Here is how you can run StarCraft, the most sold real-time strategy game ever, on modern computers with Windows XP or Vista. Originally, the game is designed to run on Windows 95 or 98, but with a few tricks, it will also work on new machines!

In contrast to modern games, StarCraft uses the IPX protocol instead of the TCP/IP protocol. Luckily even Windows XP and Vista include this protocol, but they don’t have it installed usually.

First of all, go to your Control Panel -> Network and Internet connections -> Network Connections, right-click on your LAN connection and select properties.

In the window popping up you can see all the protocols, clients and servers that are installed on your computer.

Click on Install, double-click on protocol, select the IPX protocoll, probably with the cryptic name NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol and click ok. It will take some time until Windows installed your protocol.

After a few seconds, the protocol is installed. Go back to your LAN connection properties window, select the new IPX protocol and click Properties. In the new window opening, you can find the Internal Network Number, this is some kind of equivalent to the IP adress in the TCP/IP protocol.
Every computer must have a unique Internal Network Number, otherwise you won’t be able to play!

Install the protocol in such a way on all computers you want to play with and don’t forget to change the network number on every computer!

Now launch StarCraft, go to multiplayer mode and select the Local Area Network (IPX) mode there.

Everything else should be clear now!

If you encounter any problems…

One player hosted a game, but the others can’t see it or are not able to join because of some error!

1. Check again that you all have a unique network number
2. If that doesn’t help, try hosting the game not until all participating players are in the lobby

That’s the only problem I had, everything else worked fine. If there’s still some issue, feel free to comment! I will try to fix it!