The reason why I created this patch. I’m taking part in a retro LAN party with my WinXP laptop. However, everyone there has Windows 98 PCs and, amongst other things, they’re playing Red Alert V1.06, the original version from the German CD. I can’t install the game (though it’s possible, of course, via a workaround in DOS mode), so I simply copied the INSTALL folder from the CD and renamed it to "RA". I copied MAIN.MIX from the CD so that I wouldn’t need the CD (need parameter -CDC:\RA). However, the game won’t start. The familiar error "SMapLS_IP_EBP_12 in KERNEL32.dll not found" appears. With Patch 1.08, the game does start, but then the "Network" option is missing from the "Multiplayer" menu.
According to KI, the problem lies with THIPX32.DLL and IPX. KI then created a patched THIPX32.DLL for me (the source code was released by Westwood), which allows me to start the game as normal on XP (in Windows 95 compatibility mode) and join an IPX network game!

Readme (Excerpt):

THE PROBLEM
-----------
RA95.EXE uses THIPX32.DLL for network play. Westwood's original DLL thunks
down to a 16-bit DLL (THIPX16.DLL), which only works on Windows 95/98/ME.

- Version 1.06 does not start on XP at all:
"The procedure entry point SMapLS_IP_EBP_12 could not be located in the
dynamic link library KERNEL32.dll."
- Version 1.08 starts, but "Network" is missing from the multiplayer menu.
Installing the IPX protocol does not change that.

THE SOLUTION
------------
This THIPX32.DLL offers the same 10 functions as the original. Instead of
the 16-bit DLL it uses the Windows XP IPX protocol (NWLink) via Winsock.
The packets on the wire are ordinary IPX packets, just like the original.

This means:
- Put the replacement DLL ONLY on Windows NT/2000/XP machines.
- Windows 95/98/ME machines keep their original DLL and can join
without any changes.
- All machines need the same game version.

REQUIREMENTS
------------
- Windows NT 4 / 2000 / XP (32-bit) with Microsoft's IPX protocol.
Windows Vista and later no longer have IPX; this DLL does not help there.
- Red Alert for Windows 95 (RA95.EXE), version 1.06 or 1.08.
Both versions use the same THIPX32.DLL.
- A network cable is recommended. IPX over Wi-Fi does not work with some
XP drivers.

INSTALLATION ON THE XP MACHINE
------------------------------
1. Install the IPX protocol:
Control Panel > Network Connections > Local Area Connection >
Properties > Install > Protocol >
"NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol"

2. Use the SAME frame type on ALL machines, e.g. Ethernet 802.2:
XP: Properties of "NWLink IPX/SPX..." > Frame type "Manual",
add "Ethernet 802.2", leave the network number at 0.
Leave "Internal network number" at 00000000.
Win9x: Control Panel > Network > "IPX/SPX-compatible Protocol" >
Properties > Advanced > Frame Type "Ethernet 802.2".
Leave "Network Address" at its default.
Restart all machines afterwards.
NetBIOS over IPX is not needed. It can stay as it is.

3. Install the game. Setup often fails on XP (same SMapLS error). In that
case just copy the whole game folder from a Win9x machine, or the
INSTALL folder from the CD.

4. In the game folder rename the existing THIPX32.DLL to THIPX32.ORG
(backup) and copy the THIPX32.DLL from this package into it.

5. Right-click RA95.EXE > Properties > Compatibility >
"Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows 95".
Without this mode the game does not even try to use IPX on XP
(version 1.08).

6. Insert the CD, start RA95.EXE > Multiplayer > Network.