Microsoft KB Archive/231680

Links LS MS-DOS (1997 Edition): Contents of the Readme.txt File

PSS ID Number: Q231680 Article last modified on 05-17-1999

MS-DOS:1.0

MS-DOS

================================================================ ==

The information in this article applies to:

 == Links LS MS-DOS (1997 Edition), version 1.0 == 

= SUMMARY =

This article contains the complete text of the Readme.txt file for Links LS MS-DOS (1997 Edition).

= MORE INFORMATION =

README Links LS - 1997 Edition - version 1.30

11/19/96

-

Refer to the sections below for information on the following subjects:


 * 1) Installation.
 * 2) Running under Win 95.
 * 3) Running in ‘MS-DOS Mode’ under Win 95.
 * 4) Running under DOS.
 * 5) Running in ‘MS-DOS Mode’ without a CD-ROM drive.
 * 6) Technical support for Links LS.
 * 7) Automatic Crash Recovery.
 * 8) Application startup sound (Crash).
 * 9) DOS Error: “DOS 16m….Involuntary Switch To Real Mode”
 * 10) Network or Modem game out of sync.
 * 11) Video distorted - images shifted to upper right.

11a. Video distorted - partial image seen through wavy lines.

  STB video card problems (VESA Local Bus Version).   How to force a Reconfiguration of Links LS.   Diamond 2000 3D Video card problems.   Number Nine video card problems.   Use UNIVESA if possible.   Changes and fixes in Links LS version 1.10. </li>  Using KALI to play a Links LS IPX game. </li>  Changes and fixes in Links LS version 1.20. </li>  Changes and fixes in Links LS version 1.30. </li>  INSTALLATION </li></ol>

The following installation options are available with either SETUP (Win 95) or INSTALL (DOS):

Full —-

Requires 82 MB of hard drive space and includes:

Program files-                                   30 MB  Latrobe C.C. copied to the HD-                    10 MB  2 golfer animation sets in 30fps Jumbo size-      42 MB Med —

Requires 62 MB of hard drive space and includes:

Program files-                                   30 MB  Latrobe C.C. remains on the CD-                    0 MB  2 golfer animation sets in 30fps Large size-      32 MB Min —

Requires 40 MB of hard drive space and includes:

Program files-                                   30 MB  Latrobe C.C. remains on the CD-                    0 MB  2 golfer animation sets in 30fps minimum size-    10 MB If you want to CUSTOMIZE your installation, install Links LS using one of the options above, and then make changes within the game. For instructions on how to customize, go to the On-Line Help system in Links LS and SEARCH for CUSTOM INSTALLATION.

<ol start="2" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> RUNNING UNDER WIN 95</li></ol>

Install the Links LS Preview by running SETUP.EXE from the CD. After the program files have been installed, you will enter the configuration phase of the setup. Here you can choose to try running under Win 95 or in ‘MS-DOS mode’ under Win 95. We suggest you try Win 95 first. This mode uses the Windows device drivers and operates very similar to a native Windows application. If this mode works, it will provide the fastest launch of Links LS and the quickest return to the Windows desktop, however it does use about 2 MB of your RAM for Windows overhead. If the system locks up or fails to function correctly for some reason, you should try different video and sound configurations in an attempt to make it work. The configuration phase of the setup will try to inform you as to which part of the system is not working correctly. Be sure to read the warning and message dialogs carefully. If you are unable to get the game working under Win 95, you will have to try entering MS-DOS mode. See below for instructions on how to do this.

<ol start="3" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> RUNNING IN MS-DOS MODE UNDER WIN 95</li></ol>

Install Links LS as described above but choose ‘MS-DOS mode’ during the configuration phase of the setup. This mode partially exits Windows and sets up DOS 7. For Links LS to function properly in MS-DOS mode, the CD- ROM drive and mouse will have to be operational. Some computers set up these devices automatically for MS-DOS mode, while others leave this task to the user. Links LS will check to see if the CD-ROM and mouse are available before it attempts to configure itself for play in MS-DOS mode.

If they are not available, you will have to set them up if you want Links LS to have full functionality. There is a way to run Links LS in MS-DOS mode without a CD-ROM drive, although you will not have access to flybys, tours, or anything which requires the CD. See RUNNING IN MS-DOS MODE WITHOUT A CD-ROM DRIVE below for instructions on how to do this.

<ol start="4" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> RUNNING UNDER DOS</li></ol>

Install Links LS by running INSTALL.EXE (on the CD) from the DOS prompt.

YOU CANNOT RUN LINKS LS FROM WINDOWS 3.X.

<ol start="5" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> RUNNING IN MS-DOS MODE WITHOUT A CD-ROM DRIVE</li></ol>

If you are unable to run Links LS in Win 95 and cannot get your CD-ROM drive to work in MS-DOS mode, there is a way to configure Links LS to work without a CD. You must still have a working mouse (in MS-DOS mode) and you will not be able to view the flybys, tours, or anything else which requires a CD. You will have to be able to use the CD-ROM in Win 95 and certain files will have to be copied to your hard drive. This will require at least 85 MB of hard drive space. To set up Links LS to run without a CD-ROM, do the following:

<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">  Using SETUP.EXE, do a full installation of Links LS but EXIT as soon as the installation is complete, do not start the game yet. This will copy all the program files and the 3 courses to the hard drive using about 68 MB of hard drive space. The animation files will not have been installed at this time and this accounts for the fact that even though a normal FULL installation requires 150MB you have only used 68 MB so far. </li>  While still in Win 95 (so you still have the CD-ROM drive), copy the animation files from the directory (folder) on the CD (Disk #1) to the sub-directory of the Links LS directory on the hard drive (e.g. ). Follow the instructions below: To get 30 frame per second animation sets in JUMBO size, copy the following files from on the CD to on the HD. - PALMER30.LS from the CD to PALMER.ANI on the HD. (19.4 MB) - MALE1_30.LS from the CD to MALE1.ANI on the HD. (23.1 MB) - MALE2_30.LS from the CD to MALE2.ANI on the HD. (26 MB) - FEM1_30.LS from the CD to FEMALE1.ANI on the HD. (17.2 MB) To get 15 frame per second animation sets in JUMBO size, copy the following files from on the CD to on the HD. - PALMER15.LS from the CD to PALMER.ANI on the HD. (12.9 MB) - MALE1_15.LS from the CD to MALE1.ANI on the HD. (16.2 MB) - MALE2_15.LS from the CD to MALE2.ANI on the HD. (18.3 MB) - FEM1_15.LS from the CD to FEMALE1.ANI on the HD. (12.6 MB) </li>  If you want to convert your old Links386 courses to LS format, you will also need to create a directory off the root of your hard drive called and copy the appropriate .CRX files into it. These .CRX files are located on the CD (Disk #2) in the directory and will be needed by Links LS to convert your old courses. For example, if you want to convert Pebble Beach, you will have to copy PEBBLE_B.CRX from the directory on the CD#2 to the directory on the hard drive. Once in the game, follow the normal instructions for converting Links386 courses except when the game prompts for the CD, choose the hard drive with the directory. </li>  Now run the game in MS-DOS mode. You will not have any players, so you will have to create some, but you will have everything else you need to play a round of golf. </li></ol>

<ol start="6" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR LINKS LS</li></ol>

If you are having PROBLEMS WITH LINKS LS, please use the Manual, the On-Line Help, or refer to the Access ‘TECHBOOK’ (See instructions below) before calling our technical support department. We have tried to cover a broad range of potential questions and problems. Try the HINTS and TIPS section, the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS section, and the TROUBLE SHOOTING and TECHNICAL SUPPORT section.

Technical Support: (800) 793-8324 (Mon-Fri, 7:30am to 8:30pm Mountain Time)

Updates: WWW.AccessSoftware.com

Fax: (801) 596-9128

TECHBOOK: The Access TECHBOOK requires Win95. To setup and use the TECHBOOK, do the following:


 * 1) Place Disk#1 in the CD-ROM drive.
 * 2) Click on the START button and then select RUN.
 * 3) Enter D:.EXE and click OK. (where D: is the drive letter of your CD-ROM)

This will install the TECHBOOK and create an icon in your LINKS LS folder. To use the TECHBOOK, double click on the TECHBOOK icon.

<ol start="7" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> AUTOMATIC CRASH RECOVERY</li></ol>

Links LS is designed to run with DOS and, if possible, with Windows 95. To make sure that any crash is fully recoverable, Links LS has a built-in Automatic (Emergency) Save feature. The last two games you were playing, whether terminated normally or not, are saved as LASTGAME and OLDLAST. You can resume either of these games by simply clicking on the RESUME button at the bottom of the Links LS main menu screen. If a crash occurs, simply restart Links LS as usual. When the game starts, it will recognize that an abnormal termination occurred and will ask you if you want to resume the previous game. If you say YES, it will automatically resume LASTGAME. If you say NO, you can still re-enter the game later by clicking the RESUME button and then selecting LASTGAME from the list of saved games. Of course, if you start a new game, it will take the place of LASTGAME and LASTGAME will take the place of OLDLAST. The previous version of OLDLAST will be erased.

If you’re running under Win 95 and resuming your LASTGAME continues to crash, try restarting Windows.

<ol start="8" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> APPLICATION STARTUP SOUND CRASH with an AZTEC sound card.</li></ol>

Under WIN95, you can set up a .wav file to play whenever you start an application. If you have assigned a long .wav file as this startup sound and the sound is still playing when the game starts, it can crash the program.

<ol start="9" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> DOS ERROR: “DOS 16M….Involuntary Switch To Real Mode”</li></ol>

Some cloaked mouse drivers can cause this error. To solve the problem you will have to remove the CLOAK.EXE entry in your AUTOEXEC.BAT.

<ol start="10" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> <li>NETWORK OR MODEM GAME OUT OF SYNC</li></ol>

It is possible for a network or modem game to get out of sync, especially when using a recorded player. If this happens, you can ‘re-sync’ by ending the game, clicking on RESUME, and then selecting LASTGAME from the list of saved games.

<ol start="11" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> <li>VIDEO DISTORTED - IMAGES SHIFTED TO UPPER RIGHT</li></ol>

Some Video cards with S3 chips will configure correctly during setup, but will later malfunction and produce distorted or shifted video. To correct the problem, first delete the LINKSLS.INI file in the Links LS directory folder). This will force a reconfigure of the video system. Then run Links LS as usual. You will immediately enter the Video Configuration module.

When you come to the screen which says TRIAL #1, press ‘S’ to skip to the next trial. Keep skipping until you get to TRIAL #7, then press the space bar to perform this test. This will use a special ‘Jump mode’ which should correct the problem. If TRIAL #7 does not appear, it means that the mode associated with that trial is not available on your card. You will have to perform the above procedure for each available trial number until you find one that works consistently. There are 9 possible trials for both the UniVESA BIOS and the On-Board/TSR BIOS for a total of 18.

11a. VIDEO DISTORTED - PARTIAL IMAGE SEEN THRU WAVY LINES

If your video card frequencies and your monitor frequencies are not in sync, your video may be slightly to very distorted. If your card has 2 MB or more of video RAM, you can try selecting different resolutions (i.e.  1024x768). To check which resolutions are compatible with your monitor, go into the Windows display setup and set the resolution to match the one you are having problems with in Links LS. If it works well in windows, then something else is causing the problem. If the video is also distorted in Windows at the same resolution, then you may have to get a new video card or a new monitor.

<ol start="12" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> <li>STB VIDEO CARD PROBLEMS (VESA LOCAL BUS VERSION)</li></ol>

Some STB (VESA local bus) video cards in 486 or Pentium machines may crash during video setup in either Win 95 or MS-DOS mode. If this happens, try the following video configuration sequence:


 * 1) Double click the RECONFIGURE icon in the Links LS program group.
 * 2) Start Links LS as usual by double clicking on the LINKS LS icon.
 * 3) At the ‘Configuring the UniVESA BIOS’ screen, press ‘S’ to skip.
 * 4) When the screen says ‘Ready to set high resolution mode’, press the ‘S’ key to skip trial #1. Then read the trial number and press ‘S’ again. (Note: Some trial numbers do not exist for this card so watch the trial numbers carefully.) When you are ready to perform trial #9, press the space bar to execute this trial. You should see the Links LS screen. If you do, click the OK button within 10 seconds to confirm the test. You will now be able to finish the setup procedure and play the game in this resolution which is 1024x768 - 65K colors - windowed mode. If you try to switch to 800x600 resolution, you will probably crash although you should safely return to 1024x768 upon reboot.
 * 5) HOW TO FORCE A RECONFIGURATION OF LINKS LS

To force a reconfiguration of the video, sound and auxiliary systems, double click on the RECONFIGURE icon in the Links LS program group. You can use this option if you are having problems setting up Links LS and would like to reset the configuration (start over) without re-installing the game. You may also want to use the RECONFIGURE option to switch back and forth between Win 95 and MS-DOS modes to see which mode gives the best performance.

<ol start="14" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> <li>DIAMOND 2000-3D VIDEO CARD PROBLEMS</li></ol>

If you are experiencing display problems with the Diamond 2000-3D card, try using the UniVESA BIOS. Refer to ‘DISPLAY SETUP’ on pages 38 and 39 in the manual for more information.

<ol start="15" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> <li>NUMBER NINE-IMAGINE 128 VIDEO CARD PROBLEMS</li></ol>

The On-board VESA BIOS for this card is nearly worthless. It only supports 6 graphics modes (regardless of how much video memory it has), and none of the modes have color depths greater than 256 colors. An additional problem is that the card incorrectly reports the amount of video memory. The card we tested reported 512K of memory even though it was a 4MB card. The UniVESA BIOS version 5.2 (used in Links LS version 1.0) does not work with this card. We have changed to UniVESA v5.3 in Links LS v1.1 specifically to solve this problem and also force a bypass of the low video memory test.

If you have a Number Nine - Imagine 128 card, upgrading to Links LS version 1.1 should solve your problems. NOTE: If you are using a memory manager such as EMM386, you may have to exclude C800-DFFF. If you are still experiencing problems after upgrading to Links LS v1.1, please call our tech support department.

<ol start="16" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> <li>USE UNIVESA IF POSSIBLE</li></ol>

During video configuration, the program goes through the following steps:

<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;"> <li> It first generates the UniVESA driver for use later (if needed). </li> <li> It sets up the card’s on-board (or TSR) BIOS if it exists. </li> <li> It then tests (one at a time) the nine most compatible video modes for the on-board BIOS. </li> <li> If the card does not have an on-board or TSR BIOS or if all the tests (from step C) failed (or were skipped), then the program will load the UniVESA BIOS (from step A) and repeat the tests. </li></ol>

Typically, the user should click ‘OK’ to select the first successful mode.

This will begin the game with a base mode of either 800x600 or 1024x768 in 32k or 65k colors. The user can then change the resolution, color depth, video BIOS, and address modes from within the game by simply right clicking on the Links LS main screen. Refer to ‘DISPLAY SETUP’ on pages 38 and 39 in the manual for more information.

We recommend using the UniVESA BIOS if possible. In most cases Links LS will run better and faster using the UniVESA BIOS rather than the OnBoard/TSR BIOS.

<ol start="17" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> <li> CHANGES AND FIXES IN LINKS LS VERSION 1.10 <ul> <li> Fixed various bugs when removing players. </li> <li> Fixed a bug with some video cards continuously doing initial setup. </li> <li> Fixed various statistical bugs. </li> <li> Fixed a bug which disallowed commas and asterisks during modem dialing. </li> <li> Fixed a bug which caused bogus object collisions. </li> <li> Fixed a bug associated with left and right clicking while aiming. </li> <li> Fixed a bug associated with verifying and converting Links386 courses. </li> <li> Fixed a bug during verify/convert of a Links386 course from drive B. </li> <li> Fixed a bug associated with waggle and full swing animations. </li> <li> Fixed a bug with wave file extraction in sound scripts. </li> <li> Fixed a bug in the championship level mishit penalty. </li> <li> Change to allow OS/2 users to continue after bogus CPU check. </li> <li> Change to automatically close flybys at completion. </li> <li> Change to tracer button’s tool tip to show on/off state. </li> <li> Changed to Sci-tech’s UniVESA version 5.3. </li> <li> Updated the HELP system. </li> <li> Added IPX Network compatibility. This addition will allow network play without requiring a shared directory and will also allow play over the internet through an IPX compatible server such as KALI. See below or refer to the updated HELP system for more information. </li> <li> Added wind state to recorded games. </li> <li> Added a new “Recorded Players” dialog to allow the review of all recorded games. To access this dialog, click the RECORDED PLAYERS button on Options, Course Selection, or the Player Selection screen. Refer to the updated Help system for more information on this new dialog and how to determine if a recorded game is compatible with your version of Links LS. (See the Note below.) </li> <li> Adjusted ball dynamics to dis-allow extra long rolls and to produce more realistic flight conditions out of the rough and sand. NOTE: This change in the ball dynamics invalidates all previous recorded games. A new dialog has been added to help players review data for all recorded games and determine whether the games are compatible. To access this dialog, click the RECORDED PLAYERS button on Options, Course Selection, or the Player Selection screen. </li></ul> </li> <li> USING KALI TO PLAY A LINKS LS IPX GAME </li></ol>

Information on KALI and other services are available at www.axxis.com/kali. Once you have installed KALI and are On-Line, follow the steps below to play a Links LS IPX game.

<ol style="list-style-type: decimal;"> <li> Make a KALI connection. </li> <li> Select a KALI server. (To locate other Links LS players, check the ‘AXXIS SERVER’ or if it exists, the ‘LINKSLS SERVER’) </li> <li> Create a Links LS game as follows: <ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;"> <li> Click ‘GAMES’, then click ‘CONFIGURE MENU’. </li> <li> Choose one of the 10 games to be your Links LS game. </li> <li> At ‘Menu Title’, type LinksLS (or whatever you want). </li> <li> At ‘Program’, use BROWSE to find the directory on your hard disk that contains Links LS and then select ‘LS.EXE’. This is the program that will launch Links LS. </li> <li> At ‘Directory’, type the directory path from step (d) above. </li> <li> At ‘Icon’, use BROWSE to find the LS.ICO file which will be in your Links LS directory if you have upgraded to ver 1.10. </li></ol> </li> <li> You can contact other Links LS players by either of the following methods: <ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;"> <li> While in KALI, enter a ‘Links LS’ chat room. </li> <li> Double click on the Links LS icon in KALI to start Links LS. Select MODEM/NETWORK from the main screen and then select NETWORK(IPX). Enter your name and any additional info about yourself and click OK. A list of other Links LS players on KALI will be displayed. </li></ol> </li></ol>

For additional information regarding networks, sockets, or other ipx topics, please refer to the Links LS on-line help.

<ol start="19" style="list-style-type: decimal;"> <li> CHANGES AND FIXES IN LINKS LS VERSION 1.20 <ul> <li>Fixed CD loading bug caused by 1.10 patch</li></ul> </li> <li> CHANGES AND FIXES IN LINKS LS VERSION 1.30 <ul> <li>Fixed a sound library edit bug.</li> <li>Fixed a bug introduced by ver 1.10 that stopped the Links LS icon from working correctly.</li> <li>Fixed a ‘view saved shot’ bug.</li> <li>Fixed a rare ball flight bug caused by a FIFO buffer overflow.</li> <li>Made a change to allow a 9 hole match play game to finish as soon as the winner is determined.</li></ul> </li></ol>

Additional query words: 1.00 access golf rtf doc linksls97 links97

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========================================================= Keywords : kbimu Version : MS-DOS:1.0 Platform : MS-DOS Issue type : kbinfo ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1999.