ProfitPress Mega CDROM2 Shareware Freeware (MSDOS)(1992)(Eng)

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Text File | 1991-04-21 | 45.9 KB | 1,157 lines

┌────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ SUPER Rig! V4.3b │ │ ******************** │ │ │ │ Live BBS Game for Wildcat!, RBBS, │ │ QuickBBS, GAP, GTPower's, Phoenix & others │ │ Version Release 04-16-91 │ │ │ │ (C)opyright 1989-91 │ │ │ │ -By- │ │ │ │ Late Nite Software │ │ │ │ Marvin Davis │ │ 313 Queens Road │ │ Sanford, NC 27330 │ │ │ │ Late-Nite BBS (919) 776-2368 │ │ USR Dual Standard V.42/32, V.22bis │ │ 14400/9600/4800/2400/1200/300 24 hrs │ │ │ │ │ │ │ └────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Super Rig! (C)opyright 1989-91 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S --------------------------------- Warranty, Disclaimer ......................................... page 1 Registration ................................................. page 1 Zip contents, tech support number............................. page 2 Game descriptions & features.................................. page 3 WildCat! Setup................................................ page 4 RBBS/QuickBBS Setup........................................... page 4 GAP & GTPower Setup........................................... page 4 Phoenix Setup................................................. page 4 PCBoard setup................................................. page 5 WWIV Setup.................................................... page 5 MULTI-NODE BBS setups......................................... page 6 GENERIC BBS setup from batchfile.............................. page 7 Keyboard or LOCAL play........................................ page 8 Line 25 (Game Status Line).................................... page 8 Wildcat batchfile example..................................... page 8 RBBS Door batchfile example................................... page 9 Installation Tips............................................. page 10 New ".KEY" file auto registration............................. page 11 Trouble and communications of;................................ Appendix A Trouble with ANSI graphics.................................... Appendix B Registration mail in form..................................... Appendix C Super Rig! (C)opyright 1989-91 Warranty ======== This is product is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. The entire risk as to the results and program performance is assumed by you. Also, in addition, I the author do not warrant, guarantee, or make any representations regarding the use of, or the results of the use of the program and you rely on the program and results solely at your own risk. The author cannot accept responsibility for system damage, profit loss, or any other special, incidental or consequential damages resulting from the use, misuse or inability to use this product. If you understand this, then please proceed. Copyright --------- The 'Super Rig!' live game is distributed as SHAREWARE. Under this concept you may use a SHAREWARE (unregistered) version for a reasonable period of time, which I CONSIDER TO BE 30 DAYS, after which you MUST either register your copy or DISCONTINUE usage altogether! Registration ------------ With registration you will receive the latest registered copy of Super Rig! with the ability to download any futher updates from The Late-Nite BBS! at no extra cost. You will also receive any support the author can give in reference to bugs or other problems that may arise in using the game. I feel that sysop's have enough expense without charging a high cost for games for their users. I have set the cost of registration at $13.00 for single node BBS, $15.00 for a 2-4 Multi-Node BBS and maximum of $20.00 for any BBS of 4 nodes or more (ie. 5-99 nodes). >> See REGISTRATION FORM in this archive for additional instructions << When registered, the Doorware message and DELAY will not be present. Do not attempt to delete or alter the Doorware message as the game will now cease to function entirely. It is most unfortunate that I was FORCED to resort to an annoy screen BUT - with less than 5% registrations coming in there was no choice left. Shareware is NOT FREE software. Shareware is a system by which authors deal with users directly and no marketing type middle-men are needed. This is where 75-85% of the cost of software is generated! Distribution ------------ You are free, in fact encouraged, to distribute a SHAREWARE (unregistered) version of Super Rig! live game, provided that all files contained in the ORIGINAL Super Rig! archive are distributed in the absolute ORIGINAL form. Super Rig! (C)opyright 1989-91, Page 1 CONTENTS of the .ZIP archive file: These files are found in your Zip or will be created during the runtime; --------------------------------------------------------------------------- README ;read this first! Startup Info... COPDAY ASC ;files than have a .ASC extension are MONOchrome data files. DAY0 ASC ; DAY1 ASC ; NEWYORK ASC ; SUPERIG ASC ; TRUKSTOP ASC ; DOOR35 BAT ;>sample BBS batch file example SUPERIG CFG ;GAME configuration - setup file. * SUPERIG DAT ;game score datafile SUPRHLP SCR ;Color game instruction screen SUPERIG DOC ;GAME DOCUMENTATION - Print it out and read it! SETUP EXE ;Setup program for game, just run. SUPERIG EXE ;Super Rig! Game REGISTER FRM ;Form to mail in your registration. COPDAY SCR ;files that have .SCR extension are ANSI color data files. COPNITE SCR ; DAY0 SCR ; DAY1 SCR ; DAY2 SCR ; DAY3 SCR ; DAY4 SCR ; DAY5 SCR ; [ANSI data files] DAY6 SCR ; DAY7 SCR ; NEWYORK SCR ; NITE1 SCR ; SUPERIG SCR ; TITLE SCR ; TRUKSTOP SCR ; SUPRHLP ASC ;MONOchrome game instructions screen. * SUPERIG ERR ;(logs runtime errors) DOORWARE ASC ;Doorware announcement - WARNING, DO NOT DELETE OR EDIT! CRASH SCR ;Color users only crash screen * SCORBORD SCR ;Top 10 Color scoreboard * SCORBORD ASC ;Top 10 Mono scoreboard * BULL# BBS ;MONO bulletin (auto TOP TEN) Path in SUPERIG.CFG * BULL# SCR ;COLOR bulletin (auto TOP TEN) Path in SUPERIG.CFG ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ * DENOTES that file is updated/created during RUN-TIME. Registered Users Technical Support: ----------------------------------- If you have problems with Super RIG!, you may contact Marvin Davis at Late-Nite BBS! 24 hrs. Node-1 (919) 776-2368 14400/9600/2400 USR-DS V42/32 Node-2 (919) 775-4477 2400/1200/300 MNP Registration/ Order Information: -------------------------------- Please refer to the REGISTER.FRM file included on this disk to register your Late-Nite games with me. A quick and easy form is ready to fill out and mail. Registered users are entitled to FREE updates to any registered Late-Nite BBS game. You can download them directly from the BBS Doorware download section on Late-Nite BBS. Super Rig! (C)opyright 1989-91, Page 2 -Super Rig!- (C) 1989-91 Marvin Davis Super Rig is a new game. It takes off where a simular game named "Big Rig" leaves you. Those of you who've played "Big-Rig" will enjoy this game much more, as more is included. Watch your speed, route and cargo carefully and make the most out of stops at the 'Greasy Spoon' Truck Stop! Watchout for the Waitress's and Mechanic's. They can either help you or hurt you! This game supports both MONOchrome and ANSI Color graphics modes. COM ports COM1-COM4, game exit on Carrier loss, and complete keyboard control during runtime. Game is configured by the configuration file below. Support for several popular BBS programs, WildCat!, RBBS, QBBS, GAP and PCBoard are a few to name. Also, a command line 'generic' setup for use with basically any BBS program that can pass DOS variables to a batch file. The game has a "dead time" of two minutes at any prompt and the game is terminated. The following ASCII configuration file is commented so that it can easily edited to comform to your BBS. The file must be in this form to correctly pass important parameters to the game. You may RUN the SETUP.EXE program to assist in writing this file - which is recommended for first time users. All the text to the right of the ";" semicolons are just remarks only! SUPERIG.CFG ;game config file ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Starvin' Marv's ;Your BBS's name Marvin ;Sysops first name Davis ;Sysops last name C:\BBS\CALLINFO.BBS ;BBS caller file supported (see list) C:\BBS\BULLETS\BULL#22.BBS ;PATH for Text bulletin C:\BBS\BULLETS\BULL#22.SCR ;PATH for ANSI Color Bulletin RTS/CTS ;Locked DTE baud rate "LOCKED {baud} RTS/CTS" N/A ;or Printer Logging ports [LPT1-3] NONE ;or REGISTERED Name 00000 ;or game SERIAL number. HORN OFF ;* registered users "BELL off" feature. * *( NOTE )* HST users will need to add a hardware handshake to the LOCKED DTE baud with letters "RTS/CTS" after LOCKED {baud}, so line #7 should read for DTE 19200 this; LOCKED 19200 RTS/CTS BULLETINS --------- On game completion, automatic TOP TEN Bulletins, both MONOCHROME and COLOR will be created to the PATH/FILESPEC designated. If a user aborts the game at a speed prompt with 'Q', then the game is exited and no bulletin created. If NO BULLETINS ARE WISHED, or no color bulletin is supported, then place a N/A in line #6 and #7, where a PATH parameters/filespec would be! PRINTER LOG ----------- If a printer is being used to keep a running log of callers, errors, etc., then you can place in upper case LPTx (x = 1-3) in place of N/A in line #8. Play min's, start and end time are send to printer port "x" (where x= from 1 to 3). Also, untrapped errors are recorded and are useful in isolating problems. Super Rig! (C)opyright 1989-91, Page 3 Command Line parameter syntax: ------------------------------ SUPERIG {space} /game switch(s) WILDCAT! V2.xx -> Caller info file = CALLINFO.BBS -------------- SUPERIG /WC ;the ' /WC' parameter instructs the game to run under ;WildCat! and get its user info from the CALLINFO.BBS ;file that WildCat! produces when running a door. ;CALLINFO.BBS path and filespec are configured in the ;SUPERIG.CFG file line # 4. RBBS V17.xx or QBBS -> Caller info file = DORINFOx.DEF ------------------- SUPERIG /RBBS ;the ' /RBBS' parameter instructs the game to run under or ;RBBS and to get its user info from the DORINFOx.DEF SUPERIG /QBBS ;file, where 'x' is the node number. For a single line ;board x = 1 and the infor file would be DORINFO1.DEF ;DORINFO1.DEF path and filespec are configured in the ;SUPERIG.CFG file line # 4. QuickBBS users whose BBS software writes the DORINFO1.DEF file can use the /RBBS command line switch to inform the game that it is to get its caller information from the same compatible file DORINFO1.DEF. So QuickBBS users can use the RBBS setup for their board software. If you wish to run port locked DTE then set that spec in the SUPERIG.CFG file and it will ignore any baud rate in the DORINFO1.DEF file. GAP BBS -> Caller info file = DOOR.SYS ------- SUPERIG /GAP ;Set game for GAP and read in DOOR.SYS as it caller ;file. filename entered on line #4 of SUPERIG.CFG. ;If you are a GAP user and wish locked port DTE baud ;then RUN SETUP.EXE or enter LOCKED {baud} on line # 7 ;of SUPERIG.CFG file. GTPOWER -> Caller info file = GTUSER.BBS ------- SUPERIG /GTP ;Sets game for GTPower and read in GTUSER.BBS caller file ;for caller infor. Since this BBS's caller file does NOT ;contain current COM PORT configuration you may need an ;additional switch to set the game COM port up. EXAMPLE; ;SUPERIG /GTP/2 ;sets game for COM2: from DEFAULT of COM1 ;so, If using COM1 ignore the "/2" switch parameter. PHOENIX V1.x -> Caller info file = INFO.BBS ------------ SUPERIG /PHX ;Sets game for PHOENIX and read in INFO.BBS for caller ;info. Game will get it baud speed from this file and if ;you are a HST user - use the SUPERIG.CFG file to setup a ;LOCKED port of 19200 or 34400 baud to ignore the caller ;DCE baud rates. This can be done in SETUP as well. Super Rig! (C)opyright 1989-91, Page 4 PCBoard V14.x and up -> Caller info file = PCBoard.Sys -------------------- SUPERIG /PCB ;the ' /PCB' switch instructs the game to run under ;PCBoard and get its user info from PCBOARD.SYS. WWIV V4.07+ -> Caller info file = CHAIN.TXT ---------- SUPERIG /WWIV ;the ' /WWIV' switch instructs the game to run under ;a WWIV board and get its caller info from CHAIN.TXT ;Extracted from CHAIN.TXT lines are these lines; ;Line # 3, users real name ;Line #14, ANSI graphics ;Line #15, Local or Remote (Remote = modem user) ;Line #16, remaining time left in sec's ;Line #20, user baud rate ;Line #21, COM port used Super Rig! (C)opyright 1989-91, Page 5 Multi-Node Setup config's: -------------------------- A switch setting is added to the command line for the Node that is calling up the game. Place this after the command line switch for the BBS that is using the game. An example below is set for WildCat on Node #1; SUPERIG /WC /NODE1 The following additional switch will cause the game to read in a file in the current game directory called SUPRIGxx.CFG instead of the normal BBS configuration file called SUPERIG.CFG. You may edit these files directly in an ASCII editor, or use the SETUP.EXE file and fill in the prompts to create them. Nodes from 1-99 can have separate SUPRIGxx.CFG (where x = 1-99) in the current game directory, and in this you can point to the NODE directorys caller file. Below is a SAMPLE batchfile that might call the game from NODE 2 for instance called SUPRIG2.BAT; CD DOOR#3 SUPERIG /WC /NODE2 ECHO Game finished, returning to BBS CD BBS CAT The NODExx (where x =1-99) switch will instruct SUPERIG.EXE to read in a different game .CFG file when its invoked. Note the complete PATH to the caller file for the particular Node. Example, a SUPRIG2.CFG file might contain the following data; Starvin' Marv's Marvin Davis C:\BBS\NODE2\CALLINFO.BBS C:\BULLETS\BULL#22.BBS C:\BULLETS\BULL#22.SCR RTS/CTS N/A NONE 00000 At present 99 'nodes' and 4 COM ports are supported (ie. COM1-4). They're normally assigned to their respective COM ports, NODE1 to COM1 and NODE2 to COM2. The game will look in the caller file that is specified in the SUPRIGxx.CFG file, and the game will use the COM port specified for that caller. Under different 'node' configuration files, you could have two different scoreboard bulletins created, one for each node - but the game will only have one scoreboard file in both ANSI and ASC format in its own door directory at the completion of a successful run by a player. These are always created on a good run even if the .CFG file lists an N/A for BBS bulletin scoreboard file creation. Super Rig! (C)opyright 1989-91, Page 6 GENERIC BBS ----------- SUPERIG /GEN ;the ' /GEN' parameter instructs the game to look for ;its basic configuration info on the command line! ;You can set up the game to run on any BBS that can ;pass parameters to %1, %2, %3 etc. DOS variables to ;your calling batchfile. ;Parameters shown below with parameters separated with ;a SPACE character. SUPERIG /GEN COM1 n AN ;where COM is either COM1 or COM2, where "n" is the ;specified baud rate below; 0 = 300 1 = n/a [NOTE: 1 is NOT USED!] 2 = 1200 3 = 2400 4 = 4800 5 = 9600 6 = 19200 ;8 data bit, 1 stop bit and no parity are defaulted. ;The AN instructs Super Rig to use ANSI color graphics ;and an AS instructs to use standard ASCII text. ;Without ANSI or ASCII specified, ASCII is defaulted. ;The following is an example of a 'generic' setup. SUPERIG /GEN COM1 3 AN -> sets PORT as COM1, speed as 2400 and also uses ANSI COLOR graphics. Super Rig! (C)opyright 1989-90, Page 7 KEYBOARD PLAY -or- LOCAL mode ----------------------------- SUPERIG /LOCAL ;sets game to play on the keyboard, with no color. SUPERIG /LOCAL/C ;set game to play on keyboard and use COLOR graphics. ;NOTE, bulletins are NOT created in LOCAL keyboard mode. ;This a purely an evaluation mode for the SYSOP! SETUP EXAMPLES -------------- Setting up Super Rig! for WildCat! version 2.xx, create a batch file to; (1) call the game with file SUPERIG /WC (2) last line in batch file calls WILDCAT! back An "example" batch file from WildCat1 ver 2.xx, named DOOR35.BAT might look like this; CD DOOR#xx CD RIGGAME SUPERIG /WC CD \WILDCAT CAT ** Be VERY careful with PATH for files, it must be complete and correct! ** Game STATUS LINE; ----------------- While running the game, the bottom screen line (line # 25) will be the current Player Status Line. The Game name, players name, date, time of game start, callers baud rate and current state of the print 'LOG'. This will let the SysOp know whether or not he or she has the program logging to printer. If the SysOp wishes to 'nuke' a player out of the game, the ESC key is the kill key. Once pressed the game is immediately terminated so take care, on some keyboards (84 and 102) have the ESC key right next to the number 1 key! FOR REGISTERED USERS!! ---------------------- Extra features are allowed on the function keys. At any prompt other than a "(Y/N?)" prompt, the "F1" key will toggle the bottom status line to show the function key definitions. F1, F5, F9 are displayed to show that you have a [Drop to DOS] and a [Online Chat] mode! You can chat with a caller in the game and resume with F9 key which acts as a Chat modem toggle. Also displayed is the "remaining players minutes". Which is helpful if you see that a player is about to run out of time. Players will be warned each minute upon reaching five minutes of play left. Remaining minutes of the call are read in on the BBS caller file if one is available in the config files for WildCat! and RBBS, so users aren't allowed to exceed their time. HONK HONK! ---------- Some SysOps who sleep next to their computers have requested a feature to turn OFF the HORN when the game runs. Users who play the game at 3:00 am are keeping their SysOps awake, so I've added a parameter for 'registered' users to add a parameter to end of the SUPERIG.CFG (line #12). The word 'HORN OFF' will cause no sound will be emmitted during a players 'run'. Super Rig! (C)opyright 1989-91, Page 8 RBBS sample batch file (door) ----------------------------- RBBS example by Wayne Aiken, Sysop, StarFleet BBS, Raleigh NC 919-782-3095 RBBS has the capability to call DOORs (by either) SHELLing out to DOS, or by quitting RBBS completely. My system does the latter. When RBBS quits to a DOOR, it dynamically builds a file called RCTTY.BAT. This file is dynamically created, and contains the name of the next batch file in the sequence, the batch file that invokes the particular door: ------------------------------- RBBS.BAT ------------------------------------ echo off cd \RBBS if exist RBBS1F1.DEF del RBBS1F1.DEF if exist RBBS1TM.DEF del RBBS1TM.DEF if exist RCTTY.BAT del RCTTY.BAT WATCHDOG OFF RBBS-PC if exist RBBS1F1.DEF goto Exit if exist RCTTY.BAT RCTTY.BAT if exist RBBS1TM.DEF RBBS1TM.BAT E:\RBBS\RBBS.BAT :Exit -------------------------------- RBBS.BAT ----------------------------------- In the example above, the presence of the file RBBS1F1.DEF means that RBBS has been ordered to shut down, RCTTY.BAT means a DOOR will be executed, and RBBS1TM.DEF means that the daily event has been invoked. All of these files are deleted when RBBS starts up, if it is recycled as in the case of a DOOR or scheduled event. RCTTY.BAT contains the lines: G:\COMMAND /C xxxx E:\RBBS\RBBS.BAT where xxxx is the name of the batch file for the Door. This name must also appear in MENU5x, which is the Doors menu. A sample batch file for the door, in this case the Superig door is: watchdog off e: cd \rbbs\game superig /rbbs cd \rbbs I set WATCHDOG off because the Superig door automatically monitors carrier detect. After the program terminates, I have it go back to the proper directories. When it quits, it falls back to RCTTY.BAT (/c parm), which then invokes RBBS. RBBS is a pretty big file to be re-loading each time, but I have it in a RAM disk so it does it fairly quickly. Some sysops may use the SHELLing method to do it. In either case, this shouldn't affect your Doors programs, except possibly if this SHELLing makes memory tight. RBBS takes up about 384K of memory, which is why I use the RUN method in the case that I got a DOOR which was also memory-hungry. Super Rig! (C)opyright 1989-91, Page 9 Installation tips; ------------------ For those with slow hard drives, you can run this game from a RamDisk to save wear-and-tear on accessing. Since color files are stored on disk as files, the disk access is fairly constant. I use a large 'disk cache' on my BBS to speed up repeat accesses. Once the game, color and data files are read once, those files are no longer accessed for reading. So you might use a disk-cache or RamDisk to enhance your systems speed or save some usage on your hard disk! If all the files were hard coded into the game, it would be too large for most BBS's to run, especially from a SHELL process. If you have a printer on your board, use it to monitor the users during the game run. Also any runtime errors that are not trapped will be printed out on the printer. This game has almost 500 hours of continous use and most errors possible are trapped. But some users have a knack of finding even the weakest link in any program so if you experience any repeatable errors and they can be duplicated, they will be fixed upon reporting them to me! Place ALL FILES THAT ACCOMPANY THIS ZIP FILE IN THE SAME DOOR # directory! Everything that you need to operate this game is included in this ZIP. To print the documentation file on a printer type: C:>TYPE SUPERIG.DOC > PRN <RETURN> or C:>COPY SUPERIG.DOC PRN <RETURN> To view to screen: C:>TYPE SUPERIG.DOC (use CTRL-S or CRTL-Q to stop/start) NOTE: A couple of WildCat! sysops have been having problems with my games dropping carrier when a user quits the game. This is NOT a programming problem. The game forces DTR high on game end to prevent DTR drop on the modem when the program ends. If your WildCat is still having DTR problems on game ending, try changing your modem delay in the initialization string within makewild. Changing the S10 register to S10=24 gives more time for the board to reset before the modem thinks a user has dropped carrier. Many modems are quite touchy! This compiled version of Super Rig! uses a patched runtime library so that the DTR line is never touched on game exit. Thank you for trying Super Rig! I hope you enjoy it! Super Rig! (C) 1989 Marvin Davis Page - 10 Registration Format Update! --------------------------- A new scheme is now being used to 'register' ALL game(s) with me. Instead of having your name encoded into the game, a ".KEY" file will now be used and you will be issued an individual "serial number" in which to place in the same directory as the door game. This key file will be in ASCII format and contain your name (or BBS name if you so wish) and your individualized serial number for registration identification/validation. Every time the game is invoked, the current directory will be polled for its "key" file and if found will be automatically read in by the program and your registered name and serial number will be validated and the game then be unlocked and registered automatically! V4.0 and above registration update! ----------------------------------- If you are a prior registered user of any Late-Nite door, you can take the information in a game .KEY file (ie. registered name and serial #) and now enter this into the GAME.CFG file via an ASCII editor or SETUP.EXE. You will NO LONGER NEED the .KEY file system as you now have your registration information as to the registered name and serial number! This will skip the test for a ".KEY" file in the current directory. Either methods, will function to register your door and display the registration information. NOTE: ----- If you wish to only register a version of a Late-Nite door game that you currently have, then you will NOT require me to send you a disk with the game on it UNLESS you wish to obtain other games (evaulation copies) or a current release of a game (if one is available) you're presently running, then send $10.00 US for your "Key" info to immediately register your game. This can also be supplied in E-MAIL or CHAT from me on Late-Nite BBS! Upon receipt of your registration amount, I can make available the "KEY" info for you to download from Late-Nite BBS and you can place this key info into the SETUP.EXE program or add to your SUPERIG.CFG in the current game directory and immediately register without waiting for the mail! We're talking maybe a two or three minute call to accomplish this. -> If you have registered a previous release from me and wish to update to the new registration format (ie key file) you can write me for your serial number and create the file yourself with any ASCII editor or just use the COPY CON (console) DOS command to quickly enter the file directly into a DOS ASCII file! Or, you can call Late-Nite BBS and request the info in an E-mail msg to me ([F]eedback to Sysop). To SysOps of Honesty and Integrity! ---------------------------------- To the SysOps who have registered my doors on your BBS, I wish to express my sincere THANKS for your integrity and devotion to the 'True Spirit' of Shareware. It has encouraged me to begin writing more doors... Starvin' Marv's Late-Nite BBS, Sanford NC 340 Megs w/4000+ files online. Node-1 (919) 776-2368 14400/9600/4800/2400 HST Dual Std. (24 hrs) Node-2 (919) 775-4477 2400/1200/300 USR Courier MNP (24 hrs) Super Rig! (C)opyright 1989-91, Page 11 T R O U B L E !? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Having trouble in a door game or its setup? REGISTERED users get highest priority for assistance in game setup or upgrade information and/or ANY other support possible for using all of Late-Nite Doorware games. UNREGISTERED users should not "expect" any author to drop everything and pull out the stops to help them. I have assisted at length, many Sysop's who say "if I help them they will register the game with me...", and I :dread: to hear this as it seems to be a CURSE as 98% of those who've said this never do. EVEN after problems are resolved and the game is running on their systems.... So here are some quidelines to follow in the event you have a problem in a door game and need to communicate them to me or any author so they can be solved or resolved. All references to the file GAME.CFG mean the doorgame configuration files (ie- SUPERIG.CFG, DCASTLE.CFG, or CIVILWAR.CFG, etc.) (1) What is the Doorgame's name and version number you're using? (2) What is the BBS or DoorMenu program's name and version number? (3) What is the type of modem and name brand you are using? (4) What is the COM PORT used and MODEM's initialization string?? (5) Is the game envoked in a SHELL (child process) or is the BBS program terminated and the game run from a batchfile? Large BBS programs (300k+) and large doorgames (100k+) may cause RAM cram and not work correctly or may cause unpredictable erratic operation. (6) What is the exact nature of your problem? Below are some questions that might help isolate and determine the cause or causes of the game working incorrectly; a. Game doesn't have correct caller information? (1) If true then include an actual COPY of the caller info file produced by the BBS program you're using and what information is it that is not being passed correctly. b. Game runs but doesn't accept input from Remote Keyboard and caller drops carrier to exit? (1) SEE WILDCAT/LiveCat notes, item #7. c. Can't get game to even startup up from batchfile. (1) Is proper command line written in batchfile? Refer to game doc's for proper "/switch" setting in calling batchfile to startup game. (2) Is game setup in its own DIRECTORY? Do not mix games all in a common directory or files will overwrite other files by the same filenames producing a big mess. (A-1) (3) If inquiring about this problem, please include a COPY of your calling batchfile to envoke the game, and a COPY of the game configuration (GAME.CFG) file. d. Don't know how to setup LOCKED port for HST type modems. (1) RUN SETUP that comes with the game and answer the questions concerning LOCKED port. All games can be set to IGNORE the DCE (modems baud rate) and force the game to open the COM PORT at a fixed DTE (PORT's baud rate) of 9600-38400 baud and toggle hardware handshaking on automatically. Line #7 in the "GAME.CFG" file might look like this for various LOCKED DTE baud rate settings; LOCKED 19200 RTS/CTS or LOCKED 38400 RTS/CTS This is done for you when using SETUP. e. Game runs fine but when game is done and user returns back to the BBS, the modem looses carrier. (1) This one can have several reasons why this occurs. One of the reasons is some modems are extremely sensitive to the DTR line (Data Terminal Ready) being toggled opening-closing a COM port. If you have an internal modem, you will not be able to SEE the DTR light (LED) on the control panel, if this is the case. If you have an external modem closely watch the DTR lamp and see if you can see it blink when the game exits. You should not be able to see this as when games are terminated and the COM port closed, the very next thing that is done is the DTR line on the COM port is forced HIGH to prevent the modem from dropping its carrier. This is done very quickly so as not to cause the modem to sense it and drop carrier. ALL the Hayes compatible modems I've worked with, do DROP its carrier if the DTR line is toggled (unless the DIP switch has the DTR forced high) for more than a few milli-sec's ,which is not long. Some modems have an S register that can adust its sensitivity or actual time to drop carrier upon sensing the DTR line being lowered. On some machines, if you have originally opened a PORT for hardware handshaking (RTS/CTS) and do a SHELL to a process that reopens the PORT for NON-hardware handshaking and the port is closed - it might drop the DTR line and you loose carrier. If this is the case, you can use (In GAME.CFG) the "RTS/CTS" (without quotes) on line #7 in place of N/A on LOCKED PORT configurations to tell the game to open the COM port for hardware handshaking instead of the default of NO hardware handshake. Some cheap brands of internal modems do NOT support hardware handshaking and will not work right if this is hardware mode is required to be done. (A-2 If while observing the TR lamp on your modem, and it does not blink and the modem's CARRIER DETECT lamp (CD) remains on until the BBS software recycles and re-opens the COM port then there is some incompatibility there. Observe the status of the RS and CS lamps - prior to running the game and their status upon then returning from the game. If they are BOTH on prior to the game then the modem has been opened for hardware handshaking and you might see the RS light go out during the game run. If when exiting back to the BBS the carrier is lost when the modem is re-opened and the RS light comes back on and CD goes out then it is a port initialization problem and you may have a special driver (FOSSIL) or some conflicts with this which may be resolved by forcing the game to open its port with hardware handshake mentioned above in the GAME.CFG file. No special things are done with the COM port as everything is done through QuickBASIC and your BIOS. But there is always room for compatibility problems to occur and or your particular BBS has some special requirements for its port initialization. (7) WILDCAT BBS's using LiveCat door handler. a. I've had the most problems to date with this particular BBS software. Initially I discovered with folks using US Robotics HST modems that all my games were "locking up" when they were first envoked from the remote modem. No keyboard input was being recognized from the remote modem so it "appeared" that the game had locked up, but in fact could be played as normal from the local keyboard. Problem; modem initialization string. The game opens the COM port using BASIC's default configuration using NO hardware handshake - as none was required to use the game in speeds lower than 4800 baud (all speeds 4800 and above use hardware handshake port configurations). Seems the default initialization string for HST using "&R2" in the string forces the modem to IGNORE all remote input while RS is low, so unless the port is opened for hardware handshake (RTS/CTS) the computers serial port never see's any input! To correct this simply change the "&R2" to "&R1" (HST's default setting!) and the game will work fine or ADD the "RTS/CTS" on line #7 of the GAME.CFG and the game will open the COM port under hardware handshake on all modem speeds. (8) Multi-Tasking support under DESQview! a. DESQview awareness is not built into the games as yet and some systems that cannot do virtual screens may have problems with screens bleeding. According to QuarterDeck, they have a loader that can be used to load the game and shadow the screen to stop this effect. Its called QB45LOAD.COM and is available on most BBS's. Future upgrades of the games will include support for DESQview and BIOS screen writes (which will be slower!) and that will correct that problem. Under DESQview-386 this is not a problem as you can set the window to call the game under to YES to DIRECT screen writes and virtualize the <T>est screens as all screens are in text mode, not graphics. (A-3) Super Rig! and ANSI terminal compatibility ------------------------------------------ ANSI terminals and Extended Graphics compatibility graphic problems with different terminal software is not unique. I have had comments from users on the Main title screen, where the truck is not displayed right, and on the TruckStop screen where the gas pumps are not displayed right either. Ok, the truck screen and the truck stop are stored in the current game directory under the names TITLE.SCR and TRUKSTOP.SCR. These files can be TYPE'ed to screen with (MS-DOS 3.x - 4.01) ANSI.SYS driver installed in the CONFIG.SYS of the machine in question. Some video boards that include ANSI drivers (such as Orchid's EANSI.SYS) and others, will not display EXTENDED ANSI GRAPHICS SETS correctly! You can look at these files anytime by entering this on the command line; TYPE TITLE.SCR (return) ;sitting in the game directory. When these or any other .SCR files are transmitted, they are read in from their respective disk files and transmitted directly to the COM port. As the ANSI file is being transmitted it is displayed locally through an 'internal' ANSI file reader and displayed on the users local video screen. MANY terminals that claim to be able to display ANSI graphics are only partially correct (ie. VT-100 emulators). Currently, I know of (3) terminal programs that WILL display the -extended- ANSI/ASCII graphics sets correctly. They are these; PROCOMM 2.4.2 (and v2.4.3) PCPLUS v1.1b and V2.0 Qmodem v4.x Appendix B - page B1 Testing a terminal program ========================== If you have a 'question' of the ANSI/ASCII compatibility of a terminal program you can do the following short test! [1] In the terminal in question; make sure its setup that XON/XOFF flow control is turned OFF! [2] Use the terminals ASCII (download transfer menu) Protocol to capture what comes in over the COM port into a disk file. You can hit the particular key to envoke this immediately PRIOR to starting the game up so that when the game begins, it writes to disk the data that is coming in over the COM port. As soon as a screen is completed, you can END the ASCII transfer to disk (in Qmodem and PCPLUS its hitting ESC.) You have now 'photographed', so to speak - the incoming file to disk. Now that you have the "transmitted" file on disk, you can SHELL out to DOS and TYPE it to screen. It should be identical to the file that is on the HOST (transmitting computer) in all respects from DOS. It might also contain prompts and other characters that are sent immediately prior, or immediately after the ANSI screen in question - but you can 'see' if the basic color screen was sent correctly. Screen 'capture' modes and screen scroll back buffers DO NOT WORK in attempts to re-read ANSI screens, as ANSI control codes are not stored on the screen, they are cursor and color positioning screen commands. This will prove whether the file was transferred un-altered to the remote machine and that the REMOTE terminal is/is not 'translating' the incoming file correctly. There is a lot of them that will NOT handle the 'extended' character sets (outside normal text/graphics). If you were to try using the above mentioned terminals - you should be able to see the difference as well. I know this to be a problem, as I have experienced this first hand in the creation of these games and the different complaints from my local users on 'scrambled' or display problems on ANSI graphics. So, all games are tested via the "DOS" and "capture" method, and in using the above programs to 'view' the games via remote modem. I hope that these notes will give SysOps some info and direction there concerning display problems on remote terminals. Note also, there might may be an ocassional 'drop-out' bit transmit problem (at hi-speeds) on terminals that rely on BIOS com port polling for the serial ports. Changing to a buffered 16550an UART on the serial cards will fix that, in addition to setting RTS/CTS hardware handshaking on the remotes modem - to prevent buffer overruns and bits being dropped, inducing hardware transmission errors. - Marv'- Appendix B, page B2 ------------------------ Super Rig! V4.3 Easy Registeration Form! ------------------------ Mail to: Marvin Davis Late-Nite BBS 313 Queens Road Sanford, NC 27330 Your Name_______________________________________________________ Street Address_______________________________________________________ City_______________________________________________________ State, Zip_______________________________________________________ Home Phone#_______________________________________________________ BBS Name_______________________________________________________ BBS Hours____________________ /Baud Rate________________________ BBS Phone#_______________________________________________________ BBS Software_______________________________________________________ Disk Format (Check one) 5 1/4 (360k) _____ 3 1/2 (720k) _____ Registration (Check one) SINGLE Node _____ MULTI-Node _____ Please do not send personal checks, send Bank draft/money order, Postal money order or $13.00 US currency. Personal check may cause a 1-3 week delay in processing. THANK YOU for registering this Doorware! It will encourage me to write more doors in the future. Multi-Node BBS Registrations are as follows; 2-4 Nodes = $15.00 5-99 Nodes = $20.00 NOTE: If you only wish a 'KEY' to unlock the game and do not need or wish other evaulation copies of Late-Nite doors then send only 10.00 US and your KEY to unlock the game will be mailed to you or call Late-Nite BBS and request the info in Email or Chat for quick immediate registration! For all games only "ONE" registration will ever be needed for ALL releases! Also try these Late-Nite Doorware games - Dark Castle, and The Civil WAR! Starvin' Marv's Late-Nite BBS, Sanford NC 340 Megs w/4000+ files online. Node-1 (919) 776-2368 14400/9600/4800/2400 HST Dual/Std. (24 hrs) Node-2 (919) 775-4477 2400/1200/300 USR Courier MNP (24 hrs) Appendix C - Page C1