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Difference between revisions of "Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(→‎Issues fixed: Added in a fix.)
(Did some cleanup. Also added in some fixes, along with the API and Middleware tables.)
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===LAN patch (fan made)===
 
===LAN patch (fan made)===
 
The [http://www.moddb.com/games/cc-red-alert-2/downloads/ra2yr-lan-fix-xp-vista-w7-x86-x64 LAN patch] lets you play LAN on Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun and Red Alert 2 (and their expansion packs) in Windows 2000 and above by changing IPX protocol to UDP.
 
The [http://www.moddb.com/games/cc-red-alert-2/downloads/ra2yr-lan-fix-xp-vista-w7-x86-x64 LAN patch] lets you play LAN on Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun and Red Alert 2 (and their expansion packs) in Windows 2000 and above by changing IPX protocol to UDP.
 +
 +
===Command & Conquer Ultimate Collection Fixed Launchers (Origin)===
 +
An unofficial patch that provides a slight enhancement to the default launchers provided with the Origin release (fixes registry entries and allows [[Glossary:Command line arguments#Instructions|command line arguments]] to function properly).
 +
 +
It can be downloaded from the [http://bibber.eu/downloads/cnc-ultimate-collection-launchers/ developer's site].
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
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}}
 
}}
  
−
===Crashes===
+
==="***FATAL*** String Manager Failed to Initialize Properly" error===
−
"***FATAL*** String Manager Failed to Initialize Properly" This error can be resolved on all versions of Windows by setting RA2md.exe and Yuri.exe to run in Windows 98/ME compatibility mode and/or forcing to run as administrator (in compatibility tab) for all users.  
+
{{Fixbox|1=
 +
{{Fixbox/fix|Setting up compatibility settings|}}
 +
# Go to <code>{{p|game}}</code>
 +
# Right click on the <code>Ra2.exe</code> file and select "Properties".
 +
# Go to the "Compatibility" tab and enable Compatibility Mode (set it to "Windows 98/ME") and "Run this program as an administrator".
 +
#* The options in the normal Compatibility view cannot be selected. Click "Change settings for all users" to make the modifications.
 +
# Apply the changes and launch the game.
 +
 
 +
{{ii}} This will fix the base game only. For Yuri's Revenge, repeat the above for <code>RA2MD.exe</code>
 +
}}
  
 
===Black screen with switchable graphics===
 
===Black screen with switchable graphics===
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Alternatively, simply download and extract the contents of [http://www.mediafire.com/?c8lrqc9e9bq2frj this preconfigured fix] into the RA2 folder. Also, consider using the [[#Improve graphical performance|performance]] fix as well.
 
Alternatively, simply download and extract the contents of [http://www.mediafire.com/?c8lrqc9e9bq2frj this preconfigured fix] into the RA2 folder. Also, consider using the [[#Improve graphical performance|performance]] fix as well.
  
−
===Improve graphical performance===
+
===Lag/low FPS===
−
To improve performance for modern video cards, add this line into the <code>[Video]</code> section of your <code>RA2.ini</code> and/or <code>RA2md.ini</code> files:
+
{{Fixbox|1=
−
<pre>
+
{{Fixbox/fix|Modify the RA2.ini file}}
−
VideoBackBuffer=No</pre>
+
# Go to <code>{{p|game}}</code>
 +
# Open the <code>RA2.ini</code> file with Notepad or other text editor.
 +
# Under the <code>[Video]</code> section, add <code>VideoBackBuffer=No</code> to a new line.
 +
# Save the file and launch the game.
 +
 
 +
{{ii}} This will fix the base game only. For Yuri's Revenge, repeat the above for <code>RA2MD.ini</code>
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Game runs too fast===
 +
{{ii}} Before using this fix, make sure the in-game "Game Speed" slider is adjusted properly
 +
{{Fixbox|1=
 +
{{Fixbox/fix|Use the <code>-SPEEDCONTROL</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments#Instructions|command line argument]]|ref=<ref>http://cnc-comm.com/community/index.php?topic=2132.0</ref>}}
 +
* The launcher provided with the Ultimate Collection (Origin release) does not support custom launch options. Install the [[#Command & Conquer Ultimate Collection Fixed Launchers (Origin)|Command & Conquer Ultimate Collection Fixed Launchers]] before using.
 +
* Apply the argument to a shortcut of the <code>RA2Launcher.exe</code> file.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Other information==
 +
===API===
 +
{{API
 +
|direct3d versions      =
 +
|direct3d notes        =
 +
|directdraw versions    = 7
 +
|directdraw notes      =
 +
|opengl versions        =
 +
|opengl notes          =
 +
|glide versions        =
 +
|glide notes            =
 +
|software mode          =
 +
|software mode notes    =
 +
|mantle support        =
 +
|mantle support notes  =
 +
|dos modes              =
 +
|dos modes notes        =
 +
|shader model versions  =
 +
|shader model notes    =
 +
|64-bit executable      = false
 +
|64-bit executable notes=
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Middleware===
 +
{{Middleware
 +
|physics          =
 +
|physics notes    =
 +
|audio            =
 +
|audio notes      =
 +
|interface        =
 +
|interface notes  =
 +
|input            =
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        = Bink Video
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      = Westwood Online
 +
|multiplayer notes=
 +
}}
  
 
==System requirements==
 
==System requirements==

Revision as of 05:10, 11 December 2014

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
Cover image missing, please upload it
Developers
Westwood Studios
Publishers
Electronic Arts
Release dates
Windows October 23, 2000
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
⤏ Go to series page
Command & Conquer 1995
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 1996
Command & Conquer: Sole Survivor 1997
Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun 1999
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 2000
Command & Conquer: Renegade 2002
Command & Conquer: Generals 2003
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars 2007
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 2008
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising 2009
Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight 2010
OpenRA (unofficial) 2010
Command & Conquer (2013) Cancelled
Command & Conquer Remastered Collection 2020
Renegade X (unofficial) EA

Key points

Multiplayer community is officially maintained by XWIS, with instructions on their website.[1]
Small but dedicated community

General information

EA's Official Command & Conquer site
Command & Conquer Wiki - A wiki for everything Command & Conquer-related

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Amazon.com
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
CD key
Error: key type '{{{5}}}' not recognised
Error: OS parameter cannot be empty
Amazon.com
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
CD key
 Bundled with other games in the franchise up to Generals.
Error: key type '{{{5}}}' not recognised
Error: OS parameter cannot be empty
Origin
Origin
 Bundled with other games in the franchise up to Tiberian Twilight.
Error: key type '{{{5}}}' not recognised
Error: OS parameter cannot be empty

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2: Yuri's Revenge Comes bundled with the The First Decade and Ultimate Collection compilations.
Windows

Essential improvements

Patch 1.006

Patch 1.006 fixes general bugs, network and exploit issues.

LAN patch (fan made)

The LAN patch lets you play LAN on Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun and Red Alert 2 (and their expansion packs) in Windows 2000 and above by changing IPX protocol to UDP.

Command & Conquer Ultimate Collection Fixed Launchers (Origin)

An unofficial patch that provides a slight enhancement to the default launchers provided with the Origin release (fixes registry entries and allows command line arguments to function properly).

It can be downloaded from the developer's site.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

Template:Game data/row
System Location

Save game data location

Template:Game data/row
System Location

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Origin

Video settings

In-game options screen.

Template:Video settings

Widescreen resolution

For changing resolution open files RA2.ini and RA2md.ini with any text editor and type your resolution there: 

[Video]
ScreenHeight=XXXX
ScreenWidth=XXXX

Where ScreenHeight and ScreenWidth are your desired resolution.

Input settings

In-game key map settings.

Template:Input settings

Audio settings

Template:Audio settings

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English

Network

In-game network settings.

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
8 Requires LAN patch to function on modern Windows.
Online play
8

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP 3840, 4005, 4808, 4810, 4995, 7000-7002
UDP 1234-1237
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

Issues fixed

Game does not start (Origin)

Instructions

"player already have the same serial" error

This issue may occur when using the Command & Conquer Ultimate Collection version from Origin.
Instructions

"***FATAL*** String Manager Failed to Initialize Properly" error

Instructions

Black screen with switchable graphics

This occurs when the game engine tries to render in VRAM. To fix this, download Aqrit's ddwrapper and extract the ddraw.dll and aqrit.cfg files into the RA2 folder, where ra2.ini lies. Next, ensure that only these settings are set to "1" in aqrit.cfg: 

FakeVsync                = 1
NoVideoMemory            = 1

Alternatively, simply download and extract the contents of this preconfigured fix into the RA2 folder. Also, consider using the performance fix as well.

Lag/low FPS

Instructions

Game runs too fast

Before using this fix, make sure the in-game "Game Speed" slider is adjusted properly
Instructions

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
DirectDraw 7
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Cutscenes Bink Video
Multiplayer Westwood Online

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 95 98, ME, 2000, XP
Processor (CPU) 266 MHz 450 MHz
System memory (RAM) 64 MB 128 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 350 MB
Video card (GPU) 2 MB of VRAM
DirectX 7.0a compatible

References