Hardcore Gamer Resource Kit/Hardcore Gamer Resource Kit - Disc 2.iso/Pc/K_O/NMPAT_B1.ZIP/NETINFO.TXT

Text File | 1996-07-01 | 85KB | 2,242 lines

--- NETMECH DOS TECHNICAL HELP


Introduction

Quick Solutions: Top Questions Answered

Minimum System Requirements
Pre-installation Information
Installing NetMech DOS

Playing NetMech DOS
Playing NetMech DOS in Windows 95
Finding Other MechWarriors for Modem Games

Performance
Network
Modems
Input Devices
Memory
Video
Audio
Cockpit Controls

Customer Support
Vendor List  (Only in NETINFO.HLP)
Credits


Please note that customer support for NetMech for DOS will be available
via our online services only.

------------------------------------------------------------------
--- INTRODUCTION

Welcome to NetMech DOS!

This troubleshooting guide contains tips and tricks we learned during the
months we play-tested NetMech DOS.  We hope it will help you solve any
problems that come up when you are installing or using NetMech DOS

If the problem you are having isn't covered in this guide, try downloading a
more recent version; we will continue to update it as we learn more.  If you
already have the latest version, and still can't find a solution for your
problem, try posting a question in one of our online forums, or sending us
electronic mail.  (See Customer Support below.)


This troubleshooting guide can be read as a text file (NETINFO.TXT) or as
a Microsoft Help file (NETINFO.HLP).
For the User's Guide that describes how to use NetMech DOS after
installation, read the companion file NETMECH.TXT (in Help, you can do
this by clicking on the Guide button above).

Please feel free to send comments or feedback to us via the online forums
or e-mail; it will help us improve this guide and our products.

------------------------------------------------------------------
--- QUICK SOLUTIONS: TOP QUESTIONS ANSWERED


I get funny lines on my display in game play when running from a Windows
95 DOS box.

The black lines that run through NetMech DOS when running in 640x480
or higher in a Windows 95 box can be resolved by running in a window
instead of full screen.  One way to do this is to make a shortcut
to C:\MECH2\NETMECH.EXE, then right mouse click on it and choose
Properties. Choose the Screen tab. Click on the box that has Windowed
next to it rather than Full Screen.



In the list of serial ports, I only see two serial ports listed, COM2
and COM4. Why don't I see COM1 and COM3?

If the mouse is on COM1 you can't use COM3; if it's on COM2, you can't
use COM4.  This is because COM1 and COM3 share the same IRQ line.



I have MechWarrior 2 DOS v1.0.  When I install NetMech, all my
function-keys stop working.  What do I do?

This means you need to upgrade to MechWarrior 2 DOS v1.1 before installing
NetMech.  The patch to do the upgrade is called MECH2V11.EXE, and can
be found on the CD-ROM and on our web site. See the section titled
"Upgrading to MechWarrior 2 DOS V1.1" for instructions.



I have MechWarrior 2 DOS v.1.0 plus the v1.1 patch. Is it okay to install
the patch after installing NetMech?

No. You should install MechWarrior 2 DOS first, then the patch (if
needed), then NetMech DOS. Installing in a different order may cause
some function keys to stop working and may cause other problems.



Problems loading the game:

Several of the answers below will mention VESA drivers.  These are
usually TSR programs which are loaded in AUTOEXEC.BAT or from the
DOS prompt.  Many video cards come with a VESA driver that you can
load. For example, ATI Mach 32 video cards include VVESA.COM.
Consult your video card manual for more information.  See also the section
titled "Video" below.
If your card didn't come with a VESA driver, you can try one from a third
party.  The VESA driver we recommend is called UniVBE, the Universal
Video BIOS Extension. It is a common shareware program, made by
SciTech software, which can be downloaded from our BBS, SciTech
Software's web page (http://www.scitechsoft.com), or commercial online
services. You can contact SciTech Software directly for more information
at [phone].


After typing MECH2 at the DOS prompt, the screen goes blank for a
second and then returns to the DOS prompt.

This usually either means you need a VESA driver (see above), or that
NetMech DOS can't find your mouse driver. This commonly occurs with
Logitech mice. You may want to get a Microsoft compatible mouse driver
which is often readily available from commercial online services and many
Bulletin Board Systems.


I get an Error #14 message when launching into a mission.

You may have run out of disk space!  If this happens, make sure you have
four or so megabytes of free disk space when starting NetMech.  (This only
matters if you are running low on memory in Windows 95, and the operating
system tries to use hard disk space to substitute for RAM.)

I get an Error #29 message when loading the game or when entering
missions.

This problem is most commonly caused by a video card that can't adjust to
the necessary video modes for NetMech DOS. This can usually be solved
by loading a VESA driver before loading the game (see above).


If you are sure that this message is not caused by your video card, you can
try making a boot disk using the menu option in NETSETUP.EXE located
in the directory where you installed the game. The boot disk program will
copy your startup files to a floppy disk and attempt to make necessary
changes to the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files. If you have
problems with your boot disk and need help, it is best to contact us by fax
or e-mail. Include information about any error messages caused by the boot
disk and your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files.


I am trying to load NetMech DOS, but it takes a long time to load. Is there
something I can do to speed up this process?

NetMech usually takes anywhere from 10-30 seconds to load. If NetMech
is taking an exceedingly long time to load, try disabling any virus scan
programs.


To disable a virus scan program from DOS:
You must edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Type REM in front of the line
in the AUTOEXEC.BAT that contains the virus program. For further
instructions consult the manual that came with your virus scan program.

To disable a virus scan program from Windows 95:
Right-click on the Virus Scan icon on your taskbar. Choose Disable.


I have a Hewlett Packard Pavilion 7070 with a Crystal 16 bit sound card
and Trio 64V+ video card and the computer locks up when I start NetMech.
What can I do to run the game?

This computer configuration only supports the game when in DOS 7.0 or
DOS 6.22. When using the DOS box the game will probably not run.


I get a Divide Overflow error when launching into missions.

This problem can occasionally be caused by a video card or joystick port
problem.


If the error is occurring because of your video card, it can usually be
solved by loading a VESA driver (see above).

This problem can also be caused by multiple joystick ports. Most sound
cards include a game port where you can connect a joystick to your
computer. In addition, many systems also have a dedicated game port or a
game port on an I/O card. If you have more than 1 game port, only one
should be enabled. Many ports can be deactivated with a utility program
included in the software. Consult your user's manuals or contact your
system manufacturer on how to disable an active port.


We have also found this message can be caused by the digital mode driver
for the Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro. This can be solved by using the
analog mode of the joystick.


Problems Joining Games:

NetMech doesn't allow me to join a game.  Why?

Continue to click on the Join button, or back out of the Rooms screen
and then go back in.  If you still can't join, perhaps that game is
full; only eight players are allowed in a game.

If there are less than seven players in the game, it could be a network
problem, and you should check your network cards and drivers for problems.
In particular, parallel port Ethernet adapters seem to have trouble
in real mode DOS 7.0 or DOS 6.22, and are not supported with NetMech
DOS. (They seem to work in a Windows 95 DOS box.)


Sometimes I see more than one pilot's lounge. Why?

There are several possibilities:


1.    Only 20 or so players can fit in a pilot's lounge.  When a
lounge fills up, another one is created to accommodate new players.

2.    A rogue pilot's lounge has been accidentally created by a net-
lagged player. In this case there are simply two pilot's lounges and you can
join whichever one you want by clicking on and joining it. The rogue pilot's
lounge will most likely merge into the normal pilot's lounge once there is
only one player left in the rogue pilot's lounge.


Problems Uninstalling:

I want to delete NetMech DOS, but keep MechWarrior 2 DOS.

If you installed NetMech DOS in the same directory as MechWarrior 2
DOS, you must delete the entire directory and reinstall MechWarrior 2
DOS. Remember to save the MEK subdirectory if you want to save your
custom 'Mechs, and the GIDDI subdirectory to maintain your custom
joystick configurations.


------------------------------------------------------------------


--- MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

*    100% IBM PC-compatible computer
*    486DX2/66MHz processor

*    8 MB RAM (7 MB of free extended memory)
*    Double-speed CD-ROM drive (300K/second sustained transfer rate)
*    30 MB of uncompressed hard disk space
*    VESA local bus or PCI video card
*    256 color SVGA (640 x 480)
*       Microsoft MS-DOS 6.22 operating system
*    100% Microsoft-compatible mouse and driver
*    100% Sound Blaster-compatible sound card
*    Dedicated game card highly recommended for joystick
*    One of the following:
*    Novell Network
*    Novell-compatible IPX network (e.g., Windows 95)
*    100 % Hayes/MS-DOS-compatible modem (9600 bps for head-to-head
    play; 14,400 bps is recommended.)
*    Null-modem cable and serial port with 16550 UART


Note:  An original MechWarrior 2 (DOS or Windows 95) disc is required
to host a game.

Supported Input Devices:  Analog joystick, CH Flightstick, Thrustmaster
FCS, Microsoft SideWinder (CH Flightstick mode).  If NetMech DOS is
loaded into an existing MechWarrior 2 DOS directory, NetMech can use all
configured and customized input devices that MechWarrior 2 DOS
supports.


------------------------------------------------------------------
--- PRE-INSTALLATION INFORMATION


Here is some important information that you should know before you install
and start your NetMech experience:


Hard Disk

The game requires 30 MB of UN-compressed free disk space. NetMech will
not work properly using compressed hard disk space (such as Stacker and
DoubleSpace).


Memory

In order to run NetMech you need 8 MB of RAM and over 6.8 MB of
extended memory. If you have between 6.5 MB and 6.8 MB of extended
memory, the game will play, but some missions will run slower. For
optimal performance it is best to configure your memory so you have over
6.9 MB of extended memory. To help you free up more memory, we
included a boot disk-making utility that you will be prompted to use from
the Installer.


Other Operating Systems and Windows 95

NetMech requires MS-DOS 6.0 or later. Other operating systems (e.g.,
OS/2 Warp and Windows NT) are not supported. Although NetMech might
work just fine with them, we have not tested thoroughly with them. If you
have a problem using unsupported operating systems it is best to contact the
operating system company to try and work out compatibility issues. Please
check Activision's online forums on a regular basis for future updates on
NetMech compatibility issues.


A special note for Windows 95 users: NetMech is a DOS program, but has
been tested successfully under Windows 95. In your NetMech directory,
we've provided a Windows 95 shortcut that you can double-click to start
NetMech.


VESA Video Drivers

NetMech requires that your system have a standard VESA video driver to
run your video. Please verify that you have one loaded before launching
NetMech.

If the VESA driver supplied by your video card does not function properly
with NetMech, try using the UniVBE VESA driver. This is available for
downloading from our Activision BBS or any of our online locations, or
from the SciTech Software Web page (http://www.scitechsoft.com). It
might also be located on your local BBS or other online services.


------------------------------------------------------------------
--- INSTALLING NETMECH DOS

First, make sure you have 30 megabytes of free uncompressed hard disk
space.


Second, if you are running Windows, close all running programs. You can
close a program by clicking on the close button (X) located in the top
right-hand corner of each of its windows. Also close programs listed
on the taskbar. Do this by right-clicking on a program's button and
selecting Close.


Third, if you downloaded the self-extracting executable, unpack and run the
installer.  (For these instructions, we will assume that you have downloaded
it to the C:\TEMP folder.)


Under Windows 95:
1. Click on the Start button on your Windows 95 taskbar.
2. Select Run, then type C:\TEMP\NM10 and click the OK button.
   This will take some time.
3. Click on the Start button on your Windows 95 taskbar.
4. Select Run, then type C:\MECH2\INSTALL.BAT and click the OK
   button.

Under DOS:
1. At the DOS prompt, type CD \TEMP and press Enter.
2. At the DOS prompt, type NM10 and press Enter.  This will take
   some time.
3. At the DOS prompt, type CD \MECH2 and press Enter.
4. At the DOS prompt, type INSTALL and press Enter.


Or, if you purchased a NetMech DOS CD-ROM, insert it into your CD-ROM
drive (for these instructions, we will assume that your CD drive is
drive D:) and run the installer.

Under Windows 95:
1. Click on the Start button on your Windows 95 taskbar.
2. Select Run, then type D:\INSTALL and click the OK button.

Under DOS:
1. At the DOS prompt, type D: and press Enter.
2. At the D:\> prompt, type INSTALL and press Enter.


Follow the on-screen instructions carefully.  (For instance, if you don't
have the CD-ROM, the installer will prompt you to press 'F'.)

On a 486/66, the installer can take up to 25 seconds to load, so be patient.

(To abort the installation process, type Ctrl+X. Make sure you first delete
the NetMech DOS directory and its subdirectories, if created, before
reinstalling. Note: If you want to save any customized 'Mechs, be sure to
copy the MEK folder onto a floppy disk before deleting the NetMech DOS
directory.)

The installer will first check to make sure you have enough memory.  You
need about 400k of free DOS memory to run it.  If you don't have enough,
try commenting out a TSR (e.g., MSCDEX) in autoexec.bat temporarily.
You need about 6,900k of free XMS memory to run NetMech DOS.
(If you still don't have enough, try commenting out the SMARTDRV line in
AUTOEXEC.BAT.)

NOTE: If you get a warning message that you are below the required amount,
you will probably be able to install anyway. At the end of the installation
process, you will be given the opportunity to create a boot disk to help in
freeing up more main memory (RAM).



The installer then asks you to tell it what sound card you have. It will
attempt to detect your sound configuration automatically and select the
appropriate drivers. However, on some systems you may need to choose
your sound card manually from the list provided. The Installer will then try
to verify the presence of that sound card in your system. If your sound card
is not shown and is 100% Sound Blaster-compatible, you should be able to
select the Creative Labs Sound Blaster or 100% compatible driver to hear
sound and music in the game. When you are finished selecting the proper
sound devices, select Accept Settings and press Enter.


If you're installing from CD-ROM, the installer then copies NetMech files
to your hard drive. The Installer will automatically install all the files
necessary for IPX, modem and null-modem play.


After the game is installed, you will be presented with the option to register
your copy of NetMech via our online registration system. If you live in
North America, and have a modem connected to your computer, registering
your purchase of NetMech is very easy, quick and toll-free. By registering,
you might win some cool stuff as well. All you have to do is fill in the
requested information (basically your address plus a couple of other
questions). Once you have finished, select SEND and your registration
information will be sent to us via our toll-free 800 number. Of course, if
you want to register later, just select BYPASS. Please only register once. If
you successfully use the online registration method, there is no need to mail
in the enclosed registration card.


Finally, you will be asked if you wish to make a boot disk. This procedure
requires that you insert a disk into your A: drive. Please verify that you
have created a backup of the contents of this disk, since this process will
erase all data on it. Also, use a high-density disk. When the formatting
process is complete and you have typed in a volume label for the boot disk,
you will be asked if you want to format another; type N for no and press
Enter.
NOTE: The game's boot disk maker utility was designed for systems using
DOS as their operating system, and is usually not needed with Windows 95.


If installing from Windows, close the installer window by clicking on the
close button (X) located in the top right-hand corner of the DOS box
window.


If installing from DOS, you will be returned to the directory in which
NetMech was installed. To begin your NetMech experience, type
NETMECH and press Enter.



------------------------------------------------------------------


--- POST-INSTALLATION NOTES

After installing NetMech, it is easy to change your sound device
configurations, view the README file, make a boot disk or register NetMech
electronically (if you bypassed this step while installing).  The program
NETSETUP does of all these things.  To launch NETSETUP, just go to the
NetMech directory on your hard drive, type NETSETUP and press Enter. This
will launch a program that will allow you to do all of these things.

Under Windows 95:
1. Click on the Start button on your Windows 95 taskbar.
2. Select Run, then type C:\MECH2\NETSETUP and click the OK button.

Under DOS:
1. At the DOS prompt, type CD \MECH2 and press Enter.
2. At the DOS prompt, type NETSETUP and press Enter.


What if I run into trouble running NetMech under Windows 95?

If the above process does not work for you, click on the Start icon, choose
Shutdown and restart the computer in MS-DOS mode. At the MS-DOS
prompt, go to the directory where you installed NetMech (default is
MECH2) and from the NetMech directory type NETMECH and press Enter
to start the game.

I don't have an Internet account. Can I still go online?

You may be able to get an internet account from a local Internet Service
Provider or BBS.  If you live in North America, see the section "Online
Components" for information on two North American service providers.

------------------------------------------------------------------

--- PLAYING NETMECH DOS


Can I use Ghost Bear 'Mechs in this version of NetMech?

Ghost Bear 'Mechs are not available in NetMech DOS, but will be available
in the upcoming MechWarrior 2 Mercenaries.


The actual distance a weapon fires is not the same as the stated distance in
the game.

The actual range for weaponry varies from 'Mech to 'Mech. This is due to
variations in temperature, weather, 'Mech manufacturer and place of origin.

------------------------------------------------------------------

--- PLAYING NETMECH DOS IN WINDOWS 95


Other applications can continue running in the background while you
use NetMech DOS, if you have enough memory.  However, NetMech DOS does
require the whole screen, so you won't be able to see the other apps
until you quit NetMech.


I get palette corruption when going from the DOS Prompt to the Windows
95 Desktop and back to the DOS prompt.

NetMech DOS is a DOS version of the game. While the game can be
played from a Windows 95 DOS box, Windows has trouble restoring the
NetMech screen if you switch away from it. Using Alt+Tab to switch
between NetMech DOS and the Windows 95 desktop is not recommended.


When I insert a CD-ROM, the NetMech screen goes away, the program on
the CD-ROM starts running, and I can't get back to NetMech.  What is
going on?

Windows 95 has detected a new program, and thinks you want to run it.
You can keep this from happening by holding down the SHIFT key for
twenty seconds after you insert the CD-ROM.  Another way to prevent this is
to turn off AutoPlay by following these steps:

1. In Control Panel, click on System, click on Device Manager.

2. Click on your CD-ROM device, and click on Properties, then Settings.

3. Make sure the box labeled "Auto Insert Notification" is not checked.


I can't get the <Alt+Tab> key to work. Why?

If you use the shortcut that the game provides it will disable the Alt+Tab
feature for the duration of the game. Using Alt+Tab while playing NetMech
DOS is not recommended since Windows 95 has trouble switching back to
NetMech from the WIndows 95 desktop.


Can I use 'Mechs created in MechWarrior 2 Windows 95 while playing
NetMech DOS?

Yes!  All you need to do is copy the MEK folder from MechWarrior 2 Windows
95's installation directory into NetMech DOS's installation directory.
We have provided a batch file to make this easier.
Under DOS:
1.     At the DOS prompt, type CD \MECH2
2.     At the DOS prompt, type GET95MEK
This will copy all your custom 'Mech files. This only works if both
programs are installed in their default directories.


Can I use custom cockpit control settings created in MechWarrior 2 DOS while
playing NetMech DOS?

Yes, if you have installed NetMech DOS into the same directory as
MechWarrior 2 DOS.


Can I use custom cockpit control settings created in MechWarrior 2
Windows 95 while playing NetMech DOS?

No.  The input device / cockpit control editors for MechWarrior 2 Windows
95 and MechWarrior 2 DOS are incompatible.


Can I install NetMech DOS into the same folder as NetMech Windows 95?

No. This is because the input device settings files for MechWarrior 2
Windows 95 and MechWarrior 2 DOS are incompatible.


Can I play against somebody who has NetMech Windows 95?

Not directly  they have to load NetMech DOS.  Since NetMech DOS works
well under Windows 95, and is a free download, get your opponent to install
NetMech DOS, and you'll be able to play just fine.

------------------------------------------------------------------

--- FINDING OTHER MECHWARRIORS FOR MODEM GAMES

If you have e-mail and access to the World Wide Web, you can access
several sites that maintain lists of people with NetMech who are looking for
sparring partners.  There are even tournaments organized by enthusiasts.
You can get a list of these sites at the NetMech web page,
http://www.activision.com/netmech

If you have Usenet news access, try the MechWarrior 2 news group,
alt.games.mechwarrior2.  It's a lively place!

If you have AOL access, you might try asking people in the NetMech
discussion group in Activision's forum; go to keyword ACTIVISION, then
select General Discussion Areas, and finally click on NetMech.


If you have Microsoft Network access, inside MSN, pull down the Edit
menu and select Go To and then Other Location. At the prompt, type
ACTIVISION and click OK.

If you have Compuserve, try GO GAMBPUB.

You can also try the Activision BBS, at [phone].

If you're an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) enthusiast, you might try dialing up
the #Mech2 channel.

In North America, if you'd rather dial in to a BBS dedicated to online
gaming, you might try Dwango.  Dwango's client software is available at
their web site, http://www.dwango.com, and is included on the NetMech
DOS CD-ROM in the \DWANGO or \DWANGO95 directories.  This is the only
supported method of playing against more than two players via modem at
this time.  Dwango presently uses 14.4 modems, and can support up to four
players in a single game.


Other methods of online gaming may become available in the future.

If you live in North America, see also the section titled "Online
Components".

------------------------------------------------------------------

--- PERFORMANCE


NetMech has features that were designed to support a wide range of
computers. When you initially configure NetMech for play, NetMech will
make several default settings regarding which features should be used and
which should be turned OFF.

The trade-offs are different for each user, so we allow any machine to run
any options, but please keep in mind that the higher the level of detail, the
more demanding the machine requirements.

NetMech's default resolution is 320x200. We recommend this resolution
unless you have a P-90 or above. On Pentium 90 computers, NetMech
should run well at 640x480, while 1024x768 is recommended for P-120s or
higher. Video cards also vary dramatically; many cards are optimized for
extremely high performance in Windows, but can actually be very slow for
use in DOS. The best way to determine this is by running NetMech. Start
with a resolution of 320x200, and select whatever options best match your
machine's capabilities and your desire for realism. Move up to a
higher resolution, and adjust graphic options until you reach a satisfactory
balance.

Try making the following changes to increase the game's performance:

Terrain Textures:    Try turning these OFF.
Object Textures:    Try turning these OFF.
Display Detail:         Try switching to LOW.
Chunk Explosions:    Try turning these OFF.
Resolution:             Reduce to the next lower resolution if you're running
                        above 320x200.


These changes should be sufficient to get the game running reasonably on
any machine. Other options can be left ON, as their performance cost is
low.

------------------------------------------------------------------

--- NETWORK


I start the game, select IPX, and the screen says "Network driver not
available".  What should I do?

If you're running Windows 95, you might have left another copy of NetMech
DOS running in the background!  You can only run one copy at a time.
If this isn't the case, you probably need to load an IPX driver.

To load an IPX driver in Windows 95, go to Start, then Settings, then click
on Control Panel, click on Networking, and make sure that you have an IPX
or IPX-compatible driver listed.  If you don't, try the following: double-
click on Add, then double-click on Protocol, then click on Microsoft, and
finally double-click on "IPX/SPX-compatible Protocol".


To load an IPX driver in MS-DOS 6.22, check the floppy that came with
your Ethernet card; most cards come with a setup program that installs an
IPX driver for you.  If the card's setup program asks you what network
operating system, choose the one that looks closest to "Novell Netware 3.x
for MS-DOS".  Often, there are two different types of drivers, NETX and VLM;
NETX is the elder and probably safer, but either should work.

Technically inclined people who want to connect an IPX driver to a modem
instead of to an Ethernet card may be able to do it by fiddling with the
Protocol control panel under Windows 95, or under DOS by loading a PPP dialer
program that presents a Packet Driver interface, then loading a Packet
Driver version of IPX.COM.  This is treading on serious guru territory,
though, and we haven't tried it here.  One good place to research network
driver issues is "The PC and Mac TCP/IP and NFS FAQ",
http://www.rtd.com/pcnfsfaq/faq.html.


When in DOS 6.22 or real mode DOS 7/Windows 95, NetMech doesn't seem to
work with my parallel port Ethernet adapter.  Why?

Parallel port Ethernet adapters seem to have trouble in real mode DOS 7.0
or DOS 6.22, and are not supported with NetMech DOS. (They seem to
work in a Windows 95 DOS box.)  It's those darn real mode drivers; they
don't seem to work well with 32-bit programs like NetMech DOS.


When using DOS 6.22, I type NETMECH from the directory where I
installed NetMech. The computer hangs and I can't get into the game or see
any hosts or players in the Pilot's Lounge. What is going on?

Make sure you have the latest network driver for the Ethernet card.


I am using Netmech at my company, and our LAN has multiple segments,
so some of my friends can't see my game when I host.  What do I do?

Run the program IPXADR.EXE.  It will create the batch file JOINGAME.BAT.
Send JOINGAME.BAT to your friends.  Have them run it instead of NETMECH
when they want to join your games.  It will start NETMECH using a special
parameter that tells it your computer's IPX address.
Note: you might experience varying amounts of network lag while playing
this way, since your packets have to be forwarded by your LAN's routers,
and can't travel directly between players' machines.


------------------------------------------------------------------

--- MODEMS


In the list of serial ports, I only see two serial ports listed, COM2
and COM4. Why don't I see COM1 and COM3?

If the mouse is on COM1 you can't use COM3; if it's on COM2, you can't
use COM4.  This is because COM1 and COM3 share the same IRQ line.


My internal modem is set to COM3, IRQ5.  How do I use it with NetMech?

At the DOS prompt, type NETMECH -Kirq=5 and press Enter.
Then run it as usual, and select COM3 in the modem configuration screen.


When I try to dial or answer, the modem lights flash, but I still get the
error "Can't init communications".  How can I find out what's going on?

Every time NetMech dials or answers the modem, it creates a log file
MODEM.LOG.  When you contact Activision for help with a modem problem,
you might want to include MODEM.LOG in your message.


I don't have touch tone.  How can I dial?

At the DOS prompt, type NETMECH -Kpulse and press Enter.


The game cannot detect my modem when I am in DOS. Is this a problem
with my modem?

You may have an internal U.S. Robotics WinModem. This modem is not
compatible with DOS programs. Also, it does not emulate the regular serial
chips so it cannot be detected by DOS.


I am trying to play the game in DOS 6.22 using the modem on my
Aptiva/M-Wave system, but I can't get it to work. How come this is
happening?

The M-Wave modem supports NetMech DOS in a Window 95 DOS box
and DOS 7.0. However, the M-Wave modem cannot be used in DOS 6.X.


The person I was playing with got disconnected and now I want to play
again. What do I do?

You must return to the Transport Selection screen and repeat the process
you used to connect in the first place.


My modem does not respond when I call the modem of another
player who has just disconnected from a previous game.

If it is an external modem, switch it off and then on and try to connect.
If it is an internal modem, go back to the MECH2 directory and then
return to NetMech and try connecting gain.


When using DWANGO, I am unable to dial an opponent in the same area
code.

When playing an opponent in the same area code you must deactivate the
area code option.


There seems to be a lag in gameplay and the other 'Mechs keep
disappearing when using modems and slower machines.

Your machine probably has an old 8250 serial chip. You need to upgrade
to a serial port with a 16550 serial chip. You can tell what kind of
serial chip you have by running MSD.


My modem isn't listed in the modem list in the modem configuration string
and the init string for the other modems doesn't work with mine.

Usually, the "Hayes Compatible" init string works for all modems, so make
sure nothing's wrong with your modem setup.  If you're sure you need to
change your init string, then use a text editor to edit the file MODEM.LST;
add a line with modem name and init string like so:

modem name=init string

Make sure you pick an init string you know works, such as one included in
the installation manual for your modem.


How do I disable call waiting?

If your phone line has the Disable Call Waiting feature, you can disable call
waiting by including the appropriate command in front of the phone
number you are calling. This will prevent anyone from interrupting the call.
For example:

Name: Gumby
Number: *70,,,1-818-555-1212

Where "*70" is the code to disable call waiting, and the commas (,) are
simply used to provide a delay so you can hear the special dial tone that
acknowledges your code. Check with your local phone company regarding
how to disable call waiting for your particular area; you might need to use
some other code instead of *70, for instance, #70.

Only the person placing the call can disable call waiting!


------------------------------------------------------------------

--- NULL MODEMS

If you have two computers in the same room, but they don't have Ethernet
cards, you can use a direct serial connection to play a two player
game of NetMech.  To do this, get a null modem cable (also known as a
Laplink(tm) cable) plug each end into a serial port on one of the computers.


In the list of serial ports, I only see two serial ports listed, COM2
and COM4. Why don't I see COM1 and COM3?

If the mouse is on COM1 you can't use COM3; if it's on COM2, you can't
use COM4.  This is because COM1 and COM3 share the same IRQ line.


When using null modem, I can't see anybody else in the Pilot's Lounge.

You might have a cabling problem, or be using the wrong comm port.
Some computers have two serial ports and an internal modem,
but the second comm port is on COM4 instead of COM2.
We often use a terminal program to help debug null modem connections.
For instance, if you have Windows 3.1, run TERMINAL.EXE on both machines,
choose 9600 baud and no flow control, and experiment with the port setting
until you can see each other type.


------------------------------------------------------------------

--- Online Components

NOTE: DWANGO and Earthlink are available for North American users only.

*** DWANGO

DWANGO is a BBS system dedicated to online gaming.  It uses direct dialup
connections, so you don't need an account with anyone else to use DWANGO.
There are DWANGO servers in many North American cities, so for many people,
it's a local call.

To install the DOS version of DWANGO, follow these steps:

1.    Insert the NetMech disc into your CD-ROM drive.

2.    Go to the DWANGO directory on your CD (e.g., D:\>CD\DWANGO)
    and press Enter.

3.      From the DWANGO directory, type INSTALL and
    press Enter.

4.    DWANGO is now installed on your hard drive. Go to the DWANGO
    directory on your hard drive (e.g., C:\>CD\DWANGO) and press Enter.

5.    Select baud rate and COM port, then press F1 to select
    modem. Press F10 when done.

6.    Select server, local or long distance and/or Call Waiting
    Disabled.

7.    Create an account (make handle and password).

8.    Go to billing by pressing F5 to enter the authorization number
    from the DWANGO "Four Free Hours" certificate included with your CD-ROM.
    Your account will be credited with four free hours.

NOTE: You must comment out EMM386 from your CONFIG.SYS file to run the
DOS version of DWANGO!


To install the Win95 version of DWANGO, follow these steps:

1.    Insert the NetMech disc into your CD-ROM drive.

2.  Click on Start, then click on Run, then type
    D:\DWANGO95\SETUP.EXE

3.  DWANGO is now installed on your hard drive.  Click on Start, then
    click on Programs, then click on "Dwango for Windows 95".

4.    Servers are listed by city name; choose the one closest to you.
    If the server has the same area code as you, turn off the check box
    named "Use Area Code".  If you have Call Waiting, you probably want to
    turn on the check box named "Disable Call Waiting" so people don't
    interrupt your game with voice calls.  Click on OK.

5.    Select baud rate, COM port, and modem type.  Click on OK.

6.    Create an account (make handle and password).

7.    Go to the Billing menu, click on "Acquire more time", then enter
    the authorization number from the DWANGO "Four Free Hours" certificate
    included with your CD-ROM.
    Your account will be credited with four free hours.


*** EarthLink Network Total Access

Included in your TotalAccess package is:

    EarthLink's Network's Internet Dialer Configuration, connecting
    you to the Internet at up to 28,800 bps

    Netscape Navigator(TM), the world's most popular browser

    Eudora Light(TM), the ultimate electronic e-mail for the Internet

    Technical support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at [phone]

    Signing up with Earthlink Network through this special NetMech
    offer entitles you to the following exclusive deal:

    15 days of unlimited Internet access for FREE ($9.97 value)

    Netscape Navigator ($39.95 value)

    No setup charge ($25.00 value)

    After your free 15 days, unlimited Internet and World Wide Web
    access for only $19.95 per month.

    TotalAccess will set up your Internet account in less than
    five minutes.  To do so, follow the instructions below:

    1.  Double-click on the My Computer icon.

    2.  Right-click on the NetMech CD icon and select Explore.

    3.  Open the EarthLink folder.

    4.  Double-click on SETUP.EXE.

    5.  Follow the instructions to register your new EarthLink Network
    TotalAccess account.  If at any time you need additional help,
    click the Help button.

    NOTE: EarthLink Network TotalAccess requires Windows 95.


------------------------------------------------------------------

--- INPUT DEVICES


NetMech requires a Microsoft-compatible mouse to run. Most mice today
are Microsoft-compatible. In order for the mouse to work properly in
NetMech, a mouse driver must be loaded before running the game. The
mouse driver must also be fairly current and VESA-compatible. Contact
the manufacturer of your mouse or the dealer who sold the mouse to you
to see if your driver is the most current available.


Why do I get an "Error: Mouse Not Found" message?

This message is usually the result of one of two problems:

1.    The most likely problem is that a mouse driver has not been
loaded. NetMech DOS needs a DOS mouse driver to run in MS-DOS mode.
You can try playing in a Windows 95 DOS box or load your DOS mouse
driver to play in MS-DOS mode. To load your DOS mouse driver exit to
MS-DOS mode. To exit Windows 95 to MS-DOS mode follow these
instructions:

a.    Click on the START button.

b.    Choose Shut Down.

c.    Choose the Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode option.

d.    Now click on the YES button.

e.    Find the mouse driver executable, then execute it by typing its
    name (e.g. C:\MOUSE.EXE).


    If you are unaware of where it is, follow these instructions:

(1.)    Type CD \ and press Enter.

(2.)    Type DIR MOUSE.* /S and press Enter. This will show you what
        directory your mouse resides in (e.g. C:\MOUSE).

(3.)    Then type CD MOUSE (or CD xxx, where xxx is your mouse's
        directory). This will put you in the mouse directory where you can
        then type its name.

The name may be LMOUSE, MOUSE, MSMOUSE. Those names
will be displayed when you follow the steps stated above on how to find
your mouse.

If your mouse driver is not found you will want to contact your
system or mouse manufacturer for an updated DOS mouse driver.

Another reason you could get this error is if the mouse driver is being
correctly loaded, but it is an older version that is not supported. In this
case you should contact your system or mouse manufacturer for the updated
DOS mouse driver as well.


How can I calibrate and configure my joystick in NetMech DOS?


If you are installing NetMech DOS for the first time:

The Install program will ask you to run INSTALL.BAT. At the C: prompt,
run INSTALL.BAT and follow the directions. At the Input Device(s)
screen, choose your input device (NOTE: If you do not see your joystick's
manufacturer then select the analog 2 button option). Continue to follow the
directions until you are back at C:\MECH2

If you have already installed NetMech DOS:

Go to the MECH2 directory and type NETSETUP at the C: prompt. At the
NetMech Setup Utility Screen, select Configure Input Devices and follow
the instructions. Your last step will be exiting to DOS and then typing
NETMECH.


Calibrating and configuring before you enter the game:

If you are using a new input device for the first time, as you enter the game
you will see a black calibration screen. The other players will see "Waiting
for remote players" until you finish calibrating.

Calibrating and configuring during the game:

You can calibrate your joystick while in the game by pressing Esc. Follow
the instructions. However, remember that you are already in the game and
therefore a target during the calibration process.


I am having problems calibrating my joystick to work with NetMech. What
should I do?

MechWarrior 2 and NetMech are designed to be very sensitive to joystick
controls to allow for more precision. The trade-off is that you must be
delicate in configuring your joystick. Please follow the screen directions
very closely and slowly. The most common problem encountered by
MechWarrior 2 players is caused by rushing through the joystick
configuration screens. Please take your time to configure properly. Wait
until the dot appears to move with your joystick and follow the stick
movement and button click sequence precisely.  (If you have MechWarrior
2 DOS, you might also want to read the section "Cockpit Controls" below.)


Which Thrustmaster products are supported by NetMech?

NetMech supports default configurations of the following Thrustmaster
input devices:

Flight Control Systems Mark I and II
Weapons Control Systems Mark II vrs. 5.08
Rudder Control Systems
F-16 Flight Control Systems


My computer freezes when calibrating or does not calibrate the CH
Flightstick Pro properly.

We believe the problem results from conflicts in some sound card game-
ports. The best alternative is to install and use a dedicated game port on a
separate I/O card and disable the game port on your sound card.


How come my Thrustmaster Mark I Weapons Control System (WCS) will
not work with NetMech DOS?

NetMech is designed to be fully functional with Thrustmaster's Mark II
Weapons Control Systems. The Mark I WCS should function with
NetMech, but it will not be programmable. However, compatibility is
ensured for Mark II users and an .ADV file has been provided for your use.

To use the .ADV file that will set up your WCS Mark 2 to run with
NetMech, you must perform the following steps:

NOTE: In the examples, we will assume that your CD-ROM drive is D: and
your WCS directory is MARK2.

1.    Type CD \MARK2 to enter the WCS Mark 2 directory.

2.    Type M2 and press Enter to load the WCS Mark 2 Command and
    Control Center.

3.    Press Enter and choose option B (Download file).

4.    At the Directory prompt, type D:\CFGS (where D is your CD-
    ROM drive letter) and then press Enter.

5.    Select MW2.ADV, press Enter and follow the on-screen
    instructions.


When I am setting the torso twist for the Sidewinder joystick, the
calibration screen shows the opposite of what I am told to do. Is this
correct?

Torso twisting with the Sidewinder joystick works correctly. The
calibration tool asks you to turn the torso twist to the left while on the
screen the line shows you turning to the right.


I have a Honeywell mouse and it does not work with NetMech. Why?

The Honeywell Mouse is not compatible with Microsoft standards and
therefore does not work with NetMech.


------------------------------------------------------------------

--- MEMORY


NetMech requires a minimum of 8 MB of main memory (RAM) and 6.8
MB of free extended memory. On some machines, even if you have the
required 8 MB, NetMech may report that you do not have enough free
extended or conventional memory. If this is the case, your best alternative
is to create a boot disk. See the "Boot Disks" section below for more
information on creating a boot disk.

Memory Managers

We highly recommend that you load the MS-DOS 6.x memory managers
(HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE) while running NetMech DOS.  (Note that Dwango's
current DOS client software does not allow this; their Windows 95 client
doesn't suffer from this problem.)

When using MS-DOS 6.x and loading EMM386.EXE, you will need to
have the EMS size set to NOEMS. See your DOS manual for information
on how to do this.

If you are running QEMM in Stealth mode, NetMech DOS may fail to
recognize your VESA driver built into the video card BIOS. In order to
correct this problem you will need to run in Frame mode as opposed to
Page mode. To do this, change the ST:M parameter in your QEMM
statement to ST:F. See your QEMM manual for more information on how
to do this. We recommend that you not run QEMM in Stealth mode while
playing NetMech DOS.


Do I need Expanded memory for NetMech DOS?

No. NetMech DOS uses Extended memory.  (Extended memory is the good
kind of memory; expanded memory was an awkward scheme used back in
the days before the '386.)


When trying to run NETSETUP or the Installer I get a "Not enough memory"
message. Why?

The NetMech installation and setup programs require about 410K of
conventional memory to run.  (You can check how much you have by using
the MEM command.  MEM /c/p will even show you what TSR's are using it
up!)  If you're running out of conventional memory, try loading fewer
drivers in CONFIG.SYS and fewer TSR (terminate and stay resident)
programs in AUTOEXEC.BAT.

If you're running MS-DOS, you'll probably always need a mouse driver
(MOUSE.COM) and a CD-ROM driver (MSCDEX), but you might be able
to remove a few others.  (You may be able to use the MEMMAKER utility
that comes with DOS 6.22 to help you save conventional memory, but be
careful, it can be tricky to use.)

If you're running Windows 95, you can often replace real-mode drivers
with Windows 95 drivers that do not require DOS memory.  For instance,
the lines in the AUTOEXEC.BAT that load the CD-ROM driver and mouse
driver can often be commented out (by typing REM in front of the lines that
have MSCDEX or MOUSE in them) to save DOS memory, since Windows
95 will automatically replace it with its own protected mode drivers.


I get an out-of-memory error when I attempt to launch into a game.

This problem occurs most often in computers with 8 MB of RAM.
NetMech will run properly on these machines. However, this RAM must be
configured to allow NetMech enough room. In most cases, the conflict is
with SMARTDRV. SMARTDRV, by default, will occupy 2 MB of RAM in
machines with more than 6 MB of extended memory. By typing REM in
front of your SMARTDRV statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT and
rebooting, you should be able to solve the problem. However, if this does
not work, you must remove drivers or other TSRs that are occupying
memory. A better solution is to create of a boot disk that you can use to run
the program under optimum memory conditions.


My computer has 8 MB of RAM, but I cannot free enough memory to run
the game.

In order to run NetMech, you need over 6.8 MB of free extended memory.
You can free up more memory in the following ways:

1.    We first recommend making a boot disk. Please read the Boot
    Disks section below for instructions on how to create and optimize
        your boot disk.

2.    Type REM in front of the line containing SMARTDRV and any
    other caching utilities. This will free a minimum of one megabyte.

3.    When using MS-DOS 6.x and loading EMM386.EXE, you will
    need to have EMS size set to NOEMS. See your DOS manual for
    information on how to do this.

4.    Disable any cache on your CD-ROM driver by removing the
    switch. Consult your CD-ROM drive documentation or contact your CD-
    ROM manufacturer.


Why are parts of my 'Mech and other objects on the screen disappearing
and reappearing?

You are running low on memory. Try some of the steps listed above to
increase your available RAM.


Boot Disks

If you experience problems playing NetMech or receive messages that you
do not have enough memory to play, you will probably need to create a
boot disk. A boot disk lets your machine boot from a floppy disk and will
not load memory-eating programs, freeing more memory up for NetMech.

We have included an option that will automatically create a boot disk for
you in this package. To create a boot disk, first go to the \MECH2
directory. For example if you installed NetMech to C:\MECH2, you would
type CD \MECH2 and press Enter. Then type NETSETUP and press Enter.
Select Make a Boot Disk. Follow the on-screen prompts, and the program
will create a boot disk for you.


How do I create a boot disk with Stacker or DoubleSpace?

Before we explain the solution to this issue, we would like to point out that
NetMech DOES NOT support the use of disk compression software. If you
must run NetMech on a compressed drive, you will most likely experience
performance problems, and there are no solutions other than using a non-
compressed drive.

Stacker version 3.0 and earlier require certain drivers to be loaded in the
CONFIG.SYS file in order to mount the compressed hard drive. When
creating a boot disk with Stacker 3.0 and earlier you must include two lines
in the CONFIG.SYS file. The exact path is dependent upon where you
installed Stacker on your hard disk, but here we will provide the path for
the default installation of Stacker. The two lines needed in your
CONFIG.SYS file are:

DEVICE=C:\STACKER\STACKER.COM C:\STACVOL.DSK
DEVICE=C:\STACKER\SSWAP.COM C:\STACVOL.DSK

These lines will load Stacker and mount your compressed drive when
booting from the boot disk.

DoubleSpace/DriveSpace and Stacker 3.1 or later do not require that lines
be added in the CONFIG.SYS file as they copy hidden files to the boot
disk. Make a boot disk according to the normal instructions for creating a
boot disk as discussed above. If you do not feel comfortable creating a boot
disk under Stacker or DoubleSpace, contact STAC Electronics or Microsoft
for technical support.


Optimum Setup

Sometimes even a boot disk creator can't get you past the memory limit
required to run a program. In the event you find our automatic boot disk
creator doesn't do the job, we have provided the following sample
CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files to assist you in getting NetMech
up and running quickly.  These examples will only work with modem, null
modem, or DWANGO play; it is beyond the scope of this example to show
how to set up your Ethernet card.

If you are creating a boot disk from scratch, start at step 1. If you have
already used the automatic boot disk creation utility in the NetMech
installer, start at step 3.

1.    Place a diskette in your A: drive. The next step will erase any data
    on the disk, so a brand new blank floppy disk should be used. Make
        sure that the disk is the same density as the drive (use a 1.44 MB
        disk in a high-density 3.5" drive, etc.).

2.    At the C: prompt, type FORMAT A: /S and press Enter. The DOS
    Format utility will format the disk and add the necessary DOS files
        required to boot from the floppy disk.

3.    Change to drive A by typing A: and pressing Enter. Then type
    EDIT CONFIG.SYS and press Enter. The DOS Edit program will appear.


If you used our boot disk maker then just make sure these lines, or
similar lines, in the [CONFIG.SYS] example below, are in your
CONFIG.SYS file and type REM and press the Spacebar in front of all
other lines not listed.

If you are making your own boot disk manually, then type in the
lines following [CONFIG.SYS] in the example below. When you are
finished typing the lines, press Alt+F to bring up the File menu, and then
type X to exit the DOS Edit program. When it asks you if you want to save
your file, choose Yes.

[CONFIG.SYS]
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS
DOS=UMB, HIGH
FILES=40
BUFFERS=15,0
STACKS=9,256
Insert your CD-ROM driver here.

In the CONFIG.SYS file shown above, replace the last line in the
example with the line from your current CONFIG.SYS file on drive C: that
runs your CD-ROM drivers. It is important that you use your CD-ROM line
and not our example, otherwise your CD-ROM drive will not function
properly.

You may also have special lines in your CONFIG.SYS file that
help your sound card function properly. It is very important that you copy
those lines into this new file on A: so your sound card can work. Place the
appropriate lines from your CONFIG.SYS file at the end of the example
shown above.

Additionally, if your graphics card requires a VESA driver, it
should go here as well. (Check out our NETINFO.TXT file for more
details.)

4.    Type EDIT AUTOEXEC.BAT and press Enter. The DOS Edit
    program will appear.


If you used our boot disk maker then just make sure these lines, or
similar lines, in the [AUTOEXEC.BAT] example below, are in your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file and type REM and press the Spacebar in front of all
other lines not listed.

If you are making your own boot disk manually, then type in the
lines following [AUTOEXEC.BAT] in the example below. When you are
finished typing the lines, press Alt+F to bring up the File menu, and then
type X to exit the DOS Edit program. When it asks you if you want to save
your file, choose Yes.

[AUTOEXEC.BAT]
@ECHO OFF
PROMPT $P$G
SET PATH=C:\DOS;C:\VIDCARD;C:\SNDCARD
LH C:\DOS\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD000
SET SOUND=C:\SBPRO
SET BLASTER=A220 I7 D1 T4
C:\MOUSE\MOUSE.EXE
C:
CD\MECH2
NETMECH

In the AUTOEXEC.BAT file shown above, you would replace line
4 with the line from your current AUTOEXEC.BAT file on drive C: that
loads MSCDEX.EXE. It is important that you use your CD-ROM line and
not our example, otherwise your CD-ROM drive will not function properly.

You may also have special lines in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file
that help your sound card to function properly. It is very important that you
copy those lines into this new file on A: so your sound card can work.
Replace the examples on lines 5 and 6 with the appropriate lines from your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

The SET PATH command on line 3 is an example; replace it with
the one similar to it in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file on the C: drive.

5.    Leave the disk in the drive and reboot your system.


NOTE: Once this boot disk is finished and functioning properly, use it to
boot up your system and then run the DOS MEMMAKER utility with the
boot disk in the drive. MEMMAKER will ensure that you have squeezed
every little bit of RAM out of the boot disk.

------------------------------------------------------------------

--- VIDEO


NetMech was designed to take advantage of some of the higher-resolution
video modes on your computer. The pre-mission launch portion of the
program (i.e., the shell) runs in 640x480x256 SVGA mode, and the
simulation portion of the program runs by default in 320x200x256 standard
VGA mode. The simulation can also run in 640x480x256 and
1024x768x256 mode using an SVGA video card. In some cases NetMech
will detect and work with your video card just fine. However, some video
cards may require that a VESA video driver be loaded in order for the video
card to work properly with NetMech.

If your video card needs VESA support, you can download the UniVBE
driver off the Internet at http://www.scitechsoft.com. This is a universal
VESA driver that works with most video cards. Once downloaded, follow
the instructions that come with the UniVBE driver.


What Is a VESA driver?

VESA stands for Video Electronics Standards Association. It is a standard
that allows software companies to write programs that work on many video
cards without having to know how each card works. The VESA driver is
the program that handles this. Almost every video card available today has
VESA drivers available for it.

These drivers may be stored in a chip on the video card, or they may be
programs that the user has to load manually (or with a batch file). Some
cards (such as the Diamond Viper) have the driver on the video card, but
need the user to run a special program to activate the driver. If the VESA
driver is an external program, it will probably be found on the disks that
accompanied your video card.

If you don't have a VESA driver, you should contact your video card
manufacturer. We have included a list of Customer Service and BBS
numbers for major manufacturers at the end of the README file.

Using most external VESA drivers is as easy as typing the name of the
driver at the DOS prompt. For instance, if the driver was called
VVESA.COM, you would type VVESA.COM and then press Enter. If you
have any difficulty running NetMech at a higher resolution, contact the
maker of your video card for the latest VESA driver for your card.


ATI Video Cards

Usually located within the MACH32 or ATI directory on your hard drive
(or the directory into which all of your video drivers were installed) should
be a file called VVESA.COM. (If it is not there, it should be on your ATI
driver diskettes which came with the card.) This file must be run prior to
launching NetMech DOS.

There are two options. Performing one of them should allow you to run
the shell without any video problems.

There are two options:

1.    Type VVESA prior to running NetMech DOS, each time.

or

2.    Include the following statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT:

C:\MACH32\VVESA.COM


Diamond Video Cards

My screen goes blank after I have started the game.

If you have a Diamond Stealth 64 video card, the problem is probably with
the Diamond Power management system that was installed with your video
card. In some machines, the activity of the NetMech DOS game does not
register as activity with this power management system. To solve this, type
the following command before running NetMech DOS: C:\>S64DDPMS U.

If DOS gives you a bad command error, the Stealth 64 driver directory must
not be located in your path. Change to that directory (for Stealth 64 DRAM
users, that directory is typically S64D), and retype the command.


Diamond Viper Cards

The Diamond Viper has its VESA driver on the card, but you need to run an
external program to activate it. This program is called VPRMODE.EXE. To
use VPRMODE to activate the VESA driver, type: VPRMODE VESA
<Enter>.

The VPRMODE program should have been installed by the software that
came with the Diamond Viper card.

I have a Diamond Stealth/Viper and I get funny lines on my display. Why?
This is a problem with NetMech DOS and some early versions of the
Diamond drivers. There are software patches available for both the Stealth
and Viper to alleviate this problem. The Stealth patch is available as a
software program called STLBIOS.EXE or as a hardware upgrade. For the
Diamond Viper, a software upgrade called VPRM202.EXE will contain a
patch. All of these are available directly from Diamond.


MATROX Video Cards

Located within the MGA or MATROX directory on your hard drive (or the
directory into which all of your video drivers were installed) should be a
file called MGAVESA.COM. (If it is not there, it should be on your video
card driver diskettes.) This file must be run prior to launching NetMech
DOS. There are two options:

1.    Type MGAVESA prior to running NetMech DOS, each time.

or

2.    Include the following statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT:


C:\MGA\MGAVESA.COM


This should allow you to run NetMech DOS without any problems with
video.


Other Video Cards

If you do not have one of the cards listed above, try to locate the VESA
driver for your video card in your video card's directory on your hard drive,
or on the disks supplied by the card's manufacturer. Run the VESA driver
as shown above each time before you start NetMech DOS or put it in your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file.


When I try to run missions in 1024x768 mode, I get a Divide Overflow
error and I drop back to the debriefing screen. Why can't I run the missions?

We believe this is a problem with certain VESA video drivers. It occurred
most frequently on ATI Mach32 video cards. Also, some video cards don't
support this resolution, or they may require a video memory upgrade in
order to display this mode. Consult your video card manufacturer for newer
VESA drivers. They may correct this problem.


I get funny lines on my display in game play when running from a
Windows 95 DOS box.

The black lines that run through NetMech DOS when running in 640x480
or higher in a Windows 95 box can be resolved by making a shortcut to the
executable. Then right mouse click on the NetMech icon and choose
Properties. Choose the Screen tab. Click on the box that has Windowed
next to it rather than Full Screen.


What display modes does NetMech DOS use?

The NetMech shell always uses 640x480x256 color mode. The sim uses
320x200, 640x480 or 1024x768 x256 color mode.

------------------------------------------------------------------

--- AUDIO


The NetMech DOS installer will automatically attempt to detect what kind
of sound card you have in your machine and select the proper driver.
However, on some machines you may need to select sound card manually
out of the lists provided. The Installer will then try to verify the presence
of that sound card in your machine. If your sound card is not shown and is
100% Sound Blaster-compatible, you should be able to install your card as a
Creative Labs Sound Blaster or 100% compatible and hear sound and music
within the game.


Miles Design Sound Drivers

NetMech DOS sound support is accomplished through the use of the John
Miles Design AIL audio driver libraries. Like VESA drivers, these help
software companies support many different sound cards without having to
know how each card works. The Miles Design Drivers are automatically
installed when you select which sound card you wish to use for digital
audio and MIDI in NetMech DOS.


Will NetMech DOS work with my Pro Audio Spectrum 16 Sound Board?

Yes, but Pro Audio Spectrum 16 sound cards must have the following
settings to work with NetMech DOS:

Pro Audio Spectrum Side:    Sound Blaster Side:
Port = None    Port = 220
Interrupt (IRQ) = 3     Interrupt (IRQ) = 5
DMA Channel = 3    DMA Channel = 1 (Must be 1)

The PAS 16 consists of two sections, and the Sound Blaster section should
use the settings shown above. You may be able to use a different IRQ, but
the DMA channel must be 1. Problems with the PAS 16 card are usually
due to the two sides of the card sharing a port, IRQ or DMA Channel. The
two sides of the card must have different settings, or the card will cause
the system to lock up. Look at the setting in the SETUP utility for this
sound card for more information.


I have an AdLib/AdLib Gold card, and I can't get any digital sound effects
to play. How come?

An AdLib card does not have a DAC (digital audio converter) to play
digital effects; therefore you will only hear synthesized musical effects.


I have an IBM Mwave card and have no sound.

If the game has no volume or it is too low, you will want to use the mixer
utility provided by IBM. Please follow the instructions listed below for
volume control settings:

1.    From the DOS prompt, type CD \MWD\MANAGER and press Enter.

2.    Type MWVOLUME and press Enter.


These will be your options:

1.    Press Ctrl+Alt+U. Hold all three of these buttons down at the same
    time for about five seconds. This will turn up your sound.

2.    Press Ctrl+Alt+D. Hold all three of these buttons down at the same
    time for about five seconds. This will turn down your sound.

3.    Press Ctrl+Alt+F. Hold all three of these buttons down at the same
    and it will turn on FM mode.

4.    Press Ctrl+Alt+W. Hold all three of these buttons down at the
    same and it will turn on WAVE mode.


Once you are finished choosing your settings in the volume control area, do
the following:

1.    Type CD\MECH2 and press Enter.

2.    Type MECH2 and press Enter.


I have a Packard Bell computer and have no sound.

If the game has no volume or it is to low you will want to use the mixer
utility provided by Packard Bell. Please follow the instructions listed below
for volume control settings.

1.    From the DOS prompt, type CD \SOUND144\MANAGER and
    press Enter. SOUND144 can be replaced with FORTE16 or SOUND16A
    depending on the sound card you have.

2.    Type MIXTSR and press Enter.

3.    Press Alt+/ (slash). This will activate a menu.


These will be your options:


Tab = Moves your selection choice to the next device to manage.

Right Arrow = Turns the volumes up.

Left Arrow = Turns the volumes down.

S = Save

E = Exit


Once you are finished choosing your settings in the volume control area, do
the following:

1.    Type CD\MECH2 and press Enter.

2.    Type NETMECH and press Enter.


How come the music volume control does not affect the volume of the
music I hear while playing the game?

Some CD-ROM drivers do not have the ability to raise or lower the volume.
For these drivers the sound is either on or off. In these instances, the
volume slider for music will be non-functional except to turn it on and off.


The volume levels of my music, sound effects and/or game voices are too
low for me to hear. What can I do?

Check your speakers to see if the volume can be turned up. However, if this
does not solve your problems, try adjusting the volume sliders in the Escape
menus of the game. Also, your sound card may have a volume or mixer
utility that can adjust the sound level. Finally, there are sometimes volume
knobs on the back of some sound cards. Consult your sound card manual
for more information.


NOTE: Some CD-ROM drives may have the volume level for Redbook
Audio (CD music) set too low or off in their CONFIG.SYS or
AUTOEXEC.BAT files. If you are not hearing music in the game, consult
your CD-ROM driver manual or the manufacturer of your CD-ROM drive
for assistance. You may simply need to make a small change to a command
in your startup files to fix the problem.


I am playing the game, but can't hear any audio during missions. How come
I can't hear anything?

There are a number of things that may cause this problem. First, ensure that
your speakers are properly plugged into your sound card and are turned on.
Second, type NETSETUP in the C:\MECH2 directory and choose the
appropriate sound card in Configure Sound Devices. Make sure that you
have the appropriate settings. If the problem persists, the problem may be
with your sound card. Consult your sound card user manual and run any
diagnostic utilities that the manufacturer supplies.


To run NETSETUP from DOS:

1.    Go to the DOS prompt and select the directory where NetMech is
    located. The default directory is MECH2.

2.    From this directory, type NETSETUP.


To run NETSETUP from Windows:

1.    Close any applications that are running.

2.    From your Desktop, double-click on the icon for your computer.

3.    Open the directory C:\MECH2\ or the directory in which you
    installed NetMech.

4.    Double-click on the NETSETUP program file.


I do not get sound when playing the game.

It is important to make sure that you have the correct sound card and
settings selected for the game. The sound effects while in combat, like the
firing of your weapons, are digital audio sounds.

If you are not sure what kind of sound card you have or the settings, you
may be able to find out by doing the following:

1.    At the MS-DOS prompt, type SET and press Enter.

2.    Look for a line that says BLASTER=Axxx Ix Dx, where x represents
    a number. The line may also include additional information. A
    common example is BLASTER= A220 I5 D1 T4. The A220 means the
    sound card is using I/O address 220. The I5 means that the
    IRQ is 5. The D1 means that the 8-bit DMA channel is 1. Some
    systems will also have the T followed by a number in the blaster
    line. This number designates compatibility with a Creative
    Labs sound card. A T1 or T3 is a Creative Labs Sound Blaster
    or compatible card, a T4 is a Creative Labs Sound Blaster Pro
    or compatible card, and a T6 is a Creative Labs Sound Blaster
    16 or AWE 32 or compatible card. Write all these settings down.

3.    Now that you know the settings for your sound card, change to the
    MechWarrior 2 directory by typing CD\MECH2 (assuming you installed
    the game to the default directory) and pressing Enter.

4.     Load the sound configuration program by typing SETSOUND and
    pressing Enter.

5.    First, configure the MIDI music driver to the correct sound card.
    Next, configure the digital audio driver. You should be able to
    use the auto-detection to determine the sound card settings
    but, if you continue to have sound problems, try skipping the
    auto-detection and manually entering the sound card settings
    that you wrote down earlier.


Another possible reason for the lack of sound is that the volume levels of
your sound card are turned down. This is controlled by the DOS mixer.
This is software that should have been installed with your sound card. There
are usually a number of different volume levels that must be adjusted within
the mixer. Make sure all the volume levels are turned up before loading
NetMech DOS. If you are not sure how to get into the mixer controls for
DOS, consult your manual or contact the manufacturer of your sound card.


There is no music in any of the missions.

In order to hear music you need a MechWarrior 2 Windows 95 or DOS,
Ghost Bear, or NetMech CD in your drive. The downloadable version of
NetMech DOS does not contain audio tracks.


I don't hear any music in the shell. Is this a problem?

No, this is not a problem. There is no soundtrack for the shell of NetMech
DOS.

------------------------------------------------------------------

--- COCKPIT CONTROLS


My joystick works, but I don't like the default settings. How can I
customize my joystick to do what I want?

You can customize the joystick configuration if you own a copy of
MechWarrior 2 DOS.  Here's how:

1.    Exit NetMech DOS and open MechWarrrior 2 DOS. You must
    customize your input devices in MechWarrior 2.

2.    From inside MechWarrior 2 DOS, press Esc or click the right
    mouse button in the Clan Hall or the opening screen, and then choose
    Cockpit Controls.

From the list of INPUT DEVICES, select the devices that you wish to use
by clicking on them until they turn red. You may select any combination of
Keyboard, Mouse, and Virtual I/O i-glasses, plus any one other device.

3.    Once the devices that you wish to use are displayed in red, click on
    Custom Configuration. Three new columns will appear as well as several
    commands used to load and save your custom configurations.

You may notice that most of the writing appears either in red, white or gray
lettering. White lettering indicates an option is available; red lettering
indicates an option has been selected. (If you did not select a given device
before clicking on Custom Configuration, that device will appear in gray
lettering and you will not be able to select it. To configure a gray device,
click Abort and return to the beginning of these instructions.)

4.    To assign or reassign a command for a button, key or joystick,
    select a device from the Input Devices column by clicking on the
        device until it turns red.

5.    Once you have selected (in red) the device you wish to change,
    look at the Game Controls list.

a.    On the left, in gray, you will see a list of all the controls that
        the player may customize.

b.    On the right of the first seven of these, you will also
    notice two white characters separated by a white slash. These
    white characters define the orientation of controls with
    opposed settings: positive/negative, right/left, up/down, or
    inside/outside.

c.    Clicking on the white characters will reverse the controls; if <+>
    previously accelerated the 'Mech and <-> slowed it, <+> would now
        slow the 'Mech while <-> would accelerate it.

6.    The next column to the right consists of either two white dashes or
    Ctrl, Shft, or Alt.


In the right-hand Game Controls column, you will see either four white
dashes or a device name (key, mouse, msjstick, sidewndr, depending on
which device has been selected) and an appropriate button, key or
movement.

These combinations of devices and keys create your custom controls. For
example "Nearest Enemy Ctrl mouse MiddleBtn" means that pressing Ctrl
and the middle mouse button will target the nearest enemy 'Mech.

You may wonder about the Primary Controls visible in white just to the
right of the Game Controls heading. Because we know you may want to
assign a control to more than one key, button or movement, we have
provided four control screens, which are all active and all programmable.
Feel free to use any of the four screens. Click on Primary Controls to cycle
through the four control screens.


To reassign commands on these screens:

1.    Find the game control you wish to assign and click on the white
    lettering to the right under Primary Control.

2.    To the farthest right, you will notice a list of functions that
    correspond to the red Input Device that you have selected. This
    list is often completely gray (not available), but notice that
    the moment you select a Primary Control, some of the options
    turn white and the Primary Control turns red.

3.    If you now click on one of the new white options of your
    input device, the red lettering in your Game Control columns
    transforms into the option that you selected. Repeating this,
    you can quickly configure your 'Mech to do exactly what you want.

4.    When you are satisfied, click on Save Custom 1. Now, if you
    exit and return to this screen, you will be able to recall your
    custom job by pressing Load Custom 1. If you do not save, when you
    return, your controls will have returned to the default settings
    and you will have no way to recall your custom settings without
    reconfiguring everything again.

5.    Click Accept Config and Exit and then OK to return to the game.


To name your custom configurations:

1.    On the left side of the screen, go to Current Config: (gray lettering)

2.    Below Current Config: is the title of your current configuration.

3.    Click on this title and press Bksp to remove the current title.

4.    Enter the new title for your configuration.

5.    Click Save twice to get a Configuration Saved box.

6.    Click Accept Config and Exit to save your title. NOTE: You can
    have up to four configuration pages.


NOTE: A major source of controller problems may arise from the four
control screens since commands can conflict with each other. Commonly,
the Turret L/R is configured by the user for the Thrustmaster L/R on the
Flightstick, while the original settings are still active on the third
and fourth pages of the default configuration. This causes a conflict
in the controls where the turret and chassis are controlled by both the
L/R of the stick and the L/R of the rudder pedals.


------------------------------------------------------------------

--- UPGRADING TO MECHWARRIOR 2 DOS V1.1

The latest version of MechWarrior 2 DOS is version 1.1. Installing
NetMech DOS over version 1.0 of MechWarrior 2 DOS can cause problems;
upgrading to version 1.1 first avoids these problems.

We have a patch that will update the files for those who have version
1.0. This patch is not to be used on any other version of MechWarrior,
including the Windows 95 version or any foreign language version of
MechWarrior 2. If Version 1.1 is not printed on your MechWarrior 2 CD
(it is located just below IBM CD-ROM) and you have not installed the
update, we recommend doing so.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THE 1.1 UPDATE FROM CD-ROM

1. If your system does not have Windows 95, skip to step 5.

2. Using your mouse open up the Windows 95 Start menu.

3. Click on Programs.

4. Click on MS-DOS Prompt.

5. Insert the NetMech DOS disc in your CD-ROM drive.  In the following
instructions, we will assume your CD-ROM drive is drive D: and the game
is installed on hard drive C:. (If you are not using drive D: and drive
C:, you will replace any occurrence of D: and C: with the drive letter
you are using.)

6. Type COPY D:\MECH2V11\MECH2V11.EXE  C:\MECH2 and press Enter.

7. Type CD \MECH2 and press Enter.

8. Type MECH2V11 and press Enter.

9. Read the information on the screen.

10. Now type PATCH C:\MECH2 and press Enter.

11. Your will be prompted through installing the update.  Follow the
instructions on the screen.



------------------------------------------------------------------

--- NETMECH FOR DOS CUSTOMER SUPPORT


NetMech DOS technical support is available through our online services
only. Due to the complex nature of network games, please provide the
following information when requesting technical support for NetMech DOS.


NOTE: Except where noted, the following requested information can
usually be found:


In Windows 95:    Click on the Start button, selecting Settings, opening the
Control Panel and double-clicking on the System icon. From there, click on
the Device Manager tab.

In DOS:    Run the MSD.exe program supplied with MS-DOS.

1.    What kind of processor does each machine have?

2.    What kind of video and sound cards do the machines have? Are
    they configured correctly for your DOS operating system?

3.    Are you using a joystick? If so, what brand and model? What is it
    using as a game port (e.g. sound card, dedicated game port)?

4.    What size Install did you use?

5.    How much free disk space do you have? (This can be found by
    typing CHKDSK at the DOS prompt or by opening the Explorer and
    looking at the bottom of the window.)

6.    How much RAM is in each machine? (This information can be
    found by typing MEM at the DOS prompt or by clicking on the
    Performance tab adjacent to the Device Manager tab in Windows 95.)

7.    Is your virtual memory configured manually or was it set by
    Windows 95? If manually, what are the specifications? (This
        information can be found by going to the Performance tab
        adjacent to the Device Manager tab.)


In addition, please note whether you are using a modem or LAN to play
NetMech DOS and have the following information available.


If you are using a modem:

NOTE: In Windows, your modem settings can be found by opening the
Control Panel, double-clicking on Modems, and examining the Properties.
In DOS, use MSD.EXE.

1.    What kind of serial chip (16550 or 8250) ?  You can find out
    by running MSD.EXE in DOS and pressing C; if you try to run
    MSD.EXE in Windows, it will warn you that it isn't telling you
    the real story.  If your serial chip is an 8250, stop right
    there  NetMech DOS doesn't support it, nor do most other games!
    You'll need to get a serial port or modem with a 16550 serial
    chip.  (The 16550 has special FIFO memory that makes it much
    less likely to lose data than the old 8250.)

2.    What kind of modem is on each end (brand, model, speed, internal
    or external)?

3.    On which port is your modem configured?

4.    Is each modem configured correctly for your operating system?

5.    Does Hyperterminal (or any other terminal program) work with
        your modem? This is an easy way to test whether or not your modem is
        configured correctly.

6.    At what speed are you connecting?

7.    Are you using any data compression? (We do not recommend data
    compression.)


If you using an external modem:

1.    What kind of serial card is being used?

2.    Do you have a seven-wire serial cable?


If you are on a LAN:

1.    Can you see other computers on the network?

2.    What is your network configuration?

3.    What brand of network card do you have?

4.    What network software are you running?  What version number?


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------------------------------------------------------------------

--- CREDITS


Activision presents NetMech, based upon the Battletech universe created
by FASA Corporation!

Brought to you by the MechWarrior 2 crew, plus:

PRODUCTION
Tim Morten
John Spinale

PROGRAMMING
Dan Kegel
Tim Morten
Marshall Robin
Kurt Arnlund
Dan Kamins
Dave Zobel
Chris Thomas

ART
John Lafleur

DOCUMENTATION
Mike Rivera
Lorraine Suzuki

QUALITY ASSURANCE
DIRECTOR, CS & QA
Jon Doellstedt

QA MANAGER
Dave Arnspiger

SENIOR LEAD TESTER
Tim Vanlaw

LEAD TESTERS
Christopher Crowder
Edward J. Tretter

LEAD IN TRAINING
Dave Osper

QA TESTERS
Judith Chlipala
Brian Diggs
David Ghys
Jimmie Hudson
Scot Kramarich
Jay Sosnicki
Rawson Stovall
Nadine Theuzillot
Tom Wallick

EXTERNAL BETA TESTERS
Nicholas Anderson
Justin Cooney
Andrew Helmer
Kenneth Holland
Greg Hollaway
Steve Naylor
Frank Pappas
Eli Selig
Matt Turner
Jon VanBragt
Gus Zader
Mike Zemina

ADDITIONAL TESTING
Giovanni Castello
Alvin Geter
Jerry Suner
Walter Urteaga

TECH HELP
Dan Kegel
Ronnie Lane
Edward J. Tretter
Jason Wong

CUSTOMER SUPPORT MANAGER
Jameson Wang

C.S. OF THE WEEK AWARDS
Chacko Sonny

MechWarrior, BattleTech, BattleMech and 'Mech are registered trademarks
and NetMech is a trademark of FASA CORPORATION. (c) 1996 FASA
CORPORATION.  All rights reserved