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readme.txt
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1994-07-11
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10KB
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235 lines
* Readme.txt file for the 1994 Auto Almanac
This readme file contains tips for advanced users. It is not
necessary to read this file if you have not encountered problems
running the program! There is much more information in the
program help files than will be found in this readme file, so if
the program runs, that is probably where you should be (unless any
of the topics below appear so fascinating you feel compelled to
read on...). In the following text you will find:
A. Configuration information
B. Tips on running unsupported environments
C. Overviews on printing issues
D. Text search functions
E. VESA VGA Drivers
F. Quick Start Instructions
G. General data on troubleshooting
H. Licensing information
A. Configuration information
Most standard PC configurations will run this program if the
hardware meets the minimum requirements. Make sure that in your
CONFIG.SYS, FILES is set to at least 32 and BUFFERS is at a
minimum of 16, higher if you are not running SMARTDRV or another
caching program. The most critical factor in running the program
is that you have at least 550 KB of free memory in DOS. That is
explained in more detail in the troubleshooting section below.
B. Tips on running unsupported environments
Dr. DOS and pre MS DOS 5.0 installations have not been tested and
do not meet the specified requirements of the program--so you are
on your own.
Non MS-DOS memory managers have been tested and found to be
problematic. Removal of EMM386 has been tested and was found to
enhance the speed with which the program loads, but no other
benefits were noted. Removal of EMM386 is not recommended.
C. Overviews on printing issues
This program does not support any printing with the exception of
basic screen printing. In other words, if there is something on
screen that you want on paper, and your "Text" printer is
connected to your LPT1 port, then pressing the Print Screen Key
should produce some output, just as it would from the DOS command
line. This method will not work if there are graphics on screen or
if you have a non-text type printer (such as postscript) connected
to your computer.
If you have an HP laserjet or postscript printer there are some
UNSUPPORTED printing features you may want to play with. In the
root of the CD there are two bat files called PPCL.BAT and
PPSL.BAT. You may try running one of these files before you enter
the program to enable some graphics printing. The PPCL file is
for HP laserjets, the PPSL is for postscript type lasers. Make
sure to reboot after you are finished using this print capability
to clear the TSR's from memory. Beyond those tips you are on your
own. Remember, we do not currently support printing on the
program, since the program doesn't require it (and there are
just too many printers out there for us to support good DOS
graphics output).
D. Text search functions
Certain users may want to use TEXT search and other undocumented
(and of course unsupported) features built into this program. To
access the text search features from a text viewing screen simply
hold down the ALT key and simultaneously press this "S" key. This
action will invoke the pull down menus. You can then select the
various highlighted functions from the pull down menus.
E. VESA VGA Drivers
Support of non VESA standard VGA cards is extremely problematic in
the DOS environment. The best solution is to purchase a true VESA
standard card. However, if that is not feasible, or if your VESA
standard card is not truly 100% VESA compatible, (beyond returning
the card to where you purchased it and exchanging for a real VESA
card, which is what would be best), then the best we can offer you
is the most recent VESA software drivers for most major VGA cards.
This software is located in the \VFILE sub directory on the CD.
For support with the software or VGA hardware problems you should
contact your VGA card manufacturer's technical support. For VESA
information you may also contact VESA through VESA forums on the
following on-line services:
America On-line (AOL) : Keyword "VESA"
Compuserve (CIS) : GO "VESA"
BIX : VESA
or via
Video Electronics Standards Association
2150 North First Street, Suite 440
San Jose, CA 95131-2029
Voice (408) 435-0333
Fax (408) 435-8225
F. Quick Start Instructions
1. Fill out and Mail your registration card (by doing so you
qualify for free product updates and discount coupons)!
2. Make sure you have at least 2 megabytes of free disk space
on your hard drive (the CHKDSK DOS command can be used to
check space).
3. Insert the CD into your CD drive.
4. Type "X:\INSTALL" where "X " is the letter for your CD
ROM Drive.
5. Type "C:\AA94" to run the program.
G. Troubleshooting Tips
Program will not install?
1. After the CD is inserted, from DOS type "dir X:\*.ok", the
screen should say CDREADS.OK. If it does not, there is possibly
a problem with your machine.
Program will not run?
2. If the extended version of the program will not run (with a
minimum of 4mb of RAM), check to see if a memory manager
other than DOS is being used. If such is the case, re-install the
program in the non-extended version. (In some cases lowering the
SMARTDRV size to 512 allows the extended version to function.)
Note: DOS 6.2 or later is recommended due to improved memory
management capabilities and the additional benefit of increased
access speed for your CD-ROM Drive!
3. If the non-extended version of the program will not load, or
runs out of memory, check to make sure you have at least 550 kb of
memory free. To determine FREE MEMORY type "CHKDSK" from DOS. The
last line of the response will show the amount of bytes free.
There must be a minimum of 550,000 bytes free! If there is 550 kb
free, make sure you are not running under Windows or a DOS Shell.
Program runs but pictures do not display properly?
4. If there are problems encountered when attempting to view
images, your VGA card may be incompatible with the program. We
highly recommend VESA compatible VGA cards with one megabyte of
memory. If your monitor displays a distorted screen of
horizontal lines, your monitor is probably not capable of
showing the images your VGA card is able to generate.
Program runs but does sound does not play properly?
5. This program makes limited use of sound. If you have a real
Sound Blaster TM cars installed, make sure the CT-VOICE.DRV &
CTVDSK.DRV files, which came with the card, are copied to the
program directory. If other sound related problems are encountered
re-install the program without the Sound Blaster TM option.
Program runs or loads slowly?
6. The images and database contained in this program are extremely
large and detailed. For optimal performance a fast machine (40
MHz +) with a double speed CD-ROM Drive, DOS 6.2 and a fast hard
drive (< 20 ms) are recommended. Also note, the extended version
runs faster but loads much slower.
Program runs for a while then freezes?
7. If freeze-ups occur randomly then the response should be to
reboot your machine and rerun the program. If the freeze-ups
occur in a consistent pattern, consider re-configuring
the way your CONFIG.SYS file loads drivers & removing TSR's.
If the error Transgressed File Handles is diplayed, re-run
the program.
8. For more assistance you have several options for getting help:
I. You may mail us a letter with a copy of your AUTOEXEC.BAT and
CONFIG.SYS files, description of your machine configuration
including machine type, VGA Card type, memory amount, DOS version,
and the nature of the problem. Include your name and daytime
phone number. We will analyze the problem and call you with an
answer. Use the address found below.
II. You may contact us via Compuserve address 73374,54.
III. You may call the technical support number listed on the
inside of the CD cover booklet. Note however, these calls may be
billed to you on a per minute basis. Don't forget to try (F1)
the on-line in-program help!
H. License Agreement
License Agreement: Please read these terms and conditions
carefully. By using this product you are agreeing to abide by
these terms and conditions. Information obtained from the Auto-
Almanac may be used only for the Licensee's internal purposes, and
may not be modified, sold, rented, decompiled, used on a network,
or provided to any third party in any form.
Limited Warranty. The warranty for this product is limited to the
replacement of unreadable Compact Disks for 90 days from purchase.
Replacements must be obtained from the source of purchase and the
sales receipt is required. CE3 Incorporated does not warrant
that the contents of this product will be accurate or meet your
requirements or that operation will be error free. The user
assumes responsibility for risk of damage or loss caused by use of
this software. CE3 Incorporated will not be liable for any damages
whatsoever arising from the use of this product. CE3 Incorporated
assumes no responsibility for the opinions of the authors or
accuracy of data provided.
Copyright (c)1993 CE3 Incorporated 3134 PCH # 216, Torrance, CA
90505. Portions (c)(p) 1993 by Joe Pallatin. All rights
reserved.
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