How to Connect: Phantasy Star Online v2

[jinx]

"ISP Not Found"
That error plagued my connection to PSO for two weeks after getting my BBA. There doesn't seem to be any straight forward guides on how to connect to the PSO private servers. In-fact, the guides are what led to the error above. Simply stating "Enter this and don't touch any settings" is vague and frustrating.

This guide is meant to aid those experiencing the above error, or for those who simply are trying to connect. It will eventually include other methods of connection, but for now we will stick with connecting by changing the DNS for your BBA.

It should also be noted that this guide is specifically for version 2. I was not able to get version 1 to connect to either server. It may be possible to do this, but I haven't found a way just yet.

Section 1
Getting Ready

Obtain a copy of Phantasy Star Online v2
If you need a SN/Access Key:
Serial Number: 4E62F237
Access Key: oWur4WJg

Download the XDP browser:
http://dreamcast-talk.com/uploads/pso/x ... dition.rar

Burn the cdi images
The most popular way is to use ImgBurn.
However, I've had better luck with Alcohol 120%

Section 2
Connecting to the Internet

Put in the XDP Disc and boot it up.
Choose the "Original User Agent".

Click on "Options" at the top of the Home screen.

Select "Network Info" in the lower-right corner.

If your "ISP Name" (Highlighted in RED) has any options other than "BBA", then this is where the "ISP Not Found" error is coming from.
Select "BBA" for "ISP Name" if it's not already selected, and continue on through this tutorial.
[Note that you may need to restart for the "ISP Name" change to stick.]
Now, select BBA for "Information Setup".

Leave this page alone and press "Continue".

For now, leave both DNS settings to "Automatic". We'll come back and change this after testing the internet connection.
If you're impatient, you can skip ahead to "Section 4: Connecting to Private Servers".

Select "Save: Store Password".

Save the settings to your VMU/Flash.

Section 3
Testing Internet Connectivity

Back on the Home screen, click on "Connect" and select "Yes".

After this finishes, click on "URL" underneath it.

The quickest way to test the connection is to press the Left Trigger, and select "Home Page" (NOT Home). If you rather type in the address manually, go for it. (RacketBoy doesn't like the Dreamcast Browser)

After you're done messing around with XDP, you can press the Left Trigger and select "Home" (NOT "Home Page").

Section 4
Connecting to Private Servers

Start back at Section 2.
When you get to the DNS screen change the "Primary DNS".
There are two active servers at the moment, sylverant and schthack.
SCHTHACK: 65.12.199.46
SYLVERANT: 67.222.144.120

Section 5
Play!


You might be wondering at this point, "Do I have to do this EVERY time I want to connect or change the server!?".
The answer is, "No".
In-fact, if you downloaded a patched copy of Phantasy Star Online version 2, then the "Website" section should allow you to easily switch between DNS addresses. This makes it easy for if you want to hang out with your friends on sylverant, but play on schthack when sylverant is empty.

This is my first guide to anything. So any suggestions are welcome. If anybody finds a way of connecting version 1, please let me know so I can add it to this tutorial.

Thanks for reading!
-Jinx <3

[jinx]

Reserved for Dial-up instructions

[jinx]

Reserved for "Dr. DNS" on Windows or "dnsmasq" on Linux.
============================================

EDIT 4/2/13:
Here's an alternative method of connecting. This allows you to use a Dial-up Modem on a Broadband connection.
!!!WARNING!!!
This requires additional hardware, and the full article should be read before attempting.
http://dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewtop ... f=3&t=3122

[Violent By Design]

I'm not sure if this is going to throw the thread off topic, but how is this game? How does it rack up with the previous PSO and compare to other MMOs of today?

[jinx]

I'm not sure if this is going to throw the thread off topic, but how is this game? How does it rack up with the previous PSO and compare to other MMOs of today?

This is for the original PSO v2, not PSO 2.
See noiseredux vs. Sega.
I agree with just about everything stated there.

On a side note, ver. 2 is basically an expansion of ver. 1.
There are several bug fixes, game balancing, new quests, and they raised the level cap to 200.

[Violent By Design]

ooooh.


cool guide though, always wondered how people connected to PSO private servers.


I assume a burned copy of this game would work online as long as you put in that code?

[jinx]

ooooh.


cool guide though, always wondered how people connected to PSO private servers.


I assume a burned copy of this game would work online as long as you put in that code?

Yup! I've used the mentioned cod twice.
I ordered a legit copy and couldn't wait for it to come in.

[SteveyMajors]

Thanks for doing this, jinx. I'm looking forward to the future installments since I can't hope to afford a BBA anytime soon.