Thursday 26 November 2015

Setup Content Hosting Banner in Counter-Strike

We have seen many server owners asking about how to show Content Hosting Provided By banners on different online forums and social website. Most of the solutions provided on those forums are outdated and hence not working. So here is a simple, updated and working tutorial for setting this up for your HLDS Server.

Content hosting provided by is a banner which is displayed to the players connecting to a Counter-Strike server. When a new map is added on server, a player is shown this banner with a progress bar while the map is downloading on their computer.

Steps:
These steps are tested on Counter-Strike 1.6 Server but they should also work on other servers too.

Banner Design:
Design a 340 x 56 GIF banner named steam_banner.gif in your favorite logo designing software.
You can also download and edit this logo we are using for our server:
Required Files:
You will need to place your banner file and an HTML file named steam_banner.html in the gfx directory like below:
cstrike/gfx/steam_banner.gif
cstrike/gfx/steam_banner.html
Edit the steam_banner.html file and place the following code in it:
<body topmargin="0" leftmargin="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" style="margin: 0px" bgcolor="#000000"> <html> <a href="http://cdn01.counterstrike.com.pk/game/cstrike/gfx/" target="_new"><img border="0" src="steam_banner.gif"></a> </html> </body>
Hosting Space / Fast Downloading:

Read this tutorial for setting up Fast Downloading: Setup fast downloading for Counter-Strike

This is where you upload your maps and other resource files so they can be downloaded with full speed. You will also need this place to upload your banner and the HTML file. Setup the directory structure on the web host accordingly. Go to cstrike/gfx directory and upload your banner and HTML files there.
Suppose your web host address is MyCSServer.000webhost.com then your files should be accessible like this:
http://MyCSServer.000webhost.com/cstrike/gfx/steam_banner.gif
http://MyCSServer.000webhost.com/cstrike/gfx/steam_banner.html
server.cfg File:
Append the following lines in your cstrike/server.cfg file:
sv_downloadurl "http://MyCSServer.000webhost.com/cstrike/" sv_allowdownload 1
Testing:
Add a new map to your server that you have never played before and also upload it on your web host. Now restart your server and join your server from game. While the new map is downloaded, you should see your banner in action.

Wednesday 25 November 2015

Setup fast downloading for Counter-Strike

This post is dedicated to setting up fast downloading on Counter-Strike to download maps, models, sound files and other game resources with full speed. These steps are tested on Counter-Strike 1.6 Dedicated Server but they should also work on other servers too.

By default, the HLDS limits the speed by which the maps and other game resources are directly downloaded on player’s computer. To overcome this limitation, HLDS provides a mechanism called FastDL support. Using FastDL, all the game resources can be downloaded on player’s computer with full speed.

The logic behind FastDL is that all the maps and other resource files are copied on a separate web server. When a player connects to the server and requests the resource files, he is redirected to the web server which downloads the resource files on player’s computer with full speed.

Steps:
For setting up FastDL, you must have full access to the server. Follow the steps below to proceed:

Setup a Website:
In order for FastDL to work, you must have a website where you will host the resource files. If you already have a website and know how to host files, you may skip this part. For this tutorial, we will use a Free Webhosting Service called 000webhost.

First of all create an account on 000webhost using this link: http://www.000webhost.com/order.php

Once you have created the account and confirmed your email, you will be shown a link to your website control panel.
Upload Resource Files:
Click on the Go to CPanel link.

Now click on File Manager.

You will now see a login screen. Enter your password and press enter.

This is your file manager where you will upload the resource files.

Now click on public_html. Click New dir to create a new directory named cstrike.
Now click on cstrike. Click New dir to create a new directory named maps.
Now click on maps. Click Upload and upload a map file just for testing purpose.
I have uploaded a map file named aim_ak-colt-cyber.bsp for demonstration.

Once you have uploaded the map file properly, you should see something like this:

To confirm that you have uploaded the map file properly, goto this link: http://cspakistanhost.netau.net/cstrike/maps/aim_ak-colt-cyber.bsp

Make sure to change the website address and the map file name with your own in the above link.

If everything is setup properly, the map will start downloading on your browser.

If you have only a few maps and other resource files, this approach is fine. But in case you have hundreds of files, it will take a lot of file to upload each and every file manually. For that purpose you can download and use FileZilla that will upload all the files and folders automatically.
Server Configuration:
Once your website and resource files are ready, its time to redirect your resource hungry players to your website. Open your cstrike/server.cfg file and add the following lines:
sv_allowdownload 1 sv_downloadurl "http://cspakistanhost.netau.net/cstrike/"
Don’t forget to replace the website with your own.
Testing:
Once you have properly uploaded all the resource files to your web host and added the provided commands in your server configuration files, restart your Counter-Strike server. Change server map to a new one that you have not played before and join the server. If the maps and other resources are downloading with increased speed, that means your FastDL setup is properly configured.

If you find any difficulty following the steps, please don’t hesitate to write in comments.

How to save ranks in Counter-Strike

Posted by Taimoor Zaffar on August 29, 2015, under Tutorials

When you setup Counter-Strike server, by default the player ranks are saved on server and they are present even when the server is restarted. Unless you have done something terribly wrong with your server settings which is what happened in our case.

A few days back we had to reinstall our server from scratch. While installation, we missed something because of which the player ranks in server were not saving any more. When ever the server restarts, all the ranks where gone. As a result, the /top15 /me /rank /rankstats and other rank related commands were showing incorrect results.

Counter-Strike Server Player List Scores

The player scores during the game where showing properly but once the server is restarted or crashed, all the server ranks which are meant to be persistent are reset to zero. The plugin responsible for the ranks is statsx.amxx which was loaded and running without any issues. After hours of bug hunting we finally found the culprits and the ranks started to save properly.

How to fix:
Following are the possible issues that might prevent your server ranks to survive restarts and crashes:

Directory Permissions:
This is the most common reason if you are using a Linux based server.
However, this can also happen on a Windows server if you have messed up with folder permissions.
Before anything else, make sure the cstrike/addons/amxmodx/data directory actually exists and if it doesn’t, create it.
The ranks are saved in a file named csstats.dat in cstrike/addons/amxmodx/data directory.
If using Linux server, make sure the user running HLDS has write permissions on data directory.
To do this, logon to ssh, change directory to cstrike/addons/amxmodx and write this command: chown -R hluser:hluser data
Replace hluser with the username that is running HLDS.

If using Windows server, open properties of data directory, goto Security tab, click on Edit and make sure Write is ticked.
Plugin Missing:
Make sure the plugin statsx.amxx is present in cstrike/addons/amxmodx/plugins folder and its entry is present in cstrike/addons/amxmodx/configs/plugins.ini file without the semi-colon ; in its start.
Module Missing:
Make sure the csx module file is present in cstrike/addons/amxmodx/modules directory and its entry is present in cstrike/addons/amxmodx/configs/modules.ini file without the semi-colon ; in its start.
In Linux server the module’s file name is csx_amxx_i386.so while in Windows server, the name is csx_amxx.dll
stats.ini File:
Make sure the cstrike/addons/amxmodx/configs/stats.ini file has the following entries at least:
ShowAttackers ;Show Attackers ShowVictims ;Show Victims ShowStats ;HUD-stats default SayRankStats ;Say /rankstats SayRank ;Say /rank SayTop15 ;Say /top15 SayMe

Once you have made the required changes, let the server restart a few times and see if the ranks are being saved.
In case all of the above mentioned fixes fail, just write in comments and we will find a solution!

How to reset ranks in Counter-Strike

This post is about resetting player ranks and statistics from the server. Which means the stats you see with /top15 /rank and other rank related commands will be cleared.

Steps:

Stop HLDS:
Stop your Counter-Strike server.
Remove Ranks File:

Goto cstrike/addons/amxmodx/data directory and csstats.dat file. You can also rename this file to something else like csstats_13-FEB-15.dat if you want to keep a backup of old scores.
Start HLDS:
Start your HLDS. All rank related commands should be showing a blank screen now.

If you find any problem following the steps, just write in comments and we will find a solution!

Show HOFA: Head, Owner, Founders and Admins in Server

Show HOFA is a plugin for Counter-Strike 1.6 servers that basically shows the details about server admins online, head admin, server owner, co-owners, founders, etc. HOFA is just an abbreviation for Head, Owner, Founder and Admins.

Show HOFA Plugin Show Admin Owner Head Admin

This one is a modified version of the Check Admin plugin that shows the list of admins currently online in the server. The original plugin was made by OneEyed from AlliedMods so all credit goes to him. If you are already using admin_check.amxx plugin then you will need to remove that plugin and add this one because of the newly added features.
Installation:
To install this plugin follow the steps below:

Download show_hofa.amxx and put it in your cstrike/addons/amxmodx/plugins directory.
Add the line below in your cstrike/addons/amxmodx/configs/plugins.ini file:
show_hofa.amxx debug
Change the following lines as necessary and add them in your cstrike/server.cfg file:
amx_contactinfo "Facebook.com/AskTaimoor or Email at owner@counterstrike.com.pk" amx_coownerinfo "Facebook.com/ServerCoOwners" amx_founderinfo "Facebook.com/ServerFounder1 | Facebook.com/ServerFounder2" amx_headinfo "Facebook.com/HeadAdminAtBestServer"
Restart your server for applying new changes.

Testing:
To see this plugin in action, write any one of the following commands in chat:
/head
/owner
/coowner
/founder
/admin
Notes:
Do not use this plugin along with admin_check.amxx plugin or you will face unexpected problems.
If you face any problems using this plugin or following above steps, feel free to write in comments.

What is the difference between Dynamic and Static IP Address

Dynamic IP Address:
The Dynamic IP is the one which changes when you restart your modem / router.
By default, all DSL connections are provided Dynamic IP.

Static IP Address:
The Static IP is the one which does not change when you restart your modem / router.
To get a Static IP, you have to contact your ISP and request them to provide you a Static IP.
Most ISPs charge a monthly fee for Static IP in addition to Internet Connection charges.
A Static IP is needed when

The IP Addresses referred above are Public IP Addresses which are controlled by ISPs.
To find the difference between Private and Public IP Address: What is the difference between Private and Public IP Address

To find your Public IP Address: How to find out your Public IP Address

How to Get Static IP on PTCL BB Evo Wingle Nitro & Charji

PTCL Static IP Address BB Nitro CharIi EVO Wingle

If you don’t know what is a Static IP or why is it needed, read this: http://www.counterstrike.com.pk/help/difference_between_dynamic_and_static_ip_address
Steps:

Getting Static IP on PTCL Broadband, PTCL EVO, PTCL Wingle, PTCL Nitro and PTCL CharJi connection is fairly simple.
All you have to do is call PTCL Helpline on 1236 if you have PTCL Landline or 0800-80-800 if you are calling from mobile.
Talk to the operator and tell them that you need Static IP on your connection.
They will ask you about your connection details, your landline number if using DSL, your MDN number if using EVO, Wingle, Nitro or CharJi so make sure you have these things at hand.
In addition, they might ask your about your address and the name of the person who applied for the connection.
Once your request is forwarded, you will be provided a Static IP address within a day or two.

Test for Static IP:
To check whether your IP is made static or not, follow these steps:

Open your favorite web browser and navigate to http://myip.counterstrike.com.pk/
Note down the IP Address that is displayed on a paper.
Now restart your modem / router and wait for 1 min until the internet light on your modem turns on.
Now refresh your browser page and note the IP Address again.
If both the IP Addresses are same, that means your connection has been assigned a Static IP Address.

Price:

On PTCL DSL Boardband, the monthly charges for Static IP are 300 Rupees added in Telephone Bill.
One time activation charges are 500 Rupees.
You can cancel using Static IP anytime by calling PTCL Helpline and asking them to remove your Static IP

Sunday 17 May 2015

Plugins For cs HLDS And Other Cs ServeR$ & Counter-Strike Games

Assalam-u-AlaikuM Cs Lovers, Hi i Am Saleem Abbasi ($N!P3R) And I am Show You All Of CS Plugins For CS Servers And Cs 1.6 Games. The List Is Here........