Microsoft KB Archive/107181

From BetaArchive Wiki
Knowledge Base


Contents of the Windows Sound System 2.0 README.TXT

Article ID: 107181

Article Last Modified on 6/13/2001



APPLIES TO

  • Microsoft Windows Sound System 2.0



This article was previously published under Q107181

SUMMARY

This article contains the complete text of the Microsoft Windows Sound System version 2.0 README.TXT file located on disk 1.

======================================================================
MICROSOFT WINDOWS SOUND SYSTEM (Version 2.0)
Copyright (C) 1991-1993 Microsoft Corporation

This document supplements the "Microsoft(R) Windows(TM) Sound System
Software User's Guide" and accompanying software.

CONTENTS

1. Troubleshooting
   1.1 Trouble Hearing Sound with Sound Finder or Music Box
   1.2 Windows on a Network Installation
   1.3 Using Music Box with a Future Domain SCSI Card
   1.4 Using Quick Recorder with a 386 Computer with a 25 MHz or Lower
       CPU
   1.5 Playing Stereophonic Files with a Monophonic Audio Board
   1.6 Playing MIDI Files with Sound Blaster Pro Audio Hardware
   1.7 Opening More Than One Instance of a Quick Recorder File
   1.8 Detecting Installed Hardware
   1.9 Playing 44kHz files with Sound Blaster Pro Audio Board

2. Voice Pilot
   2.1 Using Multiple Mixer Devices
   2.2 Confirmation Option Limitations
   2.3 Using Audio Cues

3. ProofReader
   3.1 Versions Supported
   3.2 Using Multiple Instances
   3.3 Installation Sequence
   3.4 Removing or Reinstalling ProofReader
   3.5 ProofReader Dictionary for Non-U.S. English-Speaking Countries
   3.6 Using ProofReader for Lotus 1-2-3 with International Country
       Settings
   3.7 Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4

4. Using Windows Sound System with Windows NT

5. Compatibility with Windows Sound System
   5.1 Windows Sound System and Other Audio Drivers
   5.2 Windows Sound System and MIDI Sequencing Software
   5.3 Potential IRQ Conflicts in IBM PC/AT Bus Class Computers
   5.4 Installing EMM386 on Stacked Drives
   5.5 Using IRQ 7 on Gateway 2000 Computers
   5.6 Using Windows Sound System in Windows Standard Mode
   5.7 IRQ and DMA Conflicts on EISA Computers

6. Removing Windows Sound System from Your Computer

7. Sound Blaster Pro, Sound Blaster 16, and Sound Blaster 16 ASP
   Issues

8. Sound Blaster Compatibility with the Windows Sound System Sound
   Board
   8.1 Problems Playing Music
   8.2 Using GAMES.PIF
   8.3 Choosing between Sound Blaster and Sound Blaster Pro
   8.4 Playing Mickey's ABC
   8.5 Playing Alphabet Blocks
   8.6 Playing Broderbund Games

1. Troubleshooting

1.1 Trouble Hearing Sound with Sound Finder or Music Box

    If you do not hear sound when using Sound Finder or
    if Music Box cannot find your CD-ROM drive, ensure
    that you have the following entries or files in the
    appropriate locations:

    In the WIN.INI file in the Windows 3.1 directory:

        [MCI extensions]
        wav=waveaudio
        mid=sequencer
        rmi=sequencer

    In the SYSTEM.INI file in the Windows 3.1 directory:

        [MCI]
        CDAudio=mcicda.drv
        WaveAudio=mciwave.drv
        Sequencer=mciseq.drv

    In the Windows 3.1 system directory:

              MCICDA.DRV
              MCIWAVE.DRV
              MCISEQ.DRV

1.2 Windows on a Network Installation

    If you're running Windows from a network installation, you cannot
    play MIDI files.  You must install Windows on your local hard disk
    to play MIDI files.

    If you're running Windows from a network installation, CTL3D.DLL
    does not get copied to your hard disk.  Either install Windows on
    your local hard disk, or copy CTL3D.DLL to your Windows Sound System
    directory on your local hard disk.

1.3 Using Music Box with a Future Domain SCSI Card

    If you have a Future Domain SCSI card installed in your computer
    and Music Box doesn't play, ensure that you have the latest version
    of the CD-ROM driver, FDCD.SYS (version 2.23 or later).

1.4 Using Quick Recorder with a 386 Computer with a 25 MHz or Lower CPU

    Quick Recorder cannot record reliably at high sampling rates on some
    computers, particulary 386 computers with 25 megahertz (MHz) or
    lower CPUs.

    To correct the problem:

    1. Record at a sampling rate lower than CD Quality (less than 44
       kHz). This reduces your computer's processing.

    2. Close other applications, if possible.

    3. If you must make CD-quality recordings, keep them as short
       as possible.

1.5 Playing Stereophonic Files with a Monophonic Audio Board

    Quick Recorder cannot play some CD-quality stereophonic files in
    Recorder view. Try playing these files using Sound Finder or use
    Quick Recorder in Expanded View.

1.6 Playing MIDI Files with Sound Blaster Pro Audio Hardware

    If you are using Sound Blaster Pro audio hardware, and you have
    the microphone turned on in Voice Pilot, you will not be able to
    hear a MIDI file while it is playing. Turn off the microphone.

1.7 Opening More Than One Instance of a Quick Recorder File

    To open more than one instance of a Quick Recorder file, you must
    have SHARE.EXE installed in MS-DOS.  For instructions on installing
    SHARE.EXE, see the "MS-DOS User's Guide."

1.8 Detecting Installed Hardware

    If your audio hardware does not function correctly, ensure
    that you selected the right audio hardware when you ran Setup.
    If an outdated driver is present, Setup may not detect the presence
    of the correct audio hardware.

1.9 Playing 44kHz files with Sound Blaster Pro Audio Board

    Quick Recorder cannot play some 44kHz stereophonic files in
    Recorder view. Try playing these files using Sound Finder or use
    Quick Recorder in Expanded View.

2. Voice Pilot

2.1  Using Multiple Mixer Devices

     Voice Pilot uses the mixer device with the lowest number (the one
     listed in the first "mixerX=" line in your SYSTEM.INI file) that
     meets its requirements. If you want to use a driver other than the
     default driver for your Voice Pilot input, manually renumber the
     "mixerX=" lines in your SYSTEM.INI file so that the number of the
     mixer device you want to use is the lowest.

2.2 Confirmation Option Limitations

    The Confirmation option cannot be used on commands that are not
    top-level commands; that is, the Confirmation option can be used
    only with commands that appear on the menu bar or with commands that
    are not contained on menus.

2.3 Using Audio Cues

    If you are using Voice Pilot's audio cues, Voice Pilot may attempt
    to sound a cue at the same time another application, or VoicePilot
    itself, tries to issue a sound. As a result, you may not be able to
    use Voice Pilot to start ProofReader or you may receive a warning
    that the device is being used by another application. To correct
    this situation, in the Audio Cues section of the Preferences dialog
    box, select None.

3. ProofReader

3.1 Versions Supported

    ProofReader is supported only in Microsoft Excel version 3.0 or
    higher and Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows versions 1.0, 1.0a, 1.1.01, and 4.

3.2 Using Multiple Instances

    If you run more than one instance of Microsoft Excel or Lotus 1-2-3
    for Windows, ProofReader is present only on the menu of the first
    instance.

3.3 Installation Sequence

    You must install your Windows-based spreadsheet application before
    installing ProofReader with the Windows Sound System Setup program.

3.4 Removing or Reinstalling ProofReader

    To remove or reinstall ProofReader for Microsoft Excel, see your
    Microsoft Excel documentation for information on how to remove or
    install an add-in.

    To remove or reinstall ProofReader for Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows
    (123RDR), see your Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows documentation for
    information on how to remove or install an add-in.

3.5 ProofReader Dictionary for Non-U.S. English-Speaking Countries

    The ProofReader dictionary NON-US.DCT contains terms that
    accommodate the differences between English as spoken in the United
    States and English as spoken in some other English-speaking
    countries.

    To use this dictionary, add it to the list of active ProofReader
    dictionaries:

    1. From the Microsoft Excel or Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows
       Proof menu, choose Options.

       The Options dialog box appears.

    2. In the Category box, choose Dictionary.

       The Dictionaries dialog box appears.

    3. Choose Add Dictionary.

       The Add Dictionary dialog box appears.

    4. In the Directories box, choose the Windows Sound
       System directory (the default is C:\SNDSYS).

       NOTE: If you installed Windows Sound System
             in a directory other than C:\SNDSYS,
             choose the proper directory name.

       The list of available dictionaries (*.DCT files)
       appears in the File Name box.

    5. In the File Name box, select NON-US.DCT.

    6. Choose OK.

    7. Choose Done.

3.6 Using ProofReader for Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows and
    International Country Settings

    Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows uses its own country settings, not
    the country settings used by Windows. If ProofReader does
    not read some numbers correctly, verify that the country
    settings selected in the Windows Control Panel match the
    country settings that are set for Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows.

3.7 Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows Release 4

    Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4 does not support accelerator keys for
    add-ins, such as ProofReader.  Use the mouse or the arrow
    and Enter keys to select commands.

4. Using Windows Sound System with Microsoft Windows NT(TM)

   The Windows Sound System sound board can be used in ISA/EISA
   computers running Microsoft Windows NT. Sound applications
   that are shipped with Windows NT play sounds through the
   Windows Sound System sound board by using an audio driver
   included with Windows NT. Windows NT-based applications that
   use the Microsoft Windows version 3.1 Sound Application
   Programming Interfaces (APIs) should operate properly with the
   Windows Sound System sound board.

5. Compatibility with Windows Sound System

5.1 Windows Sound System and Other Audio Drivers

    The Windows Sound System audio driver may conflict with other
    audio drivers. If you use multiple sound boards and drivers,
    you may experience interrupt (IRQ) channel, I/O address, or
    DMA channel conflicts that can cause your computer to stop
    or to repeat sounds. Therefore, we recommend that you remove
    all other audio drivers by using the Windows Control Panel
    Drivers application.

    If you remove an old audio board and install a new board,
    you may have to manually remove the driver entries from
    your SYSTEM.INI file.

    For information on how to remove Windows Sound System software,
    see DEINSTAL.TXT in your Windows Sound System directory (the
    default is C:\SNDSYS).

5.2 Windows Sound System and MIDI Sequencing Software

    Windows Sound System is incompatible with certain Musical
    Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) sequencing applications.

    Sound Finder cannot play a file with an .MID or an .RMI
    extension while a sequencing application is open, regardless
    of whether a file is actually loaded into the sequencer. If
    you want to use Sound Finder to browse MIDI files and other
    types of files, close your sequencer first. Alternatively,
    you can use your sequencing application to play MIDI files.

    Finale 2.2 for Windows from Coda Music Technology is compatible
    with the Windows Sound System sound board and software if you
    modify the WIN.INI file. For more information on using
    Finale for Windows or MusicProse for Windows with the
    Windows Sound System sound board, contact Coda Music
    Technology at (612) 937-9611.

    If you experience difficulties while using your MIDI sequencer
    with your Windows Sound System sound board:

    1. See the Windows Sound System documentation to ensure you
       have installed and configured both the sound board and
       the software properly.

    2. See the documentation for your sequencer.

    3. If you continue to experience problems, contact Microsoft
       Product Support Services.

5.3 Potential IRQ Conflicts in IBM PC/AT Bus Class Computers

    IRQ 2 is unavailable to add-in cards on IBM PC/AT bus class
    computers. If you are using an IBM PC/AT bus class computer
    and you select IRQ 2, your selection defaults to IRQ 9.

5.4 Installing EMM386 on Stacked Drives

    Installing Windows Sound System on stacked drives and
    running the MS-DOS Configuration program to enable
    Sound Blaster compatiblity may cause your stacker drive
    to load incorrectly. Stacked drives are often loaded
    into UMB space; therefore, EMM386 must be present to
    provide UMBs. Copy EMM386 onto a nonstacked boot drive.
    The nonstacked drive is usually the drive that contains
    the MS-DOS system files.

5.5 Using IRQ 7 on Gateway 2000 Computers

    Windows Sound System cannot use IRQ 7 on some Gateway
    2000 computers. However, you may be able to make IRQ 7
    available for use on such a computer by changing a
    BIOS setting.  Contact your Gateway 2000 representative
    to determine how to make IRQ 7 available. (For information
    on IRQ settings, see the "Microsoft Windows Sound
    System Software User's Guide.")

5.6 Using Windows Sound System in Windows Standard Mode

    You cannot perform a sound check if you are running
    Setup in Windows Standard mode.  To check hardware
    operation, run Windows in Enhanced mode or use Sound
    Finder or Quick Recorder to play a file.

5.7 IRQ and DMA Conflicts on EISA Machines

    If an EISA machine is incorrectly configured, Windows
    Sound System may report that all IRQ or DMA channels are
    in use.

    To solve this problem:

    1. Use the EISA configuration utility supplied by your
       hardware manufacturer to configure the computer properly.
       This is the preferred solution.

    -or-

    2. Disable the EISA resource scan of SNDSYS.DRV and
       VSNDSYS.386 by adding the EnableEISAResourceScan=FALSE
       flag to the [SNDSYS.DRV] section of the SYSTEM.INI file.
       Note that disabling this feature can cause problems with
       enhanced SCSI adapters, such as the Adaptec 1742.

6. Removing Windows Sound System from Your Computer

   If you want to remove Windows Sound System from your computer,
   see DEINSTAL.TXT, in your Windows Sound System directory
   (C:\SNDSYS by default).

7. Sound Blaster Pro, Sound Blaster 16, and Sound Blaster
   16 ASP Issues

   Setting the MIDIInPersistence= variable in the [WSSSBPRO.DRV]
   or [WSSSB16.DRV] section of your SYSTEM.INI file allows you
   to configure the amount of data that will be processed in the
   MIDI-in interrupt.  The default value is 50, the recommended
   range is 50 to 1024. Decreasing this value may prevent the
   MIDI-in device from being completely serviced and may
   cause data loss or may stop input.

8. Sound Blaster Compatibility with the Windows Sound System Sound Board

8.1 Problems Playing Music

    If your game offers the choice, select Ad Lib
    compatibility for music output and Sound Blaster
    compatibility for sound effects.  This will prevent
    music from playing too slowly.

8.2 Using GAMES.PIF

    If you're using a user-specified shell in MS-DOS,
    ensure that the file GAMES.PIF (located in the directory
    in which you installed Windows Sound System, C:SNDSYS
    by default) references the same shell as your COMSPEC system
    variable.  To edit the GAMES.PIF file, use Windows PIF
    Editor. For more information on the COMSPEC system variable,
    see your MS-DOS documentation.

8.3 Choosing between Sound Blaster andSound Blaster Pro

    If your game offers choice between Sound Blaster and Sound
    Blaster Pro, you must select Sound Blaster, not Sound
    Blaster Pro, as your audio board.

8.4 Playing Mickey's ABC

    Mickey's ABC cannot detect the presence of
    the Windows Sound System sound board. However, it will
    work correctly if you select Ad Lib compatibility
    as the option for music.

8.5 Playing Alphabet Blocks

    If you experience problems playing Sierra On-Line
    Alphabet Blocks with the Windows Sound System sound
    board, add AcceptCloseSamplingRates=TRUE to the
    [SNDSYS.DRV] section of the SYSTEM.INI file.
    Alphabet Blocks uses a nonstandard sampling rate
    that is not directly supported by the Windows Sound
    System sound board. Setting this flag to true allows
    the driver to accept sampling rates that are within
    5% of the actual supported rate.

8.6 Playing Broderbund Games

    If you experience problems while playing Broderbund
    games, set the VirtualHDIRQ=FALSE switch in the [386Enh]
    section of the SYSTEM.INI file.
                


Additional query words: 2.00 read me

Keywords: KB107181