Author Topic: General Fix-it Guide to Tachyon  (Read 25629 times)

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Offline JGZinv

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General Fix-it Guide to Tachyon
(As a replacement since the official FS site forum has been shut off due to spam, I'm copying
some of the more useful posts over to our section here so the info can still be accessed.)

In general there's several problems that tend to be pretty common
for Tachyon that folks have some trouble understanding how to fix...
so here's a How-To on the matter.


Installing Problems:

Usually I don't see too many issues here - but if you're trying to overwrite
a existing copy of Tachyon with a fresh CD install... it's generally not a great idea. Best bet is to uninstall the current copy - then reinstall and update from there.

If the installer won't complete, then it's likely that one of the files Tachyon uses (or the installer uses) is in use by some other program. Shut down everything that could be interfering. Also - check that your firewall, antivirus, or any other security software is either set to let new programs be installed - or just shut it off till you're done installing Tachyon and the updates.

Linux Compatibility:
Evidently Tachyon runs just fine under WINE.
See here - http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=10576&iTestingId=37622

Windows Compatibility:
So far I know for a fact that Tachyon will run on Windows 95, 98, 98se, ME, NT, 2000, XP up through service pack 2, Vista, and 7.

Win XP Service Pack 3 had some problems on one person's system that we couldn't identify, and he ended up rolling back the update to SP2 and everything worked again. I've gotten reports from several people with SP3, each had some kind of issue where they can't get online with Tachyon.

Something else worth noting here is the Windows Compatibility Wizard.
On several systems problems can be solved with the space.exe by finding the file - right clicking on the exe - choose properties - and there's a compatibility tab at the top of the menu. In there you can pick from a drop down list of compatibility modes for old Windows versions. Typically you'll just have to try each one until you get something that works. I've not noticed where I've had to use this in XP at all.

Windows Vista:

On Vista - basically I've had 4 reports of people using my TSB mod set and fixes and Tachyon then ran fine. Before hand they couldn't get Tachyon to launch to the game menu. So my advice is to install Tachyon, update to 36R, then install my Tachyon Service Bay patch. All of this process is described in the TSB readme. Please note that as of Windows Vista, Microsoft did away with the IPX protocol, this meaning LAN hosted games are not possible.

Windows 7:

Having personally used Windows 7 on a laptop and desktop, I've been able to
run Tachyon and host a server with it. So I see no problems outside
of what normally would arise, such as port and firewall issues.
Please note that as of Windows Vista, Microsoft did away with the
IPX protocol, this meaning LAN hosted games are not possible.

Space.exe errors:
Space errors could be from several things.
1. DirectX not being up to date.
2. You didn't set Tach's settings in the launcher Tachyon.exe.
3. Rad Game Tools/Bink is being a pain in the butt.
4. Your space.exe is out of date or corrupted.
5. Firewall or similar program is blocking Space.exe or one of the files it uses or modifies.
6. You're trying to open space.exe outside of the folder where the rest of the Tachyon files are stored.
7. Your computer's just being a pain.

We'll here's what to do as to fixing these -
1. Go update DirectX off the Microsoft web site.
2. Either launch Tachyon normally through the launcher or go to the Tachyon.exe file in your Tachyon install folder - set the audio and video settings and then you can close the launcher. After that use Space.exe to launch the game.
3. Not much I can advise but reinstall Tachyon from scratch, or update to 36R and the TSB pack.
4. Update to 36R and the TSB pack. Files are in our downloads section.
5. Break out your software or hardware manual and figure out how to clear programs (also called "trusted") so they can freely access or modify other files.
6. Put the exe back in the folder with the rest of the files, or reinstall from scratch then update again.
7. Each computer is unique, so I can't fix everything. You know your system best so try and narrow the problem down by process of elimination. Try rebooting, or uninstall - reinstall - and update Tach again.

DirectX errors:

Update DirectX off of the Microsoft website.
DirectX 9.0c is the latest I think for older systems or non high end video cards. Recent high end cards probably can use DirectX 10 - I've received reports of people using Vista that it ran fine.

Bink/Binkplay/RAD tool errors:

Basically the best thing would be to update DirectX, check your video drivers (update), and ultimately if necessary reinstall and update.

Connecting to NovaWorld:

99% of problems in area are either hardware or software firewalls.
Either look around on Google for how to adjust your settings on your
broadband router or modem, or try looking in a manual or help file
for info on settings for a software firewall.

You need to clear these ports:

UDP - 2764~ 2766 incoming. 6862 and 3875 outgoing.

One last thing that might be causing a problem is an out of date Ibrowse.dll file. If you have tried "every" other fix and you're sure you've got cleared ports/shut off your firewall and Tach still can't get to the server lobby - then in this same support section there's a thread with the link to the Ibrowse update Novalogic made in 2003.

Hosting Problems:

Same thing as above -
99% of problems in area are either hardware or software firewalls.
Either look around on Google for how to adjust your settings on your
broadband router or modem, or try looking in a manual or help file
for info on settings for a software firewall.

You need to clear these ports:

UDP - 2764~ 2766 incoming. 6862 and 3875 outgoing.

One last thing that might be causing a problem is an out of date Ibrowse.dll file. If you have tried "every" other fix and you're sure you've got cleared ports/shut off your firewall and Tach still can't get to the server lobby - then in this same support section there's a thread with the link to the Ibrowse update Novalogic made in 2003.

Installing Mods Problems:

Pretty much if there's a problem with the Tachyon Service Bay, get a hold of me or post a new help thread. I'll either know right off what to do or can find out.

With Sonic's Ship Packs, DC's Ship Set, Bloodstar's Ship Mods - there's a bunch of issues. Mainly Blood's has the worst issues and some can't even be installed on XP without the use of a DOS program.   This is a main reason I made the TSB set with help from Sonic and DC... rebuild the ship packs and make them have less problems.

With any of the map sets outside of Service Bay, you "should" be able to apply them and not cause a problem. However, if you use them after applying Service Bay - you may overwrite newer files with old ones and cause some errors. Personally I've never tried this as TSB's got most of the maps from the old map paks and even some new ones.

Playing with Mods Problems:


On some of the old mod sets like Sonic's Ship Packs, DC's Ship Set, and Bloodstar's Ship Mods - there may be texture problems or weird stuff. Most of these also break the single player game so it's unusable. The Star Patrol Enforcer fighter has a broken engine "leg" which is stuck in the open position - this is something that just never worked in multiplayer due to the animated leg action of that ship.

On TSB I already know that the Nighthawk dips below a landing platform when in BaseWars. I might have been able to fix it, but I didn't think it was worth another 1-2 months of tweaking to hold up the whole kit.
By comparison, singleplayer should work ok in TSB. The Star Patrol Enforcer fighter has a broken engine "leg" which is stuck in the open position - this is something that just never worked in multiplayer due to the animated leg action of that ship. The Demon's shield indicator start's out as black, instead of green colored. Once hit - the HUD shield turns green. I also am aware of this - but didn't realize it till long after TSB was released. It's not a major problem and is actually a bit less distracting than the normal indicator... so I'm just leaving it as is.

On two custom maps that I made for TSB, Demon Raid and Star Gazing With You, new background files were made. So if a person without TSB joins while those maps are being played, usually they have no sun or backgrounds and the map is totally black. The fix it to go install TSB.

Additional: After a lot of playing BW I've noticed that when using the TSB BW pack, when you get helios rockets and you've respawned, there's not actually anything in your weapons slots although it shows up on the HUD. In other words, you died and respawned with helios - but you fire and nothing comes out. To fix this land at a base pad, it'll refill your rockets.
« Last Edit: July 08, 2012, 04:31:11 pm by JGZinv »
True power comes not from strength, but from the soul and imagination.
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Offline JGZinv

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Novaworld Errors - Ibrowse dll
It's come to my attention thanks to jakeslogan that there was an
older 2003 Novalogic update to Tachyon's Ibrowse.dll file that has caused
some folks to not be able to reach the servers even if you have Tachyon Service Bay installed already.

Basically NL changed some protocols around, and the files can't communicate correctly. Since TSB has been shown to work fine for most users, I'm not going to change the file set.

For everyone having problems connecting, check your firewalls, clear your ports, and if that fails try a new Ibrowse.dll

You need to get the file below, and make sure to overwrite the Ibrowse.dll in your folder where Tachyon is installed. This is usually C:/Program Files/Novalogic/Tachyon.

The file can be found here:
http://files.novalogic.com/misc/novaworld_update_121903_xx.exe
True power comes not from strength, but from the soul and imagination.
Max to PCS2 to FS2 SCP Guide
The FringeSpace Conversion Mod

 

Offline z64555

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Re: General Fix-it Guide to Tachyon
I can has sticky? Had a old player return to TTF just a few minutes ago, I told him about the TSB but didn't have a good link to it. I did however reference him here at Hard-light so hopefully he'll show up soonish.
Secure the Source, Contain the Code, Protect the Project
chief1983

------------
funtapaz: Hunchon University biologists prove mankind is evolving to new, higher form of life, known as Homopithecus Juche.
z64555: s/J/Do
BotenAlfred: <funtapaz> Hunchon University biologists prove mankind is evolving to new, higher form of life, known as Homopithecus Douche.

 

Offline Dragoni_Noir

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Re: General Fix-it Guide to Tachyon
That was me, thanks very much for the warm welcome btw - nice to see TTF up and running again!  Played when the game first came out about 10 years ago and was very disappointed when NW went down! :(

  I might not be on forums a whole lot but I'll certainly look in from time to time =]

z64 mentioned to me about a 1PM match and I thought I'd better ask:  What Timezone is that, or can someone translate to GMT/UTC please?

Now at the risk of hijacking the thread (not my intention!) I'm a go get the TSB and say thanks again to z64 for being awesome to me =]

toodles!

 

Offline z64555

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Re: General Fix-it Guide to Tachyon
Sorry about that, I was pretty sure it was here in plain view but obviously it isn't!

Alas, here it is, Tachyon Service Bay 2.0 hosted on the old fringespace.org server. There's also the 36R updater if you need it.

NOTE: there was an attack some time ago that left some suspicious looking scripts somewhere in a dark corner of the website, but as far as we've been able to tell, they're not doing anything other than getting the whole website blacklisted.  :nono: You should be able to hit "ignore" or "continue" on the warning screen to get at the downloads.
Secure the Source, Contain the Code, Protect the Project
chief1983

------------
funtapaz: Hunchon University biologists prove mankind is evolving to new, higher form of life, known as Homopithecus Juche.
z64555: s/J/Do
BotenAlfred: <funtapaz> Hunchon University biologists prove mankind is evolving to new, higher form of life, known as Homopithecus Douche.

 

Offline JGZinv

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Re: General Fix-it Guide to Tachyon
Yeah Z is right.

The webiste issue is sort of 4 fold. The scripts got in through a security hole in the hosting which affected many sites a ways back.
Google and other websites decided to black list us.  RK and I talked about it and I even have a fair idea of where the bad scripts
reside, but we don't have backups far enough back to remove the scripts (ie years). So we started building a new site, which I've not
had time to work on.

Ultimately I may just up and make a blog or something separate till we can nuke FringeSpace. Dunno. But that's the long and short of it.


...and games are typically held Sunday at 2 PM EST (GMT -5).  There's a facebook group as well if you want to talk to other pilots or
arrange other games.
True power comes not from strength, but from the soul and imagination.
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The FringeSpace Conversion Mod

 

Offline deathspeed

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Re: General Fix-it Guide to Tachyon
:necro:

Sorry for the necro, but this seems the most appropriate topic for it.  I got the Steam version of this game to work on 64-bit Windows 10 by using these CD-install instructions on this Steam post. 
NOTES:  Since I was installing from Steam, I skipped the first three steps and used the default Steam installation folder. I also did not install the patch.  However, I did have to use the fixed .exe from GameCopyWorld to get it to run (Steps 8-10) 

Quote
1. Start your system up in safe mode.
2. Browse the CD and click the search and find setup.exe
The one you want is the one in the TTFSETUP folder. Right click and troubleshoot compatibility and allow windows to automatically select windows xp. Test the program and it will work. Install Tachyon to C:\Tachyon because older games sometimes have issues with the program files folder.
3. Restart your computer to it's normal boot mode (not safe mode)
4. Run Tachyon and go through the Video setup, Audio Setup and Game controllers tabs.
5. Now if you try to play the game it will load the opening cinematic and then fail to load.
6. Download the latest patch for the game, which can be found on Novalogic's website here: http://files.novalogic.com/TTF/ttf_update_050500_xx.exe
7. Install the patch. You will have to browse the folder that you installed the game in.
8. The game still will not work and you will need another 3rd party patch for the space.exe application in the game folder which can be found by searching for Game Copy World and then searching for Tachyon on their site. Use an Adblocker.
You are gonna want the file titled Tachyon v1.00.00.36r [ENGLISH] Fixed EXE
9. Extract dvntacp2.zip and then you will find ripcrk.rar which will also need to be extracted.
If you do not have WinRAR to extract it, you can find it here: http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm
10. Inside ripcrk.rar is a application called space.exe, copy and paste this into the folder that you installed tachyon into. Replace the existing space.exe with the new one.
11. You're gonna need to edit the Tachyon.cfg file found in your installation folder to look like this:

[VIDEO]
WINDOWED=0
USE_HARDWARE=1
NO_VSYNC=0
RES=1
HW_TYPE=1
DEVICE=0
DEF_GAMMA=100
DEF_BRIGHT=70

12. Download nGlide from here: http://www.zeus-software.com/downloads/nglide
This will allow you to run Tachyon at your prefered resolution on your modern system.
13. Install nGlide and open the nGlide Configurator and set your resolution settings and hit apply.
14. Run Tachyon from the space.exe found in your installation folder and enjoy!

Tachyon doesn't appear to be using any antialiasing, so if you are using an nvidia graphics card, be sure to open Nvidia Control Panel and make a profile for space.exe and enable it so that the game will look more modern. This is an old game so I would imagine you can max all the settings out and it will run just fine.
Maybe someday God will give you a little pink toaster of your own.

 

Offline jr2

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Re: General Fix-it Guide to Tachyon
Sweet, thanks.  Saves me having to look this up when I finally get to this in my backlog.

 

Offline Novachen

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Re: General Fix-it Guide to Tachyon
And you missed the most important part.

Especially if you use the Steam version, or a retail version, you need the updated hw_3dfx.dll that you have to extract into the game folder to get working nebulae in 3dfx.
Female FreeSpace 2 pilot since 1999.
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Developer of NTP - A Multi-Language Translation Library Interface, which allows to play FreeSpace in YOUR Language.

Is one of my releases broken or not working? Please send a PM here, on Discord at @novachen or on Twitter @NovachenFS2, a public tweet or write a reply in my own release threads here on HLP, because these are the only threads i am still participating in.

 

Offline JGZinv

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Re: General Fix-it Guide to Tachyon
Concerning these parts:

Quote
6. Download the latest patch for the game, which can be found on Novalogic's website here: http://files.novalogic.com/TTF/ttf_update_050500_xx.exe

8. The game still will not work and you will need another 3rd party patch for the space.exe application in the game folder which can be found by searching for Game Copy World and then searching for Tachyon on their site. Use an Adblocker.

9. Extract dvntacp2.zip and then you will find ripcrk.rar which will also need to be extracted.
If you do not have WinRAR to extract it, you can find it here: http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm

6.  The patcher on our website which has been there for years, applies 36R and doesn't take more than a couple seconds. Novalogic's can take hours (not kidding, seen it).
http://www.fringespace.org/?page_id=61

8. GameCopyWorld granted has been around a very long time, but a lot of stuff on there is questionable, and you don't need an adblocker for our site.
Any of the mod EXEs we have, all have the same no CD patch integrated in them. http://www.fringespace.org/?page_id=61

9. WinRar?  Why not 7zip..?  Open source, it's 2017.  http://www.7-zip.org/


I appreciate the posts to try to clarify there's more ways to do things, but I do post Steam things on the Steam Tachyon group.
We've been trying to support Tach since 2006, there's no reason to expose yourselves to questionable file sources.
True power comes not from strength, but from the soul and imagination.
Max to PCS2 to FS2 SCP Guide
The FringeSpace Conversion Mod

 

Offline deathspeed

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Re: General Fix-it Guide to Tachyon
And you missed the most important part.

Especially if you use the Steam version, or a retail version, you need the updated hw_3dfx.dll that you have to extract into the game folder to get working nebulae in 3dfx.

Good to know; thanks!


Concerning these parts:


6.  The patcher on our website which has been there for years, applies 36R and doesn't take more than a couple seconds. Novalogic's can take hours (not kidding, seen it).
http://www.fringespace.org/?page_id=61

8. GameCopyWorld granted has been around a very long time, but a lot of stuff on there is questionable, and you don't need an adblocker for our site.
Any of the mod EXEs we have, all have the same no CD patch integrated in them. http://www.fringespace.org/?page_id=61

9. WinRar?  Why not 7zip..?  Open source, it's 2017.  http://www.7-zip.org/


I appreciate the posts to try to clarify there's more ways to do things, but I do post Steam things on the Steam Tachyon group.
We've been trying to support Tach since 2006, there's no reason to expose yourselves to questionable file sources.

Thanks!  I posted in the steam group that I could not get it running on Windows 10, but I didn't get any responses that helped me.  :)

My steam version already had the patch applied, but for CD versions this is very useful info.

I've used GCW for years for no-CD .exe's, but I hate steering people to it, especially with the ads disguised as downloaders for the files you are looking for.  I'm all for better alternatives, but I wasn't aware that Fringespace had fixed .exe's.  I wasn't looking for mods, so i never even considered using one of them to fix my issues.  Any chance that you could host a vanilla fixed .exe there, or make it a little clearer that they will fix issues with modern operating systems?

Winrar - I was just quoting the Steam post, but I personally use 7z myself. 


As I am not very familiar with Fringespace, maybe you could post a new guide on Steam with these modified instructions?  And/or maybe modify the first post of this thread, since the "Broken Tachyon" link on Fringespace comes here?  Anything to help people new to the game would be good.  I was ready to just write off my money spent and stop trying to get this to work, but I'm glad I persevered!  I may check out some of the mods on Fringespace.
Maybe someday God will give you a little pink toaster of your own.

 

Offline JGZinv

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Re: General Fix-it Guide to Tachyon
I check the Tach Steam once in a while, been having "a lot" of family health and financial issues the last 3 months or so, so it doesn't come to mind necessarily.
Here I have a link in my daily sites, Steam I do not, activity there's been off and on, much like Facebook, and the handful of clans that still exist, but don't have a Tach presence anymore.

Since we're on the subject and you may not be aware, outside of the guide on YouTube I have for running Tachyon multiplayer over Tunngle, multiplayer is dead.
The lobby is there, but there's a length issue in the exe being able to accept the new IP (which may have even changed since THQ acquired it).
So as far as mods go, you could host a match to more or less look around in, or play up to a point with modded ships. There's a ship check of some sort in one of the maps
I think after you get exiled that breaks things if you start with modded ships in campaign. Without a more featured map editor it's hard to tell.

That's the other part of the coin that we used to have a Sunday game even if just 2 people showed up. Me and Darixita we're probably the last two to still play regularly.
The effort in getting Tunngle running, seemed to be the last straw for many.  Win 10 didn't make things any easier, there's a pair of errors with installing old plugins for rad game tools or
direct x 6 components that is the most common of anything. The 3rd place issue generally goes to the no-cd patch. Overall it's hardly much different error wise than it was years ago.

Looking at THQNORDIC, as far back as Dec anyway, doesn't appear to be any news on any Nova properties.  I posted a comment, trying to reach out to them. But they really only want
design teams with an established portfolio to contact them for licensing arrangements, so they aren't really public facing, like a support line or forum where they interact much.
True power comes not from strength, but from the soul and imagination.
Max to PCS2 to FS2 SCP Guide
The FringeSpace Conversion Mod

  

Offline JGZinv

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Re: General Fix-it Guide to Tachyon
I caught up a number of new posts at Steam.  Appears THQ did reply that they have no plans to fix multiplayer currently.
True power comes not from strength, but from the soul and imagination.
Max to PCS2 to FS2 SCP Guide
The FringeSpace Conversion Mod