This update contains 3 files: SETUP.EXE, TANK_MOD.EXE, and the README.TXT that you're (probably impatiently) reading now. SETUP.EXE: This file fixes a small bug that caused the \TANKGAME directory's MODEM.CFG dial command line to be improperly written on some machines. TANK_MOD.EXE: This file changes the modem driver from synchronous to asynchronous operation. This can improve the frame rate drastically for Tank Commanders wishing to play each other using modems of different brands. (Many modems operate at extremely high speeds if connected to an identical model.) If you haven't experienced frame rate problems while running Tank Commander over a modem, it's unlikely that this file will offer a significant improvement. SECTION 1: ** Installation ** To update your copy of Tank Commander to Version 1.1, copy SETUP.EXE and TANK_MOD.EXE into your hard drive's \TANKGAME directory. ** Please note that the old SETUP.EXE and TANK_MOD.EXE are hidden and write-protected files, so you will need to OK the overwrite when your computer asks for it. ** SECTION 2: ** Basic Hints ** One of life's little pleasures is dealing with setting up modems for head-to-head computer games. Here are some quick guidelines that might help out if you're running into trouble playing Tank Commander over the modem: Make sure that your modem isn't using a COM port or IRQ that another device is using. For instance most mouse drivers will try to install on COM 1, while most modem drivers will prefer COM 2. As long as they're separate, life is good. However, trying to run both a modem and mouse off the same COM port simply won't work. In addition, make sure that other devices such as sound cards aren't using the same IRQ as the modem. This could result from an unusual sound card installation which might attempt to use IRQ 3, which COM 2 prefers. SECTION 3: ** Initialization Strings Galore! ** Make sure that you're using the proper "Initialization String" for your modem. (The "Initialization String" is a line of ASCII text that contains specific configuration orders for your modem, such as how fast it should run, what kind of error checking it should use, and so on.) If your machine fails to show an initialization string or "OK" while attempting to connect with an opponent during a modem game, your initialization string is most likely incorrect for your modem type. After finding the proper initialization string for your modem, you can manually insert it into the \TANKGAME directory's MODEM.CFG file by following the instructions in SECTION 4. Here's a collection of initialization strings that might help if your modem isn't responding to Tank Commander's default strings: AT &D2 &Q0\G0 &K0 S37=9 N0 %C\N1 (This is a good string to use first. It's something of a "universal" initialization string, and has been shown to work with a variety of games.) Here are a list of other strings that might help you out. Find the Mode Type you have, and then find the accompanying Number in the next table for the initializaton string. Number Modem Type ------ ---------- 7 Generic Hayes-compatible (w/switches) 1 Generic Hayes-compatible (switchless) 1 Generic switchless (alternate) 2 Acer Ex 14.4v.42bis fax 4 Acer 9624 int 2 AMT Star 14.4 2F 2 Anchor Automation 9600 2 Anchor Automation 9600i 5 Archtek Smartlink 6 Archtek Smartlink 14.4I 5 AT&T 4024 7 AT&T DataPhone II 6 AT&T DataPort 14.4I 5 BestData SmartOne 9624FQ int 8 BestData SmartOne v.32bis ext 8 BestData SmartOne v.32bis int 9 Bocamodem 14.4E v.42bis/fax 10 Bocamodem 14.4I (alternate) 9 Bocamodem 14.4I v.42bis/fax 11 Cardinal 9600 v.42bis 5 Cardinal FLASHLink 5 CMS Enhancements 2 Compaq 9696 MNP5 5 Complete PC 12 CompuCom SpeedModem 9600 12 Compudyne Speedmodem 9600 int 8 Computer Peripherals ViVa 14.4 v.42 bis ext 8 Computer Peripherals ViVa 14.4 v.42 bis int 8 Dallas Fax DF9696 14 Digicom Eagle+ v.42bis/fax 14 Digicom Scout+ v.42bis/fax 8 Edison˙v.32bis/fax 5 Ericsson TAU-2620 15 Freemont 9600 fax 16 Galaxy Network 14.4 17 Galaxy Network 9600 8 Gateway 2000 Telepath v.32 18 GVC 9600 v.42bis\MNP5 19 Hayes Smartmodem Optima 14.4 19 Hayes Smartmodem Optima 9600 19 Hayes V-series Smartmodem 9600 5 IBM PS/1 int 5 Infotel 9600 6 Infotel 9600 v.42bis 6 Infotel FM144/144HVI int FAX 20 Intel 14.4 (alternate) 21 Intel 14.4ex 21 Intel 9600ex 21 Intel SatisFaxion 21 Intel SatisFaxion 100 21 Intel SatisFaxion 200 21 Intel SatisFaxion 400 2 LightCOM Lightning 14.4 2 LightCOM Lightning 96 2 Logicode QUICKTEL 9600 v.42 5 Logicode QUICKTEL 9624 2 Megahurst C5144 2 Microcom AX-2400C 2 Microcom QX-4232 2 Microcom QX-V.32C 2 Motorola UDS v.32 lcd 23 MultiTech MultiModem 224E 24 MultiTech MultiModem 696E 25 PC Logic v.32bis ext 19 Practical Modem 14400FX Pocket 19 Practical Modem 14400FX PS/2 19 Practical Modem 14400FX V.32 19 Practical Modem 14400FXMT 19 Practical Modem 14400FXSA V.32 19 Reveal UHS v.32bis PM500 27 Rixon R212A 21 Spartacus 14.4 v42bis/fax ext 2 Spartan v.32 v.42bis 2 Spectrum Envoy 15 Spirit 15 Spirit II 5 SupraFAXModem 24/96i 2 SupraFAXModem Plus 2 SupraFAXModem v.32 8 SupraFAXModem v.32bis ext 8 SupraFAXModem v.32bis int 5 Tandy Sensation 28 Telebit QBlazer 29 Telebit T1000 28 Telebit T1600 29 Telebit T2500 28 Telebit T3000 29 Telebit TrailBlazer 29 Telebit TrailBlazer Plus 28 Telebit WorldBlazer 2 Tornado 9600 2 Toshiba 24/96 FAX 3 Toshiba Laptop 11 Turbo Modem Plus 14.4 ext 11 Turbo Modem Plus 14.4 int 2 TwinCom 14.4 v.42 fax int 30 TwinCom 9600 v.42 int 31 USR Courier HST 31 USR Courier HST Dual Standard 31 USR Courier v.32 or faster 31 USR Sportster 14.4 31 USR Sportster 9600 8 Wang 14/14e 8 Wang 14/14i 8 Wang 9600e v.42 ext 32 Yokohama Telecom 14.4/fax int 2 Zoltrix 14.4 (alternate) 2 Zoltrix 14.4 v.42bis/fax int 13 Zoltrix 2496 fax 8 Zoom 14.4 v.42bis/fax ext 8 Zoom 14.4 v.42bis/fax int 2 Zoom 9600 v.42bis/fax 4 Zoom 9624 ext 2 Zoom 9624 v.42bis ext 2 Zoom 9624 v.42bis int 4 Zoom FC9624 int 5 Zoom HC2400R int 5 Zoom MX2400R ext 34 ZyXEL U-1496 ext 34 ZyXEL U-1496 int Number Initialization String ------ --------------------- 1 AT&F &D2 &C1 V1 2 AT&F &D2 &C1 \N0 3 AT&F &D2 &C1 &Q0 \N0 4 AT&F &D2 &C1 &Q0 5 AT&F &D2 &C1 6 AT&F &D2 &C1 \N0 \Q0 7 ATZ &D2 &C1 V1 8 AT&F &D2 &C1 %M0 \N0 &K0 9 AT&F &D2 &C1 \N0 &K0 10 AT&F &D2 &C1 %C0 &K0 11 AT&F &D2 &C1 \N0 \G0 12 AT&F &D2 &C1 %M0 \N0 \K1 13 AT&F &D2 &C1 V1 S7=60 14 AT&F &D2 &C1 *E0 *F0 15 AT&F &D2 &C1 *E0 16 AT&F &D2 &C1 \N0 &K0 \Q0 17 AT&F &D2 &C1 &K0 18 AT&F &D2 &C1 \N0 \X1 19 AT&F &D2 &C1 &Q0 &K0 20 AT&F \N0 \Q0 21 AT&F %C0 \Q0 22 AT&F &D2 &C1 23 AT&F &D2 &C1 &Q1 24 AT&F &D2 &C1 &Q1 &E0 25 AT&F &D2 &C1 %M0 \N0 &K0 26 AT&F *E0 *F0 27 ATZ &D2 &C1 28 AT&F &D2 &C1 S58=0 S61=0 S180=0 29 AT&F &D2 &C1 S58=0 S54=3 30 AT&F &D2 &C1 &Q6 31 AT&F &D2 &C1 &M0 &K0 32 AT&F &D2 &C1 %M0 \N0 \G0 33 AT&F &D2 &C1 S7=60 34 AT&F &K0 H0 This list has been compiled from a wide variety of modem gamers who have had success with the initialization strings listed. (These strings should also work with most other modem-capable games, so you might want to write the string for your modem down for future reference.) If you don't see your modem here, don't panic! The "universal" string and your modem manual will be the best starting points. For best performance you'll want to choose the commands that disable error checking, and set your modem's speed to at least 9600 baud. If you have difficulties finding the commands in your modem's manual, please contact your modem's manufacturer for assistance. SECTION 4: ** Mysteries of the MODEM.CFG file: ** The MODEM.CFG file in the \TANKGAME subdirectory is a five-line text file that can be read with any text editor. Here's an example of a MODEM.CFG: USROBOTICS SPORTSTER 14.4 (1. Name of the modem) AT&F&A3&B1&H1&R2X4S0=OS7=90 (2. Initialization String) ATDT6382940 (3. Number to Dial) AT Z H0 (4. Hang-Up String) 9600 (5. Baud Rate) 2 (6. COM Port) Note that in some instances the second "T" in line 3 is left off. The user will need to use a text editor and insert this "T" so the line will read "ATDT######." The new SETUP.EXE in this patch file should take care of this for you, so it's unlikely that you'll ever need to insert this wayward "T" on your own. Also, the user might need to use the initialization string from dedicated comms program that works with his modem. This string would be inserted into line 2 using any text editor. Line 1, the modem's brand name, isn't important to configuring Tank Commander for modem play. It can be anything. If your system should lock up after a modem game is finished, it's probably due to an incorrect hang-up string in line 4. Find the proper hang- up string for your particular modem, and insert it in line 4. Attempting to use 14400 baud rate or higher isn't necessary with Tank Commander, and will more than likely lock your system during modem games. We strongly recommend that you leave line 5 at 9600 unless you're a glutton for punishment. If all else fails, it's possible to connect manually through a DOS communications package such as QuickLink or ProComm, exit to a DOS shell once connected, and then play Modem Tank Commander with the "Already Connected" option. SECTION 5: ** Head-to-Head Play Hints ** Here's some basic tips on how to win during modem and networked Tank Commander: 1) Use your Radar. Don't get so fixated chasing flags that you ignore the scoundrel trying to sneak up on you. 2) Use the terrain or obstacles. Though the Radar will see through these, they'll still protect you from enemy fire. 3) Use your turret. Selecting different views while maneuvering allows you to accurately aim your turret while driving. You can actually drive your tank forward using the cursor keys, while you use the Gunner's View (F2) to aim at other players behind you. 4) Conserve ammunition. He who gathers the most FLAGS, not KILLS, wins! 5) Use your base to safely store flags. Once you deposit a flag at your base, it can't be taken from you. Note the small line at the bottom left of your screen that appears when you deposit a flag. This line lets you know which ones you still need to win the game. 6) Use flags as armor. Every time you're hit while carrying a flag, it disappears. However, gathering flag colors that you've ALREADY deposited at your base adds "armor." In other words, the hits will take the "old" flag colors that you've already collected before taking away the precious new one! 7) Don't trust anyone. It's likely that Ghandi would turn on you when you're heading back to base with the final flag! The Homing Missile is a great weapon to scrape pursuers off your tail from long range.