dead process so when I tried to run it back in late Feb\early Mar the game needed to patch itself so the OS was going into protect mode to stop a "rogue\dead" process from "infecting" the OS so Windows tagged the AHIII game client as a potential untrusted process so has tried to stop it from downloading any files when the AHIII processes called the AHIII servers for any type of files by tying up the TCP port that it saw the AHIII servers trying to use to gain access to my box.....which was TCP port 80.
Does make some sense of it all but is a bear to track down as there is no visible trail(s) left to follow.......leaves no dialog warning, neither from the OS outside of the 1 given when trying to patch the game or from AHIII as the game client hasn't physically failed so no .dmp files generated.
The generated warning dialog box is strictly a MS Windows design graphic thus was a clue to me that the issue was Windows related but didn't know how it was until now.............
Too much thinking gives me a headache now so I'm gonna shut it down for a while (Mrs. Pudgie has also instructed me that I have to go get her some junk food to eat so I need to stop this & attend to her needs...........you know what they say......happy wife, happy life.... :D).
:salute
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....you know what they say......happy wife, happy life.... :D).
Sage wisdom. :old:
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Update:
1st off, I got sidetracked by Mrs. Pudgie this morning so I got delayed from going outside to start work on my Stang but this issue was still buzzing around in my head so I got back into troubleshooting & I think I have now caught the culprit...........after going thru a little more Networking 101 training....... :D:
Completely off topic, but what kind of "Stang" were you working on?
I have a 99 that I like to mess around with. I dont have a lot of money to throw at her, but what little time I have goes to all those little things.
(http://66.189.10.34:8080/pics/mustang_4.jpg)
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Completely off topic, but what kind of "Stang" were you working on?
I have a 99 that I like to mess around with. I dont have a lot of money to throw at her, but what little time I have goes to all those little things.
(http://66.189.10.34:8080/pics/mustang_4.jpg)
This 1 attached below:
That's a nice New Edge you got there!
:aok
:salute
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This 1 attached below:
That's a nice New Edge you got there!
:aok
:salute
Very nice! :aok
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Update:
This issue is a very tough nut to crack as I can't find the reason\source as to why Win 10 would suddenly latch onto the AHIII client software & block all inbound IP connections to it so that I can kill it.
Looking at active connection sequencing listings captured thru Command Prompt "netstat -abf" right after making attempts to run AHIII I can clearly see the OS tie up TCP port 80 to ntwk.MSN.net (Win 10 telemetry) right after starting up the game (when you sign in) & will not release the port until the game is exited.
I have gone into Windows Firewall in the inbound rules & enabled a rule to force TCP port 80 access open to all processes, set it, saved it, made sure that it was active (should have been immediately) along w\ the already existing rules to allow AHIII full access thru the firewall then tried to run the game w\o success, verified thru Command Prompt that the OS was still blocking TCP port 80 access to AHIII then go back into Windows Firewall only to see that the OS had completely removed the very rule that I had just put in!
I then went into Windows Firewall properties, Private Network Profile & reset the outbound connections from the default of Allow to Block (inbound is set default to block) so the firewall will block all outbound\inbound connections unless they were set up in the rules to allow passage then tried to run MS Edge & Windows Update to test......they got blocked so I knew that AHIII would get blocked as well (even though rules were set in both whitelists to allow the game free passage) but I wanted to see if this would also block the OS from attacking AHIII. Ran the game & got the same results.....looked at the connection listings in Command Prompt & saw that AHIII was not blocked on any outbound requests or saw any IP outbound requests from the OS trying to tie up port 80 but the port was still blocked to inbound traffic even w\ MS Edge set up in the inbound rules rules to allow passage thru firewall AND even though I had set up another rule in outbound rules to force open passage thru port 80 (this time the OS didn't remove the rule I had made) so the OS just summarily blocked TCP port 80 access regardless of the firewall rules selected unless the rule in the Private Network Profile was reset back to Allow....then all would return back to normal but the OS would then start individually blocking the AHIII client access to port 80 again so I know that the issue is strictly centered within the OS but have no idea of resolution.....have scoured thru the Internet for any inkling of info into what is going on here w\o any success to date. The only thing I haven't tried to do yet is to download\install Windows IIS (not available natively in Win 10 Home), activate it to take this over then see if all will go thru then...........
I have no idea as to why\how Windows got such a hard on for trying to stop AHIII from inbound comms on my box & this is not privy to vers 2004 as I was experiencing this issue 1st under vers 1909 & whatever it is it made it thru a full on Windows reinstall of 2004 using the Media Creations 2004 tool. For giggles I moved the game folder from my E:\ drive to the C:\ drive where the OS resides to see if by doing this the OS would stop blocking it when the game was ran then executed the game from it's own .exe files within the C:\ game folders.....nope, the OS kept blocking access to TCP port 80 & this is all w\ my 3rd party WebRoot SecureAnywhere AV completely removed....only using the native Windows 10 Security suite which is showing & tested to be fully functional & is not giving any indications of malfeasance so at this time I'm stumped but not broken yet as I'm determined to not give in yet so will keep pecking at it.
The key to unlocking this is in here somewhere.......
This is where we are at this time.
This sure is starting to smell of some kind of potential infection\bug attack as well but all scans so far keep showing no threats...........
:salute
Very nice! :aok
Thanks Fugi.
:salute
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Are you sure you could root Webroot out entirely?
There seems to be a dedicated removal tool but sometimes even the special tools may leave leftover directories. There's tools that can find every Anti-virus and provide removal tools. I've recently found https://antivirus-removal-tool.com/ (https://antivirus-removal-tool.com/) whose Search function revealed leftovers from programs that already were first uninstalled the normal way and then cleaned with the dedicated tools. The search results made removing the remaining files and folders manually quite an easy job. Unfortunately it doesn't find registry entries, though.
For entirely removing each and every instance of any program there's tools like Revo Uninstaller that start with the normal uninstall and continue to track both remaining folders and registry entries. In your case that would require reinstalling Webroot to enable a thorough uninstall with Revo or the likes.
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TC makes NOTE!
Do not attempt to post any comments, respondences or suggestions first thing in the mornings right after waking up and before at least drinking a mug of if not 2 of coffee.....
I just messed up, hit the wrong button and lost roughly 30 to 45 minutes of response to your current post/ reply, Pudgie
Will get me some coffee and try to respond again later....good grief....lol
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TC makes NOTE!
Do not attempt to post any comments, respondences or suggestions first thing in the mornings right after waking up and before at least drinking a mug of if not 2 of coffee.....
I just messed up, hit the wrong button and lost roughly 30 to 45 minutes of response to your current post/ reply, Pudgie
Will get me some coffee and try to respond again later....good grief....lol
I know the feeling!
:D
It's all good!
:salute
Are you sure you could root Webroot out entirely?
There seems to be a dedicated removal tool but sometimes even the special tools may leave leftover directories. There's tools that can find every Anti-virus and provide removal tools. I've recently found https://antivirus-removal-tool.com/ (https://antivirus-removal-tool.com/) whose Search function revealed leftovers from programs that already were first uninstalled the normal way and then cleaned with the dedicated tools. The search results made removing the remaining files and folders manually quite an easy job. Unfortunately it doesn't find registry entries, though.
For entirely removing each and every instance of any program there's tools like Revo Uninstaller that start with the normal uninstall and continue to track both remaining folders and registry entries. In your case that would require reinstalling Webroot to enable a thorough uninstall with Revo or the likes.
Hey Biz thanks for the link! Yeah I already know the registry will still contain WebRoot entries.....plan to deal w\ that later. While I had WebRoot installed it never showed any instances of attacking\quarantining AHIII as a rogue actor (had the game set up in it to allow it clear passage for several yrs w\o issue prior this current issue cropping up) but I also know that it was integrated w\ Win 10 Security as well (WebRoot used the Windows Security firewall inbound connections whitelist to monitor inbound traffic so it only monitored outbound connections since WSF allowed all outbound connections passage by default so in essence both Win 10 Security & WebRoot were active together (WebRoot was performing the AV while WS was performing mostly malware detection).
Now I have Win 10 Security doing it all....have used it to run full scans 2 times & it has found nothing on any of my drives & thru tracking the active connections IP traffic trails after attempts to run AHIII & failing I can consistently see as soon as I sign in to AHIII (game sends outbound IP to AHIII servers to ACK me) I see rogue outbound IP addresses that won't identify themselves (why I was invoking -f to convert IP to HTTP) that are tying up TCP port 80 to MSN servers (traced all the rogue IP's back to ntwk.MSN.net...Win 10 telemetry) & hold it (established) so that AHIII servers can't download any files\connect to my box (inbound traffic)......will allow the AHIII client to send all the outbound it wants to the AHIII servers (can see all those) as they're going out\being received on other ports outside of TCP port 80 & won't release it for AHIII until I exit the game (AHIII client send outbound IP to AHIII servers to close\disconnect) then this rogue IP will close itself & release TCP port 80. When Hitech had me to go thru my web browser then access the same AHIII servers & downloaded the very same files (removes AHIII client as the front man & uses MS Edge instead) to the client then all functioned as normal so he knew the TCP 80 port was being blocked by some IP address other than AHIII at my end but it would not block other IP's (like my browser) so the only IP addresses that are getting blocked are inbounds from AHIII servers AFTER whatever it is doing it is alerted on outbound IP traffic from sign in from AHIII client on my box to htcgm.hitechcreations.com AHIII server.....
I can't see WebRoot AV doing that (if it did it would have blocked the outbound AHIII traffic as the WSF was set to allow all outbound IP traffic by default & it never did this as AHIII was set to pass thru & the outbound IP tracking confirms this....also for Win Security firewall as well)....but I can see either Win 10 itself thru some Win Update or some masked virus\trojan residing in Win 10 doing that & either way it points to Win 10 from my vantage standpoint.
The question is which 1 is it?
I know when I change the outbound action in WSF private profile from allow (default) to block (blocks all outbound traffic except what is allowed thru the outbound whitelist rules) w\ AHIII set up in the WSF outbound whitelist rules to pass thru then tested MS Edge & Win Update 1st to see if they got blocked to determine if Windows may also be blocked to ntwk.MSN.net. Then I tried to run AHIII as normal to see if the rogue IP's got blocked on the outbound & AHIII's outbound went thru......all the rogue outbound IP addresses got blocked (so I know they don't exist in the outbound whitelist rules & Win Update doesn't either) but all AHIII's outbound IP addresses went thru as normal but got blocked on inbound the same as before but the seeing of the rogue IP addresses being blocked along w\ Windows Update on outbound traffic points to the 2 being related along w\ the IP trace routes to MSN networks thus the source of this issue is coming from Win 10 itself........
Now what I might do (if Windows lets me do it) at some point in time is to run the Media Creations 2004 tool again to do another reinstall of Windows 10 2004 to see if it can clean up the registry on this pass (had WebRoot installed on the last pass) before I resort to using a 3rd party app. I do like this link you sent to this app as it doesn't need to be installed to run so that's a plus (std Biz operations.... :D :aok).
I was trying to see if I could fix this w\o having to use any 3rd party apps.......I know this can be a heavy lift but it is also a good way to learn how to get around thru Win 10 & to use it's many features........using the Internet to find any guiding info needed if\when I ran into something that I wasn't familiar with before proceeding to mess w\ it.
For once I want to isolate the source of the issue before resolving it so that the info can be gleaned to help others (like Hitech) if other players run into this somewhere down the road......... To date I've found nothing out on the Internet pointing to this specific issue I have so am going into this kinda blind............
Since I'm retired now I got the spare time (especially since COVID-19 came along) to take this on............
PS--Forgot to mention that I have ran her thru DISM along w\ sfc /scannow a couple of times since & all comes back clean w\ no errors found or fixed......
:salute
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Pudgie, would a clean install of Windows be plausible for you? Maybe just a Windows 10 Reset, if you want to try to save any data you may have.
Coogan
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Pudgie, would a clean install of Windows be plausible for you? Maybe just a Windows 10 Reset, if you want to try to save any data you may have.
Coogan
Hi 100Coogn,
Done done the reinstall\reset once already using the Media Creations 2004 tool but that was before I blew off WebRoot SecureAnywhere AV....why I mentioned to maybe try it again to see if I can save myself the hassle of a full blown clean reinstall.
Saving that 1 for the absolute last resort.
:salute
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Hi 100Coogn,
Done done the reinstall\reset once already using the Media Creations 2004 tool but that was before I blew off WebRoot SecureAnywhere AV....why I mentioned to maybe try it again to see if I can save myself the hassle of a full blown clean reinstall.
Saving that 1 for the absolute last resort.
:salute
I was hoping that would of reset something dealing with the internet settings.
Hope you get it straightened out, without too much hassle.
Coogan
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I was hoping that would of reset something dealing with the internet settings.
Hope you get it straightened out, without too much hassle.
Coogan
Yeah hoping for the best.
I'm being punished for not playing the game for so long due to spending too much time messing w\ my Stang & hanging out on the Mustang forums so y'all couldn't be shooting me down & pad your scores!
My Stang has a joystick & pedals in it too...........
:D
:salute
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Now I have Win 10 Security doing it all....have used it to run full scans 2 times & it has found nothing on any of my drives & thru tracking the active connections IP traffic trails after attempts to run AHIII & failing I can consistently see as soon as I sign in to AHIII (game sends outbound IP to AHIII servers to ACK me) I see rogue outbound IP addresses that won't identify themselves (why I was invoking -f to convert IP to HTTP) that are tying up TCP port 80 to MSN servers (traced all the rogue IP's back to ntwk.MSN.net...Win 10 telemetry) & hold it (established) so that AHIII servers can't download any files\connect to my box (inbound traffic)......will allow the AHIII client to send all the outbound it wants to the AHIII servers (can see all those) as they're going out\being received on other ports outside of TCP port 80 & won't release it for AHIII until I exit the game (AHIII client send outbound IP to AHIII servers to close\disconnect) then this rogue IP will close itself & release TCP port 80. When Hitech had me to go thru my web browser then access the same AHIII servers & downloaded the very same files (removes AHIII client as the front man & uses MS Edge instead) to the client then all functioned as normal so he knew the TCP 80 port was being blocked by some IP address other than AHIII at my end but it would not block other IP's (like my browser) so the only IP addresses that are getting blocked are inbounds from AHIII servers AFTER whatever it is doing it is alerted on outbound IP traffic from sign in from AHIII client on my box to htcgm.hitechcreations.com AHIII server.....
A couple of points.
Windows firewall isn't worth much as a protection goes. If you have a router (or hardware firewall) just turn it off.
Your stuff about networking ports don't make a lot of sense (technically. For example you talking about something holding onto port 80... it just doesn't work like that. Don't take this the wrong way but you might be confusing yourself around this and making it harder to diagnose.
If AH is failing to connect to HTTP @ HTC, then you have either a proxy in the middle somewhere or a security app is blocking (possibly windows firewall). A proxy could be webroot (like their secureanywhere) or some sort of malware.
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If AH is failing to connect to HTTP @ HTC,(edited/added by TC: or if AH is failing to connect to port 80) then you have either a proxy in the middle somewhere or a security app is blocking (possibly windows firewall). A proxy could be webroot (like their secureanywhere) or some sort of malware.
I did a small edit/inc;usion to Vulcan's above post
while I haven't bothered to try and remember word for word of my lengthy reply yesterday, Vulcan's post #43 above refreshed my memory a tad...
You have posted that you have had been using (together/combined 3 to 4 Firewalls) :
#1- an ADSL modem/router with it's own built-in firewall, then you also are using
#2- native Windows 10 Security suite, (does this include Windows Defender? or is that a 4th app?)
#3- WebRoot SecureAnywhere AV
and you have also posted that even with Windows Defender disabled & WebrootS-A & AV removed, you were still experiencing problems with port 80 being blocked or tied up to where AH3 could not access it...
If possible, and if it is, have you tried placing AH3 in the DMZ on both your Windows 10 Firewall as well as your DMZ on Webroot and on your ADSL modem/router.... to where it circumvents and sidetracks most of the extra tightened down security features each separate firewall might have?
one more thing before I got to log for morning Bible Study!
if it's showing it is a windows 10 telemetery thing blocking/tien' up port 80 on AH3.... have ou thought about running one of the apps Skuzzy has listed for Windows 10 from years ago, on how to turn that telemetery stuff off and make it stop?
just some thoughts, best of luck, got to go am running late
Have A Blessed Day!
TC
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I'd wager it's leftover SecureAnywhere processes.
Pudgie I'd have a look at the webroot site, they have tools for properly removing secureanywhere.
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@Vulcan, FYI the Anti-virus Removal Tool I mentioned earlier has "all" of the dedicated manufacturer tools included. They can be started either from the dropdown menu or from the Tools\<brand> folder. Apart from that it does a scan so you know which tools to choose. Further, a new scan will also tell if there's any leftover after using the removal tools.
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Cool, @Pudgie have you done what bizman said? Coz you should.
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Hi All,
Been a little busy lately taking care of other items of interest..................... ..
@Vulcan, FYI the Anti-virus Removal Tool I mentioned earlier has "all" of the dedicated manufacturer tools included. They can be started either from the dropdown menu or from the Tools\<brand> folder. Apart from that it does a scan so you know which tools to choose. Further, a new scan will also tell if there's any leftover after using the removal tools.
I have done this....the included Webroot uninstaller did wipe all leftover traces of WebRoot directories but also as Bizman has stated it didn't touch the registry at all......and am still seeing AHIII being blocked (inbound traffic from the AHIII servers to my box only). All AHIII outbound traffic goes thru as it should (traffic from my box to the AHIII servers & have verified all this thru running Command Prompt). I had tested Webroot before I deleted it to see if it would block AHIII if it wasn't set up to allow it to pass thru & it would (outbound traffic...verified thru Command Prompt) so I kinda don't think that the Webroot AV was the culprit here......I can be wrong but from all that I have tested\checked to date prior it doesn't point to Webroot.
TC,
#1--Yes using the default firewall settings as set up by Centurylink (using 1 of their ADSL modem\Gbit LAN routers since I can't get these locally anymore) & haven't had any issues from it outside of overheating it once due to cooling air access restriction.....rectified & operating fine since.
#2--Yes...the Windows 10 Security suite includes Windows Defender so it's all 1 complete fully native AV suite package now
#3--Yes I did. When I installed Webroot SecureAnywhere it sets itself up in tandem w\ WSF so they were intergrated....Webroot handled all outbound traffic itself (remember WSF sets outbound traffic to allow all) while monitoring the inbound traffic (WSF sets inbound traffic to block all & only allows any inbound traffic if there exists a rule in Inbound Rules that allows individual processes to pass thru) thru the WSF. In this config Windows Defender resorts to the usual malware detection routines. Now w\ Webroot removed Windows Defender is now doing malware AND AV detection\quarantining\removal as well.
Yes w\ both Webroot removed & Windows Security disabled (working w\ Hitech personally) AHIII was still getting blocked from the AHIII servers to my box. Hitech then had me to go thru my web browser (MS Edge), connect to his servers that download the game patches and the terrains\arenas to download the very same stuff that the game client is requesting (thus removing the game client as the front man & using MS Edge web browser as the front man) to the game client then the game will start up & run just fine & the game will then patch up & run just fine. MS Edge is a web browser that will usually traffic thru the default HTTP TCP port 80.
Since Hitech knows that his servers are set up to use the default HTTP TCP port 80 to send any data from them to the game client then he (thus now me) knew that this port is somehow being blocked on my end. All outbound traffic from my box to AHIII servers is going thru over different ports (would need to so that his servers can support all the players outbound traffic to them).
I've checked all (AHIII is set up in the WSF inbound rules to be allowed passage & I have tested WSF to see if it would intercept AHIII if it wasn't set up.....it did so the inbound firewall shows to be working) so from this my issue either has to 1. be Windows OS itself blocking the TCP port 80 access to AHIII specifically for some reason or 2. be Windows OS has become infected w\ a virus\trojan--ransomware--that got thru both Webroot & Windows Security and has attached itself to AHIII & blocking TCP port 80 access to AHIII specifically holding the client ransom. I can't see any AV software doing that to a known, archived program. Also can't see this happening from my router's end (have also checked my router's logs....no instances of any traffic being blocked or stopped across any ports, much less TCP port 80) or my NIC (have checked here as well...couldn't find anything out of sorts & have updated the NIC drivers to the latest drivers to use their default settings....all works just fine).
All other processes that generate outbound\inbound IP traffic thru WS operate just fine.....only AHIII is blocked & only AHIII inbound traffic is being blocked--not AHIII outbound traffic..........
While checking the active connections thru Command Prompt after trying to run AHIII I kept seeing a consistent IP outbound just after I start up AHIII from my box's IP address establishing to an unknown IP network later identified as ntwk.MSN.net which is the same network that hosts Win 10 telemetry.....later when I remembered what WHOIS Lookup was for I then ran these IP addresses that the -f command in CP couldn't identify thru WHOIS & found that they are registered to MS Azure....their cloud services. I don't use MS Azure for anything (used when a Microsoft account is created\setup & I haven't created 1 on my box) so this is weird unless some part of Windows Security accesses\operates thru Azure....thus was suspecting some rogue behavior of Win 10 involving MS Azure.....I found there was a Windows Update that came out after my issue had occurred that addressed some found security concerns within Win 10 but after running it it didn't resolve this either.
I also found several rule entries in the WSF outbound\inbound rules that were tied to my box's computer name (TEAM RED) for allowing passage that I didn't make so this also points to either Win 10 going rogue or some virus\trojan infection. I removed all of them, reset the WSF firewall then tried AHIII w\o success so this didn't clear the blockage either (but indicates the existence of some malign process within the OS).
I also have reset\reinstalled Win 10 2 times to date on my box....1st time I still had Webroot installed & active, 2nd time I had deleted Webroot & had ran the Webroot uninstaller within the Antivirus Tool prior running it. Both times the issue w\ AHIII still persisted after the reinstall thus indicating that the reinstall won't touch this issue as long as it is setup to keep files & programs intact during the reinstall so the problem is located strictly within the OS proper on the C:\ drive thus also indicating that this issue is either 1. a rogue Windows OS issue created by a rogue Windows update specifically attacking AHIII client only or 2. a virus\trojan infection acting as ransomware that has hijacked AHIII client only.....from my perspective.
In the video I posted in this thread you can clearly see the dialog that shows up right after clicking to start up AHIII is a registered Windows 10 graphic stating that I needed to check w\ the publisher of the software being blocked for an updated version thus is indicating that the Win 10 OS is the 1 doing the blocking.....why it's doing this is the question.....to software that has been installed\operating on it just fine for quite some time prior to this.
I have always known that a drive format then OS fresh install\program reload would have rectified the issue initially (will also "clean out" the registry as it will be in virgin state), was for once trying to track down, find the source & resolve it w\o going thru the hassle of a full blown clean install since I have the time to devote to doing the legwork but it's looking more likely that I'm going to have to wipe her out & reinstall all fresh to stop all this foolery around AHIII.........
I haven't started this yet as I have been busy doing other things but will get around to this at some point.
:salute
PS--I also have a tendency to type a lot of text as well so I have to pay attention to not blow myself up, too. :D
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May your persistence pay off and thank you for keeping us informed. :cheers:
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Since Hitech knows that his servers are set up to use the default HTTP TCP port 80 to send any data from them to the game client then he (thus now me) knew that this port is somehow being blocked on my end. All outbound traffic from my box to AHIII servers is going thru over different ports (would need to so that his servers can support all the players outbound traffic to them).
I've checked all (AHIII is set up in the WSF inbound rules to be allowed passage & I have tested WSF to see if it would intercept AHIII if it wasn't set up.....it did so the inbound firewall shows to be working) so from this my issue either has to 1. be Windows OS itself blocking the TCP port 80 access to AHIII specifically for some reason or 2. be Windows OS has become infected w\ a virus\trojan--ransomware--that got thru both Webroot & Windows Security and has attached itself to AHIII & blocking TCP port 80 access to AHIII specifically holding the client ransom. I can't see any AV software doing that to a known, archived program. Also can't see this happening from my router's end (have also checked my router's logs....no instances of any traffic being blocked or stopped across any ports, much less TCP port 80) or my NIC (have checked here as well...couldn't find anything out of sorts & have updated the NIC drivers to the latest drivers to use their default settings....all works just fine).
You should not need to setup any inbound rules for AH3. Outbound rules should be sufficient. Outbound traffic to HTTP (outbound port 80) is stateful, and both Windows firewall and any router/firewall device will accept inbound traffic automagically.
It does sound like a malware infection that has hijacked outbound port 80, and is acting like a proxy that simply doesn't know what to do with AH3 as the source for web traffic requests. Windows Security (Defender) is pretty arse as far as detection of new threats goes. Defender itself has become the vulnerability itself that gets attacked from time to time. But Webroot has a reasonable good reputation so it is a bit odd it didn't pick anything up.
Best practice these days is to use a NGAV (Cylance, Carbon Black, Crowdstrike etc) and leave Defender running for signature detection's on older known malware.
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Windows Reset. Done.
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Windows Reset. Done.
Hi Chalenge,
Just got done doing this..........checked to ensure reset actually did anything......verified OS was cleanly reset\restored then reinstalled the latest version of AHIII over top of current install (to install a missing MS distributable that AHIII needs to run & to update the install into this fresh OS as I have the game loaded on a separate drive from C:\) before I installed anything else then ran it to see if all was resolved.
1st, I had to set the WSF to allow the game thru the firewall (using the native Windows Security suite & as stated in prior postings, WSF is set up by default to allow all outbound traffic unless a rule is set up to block individual traffic & block all inbound traffic unless a rule is set up to allow individual traffic......when game 1st starts up it connects to AHIII servers for ACK on sign in....the sign in wasn't blocked due to me already using the latest vers game patch) then I tried to go into several arenas......the game was verified still being blocked on my box from downloading terrain files\connecting from\to all arenas that I hadn't already physically downloaded terrain files from AHIII servers into the AHIII game client (this is how AHIII client operates...when clicking on an arena to enter the client reads the arena server to see which terrain it's using then looks within the ah3terr folder to see if the terrain is there & if it isn't then will try to download it from the AHIII arena server before entry....it is this action only is what is getting blocked) thru MS Edge web browser using the link that Hitech provided me so the reinstall of Win 10 Home 2004 thru Windows Reset function also didn't resolve this issue either.
Unless I'm missing something though, this exercise IMHO pretty much removes the possibility of a virus\trojan infection as the culprit so it seems to be clearly related to be a Win 10 OS issue on my box.....most likely something to do w\ security concerning apps & from this point this is at the base OS level as I haven't installed any apps or updated any drivers yet. All traces of Webroot SecureAnywhere AV that was installed prior have been verified removed this time....including the Windows registry so as I thought prior, Webroot AV wasn't the culprit.....this now confirms that.
As also stated prior this also isn't due to the Windows 2004 version update as this started occurring on my box during Windows 1909 vers in early March, 2020 & from the graphics of the dialog box displayed it points specifically at the OS as the blocking agent.
Once I physically go around the AHIII game client thru my web browser & get any necessary terrain files or game patches downloaded to my box then install into the AHIII game client then the AHIII game starts up, signs in, connects & runs just fine........so why is the OS out of the blue, specifically preventing this AHIII client software from initiating downloading of game patch updates & missing arena terrain downloads is the issue of concern as otherwise the AHIII game client operates\comms to the AHIII servers within the OS on my box just fine.......
Now I'm gonna be getting all set back up as I had it all prior as I know that none of my apps\programs\drivers are contributors then continue from there.
Ongoing.................
:salute
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Sounds like you might be infected with a rootkit virus, Pudgie
These types of virus have a way of hiding in your system memory
I have had successfully used "rKill" in removal of a rootkit virus from a friend's computer....
Only thing I can think of outside a full blown reformatting that drive and starting clean
Good luck with it
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Sounds like you might be infected with a rootkit virus, Pudgie
These types of virus have a way of hiding in your system memory
I have had successfully used "rKill" in removal of a rootkit virus from a friend's computer....
Only thing I can think of outside a full blown reformatting that drive and starting clean
Good luck with it
Thanks for the tip, TC!
I'll look into that.
:salute
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Update:
Looked up rKill software on their web site......little stand alone software that doesn't need to be installed so I downloaded it & ran it.
Says box is clean in generated scan results text file (shows no running malware, rootkit or virus instances found on drives, in memory or in Windows registry).
So from this we're back to square 1...........
FYI,
:salute
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Following along with this. Really odd it's just part of AH it doesn't like. Hope you get it squared away.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
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Pudgie - While working on computers have found that rootkit virus can be stealthy.
Warning: When dealing with potentially virused computer drives, I like to keep any other computer used to scan drives unplugged from the internet while scanning/cleaning.
I initially try to back up data to external hard drive, then scan the external hard drive with anti-virus on another pc to make sure backup data is clean (usually not).
Typically I remove infected drive from pc and scan it with another pc to detect and remove virus. Also consider windows user names and passwords can hinder recovering user data from a operating system drive while connected to another computer in this configuration.
So to me the easiest method is to back up all data, scan and clean backup data with another computer, and delete all partitions on infected drive and either let windows or your favorite drive software make new partitions.
I've had good luck with Kaspersky TDSS Killer to detect and remove these viruses if the drive operating system must be recovered for some reason (like making backup of data).
Make sure the scanning pc is not connected to internet when you connect it to a potentially infected drive.
Typically there are some annoying artifacts/settings left in operating system by the virus after it's cleaned so I recommend delete all drive partitions and do fresh install.
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The Kaspersky TDSSKiller is free and a program like Belarc Advisor can capture all your software activation codes and system data.
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Instead of scanning the hard drive in another computer I've used a bootable USB stick running a Linux based virus scanner. Eset, F-secure, Kaspersky are what I've used.
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Instead of scanning the hard drive in another computer I've used a bootable USB stick running a Linux based virus scanner. Eset, F-secure, Kaspersky are what I've used.
:aok
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I was running a fresh piece of malware (emotet variant) through scanners yesterday, only mcafee, trend and symantec picked it up.
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After trying to figure this "hack to port 80&AH3" for this period of time
I recommend throwing in the towel and starting from scratch with a freshly reformatted drive
I myself would have most likely went postal on that computer of yours and unloaded several 50 round clips of 7.62 x 59 into it......heh
I can only imagine what you have been through trying to figure this conundrum out
Wish you luck
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Update:
Went ahead & reran Windows Reset again, this time I set it up to blow out everything off the drive it was installed on (C:\) then reinstall itself. Got all finally set back up (it wouldn't let me finish up reinstall w\o setting up a MS account) & reinstalled the latest version of AHIII (Version 3.05 Patch 14) & tried it.....AHIII is still getting blocked as previously reported so from here I'm gonna finally pull out my retail USB stick & do a full C:\ drive format\reinstall of my retail copy of Win 10 Home (which will ensure a fully clean Win 10 install w\o any updates....will disconnect from my LAN when I do it to prevent any Windows Updates running & disconnect both my D:\ & E:\ drives to preserve my data saved on them...not gonna trust it) then go thru the myriad of Windows Updates then reinstalls of all software.........
I know I can bypass the MS account stuff using this method.
This is it..............this will tell all. Gonna be a few days as I'm gonna have to do this in stages.
Rough stuff...............
:salute
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Hey Pudgie
That most likely should cure your problem hopefully
I recommend what Bizman posted Instead of scanning the hard drive in another computer I've used a bootable USB stick running a Linux based virus scanner. Eset, F-secure, Kaspersky are what I've used.
To scan all drives ..... (I've always been partial to and prefer ESET and their tools for scanning/ cleaning with a few other tools)
Hope it fixes your problem, and probably will....regarding the settings and making a MS account, I've have 1/2 way set 1 up and then just left it sitting dormant on 3 or 4 Windows 10 installs... but my personal Opinion and I have posted this along time back before Skuzzy retired, is for me to use Windows 10, I only use my "Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB version so I can have full control over everything including settings and updates and MS added on bloat"
But most people don't have the ability to get a copy or can afford it if they do have a way of getting it legitimately..
You 'd have to be a MSDN tech and/or a team member of the MS Insiders program (something i try to keep actively involved in so I don't get booted from either, ROFL)
Best of luck with your endeavors in starting from scratch with a new fresh install
<S>
TC
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... I'm gonna finally pull out my retail USB stick & do a full C:\ drive format\reinstall of my retail copy of Win 10 Home (which will ensure a fully clean Win 10 install w\o any updates....will disconnect from my LAN when I do it to prevent any Windows Updates running & disconnect both my D:\ & E:\ drives to preserve my data saved on them...not gonna trust it) then go thru the myriad of Windows Updates then reinstalls of all software.........
I know I can bypass the MS account stuff using this method.
So if you are resetting Windows you can't just disconnect and go back to the previous page to create a local account? That's new to me.
I've most always plugged into the net during the installing process and disconnected when it asks for the MS account, then gone back using the left arrow on the screen and created a local account. Another trick I've found out is not to create a password at that stage as they'll ask for a dozen of security questions for a lost or forgotten password. When creating the password inside Windows a single hint is the only thing needed.
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I highly recommend you delete any existing partitions and make new ones on the OS drive before formatting. You can do this during the windows installation process. Windows installation software can delete the existing partitions and will build the new partitions it needs and format them for you.
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Update:
I found part of my issue.....somehow MS One Drive had gotten initiated & it hijacked the Windows desktop in the background & was trying to set up any apps (including shortcuts to apps....like AHIII) into the MS cloud (was what I was seeing every time thru Command Prompt that was starting up when I started up AHIII). Tried to delete just the MS One Drive program (installs when Win 10 is reset\reinstalled) itself but this caused file corruption (wouldn't allow any shortcuts to be put on the desktop afterwards) so I performed another Windows reset but this time I set it up to blow off all & download new image from the MS cloud so that C:\ drive could be formatted before reinstall. I have no idea how that got started as I don't\have never used a MS account & you have to create an account to use MS One Drive............
The IP addresses ID the OrigName to be MS Routing, Peer & DNS so I assumed this was trying to act as some type of proxy.
Got all back up & all my stuff reloaded (once again the reinstall wouldn't let me just set up a local account...forced me to set up a MS account but as soon as I got into Windows I set up my local account then deleted the MS account. I was connected to the Internet though during this phase so this may have something to do w\ that) I then promptly deleted MS One Drive then ran DISM restorehealth command along w\ sfc /scannow command......dism reported all successful but scannow reported some file corruption found that it repaired successfully. Ran this again to confirm that all was good afterwards.....results came back clean on the 2nd run.
Now when I start AHIII I'm not getting any more MS .NET traffic starting\running in the background....still getting blocked when trying to enter arenas that I don't already have the terrain files downloaded into the ah3terr folder but I can see that when I click on the arena, the terrain file transfer does initially start to go then it gets arrested & kicks client back to clipboard. When I run the active connection traces thru CP I'm now finding a consistent hit on an AHIII IP address that matches errmgr.hitechcreations.com (Steal the Sheep arena) when the file blocking occurs (follows the number of attempts I make in succession that get blocked....was intentionally using the Steal the Sheep arena as a test mule).
This verifies that the client is talking to the arena server, is identifying the terrain that is being used, is checking the ah3terr folder to see if the terrain is there (it isn't but it then sets the stealshp.res file attribute in the ah3terr folder to receive the data) then tries to initiate the transfer. The arena server does initiate the file transfer & it is after this action happens is when this process is interrupted/stopped & client is kicked back to the clipboard menu.
All else operates just fine.....even AHIII runs just fine after I physically download the necessary terrain file thru MS Edge web browser into the ah3terr folder then run the game as normal.
Whatever it is that's stopping the terrains from being downloaded by the AHIII client on my box is also stopping any AHIII patch updates from downloading when requested by the AHIII client..............
Got 1 piece of this puzzle out of the way.......
:salute
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I've never heard of one drive doing that. Time to nuke your PC.
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(once again the reinstall wouldn't let me just set up a local account...forced me to set up a MS account but as soon as I got into Windows I set up my local account then deleted the MS account. I was connected to the Internet though during this phase so this may have something to do w\ that)
It certainly has. If you during installing Windows10 end up in the situation where a MS account seems to be the only option, simply unplug from the Net and use the arrow in the upper left corner to go back to the previous page where you can create a local account.
It doesn't matter how you jump out of the Internet. On laptops the Flight Mode button already works at that early stage of Windows, or you can just power off your router, or unplug the network cable.
Another trick to make life easier is not to create a password for the local account during the installation procedure. During installing you'll be asked for half a dozen safety questions while from within Windows' settings the only required thing is the hint to memorize your password.
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Pudgie, how many other players are reporting your issue? I doubt any have.
Just reinstall Windows and be done with it. (Save what you can)
The effort you're putting into diagnostics is quite bizarre..
Coogan
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Update:
Have just now isolated this issue down to the AHIII game client's ahbrowser.exe is the 1 getting blocked on my box from starting up (this is the in game's web browser that executes the downloading of any terrain\patch files from the AHIII servers to the FE game client).
Have tested all other AHIII FE client's .exe files & all others are operational except this ahbrowser.exe so now I know where to focus at.
Getting warmer...................
Using the Windows Resource Monitor can be very helpful...................... .......
:salute
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Update:
Have just now isolated this issue down to the AHIII game client's ahbrowser.exe is the 1 getting blocked on my box from starting up (this is the in game's web browser that executes the downloading of any terrain\patch files from the AHIII servers to the FE game client).
Have tested all other AHIII FE client's .exe files & all others are operational except this ahbrowser.exe so now I know where to focus at.
Getting warmer...................
Using the Windows Resource Monitor can be very helpful...................... .......
:salute
If that's the issue then if I remember correctly, chromium is what HTC uses for the in-game AH browser
Someone please correct me if I am wrong about this
You should be able to create a rule allowing the "ahbrowser.exe" to have access through your Windows firewall and your router etc.... or since we all know that it is "SAFE", just put it in your DMZ (that is if Windows 10 home has this option in its firewall/ network settings) and the same for your router...
Seems like it should be an easy fix/ cure......
Good Luck and hope you get it working Pudgie
TC
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If that's the issue then if I remember correctly, chromium is what HTC uses for the in-game AH browser
Someone please correct me if I am wrong about this
You should be able to create a rule allowing the "ahbrowser.exe" to have access through your Windows firewall and your router etc.... or since we all know that it is "SAFE", just put it in your DMZ (that is if Windows 10 home has this option in its firewall/ network settings) and the same for your router...
Seems like it should be an easy fix/ cure......
Good Luck and hope you get it working Pudgie
TC
Yeah TC, I have already gone down that route w\o success.
But for the 1st time since all this started I've finally found another app\program that I tried to run on my box & it initiated the Windows "This app can't run on your PC" dialog when executing 1 of the app's .exe files (of all apps it was a MS app written by MS's lead programmer that was said to be supported by all client levels of Win 10 OS's) & from going thru the process found that my Win 10 Home x64 OS didn't like this particular .exe file within the app even though the other 2 .exe files within the app it allowed just fine but the 1 .exe that is needed for this app to be used is the 1 that is not allowed to run.
This development now helps to give some direction into the cause IMHO.....and it is seemingly pointing in more of a direction of my installed copy of Win 10 actually having some internal coding streams broken (why I was trying to use this side written MS streaming app.....was written to allow usage thru the CP to break certain code streams then allow the reformation of these streams.....got all this thru searching on this issue) that for some unknown reasoning is affecting the AHIII client in only 2 minor but specific ways alone....only when the AHIII servers report a new patch available to upgrade the client to date AND only when the AHIII servers try to download a requested terrain that is being used in an arena & the requested terrain files aren't present within the client's ah3terr folder (or on the HDD\SSD).....otherwise the same AHIII game client isn't hindered from operating\communicating w\ the very same AHIII servers in any other fashion or form. Once the necessary terrain files are side loaded into the ah3terr folder the game starts up, runs & comms w\ the AHIII servers just fine as if nothing is wrong AND once the game patch is updated from side loading it into the client either thru using a full vers install or by using Hitech's quick patch update the game will then start up just fine like nothing was wrong......
My experiences w\ virus infection have not followed this behavior path.....they have usually affected\arrested the entire client software operations & by this time have usually spread onto affecting other operations as well......this is why I think\suspect this issue is specific to some part of my copy of Windows 10 Home OS getting broken thru some Windows update but the "broken" code doesn't look like it's broken to the new Windows OS image installer or to DISM or to SFC so thus is getting passed over during their operations to restore the Windows image to default.
On the last Windows reset I ran I had it to download a new Windows image from MS's cloud so the installer could then run a format on my C:\ drive before reinstalling the newly downloaded OS image (not use the saved restore image on the C:\ SSD that Windows was installed on) to try to simulate a clean install but it appears that the installer did the same thing during the format as all the other resets have done & passed over the "broken" code section due to it not showing to be out of form structurally so the only means at this time for me to really resolve this is to go thru the process of using my retail Win 10 Home USB stick to perform a real format of my SSD (my drive being an SSD may also be playing a factor in this as well w\ performing the Windows resets....don't know this for sure but I'm also not gonna discount it either).
None of this is preventing me from playing the game or patching it now (Hitech thru his generosity has provided me the means to effectively get around these snags & side load any necessary files into the game client since we have determined what is actually happening as far as the game is concerned) so I can play now just fine while at the same time I can perform my testing\checking to try to find the source of the issue (I intentionally am not side loading the terrain files for the Steal the Sheep arena as I don't frequent that arena to use as my testing mule so to speak) & outside of the aforementioned MS app that was not allowed to run I haven't had any other issues w\ any other 3rd party apps\programs starting up\running on my box in any way whatsoever.....even thru at this time 4 Windows resets & 3 program reload\setup scenarios so I'm highly doubting this is a viral infection causing all this & it certainly isn't an AV software issue & it isn't looking like it is a Windows Firewall\MS Defender issue either.
Just IMHO busted Windows OS coding that just happens to pick on AHIII client software in a very narrow but targeted manner.............
So I'm gonna start rumaging thru the Windows registry to see if I can find something amiss in there before I resort to nuke my box w\ my retail Win OS USB stick. Since I have upgraded to vers 2004 I have inadvertedly wiped the Windows Update progression that was present while vers 1909 was being used to use to systematically remove the installed updates individually to find the 1 that may have caused this..........
Oh well................
:salute
Hitech,
I've provided a .dmp file below that I found had been created on 9-25-20.....this was right after I had reloaded all from the last Windows "full" reset & had tried to run the game as intended w\o success. Might give some light on this issue.....might not.
:salute
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Pudgie have you ever tried BDSM? I think you'd enjoy it.
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Pudgie have you ever tried BDSM? I think you'd enjoy it.
ROFL.... are you talking about the game "BDSM" on Steam?.... or the other "BDSM" which is not allowed to be discussed on these message boards?
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Pudgie, now that you have found a 2nd program/app/etc... that has the same thing happening, it does sound like your Windows 10 OS has possibly had some files that did not fully correctly install properly during the update you did way back in what was it ? March? when this problem first started showing up....
you're like a Large Mouth Bass hooked onto a Johnson's Silver Minnow, and are unwilling to let go of this until you have figured it out and fixed it, LOL
I know it is aggravating, but if i was you I would back up any files you want to save and do a complete "FULL" format ( not the quick format option ) and if you desire create your partitions, then do a fresh installation from your Windows 10 media ( albeit a DVD installation disc or a Windows 10 USB Stick/USB Thumb Drive )
and don't be connected to the internet
wish ya the best
TC
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I'm with TC here. I'm the guy that would rather spend days trying to fix Windows instead of copying the data folders to an external and doing a fresh install which would only take half a day including reinstalling all programs and copying the data folders back. Yet there has been cases where the latter would have saved me from much hassle. There's elements within Windows that won't get fixed and some of them may lie in even inside the full reset system. A fresh copy of the installing media on a USB stick and a clean install is the way to go, including unplugging any other hard disks and deleting all partitions from the OS disk. And unplugging from the Internet and taking a step back when it asks for your login info!
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Quick update:
I haven't stopped working on this issue......
Been working w\ Hitech so that he would also have the info from this as a lot of what I've been witnessing going on\seeing isn't exactly lining up w\ what most are familiar experiencing so Hitech made a suggestion to me to try to use my IPhone as a hotspot to establish an alternative connection to the Internet to verify if my issues were really located in my box since I've reset my Windows 10 Home x64 OS some 3 separate times w\ the last time actually performing a C:\ drive format (same drive the OS was installed on) then downloading a clean Windows image from the MS cloud to use to reinstall Windows (which essentially imitates a clean install from a USB stick.....yeah you're still connected to the Internet but to my knowledge no virus\Trojan can execute\operate on it's own coding...still needs an OS to run it's code & the OS drive was wiped before OS reinstall....actually recovered a fair amount of drive space in the process--found later that MS Store was defaulted to auto update MS Store programs installed so shut that down) so I set out to perform the test.
Using a dedicated Verizon hotspot (had issues w\ my box recognizing my IPhone as a hotspot over USB--yes it was set up correctly--so I borrowed the wife's Verizon hotspot....had forgot that she had it) to connect to the Internet verified that there was actually no issues w\ anything software\hardware wise in my box (Windows OS & Windows Security AV--including the Windows Firewall--& AHIII, no viruses\Trojan infections) as AHIII started up, ran normally & AHIII servers downloaded any missing terrain files needed to enter an arena w\o a hitch as written to do so this pointed to the issue source being located somewhere between my box's NIC, CenturyLink ADSL modem\router or within my CenturyLink ISP's DSLAM\routing system between me & Hitech's AHIII servers.
Repeated this test several times thru the hotspot to establish repeatability to remove any doubts & got the same results then went back thru my CenturyLink ADSL connection several times & got blocked every time so same results thus is now reliably verified. So now am waiting on an AHIII patch update to be released to then run this test again using the Verizon hotspot to verify what we have noted in the prior testing......got a hunch that this will turn out the same.........
So in the meantime we're working w\ my ISP (CenturyLink) to see if this issue is being caused thru their system after running a test to make sure that the URL Hitech is using isn't getting altered (somehow getting switched from http to https) to localize the source before making any moves to replace hardware on my end since other apps\programs I use that also use the std Web Service http protocol (TCP Port 80) aren't having any issues connecting or sending\receiving data packets thru my CenturyLink ADSL modem\router & my unit has been using it's default settings since I got it last year, all logs show it operating fine w\ no errors, all diagnostic tests run come back normal & unit is using the latest firmware.
In the meantime I now can still run\play AHIII just fine thru my CenturyLink ADSL connection since I've manually downloaded all the terrain files that Hitech is using in rotation in the Open Melee arena & patched up to the latest patch thru the link he provided me to access all this on their servers thru my web browser (MS Edge) to get around this problem & the patching update problem until this issue is resolved.......which also adds to the weirdness as we're connecting to the very same AHIII servers that the terrain files are kept on to play the game.......
This is where we are at this time so I know now w\ pretty good assurance that my box or the software running on it (including any AV software) isn't the source of this issue concerning AHIII & the AHIII client software\AHIII servers aren't the source either.
Once this is finally rectified I'll let all know what was found.
FYI....................
:salute
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Wait .... BDSM is banned on this board? :old:
(https://i.gifer.com/1B5z.gif)
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Final Update:
As of now this issue has been resolved.
Ended up replacing my verified defective CenturyLink ADSL modem\router w\ my used NetGear Nighthawk AC1900 ADSL modem\router after resetting it's bricked firmware back to factory defaults to finally regain access to it then flash it up to the latest firmware to clean it up then set it all back up. Working just fine now.....hope it holds up as this unit is now discontinued................
AHIII operates just fine over my LAN now.....all back to normal.
Heck of a deal but it's finally fixed.......never could figure out why this CL modem\router had an issue w\ blocking AHIII server downloads only & not have issues w\ any other app\software running thru the Web Service protocol (TCP Port 80) but it doesn't matter now....at least not to me.
:salute
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Glad you got it sorted! So it was not Win10 at all, this time...
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Glad you got it sorted! So it was not Win10 at all, this time...
Yep, nor was it an AV issue, neither Windows Security (which includes Windows Defender AV & Windows Firewall) or 3rd party WebRoot SecureAnywhere AV.
The issue was also shown to not be related to any outbound data traffic (which also would indicate my box as a suspect...but I did see a lot of outbound data activity that was happening at the same time & only in conjunction w\ the AHIII outbound data traffic over TCP port 80 tying up this port which to me looked suspicious) but was verified related to inbound data traffic issues only that were happening before it reached my box BUT was isolated in tandem to only 1 source.....AHIII game servers which Hitech knew were using the std Web HTTP Service protocols over TCP Port 80 to download game data over the Internet directly to their game client software on my box, which is very weird since other software's online servers which use the very same std Web HTTP Service protocols over the very same port were having no issues getting incoming data into my box blocked by the OS itself (this part is a real legit function of Win 10 which was verified when I tried to run a separate piece of MS software that did conflict w\ the OS's 64 bit function & got the same error dialog as I got when patching up AHIII client to latest version....which the AV firewalls aren't written to detect) so my CenturyLink ADSL modem\router was somehow altering the direct AHIII server incoming data packet's header info\data packets themselves in a way that the Win 10 OS (not the AV firewalls) saw it as faulty & thus rejected it but if the same data packets came thru another source like MS Edge Web browser then my CenturyLink ADSL modem\router passed it thru untouched so then the OS saw it as clean so allowed it to be processed then the game would function as normal afterwards.
All diagnostics tests ran & all service logs looked at from the CenturyLink CT1100 (made by Actiontec) ADSL 1-Gbit modem\router came back as normal\clean operations so no hint of any pending issue within the unit itself & the unit was using the latest firmware so there was no path to doing a refresh to see if it straightened up & all other components downstream of it all passed my testing so there was nothing to suggest it was a suspect until we tested my box thru another path to the Internet which then the results of this test exposed my modem\router as a suspect.
Hitech offered to get w\ my CenturyLink ISP provider to run some tests between their AHIII servers & CenturyLink's DSLAM here in Farmington (gave him my account #) to see if my issue was occurring somewhere within CenturyLink's system before it got to my residence (was waiting on feedback from him before I did anything as I was gonna have to order another CenturyLink-compatible replacement ADSL modem\router....all stores in my area have stopped selling these since FIOS was installed some 5 yrs ago....online pickings are very thin at best). Hadn't heard from him yet but I got to thinking bout my old Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 ADSL WiFi 1-Gbit modem\router (CenturyLink approved) that had issues shortly after a firmware update (why I replaced it) so I got it out, hooked it back up then after a LOT of fiddling I finally got my IPhone to run the Netgear Genie setup software in it on Safari after performing multiple resets to default settings to get it signed back into CenturyLink's ISP then I could use the wife's computer (IE 11...MS Edge had issues displaying the Netgear Genie HTML graphics imaging even w\ IE11 compatibility enabled....) thru Ethernet to access it to then flash it to the latest firmware which was successful so then fixed it.
After setting all back up I then ran the game & tested it using the Steal the Sheep arena (uses only 1 terrain file) by deleting the stealshe.res terrain file from the ah3terr folder then clicking online to enter this arena (AHIII servers check the FE's ah3terr folder to see if the terrain file is present-if not then they will download the necessary terrain file to the FE to use in the arena, does the same process for all online arenas)....AHIII servers successfully downloaded the terrain files into the FE thru this Netgear Nighthawk ADSL modem\router w\o Win 10 OS interference & opened the arena so the issue was now no more...just as it had done thru the Verizon hotspot thru USB.
Hell of a deal w\ a lot of rabbit chasing on my part but we got it isolated to the source.....still don't know what exactly is the specific cause of this issue within this CenturyLink modem\router....a simple firmware upgrade may very well fix it but as of today CenturyLink hasn't posted any & I didn't see any on Actiontec's web site for this model either.
But as usual, when you do this kind of diagnosis work, you end up finding more unrelated issues....the WAP I was using to extend wireless Internet service to the rear of the house had gotten cut out since I installed my new CPU\mobo upgrade (mobo NIC is full 1-Gbit capable as is my Netgear switch but my old Zoom WAP thru it's WLAN port is not which caused severe WAP wireless data traffic slowdowns between it & the full 1-Gbit capable ADSL modem\router since the single Ethernet port was set for full 1-Gbit speeds between it, the switch & my box's NIC) so now I've ordered a TP-Link WAP\1-Gbit Ethernet router to replace the old Zoom unit to rectify this issue so the entire LAN system now will have the same 2.4G\5G wireless WAP LAN capability AND the same 1-Gbit Ethernet LAN speeds so I can take full advantage of the 5G wireless LAN speeds w\ the devices that can use it as well as full 1-Gbit Ethernet LAN speeds across all Ethernet connected devices.
Should be all hunky dory after this for a while...........I hope.
:D
:salute
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Glad you were able to figure it out....seems like we were discussing router issues some 5 months ago
I'm guessing that the CenturyLink ADSL modem got "cooked" internally back when it overheated....
Am thinking you probably could have saved yourself a lot of time if you had just switched out modems....but look at all of the other things you found going on with your OS & system before you got to this point....
Happy New Year!
TC
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Glad you were able to figure it out....seems like we were discussing router issues some 5 months ago
I'm guessing that the CenturyLink ADSL modem got "cooked" internally back when it overheated....
Am thinking you probably could have saved yourself a lot of time if you had just switched out modems....but look at all of the other things you found going on with your OS & system before you got to this point....
Happy New Year!
TC
Yeah TC we were but to me there wasn't enough conclusive data in my mind at that time to isolate my modem\router as a suspect.....now if these issues would have started happening immediately after the modem\router overheat then that would've tied the 2 together for me but that was not the case so I couldn't see it being related at the time. Didn't help that I didn't have a working spare unit at the time either to test with.......so I thought.........
I wish I'd had remembered that Mrs. Pudgie had that dedicated Verizon hotspot a LOT sooner but as you have stated I got a lot more out of all this than I might have otherwise so in the end it's all good. The bad part is that after all this time I finally remembered me using it on my box once before to keep it connected to the Internet back when I had jacked up this Netgear unit waiting on the CenturyLink unit to come in thru the mail.......
Yes, my memory is starting to slide some as I get older.......I'll admit it! :D
I was glad\relieved that the firmware reflash of my old NetGear Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi 1-Gbit ADSL modem\router actually fixed it as this unit was very pricey at the time when I bought it (was top of the line back in the day for ADSL modem\routers w\ emphasis on gaming) but TBH I didn't think it was salvageable.....or else I'd have tried this earlier. Only tried it now due to the lack of suitable replacement CenturyLink-compatible ADSL units left online to buy........... This last 1 that went bad I bought directly from CenturyLink so I definately wasn't going back to them for a replacement if I could help it.......WAP range in it sucked as well vs this Netgear.
You can now rest assured that this has broken me of always updating component firmware just for the sake of updating it to the latest version.....back to the old true saying for me....."If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
:salute
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Oh & BTW, TC...................
Yes I do relate to your large mouth bass comment..............
:D
:salute
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Just to inform all,
As of today I have sent this defective modem\router that I have replaced (was gonna discard it anyway) to Hitech so that he can run tests on it to determine what exactly is the reasoning as to why\how it was affecting their server's data packets as they passed thru it for future reference.....
:cheers: :salute