What is a socket

[orkboss]

I downloaded a game from the internet, saved it to disk and put it on my old 486. When I tried to open it an error message came up "Can't create a new socket".

What does it mean, is it because I am not connected to the internet, or something to do with my old computer.

[CMonster]

socket

(1) In UNIX and some other operating systems, a software object that connects an application to a network protocol. In UNIX, for example, a program can send and receive TCP/IP messages by opening a socket and reading and writing data to and from the socket. This simplifies program development because the programmer need only worry about manipulating the socket and can rely on the operating system to actually transport messages across the network correctly. Note that a socket in this sense is completely soft
- it's a software object, not a physical component.

(2) A receptacle into which a plug can be inserted.

(3) A receptacle for a microprocessor or other hardware component.

for more information visit www.webopedia.com (http://www.webopedia.com) search "socket"

It sounds as though this is a net based game and your assumption about needing to be connected to the internet is probably correct.




[This message has been edited by CMonster (edited 12-16-1999).]

[Axel]

What's the game??

Sounds like you got a MUD game or some other text based game and it wants to link to it's game domain for which it needs an internet socket connection.

What OS are you running?

What modem are you running?

If you have Win3.1, check to see if your winsock.dll file is 42KB in size. Also look for a winsock.old --

then get back with us.

[orkboss]

Yes, I think it is because of not being connect to the internet.

Axel- the game is only elf bowling, I thought it might amuse the other half, she likes that type of thing.

I use win98 with no modem at all. Internet connection is expensive in the uk!

[DavidX]

I use win98 with no modem at all. Internet connection is expensive in the uk!

Hmmm . . . maybe that would be a good way to keep my phone bills down too! If it wasn't there, I couldn't use it http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[Nascar]

Elf-bowling? I think that's illegal in most of the US, but I could be wrong.

[Dave_H]

Your right Nascar,
It would be considered a hate crime, unless
of course you were also an elf. It would make
Santa pretty mad too.

It would be tough though to make a strike,
I figure the guys little arms and legs flapping around would really screw up your aim.

[Nascar]

Orkboss-
In as much seriousness as I can come up with, where can one pick up elf-bowling?
My brother believes that picking up a spare must be easier, with their arms and legs flying around?! LOL
Thanks

[alondra]

dont want to create a panic here but a couple days ago received a notice about some thing called elf bowling having a virus, would suggest checking it with a virus prog.

[socalgal]

More info http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/002863.html

Getting game from the site:
http://www.nstorm.com/games/elfbowl.cfm

Always run any latest up-to-date virus scans on any download/e-attachment.

[BEOR999]

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/index.html

Go to this page for the latest Hoax/real info on curent virus alets

RE; Elf Bowl
The following message has been sent out by email. It is a hoax. The program mentioned in the virus hoax exists but does not contain a virus.

The hoax message includes the following "warning":

TO ALL

IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED ANY OF THESE
GAMES = FROGAPULT.EXE ELFBOWL.EXE
(FROG GAME) & (ELF BOWLING GAME)

PLEASE CAN YOU DELETE THEM COMPLETELY
OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM AS THEY BOTH
HAVE A DELAYED VIRUS ATTACHED TO THEM
THAT WILL BE ACTIVATED ON
CHRISTMAS DAY AND WILL WIPE OUT YOUR SYSTEM.
LET EVERYONE KNOW OF THIS.
Symantec AntiVirus Research Center has received many submissions of these programs developed by NVISION DESIGN,INC including Y2KGAME.EXE and has all been confirmed to be free of viruses. Power users can confirm if the program are clean by comparing the CRC-32 and size of these programs using PKZIP software:

FROGPULT.EXE, CRC32: e0b827fa, SIZE: 1021952 bytes
ELFBOWL.EXE, CRC32: ae35e713, SIZE: 1130496 bytes
Y2KGAME.EXE, CRC32: 80a08aeb, SIZE: 1830612 bytes
As part of the game specifications, these games may report information over the Internet each time the games are played. For more information, please contact the developers of these games directly.

Please ignore any messages regarding this supposed "virus" and do not pass on any messages regarding it. Passing on messages about this hoax serves only to further propagate it.

[UncaDanno]

I saw "internal spam" like the hoax message several times while on contract with a large financial firm. Seems the game police would send it out along with a scary message that, unless the game(s) got *completely* removed, the user's PC would be physically damaged. "Please call support for assistance in removing this hazardous software."
They caught (and "reprimanded") quite a few folks guilty of "using corporate assets for entertainment purposes".

[Axel]

I look at it as a way to encourage education - IE - doing an attrib on your game files so normal searches won't find them....
The harm comes in playing during working hours. - Catch those people and don't worry about who's loading what unless they complain about HD space or frequent viruses, or not having enough time to do their jobs....

Back to the main topic - why the heck is "elfbowling" looking for a socket?? - Me-thinks something else goofy is happening in your system. EB isn't an on-line type of thing as far as I can remember from the 3.5 seconds I dedicated to opening a copy.... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[alondra]

Sorry if I caused an uproar here, maybe Im just getting paranoid. good advise tho always scan anything downloaded. I suspect a special interest group started this warning. hoax.

[orkboss]

Back to my original subject...

Well maybe elf bowling just refuses to work on my old system, prehaps they have a good union.

[orkboss]

Prehaps it is the way I have set up IE?

[orkboss]

Or prehaps my computer has decided that the game is too **** to be played on the computer.

[narayan]

probably a hate-crime organization http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif