PC Gamer 2.6/1996-07_Disc_2.6.bin/patches/tgv11.exe/FAQ.TXT

Text File | 1996-03-27 | 16KB | 359 lines

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     TOP GUN: FIRE AT WILL
  Frequently Asked Questions
           3/27/96
******************************

Problems
========
Q: The game sometimes crashes when I click on "End Mission."

A: Please try installing the Maximum Version of the game,
   which requires 140MB of hard drive space.

   If you do not have enough hard drive space, try editing
   your TOPGUN.INI file in your \TOPGUN directory. Change the
   line that reads "ASYNC=YES" to "ASYNC=NO". This text change
   may cause some pauses in the game when you hear the digitized
   radio messages.

   In addition, the Top Gun update to version 1.1 should solve
   some of these crash problems.

Q: Whenever the digitized speech starts, the game pauses for
   some time (1 to 2 seconds) as my CD-ROM drive spins up.

A: Some CD-ROM drives are designed to spin down after as little
   as 30 seconds of inactivity. You can change the spin-down
   time on some drives by editing your CONFIG.SYS file and
   adding "/C:#" to the CD-ROM driver line (where # is the
   number of minutes before the CD-ROM drive spins down). If
   you change the number to "0" (zero), then the CD-ROM drive
   should never spin down.

   Some drives, such as ones from Toshiba, however, cannot be
   prevented from spinning down. The Top Gun update to version
   1.1 includes a fix for this problem.

Q: What is Disc 2 used for? The game hasn't used it so far.

A: You only need Disc 2 for the later missions in the game.
   You'll be prompted to insert Disc 2 when it's needed.

Q: I am trying to run Top Gun on an HP Pavilion with an onboard
   S3 Trio 64V+ or S3 Trio 32 video card under Windows 95, but
   the game crashes.

A: This problem is fixed in the Top Gun update to version 1.1.
   Since the HP Pavilion will not run any high-resolution
   256-color games under Windows 95, however, you may want to
   contact your HP dealer.

Sound
=====
Q: The Setup program correctly detected my sound card and I
   heard the sound test OK. However, when I load the game,
   I don't hear anything or I just hear the engine sound
   even though I set all the sliders in the Sound menu to
   maximum.

A: Because you pressed Esc or "Go Back" at the Sound Setup
   screen, the Master Volume level was set incorrectly. To
   fix this, open the TOPGUN.INI file in your \TOPGUN
   directory with a text editor. Then change the line
   "MASTER_VOLUME=0" to "MASTER_VOLUME=10".

Q: My Sound Blaster 16 is set to IRQ 10, and both the Sound
   Setup program and the Top Gun game crash.

A: We recommend choosing "Sound Blaster Pro" at the Sound
   Setup to avoid this incompatibility.

Q: The digitized speech sounds scratchy or I hear a lot of
   popping in the sound.

A: Try lowering the Master Volume level. Open the TOPGUN.INI
   file in your \TOPGUN directory with a text editor. Change
   the line "MASTER_VOLUME=10" to "MASTER_VOLUME=5". You may
   need to turn the volume up on your speakers, but this
   should prevent your sound card from being overdriven.

   If you have a Sound Blaster 16 or Sound Blaster Pro and a
   video card that uses the Cirrus Logic chipset, you may hear
   crackling noises in the game. This problem includes the
   Diamond SpeedStar Pro and the Orchid Kelvin 64 video cards.
   To solve this problem, try loading a DOS-based VESA driver.
   For example, you can try using the UniVESA driver that comes
   with Top Gun instead of your video card's built-in driver.

Graphics
========
Q: Is there any way to make the ground terrain look better?

A: Try the SUPERHI option. Type "TOPGUN SUPERHI" at the DOS
   prompt, and the ground terrain will be rendered in
   single-pixel resolution. Be sure, however, to set the
   Terrain Detail setting in the Graphics menu to Medium.
   The SUPERHI option will significantly decrease your frame
   rate. If you have Top Gun version 1.0, make sure you always
   start with Disc 1 in the CD-ROM drive when you use the
   SUPERHI option.

Q: Everything works in the game, but I can't see any of the 3-D
   objects, such as any planes, missiles, etc.

A: This is because your system's math coprocessor is not 100%
   compatible with Intel's. Top Gun requires either a 486DX or
   a Pentium. The coprocessor emulation on some NexGen systems,
   such as the NexGen 100, is not 100% compatible with Intel's.

Joysticks
=========
Q: Is the Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro joystick compatible with
   Top Gun?

A: Yes, this joystick works fine with Top Gun. First, make sure
   your SideWinder 3D Pro is set to emulate a CH FlightStick
   Pro by moving the "Joystick switch" on the bottom of the
   joystick to position 1 (the side with one dot). When you're
   in the Top Gun game, choose "Setup" and then "Joystick."
   Select "Choose Type" and then "CH FlightStick Pro" from the
   list. Next choose "Calibrate" and follow the onscreen
   directions. Top Gun supports the slider, hat switch and four
   conventional buttons on the SideWinder 3D Pro joystick.

Q: I can't calibrate the throttle wheel on my joystick.

A: First, select a joystick from the "Choose Type" list and
   then "Calibrate." When you see "A throttle device is found.
   Do you want to use it?" press "Y" for "Yes." Calibrate your
   joystick as normal. When the calibration routine asks you to
   move the throttle to the idle position, move the throttle
   wheel to its minimum setting and press the fire button. When
   it asks you to move the throttle to full MIL power, first
   move the throttle wheel to its maximum setting and then back
   down to the full MIL power (100% RPM) setting and press the
   fire button. When you're asked to move the throttle to full
   afterburner, move the throttle wheel to its maximum setting
   and press the fire button.

Q: I chose "Suncom F-15E Eagle" from the list of joysticks in
   the game, but it doesn't support all the buttons on my
   Suncom F-15E Eagle joystick.

A: First, you need the KEY file for Top Gun. The KEY file
   is available in the Top Gun update to version 1.1 and in
   \JOYSTICK\SUNCOM if you have Top Gun version 1.1 on
   CD-ROM. Next, before loading Top Gun, you need to run
   Suncom's EAGLE.EXE utility to download the SUNCOM.KEY file
   to your Suncom F-15E Eagle. Then choose "Suncom F-15E Eagle"
   from the Joystick setup screen in the game and calibrate
   the stick.

Q: I'm at the joystick calibration screen, and it's telling me
   to move my joystick to the upper left corner and then the
   bottom right. But when I move my joystick, the box doesn't
   move.

A: The joystick calibration screen is showing you where you
   should move the joystick. The box does not move when you
   move the joystick. You simply need to move the joystick to
   the upper left corner when the program asks you to and then
   press the fire button. When it displays the box in the
   lower right corner, just move your joystick to the bottom
   right and press the fire button.

Q: The rudders don't seem to work in the game.

A: The rudders in Top Gun have been simplified to work more
   like a sideslip. In addition, the rudders are only effective
   at slower speeds, such as 250 knots or less. The rudders are
   most useful for landing. You can check to see if the rudders
   are working by looking at a distant fixed object (such as
   the carrier) and pressing the "[" or "]" key.

   Since the rudders are only used to sideslip, Top Gun does
   not support analog rudder controls.

Mice
====
Q: I have a Logitech Marble trackball, and Top Gun crashes as
   soon as the mouse is active.

A: Use the regular MOUSE driver instead of the the CLOAKING
   driver for your Logitech Marble trackball. Top Gun and your
   other programs will work fine with the MOUSE driver.

Q: My mouse doesn't work in the game.

A: If you do not have a mouse driver loaded when you install
   the game, the game will default to playing without a mouse
   even if a mouse driver is loaded later when you play. You
   can re-enable mouse support either by reinstalling the game
   with a mouse driver loaded or by manually modifying the
   TOPGUN.INI file in your \TOPGUN directory.

   If you want to manually modify the TOPGUN.INI file, use a
   text editor to open the TOPGUN.INI file in your \TOPGUN
   directory on your hard drive. Find the line that reads
   "MOUSE=NO" and change it to read "MOUSE=YES."

Simulation
==========
Q: I am having a difficult time evading enemy missiles.

A: Always scan your Radar PIP to look for enemy missiles.
   Don't forget to vary the radar range with the "Z" and
   "X" keys to make sure you're checking ranges from 120 to
   2 miles. The Radar PIP only displays missiles that are
   targeting you, missiles that you have fired and anti-ship
   missiles. All missiles on the Radar PIP must have a lock
   or else they will not show up. The Radar Display, on the
   other hand, shows all missiles in the air within its
   120-degree cone.

   Set object size to Enlarged Objects in the Difficulty menu
   to make the missiles more visible.

   Turn labels on by pressing the "4" key to make the missiles
   more visible. This will also identify the type of missiles
   for you: Alamos are radar-guided whereas Atolls and Archers
   are heat-seekers. In addition, the missile labels will tell
   you what each missile is targeting.

   Keep an eye on your warning lights. If you see the Launch
   Light go on, this means an enemy missile has been fired at
   you. If you then see the Infa Light illuminate, it's a heat-
   seeking missile. Otherwise, it's a radar-guided missile. In
   addition, you'll hear three distinctive warning tones: one
   for SAMs (surface-to-air missiles), one for heat-seeking
   missiles and one for radar-guided missiles. Merlin will yell
   out, "Missile inbound!" or "Missile at eleven o'clock" when
   it gets close.

   If a heat-seeking missile (such as an Atoll or Archer) is
   targeting you, be prepared to head straight at it. Keep
   your eye on the missile's position by checking it on the
   Radar PIP. When the missile is about 4 miles away, you
   should drop flares and pull hard and up.

   If a radar-guided missile (such as an Alamo) is targeting
   you, try to beam it. Keep your eye on the missile's
   position by checking it on the Radar PIP. Beam the missile
   by turning your plane so that it's perpendicular to the
   flight path of the missile. This will help break the
   missile's radar lock on you. When the missile is about 6
   miles away, drop chaff and pull hard and up. Keep an eye on
   your radar and Launch Light to see if the missile re-acquires
   you by getting another radar lock on your plane.

   To really get a good look at what's targeting you, pause
   the game by pressing the "P" key. Then switch to the
   Outside View by pressing the F5 key. You can look at
   different objects by pressing the "N" key. If you turn
   labels on by pressing the "4" key, you can tell which
   missiles are targeting you.

   In addition, Top Gun version 1.1 makes missiles easier to
   spoof at the Novice Enemies level.

Q: I don't see all the missiles on the Radar PIP.

A: The Radar PIP only shows the missiles that are locked onto
   you, missiles that you fired or anti-ship missiles. It does
   not show missiles fired by your wingmen or missiles that
   target your wingmen. In addition, if an enemy plane breaks
   the radar lock on your missile, the missile will disappear
   from the Radar PIP. Similarly, if the missile re-acquires a
   radar lock, it will reappear on the Radar PIP.

   The Radar Display in the Full Cockpit view, on the other
   hand, shows all missiles within its 120-degree cone. In
   fact, the Radar Display shows all objects within its 120-
   degree cone except surface ships, ground units and air
   bases.

Q: There doesn't seem to be any way to turn on ECM in my F-14.

A: Because the F-14 does not have any onboard ECM (electronic
   countermeasures) capability and because your plane is never
   equipped with an ECM pod, there is no way to activate ECM.
   The ECM Light in the cockpit does not refer to your ECM.

Q: I am having problems using the ILS or landing the plane.

A: The most important rule when landing is to start your
   approach from at least 10 miles out from the carrier. This
   will give you ample time to make corrections during the
   approach. Your altitude should be about 2,700 feet when you
   are 10 miles away. At five miles out, your altitude should
   be 1,500 feet and your airspeed should be 250-300 knots.
   Extend the hook and lower your landing gear. At one mile out,
   your altitude should be 275 feet and your airspeed should be
   180 knots. Don't forget to also put on the flaps. Try to hit
   the deck at about 150 knots and land between the white lines.

Missions
========
Q: I don't get unlimited weapons in the Libyan theater even
   though I chose "Unlimited Weapons" at the Difficulty screen.

A: To make sure the final theater was a real challenge, we
   disabled "Unlimited Weapons" in Libya. You can choose
   either "Unlimited Guns" or "Limited Weapons."

Q: I can't figure out to successfully complete a
   reconnaissance mission in Top Gun.

A: The most important thing in recon missions is to make sure
   you're flying low enough. You must be within 5,000 feet or
   less of the target to successfully use the TARPS pod to take
   photos. The range of the TARPS' camera is under 5,000 feet.

Multiplayer
===========
Q: Do I need two copies of Top Gun to play head-to-head?

A: Actually, you can use Disc 1 and your friend can use Disc
   2 to play a head-to-head game, whether over a null-modem
   serial cable, modems or a local network.

Q: Top Gun does not support my modem, which is at IRQ 10.

A: Unfortunately, Top Gun only supports modems at IRQs 2
   through 5.

Q: How can I play Top Gun head-to-head over Kali?

A: In order to play Top Gun over Kali, please read all the Kali
   instructions first about how to play network games over
   Kali. Then you need to tell Top Gun how much network
   bandwidth it has available to it by setting the NETDATARATE
   parameter in the TOPGUN.INI file.

   The chart below tells you what number to use for the
   NETDATARATE parameter. The top row is the number of players
   and the left-hand column is the slowest modem of any player
   in the game.
               |    2      3      4      6      7
   ------------|----------------------------------
    9600 baud  |  1344   1008
               |
   14400 baud  |  2016   1512   1344
               |
   28800 baud  |  4032   3024   2688   2520   2419

   The NETDATARATE number is figured out from the equation
   NETDATARATE = (0.7 * #_players * slowest_modem)/(#_players - 1)
   where the slowest_modem is in bytes/second.

   Please note that you will want to use the Axxis Kali server
   (205.199.96.2) or else your performance will suffer and the
   equation becomes NETDATARATE = (0.7 * #_players * slowest_modem)

Q: I pressed "P" to pause a multiplayer game, but nothing
   happened.

A: Pause is disabled in multiplayer games. You can, however,
   press Esc to pause your game on your machine.