MW4 Mercenaries: "The server is running a newer version of MechWarrior 4" error message when you try to join a game (873286)

SYMPTOMS

When you try to join a Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries game, you may receive one of the following error messages:

The server is running a newer version of MechWarrior 4. For more information about the MechWarrior 4 product family, go to www.mechwarrior4.com.

The connection to the server has been lost. The server may have quit.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if the following conditions are true:

You do not have the latest MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries update installed.
You are trying to join a game where other players have third-party updates or modifications (mods) installed from Mektek.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries update. To do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/mw4mercs.aspx#downloads

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, filter the list of available games to exclude the games that give you the error message. To do this, follow these steps:

Start MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, click Multiplayer, and then connect to the Zone.
Click Filter.
Click to select the No New Version check box.
Click to select the No Old Version check box.
Click OK.

Alternatively, install the non-Microsoft mods that the other players are using. For more information about the MekPak mods, visit the following MekPak Web site:

http://www.mekpak.net

To find the mods, visit the following Mektek Web site:

http://www.mektek.net/mekpak/

Note The mods must be installed in the order that they appear in.
Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

MORE INFORMATION

When you log on to ZoneMatch, you are shown a list of games. Each game appears in a different color to let you know if you can join the game or not:

White - Same version of the game.
Green - Later version of the game.
Red - Earlier version of the game.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.