Dedicated L4D server; wont execute server.cfg

[markgca]

i can run a dedicated server with the server.cfg file IF i launch it using the steam applaunch icon that is generated when launching from the tools menu.

but when i try to get everything working using a 'server.bat', it launches, but just wont execute the server.cfg file. i know this seems basic, but thats the issue; i just cant figure out what im missing here!

(it says its executing dedicated server config file, but then it says "exec: couldn't exec server.cfg"

anyway, the desktop icon/server.bat looks like this (with a few critical things x'd out):

cd "C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead"
.\srcds.exe -console -game left4dead -maxplayers 8 -autoupdate -ip 192.168.1.105 -port 27015 -nohltv +sv_lan 0 -nomaster exec server.cfg +map l4d_hospital01_apartment

i put the server.cfg in the '..\left 4 dead' sub directory, no good. and i tried it just about everywhere else as well.

just for completeness, the server.cfg file looks like this:

// Server Name
hostname "[FeC] clanfec.com {markg}"

// Rcon Cvars
rcon_password "xxxxxxxx" //Set's remote control password

// Server Password
//sv_password "xxxxxxx" // Password protects server

// Server Cvars
mp_disable_autokick 1 //Prevents a userid from being auto-kicked
exec banned_user.cfg
exec banned_ip.cfg
sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0 //Allow direct connection - NOT just lobby connections

sv_voiceenable 1 // Let people talk
sv_alltalk 0 // Everybody talks to each other
sv_cheats 0 // Disallow cheats (sv_cheats defaults to 0, btw)
sv_unreserve // Clears any Lobby Reservation for this server

// Other server vars that may be useful
sv_search_key "[FeC]" // restrict search to only dedicated servers having the same sv_search_key.
sv_tags "[FeC], FeC, clanfec, clanfec.com, markg" // Used to provide extra information to clients when they're browsing for servers.

sv_allow_color_correction 0 //Allow or disallow clients to use color correction on this server.
sv_allow_wait_command 0 //Allow or disallow the wait command on clients connected to this server.
sv_alltalk 0 //Players can hear all other players, no team restrictions
sv_alternateticks 0 //If set, server only simulates entities on even numbered ticks.
sv_clearhinthistory 0 //Clear memory of server side hints displayed to the player.
sv_consistency 1 //Whether the server enforces file consistency for critical files
//sv_contact markg //Contact email for server sysop
//sv_downloadurl "" //Location from which clients can download missing files
sv_pausable 0 //Is the server pausable.

// Lan or internet play, Server region cvars
sv_lan 0 //Server is a lan server ( no heartbeat, no authentication, no non-class C addresses )
sv_region 1 // Region Codes: 0 - US East coast, 1 - US West coast, 2 - South America, 3 - Europe, 4 - Asia, 5 - Australia, 6 - Middle East, 7 - Africa, 255 - world

// HTTP Redirect
//sv_downloadurl http:// //Location from which clients can download missing files

z_difficulty advanced // Difficulty of the current game (easy, normal, hard, impossible)

// Server Logging
sv_log_onefile 0 //Log server information to only one file.
sv_logbans 1 //Log server bans in the server logs.
sv_logecho 0 //Echo log information to the console.
sv_logfile 1 //Log server information in the log file.
sv_logflush 0 //Flush the log file to disk on each write (slow).
sv_logsdir logs //Folder in the game directory where server logs will be stored.

//Server Rates
sv_maxcmdrate 100 //(If sv_mincmdrate is > 0), this sets the maximum value for cl_cmdrate.
sv_unlag 1
sv_maxunlag .5

sv_search_key FeC // this will allows you to find a server through matchmaking with a specific search string
sv_steamgroup xxxxx //this is your group’s steam group id. allows members to join from main menu add
sv_steamgroup_exclusive 1 //to make it exclusive and private

what am i doing wrong?

thanks a lot for looking at this; and if you see anything else wrong, please let me know as well!!

mark

[TheMG]

The server.cfg file should be in the cfg directory.

/left4dead/cfg

[markgca]

thanks!!!

mark

I have been at this for about 2 weeks now following numerous guides etc. Most of them are designed for the demo so they are not working correctly.

I get all of the files on the download for "left4dead" on the command update thingy. This then downloads all of the left 4 dead dedicated server files. (I have redownloaded them twice/uninstalled) Both always stop at 99.41%. I have looked up the error and followed all of the verify all cmd's and everything checks out so I don't think that is the problem.

The server shows under my lan. It shows as soon as I log in to Left 4 dead. If I join it then no one from the internet joins. If I have my friends type in the IP manually, we can all join fine, but no one else joins.

If I don't enter it and leave it for an hour or two all the sudden people are playing on it. I think this is because of the match making system. Once it finds a dedicated server for them it doesn't let anyone else join.

I have read all 21 pages of the cvars and created a fool proof server.cfg so I don't think that is the problem. I have tried what you've suggested on other posts and it doesn't work.

NOW mind you I can load it up fine and everything checks out 100%. I get the vac certified etc. It executes the server.cfg and shows me whats going on in the server. I've tried making a shortcut to the srcds.exe and putting in the configs you suggested. Ive tried making a batch file, and have also just ran the srcds.exe.

The problem is that no one can see my game if they type in "openserverbrowser" in left4dead console.

The other questions would be, how do I get my game listed under the internet tab instead of custom? I will leave you with as much information to help as I can.

Server CFG located in:
C:\srcds\l4d\left4dead\cfg
(I also copied it to numerous other places just trying to get it to list!)

hostname DETOX OWNED

// Rcon Cvars
rcon_password belleba //Set’s remote control password

// Server Cvars
mp_disable_autokick 1 //Prevents a userid from being auto-kicked

sv_allow_wait_command 0 //Allow or disallow the wait command on clients connected to this server.

sv_alltalk 0 //Players can hear all other players, no team restrictions

sv_alternateticks 0 //If set, server only simulates entities on even numbered ticks.

sv_clearhinthistory 0 //Clear memory of server side hints displayed to the player.

sv_contact support@rentatechservices.com //Contact email for server sysop

sv_downloadurl “” //Location from which clients can download missing files

sv_pausable 1 //Server not pausable

sv_cheats 0 // Disallow Cheats

motd_enabled 1

sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0


// Lan or internet play, Server region cvars

sv_lan 0 //Server is a lan server ( no heartbeat, no authentication, no non-class C addresses )

sv_region 0 // Region Codes: 0 - US East coast, 1 - US West coast, 2 - South America, 3 - Europe, 4 - Asia, 5 - Australia, 6 - Middle East, 7 - Africa, 255 - world


// Server Logging

sv_log_onefile 0 //Log server information to only one file.

sv_logbans 1 //Log server bans in the server logs.

sv_logecho 1 //Echo log information to the console.

sv_logfile 1 //Log server information in the log file.

sv_logflush 0 //Flush the log file to disk on each write (slow).

sv_logsdir logs //Folder in the game directory where server logs will be stored.


//Server Rates

sv_maxcmdrate 100 //(If sv_mincmdrate is > 0), this sets the maximum value for cl_cmdrate.

sv_steamgroup D3adOnArrival //this is your group’s steam group id.. allows members to join from main menu add

sv_steamgroup_exclusive 0 //to make it exclusive and private

PS: I read that setting the region lists your server twice, instead of just listing in "world" it will list it in world and region northeast. This increases your chances of someone joining.

Under the steam ID in the server config I tried my group numbers id which is 617262 and the full name just trying to get it to work.

----------------------------------------------

I have tried a few different launching mechanisms. I tried launching just using the steam dedicated GUI.

I also tried this short cut to srcds.exe with these parameters:

C:\srcds\l4d\srcds.exe -console -game left4dead -maxplayers 8 -autoupdate +map l4d_vs_hospital01_apartment +ip 192.168.0.11 -port 27017-nohltv +sv_lan 0



--------------------------------------------

I suspect since I am not getting any errors on launching the server and after a few hours an someone uses the match making system that the server is setup correctly. I have had it to where people can type the IP in manually and we can all play but no one joins. I suspect it may be in the ports I am forwarding:

Here is what I have. I am using Comcast and forwarding that to a gateway = cablemodem/router combined into one. This works almost identically as a normal router. Here are the ports I have forwarded. I also have a Linksys wcg200 wireless with wireless on but I don't think that makes a difference.

I also tried having it connect on port 27017 thinking that maybe my other computer was using 27015 and stealing it from the dedicated server seeing as how you can't use the same port number twice.

10 is the client computer on network
11 is dedicated server PC
27015-27015 Both - 10

27017-27017-TCP - 11
27017-27017-UDP - 11

27005-27005-TCP - 11
27005-27005-UDP - 11

27016-27075-UDP - 11
1200-1200-UDP - 11

27030-27039-TCP - 11


Again, the server loads correctly. I read the console and it activates it perfectly fine. says VAC CERTIFIED after it sends heartbeat to master server. SO I am assuming it does get replies back and fourth otherwise it would fail.

Seems to me I would want to host the server on (my external IP) instead of the internal. But I guess everyone uses their internals and when I use the external I get errors, without the external it completes an verifies and I get players.


GOD I would seriously pay someone if they could help me This has been such a headache. I would gladly pay to see what I'm doing wrong. Or if you want to borrow the server exclusively I don't care I am at that point. I have spent about 8-12 per day. for about 2 weeks or longer. This is taking up all my free time and time for other things. Its getting to the point where I'm about to flip out and start yelling at Left 4 dead people when it will do no good. I have setup servers in the past with a router and I don't remember it being this difficult. I don't believe I am doing anything wrong? I think this is a left 4 dead problem. I see millions of posts like mine with no answers.

I know I will be able to only see my server under lan that makes sense. Although when I have people outside of my network check for the server listing nothing comes up they say. Some from east and west coast in the usa.

Could anyone please help me I am pulling my hair out. I even went threw all the random config files and changed anything that said sv_lan 1 to sv lan 0 any maps that were not the one I needed changed it to the one I did. I went through EVERYTHING. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME!



If you could post a guide. I downloaded that hldsupdate tool. Ran the left4dead update to download 2.7 or so Gb of files. Setup a server.cfg with the above cvars. Launched the server using srcds.exe with parameters after that I used above. please help =[ I also opened the ports.

If the server is running 27015 the port should be forwarded to the servermachine (it's not nessecary forwarding ports to your client machine)