PC Gamer 2.6/1996-07_Disc_2.6.bin/patches/tgv11.exe/README.DOC

Text File | 1996-03-27 | 21KB | 561 lines

+--------------------------+
|                          |
|  TOP GUN: Fire at Will!  |
|                          |
|     Readme.doc file      |
|                          |
|   Version 1.1 Updater    |
|      March 27, 1996      |
|                          |
+--------------------------+

How to Update to Version 1.1
============================
This patch will only work with the English-language version
of TOP GUN: Fire at Will.

To update your copy of Top Gun to version 1.1:

1. Copy the TGV11.EXE file into your \TOPGUN directory.

2. Type "TGV11" at the DOS prompt to run the executable. The
   TGV11.EXE file must be run from your \TOPGUN directory. The
   file will automatically self-extract and decompress the
   updater files into that directory.

3. Type "INSTALL" to update Top Gun to version 1.1.

4. When the update is finished, you can type "CLEAN" to delete
   the unnecessary updater files from your \TOPGUN directory.

You can verify that your copy of Top Gun has been updated to
version 1.1 by looking for "Top Gun v1.1" as the game loads.

Version 1.1 Changes
===================
*  The update should fix some of the crash problems.

*  The Master Volume level will be set correctly in your
   TOPGUN.INI file.

*  Some CD-ROM drives automatically spin down after as little
   as 30 seconds. This will create one to two second pauses in
   the game when the digitized speech starts and the CD-ROM
   drive has to spin up. Version 1.1 automatically prevents
   this problem by intermittently reading the CD-ROM. If you
   do not want this because your CD-ROM drive does not spin
   down, type "TOPGUN NOSLEEP:0" when you run the game.

*  The game will now work on an HP Pavilion with an onboard
   S3 Trio 64V+ or S3 Trio 32 video card under Windows 95.

*  The sound volume level no longer jumps when you zoom all
   the way out in an outside view.

*  It is now easier to dodge missiles if you are playing at
   the Novice Enemies level.

*  Gun kills are now more difficult in multiplayer games for
   a more challenging duel. Guns are just as effective,
   however, in missions as in version 1.0.

*  If you choose to be on the Black team in a multiplayer game,
   all the other Black team members will show up on your radar
   as red blips. In addition, their labels will be colored red.

*  The wingman commands in multiplayer mode work correctly for
   both planes.

*  The program no longer crashes if IPX is not loaded and you
   exit a multiplayer session.

*  You can use the SUPERHI option with Disc 2 inserted.

*  Fuel usage is modeled more accurately.

*  The KEY file for the Suncom F-15E Eagle joystick is now
   included. Read the accompanying text file for further
   instructions.

*  If you wish to temporarily turn ASYNC off in Top Gun
   (and thereby not preseek for data on the CD-ROM), type
   "TOPGUN -ASYNC" at the DOS prompt. This will only take
   effect for one game session. If you wish to turn ASYNC
   on, type "TOPGUN +ASYNC" at the DOS prompt. Neither
   setting will be saved in your TOPGUN.INI file.

Troubleshooting
===============
*  If you are having a problem with the game sometimes
   crashing, this update will hopefully fix some of those
   problems. If not, 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 and changing the
   line that reads "ASYNC=YES" to "ASYNC=NO". This TOPGUN.INI
   change may cause some pauses in the game when you hear the
   digitized radio messages. If you do not want to make a
   permanent change to your TOPGUN.INI file, you can load the
   game by typing "TOPGUN -ASYNC" at the DOS prompt.

*  If you are not hearing all the music and sounds in the game
   even though the Sound Setup test worked fine, you need to
   manually edit your TOPGUN.INI file in your \TOPGUN directory.
   Open the TOPGUN.INI file with a text editor and change the
   line "MASTER_VOLUME=0" to "MASTER_VOLUME=10".

Windows 95
==========

AutoPlay
--------
Some Windows 95 machines do not support AutoPlay. You will need
to double-click the icon for your CD-ROM drive (which is usually
D:). Then double-click the icon labeled Autoplay.exe (or
Autoplay) to install the game. It's the icon that looks like a
small window.

To run the game from Windows 95, use the following procedure:

1. Make sure the TOP GUN: Fire at Will Disc 1 is in the CD-ROM
   drive.

2. Double-click on "My Computer."

3. Double-click on the icon for your hard drive (usually C:).

4. Double-click the "Topgun" folder to open it.

5. Double-click the Topgun.exe (or Topgun) file to run the
   game. It's the icon that looks like a small window.

We recommend, however, that run the game in MS-DOS mode rather
than in a DOS compatibility box.

Running TOP GUN in Windows 95 After a DOS Install
-------------------------------------------------
If you originally installed the game from DOS and now you want
to run the game from Windows 95 in a DOS compatibility box,
you either need to re-install the game or edit the properties
for Topgun.exe.

If you want to edit the properties for Topgun.exe, follow these
directions:

1.  Make sure the TOP GUN: Fire at Will Disc 1 is in the
    CD-ROM drive.

2.  Double-click on "My Computer."

3.  Double-click on the icon for your hard drive (usually C:).

4.  Double-click the "Topgun" folder to open it.

5.  Use your right mouse button to click on Topgun.exe (or
    Topgun). It's the icon that looks like a small window.

6.  Click on the "Memory" tab.

7.  Make sure "Conventional memory" is set to "Auto."

8.  Make sure "Initial environment" is set to "Auto."

9.  Make sure "Expanded (EMS) memory" is set to "None."

10. Make sure "Extended (XMS) memory" is set to "Auto." In
    that same section, be sure that "Uses HMA" has a checkmark
    next to it.

11. Make sure "MS-DOS protected-mode (DPMI) memory" is set
    to "16384."

12. Click on the "Misc" tab.

13. Make sure "Idle sensitivity" is set to "Low."

14. In the "Termination" section, make sure that "Warn if still
    active" has a checkmark next to it.

15. Finally, make sure that all other options in this window
    DO NOT have checkmarks next to them.

16. Click on "OK" to complete the procedure. You can run the
    game as normal now.

Memory
======
*  We highly recommend disabling SmartDrive before running the
   game in order to get enough extended memory (XMS) to run
   the game.

*  You need 6.5MB of XMS on an 8MB RAM machine in order to run
   the game. This means that SmartDrive must be disabled before
   running the game.

*  You need 16MB of XMS (extended memory) or else the game will
   automatically create a 16MB swap file. This means that if
   you don't have 16MB of XMS, you will need to have 16MB of
   free hard drive space for the game's swap file. You can
   check how much XMS you have free by typing "MEM/C" at the
   DOS prompt and looking at the number in the "Free" column
   for "Extended (XMS)."

*  If you change the amount of RAM your computer has from 8MB
   to 16MB (or vice versa), you need to reinstall the game.
   You can save your campaign status by copying all the *.SAV
   files to a different directory before you reinstall.

Game Performance
================
*  The more free XMS your computer has, the better the
   performance of the game. Lowering detail and terrain
   levels will decrease memory usage. Turning off the music
   will also increase performance.

*  To improve game performance on an 8MB machine, turn off the
   clouds (press the "1" key on the top row of the keyboard).

*  Playing in the HUD Only view (F9) will improve performance
   on an 8MB RAM machine.

*  The installation program will automatically set the game's
   resolution based on the speed of your computer's processor.
   It will default to Low for a 80486 system and High for a
   Pentium-based system. If you change the resolution on a
   66MHz 80486 to High, it will severely impede performance
   and may cause sound in the game to skip and stutter.

*  To improve game performance on a computer with 8MB RAM, you
   should defragment your disk periodically.

*  To improve game performance, you might want to save and
   restart the game after prolonged game playing.

Graphics
========
*  If you want to see the terrain in higher resolution, type
   "TOPGUN SUPERHI" which will provide higher resolution
   terrain in 640 x 480 mode. The SUPERHI option will lower
   your frame rate and is recommended for Pentium 90s and
   faster. When using the SUPERHI option, be sure to set the
   terrain detail level to medium. If you set the terrain
   detail to very high _and_ use the SUPERHI option, the frame
   rate will be too slow to play on a Pentium 90 (although it
   will look very good). You can also increase the frame rate
   by turning off the clouds by pressing the "1" key.

*  To get cockpit graphics in the Virtual Cockpit, you need to
   set the object detail to "high" before starting a mission.

Alternate Boot Disk Maker
=========================
If the boot disk made by the Top Gun installer does not seem to
work, please try the alternate boot disk maker in \UTILS\BOOTMKR
on Disc 1. Please read its Readme file for instructions on how
to use this alternate boot disk maker.

Forcing an 8MB RAM or 16MB RAM Installation
===========================================
If the installation program is incorrectly detecting the amount
of RAM you have on your computer, you can force the installer
to install either the 8MB or 16MB version of the game. (The 8MB
RAM version disables some features that require more memory.)

To force the installer to install an 8MB version, at the DOS
prompt, type:

     INSTALL -8

To force the installer to install a 16MB version, at the DOS
prompt, type:

     INSTALL -16

You can force an 8MB or 16MB installation from Windows 95 by
hitting the "Run..." button and typing one of the above
commands.

Weapons
=======
When you are flying Top Gun missions at Miramar, your
weapons will be restricted to Unlimited Guns (even if you
choose Unlimited Weapons) for training purposes.

In addition, you will be restricted to Unlimited Guns or
Limited Weapons in Libya in order to make the missions in
the final theater more challenging.

Mouse Support
=============
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 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."

Joystick Support
================

Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro
---------------------------
In order to make your Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro joystick work
with Top Gun, you first need to make sure the joystick is set
to emulate a CH FlightStick Pro. Move the "Joystick switch" on
the bottom of the stick 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.

ThrustMaster Macros
-------------------
Owners of ThrustMaster joystick products can find a number
of macros that will set up your joystick for Top Gun. These
macros can be found on Top Gun Disc 1 in the \JOYSTICK\TMASTER
directory. The five macros are for use with varying combinations
of ThrustMaster hardware:

QTOPGUN.B50     For use with the FLCS and TQS in combination

TOPGUN.B50      For use with the FLCS alone or with the FLCS
                and WCS Mark II in combination

TOPGUN.ADV      For use with the FCS and WCS Mark II in
                combination

TOPGUN.MDF      For use with the WCS Mark II alone

TOPGUN.M50      For use with the FLCS alone

To install these macros, copy the appropriate macro from Top
Gun Disc 1 to the directory where you have your ThrustMaster
(or CS Commander) utilities and launch your application to
download the macro to your joystick. You can then run the game
and your joystick(s) will be operational.

NOTE: When using the FLCS and TQS in combination (the
QTOPGUN.B50 macro), you must include USE NO MOUSE in the
.B50 file so that your mouse will not conflict with the TQS
trackball.

Be sure to choose the Joystick option "Programmable stick" in
the Setup area when playing the game.

The CH Throttle
---------------
On Top Gun Disc 1 in the \JOYSTICK\CH directory, there is a
template for using your CH Throttle with TOP GUN: Fire at Will.
Simply copy the file TOPGUN.KEY to the directory with your CH
Throttle software and type:

     THROTTLE TOPGUN.KEY

from the DOS prompt to load the batch file. You can then run
the game and your CH Throttle will be configured properly.

Suncom F-15E Eagle
------------------
This update includes a SUNCOM.KEY file for the Suncom F-15E
Eagle joystick. Before loading Top Gun, you need to run
Suncom's EAGLE.EXE utility to download Top Gun's KEY file to
the Suncom joystick. Then choose "Suncom F-15E Eagle" from the
Joystick setup screen in the game and calibrate the stick. For
more information, please read the SUNCOM.TXT file.

Throttle Calibration
--------------------
If you are having difficulty calibrating the throttle wheel on
your joystick, make sure you move the throttle all the way to
its maximum setting and then back down to full MIL power (100%
RPM) when the calibration routine prompts you for "full MIL
power."

Sounds
======
*  You can temporarily silence the missile's seeker growl, lock
   sound or radar lock by pressing Shift-Y. This command will
   also temporarily silence an enemy lock or enemy missile
   launch tone. As soon as you change weapons, exterior views
   or a new threat gains a lock or launches a missile at you,
   the sound will come back.

*  In odd circumstances, some sounds might repeat an extra
   time. To silence these sounds, we recommend that you pause
   the game by pressing the "P" key. Then continue the game by
   pressing the "P" key again.

Aptivas with MWave Sound cards
==============================
As mentioned in the Installation and Loading Guide, some Aptiva
owners with an MWave sound card will need to make changes to
their CMOS before installing the game. Follow these directions
to make the proper adjustments for the Top Gun installer to
recognize your sound card:

1. Once inside your CMOS setup, change the address of Serial
   ports A and B to something that won't conflict the setting
   of your sound card. (For example: 2E8h-IRQ3 for Serial A and
   3E8h-IRQ4 for Serial B).

2. When the computer boots up, run the MWCONFIG program in the
   \MWD\MANAGER directory on your hard drive.

3. Change the settings so that you are set up for a Sound
   Blaster card, Port 220, IRQ 5 and DMA 1.

4. Exit the MWCONFIG program and check your AUTOEXEC.BAT file
   to be sure that one of the lines reads:

   BLASTER=A220 I5 D1

5. Reboot your computer and type the following at the DOS
   prompt:

   MWGAMES ON CD

   You will need to run this each time before running our game.

6. Install the game as normal. When the Sound Card Setup
   screen appears, the Auto Detect feature will detect your
   sound card as a Sound Blaster 8. Do a Sound Test to make
   sure the card is set up properly.

   Sound in the game should work properly as long as you run
   MWGAMES ON CD before you run TOP GUN: Fire at Will. Because
   the MWave card includes both a modem and a sound card on
   the same card, you cannot use both simultaneously. This
   means that you cannot have sound if the modem is in use.

Multiplayer
===========
*  Network play has been successfully tested with up to 8
   players at a time.

*  Top Gun defaults to using socket 0x6846 for network play.
   If that socket is in use by another network application, you
   will not be able to play a multiplayer game over the network.
   Please check with your network administrator to find an
   available socket. You can manually edit your TOPGUN.INI file
   in the \TOPGUN directory to change the default socket number.
   Just add the line "SOCKET=<hex number>" to the TOPGUN.INI
   file. For example, "SOCKET=0x250".

Multiplayer Under Windows 95
----------------------------
All of the information below is relevant only if you are
playing a multiplayer game under Windows 95:

*  Your serial communications run best in MS-DOS mode (rather
   than in a DOS compatibility box). If you plan to play
   multiplayer mode, we recommend rebooting your computer in
   MS-DOS mode. This is because in a DOS compatibility box,
   if you have a 16550AF UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/
   Transmitter Chip), the game will force it to emulate an
   8250 UART which is slower.

*  If you are playing multiplayer games over a network in
   MS-DOS mode, you will experience performance problems if you
   use the "Microsoft Client for NetWare Network" drivers.
   Wherever possible, you should use Novell IPX drivers (VLMs)
   when playing the game in MS-DOS mode. If you are running on
   a Novell network and have Novell IPX drivers, consult your
   Novell NetWare manuals for complete installation
   information.

*  If you are playing multiplayer games over a network,
   performance can sometimes be improved by running the game
   in a DOS compatiblity box (vs. in MS-DOS mode).

*  If you are playing multiplayer games over a network and
   are using 3COM Etherlink III cards, performance can be
   improved by running the game in a DOS compatibility box
   (vs. in MS-DOS mode). We also suggest that you install the
   latest NDIS drivers from 3COM.

*  If you are playing multiplayer game over a network and
   are getting the error message "Pool error" after you
   select "Go Back" from the Join Pool screen, wait 15
   seconds before you select "Go Back."

Adding a Modem Not Listed in the Game
-------------------------------------
If you are playing Top Gun by modem and do not see your brand
of modem listed in the "Modem Setup" dialog boxes, you can
manually add it to the MODEM.LIB file in your game directory.

Using a text editor, open the MODEM.LIB file in the TOPGUN
directory on your hard drive. You will see a short set of
instructions and then a list of modems. Each modem has four
variables you must enter in to get your modem to work (refer
to your modem's instruction manual for the specific
information):

MODEMNAME=     type in the name of your modem here. This name
               will appear on the modem list when running "Modem
               Setup." Example: Boca 28.8 FaxModem EXT.

INITSTRING=    type in the initialization string of your modem
               here. Example: AT&F or AT&F1.

HANGUPSTRING=  type in the hang up string of your modem here.
               Example: ATH0.

BAUDRATE=      type in the baud rate of your modem here
               (without any commas). For example: 19200.

Once you save the file, you can go to "Modem Setup" in the Modem
section of Multiplayer mode and choose your modem from the list.


Wingman Commands in Multiplayer Mode
------------------------------------
If you are part of a team in multiplayer mode, you can send
suggestions to your wingman (or wingmen) through keyboard
commands. The appropriate suggestion will be heard only by you
and your wingmen.

Ctrl-A   Break left
Ctrl-D   Break right
Ctrl-W   Break high
Ctrl-X   Break down

Ctrl-Z   Bracket left
Ctrl-C   Bracket right
Ctrl-2   Drag left
Ctrl-3   Drag right

Ctrl-1   Help me!
Ctrl-4   Engage

Customer Support Information
============================
For more answers to frequently asked questions, please read
FAQ.TXT.

If you have any questions about this game that cannot be
answered either in this file, the Top Gun FAQ or in the
Installation and Loading Guide, contact Spectrum HoloByte
Customer Support at:

Spectrum HoloByte            [phone]
2490 Mariner Square Loop     9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time
Alameda, CA  94501           Monday through Friday
Attn: Customer Support       Fax [phone]

Automated Tech Support and Fax back: (800)TECH958
Spectrum HoloByte Bulletin Board: [phone]

America Online: S HOLOBYTE
AT&T Interchange: SHOLOBYTE
CompuServe: 76004,2144
GEnie: HOLOBYTE
Internet: [e-mail]
World Wide Web: http://www.holobyte.com