The DirectPlay Application Programming Interface Cannot Connect Between Different Operating Systems When You Use Internet Connection Sharing (267487)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q267487

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to connect to a multi-player game, such as Microsoft Age of Empires, that uses a Microsoft DirectPlay application programming interface (API) by means of an Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) host or client, you may receive the following error message:
Unable to join game.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when one computer is running Windows Millennium Edition (Me) and another computer is running Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows 98 Second Edition.

The DirectPlay API in Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Me is unable to use the Realm-Specific Internet Protocol (RSIP) that works by using network address translation (NAT).

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, install Microsoft DirectX version 8.0. (DirectX is an advanced suite of multimedia APIs that are built into Microsoft Windows operating systems.) You can download DirectX 8.0 from the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/directx/homeuser/downloads/default.asp

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, temporarily disable ICS in the Sharing properties:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Internet Options, and then click the Connection tab.
  3. Click Sharing.
Also, you can work around this problem (provided the program supports it) if you use another protocol, such as, IPX/SPX, to connect between the computers for communication purposes. To add another protocol:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network.
  2. On the Configuration tab, click Add, click Protocol, and then click Add.
  3. In the Manufacturers box, click Microsoft. In the Network Protocols box, click the appropriate protocol, and then click OK.
  4. After the necessary protocol is installed, click OK, and then restart your computer when you are prompted.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/14/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbnetwork kbprb KB267487
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