Monster Hunter Online with PSP & XLink Kai for XP

Guide Edition 3 – Last Edited July 02, 2009

Online Gameplay Manual, Install Instructions for Vista & Mac coming soon! 

Guide Compatible with following Game Versions:

           - Monster Hunter Portable

           - Monster Hunter Freedom

           - Monster Hunter Portable 2nd

           - Monster Hunter Freedom 2

           - Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (MHF Unite)

Introduction

   While presently unsupported by Capcom, Monster Hunter titles for the PSP can in fact  be played and enjoyed online by many, and has been enjoyed by many since the game was first released on the PSP. Previous guides made a point to focus on WiFI Hardware which is no longer available in stores. Truth be told, there are better alternatives to getting online with your PSP these days, but understand that all methods do require an investment in hardware only available through the internet.

   This Guide now official declares Wi-Fi Max has old and outdated, the Zydas chipset it runs is no longer produced and not found in products currently on the market. Alternatively, a new line of WiFI Products are being produced by PCI whom work closely with XLink Kai - making it the ideal hardware for gaming over the internet. This new device system is called Planex, and has been utilized by Japanese gamers of the Monster Hunter series for a long time. Now this product has come over seas, and is compatible with all major OS types and even allows playabily for Mac users.

   This guide will help players get online quickly and easily, utilizing experience and source material found all across the internet now available in one friendly guide in one location. Once again, Capcom does not officially support this product and this guide is authored by the community. Now settle in and get ready, it's time to play Monster Hunter online on your PSP!

Materials 

- PCI Planex Wi-FI Adapters  - Used for this guide, GW-US54Mini2W which can be used on Windows XP and Windows Vista. Product is availble through Online Retailers Only. Standard price is $16.99 US ~ Not Including Shipping & Handling. Useful for both Nintendo DS, PSP, and mock Hot-Spot Hub.

- Mac users can use a current Airport method which will be posted soon.

- Sony Playstation Portable - Sony Playstation Portable 2000

- Sony PSP AC Adapter Wall Charger Portable (AC Wall Oulet Power Plug)

- Broadband Internet (Not Dial-Up), LAN Connection, and Cat-5 Cable Hardline

- Desktop PC, Laptop PC, Mac, Mac Laptop

- Any Monster Hunter title for the PSP

 

- Original PCI GW-US54Mini2 Drivers (Not Disc) Download here

- XLink Kai: Evolution 7.4 Beta

Will My Current WI-FI Adapter Work?

No. There is a good reason why. XLink Kai is tunneling softly which specializes in communicating through Ad-Hoc. Wireless Adapters that are presently sold in stores do not fully specialize in this feature. A few years ago, a Chipset named Zydas was widely used on the market making many Adapters work with XLink Kai. That is no longer the case, and specialized items designed for the Wireless gaming must be purchased online. If you are using Wi-FI Max, continue to do so until your product dies. Once it has, do not seek to replace it with another for the hardware is out of date.

 

Setup for Windows XP

Step 1

After accquiring the Planex product, remove items from package and place the PCI CD-ROM into your PC/Laptop's disc tray. Do not worry about plugging in your Wi-Fi device at the moment, just focus on the PC-ROM. Plugging in the device too early can potentially cause issues.

Before Installation,  keep note that you are about to install a Wireless Communication Device onto your machine that will require it's own Software to communicate with the PSP. If you already own a Wireless Device that allows your computer to connect to the internet, disconnect it and unistall the drivers and software for that product. Tests have shown that previous Wireless software, including Zydas for Wi-Fi Max can conflict with the Planex and cause critical problems. To avoid any protential issues, please consult the Windows Control Panel's Add & Remove Software function.

For more information on how to access Control Panel, view Step 3 below.

Keep note that there is no Auto-Run splash screen. A small window will appear displaying a folder which bares the name of the device you have purchased. In the case of this Guide, it will read GW-US54Mini2_Driver for example.

Double-Click the folder to open.  Several sub folders shall appear within listing Linux, Mac, Vista, and Windows.

Double-Click the Windows folder to open.

 Within the Windows folder is a Setup.exe, double click it to continue to the next step.

 

Step 2 

Now that you've double-clicked the Setup.exe the Installshield Wizard will appear to guide you through the setup process. Simply select the following options listed below as they appear.

First, simply select Yes for the User Agreement.

Secondly, select Planex Configuration Tool. Using this tool will be more helpful than the Window's default software, as this will allow you to reconnect quickly to your PSP as your hunter moves in and out of the Online Gathering Halls.

Third, Optimize to Wi-Fi Mode. If you are curious what Optimizing for performance mode means, that is a different function which will increase the peformance of your game when you are farther away from the PC. This will not be useful while using Xlink Kai however.

Now select Next. Installation will continue.

Once complete, the program will eventually prompt you to plug in your  Wi-Fi Device - do so.

Windows will display a Warning that the Software & Hardware you are installing is not supported or signed by Windows, simply select Yes or Continue Installation depending on your prompt message. If any other windows pop up, such as Windows Plug & Play requesting to detect Drivers - ignore that window and close it.

Installation will complete shortly after this, and then you'll be asked to Restart your Computer Now - do so to complete this step.

Step 3

Now that your computer as rebooted, you can continue with fine tuning your Planex product. This is a critical step, and if not followed correctly can prevent you from playing. Thankfully it is simple, and this guide will help you to complete it quickly and easily without issue.

Proceed by entering your Control Panel.

Start > Control Panel

You want to access Network Connections, which can be found in two different locations depending on your Control Panel view.

Most users are likely still using the Windows XP supposed User Friendly view, to get everyone on the same page ensure that you are using Switch to Classic View found at the top left hand corner of the screen.

This will make your Control Panel easier to read and navigate. Now select Network Connections as seen below.

Double click on the icon to continue into the connections screen. Here you will see all the connections that your computer presently has on record. The newest should be the Wireless Connection that lists the name of the Planex Device you are using. Understand that a Local Internet Connection is required so you can be online. Trying to connect wirelessly to the internet will not work for this, so please ensure that you are wired to a Broadband Modem or Router.

Do not click on the Wireless Connection, this image below is simply an example. 

Now that you have confirmed this connection exists, we can continue. Using your mouse, Right-Click the Wireless Network Connection and select Properties.

Now a new window will appear and you will see that Client for Microsoft Networks is highlighted. Select Configure... at the upper section of the window. You will may be prompted that you are about to make changed, if this appears simply agree and continue.

Once again a new window will appear. A the top of this window you'll see three tabs: General, Advanced, and Driver. Select Advanced. Now displayed below will be a small window named Property which lists many facets of the connection. Scroll down until you find PSP XLink Mode and highlight it.

Now go over to Value and change it from Disable to Enable.  Finally, press Ok.

That concludes Step 3.

 

Step 4 

Now that the hard part is over, we can now bring you another step closer to playing Monster Hunter online. Now that the Hardware is out of the way, we can work on the Software portion of the Guide.

In order to play online we'll be using a tunneling software known as XLink Kai. For our purposes, we'll be using the latest version of this software that is currently in Beta. Likely you are new to XLink Kai, so in order to play you will need to sign up. But do not worry, the process is simple and should only take a few moments.

Proceed to the XLink Kai Homepage.

At the top of the flash website is a small menu with several options, for now select Sign Up.

A new window will appear down below. Please fill out the entire form. Keep in mind if you do not see the Submit button for the form, you will need to scroll down. The Scroll base is white and not easily seen at first.

Unckeck Allow Team XLink to send me emails of upcoming events and notifications? Option and click Submit to continue.

You will be informed that an email has been sent to you. In order to complete this form you will need a real email address. Using your real email is fine, as XLink Kai will not send you spam email.  Check your email and confirm, this will complete your sign up process and concludes Step 4.

 

Step 5 

Once signed up, we can proceed with installation of the software. Once again return to the XLink Kai Homepage, but this time select the Download option.

 

Down below, click on the drop down menu reading Select your download.. and choose XLink Kai: Evolution 7.4 Beta Windows XP / 2000 / Vista.

Select Download to continue.

Now a windows will appear Prompting you to Run, Save, or Cancel. Select Run.

XLink Kai Setup manager will now appear, simply select Next to continue.

Follow through the installation process, being sure to select Finish when it is through.

This concludes Step 5.

 

Step 6 

Now it is time to configure your XLink Kai to work properly. Unlike previous version, this new Beta Version has a new Web Browser mode. We won't be using this feature, so it will be important to shut it off while we make important adjustments. Simply follow along and enure your settings work for you.

Proceed to the XLink Kai Configuration tool. Start > All Programs > XLink Kai > Configure Kai

This should open up a new Web Browser, such as Firefox for example.

The following guide image is very large, so please follow this image link provided as reference.

Ensure you have the following settings:

• Standard GUI is selected (Found under User Interface segment)

• Network Adapter IEEE 802.11g Wireless Card selected.

• Port 30000

• Deeport 30000

• Enable PAT

• Default XTag (Your user name provided at Sign up)

• Default Password (Your password provided at Sign up)

• Auto Open Chat is selected

Finally, select Save and close the Web Browser configuration window.

This concludes Step 6. 

 

Step 7 

Now it is time to adjust your PSP so that it can communicate with the Planex Adapter and XLink Kai.

Within the PSP Main Menu, go to the Settings and scroll down to the Network Settings. Press X to enter.

Select Ad-Hoc Mode, then select Ch 1. Press X button to save settings.

Ensure your PSP's Wireless LAN switch has been turned on. (Switch is upright, arrowing pointing Up)

 

Turn on your version of Monster Hunter for the PSP, log in to any character, and enter the Online Gathering Hall. Entering the hall will begin sending out a signal which will be used for Ad-Hoc communication with your Computer.

This concludes Step 7.

 

Step 8

At the bottom right hand of the PC Desktop screen, Planex Wireless LAN Card tool should have automatically activated when you computer restarted back in Step 3.

The icon will appear simply as a small white box when it has not detected a network; however, it will turn red when it does detect a network.

 

Double click this icon to open the Configuration Tool. If this Icon is not present, go to Start > All Programs > Planex Wireless > Planex Wireless Utility.

The first window that will appear is the Site Survery. Should your PSP be in range, it will detect the PSP_AUL network.

The game you are playing will project a unique network title, Select the PSP_AUL network and and press Connect.

Then select OK to conclude Step 8.

 

Step 9 

Now Open XLink Kai. Start > All Programs > XLink Kai > Star Kai

 A narrow window will appear on the screen reading XLink Kai Evolution VII. If this did not appear, and instead a web browser opened, you made an incorrect setting in Step 6 - please go back and adjust.

 

Ensure your log in information is correct, then Press the Green Arrow to continue.

 

The following below are pointers in how to work XLink Kai, and where to go to find games.

1. Welcome Screen

2. Getting Started

3. Select PSP

4. Select Action

5. Select the Monster Hunter of your Choice.

6. Understanding the Interface

7. Make your own Arena

8. Inside your Arena

This concludes Step 9.

Windows XP Setup Complete