Riodan Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 This is day 3 of my tireless pursuit of knowledge regarding why the Nascar Racing 2003 server won't load up in TCAdmin. To make a long story short, a friend of my business partner revealed to us that he's an avid NR2003 racer and that he has a group that has been "borrowing" someone else's server for their league races. He asked if we would be willing to set something up for them and my partner said yes. However, my partner does not know anything about game server setups and I do, so I got this dropped on my lap. Here's what I've done so far: The server we're using is one of our commercial Dell Rackmounts with Windows server 2003 installed on it. The server itself is located in a datacenter on a 100mbs connection. So far I've done the following: - Uploaded and installed the game, patched it up to current. - Created a new folder in the GameInstalls/ directory named NR2003. - Copied everything "inside" the Papyrus folder over to the NR2003/ folder. (So the executables are in E:\GameInstalls\NR2003\ instead of: E:\GameInstalls\NR2003\Papyrus\ ) - Imported the .txt file for TCAdmin - Installed the Game Server through the TCAdmin panel. - Changed the command line to: -ko"0:communications:net_server_port:32766" -ko"0:SERVER:to_sierra:1" - Started the server up and discovered I had epically failed. ----------------------------------------------------------- Now here's where it gets a bit tricky; When I try to fire up the server it claims to be running, but at closer examination it reveals that no Core.ini file has been created which indicates that TCAdmin isn't executing the server.exe application. Other indicators were, no process ID, or usages were being listed. When I saw this happening, my first thought was that the server.exe must be corrupted, so I remote desktop connected to the box, double clicked the server.exe and it loaded just fine. I created an account called tgsserver, chose a password, set up the hosting options, and the server posted to the sierra.com lobby, and I could successfully join and play in it. After that whole debacle, I decided that maybe there were settings that needed to be changed in the .ini files, so I went into player.ini, and changed a few settings there including the dedicated server settings and the userid and password settings for the account I was planning on using for the server itself. Restarted the server, still nothing. So then I thought, hrmmm maybe the path is wrong in the configuration, so I triple checked the path and everything was fine. So here I am, having spent the majority of 3 days pounding away at this, and I can't get it to load up. Being the clever and stubborn guy I am, I started contacting hosting companies who were already hosting this game under tcadmin control and for the most part, I got the door slammed in my face because they didn't want to give out the information in case I was planning on commercially hosting the servers for our GSP. Putting it lightly, out of about 10 of them, only (1) offered the courtesy of a helpful response, thanks again Carl! However, the updated configuration .txt file for NR2003 presented no real help, it merely caused me to have to back track all the way back to the beginning and start all over again. My only goal in life right now is to get this thing up and running so I can move on and get back to work at this point, I wouldn't even consider hosting this thing commercially, it's way too old of a game for one, almost completely unsupported, and can't even be found on store shelves these days. I'm setting this server up for my partner's friend, as a favor, not for a paycheck, and I would appreciate it if anyone would lend me a hand with these problems so I can finally be done with this mess lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicToMeyeZR Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 - Copied everything "inside" the Papyrus folder over to the NR2003/ folder. (So the executables are in E:\GameInstalls\NR2003\ instead of: E:\GameInstalls\NR2003\Papyrus\ ) Did you just try to RAR the whole directory and save it as the same name as your folder? Put the rar outside of the game folder, not inside. It totally sound like your file structure is wrong!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riodan Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 Nah, it works fine, but something else has become rather apparant and we're going to give up on this particular title. Apparantly NR2003 is a major CPU hog and would require far more work and time than originally anticipated, so we're going to simply not run it. I've referred my partner's friend to a provider who is willing to set him up for a deal instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicToMeyeZR Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 ok. cool. I was going to help you out, but nevermind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riodan Posted October 13, 2008 Author Share Posted October 13, 2008 Here's what I've learned since I started posting about this title in general: 1. The TCAdmin .txt import alone won't allow configuration and operation. 2. Assuming you do get the tcadmin to work, you are only half done. 3. NR2003 runs at ungodly cpu usage and has noted bugs in server.exe. 4. NR2003 server.exe must be made to run minimized and must stay that way in order to run effciently. With these particular 4 things in mind, I pretty much find myself in a position where I'm at the highest level of my knowledge and skill at the moment, and I am unable to continue on with the installation process. I've successfully managed to figure out how to run programs through the shortcuts in minimized mode, but I haven't yet discovered how to check and make sure it stays in minimized mode. Someone suggested a cron job, or using a .bat file, but we'll see. I won't be installing this title commercially, but that won't stop me from learning how to do it and continuing to try and discover the secrets behind it. This whole experience has sparked my curiosity and while my efforts have been met with a great big "up yours" gesture from the server, I'm extremely stubborn and won't give up that easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicToMeyeZR Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 lol. cool. I haven't much had problems with leaving servers in background mode, but I personally haven't even attempted this one, but from what I read it just sounded like the file structure was wrong... Post what you find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECF Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Nascar is a PITA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SickPuppy Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Apparantly NR2003 is a major CPU hog and would require far more work and time than originally anticipated There is a fix to the CPU issue for NASCAR, Dave from NRT servers has it running at normal CPU load but he will not share the secrete. Even after all the help I gave him with ARCA. So keep that in mind when you offer to help others out. If I had a solution, I would post it here but I just have not had the time to work on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NRTServers Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 All the help?...hello!...You have my home number if you would like to continue this!! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riodan Posted December 12, 2008 Author Share Posted December 12, 2008 I actually did get this installed and working correctly, but I had no intentions of actually commercially hosting it, so I removed it and moved on with some other things that -had- to get done. The guys over at NRTservers were polite and offered a few hints in good spirit which helped significantly, but I just wasn't interested in a commercial venture with the title. Being that this is a somewhat "well guarded secret" that most hosting companies don't want slipping out to the general public, I'll humbly respect that and simply say, don't bother, its more headache and heartache than it's worth lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SickPuppy Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 The guys over at NRTservers were polite and offered a few hints in good spirit...... Being that this is a somewhat "well guarded secret" that most hosting companies don't want slipping out to the general public I would agree somewhat, if I had a solution to an issue that no one else could solve I might consider guarding that information. However, with the entire GSP community knowing that I had a solution to a problem but was not willing to share it I do not think I would ask for their help on other issues that I could not solve. I have found, for the most part, that help in the TCAdmin community is a two way street. But some out there only want to take and not give back to those that are helping them. I have on many occasions needed help, and the people in this community have spent a lot of time helping me. Would you not expect me to help you if I had the solution to a problem you were having. It has to be a two-way exchange, you should not place limits on what you are willing to offer. It would be like me finding a solution to the FarCry2 CPU load and then telling you I have a fix for it but will not share it. Then turn around and ask you for help with a COD WaW problem that I can’t solve. The point of the story is if you are going to ask for help you need to be willing to help others, and that help needs to be unconditional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NRTServers Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 I would agree somewhat, if I had a solution to an issue that no one else could solve I might consider guarding that information. However, with the entire GSP community knowing that I had a solution to a problem but was not willing to share it I do not think I would ask for their help on other issues that I could not solve. Please..... Ed...you really need to get off whatever your taking with your coffee dude The point of the story is if you are going to ask for help you need to be willing to help others, and that help needs to be unconditional. OK...lol...quiet day I take it over at your place is it... You know where to find me or us if you have an issue sir with the way we conduct ourselves Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SickPuppy Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Just trying to apply a little pressure dude. Just need a little help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.