Newbie questions COD4

trackerman

Ok, I've been online for two nights now and I'm being slaughtered !!!!

I have some questions...

Q. When I view the server list I see symbols to the right of the screen, some marked with "X", the sound one is obvious, but what do the others mean?

Q. Whan I try to access some games I am denied acess, password, how do I get a password?

Q, Some servers appear to have a free slot e.g. 19(21) but when I access I'm told the server is full ?

Q, Sometimes I get the 10 second count and them I'm told there was server timeout, what's the problem?

Q, Is it adviseable to play with headset and mic ? Can I use a stand alone mic and normal stereo speakers ?

Q. Some games shows as having payers !!!! But when I enter I'm the only one there, whats up?

Q, any tips on keyboard setup, is the default ok or should I move some keys to aid me ?

Q. And lastly, would a better video card assist my ability to see distant targets ? It seems to me that some players have vastly superior visibility/screen resolution and can hit the smallest of targets, even on the killcam I find it hard to see what the hell he was shooting at!

Thanks in advance guys.

christophicus

Wow you really are new to online gaming aren't you :P) .

The other icons are

pure server ( I assume ), infinity ward master server acknowleged ( I assume ) , and Punkbunster enabled .

Usually servers that are passworded belong to clans and are set up for competative matchs. There is no need for anyone to give you a password for a server.

Someone may have logged on onto the server in the time from when you lasted refreshed to the time you try to join the server. Also there may be some reserved slots on the server that may prevent you from joining.

The 10 second timeout happens when the server is down ( alot of your problems sound like they could be cause by you not refreshing your browser. Do you refresh your browser every time you search for servers ??)

Nehpets

question: In the sp mode, what are the laptops you collect? or "pieces of intel".

christophicus

You just answered your own question. They are the pieces of Intel .

Otacon

If you collect all of them, they unlock... something. Google it

Dingatron

Q. And lastly, would a better video card assist my ability to see distant targets ? It seems to me that some players have vastly superior visibility/screen resolution and can hit the smallest of targets, even on the killcam I find it hard to see what the hell he was shooting at!

We would need to know what your current PC setup is before anyone could answer this. i.e.
CPU
Video card. AGP/PCI-E
etc.

jonski

trackerman wrote: »

Q, Some servers appear to have a free slot e.g. 19(21) but when I access I'm told the server is full ?

Some servers have reserved slots for members

Q, Is it adviseable to play with headset and mic ? Can I use a stand alone mic and normal stereo speakers ?

Stand alone mic and normal stereo speakers are fine .

Q, any tips on keyboard setup, is the default ok or should I move some keys to aid me ?

Thats personal preference , I try to stick to the default as most games default to the same keys .

Grim.

jonski wrote: »

Thats personal preference , I try to stick to the default as most games default to the same keys .

same here

trackerman

PC spec as follows (shopping list form Kompett)
1 Seasonic S12 Powersupply 600W, 120mm Fan, 6xSATA, ATX/EPS, 2xPCI-E, 20/24pin
1 Antec Performance One P180 Miditower, Black, Aluminum (Without PSU)
1 Gainward GeForce 8500GT 256MB DDR2, PCI-Express, DVI/Tv-Out, SilentFX
1 Western Digital Raptor 150GB SATA 16MB 10000RPM
1 Thermaltake BigTyp 120 VX CPU Cooler, 16-24dBA, Socket 775/754/939/AM2
2 NEC DVD±RW burner AD-7170S, SATA, Black (bulk)
2 Samsung SpinPoint T166 500GB SATA2 16MB 7200RPM
1 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz Socket LGA775, 4MB, BOXED w/fan
1 Asus P5B DLX/WIFI-AP, P965, Socket-775, ATX, 2xGbLAN, SATAII, Firewire, PCI-Ex16
2 OCZ Gold DDR2 PC6400 2048MB KIT, w/two 1024MB PC6400 XTC,CL4-5-5-15, Rev2

Dingatron wrote: »

We would need to know what your current PC setup is before anyone could answer this. i.e.
CPU
Video card. AGP/PCI-E
etc.

TheHairyFairy

Your PC seems fine, bar your GFX card which is a little on the low side. Best way to get your head around online gaming is to jump onto a clans Teamspeak server and before long you will be up to speed. To do this you need a decent headset, speakers are normally a no no.

Dingatron

yep good specs bar the graphics card. A 8800GTS 512 (****Not the 320 or 640 which are far inferior cards****) would be a nice addition to your system but comes at a price. You'd be looking at around €280-330 on dabs.ie for one.

TheHairyFairy

Or even the 8800GT would be a good buy.

Steffano2002

TheHairyFairy wrote: »

Or even the 8800GT would be a good buy.

I have the XFX 8800GT (Alpha Dog Edition - slightly factory overclocked) and I've never been happier!

Steffano2002

trackerman wrote:

1 Thermaltake BigTyp 120 VX CPU Cooler, 16-24dBA, Socket 775/754/939/AM

I'm getting this very same cooler in a couple of days from Komplett! Then I'll overclock my Q6600 to the max!

Trackerman, for the keyboard set-up, keep the original as most FPS games use the same standard set-up. I did change a couple of keys though:

I didn't like the melee attack being the "V" key (IIRC) so I have it as Mouse 4 (Logitech MX518 FTW!). And I'm switching weapons using the scroll button on the mouse too. Apart from that I'm using default.

And if you're serious about gaming, invest in a proper sound card and headset (I advise Sennheiser personaly). Sound is everything in Call of Duty. I call it "the legal wallhack"!

And you're not doing justice with that Graphics Card either... Get a 8800GT at least!

Seifer

Hehe, I'm the exact same with the knife. I mean v? What were they thinking? Mouse 4 on my mx510

Steffano2002

Seifer wrote: »

Hehe, I'm the exact same with the knife. I mean v? What were they thinking? Mouse 4 on my mx510

I tried using that "V" key for the first hour or so but I got so fooking frustrated that it didn't stay set to that very long! Mouse 4 FTW!

I love rushing some guy up close (who's actually shooting at you) and slicing him up right before getting fragged! Then you get the "Fearless" Challenge Completed! So satisfying!

Nehpets

I like v, I like all the defaults actually.

jonski

Steffano2002 wrote: »

(Logitech MX518 FTW!).

518 ? ....518? ...what were you thinking man ? get you ass back on ebay and get yourself a good olde 510 . 518 ..pfffffff .


and yes melee = mouse 4 or sometimes I use mouse 4 for nades ..depending .

Steffano2002

jonski wrote: »

518 ? ....518? ...what were you thinking man ? get you ass back on ebay and get yourself a good olde 510 . 518 ..pfffffff .


and yes melee = mouse 4 or sometimes I use mouse 4 for nades ..depending .

MX510 is the same as the MX518 but slower... I hated my MX510 so I got a MX518 and I've been delighted ever since!

Gunmonkey

The intel you pick up in SP unlock cheats activated in-game. Dunno what they are, you have to finish the game to unlock the ability to use them.

trackerman

Dingatron wrote: »

yep good specs bar the graphics card. A 8800GTS 512 (****Not the 320 or 640 which are far inferior cards****) would be a nice addition to your system but comes at a price. You'd be looking at around €280-330 on dabs.ie for one.

Took a look but discovered there are up to 6 different makers of the 8800GTS, some far more expensive than others. Gaiward, EVAG, MSI, Point of view, XFX, etc... I dunno where to begin!!!

Steffano2002

trackerman wrote: »

Took a look but discovered there are up to 6 different makers of the 8800GTS, some far more expensive than others. Gaiward, EVAG, MSI, Point of view, XFX, etc... I dunno where to begin!!!

I have the XFX (which is factory overclocked as previously stated) and I am delighted with it! I definitely recommend it!

Steffano2002

XFX GF 8800GT 640MHZ 512MB DDR3 PCI-E DUAL DVI TV XT-VERSION for €264.99 Exc. Delivery

XFX GF 8800GT 670MHZ 512MB DDR3 PCI-E DUAL DVI TV XXX-VERSION for €284.35 Exc. Delivery

Both out of stock at the moment though...

pirelli

trackerman wrote: »

Ok, I've been online for two nights now and I'm being slaughtered !!!!

I have some questions...



Q. And lastly, would a better video card assist my ability to see distant targets ? It seems to me that some players have vastly superior visibility/screen resolution and can hit the smallest of targets, even on the killcam I find it hard to see what the hell he was shooting at!

Thanks in advance guys.

He was shooting at you!. lol

It is more than likely superior weapons system which you will earn as you progress, such as red dot sights,scope and superior weapons that have much greater range power and accuracy. Some weapons such as the GC36 are deliver a consistent line of fire to a small target area as oppossed to the P90 and the Ak or uzi which shake causing a spray of bullets making it hard if not impossible to focus on a small are or long range accurately. The M16 is a very good weapon for combat when starting.

Steffano2002

M4 FTW as far as I'm concerned! Hate the "3 bullets only" of the M16...

christophicus

Yeah but you have to unlock the M4 . MP5 is the best base weapon as far as I am concerned.

Steffano2002

christophicus wrote: »

Yeah but you have to unlock the M4 . MP5 is the best base weapon as far as I am concerned.

Really? I was under the impression that I've had it since the very start...

KamiKazi

no you had the M16 at the start

Steffano2002

KamiKazi wrote: »

no you had the M16 at the start

Fair enough! I have a very bad memory so I believe you!

dubtom

For multiplayer,if using the a headset,is it possible to talk to anyone on your team,or do you have to be on a specific server?

Steffano2002

dubtom wrote: »

For multiplayer,if using the a headset,is it possible to talk to anyone on your team,or do you have to be on a specific server?

It's possible on some servers by pressing "Z" (default) but only on servers with "chat" allowed. You can see if "chat" is allowed on a server in the Server List. If there is a tick under the speaker icon column, you'll be able to chat.

However, most clans use seperate applications for chat such as Ventrilo or TeamSpeak RC2.