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- -----------------------------------------------------------
- Readme File for Microsoft SideWinder Game Pad
- and Microsoft Game Device Profiler, Version 1.0
- September 1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------
-
- (c) Microsoft Corporation, 1996
-
- THIS COMPUTER PROGRAM IS PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW AND INTERNATIONAL
- TREATIES. UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION OF THIS PROGRAM,
- OR ANY PORTION OF IT, MAY RESULT IN SEVERE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL
- PENALTIES, AND WILL BE PROSECUTED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE
- UNDER THE LAW.
-
- This document provides late-breaking or other information that
- supplements the printed and online documentation that came with your
- Microsoft SideWinder game pad.
-
- -----------------------------------
- Where to Find Information
- -----------------------------------
- We recommend that you consult the documentation that came with
- your software. It can help you become familiar with the capabilities
- of this product and can help you figure out the answers to your
- questions.
-
- * The Getting Started booklet contains instructions for
- installing your software, plus an overview of both the
- SideWinder game pad and the Game Device Profiler.
-
- * The SideWinder Game Pad Online User's Guide, accessible from
- the Start menu, is a comprehensive online Help system containing
- conceptual and step-by-step information, as well as
- troubleshooting suggestions.
-
- * The Game Device Profiler Online User's Guide, accessible from
- the Help menu of the Game Device Profiler, contains step-by-step
- instructions and troubleshooting information.
-
- * To learn more about the SideWinder game pad, as well
- as other Microsoft hardware products and updates, visit our
- World Wide Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/
-
- -------------------------
- How to Use This Document
- -------------------------
- To view this Readme file on-screen in Windows Notepad, maximize the
- Notepad window and click Word Wrap on the Edit menu. To print the
- Readme file, open it in Notepad or another word processor, and then
- use the Print command on the File menu.
-
- -------------------------
- CONTENTS
- -------------------------
-
- 1. USING SIDEWINDER 3D PRO WITH THE SIDEWINDER GAME PAD
- 1.1 Don't Install the SideWinder 3D Pro Version 1.0 Software
- 1.2 Updates to the SideWinder 3D Pro Digital Driver
- 1.3 SideWinder 3D Pro--Sound Card and Game Port Issues
- 1.4 Using SideWinder 3D Pro in Analog Mode
-
- 2. GAME PORTS
- 2.1 Don't Connect Your Game Pad to a Network Port
- 2.2 Game Port Issues
- 2.3 Game Port Cables
-
- 3. USING PASS-THROUGH MODE FOR ANALOG DEVICES
- 3.1 Pass-through Mode Is Not Supported for Add-on Devices
- 3.2 Kraft Thunderstick Switches Out of Pass-through Mode
-
- 4. GAMES--COMPATIBILITY NOTES
- 4.1 Setting up the SideWinder Game Pad for MS-DOS-based Games
- 4.2 Playing Games in an MS-DOS Box Under Windows 95
- 4.3 Running Games Simultaneously
- 4.4 Games That May Experience Problems
- 4.5 Notes on Other Games
-
- 5. DISPLAY COMPATIBILITY
- 5.1 Use The Latest Drivers
- 5.2 Diamond Edge 3D Nvidia Video Drivers
-
- 6. MEMORY ISSUES
-
- 7. KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS IN THE GAME DEVICE PROFILER
- 7.1 Exit Keystroke Assignment Mode
- 7.2 Display "Right-Click" Shortcut Menu
-
- 8. TROUBLESHOOTING
- 8.1 Game Pad Won't Work When Computer is Restarted in
- MS-DOS Mode
- 8.2 Suspending the Game Device Profiler
- 8.3 Device Is Connected but Gaming Device Properties
- Doesn't Show It
- 8.4 Several Game Pads Are Connected but Gaming Device
- Properties Says One or More are "Not Connected"
- 8.5 Can't Open Gaming Device Properties, or Devices
- Listed as "Not Connected"
- 8.6 Control Panel Missing Joystick or Gaming Device
- Properties
- 8.7 Selecting the Correct Executable File When Creating
- a Profile
- 8.8 Profile Not Working for Game That Plays from
- CD-ROM Drive
- 8.9 Game Device Profiler Doesn't Recognize More Than One
- Game Pad
- 8.10 Minimum System Configuration Needed
- 8.11 Strange Colors in the Game Device Profiler
- 8.12 Keystroke Assignments Sometimes Do Not Work
- 8.13 Profile Not Working for a Game That is Part of a
- Multi-Game Package
- 8.14 Using Profiles for MS-DOS-based Games Started from
- the MS-DOS Prompt in Windows 95
-
- 9. GAME DEVICE PROFILER ERROR MESSAGES
-
- 10. DEMO GAMES
-
- ============================================================
- Part 1: USING SIDEWINDER 3D PRO WITH THE SIDEWINDER GAME PAD
- ============================================================
-
- 1.1 Don't Install the SideWinder 3D Pro Version 1.0 Software
-
- You don't have to install the SideWinder 3D Pro 1.0 software
- after you've installed the SideWinder game pad software.
- The SideWinder game pad software includes the newest version of
- the SideWinder 3D Pro software.
-
- If you install the SideWinder 3D Pro software after you
- install the SideWinder game pad software, your system will
- experience a general protection fault when you try to access the
- Test, Setting, or Device Assignment dialog boxes in Gaming Device
- Properties. You will need to uninstall both the SideWinder game
- pad software and the old SideWinder 3D Pro software, and then
- reinstall the SideWinder game pad software to obtain the latest
- SideWinder 3D Pro drivers.
-
- 1.2 Updates to the SideWinder 3D Pro Digital Driver
-
- The SideWinder 3D Pro digital driver has been updated and is
- included with this release of the SideWinder game pad software.
- Calibration is now automatic and the rudder control is always on.
-
- 1.3 SideWinder 3D Pro--Sound Card and Game Port Issues
-
- SideWinder 3D Pro may not work in digital mode with the
- following game cards or sound cards:
-
- * TeleVideo TeleWave Q32/SRS
- * Media Vision ProSonic
- * Boca SoundExpression
- * Orchid Nusound PnP 32
- * Sound cards or systems using ESS chip sets
- * Sound cards or systems using OPTI 930, 930a, or 931 chip sets
-
- NOTE: Your SideWinder game pad will work fine with these cards
- without any modifications. The SideWinder 3D Pro will work if
- it's configured for analog mode. For more information, check the
- documentation that came with your SideWinder 3D Pro joystick.
-
- 1.4 Using SideWinder 3D Pro in Analog Mode
-
- If a particular game is not working properly in digital mode,
- try switching to analog mode. For more information, check
- the documentation that came with your SideWinder 3D Pro joystick.
-
- ===================
- Part 2: GAME PORTS
- ===================
-
- 2.1 Don't Connect Your Game Pad to a Network AUI Port
-
- Network adapters with an AUI 15-pin port resemble the standard
- game port. If you plug your SideWinder game pad into a network
- port, you may damage the game pad or network card.
-
- 2.2 Game Port Issues
-
- If you plug your SideWinder game pad into one of the following
- game ports, the game pad may experience problems or may not work.
- (See Also: Section 1.3, "SideWinder 3D Pro--Sound Card and Game
- Port Issues.")
-
- In addition, the SideWinder game pad is designed to work with
- only one game port installed. Using multiple game ports may cause
- problems.
-
- * Various adjustable game cards
-
- If you've connected four SideWinder game pads together in a
- chain, and you have an adjustable game card (such as Computer
- City Dual Port Game Card MX-911), you may experience "phantom"
- button presses if your game card isn't set up correctly. If
- you do experience this phenomenon, consult your game card
- documentation for help adjusting the game card's speed.
-
- * Diamond Edge 3D (Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.) or other
- Nvidia-based 3D accelerator card.
-
- The onboard game port is incompatible with the SideWinder
- game pad digital drivers. To use the SideWinder game pad,
- you must install a standard game port.
-
- * Mwave sound card (IBM Corp.), used in the IBM Aptiva
-
- You may experience problems (such as erratic button presses)
- with games if you have the sound on. If you disable the sound,
- your game should play properly.
-
- * Sound cards or systems using the ESS chip sets
-
- You may experience problems (such as erratic button presses)
- with games if you have the sound on. If you disable the sound,
- your game should play properly.
-
- * Sound cards or systems using the OPTI 930a chip set
-
- This game port may experience problems with digital-only
- devices such as the SideWinder game pad.
-
- * Roland RAP 10/AT (Roland Corp.)
-
- This game port may experience problems with digital-only
- devices such as the SideWinder game pad.
-
- * TeleVideo TeleWave Q32/SRS (TeleVideo, Inc.)
-
- For the SideWinder game pad to work properly, you must load
- the MS-DOS drivers as well as the Windows 95 drivers.
-
- * Quick Shot PCMCIA (Bondwell Global, Ltd.)
-
- To properly configure this game port, you need to obtain one of
- the manufacturer's new drivers: JOYA.COM or JOYB.COM. For more
- information, contact Quick Shot.
-
- * Toshiba Tecra 700CT laptop computer (Toshiba America, Inc.)
-
- Uses a built-in game port which may produce erratic results.
-
- * Game Jammer PC Card (New Media Systems Corp.)
-
- This game port may experience problems with digital-only
- devices such as the SideWinder game pad.
-
- * Hewlett-Packard HP4000CT laptop docking station
- (Hewlett-Packard Co.)
-
- This game port may experience problems with digital-only
- devices such as the SideWinder game pad.
-
- * Sound Blaster 16 SCSI-1 (Creative Labs, Inc.)
-
- This game port may experience problems with digital-only
- devices such as the SideWinder game pad.
-
- NOTE: All other Sound Blaster game ports are compatible with
- the SideWinder game pad.
-
- 2.3 Game Port Cables
-
- * Y-Cables
-
- Don't use a y-cable to connect the SideWinder game pad to your
- computer because some y-cables can damage your gaming device.
-
- * Extender Cables
-
- Don't use a game port extender cable to connect the SideWinder
- game pad to your computer. Extender cables can severely reduce
- the performance of your gaming device.
-
- ===================================================
- Part 3: USING PASS-THROUGH MODE FOR ANALOG DEVICES
- ===================================================
-
- 3.1 Pass-through Mode Is Not Supported for Add-on Devices
-
- The SideWinder game pad doesn't support Pass-through mode for
- add-on devices such as throttles, pedals, and so on. Check the
- documentation for your add-on device to see if it needs to be
- connected directly to your computer. For example, the
- Thrustmaster Rudder Control System's documentation specifically
- states that it should be connected directly to the computer.
- Therefore, the Thrustmaster will not work with the SideWinder
- game pad in Pass-through mode.
-
- 3.2 Kraft Thunderstick Switches Out of Pass-through Mode
-
- If you've connected a Kraft Thunderstick to your SideWinder game
- pad and the game pad is in Pass-through mode, pressing buttons
- 1 and 2 simultaneously on the Kraft Thunderstick switches the
- SideWinder game pad out of Pass-through mode. To use the Kraft
- Thunderstick again, press the Mode button on your SideWinder game
- pad once. This puts the game pad back into Pass-through mode.
- Then avoid pressing buttons 1 and 2 simultaneously on your
- Kraft Thunderstick.
-
- ===================================
- Part 4: GAMES--COMPATIBILITY NOTES
- ===================================
-
- 4.1 Setting up the SideWinder Game Pad for MS-DOS-based Games
-
- Some MS-DOS-based games require you to choose either a joystick
- or a game pad in the setup program. In such cases, the SideWinder
- game pad may respond better if you choose "joystick" rather than
- "game pad."
-
- 4.2 Playing Games in an MS-DOS Box Under Windows 95
-
- * Typically, buttons C and Z on the SideWinder game pad don't
- work for games played in an MS-DOS box. However, if your game
- supports the "PC-Fighter" 6-button game pad, to get the extra
- functionality that these two buttons provide, set your game
- for the PC-Fighter device.
-
- NOTE: This is true only if one SideWinder game pad is
- connected. (See the next bulleted item.)
-
- * If you are playing a game in an MS-DOS box, the number of
- SideWinder game pad buttons that work depends on the number
- of SideWinder game pads connected, as well as the number of
- buttons your game supports.
-
- Number of Game Pads Buttons that work if supported
- ------------------- ------------------------------
- One A, B, X, and Y
- Two A and B
- Three or Four A and B (on the first two game pads;
- additional game pads won't work)
-
- 4.3 Running Games Simultaneously
-
- The Game Device Profiler works best when you run only one game
- at a time. If you have more than one game open, your profile
- for your second or third game may not work correctly.
-
- If you do encounter this problem, close all open games, and then
- reload the game you want to play. Your profile should work
- correctly now.
-
- 4.4 Games That May Experience Problems
-
- The games below may experience problems with the SideWinder game
- pad. Because it is a fully digital device and designed specifically
- for Windows 95, the SideWinder game pad may potentially have
- problems establishing proper communication with these MS-DOS-based
- games. You may want to check with the game publisher for possible
- updates or patches to the product.
-
- GAME Publisher
- -------------- -------------------
- AH-64D Longbow Origin Systems, Inc.
- Alien Odyssey Argonaut Software, Ltd.
- Body Count Capstone (IntraCorp, Inc.)
- Corridor 7 Capstone (IntraCorp, Inc.)
- Cyberia 2 Interplay Productions, Inc.
- Delta V Bethesda Softworks, Inc.
- Earthworm Jim: The Whole Can of Worms Playmates Interactive
- Entertainment, Inc.
- Flight Unlimited (DOS version only) Looking Glass
- Technologies, Inc.
- Football Pro '96 Sierra On-Line, Inc.
- Full Throttle LucasArts Entertainment Co.
- Hardball 5 Accolade, Inc.
- Iron Assault Virgin Interactive
- Entertainment, Inc.
- Mortal Kombat I Acclaim Entertainment, Inc.
- Need For Speed Electronic Arts
- Raiden Imagitec Design, Inc.
- Savage Warriors Mindscape, Inc.
- Screamer Virgin Interactive
- Entertainment, Inc.
- Star Trek 25th Anniversary Interplay Productions, Inc.
- Star Wars: Rebel Assault I and II LucasArts Entertainment Co.
- SuperKarts Manic Media Productions,
- Ltd.
- System Shock Origin Systems, Inc.
- Terminator: Future Shock Bethesda Softworks
- TFX Ocean Software, Ltd.
- The Dig LucasArts Entertainment Co.
- Ultimate Body Blows European Leisure Software
- Publishers Assoc.
- Wetlands New World Computing, Inc.
- Zoop Viacom International, Inc.
-
-
- 4.5 Notes on Other Games
-
- * Atari 2600 Action Pack for Windows (Activision)
-
- When you associate these games with your SideWinder game pad
- or SideWinder 3D Pro in the Game Device Profiler, make sure
- you select the 2600EMU.EXE executable file. For example, if
- you're creating a profile to work with Pitfall, select
- 2600EMU.EXE, and *not* PITFALL.EXE. Since all the games in this
- package use the 2600EMU.EXE executable file, you can have only
- one default profile for all of the games.
-
- * Descent and Descent II (Interplay Productions, Inc.)
-
- You need to run these games with the "-joypolled" command
- switch. For more information, check the Descent or Descent II
- Readme file.
-
- * Fury3 and Hellbender (Microsoft Corporation)
-
- If you change your device assignment from a legacy device to
- a digital device while one of these games is running, you may
- experience problems. Make sure you exit the game before you
- switch your device assignment.
-
- * Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (LucasArts
- Entertainment Co.)
-
- For the SideWinder game pad and SideWinder 3D Pro to work
- correctly, do not use the game's joystick calibration feature.
-
- * Lode Runner (Sierra On-Line, Inc.)
-
- To activate a move that your game has pre-assigned to a game
- pad button, you will need to press the button twice.
-
- * Silent Thunder (Sierra On-Line, Inc.)
-
- For the SideWinder game pad to work correctly, you need an
- updated version of the game (version 1.1) from Sierra.
-
- * Top Gun (Spectrum Holobyte, Inc.)
-
- If you're using SideWinder 3D Pro and the game is set for
- CH Flightstick Pro, this game interprets two or more
- simultaneous button presses as the hat switch command.
-
- * Triple Play 97 (Electronic Arts)
-
- The third and fourth SideWinder game pads stop functioning
- during game play. Check with Electronic Arts for a patch that
- solves this problem.
-
- * Ultimate Football '95 (Microprose Software, Inc.)
-
- If you want to use two SideWinder game pads with this game, you
- must connect them before you start the game.
-
- * Williams Arcade Classics (Williams Entertainment, Inc.)
-
- When you associate these games with your SideWinder game pad
- or SideWinder 3D Pro in the Game Device Profiler, make sure
- you select the GAME.EXE executable file if you're running the
- Windows 95 versions. For example, if you're creating a profile
- to work with Joust, select GAME.EXE, and *not* JOUST.EXE. Since
- all the games in this package use the GAME.EXE executable file,
- you can have only one default profile for all six of the games.
-
- * Wing Commander 3 & 4 (Origin Systems, Inc.)
-
- For the SideWinder game pad and SideWinder 3D Pro to work
- correctly with these games, you need an alternate joystick
- DLL file (WC3JOY.DLL or WC4JOY.DLL) that is available from
- Origin Systems.
-
- ==============================
- Part 5: DISPLAY COMPATIBILITY
- ==============================
-
- 5.1 Use The Latest Drivers
-
- In general, it is a good idea to make sure you have the latest
- release of the video drivers for your card.
-
- If you have the latest video drivers and still have display
- problems, try the following:
-
- * Switch to one of the drivers included with the Windows 95
- software.
- * Change to a different display mode. An alternative to using a
- different driver is to change your video mode to a standard
- video mode such as 640x480 resolution with 256 colors.
-
- For details on how to change drivers or switch to a different
- display mode, see your Windows 95 documentation.
-
- 5.2 Diamond Edge 3D Nvidia Video Drivers
-
- If you use the Diamond Edge 3D video card with the video driver
- NVDISP.DRV (version 4.0, dated 10/25/95), you will notice a
- display problem in the Game Device Profiler. Specifically, the
- items in the list of devices, games, and profiles display
- initially as white boxes. Once you click an item in the list, all
- items and text appear correctly. To correct this problem, contact
- Diamond Multimedia Systems for the latest video drivers.
-
-
- ======================
- Part 6: MEMORY ISSUES
- ======================
-
- The SideWinder game pad software should run on any personal
- computer with a 486/66 or higher processor with at least 8MB of
- RAM. However, if you have other applications running, you may not
- have enough memory available to start the Game Device Profiler
- and run your game at the same time. When your system doesn't have
- enough resources available, you will either receive an error
- message or you will notice that your screen won't redraw
- properly. If you encounter these problems, close any other open
- applications and try again.
-
- If you receive an error message that you do not have enough space
- on your hard disk to perform an action, you will need to delete
- unnecessary files from your computer to gain some free space.
-
- =======================================================
- Part 7: KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS IN THE GAME DEVICE PROFILER
- =======================================================
-
- 7.1 Exit Keystroke Assignment Mode
-
- After recording a keystroke, you can press ESC to exit out of the
- keystroke recording mode.
-
- 7.2 Display "Right-Click" Shortcut Menu
-
- In the list of devices, games, and profiles, you can press
- SHIFT+F10 to display the shortcut menu in addition to using the
- right-click (or secondary button click) mouse method.
-
- =========================
- Part 8: TROUBLESHOOTING
- =========================
-
- This section contains answers to specific questions you may have.
- For additional troubleshooting information, see the Trouble-
- shooting sections of the SideWinder Game Pad Online User's Guide
- and the Game Device Profiler Online User's Guide.
-
- * * * * *
- 8.1 QUESTION: Why doesn't my SideWinder game pad work when I restart
- my computer in MS-DOS mode ("real mode")?
-
- ANSWER: Unlike SideWinder 3D Pro, the SideWinder game pad is a
- digital-only device. Only games that run under Windows 95 or
- in an MS-DOS box under Windows 95 will work with the game pad.
-
- * * * * *
- 8.2 QUESTION: My game is behaving strangely. Is there any way I can
- troubleshoot the game with the Game Device Profiler turned off?
-
- ANSWER: Yes. You can "suspend" the Game Device Profiler. This
- allows you to troubleshoot in your game without having to delete
- any profiles for a device-game combination.
-
- >>>To "suspend" the Game Device Profiler:
-
- 1 On the lower-right corner of the Windows 95 taskbar,
- right-click the Game Device Profiler icon.
- 2 Click Suspend Game Device Profiler.
- 3 Troubleshoot your game.
- 4 To restart the Game Device Profiler, repeat Steps 1 and 2.
-
- * * * * *
- 8.3 QUESTION: I just set up the SideWinder game pad software, but
- Gaming Device Properties shows that my device is not connected.
- What should I do?
-
- ANSWER: Try any of the following:
- * Make sure you have plugged your SideWinder game pad into the
- correct port. (See Section 2.1, "Don't Connect Your Game Pad
- to a Network Port.")
- * Make sure you have installed your SideWinder game pad software.
- * Reboot your machine.
- * Follow the procedure described in Section 8.5.
- If these things don't solve the problem, review Section 2.2,
- "Game Port Issues," or contact your game port manufacturer.
-
- * * * * *
- 8.4 QUESTION: I have several game pads connected in a chain, but
- Gaming Device Properties shows that one or more of my game pads
- are "not connected." What should I do?
-
- ANSWER: Restart your computer without any game pads connected, and
- then connect and test each one in turn.
-
- >>>To test your game pads:
-
- 1 Unplug all of your game pads, turn off your computer, and then
- start your computer again.
- 2 Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
- 3 Double-click Gaming Devices.
- 4 Plug in a game pad, then click Test and ensure that all
- of your buttons are working properly.
- 5 Continue plugging in your game pads (up to four in a chain),
- testing each game pad to ensure that it is working properly.
-
- * * * * *
- 8.5 QUESTION: In the Control Panel, I see a "Gaming Devices"
- icon, but I can't open it; or, I can open it, but my devices are
- listed as "not connected."
-
- ANSWER: If you previously had a game port, but it was removed,
- the SideWinder game pad installation program incorrectly detects
- that you still have a game port. Install a card with a game port
- (such as a sound card), and then run Setup again.
-
- If there is no response from the joystick, or Device Manager
- reports that the device is not present, not working properly,
- or does not have all its drivers installed, perform the following
- procedure.
-
- >>>To resolve your joystick problem:
-
- 1 Start the computer in Safe mode since real-mode device drivers
- may conflict with the Windows 95 drivers and disable the game
- port. (For step-by-step instructions, consult your Windows 95
- documentation.)
-
- 2 Remove the GamePort Joystick from the Control Panel Device
- Manager and then add it again:
-
- a. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click
- Control Panel.
- b. Double-click the System icon and then click the Device
- Manager tab.
- c. Double-click Sound, Video, and Game Controllers, and then
- check for a GamePort Joystick. If one exists, click it and
- then click Remove.
- d. Click OK, and then click Close.
-
- To add the GamePort Joystick, or if there is no GamePort
- Joystick entry, run the Add New Hardware Wizard in the Control
- Panel. For more information, consult your Windows 95
- documentation.
-
- 3 Verify that the GamePort Joystick is working at the MS-DOS
- level. To do so, try to use the joystick with an MS-DOS-based
- game. Refer to the game's documentation for information
- about configuring the joystick.
-
- * * * * *
- 8.6 QUESTION: I just turned on my computer and opened the Control
- Panel. Why don't I see Joystick or Gaming Device Properties?
-
- ANSWER: Your sound card may not be initialized properly due to
- a game port or driver problem.
-
- >>>To reinitialize your sound card so that you can access
- Gaming Device Properties:
-
- 1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click
- Control Panel.
- 2 Double-click the System icon, and then click the Device
- Manager tab.
- 3 Double-click Sound, Video, and Game Controllers, select
- Gameport Joystick (or the device that has an error), and
- then click Properties.
- 4 Click the Resources tab, and then click Set Configuration
- Manually.
- 5 Clear the Use Automatic Settings check box, and then click OK.
- 6 In System Properties, click OK, close the Control Panel, and
- then restart your computer.
-
- * * * * *
- 8.7 QUESTION: I want to create a profile for my game, but the game
- comes with multiple executable files. When I'm associating the
- game with my gaming device, how do I know which executable file
- to select?
-
- ANSWER: Select the main executable file for the game. Typically,
- games that come with more than one .EXE file are played in an
- MS-DOS box, or can be played in either Windows 95 or MS-DOS.
-
- * If the game is played only in MS-DOS, look for the .EXE or .COM
- file that is the largest.
-
- * If the game can be played in either Windows 95 or MS-DOS, look
- for an .EXE or .COM file that contains the name of the game and
- perhaps a "W" for "Windows."
-
- * * * * *
- 8.8 QUESTION: My game plays directly from my CD-ROM drive. I created
- a profile for this game, but it doesn't work. Why?
-
- ANSWER: Your game may be one that temporarily copies its
- executable file to the \\Windows\Temp directory, and then deletes
- it when you quit the game. Therefore, when you associate this game
- with your gaming device, you must specify that the .EXE (or .COM)
- file is located in the \\Windows\Temp directory instead of on your
- CD-ROM drive.
-
- >>>To specify that the executable file is located in the
- \\Windows\Temp directory:
-
- 1 Insert the game compact disc into the CD-ROM drive.
- 2 After the game finishes loading, press ALT+TAB to switch to
- Windows 95.
- 3 Open the Game Device Profiler, and click the Add Game button.
- 4 Under Look In, open the \Windows\Temp directory.
- 5 In the list of files, select your game's executable file, and
- then click OK.
- 6 Edit and save the profile, and then press ALT+TAB to return to
- your game.
-
- 8.9 QUESTION: I connected two more SideWinder game pads to the
- one I'm already using, but the new ones don't show up in the
- Game Device Profiler. What's the problem?
-
- ANSWER: The Game Device Profiler will not recognize game pads
- that you connect while the Profiler is open. With all your game
- pads still connected, close the Game Device Profiler and then
- start it again.
-
- * * * * *
- 8.10 QUESTION: What's the minimum system configuration I need in
- order to run the SideWinder game pad software?
-
- ANSWER: You must have a personal computer with a 486DX/66
- or higher processor, with 8 megabytes of RAM, 6 megabytes of
- available hard disk space, 256-color VGA or better display, and
- running Windows 95.
-
- * * * * *
- 8.11 QUESTION: I see strange colors in the Game Device Profiler.
- What do I do?
-
- ANSWER: The Game Device Profiler is designed to run at 640x480
- resolution, or higher, with a minimum of 256 colors. If your
- display is set to show 16 colors, change your display to show 256
- colors or more. For details on changing your display settings,
- see your Windows 95 documentation.
-
- * * * * *
- 8.12 QUESTION: Why isn't one of my keystroke assignments working in
- my game?
-
- ANSWER: Your game may be one that in certain situations goes
- into a "non-polling" mode. This means that the game stops
- requesting information from the gaming device. (For example,
- this may happen when you press a gaming device button that you
- programmed to pause your game.) To make your game respond again,
- press the original keystroke that you had assigned to the gaming
- device button.
-
- * * * * *
- 8.13 QUESTION: My game is part of a multi-game package. I'm trying to
- create a profile for my game, but the profile isn't working.
- What should I do?
-
- ANSWER: Some companies that combine multiple games into one package
- use a single executable file for all of the games. To solve the
- problem, create one default profile for all of the games in the
- package using the single executable file. (Tip: The single
- executable file is usually the largest file that ends in .EXE.)
-
- * * * * *
- 8.14 QUESTION: I'm starting my MS-DOS-based games from the MS-DOS
- prompt. The profile for the first game works fine, but my profiles
- for all the games that I start after that don't work. Why?
-
- ANSWER: The Game Device Profiler can run only one game's profile
- per MS-DOS session. To use a profile for another MS-DOS-based game,
- you must close the MS-DOS window, and then start the next game
- from a new MS-DOS prompt.
-
- ============================================
- Part 9: GAME DEVICE PROFILER ERROR MESSAGES
- ============================================
-
- Error # Explanation
- ------- ----------------------------------------------------
- 100 The Game Device Profiler database was not found in
- its default location. A new database will be created
- for you.
-
- 101; 108 A general error has occurred. Either there is not
- enough disk space or the Game Device Profiler
- database file (PROFILES.GDP) is set as read-only.
-
- Free up some disk space, and make sure that the
- database file (PROFILES.GDP) is not set as read-only.
- For more information, see your Windows 95
- documentation.
-
- 102; 105; 107 There may be a serious problem with the Game Device
- Profiler database.
-
- 1. Exit the Game Device Profiler. Then restart your
- system and the Game Device Profiler. If you
- still encounter this error, continue with Steps
- 2 and 3.
-
- 2. Delete the Game Device Profiler database file
- (PROFILES.GDP), located in the directory where
- you installed your SideWinder game pad software.
- (The default location is:
- \\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Gaming Devices.)
-
- 3. Restart the Game Device Profiler.
-
- 104; 113 The Game Device Profiler database is full. The
- maximum number of profiles is 1,000.
-
- Delete the profiles that you don't need and then
- create a new profile.
-
- 106 The Game Device Profiler database is currently in use
- by another program.
-
- Restart your system, and then restart the Game Device
- Profiler.
-
-
- ====================
- Part 10: DEMO GAMES
- ====================
-
- Included on your SideWinder game pad compact disc are several
- demo games. Each of these demo games is playable and comes with
- its own readme file, located in its own directory.
-
- In order to play a demo game, you will have to install it on your
- computer. Browse the SideWinder game pad compact disc and open a
- game folder. Double-click the .EXE file in that folder. (It may
- be SETUP.EXE or another name.) Once the Setup program starts,
- click the Install button, and then follow the instructions on the
- screen.