MASTER SERVER IS CURRENTLY DOWN

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Trench
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MASTER SERVER IS CURRENTLY DOWN

Post by Trench »

      Updated March 13, 2022:
      A recommended BF1942.EXE patch is now available
      to deal with the recent AX master server shutdown.


      Please visit http://ea117.com/gamespy
      to obtain the patch and for information about the patch.





      The AX master.bf1942.sk replacement master server
      for Battlelfield 1942 is currently down.

      You may notice that running Battlefield 1942 and trying to use the in-game mutiplayer server list "hangs" and is non-responsive. This is because the AX master.bf1942.sk master server for Battielfield 1942 is currently offline.

      There is no confirmation or information at this time as to whether it's just a temporary hosting hiccup, or a persistent condition that will remain.

      If you have not already done so, you may still benefit from installing the patch provided at http://ea117.com/gamespy, if you had not already done so previously or as part of http://ea117.com/dcinstall.

      Even though this patch continues to try and use master.bf1942.sk, and that master server is still unresponsive currently, this patch also reduces the timeout that you will experience whenever the master server is unreachable, for whatever reason.

      If you are experiencing a seemingly indefinite hang within Battlefield 1942 that doesn't return control to you after 20 seconds or so, applying the patch now can help improve this situation for you until a master server is back online.
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      Re: MASTER SERVER IS CURRENTLY DOWN

      Post by Trench »

        Unfortunately, we have confirmation that the current master server has been intentionally shut down by its owner, and will not be recovered or placed under new ownership. We are still making an effort to determine whether the current DNS name can be brought under control of the Battlefield 1942 server owner community.

        But its possible we might need to transition to a new DNS name again, just like we did back when the GameSpy service was originally shut down. Continue to stay tuned for the solution that becomes created in response to this "second" master server shutdown for Battlefield 1942.
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          Re: MASTER SERVER IS CURRENTLY DOWN

          Post by Trench »

            A replacement master server is being setup as master.bf1942.org, and is currently online. Updated BF1942.EXE replacements which use this new DNS name instead of the previous "master.bf1942.sk" DNS name are in development and will be available soon.

            Anyone who wants to begin using the new master server immediately, and you are familiar with editing your HOSTS file, can use the following entries:


            162.19.137.251 master.gamespy.com
            162.19.137.251 master.bf1942.sk


            However, just know that these IP addresses are likely to change, and you may need to update these entries again in the near future. Using a patched BF1942.EXE which automatically "uses whatever IP address master.bf1942.org is currently pointing to" will be best in the long run, when that option is available.
              [-UG-] Maj. MoFo
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              Re: MASTER SERVER IS CURRENTLY DOWN

              Post by [-UG-] Maj. MoFo »

              Thanks Trench. I noticed the problem and thought to check with my buds at EA117. As usual, you are all over it, and into problem solving. I appreciate your efforts!

              Dan
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              Re: MASTER SERVER IS CURRENTLY DOWN

              Post by Trench »

              Sure thing, Mofo. Note that it's Henk/Arkyliën who put the replacement service up. The server owner community is then also working together to setup a DNS name which will be used for this or any other replacement master server we need to create in the future.

              Such that ideally, once we patch an .EXE with this new name we will never need to patch it again, even if Henk's service goes kaput at any point. And perhaps even more ideally, the DNS name isn't tied to just one owner who can disappear. So at least some effort to try and not be in this same situation again any time soon.
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              Re: MASTER SERVER IS CURRENTLY DOWN

              Post by Trench »

                We are getting closer on having a replacement BF1942.EXE installer available to recommend. Still working out a few concerns and testing to ensure it works in all the ways expected. Hope to have more information soon regarding availability.
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                  Re: MASTER SERVER IS CURRENTLY DOWN

                  Post by jolly_giada »

                  trenchy thanks so much.

                  do u mind pointing to a quick guide of how to edit the hosts file? i'm unsure of its directory
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                  Re: MASTER SERVER IS CURRENTLY DOWN

                  Post by Trench »

                  Yeah, we didn't intend for things to go on for this long without having a helpful .EXE-based installer to recommend using. Nothing to do with the replacement master server itself, but there have continued to be issues raised which delay getting both the patch itself and the installer for the patch "community-approved" and posted & available. It continues to be "soon", but indeed was expected to have already happened before now. Definitely still being actively worked on by many in the server community.

                  For the HOSTS file on Windows, the way I recommend editing it is this:
                  1. Use File Explorer to navigate into the "C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\drivers\etc\" folder, and copy your current "HOSTS" file to your Desktop.
                    • Once a copy of the file exists on your Desktop, make and keep a backup copy of it just in case you need it.
                      • Now edit the copy of the HOSTS file on your Desktop, using Notepad or whatever editor you want.
                        • If you already have lines in your hosts file related to "master.gamespy.com" and/or "master.bf1942.sk", then you want to update those existing lines to replace them with this information. If you don't have any existing lines related to those names, then you need to add these lines at the end of the HOSTS file:

                          162.19.137.251 master.gamespy.com
                          162.19.137.251 master.bf1942.sk


                          • Now save and close the copy of the HOSTS file you've been editing on your Desktop.
                            • Now move (or copy) the HOSTS file from your Desktop back to the "C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\drivers\etc\" folder. Windows will prompt for administrative permission to complete this operation, since it is a secured folder.

                              Confirm that you want to perform the operation, and confirm that you want to overwrite the existing HOSTS file with your newly edited copy.

                            That's it. You can reboot if you want to, but the change should already take effect the next time an application attempts to resolve either of those names. Editing a copy of the file on your Desktop is just "easier" for how to make the changes in the face of expected Windows security, which will otherwise prevent or confuse normal editing.

                            Keep in mind, as mentioned previously, that these IP addresses are likely to change, and you may need to update these entries again in the near future. Using a patched BF1942.EXE which automatically "uses whatever IP address master.bf1942.org is currently pointing to" will be best in the long run, when that option becomes available.
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                            Re: MASTER SERVER IS CURRENTLY DOWN

                            Post by Trench »

                              A recommended BF1942.EXE patch is now available
                              to deal with the recent AX master server shutdown.


                              Please visit http://ea117.com/gamespy
                              to obtain the patch and for information about the patch.
                              [-UG-] Maj. MoFo
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                              Joined: July 23rd, 2011, 4:12 pm

                              Re: MASTER SERVER IS CURRENTLY DOWN

                              Post by [-UG-] Maj. MoFo »

                              Awesome! Thank you!
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