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readme.eng
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1996-10-28
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DOKA PINBALL
User Manual
1. Hardware/software requirements
2. How to start the Game
3. Control keys
4. The Game field
5. Possible problems
* * *
1. Hardware/software requirements
The Pinball Game requires the following hardware/software
configuration:
- IBM PC/AT-486DX2-50 or better with co-processor;
- 4 MB RAM (557 KB main memory and 3000 KB XMS);
- MS DOS 5.0, or later, or Windows 95;
- VGA (256 KB) or SuperVGA (VESA compatible);
- 13 MB HDD Space;
- CD-ROM Drive (Red Book Compatible for audiotracks),
- 100% Sound Blaster compatible Sound Card.
The Game can run in two video modes:
- low resolution mode - VGA (320x200=256 colors). In this mode
player can always view only that part of screen where a ball is
located for a moment. This is not a standard MCGA mode, therefore in
old or non-standard VGA's some failures may occur, though neither
was ever found in practice yet.
- high resolution mode - SVGA (640x400=256 colors). In this
mode VESA-interface is used as a standard medium for the Game to
contact SVGA. To run the Game in high resolution mode, it is
necessary to load VESA driver software before. For each SVGA vendors
deliver such driver included in the kit of SVGA utilities. Some of
SVGA's are even able to contact VESA without special programs. The
game is supplied with shareware UNIVBE driver kit, which is loaded
by running PIN.BAT file. This program supports VESA mode for the
most of the existing SVGA cards.
The Game supports the sound cards 100% compatible with
Sound Blaster. In order to define sound card parameters correctly, it
is recommended to add the line SET BLASTER to AUTOEXEC.BAT file. For
details see sound card user's manual. Otherwise, you will need to
set sound card parameters manually using SETUP.EXE.
2. How to start the Game
To launch the Game you need to put DOKA Pinball CD-ROM into
your CD-ROM drive, change to your HDD drive and start PIN.BAT file.
This could be done from the DOS prompt as follows:
C:>CD<pindir> <ENTER> (<pindir> - directory where PINBALL is
installed, DOKAPIN by default).
C:\DOKAPIN>PIN<ENTER>
After starting the Game, you will see the title screen. Strike
any key in order to enter the main menu. You may choose here the
table to play on, video mode (low / high resolution); sound and
music On/Off. To start the game choose the board with the cursor or
strike the corresponding numeric key and press <ENTER>. You will see
the table menu, where you can set the number of the balls, start
game, or return to main menu.
3. Control keys
While playing the Game, you may use the following keys:
- "Left Shift"
"Left Control"
"Left Alt" and
"Left Arrow" keys - activating all the flippers in the
left side of the Game field;
- "Right Shift"
"Right Control"
"Right Alt" and
"Right Arrow" keys - activating all the flippers in the
right side of the Game field;
- "Ins" and "0" keys - activating all the flippers in the
whole Game field;
- "Space", "ENTER",
"Arrow Down" keys - launch a ball into the Game field;
- "M" key - music on/off;
- "S" key - sound on/off;
- "Esc" key - terminate the Game.
4. The Game Field
Whereas the Game can be played in two video modes, there are
two different types of field available.
The Game field at low resolution (320x200):
At the bottom of the screen you can see the information panel
which indicates the current record; the number of balls remaining in
the Game; and the window for additional messages.
The current board field can be viewed partially, and you can
see at once only that part of the field where a ball is located at
the moment. Upon a ball moves the visible part of the field is
changed accordingly. Whilst a ball is located in the upper part of
screen- then the upper part of the table can be viewed; whilst a
ball is located in the bottom part of the screen - then the bottom
part of the table be viewed; whilst a ball is located in the central
part of screen - then the central part of the table can be viewed.
The Game field at high resolution (640x400):
At the right of screen you can see the information panel which
indicates the current record; the number of balls remaining in the
Game; and the window for additional messages.
The current board field can be viewed completely.
The following objects can be located on the table:
- Flippers - allow the player to hold a ball within the
table. When a ball hits a flipper you need
to activate this flipper in order to return
a ball back to the table;
- Bumpers - when a ball comes to a bumper, the latter
pushes a ball away at a higher speed;
- Holes - try to hit the holes with the ball; for
hitting a hole the player is rewarded with
extra points and opportunity to change a
course of the Game for his benefit. If the
inscription nearby the hole is highlighted,
try to hit this hole immediately to get
bonus points or useful action;
- Ramps - these are the curves through which a ball
can roll. For hitting a ramp the player is
rewarded with extra points and the
functions of the objects on the board are
switched. If an inscription by the ramp is
highlighted, try to hit this ramp
immediately to get your bonus.
- Commutators - as a rule, hitting a commutator by the ball
gives bonus points multiplication (if this
is a multiplying commutator), or to switch
any object on the table;
- Buttons - the buttons are located on the table walls
and/or on some objects on the table. When a
ball hits any button, some objects are
activated;
- Insuring
Objects - these objects may look differently being
intended for helping the player and saving
a ball in hopeless situations.
5. Possible problems
5.1. Error messages on starting the game
1) If you see "Error: not enough DOS memory" message during the game
start, then you have too little free main memory. DOKA Pinball
requires at least 557 KB. Try one of the following:
(a) If you are using multiboot option in MS-DOS 6.x or Windows
95 try to reboot your computer and choose another option
in boot menu.
(b) Check through your AUTOEXEC.BAT and switch off any unused
memory resident programs (SMARTDRV.EXE, NCACHE2.EXE,
etc.). If this does not help, try to remove mouse driver
(DOKA Pinball does not use mouse). Just type in "REM" in
front of any line to be removed.
(c) Try to use DOS MEMMAKER utility.
(d) Try to use boot diskette.
2) If you see "Error: not enough XMS memory!" or "Error: XMS
allocation error" message, then you have too little free upper
memory. DOKA Pinball requires 3000KB XMS.
(a) Check through your AUTOEXEC.BAT and switch off any unused
memory resident programs using XMS (SMARTDRV.EXE,
NCACHE2.EXE, etc.). Just type in "REM" in front of any
line to be removed.
(b) Try to use boot diskette.
3) If you see "Error: Sound Blaster not detected" or "Error: High
DMA setting in 'Blaster' variable is required for SB16" message,
then Pinball failed to detect your sound card (see item 5.3 below).
4) If you see other error messages - try to re-install the game.
5.2. The Game is not operating in high resolution mode:
1) Maybe you have just forgotten to switch on SVGA option in main
menu.
2) Check if you have loaded VESA driver before starting the game
(refer to paragraph 2 hereinabove).
3) Try to use VESA driver from your SVGA card utility diskette.
4) Remove any Memory Manager programs (EMM386, etc.).
5.3. You have problems playing sound.
1) Maybe you have just forgotten to switch on SOUND option in main
menu.
2) Try to run SETUP.EXE and re-configure sound card.
3) If you see "Error: High DMA setting in 'Blaster' variable is
required for SB16" message, then you are using a Sound Blaster 16-
compatible sound card and you need to set High DMA parameter in
sound card initialization line. Refer to your sound card manual.
4) If your sound card is not 100% Sound Blaster compatible, use "No
Sound" option in "SETUP.EXE".
5.4. CD-Music does not play
1) Check if there is DOKA Pinball CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive.
2) Maybe you have just forgotten to switch on MUSIC option in main
menu.
3) Check if you have loaded CD-ROM driver and MSDEX utility.
4) Check if your CD-ROM drive is connected to your sound card with
an audio cable (refer to your CD-ROM drive manual).
5.5. The game is running too slow
1) Try to change video mode to VGA.
2) Try to switch off the music. If after that the game runs faster,
switch on the music and run game with "C" parameter by typing
C:\DOKAPIN>PIN C<ENTER>
against your DOS prompt.
3) Try to switch off sound using SETUP.EXE.
* * *
Credits
DOKA Pinball was created at DOKA Company by the development team:
Game Design - Alexey Kachalov, Alexander "Lokhm" Egorov,
Alexey "Lyss" Kazakevich
Programming - Alexey Kachalov, Alexander "Lokhm" Egorov
Graphics - Eric Alexeev and Ruben
Sound - Alexey "Lyss" Kazakevich
Original Music - Alexey "Lyss" Kazakevich and Mike Sverdlovsky
Manual - Alexey Kachalov
Testing - Dina Shevchuk, Konstantin "Shef" Shevchuk,
Nikita Kalinin, Kachalova
Project Manager - Alexey "Lyss" Kazakevich
Project Director - Anatoly Shevchuk
Special Thanks to: Anton Umnikov, Pavel Osharin,
Alexander Batrakov, Irina Komova,
Michael Kazakevich, Lyubov & Masha Shevchuk
Copyright (c) 1996 DOKA Company