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1992-08-17
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LINKS386 PRO Update Version 1.05 08-15-92
CONTENTS OF THIS UPDATE DISKETTE:
1. New VESALIB.EXE file.
This updated VESA library contains a new version of the SETVESA program
as well as new VESA drivers for the following chips or cards.
a. Oak Technology OTI-067 and OTI-077 chips.
(Commonly found in Packard Bell Computers.)
b. Genoa cards.
c. BOCA Super X VGA (32,768 colors - product code SVGAX1)
d. BOCA Super VGA (256 colors - product code SVGAN1)
e. NCR chipsets (same as BOCA above)
f. Some ATI cards.
g. Diamond cards with Western Digital chips
h. Orchid Fahrenheit 1280 Cards
i. IBM XGA cards
2. New LINKS386.EXE file. (Version 1.05)
This is the main executable file for LINKS386 and contains several
changes and bug fixes including the following:
a. It should fix program lockups, especially on "B1" stepping 386 chips.
b. It may fix problems with some video cards.
c. It should fix ORCHID FAHRENHEIT 1280 problems when used in conjunction
with either the REV1.EXE or REV2.EXE vesa drivers.
d. It should help prevent lockups with Sound Blaster interrupt conflicts.
e. It has command line switches to perform various useful functions
including switching into higher resolution modes. (Above 640x400)
f. It will display graphic tiles in blank areas of the screen when running
in 640x480, 800x600, or 1024x768 modes.
3. READV105.DOC file. PLEASE READ. This is documentation for the
LINKS386 Version 1.05 update.(See below.)
4. New GOLF.BAT file. This will automatically delete the swap file
if it exists but still allow command line parameters.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1. Go to your LINKS386 directory.
Type: CD\LINKS386 [Enter]
Step 2. Insert the update diskette into the floppy drive.
Step 3. Copy the contents of the update diskette onto your hard drive.
Type: COPY A:*.* [Enter] if you're using the A: drive
Type: COPY B:*.* [Enter] if you're using the B: drive
Step 4. Extract the new VESA library.
Type: VESALIB [Enter]
Answer "YES" to all OVERWRITE [Y/N] questions.
If you're having problems with your VESA driver, refer to page 10 of the
Players Manual. Begin with step 3 for either the Automatic or the Manual
method. The new VESA drivers in this update may fix your problem.
If you're been having problems with the game, try playing it now. The
new LINKS386.EXE may fix your problems.
For information that is not contained in the manual on solving various problems
view the file called READV105.DOC which is included with this update diskette.
Go to the LINKS386 directory and type:
TYPE READV105.DOC |MORE [Enter]
*********************************************************************
LINKS386 TROUBLE SHOOTING NOTES
08-14-92
-------------------------------------------------------
Packard Bell Computers with OAK TECHNOLOGY video chips.
-------------------------------------------------------
There are three chip sets from OAK that are used in Packard Bell
computers and are usually located on the motherboard. The OTI-037,
OTI-067 and the OTI-077. These are the only chips that OAK makes.
The OTI-037 will not support 256 colors and is not compatible with
LINKS386.
The OTI-067 and OTI-077 both support 640x480, 256 color Super
VGA and will work with LINKS386. They require the VESA driver
called OTIVESA.COM. 640x400 resolution is not supported by any
of the OAK chips. The OTI-077 chip when installed on the
motherboard should only be found on 486's.
The following version numbers apply to the different OAK chips.
Version 1.05x or earlier is the OTI-067 chip.
Version 1.05x is the OTI-077 chip.
Version 1.06x can be either the OTI-067 or OTI-077 chip.
Version 2.xxx is the OTI-037 chip and will not work.
To determine the version number of an OAK chip, try the following:
Step 1. Run the DEBUG utility by typing: DEBUG [Enter]
DEBUG is located in your DOS directory.
Step 2. Display the video ROM by typing: D E000:0 [Enter]
At the right side of the screen should be a group of
characters.
Look for:
U*@k.B..OAK VGA
BIOS, not for IB
MPQRVW..SU...U.h
or something very similar on the first three lines.
If the characters on screen do not match those shown above,
try typing one of the following commands:
D C000:0 [Enter]
D C800:0 [Enter]
D D000:0 [Enter]
D D800:0 [Enter]
D E800:0 [Enter]
If you see the characters shown above, proceed to step 3.
If the characters still don't match, you can open the case on
your computer if you want to know which chip version you
have. Look for a chip with the word OAK on it. Then
look for something like OTI-037C.
Step 3. Now display more of the video ROM by typing: D [Enter]
Step 4. Repeat step 3 several times looking for the words
"Copyright 199x, Oak Technology VGA BIOS"
Step 5. Immediately following the word BIOS look for the
chip number and/or the version.
For example the OTI-037 version 2.17 appears as follows:
990, Oak Technol
ogy VGA BIOS Dv2
.17-351...=5....
While the OTI-067 version 1.042 appears as:
1991, Oak Techno
logy VGA BIOS 06
7B/C V1.042..Vid
If you can't find something that looks like the version
number, keep repeating step 3.
There are usually two occurances of the words "Copyright 199x,
Oak Technology" and the version number normally follows the
second occurance. It is usually located after offset :0300.
The offset is the number after the colon (:) on the left side of
the screen.
Remember:
Version 1.04x or earlier is the OTI-067 chip.
Version 1.05x is the OTI-077 chip.
Version 1.06x can be either the OTI-067 or OTI-077 chip.
Version 2.xxx is the OTI-037 chip and will not work.
Step 6. Write down the version number.
Step 7. Exit the DEBUG utility by typing: Q [Enter]
Which VESA driver should be used with the OTI-067 and OTI-077 chips?
Use the driver called OTIVESA.COM which is included with
LINKS386 update version 1.02 and later.
It is located in the VESA library in the OAK directory.
If the OAK chip is the OTI-037, what can be done to play LINKS386?
Install a separate (or new) video card that is known to work with
LINKS386. If the OTI-037 chip is located on the motherboard, the
customer may have to move a jumper to set up the Packard Bell for
use with a separate video card. On the model 416sx this jumper is
called JVGAS. Refer to the computer manual if needed to determine
the name and location of this jumper. It is normally located on the
motherboard. Be sure to install the correct VESA driver that works
with the new card.
----------------------------
OAK TECHOLOGY CARDS OR CHIPS
----------------------------
Refer to the information above regarding OAK chips in Packard Bell computers.
Most of the information will apply to OAK chips on other cards or in other
computers.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 640X400 and 640X480 (AND HIGHER) RESOLUTIONS
-------------------------------------------------------------------
LINKS386 uses 400 pixels vertically, regardless of which screen resolution
is selected. Thus in 640x400 resolution, LINKS386 uses all of the 400 pixels
that are available in the vertical direction. In 640x480 mode, LINKS386 still
uses 400 vertical pixels and therefore leaves 80 pixels unused. This makes the
image appear squashed. Some monitors have controls to adjust the vertical
size of the display. If your monitor has such a control, you can adjust the
output of a 640x480 video card so that LINKS386 fills more of the screen.
This update of LINKS386 will cover empty portions of the screen with graphic
tiles to fill the screen and make the game more graphically pleasing in the
higher resolution modes. (above 640x400)
--------------------------------------
WHICH VIDEO CARD IS BEST FOR LINKS386?
--------------------------------------
If you are about to purchase a new video card for use with LINKS386, we
recommend the following:
1. Find a card that supports 640x400 resolution as well as other
VESA resolutions(640x480 - 800x600 - 1024x768).
Make sure there is a VESA driver available for the card.
Here are some examples:
ATI Wonder XL
Diamond Speedstar
Orchid ProDesigner 2
Ahead Wizard Deluxe (1meg)
2. Be careful if buying a brand new "latest technology" card.
Some manufacturers are not real thorough in testing their
cards and VESA drivers for compliance with the VESA standards.
You may find yourself waiting for a VESA driver that actually works.
3. If possible, "Test Drive" the card before you buy. Perhaps the
safest solution is to buy from a retailer that has LINKS386 running
on a machine in his/her store. Then buy the same card.
----------------
COMPAQ COMPUTERS
----------------
Compaq computers with Compaq video chips/cards will not work with LINKS386
because there is no VESA driver available. Compaq is considering writing
a VESA driver or drivers. If they don't, we will probably do our own driver,
but it will be a while before we can get to it. The only present solution
is to use a third party video card that supports the VESA BIOS extensions.
------------------
IBM PS/2 COMPUTERS
------------------
Some IBM PS/2 computers will not run LINKS386. The computer must have the
version 2 video hardware. This hardware has 512k of video RAM and is the same
as that found on the Model 25sx. PS/2 models that should work are
the 25sx, 55sx, 56sx, and 57sx. If your IBM computer has XGA graphics, try
using the new IBM XGA VESA driver which is included with this update.
--------------------------
DIAMOND STEALTH VIDEO CARD
--------------------------
Diamond Stealth cards with the newer bios work fine (version 2.30 and higher).
Owners of cards with older bios versions should call Diamond. They will
provide a new chip FREE OF CHARGE.
-------------------------------------------
DIAMOND CARDS WITH WESTERN DIGITAL CHIPSETS
-------------------------------------------
Try using the Diamond VESA Driver called 24XVESA.EXE which is located in the
VESA library in the Diamond sub-directory.
--------------------------------------------------------------
"BOCA SUPER X VGA" CARD (32,768 colors - product code SVGAX1)
"SUPER VGA BY BOCA" CARD (256 colors - product code SVGAN1)
NEW NCR CHIPSETS
--------------------------------------------------------------
These cards require the LINKS386.EXE version 1.02 and a new VESA driver.
Both are included in the update package. The driver is called SOFTMODE.SYS and
is located in the \LINKS386\VESA\BOCA directory. It must be added to the
CONFIG.SYS file as follows:
DEVICE=C:\LINKS386\VESA\BOCA\SOFTMODE.SYS /M:12 /V
Both BOCA cards operate in 640x480 only, so the picture is squashed.
The BOCA SVGA10 card still uses the Tseng labs driver(TLIVESA.COM).
------------
NCR CHIPSETS
------------
See BOCA above.
---------------------------
ORCHID FAHRENHEIT 1280 CARD
---------------------------
If your ORCHID FAHRENHEIT 1280 card does not work with LINKS386, install this
new update and use one of the included ORCHID vesa drivers. LINKS386.EXE
version 1.05 should solve your problem when used with the correct driver.
-----------------
GENOA VIDEO CARDS
-----------------
Some GENOA cards require the LINKS386 version 1.05 contained in this package.
If, after installing LINKS386.EXE version 1.05, you are still having problems
with your GENOA card, try the new driver (VESA.COM) which is also included
in this update package in the \LINKS386\VESA\GENOA directory.
-----------------------------
PARADISE/WESTERN DIGITAL CARD
-----------------------------
Paradise or Western Digital cards with "built in" VESA BIOS extensions on ROM
may experience the following problem:
The SETVESA program recognizes the an installed driver, which is
correct. However, when the player types GOLF to run the game, he/she
gets a "MEMORY PROTECTION ERROR" and a bunch of garbage on screen.
Solution:
Go to SETVESA and do "Manual Trial and Error" install of the Paradise 1D
or the Western Digital 1D driver (VESA1D.EXE).
--------------------
STB POWERGRAPH CARDS
--------------------
Try LINKS386 version 1.05. If it still doesn't work, give us a call. We are
working with STB to solve the problem. Also refer to "OTHER STB CARDS" below.
---------------
OTHER STB CARDS
---------------
The VESA driver for most STB cards must be installed before any other video
drivers such as MOUSE or ANSI. If you are having problems with your
STB VESA driver, try removing device calls to ANSI, NANSI, OR TANSI and calls
to a MOUSE driver from your CONFIG.SYS file. Also make sure that the call
to the STB VESA driver is at the top of the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. If you are
using SETVESA, it will place the STB driver at the top of the AUTOEXEC.BAT
for you.
---------------
ATI ULTRA CARDS
---------------
Be sure to install this update version of LINKS386.EXE and then also
try the newest ATI VESA driver(included). If it still doesn't work, give us a
call. We are working with ATI to make sure all ATI cards will run LINKS386.
------------------------------------
SOUND BLASTER - INTERMITTANT LOCKUPS
------------------------------------
LINKS386 Version 1.05 has several program changes to help solve problems with
Sound Blaster interrupt conflicts. If you're having intermittant lockup
problems and have a Sound Blaster card, using Version 1.05 should let you
continue play even if an IRQ conflict is occurring. In such cases, occasional
"Abnormal Sounds" may be heard. This is unavoidable. If you try Version 1.05
and are still locking up, please read the information below to see if there
may be ways to set up your Sound Blaster to avoid interrupt conflicts.
Sound Blaster audio cards seem to cause problems in different configurations
because of conflicts with other hardware using the same interrupts,
If you are having problems with LINKS386 and you have a Sound Blaster
card, try changing to REALSOUND in the Sound Options Screen.
If the problem clears up, then it was Sound Blaster related. Try changing
your Sound Blaster to use a different interrupt. If possible, stay away from
IRQ 10 which is known to have potential problems.
Also, printers and modems use IRQ 7 and can conflict with a Sound Blaster
on the same IRQ. If you have a printer and a Sound Blaster and are having
problems with LINKS386, switch to REALSOUND to see if the problem clears up.
If it does, then try using Sound Blaster but turn off the printer. This may not
work however, because simply having the port connected can be enough to cause
problems, even though the printer is off or disconnected. You may have to try
switching your Sound Blaster to another interrupt such as IRQ 5 or IRQ 2.
The old Sound Blaster version 1.0 is especially suspicious. We believe there
may be a bug in the hardware. Again, try turning off the Sound Blaster by
selecting REALSOUND to see if you can get the game to work properly.
----------------------------------------
SOUND BLASTER AUDIO CARDS - CAN'T SELECT
----------------------------------------
If the SOUND BLASTER button in the Game Settings screen won't stay activated,
the available memory is too low. Total available memory must be above 1.5 MB
and conventional memory (CM) must be above 384k when using Sound Blaster.
Type: LINKS386 /M [Enter] to see what's available.
A message should read something like this:
________________________________________________
| LINKS386 detects the following memory available|
|________________________________________________|
| 1.5 MB ( 384CM/ 1046XM) |
|________________________________________________|
If your numbers are below the minimums shown above, you'll have to free up
memory to allow the Sound Blaster card to operate.
NOTE: If the message "Phar Lap error 58: Can't create VM swap file" appears,
Type: DEL \LINKS386.SWP [Enter] and then try again.
NOTE: LINKS386.SWP is in the root directory
-----------------------------------
SOUND BLASTER PRO W/ TANDY COMPUTER
-----------------------------------
For TANDY computers, set the Sound Blaster Pro to IRQ 5 unless the Tandy
system is a MULTI-MEDIA system, then set it to IRQ 7.
--------
JOYSTICK
--------
If you have a joystick, unplug it. It may cause the program to crash at random.
-----------------
FILES AND BUFFERS
-----------------
Don't set files and buffers too low. Files=20 and Buffers=20 are good minimums.
--------------------------------------------------
PHAR LAP ERROR 58: CAN'T CREATE VM SWAP FILE....
--------------------------------------------------
Under normal conditions, Phar Lap's VMM creates a SWAP FILE when LINKS386 is
executed and deletes it when the program is properly terminated. However, if
a SWAP FILE exists, the VMM cannot create a new one. This will happen if the
game is IMPROPERLY TERMINATED by using RESET, CRTL+ALT+DEL or as a result of a
CRASH. Error 58 will only occur if the user types LINKS386 instead of GOLF
to start the program or when attempting to check memory (e.g. LINKS386 /M).
To delete the SWAP FILE, type:
DEL \LINKS386.SWP NOTE: The file is in the root directory.
When starting the game, always use GOLF [Enter]. This calls the batch file
GOLF.BAT which deletes any existing swap file before calling LINKS386.EXE.
---------------------
CONFIGURATION CHANGES
---------------------
If changes are made to the hardware configuration such as sound boards or
additional memory, be sure to delete the file called "LINKS386.CFG". This
will force LINKS386 to reconfigure itself for the new hardware or added memory.
---------------------------------------------------
ERROR: MEMORY PROTECTION FAULT CS: EIP 0002CA16H
CPU PROBLEM
---------------------------------------------------
Some early versions of the INTEL 80386 chips were manufactured with
defects affectionately known as erratum 17 and 21. These chips may cause
LINKS386 to crash almost immediately with an error message similar to:
Memory Protection Fault CS: EIP 0002CA16H
If you have been getting this message, the new LINKS386 version 1.05 may
fix your problem. We have tried to "program around these chip "bugs".
If the fix in version 1.05 does not work, do the following to determine if
you have a B1 stepping chip:
A. From the LINKS386 directory type: TEST -CPU [Enter]
B. Look for the line labeled "chip stepping".
If the line reads "D0 or later", then the chip is OK.
If the line reads "B0" or "B1", then the chip may not work with
LINKS386.
C: If you have installed LINKS386 version 1.05 and it still doesn't work,
please call us at 1-800-793-8324.
C: You can try to have Intel replace your chip by contacting them at:
1-800-321-4044
Intel's current position on replacement is that they are "evaluating
the scope of the problem." It will probably cost you "something" to
obtain a replacement chip, but we don't know what that cost is yet.
Other programs that try to use true 32 bit code on 386 chips with
"B1" stepping, may experience similar problems. This problem does
not appear to pertain to 386SX chips.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PHAR LAP FATAL ERR 10031 386;VMM; PAGE FAULT HANDLER WAS RE-ENTERED
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This is caused by insufficient free memory. Check available memory
by typing:
DEL \LINKS386.SWP [Enter]
LINKS386 /M [Enter]
If available memory is less than 1.5MB, then refer to your manual for ways
to free up additional RAM.
------------------------------------
ERROR: ABNORMAL PROGRAM TERMINATION
------------------------------------
If the program terminates with the message "Abnormal Program Termination"
after pressing "OK" in the Select Players screen, the problem may be a corrupt
course file.
This could occur if the Harbour Town course was not correctly combined during
installation or if old LINKS courses did not get properly converted to the
Super VGA format. Running out of hard disk space during conversion of the
old courses is a common cause of this problem. Compare the converted courses
with the size information below.
HARBOUR_.CRH = 2,117,XXX (hi-res)
BARTON_C.CRH = 2,158,XXX "
BARTON_C.CRH = 1,302,XXX (lo-res)
BAY_HILL.CRH = 962,XXX "
BOUNTIFU.CRH = 645,XXX "
DORADO_B.CRH = 825,XXX "
FIRESTON.CRH = 623,XXX "
PINEHURS.CRH = 959,XXX "
TORREY_P.CRH = 781,XXX "
TROON_NO.CRH = 1,479,XXX "
If any of your courses are not approximately the same size as shown above,
delete the course and re-convert. Do them one at a time, checking to make sure
there is adequate hard drive space available before each conversion.
------------------------
USING LINKS386 WITH QEMM
------------------------
There appear to be conflicts between QEMM and LINKS386 under certain conditions.
So far we have not been able to locate the problems because of their transient
nature. If you are having problems running LINKS386, try disabling QEMM by
holding down the ALT key while booting.
--------------------------
USING LINKS386 WITH EMM386
--------------------------
If you are using EMM386 as a memory manager, do not use the MA option
with the NOEMS option. This may cause the manager to misbehave.
---------------------------
USING LINKS386 WITH STACKER
---------------------------
We have had several (in the tens) LINKS386 owners who are having problems
using LINKS386 on a STACKED drive. Other owners are using STACKER with
no problem at all. If you have a choice, we recommend using LINKS386 on
the UN-STACKED portion of your drive.
---------------------
COMMAND LINE SWITCHES
---------------------
LINKS386 has the following command line switches:
GOLF /V or LINKS386 /V Display version number.
GOLF /M or LINKS386 /M Display available memory.
GOLF /F or LINKS386 /F Run LINKS386 with write cache flushing off.
Try this option if you're having intermittant
problems with LINKS386.
GOLF /1 or LINKS386 /1 Run LINKS386 and force into 640x480 mode.
Try this option if your VESA driver seems to
be working, but you're still not getting a
picture.
GOLF /3 or LINKS386 /3 Run LINKS386 and force into 800x600 mode.
GOLF /5 or LINKS386 /5 Run LINKS386 and force into 1024x768 mode.
GOLF /P or LINKS386 /P Use BIOS to change color palette instead of
hardcoding addresses as usual. (Try this switch
if the colors do not appear to be correct.)
GOLF /D or LINKS386 /D Run in DEMO mode. This mode will allow a
Software Dealer to use LINKS386 Pro in a store
demo as follows:
1. Type LINKS386 /D [Enter]
2. Start a game as usual and select one or
more RECORDED players(no human players).
3. The game will play 18 holes, pause at
the score card for 15 seconds, and then
start the same game again.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGING THE BACKGROUND TILE COLORS (For 640x480, 800x600, or 1024x768)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This new version of LINKS386 uses a file called TILE.TIL to fill blank portions
of the screen when LINKS386 is running in resolutions above 640x400.
The default tile is green, but additional tiles are available as listed below:
GREEN.TIL (DEFAULT)
BLUE.TIL
RED.TIL
DARKGRAY.TIL
MEDGRAY.TIL
LITEGRAY.TIL
To change to a new tile such as RED.TIL, do the following:
1. Go to the LINKS386 directory. Type: CD\LINKS386 [Enter]
2. Replace TILE.TIL with the tile of your choice by copying
over it. For example, if you want to use the red tile,
type the following:
COPY RED.TIL TILE.TIL [Enter]
3. To change back, type the following:
COPY GREEN.TIL TILE.TIL [Enter]