Contents of Arcade README.TXT File
PSS ID Number: Q104584
Article last modified on 10-26-1993
PSS database name: W_Arcade



WINDOWS


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The information in this article applies to:

 - Microsoft Arcade
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SUMMARY
=======

The following information is contained in the Microsoft Arcade
README.TXT file. This file is copied to the Arcade directory by Setup.
This text has not been modified and appears as is.

README.TXT FILE
===============

Welcome to Microsoft Arcade!

Here's some information to help you install Arcade on your
computer, as well as tips on troubleshooting any sound or
video display questions you might have.

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BEFORE SETUP: Disk Size and Hard Drive Space
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Arcade is shipped on a diskette for a 3.5" 1.44 megabyte drive.
If you need the program on another size disk, fill out the fulfillment
card included in this package, and the proper size disk will be
shipped to you.

Arcade must be installed on your computer's hard drive (usually
labeled as the C drive) And there must be at least 3 megabytes of
free space on the hard drive.

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SETUP: How to Install Arcade on Your Computer
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Installation is easy. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Start Windows as you normally do, and stay within Program
   Manager.
2. Insert Disk 1 - Setup into drive A (or drive B), whichever is your
3.5" drive.
3. Choose Run from the File menu of Program Manager.
4. In the Command Line box, type A:SETUP and press the ENTER key.
   (If using your B drive, type B:SETUP and press the ENTER key).
5. From this point on, Arcade's Setup program guides the way
   and keeps you posted on the progress of the installation.

Sit back and relax! It can take a while for all the computer code
behind these awesome games to be decompressed and transferred
to your computer's hard drive.

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BEGINNING TO PLAY: Just Point and Click!
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Open the Arcade group in the Program Manager and double-click on the
icon of the game you wish to play.

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LEARNING TO PLAY: Quick Help and Full Help
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As soon as you open a game for the first time an abbreviated Quick
Help is displayed to provide basic instructions on how to play the
game.

For a more complete guide to the games, including strategies and
hints and detailed scoring information, choose Contents or any of the
other topics from the Help menu. You can also press F1 for Help.

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CUSTOMIZING THE GAMES: Create Your Personal Versions
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The Options menu for each game offers a Player Controls command that
allows you to choose the keyboard and mouse controls you use to play
the game. The Customize Game command lets you customize the playing
speed and other game variables to create your own personalized
versions of the games.

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SOUND: Troubleshooting Tips
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Arcade captures the original sounds of these classic games, which
nicely enhances the playing experience. To take advantage of these
capabilities you must have a sound card and Windows 3.1. If you
encounter problems playing the sounds, check that your sound card
drivers are installed properly and contact your sound card
manufacturer.

If you do not have a sound card, and are using PC Speaker Driver,
turn the sound off so it does not interfere with game play. To turn
off sound, choose Sound from the Options menu. A check mark beside
Sound means it is turned on.

NOTE TO SOUNDBLASTER OWNERS: if you run any of Arcade's games with
sound on for more than two hours straight (which makes you an awesome
player!), you may encounter system slowdowns and difficulties If you
do experience this problem, just exit Windows and turn off your
computer. Then restart your computer and restart Windows to return to
normal computer usage. If you wish to play for more than two hours
straight, turn off the sound by choosing Sound from the Options menu.

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VIDEO DISPLAY CARDS AND DRIVERS: Troubleshooting Tips
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Arcade games can be played using either VGA of SVGA video mode.
When using high resolution video drivers from various video card
manufacturers, Arcade may encounter video display problems. If
this happens, make sure the video drivers you are using are
compatible with Microsoft Windows version 3.1. If necessary,
contact your video card manufacturer to obtain updated drivers.

An alternative to obtaining a new or updated display driver is
to change your video mode to the standard Windows VGA video mode.
This video driver has been tested thoroughly, and Microsoft
Arcade works on virtually all video cards when using this driver.
For instructions on installing the standard Windows VGA video
mode, please see Help within Windows Setup in the Main program
group of the Windows Program Manager.

NOTE TO ATI ULTRA VIDEO CARD OWNERS: You may encounter problems in
Arcade if you are not using the most current video driver. The most
current driver available for the ATI Ultra video card at this time can
be downloaded from the Microsoft Download service or by contacting
ATI.

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OBTAINING UPDATED DRIVERS: Call or Download
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If you need an updated driver for your video card to assure your
card is compatible with Windows 3.1, contact the manufacturer of
your video card for their updated Windows display driver. The
manufacturer's phone number should be in the manuals that came with
your video card or personal computer. Another option for obtaining
updated drivers is the Microsoft Download service, an electronic
bulletin board that can be accessed via a modem at (206) 936-MSDL
(6735).

Drivers provided on the MSDL are compressed with the PKWare utilities,
and are in the form of executable files (.EXE extension). It is best
to download the file or files you need into an empty directory on your
hard disk, or a blank formatted floppy.

To decompress these drivers after downloading them, either:

>From Windows File Manager: double click on the filename (which will
end in .EXE) that you downloaded.

OR

>From the DOS prompt:  change to the directory containing the
downloaded file, type the filename, and press ENTER.

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GAME PERFORMANCE: How to Get the Best Display Rate
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To create the realistic graphics from the original games requires
a lot from your computer. If you would like to maximize the screen
speed of the game action, you can do the following:

Run the games within the standard window size (rather than using
the Full Screen command from the Options menu).
When playing Battlezone choose Customize Game from the Options
menu, or press F9, and choose NO for Display Background. This
reduces the amount of drawing the computer must do for each frame,
without interfering with game play.
When playing Tempest, if you have a high performance personal
computer (such as a 486/66), and would like to see the traditional
starfield during the hyperspace transition between levels, choose
Customize Game from the Options menu, or press F9, and choose ON
for Display Hyperspace Starfield.

Additional reference words: 1.00 contents content

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1993.