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- Mimi & the Mites(tm) was teleported into existence at the
- Product Development Center of
-
- The Unobstructed Reason Corporation.
-
- Contents
-
- From the Developer [ ]
-
- Installation [ ]
-
- Configuration/Setup [ ]
-
- Main Menu [ ]
-
- The Game [ ]
-
- The Game Screen [ ]
-
- Game Devices and Elements [ ]
-
- Gameplay Hints [ ]
-
- Troubleshooting Guide [ ]
-
-
-
-
-
- From the Developer
-
-
-
- Thank you for choosing Mimi & the Mites(tm), a game for computer
- enthusiasts who crave puzzles and lust after action and want
- them together in an environment of visually stimulating
- gameplay. Here at URC, after 2+ years of development, we
- continue to savor the experience of guiding Mimi through
- mite-infested corridors. We trust you will as well.
-
-
-
- We welcome any observations and comments you may have about the
- game. Write to us at:
-
-
-
- URC
-
- P. O. Box 453
-
- Chicopee, Massachusetts 01021-0453
-
-
-
- Enjoy Mimi & the Mites(tm)!
-
-
-
-
-
- Installation
-
-
-
- System Requirements
-
-
-
- CPU A 386 or faster processor. Recommended: 386DX-40.
-
- Disk Space Mimi & the Mites(tm) requires 15 MB of free disk space.
-
- Monitor 256-color VGA.
-
- Operating System MS-DOS version 3.0 or higher.
-
- RAM At least 6 free MB of RAM.
-
- Sound Card
- A Sound BlasterTM or Sound BlasterTM compatible sound card. (The PC speaker
- is not supported.) Note: MIDI (music) support may function with non-Sound
- BlasterTM compatible sound boards.
-
-
-
- Mouse optional
-
-
- Joystick control coming soon to a retail version nearest you.
-
-
-
- Installation Procedure
-
- 1. Insert Disk into your 3.5" disk drive.
-
- 2. At your C:\> prompt, change to the 3.5" disk drive by typing
- A: (or B:, whichever is appropriate) and pressing ENTER.
-
- 3. Type INSTALL and press ENTER.
-
- 4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
-
-
- Starting Play
-
- 1. At your C:\> prompt, type CD\MITES and press ENTER. (If you
- have just installed the game, the installation program has
- placed you at the CD\MITES directory.)
-
- 2. Type MITES and press ENTER.
-
- 3. The game introduction begins. Any keyboard input interrupts
- the introduction and starts gameplay.
-
-
- Configuration/Setup
-
-
-
- When you install Mimi & the Mites(tm) on your system, Disk 1 loads a
- configuration/setup program into the directory that stores the
- game program. (Unless you direct otherwise during installation,
- the directory is C:\>MITES.) This setup program gives you
- access to box menus that you can use to review and change many
- of the configuration settings that affect how your system runs
- the game.
-
- To access the configuration/setup program, go to C:\>MITES, type
- MITESCFG and press ENTER. The Mimi & the Mites(tm) Setup screen
- will appear. The program's Main Menu box is to the left. The
- Current Configuration box is to the right. The line item,
- "Select Input Device," is highlighted in the Main Menu box. At
- the bottom of the screen, the comment line reads, "Select input
- device(s) for game play."
-
- The settings listed in the Current Configuration box (ex: Weapon
- #1: F5) reflect the default scheme of the game program.
- Depending on your system hardware and personal preferences, you
- can change any or all of these settings.
-
-
-
- Select Input Device
-
- Pressing ENTER while this Main Menu selection is highlighted
- brings up the "Select Input Device Menu" box. Use the arrow
- keys to scroll through the input device selections. With the
- desired selection highlighted, press ENTER. Your selection
- made, scroll down to "Exit" and press ENTER to leave the
- sub-menu.
-
-
-
- Configure Keyboard
-
- The game program assigns gameplay functions to particular
- keyboard keys. For example, pressing 'P' causes the game to
- enter Pause Mode. If you want to assign a function to a key
- other than the default key, then this is the menu to use.
-
-
-
- Configure Sound
-
- The information supplied here is essential for the proper
- utilization of your sound board. The options are:
-
-
-
- No Sound
-
- Selecting this option will result in silent gameplay.
-
-
-
- Sound Card (Auto Detect)
-
- Selecting this option will cause the game program to identify
- the DMA, IRQ and PORT settings of your sound card. This
- auto-detect routine should work with every Sound BlasterTM and
- Sound BlasterTM compatible sound board. Once the auto-detect is
- complete, the Setup program's Current Configuration box will
- display the settings of your sound card.
-
- If the program cannot detect or doesn't recognize your sound
- card, it will issue an error message and advise you to try the
- manual configuration. In the unlikely occurrence that the Auto
- Detect routine causes your computer to freeze, reboot and use
- the manual approach.
-
-
-
- Sound Card (Manual)
-
- This option allows you to manually change the following sound
- card settings:
-
- Sound Card Port
-
- Sound Card DMA
-
- Sound Card IRQ
-
- What to do if the DMA, IRQ and PORT settings for your sound card
- are not listed as selection choices:
-
- 1. At the game directory prompt (the default is C:\>MITES), type
- "type dodooby" and press ENTER.
-
- 2. If the "File Not Found" message appears, run MITESCFG and
- exit. (Simply running and exiting from the program creates the
- dodooby file.) Go to Step 1.
-
- 3. A line of values appears. The third value from the end is
- the PORT setting. The second from the end is the DMA setting.
- The last value is the IRQ setting. (Unless you have made
- alterations in MITESCFG, the three settings will appear as
- "ffffffff -1 -1," where the first is a hexadecimal expression
- and the other two are decimal.)
-
- 4. Using a text editor (MS-DOS comes with one), change these
- three setting values to the values appropriate for your sound
- card. Save your changes and exit. Note: If you enter
- inaccurate values, you may cause your computer to 'hang.'
-
- 5. Reenter MITESCFG. Under "Configure Sound," use the "Test
- Selected Sound Type" option. You should hear test sound output.
-
- Note: Making sound card parameter selections without having a
- sound card installed in your computer may cause your system to
- 'hang,' requiring re-booting.
-
-
-
- Test Selected Sound Type
-
- Finally, this option allows you to test the results of a manual
- or auto-detect sound card configuration. Highlight this
- selection and press ENTER. You are able to "Test Voice Support"
- and/or "Test Midi Support."
-
-
-
- Restore Default Setup
-
- Highlighting this selection and pressing ENTER will restore all
- configuration parameters to their default (preset) settings.
-
-
-
- Save and Exit
-
- If you have changed the default configuration settings, you must
- use this option to save your changes before exiting. Otherwise,
- your changes will not take effect.
-
-
-
- Exit (Do not save)
-
- Finally, if the default startup configuration settings are
- acceptable to you, highlight this selection and press ENTER to
- exit the Setup program. Any changes you made will be lost. You
- are returned to the DOS prompt.
-
-
-
-
-
- Main Menu
-
- The introductory sequence leads directly to the "Select
- 'User'/Saved Game" menu. (The game program can store nine
- simultaneous games-in-progress.) Either choose a previous game
- or enter your name in a blank slot and press ENTER to begin a
- new one. Making a selection brings up the Main Menu screen,
- which presents the following options:
-
-
-
- New Game
-
- Selecting this option will start gameplay at puzzle Screen #1,
- "Path of Peril I."
-
- Note: If you selected a game-in-progress and now select "New
- Game," you will be prompted: " *** Warning *** All Prior Wins
- Will Be Erased! Start New Game Anyway (Y/N)?"
-
-
-
- Select Screen
-
- This option allows you to return to and replay any previously
- played (solved or unsolved) puzzle. See "Screen Bypass Option"
- below for more information.
-
-
-
- Resume Last Game
-
- Selecting this option will return you to your previous game.
-
-
-
- Load New Player
-
- This option enables a player to start a new game.
-
-
-
- Options
-
- This option calls up a window which allows you to adjust the
- volume of the game sound by category: Master, Music and Sound
- Effects.
-
-
-
- Quit
-
- Selecting this option returns you to your DOS prompt.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- The Game
-
- Mimi & the Mites(tm) is a puzzle game with a strong action element.
- The game consists of a sequence of puzzle screens. In each, you
- solve the "puzzle" by achieving a particular goal. Example:
- guide Mimi to an Exit. The mites, along with a variety of
- architectural features and interactive devices, provide the
- "action."
-
- The mites are Mimi's main problem. Unflappable, agile,
- morph-manic, the mites stand ready to foil Mimi by the simple
- act of coming into direct contact with her. When this happens,
- Mimi is spirited off to a special arena where the mites engage
- in a favorite, fun, if somewhat humiliating (for Mimi) ritual.
- She then returns to the screen to renew her efforts to triumph
- over its unique challenge. Mimi must zap the troublesome blue
- creatures with her weapon or otherwise evade them.
-
- Your task as Mimi's guide is made more challenging by the
- physical settings she will encounter in the game's subterranean
- world. Spatial obstacles abound in the dwelling place of the
- mites. There are also many conveyances and devices which will
- help or hinder Mimi. The purpose and operation of these
- elements may be readily clear to you from a screen and gameplay
- context, so if you're tempted to jump right into the game, then
- by all means do so! You have the option, however, of previewing
- the gameplay elements by reading the "Game Devices and Elements"
- chapter in this manual.
-
- Overall, there is, from screen to screen, a gradual increase in
- complexity and difficulty to match the increase in your skill
- level.
-
- Each puzzle is introduced by a "'tween screen." The 'tween
- screen tells you:
-
- a) the number of the puzzle
-
- b) the name of the puzzle
-
- c) its difficulty level
-
- d) the goal that must be achieved to gain passage to the next
- puzzle
-
- e) occasional additional information, such as time limits.
-
- Solving a puzzle automatically advances you to the 'tween screen
- introducing the next puzzle. Any keyboard input will start the
- next puzzle.
-
- Remember: If a mite touches Mimi, she suffers the consequence!
-
-
-
-
-
- Screen Bypass Option
-
- Because the people at URC are gracious and high-minded, a screen
- bypass option has been incorporated into Mimi & the Mites(tm). It
- works like this. Say you're at your wits' end in puzzle #1:
- "Path of Peril I." It is not an absolute requirement that you
- solve it before moving on to puzzle #2: "Stones" After a
- certain number of attempts at solving the puzzle (the number
- varies for each puzzle), a dialogue box will appear that will
- offer you the choice of continuing with puzzle #1 or moving on
- to #2. If you choose to bypass #1, it will be listed as a
- 'bypassed puzzle" in the Select Screen sub-menu of the Main Menu.
-
- In the Select Screen sub-menu, bypassed puzzles are listed in
- yellow. Solved puzzles are green. Yet-to-be-played puzzles are
- red. The list serves as a menu, allowing you to revisit any
- previously played puzzle, solved or not. Just highlight the
- puzzle name and press ENTER. In this way, you can return to
- bypassed puzzles and play them again, until, purist that you
- are, you've nailed them all!
-
-
-
- Default Game Controls
-
- Note: WHAT FOLLOW ARE THE DEFAULT SETTINGS. You have the option
- of changing them using the configuration/setup program. See
- "Configuration/Setup."
-
-
-
- Moving Mimi
-
- You directly control Mimi's movements and the firing of her
- multi-function weapon by pressing select keyboard keys. The
- arrow keys control Mimi's movement:
-
-
-
- LEFT ARROW Move Mimi to the left
-
- RIGHT ARROW Move Mimi to the right
-
- UP ARROW Move Mimi upward in or through a vertical conveyance,
- or activate special devices such as wall switches.
-
- DOWN ARROW Move Mimi downward in or through a vertical conveyance,
- or activate special devices such as teleportation pads
- or ammunition resupply outlets.
-
- Mouse Users: Mouse movement does not move Mimi.
-
-
-
- Other Keyboard Controls
-
- ESC Return to the Main Menu
-
- P Pause the game action.
-
- SPACEBAR Fire Mimi's multi-function weapon. (Button 1 of the
- mouse also fires the weapon if selected in MITESCFG.)
-
- F1 Display the Help screen: i.e., a reference list
- of keyboard commands.
-
- F2 (if enabled) Pass to next screen.
-
- F3 (if brightened) Display the Hint screen.
-
- B Restart the current puzzle screen.
-
-
- Weapons
-
- Weapons levels (= strengths) are indicated in the game screen
- control panel. Each weapon has its own graphic icon and next to
- the icon a number ranging from 00 to 99. To select a weapon,
- press the appropriate Function key:
-
-
-
- F5 Flamer
-
- F6 Machine Gun
-
- F7 Stasis Beam
-
- F8 Laser Cannon
-
-
-
- Note: At the beginning of play, weapons selection defaults to
- the least destructive weapon available in that puzzle. You must
- press F5, F6, F7 or F8 -- or the keys to which you have assigned
- the weapons functions if you have changed the defaults -- to
- select other than the active weapon.
-
- Joystick and Mouse Users: Button 1 fires Mimi's weapon. Button
- 2 toggles the weapons windows.
-
-
-
- The Game Screen
-
- The game screen of Mimi & the Mites(tm) is divided into two parts:
- the play area and the control panel.
-
- The play area is the larger of the two. Here, Mimi scurries
- from the mite horde or manipulates them to her own ends!
-
- The control panel displays, from left to right, the following
- information:
-
- Puzzle # - The puzzles in Mimi & the Mites(tm) are numbered 1 through 50.
-
- Attempts - This number tallies unsuccessful attempts at solving the puzzle.
-
- Hint Icon - From time to time, this icon will brighten. When it does,
- pressing F3 will pause the game and call up the "Hint Screen."
- Hints are not available for all puzzles. The maximum number of
- hints per puzzle is three.
-
- If you prefer, you can choose not to take advantage of hints.
- If hints are ignored, they are not lost, but 'archived.' If you
- have two hints archived for a particular puzzle and you call up
- the hint screen, only the first hint will be displayed. To read
- the second hint, you must exit the hint screen, then reenter it.
-
-
-
- Weapons Windows - These windows indicate the type and amount of ammunition Mimi
- has available to her.
-
-
-
-
-
- Game Cast, Devices and Elements
-
-
-
- The 'Cast'
-
- Mimi - Mimi is the game's main character. Mimi must zap, evade or
- manipulate the mites as she makes her way to successive areas of
- the game environment. Mimi interacts with puzzle elements and
- wields a multi-function weapon to fend off the mites and to
- trigger devices. When Mimi is touched, i.e., 'tagged' by a
- mite, the mite horde subjects her to a most humiliating penalty!
-
- Mite - Mites are Mimi's nemesis. The scrappy, indestructible,
- morph-manic mites are out to impede Mimi's progress and have fun
- while they're at it! Mites enter the gameplay environment in
- several ways and they move around in it using a variety of
- techniques. Their movements are sometimes choreographed,
- sometimes random. When they are 'zapped' by a weapon, the mites
- disintegrate into 'mite puddles'; after 30 seconds, they emerge
- from the puddle state, reconstituting into the full,
- troublesome, happy-go-lucky creatures that they are. Mites also
- trigger devices, which may or may not be of help to Mimi.
-
- Mites can be diverted by conveyances set in their path. Be
- prepared for these diversions to be random or in a set
- direction. At times, mites will surge or swarm.
-
- As you play the game, you'll learn when to have Mimi square off
- against the mites, when to have her detour around them, even
- when to have her redirect or herd them.
-
-
-
- The Elements/Devices
-
- Ammo Resupply Outlets
-
- Mimi's ammunition allotments are preset for each puzzle screen.
- (In some puzzles, Mimi will start with no ammunition.) Ammo
- resupply outlets allow Mimi to replenish her ammunition supply.
- Position Mimi at the outlet and press DOWN ( = the DOWN ARROW
- key, unless you have reassigned the DOWN command to another key).
-
- The amount of resupply varies from outlet to outlet and puzzle
- to puzzle. Note: Each outlet will resupply only one of the four
- weapons.
-
-
-
- Clocks
-
- Screen Clocks
-
- Screen clocks are used for timed puzzles which require you to
- either 1) solve the puzzle within a specified time, or 2)
- prevent Mimi from being tagged for a specified time. Screen
- clocks count down from a preset time setting to zero. Screen
- clocks are larger than element/device clocks.
-
-
-
- Element/Device Clocks
-
- This type of clock controls the activation or deactivation of
- elements such as force fields and trap doors. When the clock
- counts down to zero, the device controlled by the clock
- activates or deactivates, depending on the situation. Unlike
- screen clocks, some element/device clocks start in 'standby'
- mode. The countdown of an element/device clock in standby is
- started when the force plate that controls the start of the
- clock is activated.
-
- The face of an element/device clock is ringed by a bright red
- border. When the countdown begins, the border changes to bright
- green. If the countdown is paused or halted, the border changes
- back to red.
-
-
- Drip Gap Plug
-
- A drip gap plug blocks mites from trickling down through a drip
- gap. A drip gap plug is opened when Mimi activates its
- controlling wall switch.
-
-
-
- Elevator
-
- Mimi calls an elevator by pressing its call button. Once she
- is inside, press UP or DOWN. The elevator car will continue to
- ascend or descend along the elevator shaft until it reaches the
- end of the shaft. To stop the car at an intermediate floor,
- press the UP (or LEFT or RIGHT) key if the car is descending or
- press DOWN (or LEFT or RIGHT) key if the car is ascending just
- before the desired floor is reached.
-
- For example, say Mimi is on the top floor and she enters an
- elevator that stops on all five floors. Press DOWN. The car
- begins to descend. To bring the car to a halt on the third
- (middle) floor, press UP (or LEFT or RIGHT) after the car has
- passed the second floor but before it arrives at the third floor.
-
- Note: It is a peculiarity of mite behavior that they will not
- enter elevators!
-
-
-
- Exit Pad
-
- The exit pad provides one of two ways for Mimi to leave the
- play area and, by doing so, solve the screen puzzle. Position
- Mimi over the pad and press DOWN. The exit pad looks like a
- Mimi teleportation pad.
-
- The alternative exit is the screen-edge exit. In almost every
- case, the exit is clearly marked by the levitating red EXIT sign.
-
-
-
- Force Fields
-
- There are two types of force fields: vertical and horizontal.
-
- Vertical force fields are obstacles to Mimi and the mites.
- Some are permanent, others can be activated or deactivated by
- other screen elements such as force plates and clocks.
-
- Mimi and mites can walk on horizontal force fields.
-
-
-
- Force Plates
-
- Force plates are pressure-sensitive, floor-inset devices that,
- when activated by Mimi or a mite, activate or deactivate an
- associated screen element. Force plates are used a lot in the
- game. There are two sizes. The larger force plate is activated
- by Mimi only. The smaller force plate is for mites.
-
- In addition, there are three types of force plate:
-
- Weight-Only
-
- The force plate is active only when Mimi or a mite is on it.
- If a force field is turned on when Mimi or a mite steps onto its
- controlling force plate, the force field will switch off when
- Mimi or the mite steps off.
-
- Weight-Activated
-
- The force plate is activated when Mimi or a mite walks onto it.
- Once activated, the force plate remains activated.
-
-
- Plus-Minus
-
- This type of force plate has a Mimi version only. It works as
- a toggle switch. When Mimi passes over it, its 'logical value'
- changes from ON to OFF (or OFF to ON).
-
- Weight-only and weight-activated force plates have a similar
- appearance, with a slight difference in the look of the top
- surface. The type is made more apparent from the temporary or
- permanent brightening of the plate upon activation.
-
-
- Force Plate Combinations
-
- In some situations, a device can be acted upon by more than one
- force plate. Contrariwise, a force plate can control more than
- one device. There are many special combinations. For gameplay
- convenience, the separate devices of a combination are often
- 'matched' or 'related' graphically by markers.
-
-
-
- Force Plate/Clock/Force Field Combination
-
- This special combination of elements appears often in the game.
- A clock controls the switching on or off of a vertical force
- field, but the clock itself begins to count down only when its
- controlling force plate is activated. In many cases, the three
- elements are located in a close grouping. Where they are
- scattered, markers are used to relate them visually.
-
-
-
- Laser Eye Switch
-
- A laser eye switch resets a "spent" ammunition resupply outlet.
- The switch is activated when Mimi walks in front of it.
-
-
-
- Markers
-
- Markers are pulsing lights which "relate" elements that are
- connected functionally. This visual aid helps you to sort out
- what controls what.
-
-
-
- Mimi Teleportation Pad
-
- These pads are installed in pairs. By positioning Mimi over a
- teleportation pad and pressing DOWN, you relocate Mimi
- instantaneously to its "twin."
-
-
- Mite Pad
-
- In most cases, mites are introduced into gameplay via mite
- pads. Mite pads teleport mites into the game screen. A version
- is the Walk-Across Mite Pad, which is activated only when Mimi
- walks over it. The two versions look exactly the same.
-
-
-
- Mite Teleportation Pad
-
- The mite teleportation pad pair is the functional equivalent of
- the Mimi teleportation pad pair. An active mite teleport pad
- will matter-transmit any mite that walks onto it. If the
- teleport pad is green, it sends and receives mites. If it is
- red, it receives mites only. A mite teleport pad pair is either
- green-green (two-way) or green-red (one-way).
-
-
-
- Multi-Function Weapon
-
- Mimi's weapon offers four gameplayer-selectable choices. Note:
- A particular weapon can be fired only if Mimi has ammunition for
- it.
-
- Flamer
-
- A flamer 'discharge' zaps one mite. Zapped mites remain in
- puddle form for approximately 30 seconds, whereupon they emerge
- and reconstitute. The default selection key is F5.
-
- Machine Gun
-
- A machine gun fire zaps two mites. The invisible rounds travel
- across the screen more quickly than a flamer shot. The default
- key is F6.
-
- Stasis Beam
-
- All mites in the path of a stasis beam freeze in place for
- approximately 45 seconds. The default key is F7.
-
- Laser Cannon
-
- A laser cannon discharge zaps all mites in its path. The
- stasis beam and the laser cannon discharge travel even more
- swiftly than a machine gun round. The default key is F8.
-
- Packer
-
- `Packers compress mites into a vertical channel. Operation is
- automatic.
-
- Portal
-
- There are two types of portals: a Mimi version and a mite
- version. Portals are two-way. A mite portal delivers mites to
- its twin instantaneously. Mimi portals do the same for Mimi and
- mites. All that is required is that the mite or Mimi step into
- the portal.
-
- Note: Portals also redirect weapons fire.
-
- Push Plate
-
- A push plate is a switch which activates an associated element
- or device. Position Mimi in front of it and press UP.
-
- Remote Gun
-
- A remote gun is a fixed weapons pedestal which, like Mimi's
- multi-function weapon, can fire the flamer, machine gun, stasis
- beam and laser cannon. However, a remote gun fires only one of
- the four weapon types. Remote guns are triggered several ways.
-
- Note: The firing of a remote gun draws down Mimi's ammunition.
-
- Sentry
-
- A sentry is a mite 'standing guard.' If Mimi gets within a
- certain distance of a sentry, the mite is roused to action.
-
- Slidewalks
-
- Slidewalks are moving treads set into the floor.
-
- Start Pad
-
- At the beginning of play, a start pad teleports Mimi into the
- screen and then turns dormant. Start pads look like Mimi
- teleportation pads.
-
- Steps
-
- Steps come in various sizes. Mimi and the mites travel up and
- down steps. (No special key stroke for Mimi is required.) Mimi
- can pass mites on the lip of a step if the passing move is timed
- correctly.
-
- Trap Door
-
- There are two types of trap door: Mimi and mite. Mimi ascends
- and descends through Mimi trap doors. Mites ascend and descend
- through mite trap doors.
-
- Position Mimi over a trap door and press DOWN to have her drop
- through. Position her under a trap door and press UP to have
- her spring upward. Mites walking over a Mimi trap door prevent
- her from ascending through it. If a mite walks onto a Mimi trap
- door next to Mimi, the trap door will not open and Mimi will
- probably get tagged.
-
- Some trap doors are 'locked' until they are unlocked by a
- controlling clock.
-
- Vertical Targets
-
- In most cases, vertical targets control vertical force fields
- or remote guns. The targets are activated by weapons' fire.
- There are three types: Single-Use, Repeated use and Toggle (off,
- on, off, on ...). The graphic depiction is identical for all
- three.
-
- Wall Switch
-
- Wall switches control other elements or devices. Position Mimi
- in front of the switch and press UP.
-
-
-
- Gameplay Hints
-
-
- Mites are particular! A mite will not "tag" Mimi unless it is
- "whole" and walking or standing on a solid surface. This means
- that in special circumstances Mimi can pass very close to or
- even right by a mite without getting tagged. From time to time
- this will be to Mimi's advantage. Example: Mimi can get past a
- mite on a step if they pass at the lip of the step.
-
-
-
- A mite does not have to face Mimi to tag her. Mimi causes
- herself to be tagged if she walks into the back of a mite.
-
-
-
- A mite is not 'zappable' unless it is fully formed or standing
- or walking on a solid surface! A weapons discharge will pass
- harmlessly through a mite that is only partially constituted.
-
-
-
- In many screens, you might want to try mentally "working
- backwards" from the exit to figure out the puzzle solution.
- That is, spot where Mimi needs to go and trace a path back from
- it. This approach has the virtue of helping you to see
- near-exit obstacles such as vertical force fields that must be
- manipulated for Mimi to be successful.
-
-
-
- Reminder: Some puzzle screens have a time limit! If Mimi
- doesn't reach her goal by the time the screen clock counts down
- to zero, she must begin over.
-
-
-
- Conserve Mimi's ammunition where you can. Fire in controlled
- bursts. Fire discipline is important for success.
-
-
-
- If you are a "rush right in" type of gameplayer, good for you!
- But in some of the more complex puzzles you may only increase
- the difficulty of challenges which are already formidable. Take
- a minute to study the puzzle while in Pause mode to sort out the
- logical relationships between the elements. This should help to
- keep down Mimi's failure rate.
-
-
-
- Refer often to the weapons windows in the control panel.
- Remember that you must press the assigned Function key to access
- a particular weapon.
-
-
-
-
-
- Troubleshooting Guide
-
-
- Q: When I try to run Mimi & the Mites(tm), my computer displays an
- "Insufficient Memory" message. How can this be corrected?
-
- A: To run the game, you must have at least 6 MB of free RAM,
- with the emphasis on "free." [On system power-up, commands in
- your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files may 'load' applications
- such as device drivers or memory-resident programs which use
- RAM.] Run the MS-DOS MEM utility and make sure you have at
- least 6 MB of free RAM (XMS, EMS). If you have less, you have
- two options:
-
- Install more RAM in your computer.
-
- `or`
-
- Free up more of your existing RAM. If you have version 6.0 or
- higher of MS-DOS, fresh start your computer. When the "Starting
- MS-DOS ..." message appears, depress and hold the Left Shift
- key. You have bare-booted your system. (Refer to your MS-DOS
- manual for more information.) Go to your MITES directory, type
- MITES and press ENTER.
-
- You must make a bare boot disk if you have MS-DOS version 5.0
- or lower.
-
- NOTE: Disk caching programs like SMARTDRV and NCACHE take up
- memory. Consider disabling them to free up more RAM.
-
-
-
- Q: How can I reduce the hard drive access time?
-
- A: If your computer has more than 6 MB of free RAM, any memory
- in excess of 6 MB could be used in a disk caching system.
-
-
-
- Q: After installing the game on my disk drive, I tried to run it
- by typing MITES and pressing ENTER. Nothing happened. I was
- returned to the prompt. The same thing happened when I entered
- MITESCFG. What's wrong?
-
- A: First, are you in the correct directory (default: C:\MITES)?
- If you are, then you could have a command shell problem. Try
- this. Type SET and press ENTER (for any version of MS-DOS).
- Look for the environment variable, "COMSPEC." COMSPEC should be
- pointing to your correct command shell. For 99% of computer
- users, it is if it reads "COMSPEC=c:\command.com."
-
- Command shell identification is very important. Refer to your
- MS-DOS manual.
-
-
-
- Q: Funky things happen when I try to run the game: odd lockups,
- etc. What should I do?
-
- A: Remove any TSRs from memory and try again.
-
- `or`
-
- Boot up fresh using a boot disk and try again. (Consult you
- MS-DOS manual regarding boot disks.)
-
-
-
- Q: I have a Sound Blaster compatible sound card but I get no
- music or sound effects. What should I do?
-
- A: The game program may not be "looking in the right place" for
- your sound card due to inaccurate DMA, IRQ and PORT settings.
- These settings can be checked and, if need be, altered, by using
- the MITESCFG configuration/setup program. See
- "Configuration/Setup" in this manual.
-
- In addition, you may want to check the following:
-
- Music and sound effects volumes are set for Mimi & the Mites(tm) in
- the "Options" sub-menu of the Main Menu. Have you checked these
- volume levels?
-
- Some sound cards have volume adjustments components (such as
- slide switches and turn knobs) right on the card itself. Are
- yours set correctly?
-
- Newer sound boards may have software-adjusted volume controls.
- Have you looked there?
-
- Are your speakers plugged in?
-
- Are the volume control knobs on your speakers turned up?
-
- Note: The game program may support MIDI (music) for non-Sound
- BlasterTM sound boards.
-
-
-
- Q: Why does my computer lock up when I run Mimi & the Mites(tm)?
-
- A: Go into the MITESCFG setup program and select the "No Sound"
- option in the Configure Sound sub-menu. If the game then runs
- correctly, you probably have a problem with your sound card.
- Make sure the DMA, IRQ and PORT settings are correct. Refer to
- your sound card manual for further troubleshooting advice.
-
-
-
- Q: When I use the "Sound Card (Auto Detect)" option under
- "Configure Sound" in MITESCFG, my computer freezes.
-
- A: Sound card autodetection works most of the time; however, it
- isn't foolproof. Hardware conflicts can cause your system to
- lock up. Use the "Sound Card (Manual)" option if you know the
- DMA, IRQ and PORT settings of your sound card.
-
-
-
- Q: The DMA, IRQ and PORT settings for my sound card are not
- listed as selection choices in MITESCFG, so I can't configure
- the card properly. What should I do?
-
- A: The file, "DODOOBY," is located in your MITES directory.
- Access this file and use a text editor to specify your unique
- settings. See "Configuration/Setup -- Sound Card (Manual)."
-
-
-
- Q: My Sound Blaster Pro [or compatible] sound card produces
- static. How can I eliminate it?
-
- A: Go to your SBPRO directory. Type SBP-MIX and press ENTER.
- Adjust the "Line" and "Mic" settings down to 0. If the problem
- persists, try disconnecting any devices attached by parallel
- port to your computer, such as a printer.
-
-
-
- Q: My ATI Stereo FX card produces no sound. Why?
-
- A: You may need a BIOS upgrade. Get in touch with ATI.
-
-
-
- Q: My monitor screen went black when I was running Mimi & the
- Mites. The music, however, continued to play. What should I do?
-
- A: Your video card may have a component called the "wait state
- jumper." Try changing its setting from 0 to 1. For further
- information, consult your video card manual.
-
- `or`
-
- There is a small chance of a conflict with a screen saver
- program, if you run one. Disable the screen saver and try
- again.
-
-
-
- Q: From time to time the screen animations slow down or lose
- their smoothness. Why?
-
- A: CPU speed is an important factor in getting proper animation
- speed and smoothness. You may have problems if you're running
- Mimi & the Mites(tm) on a computer less powerful than a 386DX-40,
- our recommended minimum platform. Also, the quality of your
- video card is very important. If you have an older model, it
- may be time for an upgrade.
-
- Verify that your 16-bit video card is not running at 8 bits.
-
- Check your wait state setting (see previous question).
-
- Also, check your turbo switch!
-
-
-
- Q: The puzzle screens load and run slowly. Why?
-
- A: If your sound card DMA, IRQ and PORT settings are incorrect,
- a slowdown is possible. Check them using MITESCFG.
-
- If you have free RAM in excess of 6 MB, placing it into a disk
- caching system will help to speed up your load time.
-
-
-
- Q: I have a GATEWAY 2000 P75 and the graphic results are
- horrible. What's my problem?
-
- A: Perform a cold boot of your system and access your BIOS
- setup. Disable this option: "VGA Palette Snoop."
-
-
-
- Q: Why doesn't my mouse work?
-
- A: Does your mouse work in other applications? If so, have you
- selected the mouse as the input device? See the
- "Configuration/Setup" chapter.
-
- If your input selection is correct, make sure your mouse driver
- is being loaded. One quick thing to try: type MOUSE at your
- command prompt and press ENTER.
-
-
-
- Q: Why isn't the middle button of my mouse working?
-
- A: Mimi & the Mites(tm) utilizes only two buttons. You can use a
- three-button mouse, but only the left and right buttons will
- function.
-
-
- Q: Why can't I run the game under Windows/WindowsNT?
-
- A: Sorry, Mimi & the Mites(tm) is not designed to run under non-DOS
- environments. Exit out of Windows completely and run it in
- MS-DOS.
-
-
-
-
-
- TECHNICAL SUPPORT
-
-
-
- URC wants to help you resolve any problems you may run into when
- installing or running Mimi & the Mites(tm). It may be worth your
- while to quickly review the Installation section of this manual
- in case you have overlooked something. Also review the
- Troubleshooting Guide for help in addressing common problems.
-
-
-
- URC Technical Support can be reached Monday through Friday, 9 AM
- to 5 PM Eastern time, at (413) 592-1643.
-
-
-
- When you call, please be at your computer with Mimi & the Mites(tm)
- loaded. Having the following information at hand will ease the
- process of resolving your difficulties:
-
-
-
- Your computer processor type.
-
- MS-DOS version number.
-
- Type of sound card.
-
- The amount of RAM in your computer. (Run the MEM command from
- your DOS prompt and record the information, or hit the "PRINT
- SCREEN" key to print it out.)
-
- Description of the problem you are having.
-
-
-
-
-
- URC welcomes any questions or comments you have regarding Mimi &
- the Mites. Our mailing address is:
-
-
-
- URC
-
- P. O. Box 453
-
- Chicopee, MA 01021
-
-
-
- Our E-mail address is urc.games@the-spa.com
-
- Mimi & the Mites is a trademark of Unobstructed Reason Corporation,
- copyright 1995.
-