The Unofficial Virtual Skipper 2 FAQ Sunday January 11, 2003 Thursday January 1, 2004 1.0.11

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It's here. It's ugly, but it's here.

I haven't had time to completely redo the XSL stylesheet, hence the plain look, but I'll get around to that later. However, I thought that it was better to put some useful information on an ugly web page than it was to wait. So here it is: The Unofficial VSK2 FAQ. If you have any solutions that aren't listed here please send them to me at vsk@suderman.com.

If you would like to do a translation of the FAQ into another language please contact me at the above email address so I can supply you with the original XML files, schema, and XSL stylesheet(s).

The latest HTML version of the FAQ can always be found at http://www.suderman.com/vsk2faq.html and the XML version at http://www.suderman.com/vsk2faq.xml

Why can't I host/create races?

This almost certainly means you have a firewall and a port forwarding problem. (Note: a router is a hardware firewall). If you are using a software firewall make sure you allow VSK to act as a server and allow incoming TCP and UDP packets on ports 2300-2400 (if your software has that option). If you have a router please see the router configuration to fix your problem.

 How do I configure my router/firewall so I can play/host online games?

The particulars will vary depending on what version of Windows you have and the make and model of your router, but the basics are the same; you have to assign a static IP address to the computer you will be playing VSK2 on and then forward incoming UDP packets on port 2350 to that IP address.

NOTE: The URLs below are for Linksys routers, but may work for other brands as well. Consult the documentation that came with your router to find out how make the changes below.

If some device on your network is acting as a DHCP server (most likely your router) make a note of what range of IP addresses it is assigning. If your computer(s) already have static IP addresses, you can skip the next two steps. Assign a static IP address to the computer you will be playing VSK2 on. Choose an IP address outside the range used by the DHCP server (and not 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.1.255 either). All other devices on the network (wireless access points, computers, network printers etc.) should be configured to get their IP address from the DHCP server. If you can't access the internet from your gaming computer after assigning it a static IP address then you'll have to go to the TCP/IP properties and enter the IP addresses for the DNS servers. The DNS addresses to use can be found on the configuration web pages at http://192.168.1.1/Status.htm. Configure your router to forward UDP packets on port 2350 to the static IP address you assigned above. See http://192.168.1.1/Forward.htm. Run the VSK Config utility, select Advanced Network Configuraion and enter the WAN IP address of the router in the Force Server Address field. The WAN IP can be found at http://192.168.1.1/Status.htm.

It is also worth pointing out that these are the standard ports used by (almost) all DirectX games. If you can search the net and find someone with a configuration similar to yours that couldn't host/create games in Combat Flight Simulator, Serious Sam, any EA Sports game, etc. their solution should work equally as well for you.

 I can join races, but the race doesn't sync up for me. Everyone else syncs fine. What is wrong?

This is most likely a problem with your MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) settings on your computer/router. The MTU setting is used to determine the size of IP packets that are sent from your system. The optimal MTU size will depend on your network connection, however some common values are 576 (dial-up), 1500 (cable and some DSL), and 1492 (DSL using pppoe). You can use the program DrTCP to change your MTU settings. You will need to reboot Windows (98/ME) or restart Networking Services (NT/2K/XP).

Follow the directions at http://help.stargate.net/broadband/mtu.shtml to determine the optimal MTU settings for your set-up. Note: It is perfectly safe to use DrTCP with Win 2K/XP despite the warnings at Stargate.net, well as safe as any program that tweaks registry settings,

Note: If you have a home network all the computers and the router must be set to use the same MTU. You can see what the rest of the internet thinks your MTU is by running the Tweak Test at BroadBandReports.com. The tweak test may also indicate other step you can take to optimize your network connection.

 How do I turn the player/boat names on and off? The TAB key. How do I right the Open-60 after it capsizes? The right CTRL key. Why do I get a runtime error when launching the game. Why does the game crashes when I try to start it. When I start the game I get a blank screen and have to reboot.

I have yet to see a definitive solution to this problem, likely because there is a different cause in every case. However my suggestion in this situation is to:

Install the latest drivers for your video card. They don't have to be certified, but don't install beta drivers. Run DxDiag (Start-Run, type DxDiag) and see if it lists any problems with DirectX. If your motherboard uses the VIA chipset install the latest 4-in-1 drivers. If your system has less than 128 MB RAM upgrade.

Virtual Skipper works with Windows XP, 2000, ME, 98 and with all "newish" video cards. If you have an AGP card that supports DX8.1 and has at least 16 MB the game should work for you as well.

 Why can't I see any wind effects on the water? A Note to owners of high end video card owners.

Your video card is too good (really).

You've likely spent a few hundred (US) dollars and got yourself a GeForce 4 or ATI Radeon 9x00 and you're ready to go.

Go for it. Crank the video options to the max, sail around, and marvel at the beauty of the water. Almost photo-realistic isn't it! You can almost see surf blowing off the wave crests in Force 6.

When you are done ogling the sceenery go back to the video options an turn the Shader setting to its minimum. You will lose that photo-realistic look to the water...but you will be able to see the wind patterns again.

 Why does the rudder stop responding to the keyboard?

The cursor sometimes gets locked in the chat window, and you can't steer the boat while the chat window is active. To regain control try the following.

Hit the enter key. Hit the enter key again. Click the mouse in the chat area and hit the enter key. Close and re-open the chat window a few times. Why do I sometimes get kicked out of a game lobby?

This sometimes happens when you type something into the chat window and hit the enter key. Quit all the way out of VSK and restart the game.

 Why can't I click on the red X to "green up"?

You just got kicked out of a game see above and didn't restart VSK. Exit the race, quit VSK and restart.

 How can I select F7 wind strength?

The Hard Way: Complete all the single player championships. As you complete the various championships more boat skins, courses become available. When you win the Open 60 Championship you get to select F7. Good luck in Open 60's! You'll need it, the AI skippers in the Open 60s are not easy to beat.

The Cheating Way: Start a single player race with a boat named "Vasco de Gama". When you exit the game you will have all bonus textures and be able to select F7.

Note: It is strongly recommended that all skippers use the hard way the first time around. You will learn a lot about sailing fast!

 How can I skip past the starting intro.

Add the option "/novideo" (without the quotes) to the command used to start VSK2.

Right click on the icon you use to start VSK2. Click on "Properties" Add /novideo to the end of the Target (in XP the Target is found on the Shortcut tab).

Afterward the target should contain something like "C:\Program Files\Duran\VirtualSkipper2\VSK2.exe" /novideo

Note: If the path name to the location where you have installed VSK2 contains a space character (I.E. "C:\Program Files") the Target will be enclosed in double quotes (as shown above). I have VSK2 installed in D:\Games\VirtualSkipper so I am not sure if the /novideo option should appear inside the quotes or outside. I think outside, which is why I've shown it outside, but if that doesn't work try inside.

How can I record the scores from the races?

Add the option "/logscores" (without the quotes) to the command used to start VSK2.

Right click on the icon you use to start VSK2. Click on "Properties" Add /novideo to the end of the Target (in XP the Target is found on the Shortcut tab).

Afterward the target should contain something like "C:\Program Files\Duran\VirtualSkipper2\VSK2.exe" /logscores

I've just started sailing VSK2. Why is everyone else so fast?

Because they are better sailors! ;-)

Seriously, here are a few tips for improving your boat speed:

Sail in manual sail trim mode rather than automatic mode. Manual trim mode is 2-3 knots faster upwind and ridiculously faster downwind. Upwind: sail a course of 45 degrees TWA (F3) to 35 degrees TWA (F7). Downwind: sail a course of 135-140 degrees TWA. Keep your boat heeled at 20-21 degrees whatever course you are steering. When racing ACC boats in F7 switch to auto sail trim when tacking to avoid the "I'm stuck at 7 knots bug". In fact, any time your boat seems stuck at 7 knots switch to auto for a moment. Practice, practice, practice.