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| Thread: Alternative to ubi.com | |
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arteman
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 21, 2006 03:09 PM |
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Edited by arteman at 15:23, 21 Jun 2006.
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Alternative to ubi.com
Hi all.
Tired from UBI unstability and game crushes? Never heard about hamachi?
This article for you!
Why?
It's commonly known, that Multiplayer mode in HoMM5 via UBI.com is unstable. A game session is hard to startup and crushes happen very often. Hopefully, all this problems will be solved in later patches, but what should we do, when we are stand up for fight right now? There is a nice decision, well-known to some part of HoMM3 community, who have no external ip address. It's Hamachi - small utility, allowing P2P virtual LAN, with simple interface and chat.
Current beta-version of Hamachi is for free and could be downloaded from its homepage at www.hamachi.cc
How it works.
The idea of using hamachi is based on "Local Network" multiplayer mode of HoMM5. This mode allow to manage a game for players of the Local network. But how players from different countries could become members of the same local network? That's it, HAMACHI! Just download, install, run program, turn on virtual networking, create your own network or join existent one and launch HoMM5 in Multiplayer "Local network" mode. See detailed instructions below:
1. Downlaod.
Get the latest version of installer from www.hamachi.cc/download/
2. Install
Run downloaded installer and follow the instructions.
3. Run installed application.
4. Turn on networking.
Press "Power" button in the left-bottom corner of the window.
Hamachi will identify your unique IP and show it in the middle-top area, either with your network state "connected" and green color of "power" indicator.
5.1. Create your own network.
To create your own network, you should:
 Left-click "triangle" button in the right-bottom corner of Hamachi's window.
Choose "Create network" in context menu
Set network name and password. (These parameters will be needed for your opponent to join you network (see section 5.2)
In case of successful creation, network name will appear in Hamachi's window with green led, opened for other users to join.
Advice: Leave password blank or make it equal to network name for easier remembering.
5.2. Join existent network.
To join existent network, you should:
Left-click "triangle" button in the right-bottom corner of Hamachi's window.
Choose "Join existent network" in context menu.
Enter network name and password you got from opponent, whos network you are joining.
In case of succesful joining, name of the network you've joined will appear in Hamachi's window.
Also, there will be list of network members, where active members will have a green led near their names.
6. Open hamachi-chat session.
You can establish a chat session with any active member of your network by choosing "Chat" option in context menu, appeared by right-click on member's name.
7. Enter Local network multiplayer mode in HoMM5.
After joining hamachi's virtual network with your opponent, you will be able to use Local Network Multiplayer Mode in HoMM5.
Launch HoMM5
Choose Multiplayer game.
Choose Local Network.
Type smth. in main chat and your opponent will see your messages as well as you'll see his. Unfortunately, in Local Network mode there are no players names list in main chat, but everything else is the same as on UBI.com.
Summary:
In fact of the Meeting place for TOHers problem, we should take a look at idea of common TOHers network via hamachi. It will give us following advantages:
Public members list, easy to join for any new members (who knows network name and password).
Private chat (aka old good ZM) via Hamachi and Common chat in HoMM.
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Anyway the wind blows...
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Sphere
Supreme Hero
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posted June 21, 2006 05:00 PM |
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Nice alternate....
Hey,
- Nice set-up and explanation on the whole thing, but does it fix the game bugs / crashes / etc. ?
- Guz
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Who is this General Failure, and why is he looking at my disk ?
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bobbyohms
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 21, 2006 05:51 PM |
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I have checked this out and had decided to hold off posting about it until I could check on a few things. First off, Hamachi works great with the game (You still have the same sync and other bugs that you have on the UBI server however.). I have played games a couple of times now with no trouble at all. The only confusing thing I've found is once you join the LAN, you end up in a lobby that is a clone of the one on UBI but it doesn't seem to list who is in there. You can type with no problem and games pop up for you to join so you actually know someone else is there.  That is a game bug though and not a Hamachi issue.
The one problem I see with Hamachi is you are limited to only 14 users on each network; whether they are currently connected or offline doesn't matter you still can only have 14 (I'm not certain if this includes the person who created the network or not so it may be 15.). So this doesn't make for an ideal solution for the Tournament as a whole without cooperation from everyone. Basically the work-around I was wanting to test is this, create several networks (I already made one called ToHeroes and figured I'd name others ToHeroes2, ToHeroes3, etc.) and when you want to play you join ToH1 first and if it is full try 2 and so on. The key though is once you are done playing you have to select to remove yourself from the particular network you were using. Otherwise once a room is full and you go offline no one else can join the network and you are taking up a slot (This again is something I have no way of being sure of since I haven't tried having 14 or 15 people on a network but from what I can tell it doesn't matter what your connection status is.). The person who created the network can boot people off the network but again I would want to test this to be sure it doesn't somhow permanently ban that person from rejoining. As long as this isn't the case, I don't mind playing the part of a moderator and if somone forgets to remove themselves when they go offline I can remove them.
The only real issues I have with using this is first off the obvious issue of it being closed except for possibly being mentioned on the ToH main page and so won't bring in new players. I think this would be minor however since I'm sure plenty of people would still be using the regular UBI rooms. Second although in looking into this it appears Hamachi is very secure from threats outside the network, I'm not sure what sort of problems might be possible from INSIDE the network. If the network names and password (I'm using toh btw for the ToHeroes network already created.) are posted somewhere can any idiot get in there and have any kind of access to the computers connected to it?
One other thing I don't know is if the person who created the network has to be online for others to use it. That could cause some problems, I'd prefer not to have to be connected 24/7 for folks to use it though I do have a constant connection to the internet.
Anyway, what do the rest of you think? We can set this up as I do agree it is a nice little feature and you can see who is online as soon as you join a network but there are the limitations I mentioned. I would still think it will require using something like MSN IM however. Also if anyone knows for sure about the security issues I'd like to know.
As a final note this is really a great solution for those who want their own small group who play each other all the time and if you have troubles with the UBI server.
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Nebuka
Promising
Supreme Hero
Save me Jebus!
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posted June 22, 2006 01:55 AM |
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About bugs with Hamachi, one guy says on Ubi forums that with 1.1 patch and newest beta Hamachi most of the problems are gone. Fleeing neutrals, buying another hero in different castle, even sync problems. Said all tested with atleast 6 hour games.
Though, maybe even that was not enough, and was just lucky. Dunno. Here's a link for it: http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7811096804/m/4321055354
Anyway, I'm all for Hamachi network/s.
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vesuvius
Hero of Order
Honor Above all Else
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posted June 22, 2006 03:25 AM |
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if the 1.2 patch still gives us crap, then Hamachi will be the place to play... and ToH will announce this. Of course, it isolates new players in the dark about tournament gaming for ever knowing of ToH when going on UBI.
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zilonite
Famous Hero
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posted June 22, 2006 06:45 AM |
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Quote:
About bugs with Hamachi, one guy says on Ubi forums that with 1.1 patch and newest beta Hamachi most of the problems are gone. Fleeing neutrals, buying another hero in different castle, even sync problems. Said all tested with atleast 6 hour games.
Though, maybe even that was not enough, and was just lucky. Dunno. Here's a link for it: http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7811096804/m/4321055354
Anyway, I'm all for Hamachi network/s.
Advertised Hamachi as hard as I could myself. Yet its not so good. True, u can avoid all ubi sever bugs (like impossible to start game etc.), but within the game sync error still posses a problem. Out of some 8 games here finished only half, and those were quick ones. On others sync error appeared.
But, anyway, i'm all for Hamachi, too 
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bobbyohms
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 22, 2006 07:02 AM |
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ToHeroes networks
I went ahead and created 5 networks ToHeroes - ToHeroes5 for folks to use if they wish. The password for them is of course toh. I'll also leave my Hamachi online in case mine needs to be on for others to use the network. However be sure to spend time as I will be on the UBI servers and forums spreading the word about ToH so we have plenty of new blood and it continues to grow.
Well, okay, I've actually decided for the last week to just wait for the patch so I'll scream from the rooftops again after that. Hard to trumpet about something you can hardly play and new players to ToH are probably more likely to stay involved after the game gets fixed and play comes into full swing.
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Hapkane
Tavern Dweller
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posted June 22, 2006 08:18 AM |
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Xfire now supports Heroes 5. I suggest someone host/start a server/room, then post a new thread where all TOH players post their Xfire handle (preferably the same one as their TOH handle), then the host invite everyone to that server/room.
Xfire supports voice chat so we can hear arteman speak some Russian and broken English.
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arteman
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 22, 2006 09:17 AM |
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Quote:
Second although in looking into this it appears Hamachi is very secure from threats outside the network, I'm not sure what sort of problems might be possible from INSIDE the network. If the network names and password (I'm using toh btw for the ToHeroes network already created.) are posted somewhere can any idiot get in there and have any kind of access to the computers connected to it?
I think it could be secure enough as any other tcp\ip windows network. You should check the box about sharing you resources for other members (of networks u r in), during the installation process, or you could do it manually, by unchecking "File and printer Sharing in microsoft network" in Hamachi network interface properties at Network Connections console of Windows.
Quote:
One other thing I don't know is if the person who created the network has to be online for others to use it. That could cause some problems, I'd prefer not to have to be connected 24/7 for folks to use it though I do have a constant connection to the internet.
I think creator's presence is not necessary, because of hamachi DNS at bibi.hamachi.cc or somewhere else. But it's just my assumption that must to be proffed.
Quote:
As a final note this is really a great solution for those who want their own small group who play each other all the time and if you have troubles with the UBI server.
There is probably another issue with "more than 2 players" game. I think it's impossible in hamachi, cos last time i tried to set up 3FFA, 3d player couldn't join to the game. If anyone have other experience - change my mind with your arguements.
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Anyway the wind blows...
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arteman
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 22, 2006 09:27 AM |
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Quote:
Xfire supports voice chat so we can hear arteman speak some Russian and broken English.
Lol, Hap.
I'm afraid that through my craped ADSL even my Russian will be broken.
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Anyway the wind blows...
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Ghasteater
Known Hero
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posted June 22, 2006 09:47 AM |
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I play through Hamachi, and meet the same errors as in ubi games..
Only Hot Seat now is playable...
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nevermind
Famous Hero
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posted June 22, 2006 06:59 PM |
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oh dear
I'll clear up some thing, hamachi will never solve any multi game issues , it only simulates a LAN but the game works same as it does in ubi.com there for any bugs there will be with hamachi and other way around.
second thing to bobby.. , what does it matter a network limits to 14 players? heroes games are usually 1v1 or a maximum long 2v2.
any players playing can open their own network and play within it.
It looks to me like your confusing hamachi with a match-making place like ubi.com or what zone used to be , its not suited for that , there for should be an alternative to a place to meet other players , as i suggest gamespy and homm3 room is probably the easiest answer , another solution can be to set up an irc channel for a meeting place .
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bobbyohms
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 22, 2006 08:07 PM |
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Quote:
I'll clear up some thing, hamachi will never solve any multi game issues , it only simulates a LAN but the game works same as it does in ubi.com there for any bugs there will be with hamachi and other way around.
second thing to bobby.. , what does it matter a network limits to 14 players? heroes games are usually 1v1 or a maximum long 2v2.
any players playing can open their own network and play within it.
It looks to me like your confusing hamachi with a match-making place like ubi.com or what zone used to be , its not suited for that , there for should be an alternative to a place to meet other players , as i suggest gamespy and homm3 room is probably the easiest answer , another solution can be to set up an irc channel for a meeting place .
First, I realize it doesn't solve the multiplayer problems. Actually I even mentioned that in my post.
Second, the entire point was to create a place where everyone can go and find other players mostly since the UBI lobby does this so poorly. By making a set of Hamachi networks common to everyone (In this case I've created ToHeroes, ToHeroes2, ToHeroes3, ToHeroes4 & ToHeroes5 each using the password toh) anyone can log on to the first available network (Folks need to fill up the first room then the second and so on for this to work best.) and all available games and opponents are right there ready to use. It also will show you who else is availible on a particular network right off. You can even send messages if need be. See the idea is someone logs into a network and sees who else is logged in. They then start H5 LAN multiplayer and once in the game Lobby you have an open chat area like the UBI server and listing of games. Since anyone on the network would be ToH you can just name your game your ToH name. When a player is done they simply remove themselves from the network to make room for other players. Actually it should work much like when you log on and off a place like the Zone. Is this ideal? No, it would be nice if everyone could join one network and stay there but in any case it should be better than UBI unless the patch overhauls their lobby.
I will say also that I'm assuming you can play more than one game at a time on a network with Hamachi (Meaning 2 players playing one game and two others playing another.). If not then disregard all of this. LOL I haven't been able to test it yet since no one is really playing while waiting for the Grail (Patch).
Third, I know everyone can have their own network and in fact I have one called LordBobbyOhms that I've used but having common networks works better unless you have a core group of players you play. I plan to have those I play most to my personal network also.
Finally, if everyone wants to do the Gamespy idea that's cool (Don't you need HoMM3 installed to get in though?). Personally I don't really want to look for HoMM 5 games in a HoMM 3 room and then once I find an opponent turn around and set up Hamachi to play anyway since you can't play H5 there. That adds a step or two to the process.
I already have IM programs as an alternative to someplace like Gamespy that works very well and many of us are using MSN IM to contact each other (I have added about a dozen players so far). The latest version allows voice chat even and file sharing so if anyone needs to send a save file to another player it's much easier than looking up their e-mail addy. Heck if I'm not mistaken you can open chats with as many contacts as you want creating a player chat room (I'd need to get home and check this part however.). I suggest creating an ID specificly for Heroes so when someone sees you online they know you are looking for a game.
Maybe we should all start visiting fortune idols and fiery rings that the patch not only fixes multiplayer but the UBI game Lobby too.
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arteman
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 23, 2006 07:28 AM |
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Quote:
I've just installed Hamachi and unfortunately it doesn't work for me 
I'm part of a LAN and my internet connection is made thru DHCP by proxy.
That means my IP is local.. something like 192.168.xxx.xxx and that our hole network shares only one real IP.
Do I need to make some extra settings in order to make Hamachi connect to the server or is my situation hopeless?
Thanks in advance,
Ubikk
What happened when it hasn't worked? You can find some information about configuring hamachi on their forums -
http://forums.hamachi.cc/viewforum.php?f=7&sid=ff219578a09fdf7c53d3d8d27e204904
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Anyway the wind blows...
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nevermind
Famous Hero
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posted June 23, 2006 12:48 PM |
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Quote:
Second, the entire point was to create a place where everyone can go and find other players mostly since the UBI lobby does this so poorly. By making a set of Hamachi networks common to everyone (In this case I've created ToHeroes, ToHeroes2, ToHeroes3, ToHeroes4 & ToHeroes5 each using the password toh) anyone can log on to the first available network (Folks need to fill up the first room then the second and so on for this to work best.) and all available games and opponents are right there ready to use. It also will show you who else is availible on a particular network right off. You can even send messages if need be. See the idea is someone logs into a network and sees who else is logged in. They then start H5 LAN multiplayer and once in the game Lobby you have an open chat area like the UBI server and listing of games. Since anyone on the network would be ToH you can just name your game your ToH name. When a player is done they simply remove themselves from the network to make room for other players. Actually it should work much like when you log on and off a place like the Zone. Is this ideal? No, it would be nice if everyone could join one network and stay there but in any case it should be better than UBI unless the patch overhauls their lobby.
I will say also that I'm assuming you can play more than one game at a time on a network with Hamachi (Meaning 2 players playing one game and two others playing another.). If not then disregard all of this. LOL I haven't been able to test it yet since no one is really playing while waiting for the Grail (Patch).
Third, I know everyone can have their own network and in fact I have one called LordBobbyOhms that I've used but having common networks works better unless you have a core group of players you play. I plan to have those I play most to my personal network also.
Finally, if everyone wants to do the Gamespy idea that's cool (Don't you need HoMM3 installed to get in though?). Personally I don't really want to look for HoMM 5 games in a HoMM 3 room and then once I find an opponent turn around and set up Hamachi to play anyway since you can't play H5 there. That adds a step or two to the process.
I already have IM programs as an alternative to someplace like Gamespy that works very well and many of us are using MSN IM to contact each other (I have added about a dozen players so far). The latest version allows voice chat even and file sharing so if anyone needs to send a save file to another player it's much easier than looking up their e-mail addy. Heck if I'm not mistaken you can open chats with as many contacts as you want creating a player chat room (I'd need to get home and check this part however.). I suggest creating an ID specificly for Heroes so when someone sees you online they know you are looking for a game.
Maybe we should all start visiting fortune idols and fiery rings that the patch not only fixes multiplayer but the UBI game Lobby too.
Well if you or anyone else wanna do that thats fine, personally i think you can't just hope into a game someon created, i also like talking to the community and also talking to the person before game setup to see if we agree on stuff.. thats why i think a chat-based service is a must.
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bobbyohms
Adventuring Hero
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posted June 23, 2006 04:03 PM |
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I'm confused somehow...
Hamachi has messenging capability, the LAN lobby for the game is just like the UBI one and you can chat there and if you join a game you can wait to set yourself to ready and discuss game settings there as well.
On a side note, anyone wishing to use the ToHeroes networks I set up need to right click on the network they joined after they are done using it and select LEAVE NETWORK to make room for other players. I've had players join all 5 rooms and stay part of each network after signing off meaning they are taking up 1 of the limited 14 slots available. Hopefully the UBI server lobby will get updated at some point and there won't be the problems connecting games and finding opponents that there have been to date. This is only meant as a way to get around these headaches until that happens or H5 gets picked up on the Zone or Gamespy.
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Nebuka
Promising
Supreme Hero
Save me Jebus!
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posted July 21, 2006 02:12 AM |
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Joined ToHeroes2-5 (ToHeroes doesn't accept toh as pass, and ToHeroes1 seems that doesn't exist) channels that Bobby made, so, if I'm online, and anyone in mood for game, contact me. Nick is Nebs, ToH handle same as HC handle.
If any more channels, list them.
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vesuvius
Hero of Order
Honor Above all Else
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posted July 21, 2006 04:31 AM |
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As much as Hamachi seems to be a decent alternative, the UBI rooms just have a lot more players, and now with the fix, it should be a lot better...
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fraudatio
Famous Hero
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posted July 23, 2006 03:40 PM |
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Does anyone know whether using Hamachi eliminates the problem with getting "The host has canceled the game" when trying to play with certain opponents? I get that every time I try to join a game with my best mate, and vice versa, and it annoys us a lot...
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MadTricks
Tavern Dweller
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posted August 02, 2006 05:18 AM |
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First network password is "ToH" , couple of times trying but i got through... If anyone, who has medium or low skill(like i do) want to play..then contact me
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