Having trouble? Check here first

[cncmod]

Below is a list of common issues and links to the EA Support Site answers for them. The troubleshooting here will resolve the vast majority of game issues.

Following these steps also helps everyone in the Tech help process out. It eliminates common issues. Also if you note your posts that you have tried these steps it prevents everyone suggesting the same thing again. It also means that if you do reach the point where you need to contact our Support Team you can tell them some of the steps you have taken which helps them trouble shoot your issue.

This thread will also be updated with new trouble shooting steps as they become available.

First, make sure that your system meets the minimum requirements for the game. If you system does not meet the minimum requirements that game is not supported. Please also be aware that if your system only just meets the minimum requirements you may not be able to use some of the advanced game settings:

Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 minimum requirements:
http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg...?p_faqid=20497

The following FAQs may help you if you are having difficulty installing, starting the game, online connectivity issues or the game is crashing/freezing:

Updating graphics card drivers:
http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg...?p_faqid=10711

Ending your background tasks (this can help both when installing the game and while running it):
http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg...?p_faqid=10700

Connectivity troubleshooting:
http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg...?p_faqid=14564

I recommend performing a trace test on your internet connection:
http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg...hp?p_faqid=536

Patching Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3
http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg...?p_faqid=20761

Roaming Windows Profiles
If you are using a roaming Windows profile, or have moved the My Documentation directory from its default location, you are likely to encounter game crashes. You should use a local profile to rectify this problem.

Also note that in some tech support answers, there are solutions for 64 bit Operating Systems. This is no indicator that EA supports 64 bit Operating Systems in their game, it just means someone else has encountered this problem in the past and has found a solution on their own.

Links to Premier Edition Maps

gilbert53 wrote:
For those that bought the game and cannot find the premier maps to download as directed from the contents of the game package.

Premier Edition Maps (5):

http://games.ea.com/redalert/premier/

Pre-Order map (Neon Crysis):

http://www.ea.com/downloads/eagames/...t_PreOrder.exe

Best Buy Pre-Order Bonus (Wrong Steppe):

http://www.ea.com/downloads/eagames/...nt_BestBuy.exe

Gamestop Pre-Order Bonus (Dreadnaught Alley):

http://www.ea.com/downloads/eagames/...t_Gamestop.exe

EA Store Pre-Order Bonus (Deep End):

http://www.ea.com/downloads/eagames/...nt_EAStore.exe

Warhammer: Online Pre-Order bonus map (Age of Wreckoning):

http://www.ea.com/downloads/eagames/..._Warhammer.exe

PS3 Sound and Radar Problems

Playstation 3 users may experience an issue in-game where the radar screen freezes and there is no sound. This issue appears to be caused by the DTS and Dolby 5.1 surround sound.
As a workaround for this issue disable these options and play the game with Stereo sound only.

1-12 keyboard hotkeys bug

apt.pupil wrote:

There is a workaround for this, the only issue is finding the right time to do it. When I get this bug, I usually choose the time when you are building a refinery.

How to fix the issue: I Alt+Tab out of the game, then back in.

I know it is 5 seconds of the game you are not being fully attentive, but it sure is better than not playing using hotkeys.

Splash screen loading issues

Updating your soundcard drivers from the soundcard manufacturer's website will in all likelihood resolve this issue. If your computer does not have a standalone soundcard and it is integrated, check your motherboard manufacturer's website for drivers instead. The following workaround should only be attempted if the problem persists after the update.

apt.pupil wrote:
The fix is more of a workaround, what it does is remove the splash screen altogether. How to do it:

For 32 bit OS:
-Open up this sequence of folders: C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\Red alert 3\Data\Movies
-Then delete or rename this file: RA3_EA_logo.vp6

For 64 bit OS:
-Open up this sequence of folders: C:\Program Files(x86)\Electronic Arts\Red alert 3\Data\Movies
-Then delete or rename this file: RA3_EA_logo.vp6

Splash screen issue fixed

UPDATE: Here is a video tutorial on removing the splash screen



I have installed Red Alert 3, but I cannot locate my serial number

apt.pupil wrote:
The key for the game is in regedit

To open this, press both the windows key and the r button, and type in "regedit", then press enter.

Then you need to open up HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software

For a 64 bit OS, you then need to open up Wow6432Node/
Then (for both 64 and 32 bit) open up Electronic Arts\ Electronic Arts\Red Alert 3\Ergc

The key will look like this:

Name: (Default)
Type: REG_SZ
Data: (this is your serial number)

UPDATE: Here is a video tutorial on finding your game's serial number



Crashing in Offline mode

EA_DrJay wrote:
I will try to summarize pigDESTROY's findings. If you are experiencing any game crash during offline game play, make sure to check the following.

1. The game runs best with 2 gigs of ram. If your system has 1 gig of ram, some of that memory is being used up by the system and is not available for the game. You may be able to free up enough by cleaning your system tasks and processes. However, many people have had success by adding an additional gig of memory when possible.

2. If you already have 2 gigs of ram, make sure it is working properly. Do not assume that because DXDiag or your system properties reports 2 gigs that your memory is not suspect. There are several free programs that will run tests on your system to check the memory. You can also physically troubleshoot the ram by removing the cards one at a time.

Connectivity and internet issues

The most common issues are related to system configuration and routers. First, make sure you have the latest patch if possible; you can quickly rule out your system settings by bypassing the router and connecting your system directly to your modem.

I recommend performing a trace test on your internet connection.

http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg...hp?p_faqid=536

apt.pupil wrote:
XP USERS



Click on start menu

Open the run command

In the run window, type " cmd "

In the command prompt window (it has a black background with plain white text) type " ipconfig/all "

It will come with a bunch of results- what you want to see is your IP address.

Type the IP address as you see it on the window- into your internet browser. Do not worry about the http://www. part- since this will make your browser think you are looking for this on the internet.

The page that opens is your modem/ router configuration page. From here details will always differ for different modems/routers- but i will do my best to tell you where to look.

We are trying to go into UPnP(User Plug n Play), firewall, or port settings. This will generally be displayed somewhere in the main menu.

In there click on "create a new application" sometimes you may need to set the modem/router to allow for these, otherwise it will be set by default.

Name the new application Red Alert 3 and below you will find port configurations. I will now describe to you what you need to enter.

Port type: UDP
Port range(the port number to and from fields will need to be filled with this): 8088 to 28088
Click add(not save)
Port type: TCP
Port range: 28910 to 28910
Click add
Port type: TCP
Port range: 29900 to 29901
Click add and then click the save button.

You have now created permissions for the game to use the required ports for online gameplay. Next step is to add this game to the excepted applications list. To do this- you will need to highlight the application you made and set it to the list of allowed applications.

Congratulations XP users- you now have configured your modem/ router to allow you to play Red Alert 3.

VISTA USERS




Vista users can do something similar, however there is a different path.

For the sake of getting this done quickly- you need to press the windows key (the one on your keyboard that has a representative image of windows) and the " r " key at the same time.

This opens the run dialogue. Simply follow the rest of the XP instructions and you are set to go.


NB: some modems/routers allow for what is called a DMZ (De Militarized Zone) what this does is set your modem to allow all applications to access all modem/ router ports.
For the sake of security- i DO NOT recommend this, since it means backdoor trojans and other nasties will have an all- access pass to do all sorts of evil things to your computer. If you have DMZ activated- turn this off. There are also reports of not being able to connect to online games still after setting your modem as a DMZ.

NB: Vista users may find that the UAC (User Account Control) will also block the games access to online play. It may also stop the game from running, requiring you to start the game up again. To remedy this- you either need to be an administrator or have access to one. Open the run command, and enter " msconfig " and before you press enter- make sure the text below the line you are typing into says "run as administrator". Press enter. In this- you will find a program you should get to know and love- since this controls most of the basic windows admin controls- including which programs start up on computer boot. You need to go into the tools tab and scroll down to Disable UAC. Highlight and click the launch button( a shame it is not a big red button tbh). Reboot your pc and then open the windows security settings and select the "do not notify me of security problems" to get rid of vistas incessant nagging. To enable UAC and protect your computer from hidden intrusions again- go through the same process, but launch the enable UAC command


For the people who want to know what the ports they are opening are responsible for, then read below:

TCP 3783 (Voice Chat Port)
TCP 4321 (Mangler Servers)
TCP 28900 (Master Server List Request)
TCP 29900 (GP Connection Manager)
TCP 29901 (GP Search Manager)
UDP 6500 (Query Port)
UDP 6515 (Dplay UDP)
UDP 13139 (Custom UDP Pings)
UDP 27900 (Master Server UDP Heartbeat)

How to reset the network IP address shown in the game’s network settings

Elearen wrote:
* Hold the windows key on your keyboard and press the r button.
* In the run dialog box, type %APPDATA% and press enter.
* This works for both – XP and Vista.

Go into the Red Alert 3 folder.

When in that folder you'll see the Options.ini file, open it.

Search for:

GameSpyIPAddress = xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (naturally there are other numbers)

To reset the routing for RA3 change these numbers to

0.0.0.0

Or simply remove the whole line.

Save and exit the file and online should work.

My problem isn't listed here

If the problem you are experiencing is not listed in this thread, please feel free to start a new topic in the Red Alert 3 Help forum for assistance from the community. In order for us to help you more efficiently, please read and comply with the instructions in the How-to-use guide to the tech support forums.

Please bear in mind that you are unlikely to receive a response from Electronic Arts here, for that, please contact customer support directly: http://help.commandandconquer.com

[RedAlert2008]

To Get the control center on RA3 or TW/KW on Windows 7, just go to the games menu and Right click the game icon and select Control Center.

[1deano1]

Or better yet, copy the original game shortcut then right click -> Properties and in the target line go right to the end and add a space and -ui. That solves the problem just as easily.

[coolbiertje]

I bought RA3 from steam,

Now I want to play the game with a friend of mine (bought it from steam 2)

I see him in a casual lobby (number 4 or what ever number)
Then i right click on him to invite him to game, he doesnt recieve the invite, neither do I when he invites me. (for campagnes together)

In versus we can play together for a stupid random match.


So the problem:

Can't send/recieve invites to people for campagne matches nor can i send / recieve invites for the friendslist.

How do i resolve this?

[RedAlert2008]

Iirc there was a bug on certain personas. Try using a different Username for the game, and see if that helps, if it doesnt comebeck here and make a thread and we will look at it more closely.

[theG123]

is every1s online still nt starring a match

[jakeverm]

Hey, I have a problem every time I click on the right left star at menu and sign in.It say that I need to update by saying k,it will go out of the game and say there is no updates.I need the update so I can play online!Any help?

[settleszhiy]

cool!

[Turls]

The links to maps in the first post do not work. I have a code for Red Alert 3 Premier maps.

EDIT: If anybody else has this problem, as of today the maps are at:

http://www.cncgames.com/ra3_maps_bonus.shtml

I have not tried them yet.