Microsoft KB Archive/172854

Knowledge Base

ActiMates/SideWinder: Configuring Orchid Sound Cards

PSS ID Number: 172854

Article Last Modified on 11/21/2003

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The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft ActiMates Arthur 1.0
• Microsoft ActiMates Barney 1.0
• Microsoft ActiMates D.W. 1.0
• Microsoft ActiMates PC Pack 1.0
• Microsoft ActiMates PC Pack 2.0
• Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro

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This article was previously published under Q172854

SUMMARY

This article describes how to configure Orchid sound cards for use with Microsoft ActiMates characters or the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro joystick.

This information was tested on the following sound card drivers:

Orchid NuSound PnP
Driver version tested: 1.1/DX 1.2
Date: 2-8-96

Orchid Soundwave 32+ SCSI
Driver version tested: 3rd Party Windows 95 Beta + DOS driver
Date:

MORE INFORMATION

NuSound PnP

For information about how to configure your NuSound Plug and Play sound card for use with ActiMates characters and the ActiMates PC Pack, or the SideWinder Force Feedback Pro joystick, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

172724 ActiMates/SideWinder: Configuring Crystal Sound Cards

This is a Plug and Play sound card and Windows should automatically install the correct drivers, prompting you in sequence to insert the Windows CD-ROM and the Orchid NuSound installation disk.

This card uses an integrated wavetable that can be enabled by using the following steps:

NOTE: These steps are not necessary for ActiMates products to work properly.

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Multimedia.
3. On the MIDI tab, click External MPU401 Compatible Type Device in the Single Instrument box.

To disable the integrated wavetable, click the accompanying internal FM Synthesis option in the Single Instrument box.

NOTE: Some older versions of this sound card may need an EEPROM update. Further information is available at Orchid's Web site.

Soundwave 32+ SCSI

The Soundwave 32+ SCSI sound card is incompatible with ActiMates characters and the PC Pack. If you are using an Soundwave 32+ SCSI sound card, you will need to purchase a new sound card before you can use ActiMates characters and the PC Pack Transmitter with your computer. This is an older sound card that can not handle the high usage demands of the ActiMates devices.

The SideWinder Force Feedback Pro joystick WILL work with this sound card.

To install the Orchid Soundwave 32+ SCSI sound card in Windows, you need to first install the real mode drivers for the card. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Restart the computer in MS-DOS Mode.
2. Insert the Orchid Soundwave32 installation disk into the floppy disk drive.
3. Type a:\install, and then press ENTER. Do not install the drivers into your Windows folder. When you are asked to select an install location, select an alternate folder (for example, c:\temp). If this folder does not exist, the installation program will create it for you.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions, and make sure you write down the settings assigned to the card.
5. Restart the computer when you are prompted.

To add or update the drivers in Windows, use the following steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add New Hardware.
3. Click Next.
   

NOTE: If you are using Windows 98, click Next, and then click Next.

1. Click No, and then click Next.
2. Click Sound, Video And Game Controllers, click Next, and then click Have Disk.
3. Type the path to the location of the updated driver files, and then click OK.
4. Click the Orchid Soundwave32 sound card, and then click OK.
5. Click Next. If you receive a message about a hardware conflict, do not start the Hardware Conflict Troubleshooter.
6. Click Finish. If you are prompted to restart your computer, click Yes.
7. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
8. Double-click System.
9. On the Device Manager tab, Double-click Sound, Video And Game Controllers.
10. Double-click the listing for Orchid Soundwave32.
11. On the Resources tab, make sure the settings match those assigned during the MS-DOS driver installation. If the settings do not match, manually change the settings to match those assigned during the MS-DOS driver installation.
12. Click OK or Close until you return to Windows.
13. If you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.

To install the MPU-401 Compatible device, use the following steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add New Hardware.
3. Click Next, click No, and then click Next. NOTE: If you are using Windows 98, click Next, click Next, click No, and then click Next.
4. In the Hardware Types list, click Sound, Video And Game Controllers, and then click Next.
5. In the Manufacturers box, click Microsoft.
6. In the Models box, click MPU-401 Compatible, and then click Next.
7. Click Next. Insert the Windows CD-ROM if you are prompted.
8. Click Finish. If you are prompted to restart the computer, click No.
9. Double-click System.
10. On the Device Manager tab, double-click Sound, Video And Game Controllers.
11. Double-click the listing for MPU-401 Compatible.
12. On the Resources tab, make sure the settings match those of the Orchid Soundwave32 sound card. If the settings do not match, manually change the settings to match those of the Orchid Soundwave32.
13. Click OK or Close until you return to Windows.
14. If you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.

Install Gameport Joystick Device

To install the Gameport Joystick device, use the following steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add New Hardware.
3. Click Next, click No, and then click Next.
   

NOTE: If you are using Windows 98, click Next, click Next, click No, and then click Next.

1. In the Hardware Types list, click Sound, Video And Game Controllers, and then click Next.
2. In the Manufacturers box, click Microsoft.
3. In the Models box, click Gameport Joystick, and then click Next.
4. Click Next. Insert the Windows CD-ROM if you are prompted.
5. Click Finish. If you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

REFERENCES

For information about how to solve problems related to Microsoft ActiMates characters, use the ActiMates Troubleshooter located at the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/actimates/actitshoot/

For additional information or assistance with installing your sound card drivers and/or sound card, contact Orchid at:

Technical Support: (510) 683-0323
Bulletin Board (BBS): (510) 683-0555 or (510) 683-0327
Internet: www.orchid.com

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