Kicked from Server?

[SEE]

I have only been on MP using HL for a few hours and have a standard V4.09 installation with no mods, etc. I joined a server and was surprised (and disappointed) that for some reason I have been kicked from it and it no longer shows up on HL. All I can think of is, that during one session, a message came up saying that 'Cheating has been detected' (several times) but I assumed this message referred to another player as I was flying the plane in the normal way I would in SP mode.

Unless there is another explanation I don't understand why I would be kicked off or what constitutes cheating. May be someone could offer a reason or give advice.

[AndyJWest]

Originally Posted by SEE

I have only been on MP using HL for a few hours and have a standard V4.09 installation with no mods, etc. I joined a server and was surprised (and disappointed) that for some reason I have been kicked from it and it no longer shows up on HL. All I can think of is, that during one session, a message came up saying that 'Cheating has been detected' (several times) but I assumed this message referred to another player as I was flying the plane in the normal way I would in SP mode.

Unless there is another explanation I don't understand why I would be kicked off or what constitutes cheating. May be someone could offer a reason or give advice.

The 'cheating' message is actually rather misleading - it actually refers to bad 'ping'. Like one or two other things in IL-2, it suffers from bad translation. That was most likely the problem. A few servers have rules about selecting the right markings for the aircraft (they don't like Spitfires with German crosses), and they may also have other restrictions. You should read any rules they show onscreen, and if they give a website URL, take a look at that too - they may clarify.

If the problem is with 'ping' (most likely), you may have to use another server if it is consistently bad. If it is erratic, there may be a problem at your end, or with your internet service provider.

Don't forget that HL shows the ping for each server too, so you can check before you join, and you get an indication onscreen in-game too - top right of screen you will see green squares. 1 is good, 2 not so good, and so on. If you see yellow ones during normal play, you are having problems, and a red one is a sign that you are about to get kicked. This is necessary as if the delay between your PC and the server gets too great, the game gets very choppy, and your plane will appear to other players to 'warp' from one place to another - not good.

[SEE]

Cheers AndyJW, thats a relief! Sounds like the problem and reason is 'ping'. I always check the 'brief' and make sure that my ac has correct markings, weapons loadout, etc - this particular server didn't specify any conditions. So once kicked you can never rejoin that server?

[AndyJWest]

You should be able to rejoin at some point - again, if the server has a forum, I'd take a look there - it may be an hour or two. Meanwhile, a few questions:

(a) Which server?
(b) Where are you based (country)?
(c) If you run this: http://www.pingtest.net/, what results do you get?
(d) Are you using WiFi to connect to the net, or a cable?
(e) Are you sharing your connection with anyone?

This might give a clue as to the problem.

[FAE_Cazador]

Once inside the Server and once in the cockpit on the tarmac, press "S" key and you can see your ping value.

This is the stock key to show the list of players and statistics, their pings (in miliseconds) and points. If you can't see anything, you'll have to go into the "Controls" section and configure the key for "Online Rating" in the "MISC" area.

This is the real ping you have against the Server in that moment. Sometimes, a high ping can be caused not by yourself but simply if the Server has not a good connection, there too many people connected, or just if the Server is on the other side of the World !

PD: and do not forget , when going on line, to close any other program in your PC which can be using part of your Internet connection like P2P programs, etc. It is advisable to leave all our bandwith for IL-2 and related programs as Teamspeak, HL, etc.

EDIT:

If you want to know who is causing the message "Cheating has been detected!" to show, go to the game's folder, then subfolder "i18n", and open with Notepad the file "netmessages.properties".

Look at the beginning of the file for the lines:

user_cheating1 cheating has been detected
user_cheating2 cheating has been detected
user_cheating3 cheating has been detected

(I am not sure about the exact build of these phrases in the stock game because I changed them long ago)

and write them as :

user_cheating1 {0} is causing lag!
user_cheating2 {0} is causing lag again!
user_cheating3 {0} is causing lag 3 times!

save the file, and you'be able to see the name of the pilot who is causing lag.

Of course keep a safe copy of the stock file "netmessages.properties" before modifying it in case of any problem.

[SEE]

Thanks for all the replies and info, (so much to learn- phew!).

In reply to AnndyJW questions:-

The server was SD_TotalWar
I'm in the uK
I use cable to my router not Wi fi and no other programs were running other than HL and my Saitek flightstick software profile. I will check the ping and take a peek at the files mentioned. Thanks guys!

[AndyJWest]

Thanks, SEE.
HL gives me a ping of 48, according to the server selection screen, and I'm UK based too. That should be fine.

If the ping is erratic, rather than persistantly bad, I'd suspect a problem with the phone line, or just a crappy internet service provider (BT have a lousy reputation on this, for example).

And yes, there is a lot to learn if you want to get the most out of IL-2. Don't forget you are doing it for fun though, so don't feel obliged to learn everything straight away (it can't be done, I don't think anyone knows everything anyway...)

[Bobb4]

It may have been a inter/squad match or even a co-op and you being kicked may be because an admin realised that you should not be there
Unfortunately not all online games are open to everyone.
I am sure it is nothing you did.
If it was a ping issue some servers have an auto kicks. You are normally warned repeatedly regarding your ping being too high or believe it or not, too low!

[AndyJWest]

I doubt if that was the problem, Bobb4. SD_TotalWar looks like a furball dogfight server from the HL details. I'd hope that anyone running a closed match on HL would password protect it, or at least explain before kicking someone.

[FAE_Cazador]

Some Dogfight servers have internal rules about choosing a particular plane, or taking specific payloads. If you do not comply with them, normaly you are warned by chat messages like "SERVER: you can not use that payload, change it or kick" or something like this, and later, if you don't change, you are kicked out.

Other servers use death penalty: if you are shot down 3 times, for instance, you are "dead" and are kicked out and have to stay out for a while, 5, or 15 minutes etc.

But these kind of server are normally full real servers, which I don't know if is the case of SD_Total_War.

I would suggest to SEE, after a full intensive training offline at home, to go online to HL playing first in easier settings dogfight servers and then move step by step to tighter settings.

When more or less he masters the flight and combat standards there, move to Full Real dogfight servers for some time and finally, if he still survives and his wife/girlfriend/family haven't divorced yet , go to onLine full real campaigns as Scorched Earth, AirWar II, etc or even ADW dogfight. This is more or less IMHO the learning curve for a newcomer.

Of course joining an appropiated regular Virtual Squad according to his country/war nation/timezone preferences is very important. There you'll find help, friends, training , info, and many more things (personal meetings, good chats, beer, etc. Girls eventually not allowed ). And a very important point: a wingman and squad mates to fly with.

Not to mention flying Coop Missions of the same difficult level of the dogfight servers in which you are.

Sorry for my English, it is not my native language.