PBEM basic security OOB Warning

[Cross]

New ver 4.0 feature:

12) When playing PBEM in basic security mode the game will now simply warn players if the OOBs differ from the original without aborting the game.

I just started a new PBEM campaign and my opponent got the 'OOB warning' when he opened my files. I also got the 'OOB warning' when he returned the files to me.

I know I've never fiddled with my OOB, because I mainly PBEM, and my opponent says he has a new install of the game.

Can anyone verify this same error message, in a PBEM campaign?

The good news is that this just sounds like a 'faulty warning light' and won't keep us from playing.

Thanks,
Cross

[Mobhack]

Did you start the PBEM on the previous edition of the game?

OOBs have changed, and the standard "don't install any patch if you have an ongoing PBEM" naturally still apples. Just that now, you will get an OOB warning in basic security mode too.

Otherwise - check that your opponents "new install" is fully patched up and the same level as yours. The version number is reported on the front page of the game. (My guess is on your opponent not having patched up). If he has, also ensure that he has not installed any custom OOB set affecting the OOBS in use in your PBEM, or done any OOB editing (even changing of unit names, adding new formations etc).

Andy

[Cross]

Mystery solved!

I checked my OOBs folder properties (size in bytes, and number of files) against a fresh install I have on my laptop, and there was a difference!

Turns out I accidently dropped two bmp image files (customized icons from the nearby Graphics folder) into my OOB folder, when I was copying them over to a flash drive.

That must have set off the warning.

Great new feature BTW (it works )

Thanks for the latest release Andy, and sorry for the false alarm.
Cross

[Mobhack]

The external files have nothing to do with your OOBS unless you altered an OOB's data to point to the new LBM files.

Andy

[Cross]

Originally Posted by Mobhack

The external files have nothing to do with your OOBS unless you altered an OOB's data to point to the new LBM files.

OK, I should not have been so quick to think the graphics files in the OOBs folder were the problem.

I had removed the graphics files and resent the game files, but still the same warning.

My opponent says he's not changed anything, and his screen says 4.0 CD.

His OOBs folder properties says the same as mine:

80 files, 4 folders
13.9MB (14,608,470 bytes)

I'll tell you what, I'll attach the Campaign setup files (slot 008) to this post. Anyone with the 4.0 CD version who's willing, could tell me if they get an OOB warning when they open the game.

Cheers,
Cross

[Cross]

I did a few tests.

I created PBEM camps on two different PCs (one a new SP install) then opened the game with the other PC, and both times got a Player 1 OOB warning.

I also opened a test game my opponent sent me on both PCs, and both show a Player 1 OOB warning.

I guess we're back to the 'faulty warning light' theory.

Cross

[Mobhack]

Originally Posted by Cross

I did a few tests.

I created PBEM camps on two different PCs (one a new SP install) then opened the game with the other PC, and both times got a Player 1 OOB warning.

I also opened a test game my opponent sent me on both PCs, and both show a Player 1 OOB warning.

I guess we're back to the 'faulty warning light' theory.

Cross

Precisely the opposite of what Don and I found when re-testing this just an hour or so back.

Don sent over 2 start-up PBEM games to me
- 1 using the stock v4.0 OOBS - PASS
- 1 with edited OOBS - FAIL

So - I will need a copy of the 2 OOBS you are using, and a copy of your opponents ones as well. Then I can run a simple DOS DIFF command on the files.

Does your game state "V4.0(CD or DL)" and does your opponent's game also state V4.0?.

My best guess at the moment though is that you did some sort of Mobhack edit on your own files (since your game install is now complaining about your secondary install) - try copying the OOBS from the second (fresh) install back into your own OOB folder and try again. If the problem goes away, then you did do something !).

I will also assume you are using Winzip, rather than the RAR compressed file type. RAR seems to cause problems for some folk if both do not use the exact same RAR programme. I would avoid RAR completely.

Andy

[Imp]

The problem may be campaign related did not test regular game but test PBEM campaign. Played as both players on same install of the game hence identical OOBs & got the warning message

[Mobhack]

Originally Posted by Imp

The problem may be campaign related did not test regular game but test PBEM campaign. Played as both players on same install of the game hence identical OOBs & got the warning message

OK - that may be it, since we tested plain PBEM. Which should be the exact same thing, but..

I'll have a look at that tomorrow.

Andy

[Cross]

I did a test on a single PBEM battle, full security, from my Laptop to my PC and I got a PASS.

This seems to confirm Imp's/your suspicions that it's a 'false positive' PBEM campaign issue.

Cross