Geoclasm

It was the client. I was using a version outside the YourRO that comes packaged and that was causing the issue.

Because I don't want this to be completely useless, I thought I might ask if anyone knows why items have their text all garbled up.

I have the most recent server from https://github.com/HerculesWS/Hercules. I downloaded the client from http://hercules.endlessro.net/ (2013-12-23). I've set up the server according to this guide here: http://herc.ws/board/topic/968-guide-how-to-setup-hercules/, and the client I've been told need only be updated via the correct -lite.exe files (which I've done). The server runs fine. From an administrator command prompt I navigate to the directory and run the run-server.bat file. Three windows pop up. None of them say any bad things about anything. I try running the client (YourRO.exe) from the directory and... nothing. It sits there for about 5-10 seconds and I get the message "Failed to Connect to Server". I hate asking for help but there's nothing left that I can do. Please help me, Obi-Wan. You're my only hope... Edit: and THIS is why I HATE asking for help. It was my ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE. SOMEHOW my AV SOFTWARE was BLOCKING THE FREAKING CONNECTION BETWEEN THE CLIENT AND THE SERVER. So if anyone has ever tried EVERYTHING to get it right and happens to still be failing miserably, the answer is thus: Shut off your Antivirus. For anyone who is curious it was AVG Free 2014.

Okay so according to your steps in step 1 run the rsu-kro-rag-lite to patch. Does that mean I DON'T run the rsu-kro-renewal-lite?

I stumbled across this which led me to look at the .h file which lead me to the conclusion that I should be AOK to use the client version dated 2014, 04, 16. I fully intend to do some google searching on the matter hoping to stumble upon the full client version which I will then put to use, but before I did that I wanted to cover all of my bases by asking here as well. I was able to get the server setup and have it running (which is pretty sweet, I can't wait to fun around with it), but my problem is finding a client that will run. I tried this link but the date is for august 1st of this year and I don't see packet information for that in the header (not feeling confident enough to test the waters in that case). So to that end I need 3 things: The full client download for 2014 04 16, the xDiff, and the ragexe (which I had hoped to find myself here but no love). If anyone can direct me to them I would be appreciative. Sorry for such a noob post (probably the answer is already present in the forum somewhere and I just haven't seen it yet). Thanks.