Microsoft KB Archive/104584

Contents of Arcade README.TXT File PSS ID Number: Q104584 Article last modified on 10-26-1993 PSS database name: W_Arcade

WINDOWS

= SUMMARY =

The following information is contained in the Microsoft Arcade README.TXT file. This file is copied to the Arcade directory by Setup. This text has not been modified and appears as is.

= README.TXT FILE =

Welcome to Microsoft Arcade!

Here’s some information to help you install Arcade on your computer, as well as tips on troubleshooting any sound or video display questions you might have.

SETUP: How to Install Arcade on Your Computer
Installation is easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide:


 * 1) Start Windows as you normally do, and stay within Program Manager.
 * 2) Insert Disk 1 - Setup into drive A (or drive B), whichever is your 3.5&quot; drive.
 * 3) Choose Run from the File menu of Program Manager.
 * 4) In the Command Line box, type A:SETUP and press the ENTER key. (If using your B drive, type B:SETUP and press the ENTER key).
 * 5) From this point on, Arcade’s Setup program guides the way and keeps you posted on the progress of the installation.

Sit back and relax! It can take a while for all the computer code behind these awesome games to be decompressed and transferred to your computer’s hard drive.

LEARNING TO PLAY: Quick Help and Full Help
As soon as you open a game for the first time an abbreviated Quick Help is displayed to provide basic instructions on how to play the game.

For a more complete guide to the games, including strategies and hints and detailed scoring information, choose Contents or any of the other topics from the Help menu. You can also press F1 for Help.

SOUND: Troubleshooting Tips
Arcade captures the original sounds of these classic games, which nicely enhances the playing experience. To take advantage of these capabilities you must have a sound card and Windows 3.1. If you encounter problems playing the sounds, check that your sound card drivers are installed properly and contact your sound card manufacturer.

If you do not have a sound card, and are using PC Speaker Driver, turn the sound off so it does not interfere with game play. To turn off sound, choose Sound from the Options menu. A check mark beside Sound means it is turned on.

NOTE TO SOUNDBLASTER OWNERS: if you run any of Arcade’s games with sound on for more than two hours straight (which makes you an awesome player!), you may encounter system slowdowns and difficulties If you do experience this problem, just exit Windows and turn off your computer. Then restart your computer and restart Windows to return to normal computer usage. If you wish to play for more than two hours straight, turn off the sound by choosing Sound from the Options menu.

OBTAINING UPDATED DRIVERS: Call or Download
If you need an updated driver for your video card to assure your card is compatible with Windows 3.1, contact the manufacturer of your video card for their updated Windows display driver. The manufacturer’s phone number should be in the manuals that came with your video card or personal computer. Another option for obtaining updated drivers is the Microsoft Download service, an electronic bulletin board that can be accessed via a modem at (206) 936-MSDL (6735).

Drivers provided on the MSDL are compressed with the PKWare utilities, and are in the form of executable files (.EXE extension). It is best to download the file or files you need into an empty directory on your hard disk, or a blank formatted floppy.

To decompress these drivers after downloading them, either:

From Windows File Manager: double click on the filename (which will end in .EXE) that you downloaded. OR

From the DOS prompt: change to the directory containing the downloaded file, type the filename, and press ENTER.

To create the realistic graphics from the original games requires a lot from your computer. If you would like to maximize the screen speed of the game action, you can do the following:

Run the games within the standard window size (rather than using the Full Screen command from the Options menu). When playing Battlezone choose Customize Game from the Options menu, or press F9, and choose NO for Display Background. This reduces the amount of drawing the computer must do for each frame, without interfering with game play. When playing Tempest, if you have a high performance personal computer (such as a 486/66), and would like to see the traditional starfield during the hyperspace transition between levels, choose Customize Game from the Options menu, or press F9, and choose ON for Display Hyperspace Starfield.

Additional reference words: 1.00 contents content

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1993.