Microsoft KB Archive/937424

= Ports that you must open in Microsoft Windows Firewall to play a Games for Windows LIVE game =

Article ID: 937424

Article Last Modified on 12/4/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Games for Windows - LIVE
 * Microsoft Halo 2 for Windows Vista
 * Microsoft Gears of War (PC)
 * Microsoft Shadowrun (PC)
 * Microsoft Viva Pinata (PC)
 * Microsoft Xbox

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Important This article contains information that shows you how to help lower security settings or how to turn off security features on a computer. You can make these changes to work around a specific problem. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this workaround in your particular environment. If you implement this workaround, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect the computer.



SUMMARY
This article describes the ports that you must open in Microsoft Windows Firewall to play a Games for Windows LIVE game.



Verify that your router is compatible with the Games for Windows LIVE service
To review the set of routers that are compatible with the Games for Windows LIVE service, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/connecttolive/xbox360/homenetworking/equipment.htm

If your router is not listed on the Web site, and you are experiencing problems connecting to Games for Windows LIVE services, continue with basic multiplayer troubleshooting.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

819836 How to troubleshoot multiplayer issues in Microsoft games

If the issue continues to occur, contact the manufacturer of the router.

Add the program to the Exceptions list
Warning This workaround may make a computer or a network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.

Note Do not open a port for a program that you do not recognize.  On Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type wscui.cpl, and then click OK.

On Windows Vista, click Start, type wscui.cpl, and then press ENTER. Click Windows Firewall. On the Exceptions tab, locate the game in the Program and Services list. Click to select the check box to enable that game to connect through the firewall.

If the game is not listed in this window, you must add the game to the Exceptions list. To do this, click Add Program, and then click Browse. Locate the executable file for the Games for Windows game title, and then click Open. For example, by default the executable file for Halo 2 for Vista is installed in the following location:

C: \Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo 2\Halo2.exe

 Click OK three times.

The computer is connected to the Internet
For more information, visit the following Windows Online Help and Support Web site, and then view the &quot;Allow a program to communicate through Windows Firewall&quot; topic:

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/

The computer is not connected to the Internet
For more information, view the &quot;Allow a program to communicate through Windows Firewall&quot; topic in Windows Help and Support on the computer's hard disk. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Startvistastartbutton.jpg], and then click Help and Support.
 * 2) In the Search Help box or in the Search online Help box, type Allow a program to communicate through Windows Firewall, and then click Search Help.
 * 3) In the list of topics, click Allow a program to communicate through Windows Firewall.
 * 4) Click the link that best describes the problem that you are experiencing.
 * 5) Follow the suggestions to troubleshoot the problem that you are experiencing.

Port listings for Games for Windows LIVE
If you do not use the Windows Firewall program, you can still open the ports that are used by the game when you configure the network. To make sure that these ports are open, or to open these ports, contact the network administrator or the Internet service provider (ISP). If you are the administrator of the network, see the documentation that is provided with your networking software to determine how to open these ports. The following list explains the port configuration specifications for the game:
 * Port forwarding must be enabled on the TCP port 80.
 * Port forwarding must be enabled on the TCP port 3074.

Additional query words: Live

Keywords: kbhowto kbinfo kbpubtypekc kbxbox360pacrimportal kbxbox360americasportal kbxbox360europeportal kbgamesforwindowslive KB937424

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