EQOA SANDSTORM SERVER SETUP INSTRUCTIONS

Sandstorm Setup

1. Gather the required files and downloads.
• Download PCSX2: PCSX2 Download Page
• eeee1fcc.pnach and 973e3177.pnach from Sandstorm Website
• PS2 BIOS ripped from an original PS2: BIOS Dump Instructions
1. If this isn't possible; at your own risk, you can search online for the file.
• ISO file ripped from the EQOA: Frontiers game disk: ISO Dump Instructions
1. If this isn't possible; at your own risk, you can search online for the file.
• Installing PCSX2 and Configuring
--First make a folder where you would like the PCSX2 System files to be held.
--I suggest putting this file in your C: drive for now.
--Extract the PCSX2 files into the folder we just created. Then open the file.
--Save yourself a little bit of time, right click the PCSX2-QT file and make a shortcut. Put that on your desktop.
--Next go ahead and run PCSX2 by double clicking that file we put on the desktop. It should start the install wizard.
--Select your preferred language. Click Next.
--On the BIOS image, select open BIOS folder. Put your BIOS files into that and select the BIOS that appears on the list after clicking the Refresh List button. Copy the file path to the BIOS folder, you will need it in a moment. Click Next.
--Don't close the installer. Open a windows file explorer, go to the path you copied. Go back a folder to the PCSX2 folder and create a new folder inside it called Games.
--Put your EQOAFrontiers.ISO file in the games folder.
--Click on your PCSX2 install wizard and you should be in the Games Directory part now.
--Click the Add button.
--Navigate to that new Games folder you made. You should still have the directory path copied so you can just paste it to get there fast.
--It will ask if you want to scan the directory, select yes. Once it completes the scan, click Next.
--Now you will be in the controller setup. If you already have a controller connected, select it off the list. You CAN use a keyboard but I strongly suggest investing in a good controller.
--Click Next and Finish. The emulator program will open.
• PCSX2 Settings
--Navigate to Settings at the top then click Emulation.
--(Very Important)Click Enable Cheats.
--Go to the Graphic on the left.
--Turn onn Apply Widescreen Patches.
--Turn on Apply No-Interlacing Patches.
--While in Graphics settings go to the Rendering tab.
--Set Anisotropic Filtering to 16x.
--Go to Memory Card on the left.
--(Very Important)Click Create, give it a name and set it to 32MB.
--Right click the memory card that shows up on the list now, set to slot 1.
--(Very Important)Go to Network & HDD settings on the left.
--Click Enabled under Ethernet.
--Set Device Type to "Sockets".
--Set Device to "Auto".
• Controller Settings
--If you need to remap keys or setup a controller click the Controller Port 1.
--You can click into the selection and press a key on the keyboard or your controller to map the key.
--Go to USB Port 1 next, set the device to HID Keyboard
• Install Patch File
  
--Go back to your PCSX2 File, the place where you put the game folder. Assuming you haven't copied anything else to your clipboard you should still have the directory path.
--Go to the Cheats folder that should already be created by the software.
--Put the patch files from eqoa.live (Sandstorm official site) into this folder.
--Close the folder and go back to PCSX2.
--Right click EQOA on your PCSX2 and select Properties.
--Go to Cheats, enable the cheats, select the only cheat there. Save and close.
• Configuring the in-game parts!
--Boot the game up and get past the terms.
--Format the memory card when prompted.
--Go to Network Setup.
--Click Add Settings.
--Complete this process, just keep going through, no need to change anything.
--You can test the connection, you should see it connect.
--Quit the network settings and the game is going to reboot.
--It will check your memory card once the game is done booting up. After the terms of course.
--It will find the network settings you just made.
--It should connect, read the game data, then click play.
--Go to Create User Account.
--Go through the process of making an account. Make sure you know your Username/Password.
--Login and make your first character!

FAQ & Common Issues

DNAS Error 611

1. Ensure that you have the required cheat patches (PNACH files) installed in the cheats folder, and that “Enable Cheats” is turned on in PCSX2 settings and on the game itself.
2. Turn off any VPNs, as they can interfere with DNAS authentication. Advanced users may use split tunneling to allow PCSX2 to bypass the VPN while keeping other apps protected.
3. Verify that you are using a network-compatible version of PCSX2. The Sandstorm server requires a build that supports the DEV9 plugin (such as Nightly 1.7+).
4. Ensure your PCSX2 is correctly configured based on instructions provided.
5. Confirm that the Sandstorm server is online and accepting connections. If the server is down or undergoing maintenance, the DNAS step may fail even with everything else set up correctly.
6. If you still receive a 611 error, try disabling any background security software or firewall rules that might block PCSX2 or your network adapter.

Cannot connect to the update server (Credit EQOAEmu Team)

1. Sometimes antiviruses do not like the server even though it is completely safe. Try disabling your antivirus to fix this issue. Malwarebytes are included in this category. Make sure to turn them back on once you log off the game.
2. Sometimes your router is skeptical of the server and it may require you to hardwire your PC into your router to connect.
3. Some networks may think the server is malicious and try to redirect your connection. These networks may include student housing, certain brands of routers, and certain internet service providers. To see if this is the issue, connect your PC to a phone hotspot and attempt to connect. Make sure your phone is not connected to the wifi your PC was using.
4. VPNs also do not like the server. Try disabling that too.