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MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries + MekPak 3.02b Setup

EDIT (5-28-2010): MekTek has released an updated version of MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries (you can get it here), My updated install instructions are here.

BASIC INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS: This will give you a good setup for online and (MWL) League play (accurate as of 4-2009).

NOTE: These instructions are now out of date (as of 5-2010) and pertain to the CD version of the game, MekTek has released an updated version of the game available for free here (use the MTX client to install MechWarrior 4). Updated install instructions are here!

There is a newer patch coming out soon… I am not sure if everyone will switch to it. Look for MekPak 4 from MekTek.

1. Install MW4: Mercenaries from CD-ROMs (Vista users may want to install to a directory that is not in the ‘C:\Program Files’ directory [e.x.: 'C:\Games\Microsoft Games\Mechwarrior Mercenaries']).
2. Download and install PR1patch [mirror] [mercpr1.exe]. (If you want the mission editor [mirror] [mw4mercseditor.exe] install it after PR1.)
3. Download and install the MekTek MP3.02a patch [mirror]. (This is a ZIP file, extract and run the executable file. It will ask for two locations; one is the location of the WNP file, the other is the location of the MW4: Mercenaries installation directory.)
4. Download and install MP3.02b patch [miror]. (If you have game hanging problems after installing, a fix is here).
5. Download and install the BKV MapPack [mirror].
6. Download and install the MWL MapPack 1 [mirror].
7. Download and install the MWL MapPack 2 [mirror].
8. Download and install the MWL MapPack 3 [mirror].
9. For maximum viewing pleasure install the HighDefinition Patch [mirror] (HDP_MP302b.exe).
10. Install any optional patches (like the Clan and IS packs if you have them).
11. Browse to the the Mercs install folder (usually) ‘C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Mechwarrior Mercenaries\’ and double-click the following file (so you can find online servers through MekMatch): ‘mekmatch.reg’ (possibly ‘mekmatch’ if you have file extensions hidden). You can also browse games using MekMatch online.

VISTA NOTES:

Vista users may do better if installed to a directory that is not in the ‘C:\Program Files’ directory (e.x.: ‘C:\Games\Microsoft Games\Mechwarrior Mercenaries’).

According to some: It is imperative that you right click each and every file you’re about to install and select “Run as Administrator”, this includes the patches as well. To install the files, don’t double click them, right click them and choose “Run as Administrator”.

You may need to set the game itself to “Run as Administrator” (I am not using Vista right now, so I can’t remember…)

VISTA PROBLEMS:

Try turning “User Account Control” off (you probably shouldn’t do this).

Also, you can set “Compatibility Mode”:

Right click icon you use to run MW4 and select properties
then click on compatibility tab
select XP compatibility mode and disable visual themes
click OK or Apply or whatever the button says

ONLINE SETUP:

To play and host online games, firewall users must open ports for DirectX 8.  Open TCP ports: 27999, 28805, 28806, 28807, and 28808. For pings to work properly, UDP port 28800 must be opened. I also have a few other ports forwarded, but I don’t know if they are required (see the Microsoft DirectX port list)…

On some routers you have to forward the above ports (you will need a static IP if this is the case) and also 2302-2400 (TCP and UDP) for DirectX to host and play (although it’s a bit more complicated than that to get 2 clients or a dedi and a client to work behind some routers).

Microsoft has published a list for Directx 7 and 8 ports here. You can see how I have my ports routed here or click on the picture above.

ONLINE CONNECTION ISSUES:

Occasionially the game’s shellmt.dll file gets corrupted and you can not see online games… You can get a different version here.

If you can not get online a last resort is to use the Hamachi (free) VPN client. There are configuration and network details at the MechWarrior leagues website.

AVAILABILITY:

You can probably find a copy at Amazon, EBay, or maybe even Google…

Disclaimer: These patches have gone through thorough testing, but the authors assume no responsibility for any damage caused by their use. Please read all instructions and back up necessary files before running any of these patches! The author of this page assumes no responsibility for the content/files available here or through these links (or any damage that occurs from running them).

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 16th, 2009 at 12:04 am and is filed under MechWarrior, Videogames. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.