Frequently Asked Questions
Help and Support FAQ Home
General Issues
General support issues with BioWare premium Neverwinter Nights modules.
Recent Updates: (07 Sep 2007)
Please select a question:
1.01: How do I tell what version of a module I have on my system? (Back to Top)
When you are at the “Load module” screen you will see a full listing of all modules you have installed. BioWare premium modules will always be listed as “Neverwinter Nights - ” and then the module name. for example “Neverwinter Nights- Kingmaker”. When you click on each module, a description is shown in the right hand window that includes the module’s name, version number, authors, suggested character level and a short plot description.
1.02: How do I install the module using the windows installer file (.exe) once I have it downloaded? (Back to Top)
Installation instructions for modules are available.
For detailed information on how to play your new BioWare premium module please check: How to play
1.03: How do I play a premium BioWare Neverwinter Nights module? (Back to Top)
To view this walkthrough with screenshots please visit: http://store.bioware.com/help/how_to_play.html
1. Launch Neverwinter Nights either by clicking on the desktop icon, using the shortcut in the Windows Start Menu or by using the “Play” button in the Neverwinter Nights launcher.
2. After the introduction movies, you will see the Neverwinter Nights main menu where you will have the selections: New, Multiplayer, Movies, Options, Exit.
3. Select “New” from the menu listing.
4. Next, you will come to a screen with the title “Choose a campaign to load” at the top. Please select “Other Modules” at the bottom of the menu.
5. You will then be taken to a screen with the title “Load module” at the top. From this screen you will see a full listing of all modules you have installed. Premium BioWare modules will always be listed as “Neverwinter Nights - ” and then the adventure name. For example, "Neverwinter Nights - Kingmaker". Notice as you click on each module a description is shown in the right hand window that includes the module’s name, version, authors, suggested character level and a short plot description.
6. Once you have selected the module you want to play by clicking on it, click the “Load” button to authenticate ownership of the selected adventure.
7. A message box will appear with the following text: “Please wait while we authenticate your ownership of this premium Neverwinter Nights module. This may take a few minutes.
8. At this point you have the options to wait for the authentication process to complete, cancel or play the demo section of the module.
9. If you don’t own this module, you can press the “Play Demo” button to view the demo section of this module.
10. If the authentication process fails you will see the following message: "Authentication of this premium module has failed. You will now be taken to the demo section of the module. If you feel this message is in error, please see http://support.bioware.com/for more information." Please see this FAQ entry for more information on this error code.
11. If your ownership of the module has been authenticated you will be taken to the standard character selection screen. To begin playing, select either “Create New Character” or “Select Premade Character”.
1.04: Can I remove a module once it has been installed? (Back to Top)
Each premium BioWare module can be uninstalled through either the Windows Start Menu folder OR though the Windows Control Panel: "Add/Remove Programs".
1.05: Are there any differences between the CD-key for Neverwinter Nights provided in the original retail edition, the Gold retail edition, and the Platinum retail edition? (Back to Top)
No. Any retail version of Neverwinter Nights will come with a CD-key for the original Neverwinter Game that can be used to make a purchase provided you meet all other module requirements. In the Gold retail edition you have two CD-keys: one will be for the original Neverwinter Nights and the second will be for the expansion pack Shadows of Undrentide. In the Platinum edition, you will have three CD-keys with the third used for the expansion pack Hordes of the Underdark.
1.06: How do I verify which of my CD-keys a purchased module is associated with? (Back to Top)
When you purchase a module the CD-key that the module has been associated with will be included on your receipt. This information is not sent via e-mail after the purchase. You must visit the site and view your invoice over a secure connection.
Login to your BioWare Community account.
Click “Edit Account” then “My Account”.
Under “BioWare Store” click “My Purchases and receipts”
A listing of your receipts will appear. To view a specific receipt click “View Receipt”.
On your receipt the CD-key(s) a module is registered to will be displayed below that module.
Ensure the CD-key the module is registered to matches the one you are attempting to play it with.
1.07: How do I view the CD-key(s) my install of Neverwinter Nights is using? (Back to Top)
Navigate to the install directory for Neverwinter Nights, this is usually: "C:/Neverwinter Nights/NWN/"
You will need to locate a file named “nwncdkey.ini”. Right click on this file and then choose “Open With..”
A dialogue box named “Open With” will appear. Select the program “Notepad” from the list and click “Ok”.
The dialogue box will disappear and the file “nwncdkey.ini” will be displayed in Notepad.
CD-keys for the installed games will be displayed below the heading [CDKEY].
Key1 is for the original “Neverwinter Nights”.
Key2 is for “Shadows of Undrentide”.
Key3 is for “Hordes of the Underdark”.
The CD-key your version of Neverwinter Nights is using will be listed under Key1, make a note of this CD-key and compare it to the CD-key you purchased the module under which you found on your purchase receipt. It is very important that these two keys match.
How do I verify which of my CD-keys a purchased module is associated with?
If you are unable to solve your authentication issue using these steps please contact BioWare Support
1.08: How do I change the CD-Key my current install of Neverwinter Nights is using? (Back to Top)
Access your receipt on the BioWare Store using these instructions: http://store.bioware.com/help/faq.html?faqID=32#06
Highlight the CD-Key on your receipt and copy it using either "Edit->copy" or ctrl+c
Use these instructions to open your nwncdkey.ini file:
Navigate to the install directory for Neverwinter Nights, this is usually: "C:/Neverwinter Nights/NWN/"
You will need to locate a file named nwncdkey.ini. Right click on this file and then choose Open With.
A dialogue box named Open With will appear. Select the program Notepad from the list and click Ok.
The dialogue box will disappear and the file nwncdkey.ini will be displayed in Notepad.
If you do not have a record of the CD-key currently in the "key1" position record it somewhere safe.
Paste the CD-Key you copied from your receipt into the "key1" position using either "Edit->Paste" or ctrl+p
Save the file using either ctrl+s or "File->Save"
1.09: I have lost my CD-key. How do I get it back? (Back to Top)
Please visit the Neverwinter Nights technical support FAQ for a detailed answer to this question.
1.10: Why do I have to have a live Internet connection each time a new game is started or a saved game is loaded while playing single player modules? (Back to Top)
A live Internet connection is required because ownership of the module must be verified each time a new game is started or a saved game is loaded.
1.11: Are the modules associated with a specific login for the BioWare Community or GameSpy? (Back to Top)
The modules are associated with your original Neverwinter Nights CD-key.
1.12: I have a multiplayer Login/Password, can I log into the BioWare Community Site and store with it? (Back to Top)
Yes, if you have an ingame created multiplayer Login/Password you can log into the BioWare Community site and store with it. You will need to register your Neverwinter Nights CD-keys before or during the purchase of premium BioWare modules from the BioWare Online Store.
1.13: How do I configure my software firewall to allow Neverwinter Nights access to the Internet? (Back to Top)
In the firewall's program access control, ensure that "nwmain.exe" and "nwupdate.exe" have permission to access the internet.
If you have a personal firewall installed most times when a new program attempts to access the internet there will be a program alert or other message informing you that an installed program has requested access to the internet. You must add "nwmain.exe" and "nwupdate.exe" to your permissions list.
If the program is attempting to act as a server a server alert will usually be displayed. Usually, you will then have the option to grant the program in question either access to the internet or permission to act as a server.
Many personal firewalls have a feature that lets you permanently grant a program access to the internet, server permission, or both, this may be in the form of a Remember this answer checkbox. If you choose to use this feature, Neverwinter Nights will not have to ask for permission each time you play, this is recommended.
Note: If Neverwinter Nights looks like it has frozen during the module authentication process, this could be due to insufficient firewall privileges. This can be rectified by exiting the game and responding to the program alert that has popped up behind the game or by manually configuring permissions for the game using the "program list".
For more information on using the program list please contact the vendor of your personal firewall or consult its manual.
1.14: How do I configure the firewall included with Windows XP Service Pack 2 to allow Neverwinter Nights access to the internet? (Back to Top)
To view this walkthrough with screenshots:Windows XP SP2 Firewall Configuration
Click Start then Control Panel.
If you are in category view, click on Security Center.
If you are in classic view, select Windows Firewall.
Next, click Windows Firewall under the heading Manage security settings for: (If you were in classic view you can skip this step).
If the Windows Firewall is active the radio button next to On (recommended)” will be selected.
We need to ensure that the Windows Firewall knows to let Neverwinter Nights access the internet. It will block other programs but make an Exception for Neverwinter Nights.
Click the Exceptions tab.
The Exceptions tab has a listing of all programs that currently have access to the internet. Notice that Neverwinter Nights not on this list.
From the Exceptions tab click on the Add Program button.
You will now see a listing of all the programs installed on your computer, scroll down to Neverwinter Nights and click on it.
Click OK.
Now Neverwinter Nights should be listed on the Exceptions tab.
There is still more to do. Click Add Program.
Select Neverwinter Nights again, but this time click on the Browse button.
You will be taken to your Neverwinter Nights install directory.
Click on nwupdate.exe
Then click the Open button.
Neverwinter Nights will appear again in the program list on the Exceptions tab. This additional listing will be for nwnupdate.exe.
Repeat the above steps for nwnmain.exe to add it to the Exceptions list.
When you have finished adding the files you want to, click the OK button to complete the process.
When you launch Neverwinter Nights and attempt to play Multiplayer or use the in game Update feature. You may see a Windows Security Alert popup box if you have not granted Neverwinter Nights proper permission to access the internet.
It is recommended that you press the Unblock button when you see this popup. This way Neverwinter Nights will be able to access the internet even if you didn't manually configure access.
1.15: What are the proper settings for my router/firewall to allow a module purchased at the BioWare Online Store access to the internet? (Back to Top)
If you are trying to play through a firewall of some sort, here is some information to help you get connected. Neverwinter Nights uses UDP, not TCP for its connections. If you think that your firewall is preventing you from connecting to the game servers, please make sure that the following ports are open:
Ports 5120 through 5300
Port 6500
Port 27900
Port 28900
In addition to opening the ports listed above, you may need to allow incoming connections on the port you are running your server on (5121 by default) and forward those connections to the computer running the server.
Please check out the official Neverwinter Nights Technical FAQ for additional information regarding the configuration of your FireWall.
For XP SP2 firewall information, visit our firewall help page.
Users attempting to play a multiplayer LAN game from behind a firewall should consult the following configuration walkthough.Router/firewall configuration for multiplayer LAN Premium Module authentication.
1.16: I can't connect to the master server when trying to play a module purchased at the BioWare Online Store, what can I do? (Back to Top)
Launch NWN and attempt to connect to any multiplayer server. If you cannot connect to a server the issue may be with your router or firewall settings. If you can connect to a server, try starting a new multiplayer internet game; doing this will have your game attempt to send your CD-keys to the master server for verification.
1.17: I'm getting poor performance when playing a module purchased at the BioWare Online Store, what can I do to fix this (Back to Top)
Some possible fixes are:
Drivers - Download and install the latest drivers available for your video and sound card.
DirectX - Ensure you have the latest version of DirectX installed. Microsoft's DirectX site
Hard drive - Run scandisk and disk defragmenter, this will fix any errors on your hard drive and keep it running smoothly.
Virus Scan - Ensure your machine is virus free. Not only will this keep your machine running properly, many virus' have been known to harvest CD-Keys for popular games.
Spyware - Ensure your machine is spyware free, you can download a free trial of "Ad-Aware" a spyware/adware detection/removal for personal use: Lavasoft USA
Other - If you have other programs running in the background your machine may not have enough available system resources to deliver a satisfactory play experience. To free up additional resources shut down some of these other programs before you play the game.
1.18: If your BioWare Premium Module is having trouble authenticating, please try the following: (Back to Top)
The module may take up to several minutes to complete the authentication process. During this time it is important that you do not click Play Demo as your module is authenticating with the BioWare Master server. After authentication is complete the module will progress as normal to Character Selection.
(Note: If your module remains on the Please wait while we authenticate your premium module screen for more than five minutes it may be indicative of a problem with your firewall. Please review the firewall configuration instructions provided below.)
- Ensure you have the latest patch for Neverwinter Nights installed. If you do not it can be acquired via the in game Update feature. Or by downloading the correct Critical Rebuild for your install from: http://nwn.bioware.com/support/patch.html
- Ensure the CD-Keys your current install of Neverwinter Nights is using are the same as the ones you used to purchase the module. If you suspect your Installed CD-Key is different from the one used to purchase the game, compare your receipt against your nwncdkey.ini file.
- Attempt to connect to an online multiplayer game, if that is successful try hosting an online multiplayer game. If you are unable to connect to a multiplayer game, most likely there are external factors (firewall, ISP, Router) preventing you from doing so. (Note: Those users behind campus or corporate firewalls may not have access to the firewalls program access control. These users may NOT ever be able to play the premium module and we ask that they contact BioWare Support for further troubleshooting.)
- If you have a hardware firewall/router ensure that it is configured properly: http://store.bioware.com/help/faq.html?faqID=32#14
- If you have WINXP Pro SP2 installed ensure that the built in firewall is properly configured: http://store.bioware.com/help/firewall.html
- If you are running Norton Personal Firewall please check out our configuration walkthrough.
- If you are running McCaffee Personal Firewall please check out our configuration walkthrough.
- If you are running a personal firewall, check the “Personal Firewall Configuration” for configuration tips: http://store.bioware.com/help/faq.html?faqID=32#12
- If the above does not resolve your issue please contact BioWare Support for further troubleshooting.
1.19: Authentication issues with the "Kingmaker Adventure Pack" (Back to Top)
http://nwn.bioware.com/support/known.html#02
1.20: Corporate/campus firewall or proxy server users: (Back to Top)
Many corporate/campus firewalls block the ports Neverwinter Nights uses to access the Internet. Users behind a firewall or proxy server with the above security measures in place may not be able to authenticate Premium Neverwinter Nights modules purchased from the BioWare Store. Please review this listing of the required ports before purchasing.
1.21: Router/firewall configuration for multiplayer LAN Premium Module authentication. (Back to Top)
If you have more than one computer behind a fire wall and are having trouble authenticating the modules in multiplayer check out the following configuration instructions.
- Edit the nwnplayer.ini file on the PC that will be acting as the server (We'll call this PC1)
[Profile]
Client Port=5122
[Server Options]
Game Port=5121
- Edit the nwnplayer.ini on the PC that will act as the client (We'll call this PC 2):
[Profile]
Client Port=5123
- On the router, set forwarding as follows for the LAN IP of PC 1 (The I.P. of the first PC is usually 198.168.1.100)
- 5120-5122 UDP
- 5124-5300 UDP
- 6500 UDP & TCP
- 6667 UDP & TCP
- 27900 UDP & TCP
- 28900 UDP & TCP
- On the router, set forwarding as follows for the LAN IP of PC 2: 5123 UDP (The I.P. of the second PC is usually 198.168.1.101)
The above works with any ports in the UDP 512x range. Please ensure that the client ports and server port are all different, and that the router forwards the correct ports to each computer.
1.22: How do I download the v1.1 patch if I have purchased the Kingmaker Adventure Pack or Neverwinter Nights Diamond Edition? (Back to Top)
If you have the retail versions of either the Kingmaker Adventure Pack or Neverwinter Nights Diamond Edition your game is already at v1.1 and there is no need to download any patch or update for them.
