Phantasy Star Online Getting Online With The Gamecube FAQ Contents Introduction What You Need To Get Online Wireless Networking Setup Instructions Modem Adaptor Broadband Adaptor Cheating, Hacking And FSOD/FSOD-X Useful Links To Further Information Contact Details INTRODUCTION I have noticed quite a few messages on the board reporting problems getting online with this game. As I have actually managed to do this myself I thought I would write a short FAQ on the topic. There is very little original content as the majority of the information you need is contained in various excellent FAQ files posted on web sites elsewhere. My own experience is based on connecting using the broadband adaptor with NTL in the UK. WHAT YOU NEED TO GET ONLINE In order to play PSO online you need the following: 1. Gamecube console 2. Copy of the Phantasy Star Online game 3. A working internet connection. This is normally supplied through an account with an ISP (Internet Service Provider.) For help in choosing an ISP connect to http://www.thelist.com Please note that not all ISPS will work with PSO. Most free services like Netzero or Juno are difficult to setup. AOL/Compuserve dial-up connections are IMPOSSIBLE to setup. AOL Broadband (AKA Roadrunner) will work with PSO. Any ISP that requires you to sign online through their own software isn't compatible with PSO. (AOL and Netzero for example.) ISP's that let you connect online through DUN (dial-up networking) work just fine. Asking the ISP if you can connect through DUN is always a good thing to do. There is a useful (although incomplete) list of ISPS that work with PSO at http://www.planetdreamcast.com/psoworld/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=1290 4. Either the modem adaptor (if you have a dial-up interner connection) or the broadband adaptor (if you have a broadband/cable/ADSL connection.) These will cost about $35 each (http://store.nintendo.com/) 5. A Hunter's Licence. This will cost $8.95 for 30 days. Your first 30 days are free European site: https://www.playsega.com/ United States site: http://pso.sega.com/community/profiles/pso_gcn/pc_front/gcn_pc_help_faqs.jhtml You need a credit or debit card to buy the Hunter's Licence at the Sega site. If you don't have a card checkout http://www.psoexplorer.com/ 6. A keyboard is a good investment if you want to be able to chat with other players online. This will cost about $20 (http://www.liksang.com/info.php?products_id=3353) There is a very expensive ASCII combined keyboard and controller which will set you back about $70! (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-70-1xe-71-23.html) You can also get a cheap adaptor that will let you plug in any keyboard at http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-24-70-29s-4-7.html 7. If you want to share your broadband connection between your computer and your Gamecube then you will need to invest in a router. This means that you don't have to keep unplugging cables and you can be online with PSO and surfing the internet at the same time. Routers can be expensive. One of the best around can be found at http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=34&scid=29&prid=160 WIRELESS NETWORKING 7.1 My Nintendo GameCube is located far away from my broadband modem. There are two basic options available to you to get your gamecube conected to broadband 1: get a long bit of ethernet cable, and run it from your P.C to your gamecube. 2: Get a wireless network set up, and use a wireless bridge adaptor (search Google for examples, linksys do one, as do other companys) If you don't have a wireless network, setting one up can be expensive, and its not really worth it just for a gamecube, if you have a wireless network already then it might be worth looking at. Here are some ideas on how to get a cable from one point to another: You may need a long cable from your internet source to your gamecube, and its not really practical to have this great long cable running accross the place. So you will probably have to make a few holes, if your gamecube is upstairs and your P.C downstairs: You can buy some PVC trunking (http://www.thorsman.com/UK/Products/UK_p_minimat.html) This runs up your wall, to a hole that you have drilled in the ceiling of the room where your P.C is. You then route the cable up through the trunking, through the hole under the floorboards upstairs to a point where your gamecube is, then another hole in the floor, and up into your gamecube. You can just pass the cable up the wall, through a hole in the ceiling, but if you use trunking (available fromm most DIY tores/electrical stores it will look much much neater. If you want to go for a profesional neat and tidy job you can just buy plain ethernet cable without the plugs on each end, and wire that into some wall sockets as shown here (http://www.maplin.co.uk/media/largeimages/27245i0.jpg) 7.2 Can I use a wireless network adapter? In some cases, yes. This will depend largely upon which wireless network adapter device you purchase. Connecting to a wireless network can be a difficult option, unless you are experienced at setting up a home network. It is often easier to either use a long ethernet cable to connect or, if a phone jack is closer, use the Nintendo GameCube Modem Adapter instead. From an article at IGN http://gear.ign.com/articles/440/440070p1.html?fromint=1 GameCube Consider this a slightly altered version of the PS2 installation. The biggest difference is really the absence of online games for GameCube. You're basically throwing down $35.00 or so to play PSO. That's fine, but the overall investment yields less return than it does with the PS2 or Xbox, each of which has a healthy library of online titles. At any rate, after you install the Broadband Adapter you have to get the broadband part to it. If you already have a router, then just buy the wireless access point, which connects to one of the router ports. If you do not have a router, then buy an integrated wireless router, which includes the access point. In this case, the wireless bridge will connect to the GameCube Broadband adapter. Pictured to the right is the Linksys WGA54G Wireless-G Game Adapter, which runs for a hair over $100.00. Like the previous two bridges, the Linksys features 54 Mbps 802.11g and 11 Mbps 802.11b operation. The chain: broadband modem --> router + wireless access point OR wireless router --> wireless bridge --> GameCube Broadband Adapter If you have a wireless network, then you might consider investing in this little gizmo http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000AJVBW/ref=pd_sbs_e_2/103-2379 555-7847809?v=glance&s=electronics or this device http://www.linksys.com/product s/product.asp?prid=432 As you can see all this can cost quite a bit of money so be sure you want to make the investment to play online. Remember that you can always play offline or play multiplayer offline if you want to play with a team of friends. SETUP INSTRUCTIONS 8. Once you have got all this together, you need to know how to setup the connection. Go here http://www.nintendo.com/online/ Please note that for some online services you need to enter your userid is a special format: MSN - msn/yourusername AOL - yourusername@aol.com There seem to be a LOT of problems setting up a connection to PSO with a AOL Broadband connection. Here is a useful message I found posted at http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,9435968~mode=flat?hilite=pso "PSO, AOL AND the Gamecube ONLINE! For all you pso fans, You can get online with AOL Broadband! The ONLY way is to use a ROUTER! We used a Linksys Router. You have to set up... WAN Connection Type: Choose: PPPoe in UserName: yourusername@aol.com in Password: yourpassword Plug your Gamecube into one of the ports. (We used a Crossover Cable.) Leave the Network settings on the Gamecube to Ethernet: Choose "automatically obtain an IP Address". IP Address Auto Settings (DNS and DHCP) - Leave blank Proxy Setting: Leave Blank Save and Get Ready to Play the ONLINE game. Good Luck and I hope to see you in the Lobby!" CHEATING, HACKING AND FSOD/FSOD-X 9. Bear in mind that there is widespread cheating online with rare items being duplicated, character stats being maxed out at level 1, multiple weapons being equipped etc. Also there is a risk of the Frozen Screen of Death (FSOD) which can lose all your unequipped items or even lose your entire character. You may like to try some of the following rescue methods. What is FSODX? FSODX stands for Frozen Screen Of Death eXtreme. It is a result of Sonic Teams poorly made patch that was to put an end to the mainstream duping method. The double-save is an example of the patch. What does FSODX do? FSODX freezes your game when entering a game, during the double-save. As you know, if you turn off the GameCube or remove your memory card during a save, you corrupt. The FSODX forces you to turn off your GameCube. This makes many people angry. What is corruption? It is a term used in the gaming community that means that the data stored on your memory (card) is no longer viable, meaning it won't work. How can I save myself from FSODX? Good question. You are in luck, as you can save yourself from FSOD. One method is- 1.) When you get FSOD during a save (FSODX), open your disc lid on your GameCube. Another step to take is removing your phone cord from the GameCube, although I am not sure if that matters or not. 2.) Wait. Wait about 30 seconds. Then, press the power on the GameCube. Turn it back on, and wait for it to load. If you get a message that says that your data on your card is trashed and asking if you would like to delete it, turn your power off and go to the second method. If you don't get the message, congratulations! You are one of the survivors of FSODX. Now, start to breathe again. Second Method- 1.) Open the disc lid while your GameCube is off. 2.) Press power, you should get to the GameCube menu screen. 3.) Go to your memory card with the corrupted data, and go to the Guild Card data and delete it. 4.) Play. Congratulations! You survived FSODX! You only lost a major way to contact your friends! Finally using third party memory cards with PSO or mixing PSO saved data with that from other games can result in the card becoming corrupted and all your character data being lost. USEFUL LINKS TO FURTHER INFORMATION 10. Summary of Useful Links 10.1 Choosing an ISP http://www.thelist.com/ 10.2 PSO World Technical FAQ http://www.planetdreamcast.com/psoworld/viewforum.php?forum=3&6437 The first message posted on this forum message board is an EXCELLENT faq on how to get online. It covers setting up access with free services like Juno and Netzero. It shows you how to make an AOL connection work. It answers questions about the Hunter's Licence, It covers the FSOD. If you are still having problems getting online after reading this FAQ then posting a message on the PSO World Technical Help Forum board will get you some expert help. 10.3 GameCube Hardware - Modem/Broadband Adapter FAQ http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/gamecube/game/12177.html Another EXCELLENT FAQ that tells you all about connecting up your Gamecube with the modem adaptor or the broadband adaptor. It also covers cables, routers and how to set it up for PSO. 10.4 Sorry to use the 'X-Box' word! You can also get information on setting up via the X-Box live website, if you are using broadband, the set up is virtually identical to that of an X-Box, it also lists how to set up to a router, a direct connection to a broadband modem (with ethernet out) and internet connection sharing. Just replace the X-Box with a Gamecube http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/live/start/connect/ 10.5 Sega (for Hunter's Licence) European site: https://www.playsega.com/ United States site: http://pso.sega.com/community/profiles/pso_gcn/pc_front/gcn_pc_main.jhtml This is where you buy your Hunter's Licence. Make sure you remember the username and password you chose when you register your game. Make sure you have your serial number and access key handy. If you have problems click on the Support button and call one of the phone numbers listed. 10.6 PSO Explorer (for Hunter's Licence without a credit card) http://www.psoexplorer.com/ 10.7 Nintendo Europe Online Gaming http://www.nintendo-europe.com/NOE/en/GB/online/ 10.8 Nintendo Online Support http://www.nintendo.com/online/index.jsp 10.9 Nintendo Online FAQS http://www.nintendo.com/online/faqs.jsp 10.10 Some nice instructions from a cable access provider http://www.rogershelp.com/help/content/trouble/general/gamecube.shtml CONTACT DETAILS 11. Contact: feel free to email me at inobleuk@yahoo.com with any information that you think should be included here. I will be happy to answer questions to the best of my ability but I am not an expert, I just looked around for helpful information on the internet and read the messages posted on the Gamefaqs board. Hope to see you online? Iain Noble