Microsoft KB Archive/233143

Links & Access Games: How to Create and Configure a Startup Disk

PSS ID Number: Q233143 Article last modified on 07-28-1999

MS-DOS:; WINDOWS:

MS-DOS WINDOWS

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The information in this article applies to:

 10th Frame Bowling Mean Streets Martian Memorandum Amazon: Guardians of Eden Crimewave Echelon Countdown Links: The Challenge of Golf</li> Links 386 Pro</li> Links LS MS-DOS (1997 Edition)</li> Tex Murphy: Under A Killing Moon</li> == Tex Murphy: The Pandora Directive == </li></ul>

= SUMMARY =

This article describes how to create a game startup disk to run MS-DOS-based Links and Access games on a computer running Microsoft Windows 95 or Microsoft Windows 98.

= MORE INFORMATION =

You can create a game startup disk to resolve many problems you may encounter when you attempt to install, configure, or play MS-DOS-based Links and Access games on a Windows 95/98-based computer.

Some of the problems you may encounter include:


 * The game may not be displayed correctly.
 * The game may stop responding (hang) at random intervals.
 * You may receive “DOS4GW Professional” error messages when you play the game.
 * The PC Speaker (RealSound) sound quality may be poor.
 * You may receive CD-ROM read error messages.

If you encounter any of these problems, Microsoft recommends that you create a game startup disk.

To create a game startup disk:


 * 1) Insert a blank floppy disk into the floppy disk drive.
 * 2) Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
 * 3) Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
 * 4) On the Startup Disk tab, click Create Disk, and then click OK.

NOTE: We recommend that you use this startup disk only when you play MS-DOS-based Links and Access games. When you are finished playing the game, remove the game startup disk from the floppy disk drive, and then restart the computer normally.

You can also download and run the Auto.exe file from the Microsoft Software Library to create a game startup disk.

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Software Library. Click the file name below to download the file:

Auto.exe (http://support.microsoft.com/download/support/mslfiles/Auto.exe)

Release Date: Jun-28-1999

For more information about how to download files from the Microsoft Software Library, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Use the following methods to configure the game startup disk.

Configure the CD-ROM Drive
If you are using a Links or Access Game provided on a compact disc, you may need to install an MS-DOS CD-ROM driver.

If you are using a Windows 98-based computer, the startup disk you created contains generic MS-DOS CD-ROM drivers that are loaded when you start the computer using the startup game disk.

If you are using a Windows 95-based computer, consult the online or printed documentation provided with the CD-ROM drive for information about how to install an MS-DOS driver for the CD-ROM drive.

If you encounter a problem after you install an MS-DOS driver for the CD-ROM drive, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q135174 Cannot Access CD-ROM Drive from MS-DOS Mode or Command Prompt

Configure the Mouse
If the Links or Access Game you want to play requires you to use a pointing device, you may need to install an MS-DOS mouse driver.

For information about how to install an MS-DOS driver for the pointing device, consult the online or printed documentation provided with the pointing device.

If you do not have an MS-DOS driver for the pointing device, you can download the Mouse901.exe file from the following Access Technical Support Web site:

http://www.accesssoftware.com/ctg/support/files/

In addition, a generic MS-DOS mouse driver is included with Links and Access games that are provided on a compact disc. To copy this mouse driver from the game CD-ROM to the game startup disk:


 * 1) Insert the game startup disk into the floppy disk drive.
 * 2) Insert the Links or Access game CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
 * 3) Double-click My Computer.
 * 4) Double-click the CD-ROM drive.
 * 5) Double click the ATS folder.
 * 6) Right-click Mouse820 or Mouse901, and then click Send To.
 * 7) Click the floppy disk drive.

To configure the game startup disk to load the generic MS-DOS mouse driver:

<ol style="list-style-type: decimal;">  Insert the game startup disk into the floppy disk drive, and then restart the computer. </li>  At the command prompt, type “edit autoexec.bat” (without the quotation marks), and then press ENTER. </li>  Scroll to the bottom of the Autoexec.bat file, and then type mouse820 or mouse901 depending on the mouse driver you copied from the game CD-ROM. NOTE: The Autoexec.bat file may or may not contain text. </li>  On the File menu, click Exit. </li>  When you are prompted to save the changes, click Yes. </li></ol>

Configure the Sound Card
If you want to play sound in your MS-DOS-based Links or Access game, you may need to install an MS-DOS sound driver for the sound card.

For information about how to obtain and install an MS-DOS driver for the sound card, consult the printed or online documentation provided with the sound card, or contact the manufacturer of the sound card.

When you are finished configuring the game startup disk, insert the disk into the floppy disk drive, restart the computer, and then start the MS-DOS-based Links or Access game you want to play.

Additional query words: adapter audio bootdisk msdos realmode

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========================================================= Keywords : kbdisplay kbenv kberrmsg kbfile kbsound kbtool kbimu kbfaq Version : MS-DOS:; WINDOWS: Platform : MS-DOS WINDOWS Issue type : kbhowto ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1999.