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Software Vault: The Games Collection 1
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CDR01
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PINBALL.ZIP
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HELPME.DOC
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1993-10-19
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=============================================================================
Epic Pinball * Instructions & Troubleshooting Info * Version 1.1
=============================================================================
Epic Pinball Requires:
* A 286 or faster IBM-compatible computer (386 or faster for music & sound)
* VGA graphics
* Hard disk
Also supports:
* Sound Blaster, SB Pro, and compatible music cards
* Gravis Ultrasound music card
To start Epic Pinball:
1. Switch to the drive where the game is installed (C:)
2. Switch to the subdirectory where the game is installed (CD \PINBALL)
3. Type PINBALL.
=============================================================================
Common problems and solutions
=============================================================================
RUNNING WITH WINDOWS AND OS/2
=============================
This game should work properly under Windows and OS/2 if you turn all
sound card support OFF by running SETUP. However, if you want to hear
music or sound through your Sound Blaster, SB Pro, or Gravis Ultrasound,
only run Epic Pinball through DOS.
Here are some more Windows and OS/2 tips:
1. Even though Epic Pinball will work under Windows with sound card support
turned OFF, the graphics will run more smoothly under plain DOS.
2. If you try to run Epic Pinball through Windows or OS/2 with sound card
support ON, you'll get unpredictable results - Epic Pinball will not
run properly.
3. If you encounter any problems running through Windows or OS/2, exit and
run Epic Pinball through plain DOS instead! This will likely solve any
problems you are encountering.
4. Running Epic Pinball through the "MS-DOS Shell" in Windows (or the
OS/2 Dos box) is NOT the same as running it straight from DOS. For
best results, you need to completely exit from Windows or OS/2 and run
Epic Pinball from the DOS prompt.
NOT ENOUGH FREE MEMORY
======================
Problem: When I run Epic Pinball, the game refuses to start and gives
me the message "You need (amount) of free memory to run this program".
Solution: You need to free up more main (conventional) memory before
starting Epic Pinball. Here are some solution tips:
1. If you are trying to run Epic Pinball from Windows, completely exit
Windows and try running it from DOS.
2. If you are trying to run Epic Pinball from "DOSSHELL" or any other
menu program, please exit from the menu program. Then run Epic Pinball
from the DOS prompt. Menu programs often occupy enough memory that
there won't be enough left for Epic Pinball.
If neither #1 or #2 solves the problem, do the following:
1. From the DOS prompt, type "MEM" and press Enter.
2. You'll see a lot of information about your computer's memory. Look at
the number after the words "Largest Executable Program Size". This is
how much memory you currently have availble.
Now you need to free up more main memory, then you can begin Epic
Pinball. Here are some tips on how to free up more main memory:
1. If you're using DOS 6.0 or later, reboot your computer by pressing
RESET or Ctrl-Alt-Del. With for the message "Starting MS-DOS..." to come
up. Now press the [F5] key.
This will cause DOS 6.0 to bypass all of your TSR's, memory managers,
and other programs which normally occupy main memory.
Now change into the Pinball directory and begin the game.
2. If you have a version of DOS earlier than 6.0: You need to create a
"boot disk" to allow you to start your computer without loading all
the TSR's and memory managers that take away main memory. Here's how.
A. Put a blank disk in your A: drive and format it as a DOS disk. (Don't
do this in your B: drive - it won't work!) To do this, type the
following command:
FORMAT A: /S
B. Wait while your computer formats the disk and turns it into a boot disk.
C. Label the disk "Boot Disk" and keep it handy. You'll need this
disk whenever you want to start Epic Pinball.
Now, you can reboot your computer and play Epic Pinball:
A. Put the boot disk in your A: drive.
B. Restart your computer, either by pressing CTRL-ALT-DELETE, by
hitting your reset button, or by turning it on.
C. Wait while your computer boots from the boot disk.
D. After a little while, your computer will stop and give you the A>
prompt.
E. Now change onto your hard disk by typing "C:".
F. Change into the pinball directory by typing "CD \PINBALL".
G. Begin by typing "PINBALL".
Note to "Stacker" owners: If your C: drive is compressed and you need
a boot disk to start Epic Pinball, then you must install Pinball on a
different, non-compressed drive. See your Stacker manual for instructions
on doing this. (This only applies to users of DOS version 5.0 or earlier).
OTHER PROBLEMS
==============
Problem: When I run PINBALL, the computer locks up or reboots.
Solution: Run SETUP and verify that your settings are correct. If you are
not using a sound card, make sure that SETUP is set for "No Sound Card".
If you are using a sound card, verify that:
1. The correct options are specified in SETUP. Check your address, IRQ,
and DMA settings (most sound cards operate on DMA 1). If you don't know
your card's address, IRQ, and DMA settings, consult your manual for
details on figuring them out.
2. Your sound card has no address, IRQ, or DMA conflicts with other cards
in your system! If your sound card works properly with other games, you
can assume that there are no conflicts. However, if your sound card does
not work with other games, you have a conflict. See your sound card
manual for details on resolving these conflicts.
Problem: I notice a bit of flicker in the dotmation (dot animation).
Solution: This will happen on slower computers (386, less than 33 mhz) when
you have the music playing through your Sound Blaster. If you find this
distracting, we recommend turning off the music.
NOTE TO PRO AUDIO SPECTRUM OWNERS
=================================
Epic Pinball should work fine with the PAS, PAS+, and PAS-16 sound cards.
You need to run SETUP and tell it that you have a Sound Blaster card (not
a Sound Blaster Pro).
Important! To run Epic Pinball on any Pro Audio Spectrum sound card, you need
to have the PAS drivers loaded properly. PINBALL will only recognize your
PAS card if the drivers are loaded. See your PAS manual for instructions
on loading the right PAS drivers in your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files.
NOTE TO GRAVIS ULTRASOUND OWNERS
================================
By popular request, Epic Pinball supports the GUS! Just specify Gravis
Ultrasound from within SETUP. If you have any problems, check your
address, IRQ, and DMA settings. If you still have problems, boot clean
and try running PINBALL without any GUS drivers loaded - these
drivers (such as SBOS) might perhaps interfere with Pinball's direct,
native GUS support.
CONTACTING EPIC'S TECH SUPPORT
==============================
If you need further assistance, please call our tech support department
at 301-983-9771 between 9AM and 5PM Eastern Standard Time, or fax us
at 301-299-3841. You can also contact us on these online services:
THE EPIC MEGAGAMES BBS (Potomac, MD):
Contact: Help
2400-14.4K Baud: 301-738-0232
THE ROCK GARDEN BBS (Phoenix, AZ):
Message area: (Epic MegaGames)
Contact: Epic MegaGames
THE SHAREWARE SUPPORT BBS (Herts, England):
Contact: Epic MegaGames
2400-14.4K Baud: +44 (0) 442-891-109
INTERNET:
Mail: help@epic-usa.com
FTP: ftp.ulowell.edu
COMPUSERVE:
Mail: 70451,633
Messages & Files: GO GAMERS and GO IBMNEW
To place an order: GO SWREG
AMERICA ONLINE Mail: EpicGames