Microsoft Monster Truck Madness Readme
August 1996
� Copyright 1996 Microsoft Corporation.
This document contains important information
specific to version 1.0 of Monster Truck Madness.
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NOTE: To read this file in Notepad click Word Wrap on the Edit Menu.
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OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON MONSTER TRUCK MADNESS:
Monster Manual, the online Help system for Monster Truck Madness, includes lots of helpful information on playing the game and maximizing your performance. To access the Monster Manual, click the Monster Truck Madness Help menu and then click Monster Manual.
Also, don't forget to visit our Web site to obtain the latest information! The Web site will have a Monster Truck Madness product support page with up-to-date tips, FAQs, and articles. Just click the Monster Truck Web Stop button on the game's opening screen. The URL for the Monster Truck Web Stop is:
http://www.microsoft.com/games/monster/
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Table of Contents
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1. Setup Notes and Troubleshooting
2. DirectX 2.0 Notes and Troubleshooting
3. General Notes and Troubleshooting
4. Optimizing Performance
5. Hardware and System Troubleshooting
6. Audio Troubleshooting: Sounds Not Playing Properly
7. Video Troubleshooting
8. Multiplayer Notes and Troubleshooting
9. Modem Connection Issues
10. Additional Monster Truck Madness & Windows Troubleshooting Topics Available in Online Help
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1. Setup Notes and Troubleshooting
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1.1. Monster Truck Madness can't play videos in Windows NT 4.0
You must have administrative-level permissions on your system in order to correctly and completely install Monster Truck Madness on a Windows NT 4.0 machine.
Log on as the Administrator, or talk to your system administrator to change your permissions. Then, run Indeo setup from the CD-ROM. Indeo setup is located on the Monster Truck Madness CD-ROM in:
\Setup\Indeo\Setup.exe
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1.2. Compact install requires the Monster Truck Madness CD
If you chose the Compact option during Setup, you will need to run Monster Truck Madness with the CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive. If you eject the CD-ROM while running Monster Truck Madness, the game will crash. Please quit Monster Truck Madness before ejecting the Monster Truck Madness CD-ROM.
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2. DirectX 2.0 Notes and Troubleshooting
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2.1. DirectX replaces video drivers
DirectX is a system component that allows for more efficient hardware access. To run, Monster Truck Madness requires DirectX 2.0 or later. DirectX is installed on your computer when you install Monster Truck Madness.
DirectX 2.0 setup updates your Windows 95 drivers and your DirectX 1.0 drivers automatically. In some cases, the latest video drivers from your video card manufacturer have additional functionality that is specific to your video card. If these drivers are marked as DirectX 1.0 drivers, DirectX setup will replace them with a generic DirectX 2.0 driver. In some cases, this may result in a loss of the features that are specific to your video card.
If you want to have the additional functionality that you had with your original video card drivers, you have two options:
- This is the option we recommend: Contact your video card manufacturer to get a DirectX 2.0 compatible video driver. See section 2.2 for instructions on how to update your driver.
- OR-
- Reinstall your DirectX 1.0 driver. We do not recommend doing this, but in most cases DirectX 2.0 will work with your DirectX 1.0 driver. See section 2.2 for instructions on how to restore your DirectX 1.0 driver.
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2.2. Updating your video driver with your video card manufacturer's DirectX 2.0 driver, or restoring your DirectX 1.0 video driver.
2.2.a. To update your video driver with a DirectX 2.0 driver:
First, contact your video card manufacturer and follow the manufacturer's instructions to get the latest driver. Typically this will be a PKZip file, or a self extracting executable.
If the manufacturer of your video card includes specific instructions for installing the driver, follow them.
Otherwise, unzip the files into a temporary subdirectory on your hard disk, or onto a floppy disk. Then follow these instructions:
1. Open the Display Properties dialog box: Right-click on the Desktop and then click Properties from the popup menu.
2. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab.
3. Click Change Display Type.
4. In the Advanced Display Properties dialog box, click the Adapter tab.
5. Click Change.
6. In the Select Device dialog box, click Have Disk.
7. If you have the latest video driver from your video card manufacturer on a disk or CD-ROM, select the appropriate drive and click OK. Otherwise click Browse and from the temporary subdirectory you created for your video card manufacturer's files, open the file called Display.inf.
8. In the Select Device dialog box, choose the driver that matches your video card and then click OK.
9. Click OK as many times as necessary to accept the changes.
10. Click Yes in the System Settings Change dialog box to restart your computer.
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2.2.b. Restoring your video driver with a DirectX 1.0 driver:
You should have a disk that has the video drivers that shipped with your system.
These disks should contain a video driver that works with your system. You may also get a DirectX 1.0 driver by contacting your video card manufacturer.
If you have specific instructions from your video card manufacturer for installing the DirectX 1.0 driver, follow them. Otherwise, follow these instructions:
1. Open the Display Properties dialog box: Right-click on the Desktop and then select Properties from the popup menu.
2. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab.
3. Click Change Display Type.
4. In the Advanced Display Properties dialog box, click the Adapter tab.
5. Click Change.
6. In the Select Device dialog box, click Have Disk.
7. If you have the latest video driver from your video card manufacturer on a disk or CD-ROM, select the appropriate drive and click OK. Otherwise click Browse and from the temporary subdirectory you created for your video card manufacturer's files, open the file called Display.inf.
8. In the Select Device dialog box, choose the driver that matches your video card and then click OK.
9. Click OK as many times as necessary to accept the changes.
10. Click Yes in the System Settings Change dialog to restart your computer.
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2.3. Microsoft DirectX 2.0 General Questions and Answers
2.3.a. Q. What is Microsoft DirectX?
A. Microsoft DirectX is a set of drivers that is available with the Microsoft Game Software Development Kit (SDK).
2.3.b. Q. What components make up Microsoft DirectX?
A. DirectX components include DirectDraw, DirectInput, DirectPlay, and DirectSound. DirectDraw and DirectSound components replace current Windows 95 and DirectX 1.0 display and sound drivers with DirectX 2.0 drivers.
2.3.c. Q. How do I obtain Microsoft DirectX?
A. If you develop computer games and you want to provide DirectX functionality within your game, you need the Microsoft Game SDK. The Game SDK is available on the Microsoft Developer's Network (MSDN) Level 2 CD-ROM.
Independent software vendors (ISVs) who use these components in their games can redistribute them.
2.3.d. Q. What is DirectDraw?
A. DirectDraw allows direct access of video display memory, hardware blters, hardware overlays, and page flipping. DirectDraw provides this functionality while maintaining compatibility with existing Windows 95-based programs and device drivers.
Essentially, DirectDraw is a memory manager for video memory. Using DirectDraw, a program can manipulate video memory with ease, taking full advantage of the blitting and color decompression capabilities of different types of video hardware without becoming dependent on a particular piece of hardware.
2.3.e. Q. What is DirectInput?
A. The Microsoft DirectInput application programming interface (API) provides fast and consistent access to analog and digital joysticks. The DirectInput API maintains consistency with the joystick APIs of the Microsoft Win32 Software Development Kit (SDK), but has improved responsiveness and reliability by changing the device driver model. DirectInput device drivers also use the registry to store settings for standard joysticks, calibration information for previously configured joysticks, and settings for OEM-supplied joysticks.
2.3.f. Q. What is DirectPlay?
A. The Microsoft DirectPlay application programming interface (API) for Windows 95 is a software interface that simplifies game access to communication services. DirectPlay provides a way for games to communicate with each other that is independent of the underlying transport, protocol, or online service.
2.3.g. Q. What is DirectSound?
A. The Microsoft DirectSound application programming interface (API) is the audio component of the Microsoft Windows 95 Game SDK that provides low-latency mixing, hardware acceleration, and direct access to the sound device. DirectSound provides this functionality while maintaining compatibility with existing Windows 95-based programs and device drivers.
2.3.h. Q. What do I do if I have problems with the DirectX drivers that replace my Windows 95 video and sound drivers?
A. If you experience problems with the DirectX video or sound drivers, you can remove them by running Dxsetup.exe. Dxsetup.exe is on the Monster Truck Madness CD-ROM.
To run Dxsetup.exe
1. Insert your Monster Truck Madness CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive.
2. Open Windows Explorer, and then select your CD-ROM drive.
3. Open the Setup folder on the Monster Truck Madness CD-ROM.
4. Double-click the DirectX folder, which is inside the Setup folder.
5. Double-click the file DXSetup.exe to run DirectX(tm) Setup.
NOTE: After you run Dxsetup.exe, some DirectX files remain in the Windows\System folder. These files do not affect the Windows 95 video or sound drivers. To remove these files, restart your computer to an MS-DOS prompt and remove the following files from the Windows\System folder:
Dsound.*
Ddraw.*
Ddhelp.exe
Dplay.dll
Dpserial.dll
Dpwsock.dll
2.3.i. Who supports Microsoft Game SDK and DirectX?
A. Microsoft Game SDK is supported by Microsoft Developer Support. The DirectX drivers, such as video and sound drivers, are supported by the Desktop Systems group. If your DirectX drivers are provided by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the drivers are supported by that manufacturer.
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3. General Notes and Troubleshooting
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3.1. Playing music from a music CD while racing in Monster Truck Madness.
If you chose either the Compact or Typical option in Setup when installing Monster Truck Madness, you need to have the Monster Truck Madness CD-ROM inserted in your CD-ROM drive before you start the game. If you chose the Complete option in Setup when installing the game, you have the option of playing music from your favorite music CD while playing the game. There are two ways to listen to your music CD.
First Method:
1. Insert your favorite music CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. Start Monster Truck Madness.
3. On the Options menu, click Sound.
4. Select the Play Music check box and the Play CD Music Tracks check box.
5. Click OK.
Your music will play when you start a race.
TIP: To skip to previous or next track, press F11 and F12.
Second Method:
1. Exit Monster Truck Madness.
2. Insert your favorite CD into your CD-ROM drive.
3. Start the Windows 95 CD Player: Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Multimedia, and then click CD Player.
4. Start Monster Truck Madness.
5. On the Options menu, click Sound.
6. Clear the Play Music check box.
7. Use the Windows 95 CD Player application to control your music.
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3.2. Changing your view to another truck after a race ends does not work while the pit board is displayed.
Usually when you're racing, you can press K to switch the camera focus to the next truck. When you win a multiplayer race, you may find you are unable to switch your view anymore. To enable switching camera focus to the next truck after you've won a multiplayer race, hide the pit board by pressing O. You can then press K as usual to switch the camera focus to the next truck.
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3.3. Stuck in the Arizona rally trap
In the Arizona rally, just before checkpoint 5, there is a small jump over a train track and two train engines. If you miss the jump, you can fall into the train track hole. The only way out is to call the helicopter (press H).
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3.4. Behavior of some joysticks with hat switches
Some joysticks that have a hat switch exhibit the following behavior: When two joystick buttons are pressed simultaneously, the joystick interprets the multiple presses as a hat switch action. To prevent this, press only one joystick button at a time. Or, customize your joystick controls. For details on customizing your joystick, see the Monster Manual (online Help).
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3.5. If you have more than one joystick installed on your computer
Monster Truck Madness only recognizes the joystick configured as Joystick 1 in the Windows 95 Joystick Properties dialog box. If you have more than one joystick, be sure that the joystick you want to use is configured as Joystick 1. For more information on choosing a primary driving control, see the Monster Manual (online Help).
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3.6. If you are using the ThrustMaster T1 or T2 race car controller
1. Make sure you are using the axis converter provided by ThrustMaster. This will ensure that both the steering and the pedals appear on the same joystick. If you do not have an axis converter, contact ThrustMaster to obtain one. The axis converter plugs into your joystick port; you then plug your controller into the port.
2. Calibrate your controller from the Windows 95 Control Panel.
3. Start Monster Truck Madness.
4. On the Options menu, click Controls.
5. Select Race car controller as your primary driving control.
6. Click Calibrate, and then follow the instructions on your screen.
For more information on contacting ThrustMaster, see the Monster Manual (online Help).
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3.7. Resuming a saved tournament game does not save the current race situation.
The current event in the tournament will be restarted when you resume a saved tournament race.
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3.7.a. Too many tournaments error
Monster Truck Madness supports up to a maximum of 16 tournaments. If you exceed this number you will get an error message with no buttons to click. Press ENTER or ESC to dismiss the dialog box. You will need to delete a tournament before you can create a new one.
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3.7.b. Invalid characters in custom tournament name
Monster Truck Madness uses the name you typed for the custom tournament as the file name when you click Save. This allows you to easily find the file so you can share it with your friends.
Although Monster Truck Madness does not display an error message when you use invalid characters, you will not be able to race that tournament. Make sure that you do not use invalid file name characters in the file name.
The following characters are invalid file name characters:
\ & * @ ? : " < >
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3.8. Unable to switch to full screen view when running Microsoft Word for Windows
There is a problem when you attempt to start a race when Microsoft Word is also running. As soon as Monster Truck Madness attempts to switch to full screen view, Word is activated and Monster Truck Madness pauses. You can either:
Quit Microsoft Word, and then run your race again.
- OR -
Clear the Automatic Full Screen check box in the Monster Truck Madness Graphics Options dialog box.
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3.9. Ejecting the CD causes crash when you've installed the game using either the Compact or Typical installation option
If you chose the Compact option during setup, you should not eject the Monster Truck Madness CD-ROM while the game is running. If you do so, Monster Truck Madness will crash.
If you chose the Typical option during setup, you must have the Monster Truck Madness CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive in order to play the game's opening movie, victory scenes, and the online Help movies. Ejecting the CD while of any of these movies is playing may cause a crash.
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3.10. Some trucks crash more often than others.
To keep the competition exciting, the performance characteristics of the trucks are similar, but with subtle differences. You will find that some trucks handle better than others in some situations. Here's a hint: Truck geometry makes a difference.
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3.11. Advanced Power Management (APM) can crash Monster Truck Madness.
Monster Truck Madness may crash if Advanced Power Management suspends your computer system while Monster Truck Madness is running.
To disable APM on your computer
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the System icon.
3. On the Device Manager tab, double-click System Devices.
4. Double-click Advanced Power Management Support.
5. On the Settings tab, clear the Enable Power Management Support check box.
On newer machines and selected older machines, APM may be included in the BIOS settings. The BIOS can be altered though the System CMOS. For information on how to disable or alter BIOS features, consult your computer's owner's manual or contact the manufacturer of your computer.
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4. Optimizing Performance
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4.1. Running Monster Truck Madness on a 486DX-66
Although Monster Truck Madness will run on a 486DX-66 with 16 MB or more of memory, it is not recommended since performance (particularly the frame rate) may not be sufficient for a satisfying gaming experience.
To improve frame rate on slower computers, there are several things you can try (described in sections 4.1.a. - 4.1.c. below).
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4.1.a. In Monster Truck Madness, on the Options menu, click Graphics, and then make the following adjustments:
1. Select 320 X 200 Simulation Resolution.
2. Select Image Quality = Low.
3. Select Texture = Low.
4. Select Shadow = None.
5. Select Tire = None.
6. Select Scenery = Sparse.
7. Clear Textured Sky.
8. Clear Horizon.
9. Select Automatic Full Screen.
10. Clear Smoke Effects.
11. Select Dashboard.
12. Clear Steering Wheel.
13. Click OK.
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4.1.b. On the Options menu, click Game, and then make the following adjustments:
1. Clear Show Commentary.
2. Clear Hear Commentary.
3. Clear View Intro Movie.
4. Clear View Clip Scenes.
5. Clear Automatic Attract Mode.
6. Set the Number of Default Opponents to 1.
NOTE: The fewer opponents you have, the faster the game runs. It is possible to race without any opponents (set the Number of Default Opponents to 1). This gives you the experience of racing a time trial.
7. Click OK.
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4.1.c. On the Options menu, click Sound, and then make the following adjustments:
1. Select Playback Format = Mono.
2. Click OK.
NOTE: Turning off sound completely will increase speed, but since sound is an integral part of gameplay, turn it off as a last resort.
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4.2. If you are using a 3-D hardware accelerator:
Some hardware accelerators slow down when you select the Smoothing check box (On the Options menu, click Graphics). Monster Truck Madness may run faster if you clear this check box. If you don't detect a performance difference with the check box cleared, clear it or select it to suit your taste.
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5. Hardware and System Troubleshooting
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5.1. Matrox Millenium PowerDesk PCI only boots 50 percent of the time
DirectX 2.0 setup installs Millennium DirectDraw drivers that do not work with the later PowerDesk drivers. If you installed DirectX 2.0 after installing the PowerDesk drivers, re-install the PowerDesk drivers.
If this does not fix your problem, contact Matrox for updated drivers.
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5.2. If you are using a Univbe video driver
Univbe doesn't allow DirectX 2.0 to work correctly. Disabling the line in the Autoexec.bat that calls Univibe will fix the problem and allow DirectX 2.0 to work correctly.
1. Open your Autoexec.bat file.
2. Search for the line that contains a reference to UNIVBE
3. Add REM to the start of the line to disable it
REM UNIVBE.DRV
4. Restart your computer.
NOTE: To use the Univbe video driver again, edit the Autoexec.bat again and restore the line by removing the REM text from the beginning of the line.
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5.3. Error message that says, "A required .DLL file, DDRAW.DLL, was not found"
If you receive an error message that says, "A required DLL file, DDRAW.DLL, was not found" you will need to reinstall DirectX. DirectX is a system component that allows for more efficient hardware use. It is installed on your computer when you install Monster Truck Madness.
To reinstall DirectX, follow these instructions:
1. Insert your Monster Truck Madness CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive.
2. Open Windows Explorer, and then select your CD-ROM drive.
3. Open the Setup folder on the Monster Truck Madness CD-ROM.
4. Double-click the DirectX folder, which is inside the Setup folder.
5. Double-click the file DXSetup.exe to run DirectX(tm) Setup.
6. Click ReInstall DirectX.
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6. Audio Troubleshooting: Sounds Not Playing Properly
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6.1. If Monster Truck Madness does not play sound properly, try the following list of troubleshooting steps.
- Verify that your speakers and the Windows 95 volume control are enabled and turned up.
- Confirm that you do not have Mute Sound selected on the Options menu in Monster Truck Madness.
-Verify that Windows 95 can play .wav files:
1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Sounds icon.
3. Try to play a .wav file.
-If Windows 95 is not able to play a .wav file, check to see that a sound card is enabled:
1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the System icon.
3. Click the Device Manager tab.
4. Click the plus sign next to Sound, Video and Game Controllers.
5. If there is no Sound, Video and Game Controllers entry or you have no sound card listed under this entry, contact the manufacturer of your computer or sound card and request help reinstalling the sound card drivers.
-If you are able to play a .wav file in Windows 95, ensure that sounds are enabled and recognized in Monster Truck Madness:
1. Start Monster Truck Madness.
2. On the Options menu, click Sound.
3. Verify that the Play Sound Effects and/or Play Music check boxes are selected.
4. Click Advanced.
5. Verify that Monster Truck Madness recognizes a sound card by looking under the Sound Card Detected label. The name of your sound card should be displayed.
6. To see if Monster Truck Madness will play a sound file, click Test.
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6.2. If sound in Monster Truck Madness seems clipped or delayed, try the following troubleshooting steps:
1. On the Options menu, click Sound.
2. Click Advanced.
3. If the sound is choppy or clipped, increase the number of buffers slightly. If there is a delay in the sound effects, decrease the number of buffers slightly.
4. To apply the new settings and hear the results, click Test.
5. If the sound is still clipped, increase the buffer size slightly, and then click Test. If you decrease the buffer size too much, the sound will seem choppy.
6. Continue to experiment until the sound is smooth and timed appropriately.
NOTE: You can always restore original settings by clicking Default.
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6.3. If you're having problems installing Monster Truck Madness with the Ensoniq Soundscape sound card, but you know that there is nothing wrong with the sound card, try this:
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click System.
3. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Device Manager tab.
4. Double-click Sound, Video and Game Controllers
5. Click Ensoniq Soundscape, and then click Properties.
6. In the Ensoniq Soundscape dialog box, click the DOS Settings tab.
7. Under Synth Routing, make sure Internal is selected.
8. Close all dialog boxes and reboot.
9. Reinstall Monster Truck Madness.
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7. Video Troubleshooting
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7.1. Your computer must display at least 256 colors to run Microsoft Monster Truck Madness.
To display 256 colors in Windows 95:
1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Display icon.
3. Click the Settings tab.
4. Under Color Palette, click 256 Color.
5. Click OK.
6. Close and restart Monster Truck Madness.
If you don't have the necessary 256 color driver, or if you aren't sure that your video card supports 256 colors, contact your video card manufacturer.
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7.2. Display problems while playing Monster Truck Madness
If you experience display problems while playing Monster Truck Madness, you may have a problem with your video driver. You can still play Monster Truck Madness, but may not be able to play in full screen view without a menu bar.
To continue playing, on the Options menu, click Graphics, and then clear the Automatic Full Screen check box.
If you continue to experience display problems, contact your video card manufacturer for the latest DirectX 2.0 drivers.
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7.3. Monster Truck Madness supports 3-D accelerated graphics cards via Direct 3D. However, many of these cards were still in preproduction when Monster Truck Madness was released, and therefore, you may experience problems when using them. For updated drivers, please contact your hardware manufacturer.
Monster Truck Madness needs DirectX 2.0 technology in order to run. DirectX is installed on your computer when you install Monster Truck Madness. In some cases, the video driver that DirectX uses may cause problems when it interacts with your old video driver.
-If you experience display problems after you install DirectX 2.0, try these troubleshooting steps:
1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Display icon.
3. Click the Settings tab.
4. Click Change Display Type to display the Advanced Display Properties dialog box.
5. Click the Adapter tab. If there is no Adapter tab, see the next set of steps.
6. In the Refresh rate box, change the refresh rate, and then click OK.
-If your screen is unreadable and you are unable to follow the preceding steps, try the following troubleshooting steps:
1. Restart your computer in safe mode. Press F8 when you see the message "Starting Windows 95," and then choose Safe Mode.
2. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
3. Double-click the Display icon.
4. Click the Settings tab.
5. Click Change Display Type.
6. Click Change.
7. In the Select Device dialog box, select the DirectX-compatible video driver suggested by your video card manufacturer. If you do not have a DirectX-compatible video driver, contact your video card manufacturer for an updated video driver.
8. Restart your computer to apply the change you have made.
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7.4. If you have a 3-D accelerated video card and you receive an error message saying that your display adapter is missing features when you select the Use Hardware Accelerator check box (Options menu, Graphics command), you need to obtain the latest driver from your hardware manufacturer. To continue playing without an updated driver, clear the Use Hardware Accelerator check box.
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7.4.a. If you select Use Hardware Accelerator check box and then the game minimizes.
Monster Truck Madness automatically disables the Use Hardware Accelerator check box in the Graphics Options dialog if it does not detect a video driver with 3-D hardware accelerator support.
Some video drivers incorrectly report that they support hardware acceleration. In this case, Monster Truck Madness will enable the Use Hardware Acceleration check box. Then, if you select this check box and click OK, Monster Truck Madness will minimize and display an error message. The warning message does not take focus and so may appear behind another application.
Press ALT+TAB to bring the dialog box to the front of all open windows, or minimize or close your other open applications.
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7.5. DirectX 2.0 and the Matrox Impression video card
DirectX 2.0 does not currently support the Matrox Impression video card. If you play Monster Truck Madness using the Matrox Impression card, you may experience problems. Please contact Matrox for updated drivers for this card.
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7.5.a. DirectX 2.0 and Matrox Ultima video card
If you are using this video card, Monster Truck Madness is unable to switch to full screen view. Contact Matrox for updated drivers for this card.
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7.5.b. DirectX 2.0 and Matrox Millenium video card
Windows 95 did not ship with a driver for the Matrox Millenium. If after running setup, you do not have the correct DirectX 2.0 video driver for your Millenium card, then you probably did not have a Millenium driver installed on your system. Please contact Matrox, and ask for updated drivers for this card.
If you get an updated driver for your Matrox Millenium card, you should install the new driver and then reinstall Monster Truck Madness.
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7.6. Rendition video driver not working
The latest video driver for Rendition was not available at the time Monster Truck Madness released. Please contact Rendition for an updated DirectX video driver.
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7.7. Videos do not play correctly on some Direct3D cards
Some Direct3D video cards do not play the opening movies or victory movies correctly. Monster Truck Madness is unable to switch the video display to full screen view. On the Options menu, click Graphics, and then clear the Automatic Full Screen check box.
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7.8. Flickering after minimize on Orchid Fahrenheit 64Pro PCI 4mg
If you are running Monster Truck Madness on a computer with an Orchid Fahrenheit 64Pro PCI 4mg video card and your Windows resolution is set to 800 X 600 or higher, you may experience screen flickering when you minimize Monster Truck Madness. To correct the problem, follow the steps below.
1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Display icon.
3. Click the Settings tab.
4. Under Desktop Area, drag to select 640 by 480 Pixels.
5. Click OK.
6. Restart Windows, and then restart Monster Truck Madness.
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7.9. Monster Truck Madness crashes on Diamond SpeedStar 64 when 640 X 480 simulation resolution is selected
Monster Truck Madness requires a minimum of 1 megabyte (MB) of video memory to run in a
simulation resolution of 640 X 480. Your video card may not have sufficient memory.
On the Options menu, click Graphics, and then select a Simulation Resolution of 320 X 400
or 320 X 200.
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7.10. Changing texture while Draw screen is displayed distorts graphics in next race
When Use Hardware Acceleration is selected, do not change the texture resolution during the middle of a drag race or while the Draw screen is displayed. Doing so will distort the texture and cause Monster Truck Madness to close.
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7.11. Resuming a game while another game is loading will cause palette distortion
If you click Race on one of the race event screens and then press CTRL+R, the Resume Game dialog box will appear after the game has loaded but before gameplay has begun. If you select a saved game at this point, and then open it, the palette will be severely distorted.
It is strongly recommended that you use the Resume Saved Race command on the Race menu to resume a saved race. If you use the palette-distorting method described in the previous paragraph, press F4 to return to full screen view.
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7.12. Vertical white lines appear in both full screen view and movies with the Imagine 128 video card
If you have set your Windows 95 screen resolution to 640 X 480, and your Monster Truck Madness simulation resolution to 320 X 400 or 320 X 200, you may experience some vertical white lines across the top of your screen. To correct this problem, set your simulation resolution to 640 X 480 and your Windows 95 screen resolution to greater than 640 X 480.
To change your simulation resolution
1. On the Options menu, click Graphics.
2. In the Simulation Resolution list, click the 640 X 480 resolution option.
To change your Windows 95 screen resolution
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Display icon.
3. Click the Settings tab.
4. Under Desktop Area, drag the slider to select a resolution greater than 640 X 480.
5. Click OK and follow the instructions on the screen to adjust your display settings and keep the new setting.
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7.13. After installing Monster Truck Madness, ATI Graphics Pro Turbo PCI card that uses Mach64 drivers is stuck in 640 X 480 screen resolution, 16 colors
DirectX is a system component that allows for more efficient hardware access. To run, Monster Truck Madness requires DirectX 2.0 or later. DirectX is installed on your computer when you install Monster Truck Madness.
DirectX 2.0 setup updates your Windows 95 drivers and your DirectX 1.0 drivers automatically. In some cases, the latest video drivers from your video card manufacturer have additional functionality that is specific to your video card. If these drivers are marked as DirectX 1.0 drivers, DirectX setup will replace them with a generic DirectX 2.0 driver. In some cases, this may result in a loss of the features that are specific to your video card.
For information on how you can restore or update your video card drivers, refer to sections 2.2., 2.2.a., and 2.2.b. earlier in this Readme.
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7.14. DirectX 2.0 and Hercules Dynamite Power video card
Monster Truck Madness may hang your system on Hercules Dynamite Power video card if you select 640 X 480 in the Graphics Options dialog box and switch to full screen view (press F4). Please contact Hercules for updated drivers for this card.
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7.15. When attempting to play a Monster Manual (online Help) video, a message --- "Unable to display graphic" --- is displayed.
If you try to play a video in the Monster Manual (online Help), and you see the message, "Unable to display graphic," try the following:
--First, confirm that the Monster Truck Madness CD-ROM is inserted in the CD-ROM drive. If you chose the Typical or Compact option during setup, you need to have the CD-ROM in the drive in order to play the videos.
--If inserting the CD-ROM in the drive doesn't help, run Setup.exe off of the Monster Truck Madness CD-ROM. Setup will check and update your settings.
=============================================================================== 8. Multiplayer Notes and Troubleshooting
===============================================================================
8.1. Modem-to-Modem Play
- During modem-to-modem play, the modems will connect no faster than the slowest modem (and possibly slower).
- If you are connecting with a 14.4 kbps modem, you should not include any computer trucks in the race.
- If you are connecting between two 28.8 kbps modems you can include one computer truck. If you are using faster connections, you can experiment with including more trucks.
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8.1.a. Modems can't connect to each other for head-to-head play.
You will have the best chance of connecting your modems if you and your opponent are using the same handshaking speed. Set the initial handshaking speed on both machines to match the fastest speed of the slower modem:
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Modems icon.
3. Click the modem that matches your system in the list box. (NOTE: If there are no modems listed then you need to add one by clicking Add.)
4. Click Properties.
5. Click the Connection tab.
6. Make sure both computers have the same connection preferences.
7. Click the General tab.
8. Make sure both modems have the same maximum speed setting. This speed should be set to the maximum speed of the slower modem.
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8.2. LAN Issues:
In order to play a multiplayer game on a LAN, your machine must be physically connected to a LAN. Please see your system administrator if you need assistance with this.
You must also make sure that all players use the same protocol (e.g. WinSock TCP, or WinSock IPX) and that the protocol is installed on your machine.
To check the protocol:
1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Network icon.
3. In the Configuration tab, you should see the protocol listed in the list box.
If you do not have the same protocol as the person you want to race against, continue with these steps to add a new protocol:
4. Click Add.
5. From the list, click Protocol and then click Add.
6. From the Manufacturer's list, click Microsoft.
7. Click either TCP/IP or IPX/SPX.
8. Click OK as many times as necessary.
9. Click Yes to restart your computer.
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8.3. Internet Issues:
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8.3.a. Speeding up play on the Internet
Network "latency," the time it takes for a packet of data to travel between two computers, and "bandwidth," the amount of information that can be passed at any given moment, are two major concerns for any multiplayer game. These problems are more noticeable when playing over the Internet (which has a relatively high bandwidth but unacceptably long latencies) and when using a modem (which can pass information fairly quickly, but only in very small amounts). When modems are used to play multiplayer games through an Internet Service Provider (ISP), the player is hit with both the high latency of the Internet and the low bandwidth of the modem.
Unfortunately there is no software solution for network latency. Usually it is due to the limitations of the network hardware (in this case, the Internet) and the amount of traffic the network is experiencing. There are, however, ways to minimize the impact of latency on games. See the suggestions below.
- Have all participating players connect using the same ISP.
- Limit the number of players. This reduces the amount of data that needs to be transferred between players.
- Before starting play, close any applications, such as chats, e-mail notifiers, and web browsers, that are constantly sending and receiving data. This increases the available bandwidth for the game.
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8.3.b. Automatic disconnect after no activity in MSN
If you are using MSN as a dial-up network to play an Internet game, MSN may disconnect you after it has exceeded the time limit of inactivity. The system does not consider joystick input as activity.
To alleviate the problem, do the following:
1. Start MSN.
2. On the View menu, click Options.
3. In the Disconnect After XX Minutes of Inactivity box, specify a longer period of time (in minutes).
Suggestion: Changing the value to 59, for example, should give you sufficient time to finish your game.
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8.3.c. You cannot join a TCP/IP (Internet) multiplayer game that is already in progress.
Attempting to join a TCP/IP (Internet) game that is already in-progress will freeze the game on your machine. If you accidentally try it, You can press CTRL+ALT+DEL, and then click End Task in the Close Program dialog box.
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8.3.d. Synchronization problems with Internet Play
If you connect to the Internet with a modem, the latency of the connection between players is the sum of your and your opponent's modem latency and the Internet latency. This latency increases with the number of players connected in your game. The end result of increasing latency is that synchronization may suffer. If you are experiencing latency, first remove computer-controlled trucks from the game. Then try playing with fewer participants.
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8.3.e. Synchronization problems pausing a multiplayer game.
A multiplayer game can get out of sync if one of the players pauses the game. Because of this the pause keys (P and F3) are disabled in multiplayer mode. However, it is still possible to pause the game by pressing ALT to activate the menu. We strongly recommend that you do not do this. If you have to do it, do it quickly and get back to the game.
An example of the problem pausing a multiplayer game causes is that the paused computer will miss the fact that a remote computer went through a checkpoint. This means that the race may not end correctly.
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8.3.f. DPSocket error results if host exits in the middle of a race
If the host player quits the game (or loses the connection) in the middle of a race, the remaining players will crash. This problem will be fixed in a later version of DirectX, which was not available when Monster Truck Madness was released. Check our Monster Truck Madness product support page on the Monster Truck Web Stop for late-breaking information.
http://www.microsoft.com/games/monster/
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8.3.g. Results are not synched between players in Internet play
Due to latency between computer connections in multiplayer play, the times displayed in the Results screen may differ by a few seconds between players' machines.
The host player's computer results should be used for official times and scoring.
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8.3.h. Truck of a joining player who leaves race gets stuck in park if joining player is running on Windows NT 4.0
If you are playing a multiplayer game and a joining player (who uses Windows NT 4.0) leaves the game before the light turns green, the exiting player's truck will remain stuck in park.
This is a very rare scenario, but note - the game will never end! The game goes on as if the human player is still connected and so will continue without end, waiting for this player to finish. If this happens to you, restart the multiplayer game.
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8.4. If the Next button is disabled for joining player
Once a joining player reaches the Races screen and is waiting for the race to begin, the joining player should not activate any menu or command. If the player selects a menu or command, the Next button may not be enabled and the race will not begin.
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8.5. WinSock dll is missing
To use online or Internet connections to play Monster Truck Madness, you must have the proper version of WinSock installed. Using a version of Wsock32.dll other than version 4.00.950, which is manufactured by Microsoft, may cause Monster Truck Madness to function improperly.
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8.5.a. The following steps describe how to check which version of Wsock32.dll you are using:
1. On your Windows 95 desktop, double-click My Computer, and then double-click the hard drive that contains Windows 95 (usually drive C).
2. Double-click the Windows directory, and then double-click the System directory.
3. With the right mouse button, click Wsock32.dll, and then click Properties.
NOTE: You may have to click the View menu, click Options, click the View tab, click Show All Files, and then click OK. This will allow you to view all the files in the directory.
4. Click the Version tab.
5. Monster Truck Madness will not run properly, if the version information is:
File Version: Version: 04.10.01.27
IMPORTANT: By replacing your current Wsock32.dll file, you may adversely affect the functionality of another manufacturer's product that relies on this file.
The following sections describe how to replace the existing version of the Wsock32.dll file with a version of the file that will allow Monster Truck Madness to function properly. If you installed Windows 95 from a CD-ROM disc, refer to section 8.5.b. If you installed Windows 95 from floppy disks, refer to section 8.5.c.
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8.5.b. If you installed Windows 95 from a CD-ROM, this section describes how to replace the existing version of the Wsock32.dll file with a version of the file that will allow Monster Truck Madness to function properly.
1. On your Windows 95 desktop, double-click My Computer, and then double-click the hard drive that contains Windows 95 (usually drive C).
2. Double-click the Windows directory, and then double-click the System directory.
3. With your right mouse button, click Wsock32.dll, and then click Rename.
4. Type Wsock32.old
5. Insert your Windows 95 CD-ROM.
6. Click Start, point to Programs, and then click MS-DOS Prompt.
7. Type
extract /L c:\windows\system d:\win95\win95_11.cab WSOCK32.
Where C:\Windows refers to the drive and folder where Windows 95 is installed, and where D refers to your CD-ROM drive.
8. Type exit and press ENTER to close the MS-DOS Prompt.
9. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart The Computer, and then click Yes.
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8.5.c. If you installed Windows 95 from 3.5-inch floppy disks, this section describes how to replace the existing version of the Wsock32.dll file with a version of the file that will allow Monster Truck Madness to function properly.
1. On your Windows 95 desktop, double-click My Computer, and then double-click the hard drive that contains Windows 95 (usually drive C).
2. Double-click the Windows directory, and then double-click the System directory.
3. With your right mouse button, click Wsock32.dll, and then click Rename.
4. Type Wsock32.old
5. Click Start, point to Programs, and then click MS-DOS Prompt.
6. If you have DMF disks, insert disk #12 and type
extract /L c:\windows\system a:\win95_12.cab Wsock32.dll
Where c:\windows refers to the drive and folder where Windows 95 is installed, and where a refers to your disk drive.
-- OR �
If you have non-DMF disks, insert disk #19 and type
extract /L c:\windows\system a:\win95_19.cab Wsock32.dll
Where c:\windows refers to the drive and folder where Windows 95 is installed, and where a refers to your disk drive.
NOTE: If there are 13 disks in your Windows 95 upgrade, you have a set of DMF disks. If there are 21 disks in your Windows 95 upgrade, you have non-DMF disks.
7. Type exit and press ENTER to close the MS-DOS Prompt.
8. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart The Computer, and then click Yes.
=============================================================================== 9. Modem Connection Issues
===============================================================================
9.1. The first step in troubleshooting communications is to ensure that the hardware connections are secure. Make sure a direct connection to the wall exists without splitters, answering machines, or fax machines. Disconnect any cordless phones because these may occasionally leak noise into the phone line. If there is excessive noise on your phone line, try another phone outlet. If the modem is external, make sure that it is turned on.
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9.1.a. Verifying that Your Modem Settings Are Correct
1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Modems.
2. Verify that the correct location and modem are selected. If either item is wrong, click the correct setting from the applicable list.
3. Click Dialing Properties.
4. Verify that the correct country is selected in the I Am In box.
5. If you need to dial a number to access an outside line, make sure it is listed correctly under How I Dial From This Location.
6. If you have call waiting, make sure that the correct code for disabling it is selected in the This Location Has Call Waiting list. Consult your local phone company for the correct code to disable call waiting in your area.
7. Verify that the correct Tone Dialing or Pulse Dialing option is selected.
8. Click OK. The Dialing Properties dialog box closes, and the Modem Properties dialog box remains open.
9. Click Properties, and on the General tab, note the Maximum Speed specified for the modem.
If you are experiencing difficulty completing a call, lower this speed to 9600 or 2400 and click the Only Connect At This Speed check box.
NOTE: Changing this setting in this dialog box will not affect other modem communications using Windows TAPI functions.
10. On the Connection tab, confirm that the settings under Connection Preferences are correct. They should be Data Bits, 8; Parity, None; and Stop Bits, 1.
11. On the Connection tab, click Port Settings and make a note of the current settings. If your adjustments in the next step don't work, you'll need to restore the original settings.
12. Lower both buffer settings to Low and attempt to connect again. If this does not correct the problem, revert to the original settings, which you noted in step 11. Or, click Defaults to reset the buffer defaults.
13. Click OK. The Advanced Port Settings dialog box closes.
14. On the Connection tab, click Advanced.
15. If the Use Error Control check box and/or Use Flow Control check boxes are selected, clear one at a time and attempt the connection again.
NOTE: A combination of disabling Error Control and Flow Control and lowering the baud rate and UART buffers has been found to resolve other connection issues.
16. The Modulation Type box should either be empty or Standard should be selected. If it is set to anything else, select Standard from the list.
17. In the Extra Settings box, check the modem initialization string for your modem.
If Windows 95 correctly identifies your modem, there may be no string listed. Do not enter anything in this area. The correct initialization string is already being used by Windows. Only use this area if you are experiencing difficulty completing a connection and your modem is listed as one of the "Standard" modem types. Read your modem documentation, or contact your modem manufacturer for the correct modem initialization string.
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9.2. Test Your Modem Connection Using HyperTerminal
Test your modem connection to be sure that your modem is working within Windows 95.
-- To test your modem with the Windows 95 HyperTerminal program
1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click HyperTerminal.
2. Double-click the Hypertrm.exe icon.
3. Enter a name for the session (such as Online Services), and then click OK.
4. In the Phone Number dialog box, enter the Online Services access number, and then click OK.
5. In the Connect dialog box, click Dial.
If you connect successfully, the bottom left corner of HyperTerminal displays the word, "Connected."
6. If you cannot connect in HyperTerminal, verify the phone number by picking up the phone and dialing the number. If you can connect and hear a modem tone, but cannot connect in HyperTerminal, contact your Windows 95 support provider.
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9.3. Test the Modem Settings in the Control Panel
If you have followed all the steps in sections 9.1. - 9.2. and still cannot make a successful connection, check the settings in Control Panel. If the settings found in Control Panel are irregular, contact your Windows 95 support provider.
-- To check the Modems settings in the Control Panel
1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Modems.
2. On the Diagnostics tab, click Driver. The communication driver should be Comm.drv, size 5856, dated 7/11/1995 09:50AM.
3. Click OK.
4. Click More Info to check the modem. If there are any error messages, contact your Windows 95 support provider.
5. Under Port Information, note the Interrupt and Address settings. The default interrupt and address locations for COM ports 1-4 are as follows:
COM1 COM2 COM3 COM4
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Interrupt 4 3 4 3
Address 3F8 2F8 3E8 2E8
-- To check the Communications Port Properties settings in Control Panel
1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
2. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Device Manager tab, and then double-click Ports to reveal COM & LPT.
3. Click the COM Port you need to check, and then click Properties.
4. On the General tab under Device Status, verify that the device is working properly.
5. On the Driver tab under File Details, verify that the drivers in use are provided by Microsoft Corporation. The following are the drivers shipped with Windows 95. These files are located in the Windows\System folder.
File name File version
-----------------------------
Serialui.dll 4.00.950
Serial.vxd 4.00.950
6. On the Resources tab under the Conflicting Device List, verify that there are no device conflicts.
7. Click OK.
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9.4. You can get step-by-step help on problems relating to using modems, your network, etc. in Monster Manual, the online Help for Monster Truck Madness.
-- To go to the troubleshooting topics in Monster Manual
1. Click the Monster Truck Madness Help menu.
2. Click Monster Manual.
The Monster Manual contents list is displayed.
3. Double-click Troubleshooting.
4. Double-click Windows Troubleshooting. You may be interested in these topics in the Windows Troubleshooting section:
-- Windows Troubleshooting --
- If you have trouble using the network
- If you have trouble using your modem
- If you have trouble using Dial-Up Networking
- If you have trouble using Direct Cable Connection
5. Double-click the topic you want to read.
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10. Additional Monster Truck Madness & Windows Troubleshooting Topics Available in Online Help
===============================================================================
You'll find additional troubleshooting topics in Monster Manual, the online Help system for Monster Truck Madness. This is a great place to get help using your modem, a network, or fixing problems with sound. There is also a section --- "Making the Game Run Faster-" --- that is devoted to giving you tips for optimizing your frame rate.
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10.1. To go to the troubleshooting topics in Monster Manual
1. Click the Monster Truck Madness Help menu.
2. Click Monster Manual.
The Monster Manual contents list is displayed.
3. Double-click Troubleshooting.
4. Double-click either Monster Truck Troubleshooting or Windows Troubleshooting. The contents for each section are listed following this procedure.
5. Double-click the topic you want to read.
-- Monster Truck Troubleshooting --
- If Your Monitor is Set To Display More Than 256 Colors
- If Your Screen Resolution Is 640x400 and the Game Runs Slowly
- If the Graphics Have Less Detail Than You Would Like
- If Your Steering Control is Too Sensitive
- If Your Steering Control is Not Sensitive Enough
- If You Don't Hear Any Sound
- If the Sound Seems Clipped, or the Sound Effects Are Delayed
- If You Have Two Joysticks Installed on Your Computer
- If the Joystick Does Not Function Correctly
- If the Keyboard Does Not Work as Expected
- If You Use an Orchid Fahrenheit 64Pro PCI4 Video Card
-- Windows Troubleshooting --
- If you have trouble printing
- If you run out of memory
- If you need more disk space
- If you have a hardware conflict
- If you have trouble using the network
- If you have trouble using your modem
- If you have trouble using Dial-Up Networking
- If you have trouble using Direct Cable Connection
- If you have trouble starting Windows
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10.2. To go to topics on optimizing the game
1. Click the Monster Truck Madness Help menu.
2. Click Monster Manual.
The Monster Manual contents list is displayed.
3. Double-click Making the Game Run Faster.
4. Double-click the topic you want to read. The topics are listed below.
- Setting Your Monitor to Display 256 Colors
- Switching Between Full-Screen and Windowed Modes
- Reducing the Level of Detail in Graphics
- Miscellaneous Tips for Making the Game Run Faster
v.iv.
