Mimi & the Mites(tm) was teleported into existence at the Product Development Center of The Unobstructed Reason Corporation. Contents From the Developer [ ] Installation [ ] Configuration/Setup [ ] Main Menu [ ] The Game [ ] The Game Screen [ ] Game Devices and Elements [ ] Gameplay Hints [ ] Troubleshooting Guide [ ] From the Developer Thank you for choosing Mimi & the Mites(tm), a game for computer enthusiasts who crave puzzles and lust after action and want them together in an environment of visually stimulating gameplay. Here at URC, after 2+ years of development, we continue to savor the experience of guiding Mimi through mite-infested corridors. We trust you will as well. We welcome any observations and comments you may have about the game. Write to us at: URC P. O. Box 453 Chicopee, Massachusetts 01021-0453 Enjoy Mimi & the Mites(tm)! Installation System Requirements CPU A 386 or faster processor. Recommended: 386DX-40. Disk Space Mimi & the Mites(tm) requires 15 MB of free disk space. Monitor 256-color VGA. Operating System MS-DOS version 3.0 or higher. RAM At least 6 free MB of RAM. Sound Card A Sound BlasterTM or Sound BlasterTM compatible sound card. (The PC speaker is not supported.) Note: MIDI (music) support may function with non-Sound BlasterTM compatible sound boards. Mouse optional Joystick control coming soon to a retail version nearest you. Installation Procedure 1. Insert Disk into your 3.5" disk drive. 2. At your C:\> prompt, change to the 3.5" disk drive by typing A: (or B:, whichever is appropriate) and pressing ENTER. 3. Type INSTALL and press ENTER. 4. Follow the on-screen instructions. Starting Play 1. At your C:\> prompt, type CD\MITES and press ENTER. (If you have just installed the game, the installation program has placed you at the CD\MITES directory.) 2. Type MITES and press ENTER. 3. The game introduction begins. Any keyboard input interrupts the introduction and starts gameplay. Configuration/Setup When you install Mimi & the Mites(tm) on your system, Disk 1 loads a configuration/setup program into the directory that stores the game program. (Unless you direct otherwise during installation, the directory is C:\>MITES.) This setup program gives you access to box menus that you can use to review and change many of the configuration settings that affect how your system runs the game. To access the configuration/setup program, go to C:\>MITES, type MITESCFG and press ENTER. The Mimi & the Mites(tm) Setup screen will appear. The program's Main Menu box is to the left. The Current Configuration box is to the right. The line item, "Select Input Device," is highlighted in the Main Menu box. At the bottom of the screen, the comment line reads, "Select input device(s) for game play." The settings listed in the Current Configuration box (ex: Weapon #1: F5) reflect the default scheme of the game program. Depending on your system hardware and personal preferences, you can change any or all of these settings. Select Input Device Pressing ENTER while this Main Menu selection is highlighted brings up the "Select Input Device Menu" box. Use the arrow keys to scroll through the input device selections. With the desired selection highlighted, press ENTER. Your selection made, scroll down to "Exit" and press ENTER to leave the sub-menu. Configure Keyboard The game program assigns gameplay functions to particular keyboard keys. For example, pressing 'P' causes the game to enter Pause Mode. If you want to assign a function to a key other than the default key, then this is the menu to use. Configure Sound The information supplied here is essential for the proper utilization of your sound board. The options are: No Sound Selecting this option will result in silent gameplay. Sound Card (Auto Detect) Selecting this option will cause the game program to identify the DMA, IRQ and PORT settings of your sound card. This auto-detect routine should work with every Sound BlasterTM and Sound BlasterTM compatible sound board. Once the auto-detect is complete, the Setup program's Current Configuration box will display the settings of your sound card. If the program cannot detect or doesn't recognize your sound card, it will issue an error message and advise you to try the manual configuration. In the unlikely occurrence that the Auto Detect routine causes your computer to freeze, reboot and use the manual approach. Sound Card (Manual) This option allows you to manually change the following sound card settings: Sound Card Port Sound Card DMA Sound Card IRQ What to do if the DMA, IRQ and PORT settings for your sound card are not listed as selection choices: 1. At the game directory prompt (the default is C:\>MITES), type "type dodooby" and press ENTER. 2. If the "File Not Found" message appears, run MITESCFG and exit. (Simply running and exiting from the program creates the dodooby file.) Go to Step 1. 3. A line of values appears. The third value from the end is the PORT setting. The second from the end is the DMA setting. The last value is the IRQ setting. (Unless you have made alterations in MITESCFG, the three settings will appear as "ffffffff -1 -1," where the first is a hexadecimal expression and the other two are decimal.) 4. Using a text editor (MS-DOS comes with one), change these three setting values to the values appropriate for your sound card. Save your changes and exit. Note: If you enter inaccurate values, you may cause your computer to 'hang.' 5. Reenter MITESCFG. Under "Configure Sound," use the "Test Selected Sound Type" option. You should hear test sound output. Note: Making sound card parameter selections without having a sound card installed in your computer may cause your system to 'hang,' requiring re-booting. Test Selected Sound Type Finally, this option allows you to test the results of a manual or auto-detect sound card configuration. Highlight this selection and press ENTER. You are able to "Test Voice Support" and/or "Test Midi Support." Restore Default Setup Highlighting this selection and pressing ENTER will restore all configuration parameters to their default (preset) settings. Save and Exit If you have changed the default configuration settings, you must use this option to save your changes before exiting. Otherwise, your changes will not take effect. Exit (Do not save) Finally, if the default startup configuration settings are acceptable to you, highlight this selection and press ENTER to exit the Setup program. Any changes you made will be lost. You are returned to the DOS prompt. Main Menu The introductory sequence leads directly to the "Select 'User'/Saved Game" menu. (The game program can store nine simultaneous games-in-progress.) Either choose a previous game or enter your name in a blank slot and press ENTER to begin a new one. Making a selection brings up the Main Menu screen, which presents the following options: New Game Selecting this option will start gameplay at puzzle Screen #1, "Path of Peril I." Note: If you selected a game-in-progress and now select "New Game," you will be prompted: " *** Warning *** All Prior Wins Will Be Erased! Start New Game Anyway (Y/N)?" Select Screen This option allows you to return to and replay any previously played (solved or unsolved) puzzle. See "Screen Bypass Option" below for more information. Resume Last Game Selecting this option will return you to your previous game. Load New Player This option enables a player to start a new game. Options This option calls up a window which allows you to adjust the volume of the game sound by category: Master, Music and Sound Effects. Quit Selecting this option returns you to your DOS prompt. The Game Mimi & the Mites(tm) is a puzzle game with a strong action element. The game consists of a sequence of puzzle screens. In each, you solve the "puzzle" by achieving a particular goal. Example: guide Mimi to an Exit. The mites, along with a variety of architectural features and interactive devices, provide the "action." The mites are Mimi's main problem. Unflappable, agile, morph-manic, the mites stand ready to foil Mimi by the simple act of coming into direct contact with her. When this happens, Mimi is spirited off to a special arena where the mites engage in a favorite, fun, if somewhat humiliating (for Mimi) ritual. She then returns to the screen to renew her efforts to triumph over its unique challenge. Mimi must zap the troublesome blue creatures with her weapon or otherwise evade them. Your task as Mimi's guide is made more challenging by the physical settings she will encounter in the game's subterranean world. Spatial obstacles abound in the dwelling place of the mites. There are also many conveyances and devices which will help or hinder Mimi. The purpose and operation of these elements may be readily clear to you from a screen and gameplay context, so if you're tempted to jump right into the game, then by all means do so! You have the option, however, of previewing the gameplay elements by reading the "Game Devices and Elements" chapter in this manual. Overall, there is, from screen to screen, a gradual increase in complexity and difficulty to match the increase in your skill level. Each puzzle is introduced by a "'tween screen." The 'tween screen tells you: a) the number of the puzzle b) the name of the puzzle c) its difficulty level d) the goal that must be achieved to gain passage to the next puzzle e) occasional additional information, such as time limits. Solving a puzzle automatically advances you to the 'tween screen introducing the next puzzle. Any keyboard input will start the next puzzle. Remember: If a mite touches Mimi, she suffers the consequence! Screen Bypass Option Because the people at URC are gracious and high-minded, a screen bypass option has been incorporated into Mimi & the Mites(tm). It works like this. Say you're at your wits' end in puzzle #1: "Path of Peril I." It is not an absolute requirement that you solve it before moving on to puzzle #2: "Stones" After a certain number of attempts at solving the puzzle (the number varies for each puzzle), a dialogue box will appear that will offer you the choice of continuing with puzzle #1 or moving on to #2. If you choose to bypass #1, it will be listed as a 'bypassed puzzle" in the Select Screen sub-menu of the Main Menu. In the Select Screen sub-menu, bypassed puzzles are listed in yellow. Solved puzzles are green. Yet-to-be-played puzzles are red. The list serves as a menu, allowing you to revisit any previously played puzzle, solved or not. Just highlight the puzzle name and press ENTER. In this way, you can return to bypassed puzzles and play them again, until, purist that you are, you've nailed them all! Default Game Controls Note: WHAT FOLLOW ARE THE DEFAULT SETTINGS. You have the option of changing them using the configuration/setup program. See "Configuration/Setup." Moving Mimi You directly control Mimi's movements and the firing of her multi-function weapon by pressing select keyboard keys. The arrow keys control Mimi's movement: LEFT ARROW Move Mimi to the left RIGHT ARROW Move Mimi to the right UP ARROW Move Mimi upward in or through a vertical conveyance, or activate special devices such as wall switches. DOWN ARROW Move Mimi downward in or through a vertical conveyance, or activate special devices such as teleportation pads or ammunition resupply outlets. Mouse Users: Mouse movement does not move Mimi. Other Keyboard Controls ESC Return to the Main Menu P Pause the game action. SPACEBAR Fire Mimi's multi-function weapon. (Button 1 of the mouse also fires the weapon if selected in MITESCFG.) F1 Display the Help screen: i.e., a reference list of keyboard commands. F2 (if enabled) Pass to next screen. F3 (if brightened) Display the Hint screen. B Restart the current puzzle screen. Weapons Weapons levels (= strengths) are indicated in the game screen control panel. Each weapon has its own graphic icon and next to the icon a number ranging from 00 to 99. To select a weapon, press the appropriate Function key: F5 Flamer F6 Machine Gun F7 Stasis Beam F8 Laser Cannon Note: At the beginning of play, weapons selection defaults to the least destructive weapon available in that puzzle. You must press F5, F6, F7 or F8 -- or the keys to which you have assigned the weapons functions if you have changed the defaults -- to select other than the active weapon. Joystick and Mouse Users: Button 1 fires Mimi's weapon. Button 2 toggles the weapons windows. The Game Screen The game screen of Mimi & the Mites(tm) is divided into two parts: the play area and the control panel. The play area is the larger of the two. Here, Mimi scurries from the mite horde or manipulates them to her own ends! The control panel displays, from left to right, the following information: Puzzle # - The puzzles in Mimi & the Mites(tm) are numbered 1 through 50. Attempts - This number tallies unsuccessful attempts at solving the puzzle. Hint Icon - From time to time, this icon will brighten. When it does, pressing F3 will pause the game and call up the "Hint Screen." Hints are not available for all puzzles. The maximum number of hints per puzzle is three. If you prefer, you can choose not to take advantage of hints. If hints are ignored, they are not lost, but 'archived.' If you have two hints archived for a particular puzzle and you call up the hint screen, only the first hint will be displayed. To read the second hint, you must exit the hint screen, then reenter it. Weapons Windows - These windows indicate the type and amount of ammunition Mimi has available to her. Game Cast, Devices and Elements The 'Cast' Mimi - Mimi is the game's main character. Mimi must zap, evade or manipulate the mites as she makes her way to successive areas of the game environment. Mimi interacts with puzzle elements and wields a multi-function weapon to fend off the mites and to trigger devices. When Mimi is touched, i.e., 'tagged' by a mite, the mite horde subjects her to a most humiliating penalty! Mite - Mites are Mimi's nemesis. The scrappy, indestructible, morph-manic mites are out to impede Mimi's progress and have fun while they're at it! Mites enter the gameplay environment in several ways and they move around in it using a variety of techniques. Their movements are sometimes choreographed, sometimes random. When they are 'zapped' by a weapon, the mites disintegrate into 'mite puddles'; after 30 seconds, they emerge from the puddle state, reconstituting into the full, troublesome, happy-go-lucky creatures that they are. Mites also trigger devices, which may or may not be of help to Mimi. Mites can be diverted by conveyances set in their path. Be prepared for these diversions to be random or in a set direction. At times, mites will surge or swarm. As you play the game, you'll learn when to have Mimi square off against the mites, when to have her detour around them, even when to have her redirect or herd them. The Elements/Devices Ammo Resupply Outlets Mimi's ammunition allotments are preset for each puzzle screen. (In some puzzles, Mimi will start with no ammunition.) Ammo resupply outlets allow Mimi to replenish her ammunition supply. Position Mimi at the outlet and press DOWN ( = the DOWN ARROW key, unless you have reassigned the DOWN command to another key). The amount of resupply varies from outlet to outlet and puzzle to puzzle. Note: Each outlet will resupply only one of the four weapons. Clocks Screen Clocks Screen clocks are used for timed puzzles which require you to either 1) solve the puzzle within a specified time, or 2) prevent Mimi from being tagged for a specified time. Screen clocks count down from a preset time setting to zero. Screen clocks are larger than element/device clocks. Element/Device Clocks This type of clock controls the activation or deactivation of elements such as force fields and trap doors. When the clock counts down to zero, the device controlled by the clock activates or deactivates, depending on the situation. Unlike screen clocks, some element/device clocks start in 'standby' mode. The countdown of an element/device clock in standby is started when the force plate that controls the start of the clock is activated. The face of an element/device clock is ringed by a bright red border. When the countdown begins, the border changes to bright green. If the countdown is paused or halted, the border changes back to red. Drip Gap Plug A drip gap plug blocks mites from trickling down through a drip gap. A drip gap plug is opened when Mimi activates its controlling wall switch. Elevator Mimi calls an elevator by pressing its call button. Once she is inside, press UP or DOWN. The elevator car will continue to ascend or descend along the elevator shaft until it reaches the end of the shaft. To stop the car at an intermediate floor, press the UP (or LEFT or RIGHT) key if the car is descending or press DOWN (or LEFT or RIGHT) key if the car is ascending just before the desired floor is reached. For example, say Mimi is on the top floor and she enters an elevator that stops on all five floors. Press DOWN. The car begins to descend. To bring the car to a halt on the third (middle) floor, press UP (or LEFT or RIGHT) after the car has passed the second floor but before it arrives at the third floor. Note: It is a peculiarity of mite behavior that they will not enter elevators! Exit Pad The exit pad provides one of two ways for Mimi to leave the play area and, by doing so, solve the screen puzzle. Position Mimi over the pad and press DOWN. The exit pad looks like a Mimi teleportation pad. The alternative exit is the screen-edge exit. In almost every case, the exit is clearly marked by the levitating red EXIT sign. Force Fields There are two types of force fields: vertical and horizontal. Vertical force fields are obstacles to Mimi and the mites. Some are permanent, others can be activated or deactivated by other screen elements such as force plates and clocks. Mimi and mites can walk on horizontal force fields. Force Plates Force plates are pressure-sensitive, floor-inset devices that, when activated by Mimi or a mite, activate or deactivate an associated screen element. Force plates are used a lot in the game. There are two sizes. The larger force plate is activated by Mimi only. The smaller force plate is for mites. In addition, there are three types of force plate: Weight-Only The force plate is active only when Mimi or a mite is on it. If a force field is turned on when Mimi or a mite steps onto its controlling force plate, the force field will switch off when Mimi or the mite steps off. Weight-Activated The force plate is activated when Mimi or a mite walks onto it. Once activated, the force plate remains activated. Plus-Minus This type of force plate has a Mimi version only. It works as a toggle switch. When Mimi passes over it, its 'logical value' changes from ON to OFF (or OFF to ON). Weight-only and weight-activated force plates have a similar appearance, with a slight difference in the look of the top surface. The type is made more apparent from the temporary or permanent brightening of the plate upon activation. Force Plate Combinations In some situations, a device can be acted upon by more than one force plate. Contrariwise, a force plate can control more than one device. There are many special combinations. For gameplay convenience, the separate devices of a combination are often 'matched' or 'related' graphically by markers. Force Plate/Clock/Force Field Combination This special combination of elements appears often in the game. A clock controls the switching on or off of a vertical force field, but the clock itself begins to count down only when its controlling force plate is activated. In many cases, the three elements are located in a close grouping. Where they are scattered, markers are used to relate them visually. Laser Eye Switch A laser eye switch resets a "spent" ammunition resupply outlet. The switch is activated when Mimi walks in front of it. Markers Markers are pulsing lights which "relate" elements that are connected functionally. This visual aid helps you to sort out what controls what. Mimi Teleportation Pad These pads are installed in pairs. By positioning Mimi over a teleportation pad and pressing DOWN, you relocate Mimi instantaneously to its "twin." Mite Pad In most cases, mites are introduced into gameplay via mite pads. Mite pads teleport mites into the game screen. A version is the Walk-Across Mite Pad, which is activated only when Mimi walks over it. The two versions look exactly the same. Mite Teleportation Pad The mite teleportation pad pair is the functional equivalent of the Mimi teleportation pad pair. An active mite teleport pad will matter-transmit any mite that walks onto it. If the teleport pad is green, it sends and receives mites. If it is red, it receives mites only. A mite teleport pad pair is either green-green (two-way) or green-red (one-way). Multi-Function Weapon Mimi's weapon offers four gameplayer-selectable choices. Note: A particular weapon can be fired only if Mimi has ammunition for it. Flamer A flamer 'discharge' zaps one mite. Zapped mites remain in puddle form for approximately 30 seconds, whereupon they emerge and reconstitute. The default selection key is F5. Machine Gun A machine gun fire zaps two mites. The invisible rounds travel across the screen more quickly than a flamer shot. The default key is F6. Stasis Beam All mites in the path of a stasis beam freeze in place for approximately 45 seconds. The default key is F7. Laser Cannon A laser cannon discharge zaps all mites in its path. The stasis beam and the laser cannon discharge travel even more swiftly than a machine gun round. The default key is F8. Packer `Packers compress mites into a vertical channel. Operation is automatic. Portal There are two types of portals: a Mimi version and a mite version. Portals are two-way. A mite portal delivers mites to its twin instantaneously. Mimi portals do the same for Mimi and mites. All that is required is that the mite or Mimi step into the portal. Note: Portals also redirect weapons fire. Push Plate A push plate is a switch which activates an associated element or device. Position Mimi in front of it and press UP. Remote Gun A remote gun is a fixed weapons pedestal which, like Mimi's multi-function weapon, can fire the flamer, machine gun, stasis beam and laser cannon. However, a remote gun fires only one of the four weapon types. Remote guns are triggered several ways. Note: The firing of a remote gun draws down Mimi's ammunition. Sentry A sentry is a mite 'standing guard.' If Mimi gets within a certain distance of a sentry, the mite is roused to action. Slidewalks Slidewalks are moving treads set into the floor. Start Pad At the beginning of play, a start pad teleports Mimi into the screen and then turns dormant. Start pads look like Mimi teleportation pads. Steps Steps come in various sizes. Mimi and the mites travel up and down steps. (No special key stroke for Mimi is required.) Mimi can pass mites on the lip of a step if the passing move is timed correctly. Trap Door There are two types of trap door: Mimi and mite. Mimi ascends and descends through Mimi trap doors. Mites ascend and descend through mite trap doors. Position Mimi over a trap door and press DOWN to have her drop through. Position her under a trap door and press UP to have her spring upward. Mites walking over a Mimi trap door prevent her from ascending through it. If a mite walks onto a Mimi trap door next to Mimi, the trap door will not open and Mimi will probably get tagged. Some trap doors are 'locked' until they are unlocked by a controlling clock. Vertical Targets In most cases, vertical targets control vertical force fields or remote guns. The targets are activated by weapons' fire. There are three types: Single-Use, Repeated use and Toggle (off, on, off, on ...). The graphic depiction is identical for all three. Wall Switch Wall switches control other elements or devices. Position Mimi in front of the switch and press UP. Gameplay Hints Mites are particular! A mite will not "tag" Mimi unless it is "whole" and walking or standing on a solid surface. This means that in special circumstances Mimi can pass very close to or even right by a mite without getting tagged. From time to time this will be to Mimi's advantage. Example: Mimi can get past a mite on a step if they pass at the lip of the step. A mite does not have to face Mimi to tag her. Mimi causes herself to be tagged if she walks into the back of a mite. A mite is not 'zappable' unless it is fully formed or standing or walking on a solid surface! A weapons discharge will pass harmlessly through a mite that is only partially constituted. In many screens, you might want to try mentally "working backwards" from the exit to figure out the puzzle solution. That is, spot where Mimi needs to go and trace a path back from it. This approach has the virtue of helping you to see near-exit obstacles such as vertical force fields that must be manipulated for Mimi to be successful. Reminder: Some puzzle screens have a time limit! If Mimi doesn't reach her goal by the time the screen clock counts down to zero, she must begin over. Conserve Mimi's ammunition where you can. Fire in controlled bursts. Fire discipline is important for success. If you are a "rush right in" type of gameplayer, good for you! But in some of the more complex puzzles you may only increase the difficulty of challenges which are already formidable. Take a minute to study the puzzle while in Pause mode to sort out the logical relationships between the elements. This should help to keep down Mimi's failure rate. Refer often to the weapons windows in the control panel. Remember that you must press the assigned Function key to access a particular weapon. Troubleshooting Guide Q: When I try to run Mimi & the Mites(tm), my computer displays an "Insufficient Memory" message. How can this be corrected? A: To run the game, you must have at least 6 MB of free RAM, with the emphasis on "free." [On system power-up, commands in your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files may 'load' applications such as device drivers or memory-resident programs which use RAM.] Run the MS-DOS MEM utility and make sure you have at least 6 MB of free RAM (XMS, EMS). If you have less, you have two options: Install more RAM in your computer. `or` Free up more of your existing RAM. If you have version 6.0 or higher of MS-DOS, fresh start your computer. When the "Starting MS-DOS ..." message appears, depress and hold the Left Shift key. You have bare-booted your system. (Refer to your MS-DOS manual for more information.) Go to your MITES directory, type MITES and press ENTER. You must make a bare boot disk if you have MS-DOS version 5.0 or lower. NOTE: Disk caching programs like SMARTDRV and NCACHE take up memory. Consider disabling them to free up more RAM. Q: How can I reduce the hard drive access time? A: If your computer has more than 6 MB of free RAM, any memory in excess of 6 MB could be used in a disk caching system. Q: After installing the game on my disk drive, I tried to run it by typing MITES and pressing ENTER. Nothing happened. I was returned to the prompt. The same thing happened when I entered MITESCFG. What's wrong? A: First, are you in the correct directory (default: C:\MITES)? If you are, then you could have a command shell problem. Try this. Type SET and press ENTER (for any version of MS-DOS). Look for the environment variable, "COMSPEC." COMSPEC should be pointing to your correct command shell. For 99% of computer users, it is if it reads "COMSPEC=c:\command.com." Command shell identification is very important. Refer to your MS-DOS manual. Q: Funky things happen when I try to run the game: odd lockups, etc. What should I do? A: Remove any TSRs from memory and try again. `or` Boot up fresh using a boot disk and try again. (Consult you MS-DOS manual regarding boot disks.) Q: I have a Sound Blaster compatible sound card but I get no music or sound effects. What should I do? A: The game program may not be "looking in the right place" for your sound card due to inaccurate DMA, IRQ and PORT settings. These settings can be checked and, if need be, altered, by using the MITESCFG configuration/setup program. See "Configuration/Setup" in this manual. In addition, you may want to check the following: Music and sound effects volumes are set for Mimi & the Mites(tm) in the "Options" sub-menu of the Main Menu. Have you checked these volume levels? Some sound cards have volume adjustments components (such as slide switches and turn knobs) right on the card itself. Are yours set correctly? Newer sound boards may have software-adjusted volume controls. Have you looked there? Are your speakers plugged in? Are the volume control knobs on your speakers turned up? Note: The game program may support MIDI (music) for non-Sound BlasterTM sound boards. Q: Why does my computer lock up when I run Mimi & the Mites(tm)? A: Go into the MITESCFG setup program and select the "No Sound" option in the Configure Sound sub-menu. If the game then runs correctly, you probably have a problem with your sound card. Make sure the DMA, IRQ and PORT settings are correct. Refer to your sound card manual for further troubleshooting advice. Q: When I use the "Sound Card (Auto Detect)" option under "Configure Sound" in MITESCFG, my computer freezes. A: Sound card autodetection works most of the time; however, it isn't foolproof. Hardware conflicts can cause your system to lock up. Use the "Sound Card (Manual)" option if you know the DMA, IRQ and PORT settings of your sound card. Q: The DMA, IRQ and PORT settings for my sound card are not listed as selection choices in MITESCFG, so I can't configure the card properly. What should I do? A: The file, "DODOOBY," is located in your MITES directory. Access this file and use a text editor to specify your unique settings. See "Configuration/Setup -- Sound Card (Manual)." Q: My Sound Blaster Pro [or compatible] sound card produces static. How can I eliminate it? A: Go to your SBPRO directory. Type SBP-MIX and press ENTER. Adjust the "Line" and "Mic" settings down to 0. If the problem persists, try disconnecting any devices attached by parallel port to your computer, such as a printer. Q: My ATI Stereo FX card produces no sound. Why? A: You may need a BIOS upgrade. Get in touch with ATI. Q: My monitor screen went black when I was running Mimi & the Mites. The music, however, continued to play. What should I do? A: Your video card may have a component called the "wait state jumper." Try changing its setting from 0 to 1. For further information, consult your video card manual. `or` There is a small chance of a conflict with a screen saver program, if you run one. Disable the screen saver and try again. Q: From time to time the screen animations slow down or lose their smoothness. Why? A: CPU speed is an important factor in getting proper animation speed and smoothness. You may have problems if you're running Mimi & the Mites(tm) on a computer less powerful than a 386DX-40, our recommended minimum platform. Also, the quality of your video card is very important. If you have an older model, it may be time for an upgrade. Verify that your 16-bit video card is not running at 8 bits. Check your wait state setting (see previous question). Also, check your turbo switch! Q: The puzzle screens load and run slowly. Why? A: If your sound card DMA, IRQ and PORT settings are incorrect, a slowdown is possible. Check them using MITESCFG. If you have free RAM in excess of 6 MB, placing it into a disk caching system will help to speed up your load time. Q: I have a GATEWAY 2000 P75 and the graphic results are horrible. What's my problem? A: Perform a cold boot of your system and access your BIOS setup. Disable this option: "VGA Palette Snoop." Q: Why doesn't my mouse work? A: Does your mouse work in other applications? If so, have you selected the mouse as the input device? See the "Configuration/Setup" chapter. If your input selection is correct, make sure your mouse driver is being loaded. One quick thing to try: type MOUSE at your command prompt and press ENTER. Q: Why isn't the middle button of my mouse working? A: Mimi & the Mites(tm) utilizes only two buttons. You can use a three-button mouse, but only the left and right buttons will function. Q: Why can't I run the game under Windows/WindowsNT? A: Sorry, Mimi & the Mites(tm) is not designed to run under non-DOS environments. Exit out of Windows completely and run it in MS-DOS. TECHNICAL SUPPORT URC wants to help you resolve any problems you may run into when installing or running Mimi & the Mites(tm). It may be worth your while to quickly review the Installation section of this manual in case you have overlooked something. Also review the Troubleshooting Guide for help in addressing common problems. URC Technical Support can be reached Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern time, at (413) 592-1643. When you call, please be at your computer with Mimi & the Mites(tm) loaded. Having the following information at hand will ease the process of resolving your difficulties: Your computer processor type. MS-DOS version number. Type of sound card. The amount of RAM in your computer. (Run the MEM command from your DOS prompt and record the information, or hit the "PRINT SCREEN" key to print it out.) Description of the problem you are having. URC welcomes any questions or comments you have regarding Mimi & the Mites. Our mailing address is: URC P. O. Box 453 Chicopee, MA 01021 Our E-mail address is urc.games@the-spa.com Mimi & the Mites is a trademark of Unobstructed Reason Corporation, copyright 1995.