Copyright: Copyright ©1996 Activision


Contents_1
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

Credits

Please note that customer support for NetMech 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

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 (916) 894-8400.

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 Win95, 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 MW2SETUP.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 8 players are allowed in a game.

If there are less than 7 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 twenty 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.

Problems Installing:

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.


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 (for digital and general MIDI audio)

∗	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:  Original MechWarrior 2 (DOS or Win95) disc 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.BAT 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 don't have enough, try commenting out the SMARTDRV line in autoexec.bat.)

If you get the 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.

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.


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

NetMech DOS was written to be a good Win95 citizen.  Other apps 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 20 seconds after you insert the CD-ROM.  Another way to prevent this is to turn off AutoPlay by following these steps:

In Control Panel, click on System, click on Device Manager, click on your CD-ROM device, and click on Properties, then Settings, and 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 swithcing back to NetMech from the WIndows 95 desktop.

Can I use 'Mechs created in Mech2 Win95 while playing NetMech DOS?

Yes!  All you need to do is copy the MEK folder from Mech2 Win95'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 Mech2 DOS while playing NetMech DOS?

Yes, if you have installed NetMech DOS into the same directory as Mech2 DOS.

Can I use custom cockpit control settings created in Mech2 Win95 while playing NetMech DOS?

No.  The input device / cockpit control editors for Mech2 Win95 and Mech2 DOS are incompatible.

Can I play against somebody who has NetMech Win95?

Not directly  they have to load NetMech DOS.  Since NetMech DOS works well under Win95, 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 MechWarrior2 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 (310) 479-1335.

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

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 4 players in a single game.

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


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 Win95, 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, the drivers come in two flavors, 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 Win95, 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/Win95, 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.


Modems

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 Win modem. This modem is not compatible with DOS programs. Also, they do not emulate the regular serial chips so they 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 toa 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!


Input Devices
Input Devices (Joysticks, Mice, VR Headsets)

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 several 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.

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

This message is usually the result of one of two problems. Most likely, a mouse driver has not been loaded. NetMech needs a DOS mouse driver to run (as opposed to a Microsoft Windows mouse driver). This driver, along with instructions on how to load it, should have been included with your mouse. The less likely problem is that the mouse driver is being correctly loaded, but it is an older version that is not supported. You should contact the manufacturer (or dealer) of your mouse to get a more up-to-date mouse driver.


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 Win95 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.)

I get a message that says I do not have enough memory to run the Installer. How come?

When trying to run NETSETUP 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:

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

or

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

C:\MACH32\VVESA.COM

This should allow you to run the shell without any video problems.

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.


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?

Activision Online Services

Services with Activision Forums, e-mail and File Library Support

Microsoft Network: From any MSN window, pull down the Edit menu and select Go To and then Other Location. At the prompt, type ACTIVISION and click OK.

America Online: Use keyword Activision to locate the Activision forum.

 	CompuServe: 76004,2122 or [GO GAMBPUB]

Activision BBS: (310) 479-1335 Up to 28,800 Baud; Settings: 8 Bits, No Parity, 1 Stop Bit (8, N, 1)

Services with e-mail Support

Prodigy: ACTI10B

GEnie: ACTIVISION

Internet

support@activision.com or http://www.activision.com

For information on how to use our list server, please send e-mail to CSbulletins@listserv.activision.com with the word help in the subject line. If you're already familiar with list servers, send e-mail to the same address with the word index in the subject of your message for a list of files available from this service.

In North America

Activision Customer Support

P.O. Box 67713

Los Angeles, CA 90067

Fax

(310) 479-7355, 24 hours a day.

Automated Fax Retrieval

(310)473-6453, 24 hours a day

In Australia and the Pacific Rim

ACTIVISION AUSTRALIA AND PACIFIC RIM

P.O. Box 873

Epping, NSW 2121

Australia

In Europe

Activision

Long Island House, 3A

1/4 Warple Way

London, W3 ORQ

United Kingdom.


Vendor List

We have tried to include the most up-to-date contact information for major manufacturers of software, computers, video cards, sound cards and other peripheral devices. We include this information to assist you in quickly diagnosing any compatibility problems with hardware or software in your system. In each vendor's section, we also try to include tips and troubleshooting information on issues we are aware of with their products and the fastest solution to those issues.

Activision has made every effort to ensure that this information is correct. However, you may want to consult the documentation included with your computer, software, video card, sound card, CD-ROM drive, or other peripheral devices for more up-to-date information from each company.

For Customers Outside the U.S.: Where possible, we have included international contact information. If there is no contact in your country, please refer to the documentation included with your hardware or contact your local vendor. You may also call the U.S. or other international phone numbers. U.S. numbers beginning with 800 can only be reached from within the U.S.

Specific Lists

System Manufacturers List

Sound Card Manufacturers List

Video Card Manufacturers List

CD-ROM Drive Manufacturers List

Manufacturers and Products

Acer America	Computers

AdLib Multimedia, Inc.	Sound cards

Advanced Gravis	Joysticks, sound cards

Advanced Integration Research	Video cards

AST Computers	Computers

ATI Technologies Inc.	Video cards, sound cards

Aztech Labs	Sound cards

Boca Research Inc.	Video cards, sound cards, modems

Cardinal Technologies	Video cards, sound cards, modems

Cirrus Logic	Video cards, modems

Colorgraphic Communication	Video cards

Compaq Computer Corporation	Computers

Creative Labs	Video cards, sound cards, modems

CSS Laboratories, Inc.	Video cards

Dell Computers	Computers

Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc.	Video cards, sound cards

Epson America	Computers

Gateway 2000	Computers

Genoa Systems	Video cards

Hercules Computer Technology Inc.	Video cards

Hitachi	Computers

IBM	Computers

Intel	Video cards, sound cards, modems

Liberty Electronics USA	Video cards

Logitech	Sound cards, input devices

Matrox Graphics, Inc.	Video cards

Media Vision	Sound cards

Metheus Corporation	Video cards

Microsoft	Operating systems, input devices, drivers

Mitsubishi	CD-ROM drives

Mitsumi	CD-ROM drives

NEC	Computers

Number Nine Visual Technology	Video cards

Oak Technology	Video cards, sound cards

Orchid Technology Inc.	Video cards

Packard Bell	Computers

Panasonic	CD-ROM drives

Paradise	Video cards

Reveal	Video cards, sound cards

Sigma Designs	Video cards

Sony	CD-ROM drives

STB Systems	Video cards

Swan Technologies, Inc.	Computers

Tandy Computer	Computers

Teac	CD-ROM drives

Toshiba	Computers

Trident Microsystems Inc.	Video chips

Tseng Labs	Video cards

Turtle Beach	Sound cards

Western Digital	Video cards

Willow Peripherals	Video cards

Zenith Data Systems	Computers, CD-ROM drives


CD-ROM Drive Manufacturers List

Mitsubishi	CD-ROM drives

Mitsumi	CD-ROM drives

NEC	Computers, CD-ROM drives

Panasonic	CD-ROM drives

Sony	CD-ROM drives

Teac	CD-ROM drives

Zenith Data Systems	Computers, CD-ROM drives


Sound Card Manufacturers List

AdLib Multimedia, Inc.	Sound cards

Advanced Gravis	Joysticks, sound cards

ATI Technologies Inc.	Video cards, sound cards

Aztech Labs	Sound cards

Boca Research Inc.	Video cards, sound cards, modems

Cardinal Technologies	Video cards, sound cards, modems

Creative Labs	Video cards, sound cards, modems

Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc.	Video cards, sound cards

Intel	Video cards, sound cards, modems

Logitech	Sound cards. input devices

Media Vision	Sound cards

Microsoft	Operating systems, sound cards

Oak Technology	Video cards, sound cards

Reveal	Video cards, sound cards

Turtle Beach	Sound cards


System Manufacturers List

Acer America	Computers

AST Computers	Computers

Compaq Computer Corporation	Computers

Dell Computers	Computers

Epson America	Computers

Gateway 2000	Computers

Hitachi	Computers

IBM	Computers

NEC	Computers

Packard Bell	Computers

Swan Technologies, Inc.	Computers

Tandy Computer	Computers

Toshiba	Computers

Zenith Data Systems	Computers, CD-ROM drives


Video Card Manufacturers List

Advanced Integration Research	Video cards

ATI Technologies Inc.	Video cards, sound cards

Boca Research Inc.	Video cards, sound cards, modems

Cardinal Technologies	Video cards, sound cards, modems

Cirrus Logic	Video cards, modems

Colorgraphic Communication	Video cards

Creative Labs	Video cards, sound cards, modems

CSS Laboratories, Inc.	Video cards

Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc.	Video cards, sound cards

Genoa Systems	Video cards

Hercules Computer Technology Inc.	Video cards

Intel	Video cards, sound cards, modems

Liberty Electronics USA	Video cards

Matrox Graphics, Inc.	Video cards

Metheus Corporation	Video cards

Number Nine Visual Technology	Video cards

Oak Technology	Video cards, sound cards

Orchid Technology Inc.	Video cards

Paradise	Video cards

Reveal	Video cards, sound cards

Sigma Designs	Video cards

STB Systems	Video cards

Trident Microsystems Inc.	Video chips

Tseng Labs	Video cards

Western Digital	Video cards

Willow Peripherals	Video cards


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


AST Computers

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.ast.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Telephone:	800-876-4278

Technical Support:	800-727-1278

817-232-9824

BBS:	714-852-1872

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


ATI Technologies Inc.

Known Problems:

COM4: Conflict

There is also a known problem in trying to get Mach 32 cards to run if you are using COM4: since the Mach 32 uses the memory address at 2E0-2EF.

Mach 32 Series DOS VESA Support

To enable VESA support run VVESA.COM. You may need to include X=C000-C7FF on the EMM386 line of CONFIG.SYS or you may experience problems.

Mach 64 Series DOS VESA Support

M64DIAG.EXE will run a series of diagnostics and provide information about your card. M64VBE.COM will enable VESA support. You may need to include X=C000-C7FF on the EMM386 line of your CONFIG.SYS file to run properly.

Contact Information:

Online Services:

Internet E-mail:	74740.667@compuserve.com

FTP Site:	ftp://ftp.atitech.ca/pub/support

World Wide Web:	http://www.atitech.ca

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Customer Support:	905-882-2626

Fax:	905-882-0546

BBS:	905-764-9404

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

Germany Customer Support:	89-460907-77

Germany Fax:	89-460907-76


Acer America

Contact Information:

Online Services:

America Online:	Keyword Acer

Prodigy:	Jump Acer

CompuServe:	Go Acer

FTP Site:	ftp://ftp.acer.com/

World Wide Web:	http://www.aci.acer.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	800-445-6495

Acer BBS:	408-428-0140 (28.8K bps, 8-N-1)

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


AdLib Multimedia, Inc.

Contact Information:

Online Services:

None Available

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Telephone:	418-529-1159

Fax:	418-529-9676

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Advanced Gravis

Known Problems:

Windows 95 Drivers

Advanced Gravis has released Beta drivers for the Gravis UltraSound card. These drivers are fully compatible with Windows 95. Please refer to the extensive README file included with the drivers for installation information. These drivers are available through the online methods listed below.

Contact Information:

Online Services:

Internet E-mail:	tech@gravis.com or support@gravis.com

World Wide Web:	http://www.gravis.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	206-881-6945

Telephone:	604-431-1807

604-431-5020

Fax:	604-431-5155

BBS:	604-431-5927

206-883-3211

Available Contacts Outside the U.S.:

Switzerland Telephone:	36-5364443

Switzerland Fax:	36-5366011

Switzerland BBS:	36-5360379

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Advanced Integration Research

Contact Information:

Online Services:

None Available

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Telephone:	408-428-0800

Technical Support:	408-428-1547

BBS:	408-428-1735

Available Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Aztech Labs

Contact Information:

Aztech Systems, Ltd. (Main Office-Singapore)

Telephone:	741-7211

Fax:	741-8678~9

Telex:	RS 36560 AZTECH

BBS:	748-6879

World Wide Web:	http://www.aztech.com.sg

FTP Site:	ftp://ftp.aztech.com.sg

E-mail:	support@aztech.com.sg

Aztech Labs, Inc. (U.S. Office)

Telephone:	510-623-8988

Technical Support:	800-886-8879

Fax:	510-623-8989

BBS:	510-623-8933

World Wide Web:	www.aztechca.com

FTP Site:	ftp.aimnet.com /pub/users/aztech

E-mail:	support@aztechca.com

Available Contacts Outside the U.S.:

Aztech Systems, GMBH. (Germany Office)

Telephone:	421-162-560

Fax:	421-162-5633

BBS:	421-169-0843

Aztech UK, Ltd. (UK Office)

Telephone:	1734-814-121

Fax:	1734-819-951

Az-Technology SDN BHD (Malaysia Office)

Telephone:	704-8450

Fax:	704-8457

BBS:	756-3412

Aztech Systems Beijing, Ltd. (China Office)

Telephone:	10-253-6659

Fax:	10-253-4544


Boca Research Inc.

Contact Information:

Online Services:

Standard Support Service:	407-241-8088

Priority Support Service:	900-555-4900

Internet:	support@boca.org

CompuServe:	GO BOCA

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Phone:	407-997-6227

Fax Server:	407-994-5848

QuickFax Fax Retrieval Service:	407-995-9456

Fax Server:	407-997-0918

BBS: 	407-241-1601

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

Western Europe (Netherlands)

Internet:	rienboca@ib.com

Phone:	31-1803-21606

Fax:	31-1803-12690

BBS:	31-1803-21382

Asia Pacific (Singapore)

Internet:	samhs@singnet.com.sg

Phone:	65-584-6703

Fax:	65-584-6704


CSS Laboratories, Inc.

Contact Information:

Online Services:

None Available

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	800-966-2771

714-852-8161

BBS:	714-852-9231

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Cardinal Technologies

Contact Information:

Online Services:

Internet E-mail:	techs@cardtech.com

World Wide Web:	http://www.cardtech.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Telephone:	717-293-3000

Fax:	717-293-3055

Technical Support:	717-293-3124

BBS:	717-293-3074

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Cirrus Logic

Contact Information:

Online Services:

E-mail (graphics):	ui-support@corp.cirrus.com

E-mail (modems):	dcom-support@corp.cirrus.com

World Wide Web:	http://www.cirrus.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	510-623-8300 (West Coast)

508-470-3380 (East Coast)

Fax:	510-252-6020

BBS:	510-440-9080

Technical Support Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

France:	1-48-12-2812

Germany:	15-24-008-4

Italy:	92-61-34-836

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Colorgraphic Communication

Contact Information:

Online Services:

E-mail:	tech@colorgfx.com

FTP Site:	ftp://ftp.colorgfx.com/colorgfx

World Wide Web:	http://www.colorgfx.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	770-455-3921

BBS:	770-452-8238

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None Available. Please contact your local retailer.

Copyright © 1996 Activision


Compaq Computer Corporation

Contact Information:

Online Services:

BBS:	713-378-1418

E-mail:	Support@Compaq.Com

World Wide Web:	http://www-es.compaq.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	800-652-6672 (desktop and portable hardware)

800-386-2172 (server hardware)

713-378-2000

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Creative Labs

Known Problems:

NetMech DOS may have trouble working with some 1993 or earlier Matsushita CD-ROM drives. These CD-ROM drives have trouble reading beyond 63 minutes on CDs, and NetMech DOS uses the full CD. These drives were sold under the names of Panasonic, JVC, Reveal, Creative Labs and Plextor. Gameplay may occasionally slow down and the CD-ROM drive will be accessed constantly. We highly recommend that you upgrade to a newer CD-ROM drive to avoid problems with other programs in the future.

Contact Information:

Online Services:

CompuServe:	GO BLASTER

World Wide Web:	http://www.creaf.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	405-742-6622

Fax:	405-742-6633

BBS:	405-428-6660

Technical Support Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

France:	1-39-20-0421

Germany:	31-10-283-8

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Dell Computers

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.us.dell.com

Anonymous FTP:	ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/dellbbs

CompuServe:	GO DELL

America Online:	keyword DELL

Dell Online Support Mailbox:	e-mail to support@dell.com

Prodigy:	In manufacturers' corner

Electronic Information Service:	e-mail to info@dell.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support	800-624-9896

TechFax:	800-950-1329

AutoTech:	800-624-9896

Dell TechConnect BBS:	512-728-8528

Technical Support Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

Australia:	2-930-3355

Austria:	2243-34100-0

Belgium/Luxembourg:	2-466-91-99

Canada:	416-758-2100

Czechoslovakia:	2-879250

Finland:	0-692-3122

France:	1-30-60-6900

Germany:	61-03-971-0

Ireland:	61-304091

Japan:	3-5420-5353

Mexico:	5-228-7800

Netherlands:	20-6812666

Norway:	67-125711

Poland:	644-2525

Singapore:	32-08370

Spain:	1-32-91080

Sweden: 	8-590-05-100

Switzerland: 	22-979-0101

United Kingdom: 	344-860-456

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc.

Known Issues:

DOS VESA Support

For Stealth 64 VRAM, Stealth 64 DRAM, Video VRAM and Speedstar Alpine, S64DIAG.EXE will run a series of diagnostics. S64DBIOS.COM will enable the VESA BIOS on the VLB versions of these cards only. You may need to include the command X=A000-C7FF on the EMM386 line of your CONFIG.SYS file. In addition, do not use Stealth mode in QEMM, or else add XST=C000 to the QEMM386.EXE line of your CONFIG.SYS file.

Contact Information:

Online Services:

E-mail:	diamondts@aol.com

E-mail:	75300.3673@compuserve.com

Online services are available 24 hours/7 days.

Phone Contacts In the U.S.:

Telephone:	408-325-7100

Fax:	408-325-7171

BBS:	408-325-7080 (2400-14400 baud)

408-325-7175 (9600-28800 baud)

Voice support is available from 5am to 7pm M-F (Pacific Time), 8am to 4pm Saturday (Pacific Time), and closed Sunday.

Available Contacts Outside the U.S.:

France

Telephone:	1-34-154240

Fax:	1-34-154672

BBS:	89-5960093 (14400-28800 baud)

French Tech Support:	1753-501430

Voice support is available from 8:30am to 6:30pm M-F GMT, and closed Saturday and Sunday. All other services are available 24 hours/7 days.

Germany

Telephone:	89-546540

Fax:	89-5805133

BBS:	89-5460093 (14400-28800 baud)

German Tech Support:	1753-501420

Voice support is available from 8:30am to 6:30pm M-F GMT, and closed Saturday, and Sunday. All other services are available 24 hours/7 days.

United Kingdom

Telephone:	1753-501400

Fax:	1753-501411

BBS:	1753-501415 (14400-28800 baud)

UK Tech Support:	1753-501410

Voice support is available from 8:30am to 6:30pm M-F GMT, and closed Saturday, and Sunday. All other services are available 24 hours/7 days.

Japan

Telephone:	3-5695-8405

Fax:	3-5695-8403

NIFTY-Serve:	KYB02015

Voice support is available from 10am to 12pm, 1pm to 4pm M-F GMT+9, and closed Saturday, and Sunday. All other services are available 24 hours/7 days.

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Epson America

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.epson.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Telephone:	800-922-8911

310-782-0770

Fax:	310-782-5220

Fax-On-Demand:	310-782-4214

BBS 	310-782-4531

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Gateway 2000

Contact Information:

Online Services:

America Online:	Keyword: Gateway OR Moo

CompuServe:	GO GATEWAY

Delphi:	GATEWAY2000@Delphi.COM

E-mail:

Technical Support:	tech@gw2kbbs.com

Customer Service:	custserv@gw2kbbs.com

Mailing List Subscriptions:	gateway2000-request@sei.cmu.edu

Mailing List Postings:	gateway2000@sei.cmu.edu

Fidonet:	1:288/17.0: 800-846-1786

GEnie:	Keyword: GATEWAY2000

Prodigy:	JUMP: Computer Support

Usenet Newsgroup:	alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000

World Wide Web:	http://www.gw2k.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Main Number:	800-846-2000

Fax:	605-232-2023

Technical Support:	800-846-2301

Technical Support Fax:	605-232-2182

Notebook/Laptop Support:	800-846-2302

Notebook/Laptop Fax:	800-846-4526

Sales and Customer Service:	800-846-2042

TDD  Hearing Impaired:	800-846-1776

BBS  drivers only:	800-846-7562

BBS  complete access:	605-232-2224

Available Contacts Outside the U.S.:

Ireland

Customer Service:	800-45-2000

Technical Support:	800-46-2000

Fax:	848-2022

BBS:	867-0433

UK

Customer Service:	0800-80-2000

Technical Support:	0800-80-2000

Fax:	848-2022

BBS:	867-0433

For other countries, please consult your local retailer.


Genoa Systems

Contact Information:

Online Services:

Internet E-mail:	support@gentech.com

World Wide Web:	http://www.gentech.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	408-362-2990

805-531-9030

Fax:	805-531-9045

BBS:	408-943-1231

Available Contacts Outside the U.S.:

Genoa Systems

Schimmelbuschstraße 9

D-40699 ERKRATH, GERMANY

Telephone:	02104-39877

Fax:	02104-39770

BBS:	02104-35370

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Hercules Computer Technology Inc.

Known Problems:

Dynamite Video Card Using MS-DOS

When using EMM386.EXE or QEMM386.EXE in DOS, adding one of the three following exclusions to the EMM386.EXE or QEMM386.EXE line in CONFIG.SYS should solve any display problems. X=A000-A7FF or X=B800-BDFF or X=BFF0-C7FF.

Users of Qualitas 386MAX should try the parameters RAM=A000-B000 or RAM=B800-C800.

Contact Information:

Online Services:

E-mail:	support@hercules.com

World Wide Web:	http://www.hercules.com/

CompuServe:	GO HERCULES (Address e-mail to 71333,2532)

Anonymous FTP:	ftp.hercules.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	800-323-0601 (M-F, 6am to 6pm Pacific Time)

510-623-6050 (M-F, 6am to 6pm Pacific Time)

Technical Support Fax:	510-490-6745

Toll-free faxback service:	800-711-4372

Technical Support	510-623-6050

BBS:	510-623-7449 (V.32 bis)

510-623-7034 (9600 baud)

510-623-7142 (2400 baud)

Available Contacts Outside the U.S.:

Japan

Telephone:	08142-49105

Fax:	08142-49799

Germany

Technical Support:	089 8989 0573 (M-F, 10am-4pm)

Technical Support Fax:	089 8989 0584

BBS:	089 8989 0576

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Hitachi

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.hitachi.co.jp

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	800-241-6558

Technical Support Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

France:	1-48-21-6015

Spain:	3-33-08652

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


IBM

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/ibmlist.html

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	404-238-1234

Technical Support Multimedia:	908-329-7131

Technical Support PS/1 PRO:	800-765-4747

Technical Support Valuepoint:	800-772-2227

213-621-5576

BBS:	919-517-0001

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Intel

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.intel.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	800-538-3373

503-264-7000

BBS:	503-264-7999

503-645-6275

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Liberty Electronics USA

Contact Information:

Online Services:

None available.

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	800-497-8324

510-623-6000

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Logitech

Contact Information:

Online Services:

CompuServe:	76702,1367 or GO LOGITECH for forum

Internet E-mail:	support@logitech.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	510-795-8100

BBS:	510-795-0408

Technical Support Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

France:	34-48-9050

Switzerland:	21-869-9851

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Matrox Graphics, Inc.

Known Problems:

MGA Impression

The program to load for standard VESA support is MGAVESA.COM.

Contact Information:

Online Services:

CompuServe:	GO MATROX

Internet E-mail:	graphics.techsupport@matrox.com

FTP Site:	ftp://ftp.matrox.com/pub/mga/

World Wide Web:	http://www.matrox.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Telephone:	514-685-0270

Fax:	514-969-6363

MATFax (fax-back system):	514-685-0174

BBS:	514-685-6008

Available Contacts Outside the U.S.:

Germany

Phone:	89-614-474-33

Fax:	89-614-97-43

BBS:	89-614-00-91

UK

Phone:	1-793-441-144

Fax:	1-793-614-336

BBS:	1-793-489-906

CompuServe e-mail:	100634.2033@compuserve.com

France

Phone:	1-45-60-62-00

Fax:	1-45-60-62-05

BBS:	1-45-60-62-08

CompuServe:	MATFR (Matrox France's Forum)

CompuServe e-mail:	100631.2376@compuserve.com
(Matrox France Tech. Support)

Minitel:	3615 MATROX  (1.39 ff/mn)

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Media Vision

Contact Information:

Online Services:

America Online:	Keyword: MEDIA VISION

CompuServe:	Type GO MEDIAVISION

World Wide Web:	http://www.mediavis.com

FTP Site:	FTP.MEDIAVIS.COM

Phone Contacts In the U.S.:

Technical Support:	503-882-1177 8am to 8pm Pacific Time, M-F

Fax:	503-884-1517

BBS:	510-770-0527 (N,8,1) Z-Modem recommended

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Metheus Corporation

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.ibmpcug.co.uk/~metheus/

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	503-690-1550

BBS:	503-690-1559

Technical Support Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

United Kingdom:	734-312-112

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Microsoft

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.microsoft.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	206-637-7096

BBS:	206-936-4082

206-936-6735

Technical Support Contacts Outside the U.S.:

France:	1-69-86-1020

Germany:	08-93-176-0

Italy:	39-22-69-121

Spain:	1-80-40000

Belgium BBS: 	2-735-00-45

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Mitsubishi

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.mitsubishi.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	800-344-6352

BBS:	714-236-6286

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Mitsumi

Contact Information:

Online Services:

None Available

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	408-970-9699

408-970-9730

BBS:	415-691-4469

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


NEC

Contact Information:

Online Services:

America Online:	Keyword NECTECH

AT&T Interchange:	ZDNet Companies Online section

CompuServe:	GO NECTECH

Microsoft Network:	go word: NECTECH

Internet E-mail Technical Support:	tech-support@nectech.com

Internet FTP Site:	ftp.nectech.com

World Wide Web:	http://www.nec.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	800-388-8888

NEC Technical Support Fax:	1-508-635-4666

NEC BBS:	1-508-635-4706 (300-28.8K bps, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, No parity bits)

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Number Nine Visual Technology

Known Problems:

GXE64 or FX Vision 330

When using EMM386.EXE in DOS, add the X=C000-C7FF parameter to the EMM386.EXE line in CONFIG.SYS.

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.nine.com/

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	617-674-0009

BBS:	617-862-7502

Technical Support Contacts Outside the U.S.:

Germany Technical Support:	96-14-491-0

Germany BBS:	96-12-139-0

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Oak Technology

Contact Information:

Online Services:

Internet E-mail:	tech@oaktech.com .

World Wide Web:	http://www.oaktech.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	408-523-6666 (M-F, 8am to 5pm Pacific Time)

BBS:	408-774-5307

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Orchid Technology Inc.

Known Problems:

Kelvin 64, Fahrenheit 64, Fahrenheit Pro 64

When using EMM386.EXE in DOS, add the X=A000-C7FF parameter to the EMM386.EXE line in CONFIG.SYS.

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.orchid.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	510-683-0323

BBS:	510-683-0327

Technical Support Contacts Outside the U.S.:

France:	1-47-80-7050

Germany:	13-28-007-1

UK:	256-479-898

UK BBS:	256-463-373

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Packard Bell

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.packardbell.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Hardware Support:	800-733-4411

Software Support:	801-579-0161

BBS:	801-250-1600

818-773-7207

Technical Support Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

France:	1-40-64-1000

Germany:	89-83-703-1

Italy:	2-29-52-7444

Spain:	1-45-80055

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Panasonic

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.mitl.research.panasonic.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	408-653-1898

BBS:	201-863-7845

Technical Support Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

France:	1-49-46-4300

Germany:	32-18-702-0

Spain:	7-24-81100

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Paradise
Paradise*

*Western Digital sold the Paradise line to Phillips Electronics in 1995.

Known Problems:

Bali 32 Video Card under MS-DOS

When using EMM386.EXE in DOS, add the X=A000-C7FF parameter to the EMM386.EXE line in CONFIG.SYS.

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.paradisemmp.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Literature/Driver Distribution:	800-978-3079

BBS:	415-335-2744

Technical Support Contacts Outside the U.S.:

Austria:	0660-8142

Belgium:	0800-15532

Denmark:	80017941

Finland:	08001-13170

France:	05-917909

Germany:	0130-823983

Greece:	00800311207

Ireland:	1-800-553178

Italy:	1678-79499

Holland:	068406

Norway:	800-11365

Luxembourg:	0800-2974

Portugal:	0505313338

Spain:	900-983181

Sweden:	020-795344

Switzerland:	155-3497

UK:	0800-966185

Helpdesk Fax:	20 6002589

Internet E-mail:	pcaddon.u4ia.philips@pi.net

BBS:	40 2731112

Helpdesk hours are Monday-Friday, 10am-10pm, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm.

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Reveal

Known Problems:

NetMech DOS may have trouble working with some 1993 or earlier Matsushita CD-ROM drives. These CD-ROM drives have trouble reading beyond 63 minutes on CDs, and NetMech DOS uses the full CD. These drives were sold under the names of Panasonic, JVC, Reveal, Creative Labs and Plextor. Gameplay may occasionally slow down and the CD-ROM drive will be accessed constantly. We highly recommend that you upgrade to a newer CD-ROM drive to avoid problems with other programs in the future.

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://support.reveal.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	800-473-8325

BBS:	818-713-8188

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


STB Systems

Contact Information:

Online Services:

CompuServe:	75300,1664 or GO STBSYS for forum

Internet E-mail:	support@stb.com

FTP Site:	ftp.stb.com

World Wide Web:	http://www.stb.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	800-234-4334 (8am to 6pm Central Time, M-F)

214-234-8750

Technical Support Fax:	214-669-1326

BBS:	214-437-9615 (N81) up to 28.8K bps

Available Contacts Outside the U.S.:

UK Telephone Support:	44-897-0662 (9am to 6pm GMT)

UK BBS:	44-181-897-1008

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Sigma Designs

Contact Information:

Online Services:

None Available

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	510-770-0100

BBS:	510-770-0111

Technical Support Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

Germany:	89-33-644-3

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Sony

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.sel.sony.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	408-894-0555

BBS:	408-955-5107

Available Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Swan Technologies, Inc.

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://swantech.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	800-468-7926

814-238-1820

BBS:	814-237-6145

814-237-6143

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Tandy Computer

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.tandy.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	817-878-6875

Technical Support Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

UK:	922-434-000

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Teac

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.lookup.com/homepages/44913/home.html

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	213-726-0303

BBS:	213-727-7660

Available Phone Contacts Outside the US:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Toshiba

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.toshiba.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	800-999-4273

714-859-4273

BBS:	714-837-4408

415-656-5159

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Trident Microsystems Inc.

Note: Trident makes video card chipsets, but not complete cards.  You probably want to contact the card vendor, not the chipet vendor.

Contact Information:

Online Services:

World Wide Web:	http://www.trident.net/comp/video.htm

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

None available.

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Tseng Labs

Contact Information:

Online Services:

None Available

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	215-968-0502

Fax:	215-860-7713

BBS:	215-579-7536

Technical Support Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

Germany:	49-00-004-9

Belgium:	2-716-50-00

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Turtle Beach

Contact Information:

Online Services:

Internet E-mail:	support@tbeach.com

FTP Site:	ftp.tbeach.com

World Wide Web:	http://www.tbeach.com

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	717-767-0300

Support Fax:	717-767-0303

Faxback:	717-767-0309

BBS:	717-767-0250
(up to 21.6K bps, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit)

Technical Support Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

Switzerland:	22-347-1181

For other countries, please contact your local retailer.


Willow Peripherals

Contact Information:

Online Services:

Internet E-mail:	peripherals@willow.com

World Wide Web:	http://willow.com/peripherals

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Technical Support:	800-444-1585

Phone:	718-402-0203

Fax:	718-402-9603

BBS:	718-993-2066

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.


Zenith Data Systems

Contact Information:

Online Services:

E-Mail:	zed@zds.com

CompuServe:	GO ZDSFORUM

The Microsoft Network:	GO ZDS

World Wide Web:	http://www.zds.com

Mail:	Zenith Data Systems

2150 East Lake Cook Road

Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

Phone Contacts in the U.S.:

Telephone:	800-416-7591

Telephone (TDD):	800-316-3207 (M-F, 8:00am to 4:30pm Central Time)

Fax:	800-582-8194

BBS:	708-808-2264 (14,400 bps)

Available Phone Contacts Outside the U.S.:

None available. Please contact your local retailer.