==============================
+++ THIS TUTORIAL INCLUDES +++
==============================

- HOW TO INSTALL RED ALERT IN WINDOWS XP/VISTA

- HOW TO INSTALL RED ALERT IN WINDOWS XP/VISTA VIA AN IMAGE

- HOW TO PATCH RED ALERT TO V3.03

- HOW TO FIX THE LAN CRASH IN RED ALERT V1.08 & V2.00

- HOW TO FIX THE LAN CRASH IN RED ALERT V3.03

- HOW TO LOGIN TO WESTWOOD ONLINE VIA RED ALERT LOBBY

- HOW TO HOST A RED ALERT GAME

- HOW TO PLAY NURPLED MAPS ONLINE

- INTERNET PERFORMANCE ISSUES

- KNOWN BUGS IN RED ALERT V3.03 ONLINE

- CONNECTION PROBLEMS WHILE STARTING A MULTIPLAYER GAME

- HOW TO PLAY RED ALERT VIA KALI

- HOW TO PLAY RED ALERT VIA HAMACHI

- SMALL NOTICE

- CREDITS



Notice:
Before configuring something for Red Alert be sure if it is closed !!

====================================================
+++ HOW TO INSTALL RED ALERT IN WINDOWS XP/VISTA +++
====================================================

First make sure you own the original Command & Conquer: Red Alert CDs


Follow these steps:

1. put your Red Alert CD into your CD drive
2. download the Red Alert Manager v0.98
3. extract it from the RAR Archive and run the Self-Extractor
4. extract the Red Alert manager files into a new folder
5. run Red Alert Manager
6. set following options there:

- Install Red Alert(R) from the original CD
- Remove CD protection
- Install music

everything else please keep them disabled

..and install Red Alert into your selected directory you have chosen above
directly under the first option.


=================================================================
+++ HOW TO INSTALL RED ALERT IN WINDOWS XP/VISTA VIA AN IMAGE +++
=================================================================

1. download and install DAEMON Tools Lite

get it at:
http://www.daemon-tools.cc/dtcc/download.php?mode=ViewCategory&catid=5

2. restart your PC
3. if DAEMON Tools starts itself, close the window
4. right-click the DAEMON Tools' tray icon

select:
- Virtual CD/DVD ROM
- No Media (just the first option)
- Mount Image...
- search for your Red Alert Image (either the soviets or allied disc)

5. run Red Alert Manager
6. set following options there:

- Install Red Alert(R) from the original CD
- Remove CD protection
- Install music

everything else please keep them disabled

..and install Red Alert into your selected directory you have chosen above
directly under the first option.

Or just burn the Images for example with Nero
so the burned CD works like an original CD !!


=======================================
+++ HOW TO PATCH RED ALERT TO V3.03 +++
=======================================

1. download the Red Alert V3.03 patch
2. extract all files into your Red Alert directory
3. overwrite all files there or make backups before patching

After overwriting the needed files your Red Alert is successfully patched to V3.03.

Please notice:
While starting Red Alert V3.03 for its first time a window will appear to install the
'Westwood Shared Internet Components'. You may install it anywhere on your HDD.
I prefer to install it into the Westwood directory, for example:

'C:\Games\Westwood\Internet\'

The Westwod Shared Internet Componets are needed to play Red Alert V3.03 online !!
After installing these components re-launch Red Alert and play.

If you have got the 'Westwood Shared Internet Components' already installed a window will
appear with an information that these components are already installed.

Now your Red Alert owns its own and integrated Internet Lobby to host and/or join
up to an 8 player game.

You will find more about it below in this tutorial !!


For TFD (The First Decade) users do following:

1. download the Red Alert V3.03 TFD patch

get it at:
http://nyerguds.arsaneus-design.com/cncstuff/tfd_ra303fix.zip

2. extract all V3.03 files into your Red Alert directory
3. overwrite all files there or make backups before patching
4. extract 'tfd-ra303fix.exe' into your Red Alert directory
5. run it, it should appear a dos box while patching
6. it should appear a message like:

'Done!'

if not re-try it !!


===========================================================
+++ HOW TO FIX THE LAN CRASH IN RED ALERT V1.08 & V2.00 +++
===========================================================

1. download the THIPX32.dll file
2. extract it into your Red Alert directory
3. overwrite the actual THIPX32.dll file or make a backup before

This file is very important for all Red Alert players who want to play via LAN
in Red Alert V1.08 & V2.00 !!


===================================================
+++ HOW TO FIX THE LAN CRASH IN RED ALERT V3.03 +++
===================================================

1. download the wsock32.dll file
2. extract it into your Red Alert directory

This file is very important for all Red Alert players who want to play via LAN
in Red Alert V3.03 !!


===========================================================
+++ HOW TO LOGIN TO WESTWOOD ONLINE VIA RED ALERT LOBBY +++
===========================================================

1. Start Command & Conquer: Red Alert
2. If you see the '4 player internet' image on the right bottom in main menu
   so everything is patched
3. click 'Multiplayer Game'
4. 'Internet'

If it asks you to create an account for Westwood Online, abort it!
Setup your account manually:

- add your username and a pass
- enable the 'Save' option
- then 'Connect'

5. 'Connect'


====================================
+++ HOW TO HOST A RED ALERT GAME +++
====================================

1. click 'New'
2. setup how many players may join
3. select a 'Red Alert' game

Notice:
If you are going to host a Counterstrike game or an Aftermath game
all your mates who want to join need the Counterstrike and/or the Aftermath
expansion pack/s as well !!

4. click 'Ok'
5. setup your game options and have fun !!

To host an 8 player game, do following in main lobby:
- write '/8playergames' (without quotes)
- that's all


=======================================
+++ HOW TO PLAY NURPLED MAPS ONLINE +++
=======================================

At first 'Nurpled Maps' are maps which includes buildings, units
or if the Ore grows 20x faster or if tanks can shoot across the map
for example.

At least maps which do not include the '[Digest]' section !!

1. download the patchfix
2. extract it into your Red Alert directory
3. open it
4. select the 'ra95.dat'
5. click 'Open'

If a window appear with a successful message, everything is done!
If not just re-do it !!

Now you can play Nurpled maps Online. LAN works without that patch.
And in other words, this patches/fixes/updates your V3.03 into V3.03+ !!


===================================
+++ INTERNET PERFORMANCE ISSUES +++
===================================

To avoid poor performance during Internet play, be sure that you close any file sharing,
streaming audio, or chat programs prior to entering gameplay. These applications can
monopolize your connection's bandwidth, causing lag or other undesirable effects.

Command & Conquer: Red Alert uses the following TCP and UDP ports for Internet play:

3840, 4000, 4005, 4808, 4810, 4995, 5009, 5400

If you cannot connect anyway to each other open/forward these ports as well:

1234, 1235, 1236, 1237, 7000, 7001, 7002

To get more informations about port forwarding visit:

http://portforward.com/

Go to the routers section, select your router, then your game.
(http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm)


DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is mostly NOT working !!
You need to forward ports and to enable the NAT handling !!


============================================
+++ KNOWN BUGS IN RED ALERT V3.03 ONLINE +++
============================================

- If you hosted a game or if you join a game and you cannot see
  the colors and the sides of your mates just change slowly your
  side and your color and back to your preferred side and color.
  This should work and your game will not freeze.

- If you play a 1on1 game and all ports are forwarded also your mate and you
  cannot connect anyway to each other just start a game again and do following:

1. start a 2 player game
2. if a message appear like 'Reconnect to..' or 'Waiting for connections..'
3. immediately press ESC to quit game
4. you fall back to the main internet lobby
5. your host has immediately to host up a 2 player game again
6. you have immediately to refresh the server list by clicking on the refresh button
   on the top (the 2 green arrows)
7. you have fast to join his room again and to accept immediately
8. your host has to start game

If this does not work do these steps 3 times (+) in a row !!

If you received all your credits for example your 10.000 credits and the game
will not launch anyway, an other has to host !!

- A scroll bug. Your scrolling rate is extremely high. To avoid this bug goto
  your Red Alert directory and open 'RASETUP.EXE'.
  Enable: 'Back buffer in Video Memory'
  You may also change Red Alert's resolution there.
  If you want enable also: 'Allow hardware filled blits'

  This may also happen with earlier versions of Red Alert (V1.08/V2.00)
  while running this game in Windows XP/Vista.


=============================================================
+++ CONNECTION PROBLEMS WHILE STARTING A MULTIPLAYER GAME +++
=============================================================

If nothing above helped you to start a multiplayer game via Red Alert V3.03
and you are still getting the 'Connection to...' or 'Reconnect to...' message while
starting a game, or if you can select your MCV (Mobile Construction Vehicle) ingame but
cannot drive it also if you receive your credits but it aborts at any value you have to try this:

- An other has to host !!

It is either a connection problem or router problem or just some ports are not forwarded.

The host has also to change if you were able to play successfully a multiplayer game
with 3 or 4 players before, someone left or someone more joined your hosted room and you
get the 'Connection to...' or 'Reconnect to...' message while starting a next game or similar things
as written above.


======================================
+++ HOW TO PLAY RED ALERT VIA KALI +++
======================================

1. download and install Kali

get it at:
http://www.kali.net/download.asp

and create a trial account for free.

Notice:
Your Kali trial account expires after 30 days !!
So you have to create a next email address to receive a next trial account.

For example:
- kali1_name@abc.de
- kali2_name@abc.de

Create a trial account here:
http://www.kali.net/register.asp?option=trial

Or just buy a life-time key for $20 here:
http://www.kali.net/register.asp

2. start Kali and fill in all needed informations

3. do following steps to configure your Kali settings:

- goto 'File'
- 'Settings...'
- check your settings

- goto 'Advanced' tab
- select your Local IP
- setup your Local Port to: 2213
- Kali Tracker: tracker.kali.net

- goto 'NAT/Proxy' tab (if you are on a router)
- enable 'Special NAT/Proxy handling'
- setup your NAT Port to: 2231
- Add there manually your LAN ip#

- click 'OK'
- close Kali

4. the ports 2213 & 2231 have to be forwarded on your router in TCP & UDP
5. start Kali
6. goto 'Games'
7. 'Scan for Games'
8. add your Red Alert executable (should be Version '3.03E 95')
9. click 'OK'

You will find the Red Alert channel on the left side by selecting:

- 'Chat Servers' (no need to expand)
- sort the server list by users
- search for '-> Red Alert'
- double-click to join

Red Alert should be one of the first channels.

While joining the Red Alert channel in Kali you are able to chat.
To start a Red Alert game do following:

- double-click the Red Alert icon on the bottom
- Red Alert starts
- click 'Multiplayer Game'
- click 'Network'

Now you shold be in Lan Lobby with other Red Alert Kali-players.
Host or join a Red Alert room to play.

Be nice to the players :)

When quit you will fall back to the Kali Red Alert channel.
Chat or exit... Have fun!


=========================================
+++ HOW TO PLAY RED ALERT VIA HAMACHI +++
=========================================

At first you need the 'winsock32.dll'.
Download winsock32.dll and place the winsock32.dll into your Red Alert directory.

1. download and install Hamachi

get it at:
http://www.hamachi.cc/

I prefer to download and install Hamachi V1.0.1.5
because it is the most stable version up to now.

Later versions are not compatible with Vista and/or XP.
Your Internet browser will not run after installing a later version !!

get it at:
http://filehippo.com/download_hamachi/2114/

2. start Hamachi V1.0.1.5
3. create or join a channel
4. start Red Alert
5. 'Multiplayer Game'
6. 'Network'
7. host or join a game up to 8 player

Do NOT use the winsock32.dll if you play Red Alert via Kali !!
Anyway rename 'wsock32.dll' into 'wsock32.dll.BAK' and back if you want
to play with Kali again !!


====================
+++ SMALL NOTICE +++
====================

SET THE COMPATIBILITY MODE OF THE RA95.EXE 

FOR WINDOWS XP: 'WIN95'

FOR WINDOWS VISTA: 'WIN98/ME'

...TO PLAY FINE


Please notice:

If someone owns a different Rules.ini so he cannot join a hosted room or cannot play online
with his mates. It is simply an incompatibility error.
Everyone needs exactly the same Rules.ini file in his Red Alert directory if you want to
play with different Red Alert Rules.

I prefer the original one. So if no Rules.ini is in the main directory of Red Alert
included.

At least, to avoid sending Rules.ini files across to your mates, just copy specific rules
out of the Rules.ini, edit them and paste the edited rules into a map (*.mpr) file at first position.
You can open/edit .mpr files with Notepad and/or Wordpad.

Looks like:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
; Tournament =2v2= // =4v4=
; made by N3tRunn3r
; visit: http://n3trunn3r.red-alert.net/

[Basic]
NewINIFormat=3
Name=Tournament =2v2= // =4v4= [ V1.1 ]

[General]
BailCount=10
GoldValue=150
GemValue=150
OreTruckRate=1
OreSpreads=yes
GrowthRate=.02

[Map]
Theater=TEMPERATE
X=1
Y=32
Width=126
Height=64
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So add your rules between the '[Basic]' and '[Map]' sections into specific maps
you want to play with different Red Alert rules.

No more need of a Rules.ini file in a Red Alert directory of each player, just the map
which can be easily transferred to each player while starting up an online game via the
3.03 online menu in Command & Conquer: Red Alert.

Those maps are also called 'Nurpled Maps'. EDIT YOUR RULES/MAPS BY YOUR OWN RISK !!!
Have Fun !!

----------------------------------
+++ THAT'S ALL, FOLKS, I THINK +++
----------------------------------

For any questions, visit:
http://n3trunn3r.red-alert.net/

and join the shoutbox...

or visit:
http://www.cnc-comm.com/


######################################################
### TUTORIAL V1.5.1 MADE BY N3TRUNN3R - 2008-10-05 ###
######################################################

Thanks to killa57 who helped me to edit that Tutorial
visit his website:
http://ra57.cnc-comm.com/

Thanks to Nyerguds & Scorpio who fix the Classics of C&C.
visit:
http://nyerguds.arsaneus-design.com/cncstuff/0_files.html

and:
http://strike-team.net/nuke/html/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=85

download Red Alert for free at:
http://www.ea.com/redalert/news-detail.jsp?id=62

or soon from my ftp :)