INSTALLING THE DESKTOP THEME If you have Microsoft Plus installed on your computer you can most easily use the Abe's Oddysee desktop theme. You can tell you have it installed by finding the "Desktop Themes" option in the Control Panel (Start Menu->Settings->Control Panel). If you have it, simply copy the files from the "Desktop Theme" directory on the Abe's Oddysee CDROM into the directory where your desktop themes are stored. This is almost always called "C:\Program Files\Plus!\Themes". After you have copied the files there, you can load the Abe theme by selecting "Desktop Themes" option in the Control Panel (Start Menu->Settings->Control Panel). When the "Desktop Themes" dialog box appears, select the "Abe" theme from the dropdown list. If you don't have Microsoft Plus, you must first copy the files from the "Desktop Theme" directory on the Abe's Oddysee CDROM into a directory on your computer. Then, you must individually load the cursors (Start Menu-> Settings->Control Panel->Mouse, then select the Pointers tab) corresponding to the names of the cursors, and the sounds (Start Menu->Settings-> Control Panel->Sounds) for each of the sound names. You can load the wallpaper by selecting Start->Settings->Control Panel, then double clicking on Display to bring up the Display Properties dialog box. Choose the Background tab, then browse and select the "Abe rupture farms" bitmap. ------------------------------------------------------------------- ABE'S ODDYSEE REQUIRES 16-BIT HI-COLOR MODE If your SVGA display card doesn't support 16-bit High Color mode, then Abe's Oddysee will not run. In addition, some older display cards that do support High Color mode don't switch to it properly under Direct X. Before you call technical support, try this : Select Start->Settings->Control Panel, then Double click on Display to bring up the Display Properties dialog box. Choose the Settings tab, and select "High Color (16 bit)", then click on OK. You will be prompted to restart your computer, and after it restarts, try running the game again. You may notice your wallpaper and icons look a lot better now, too! ------------------------------------------------------------------- USING THE ALTERNATE DISPLAY MODES If the game runs too slowly on your machine, or if the movies are jerky, you may want to try the alternate display modes. WIN95 You must create a shortcut to run the AbeWin.exe program with the appropriate command line option. First, locate the file AbeWin.exe (in the directory you installed to, probably C:\Program Files\Abe's Oddysee), and right click on the file. Select "Create Shortcut", then find the Shortcut file created (called "Shortcut to Abe's Oddysee"). Right click on this, then select Properties. Choose the Shortcut tab, and edit the "Target" field, adding one of the following command line parameters to the end of the line (seperated from AbeWin.exe by a space) : -interline Every other line is blacked out. -vstretch Lines are doubled (this may not work on some display cards, if it doesn't, use INTRLINE). Select OK, then click on this Shortcut to run Abe. You might want to rename the shortcut something more appropriate. DOS MODE Instead of typing ABE to start the game, use : INTRLINE Every other line is blacked out. VDOUBLE Lines are doubled (this may not work on some display cards, if it doesn't, use INTRLINE). ------------------------------------------------------------------- USING GAME PADS WITH ABE'S ODDWORLD ODDYSEE SUCCESSFULLY To provide compatibility with the widest range of run-of-the-mill game pads out there in the PC market, we have chosen this way to support game pads that have more than 4 buttons if those game pads do not have dedicated Windows device drivers. For all these settings, and to calibrate the joystick, use the Windows joystick or gaming devices control panel applet. We can only reliably support gaming devices that are explicitly recognized by Windows, meaning they have to have a driver made explicitly for that controller. If the controller you have is not explicitly recognized, you will probably have to make a "custom" setting for the controller if the correct type (axes,buttons) is not available. This may or may not be possible due to various device driver suppliers (including Microsoft) completely replacing the default joystick control panel applet, and various versions of DirectX doing the same. If you have a 6-button game pad, most likely it will work correctly with Abe if you set it up in the Joystick control panel as a 3-axis, 4-button game pad. We treat these devices as if axis 3 going past 80% means the fifth button is down, and axis 3 going below 20% means the sixth button is down. Otherwise, if that doesn't work, set it up as a 4-axis, 4-button game pad and we will detect the fact that it only has one button per axis and use axis 3 going past 50% as the fifth button, and axis 4 going past 50% as the sixth button. If you have a 8-button game pad, most likely it will work correctly with Abe if you set it up in the Joystick control panel as a 4-axis, 4-button game pad. We treat these devices as if axis 3 going past 80% means the fifth button is down, axis 4 going past 80% means the sixth button is down, axis 3 going below 20% means the seventh button is down, and axis 4 going past 20% means the eighth button is down. Unfortunately this means you cannot use button 5 and 7 at the same time, or button 6 and 8 at the same time. If neither of those works, just set it up as a 2-axis, 4-button game pad and deal with it. Try to find a joystick device driver that works for your controller. If you have a real analog flight stick or something, you may want to unplug it and use the keyboard instead, as otherwise you'll have to keep the throttle centered or we will think it's a button being pressed. We have found that most analog controllers don't work well with Abe anyway, and it's much easier to control him with the keyboard. If all else fails, you can always use the keyboard. This is probably your best option if your controller has only 4 buttons or less or is analog, as this game was designed for a 10 button digital gamepad controller and needs a minimum of 6 buttons to keep from having to use the keyboard for anything besides start and select. For those unfortunate enough to have game pads with only 4 buttons, double-tapping the direction pad left or right will cause Abe to run. A double-tap is when you press the pad, release, and quickly press again, holding it down until you no longer wish to run. For 2-button joysticks (we pity you) we assume they are analog and moving the stick further will make a difference between walking and running. If you remap the controller somehow and get it to a state where you can no longer play or configure normally, delete the entries in ABE.INI to clear the mappings to default. ------------------------------------------------------------------- TECHNICAL SUPPORT (U.S. & CANADA) Assistance Via World Wide Web Get up-to-the-minute technical information at the GT Interactive Software web-site, at http://www.gtisonline.com, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Through this site you’ll have access to our FAQ documents, (Frequently Asked Questions) which contain our latest troubleshooting information. You’ll have access to our FTP (File Transfer Protocol) area where you can download patches and new enhancements as soon as they become available, our Hints/Cheat Codes area where you can pick up some tips, an E-Mail area where you can leave us your tech support problems and questions, and other areas where you can get valuable information on GT Interactive Software products. Help Via Telephone In The United States & Canada For phone assistance, call GT Interactive Software’s Tech Support at 970-522-1797. We have an Interactive Voice Response and Faxback system that is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. If you should need live support, we are available Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM (EST). Please note that live Tech Support may be closed on major holidays. We ask that you do the following when calling: be at your computer; have your system information ready for our technicians including system make and model; RAM; video and sound card data and drivers; and any screen or error messages you’ve encountered and where (if not currently displayed on your screen). It will expedite your handling significantly. Product Return Procedures In The United States & Canada In the event our technicians at 970-522-1797 determine that you will need to forward materials directly to us, please include a brief letter explaining what is enclosed and why. Make sure you include the Return Merchandise Authorization Number supplied you by the technician and your telephone number in case we need to call you. Any materials not containing this RMA# will be returned to you unprocessed. Your mail should be sent to the following address: GT Interactive Software Corp. Attn: TS/QA 1 Nixon Lane Edison, NJ 08817 If our technicians determine that the product storage medium is found to be defective within ninety (90) days of original purchase, (unless otherwise provided by applicable law), GTIS will replace the item free of charge, to the original purchaser, if the item is accompanied by the original dated receipt and packaging. If you do not have the original receipt, or if the warranty period has expired, GTIS will replace the product storage medium for a nominal fee. If your product information contains Technical Support phone numbers for Europe, you must contact those phone numbers and abide by their warranty policies. ------------------------------------------------------------------- TECHNICAL SUPPORT (EUROPE) Help Via Telephone In Europe Technical Assistance: English speaking customers call 01923 209145 Assistance Technique: Remarque: Notre service de soutien technique se trouve en Angleterre. Clients francophones appelez le 00 44 1923 209148 Technischer Kundendienst: Beachten Sie bitte dass sich unser technischer Kundendienst in England befindet. Den deutschsprachigen Kundendienst erreichen Sie unter folgender Nummer: 00 44 1923 209151 ------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER Please do not make unauthorized copies The program you’ve purchased was produced through the efforts of many people who earn their livelihood from its lawful use. Don’t make copies for others who have not paid for the right to use it. To report copyright violations to the Software Publishers Association, call 1-800-388-PIR8 or write: Software Publishers Association 1101 Connecticut Ave., Suite 901 NW Washington, DC 20036 This program is protected by United States federal and international copyright laws. All trademarks mentioned in this manual are the property of their respective owners.