WINDOWS 95 and DOMARK GAMES Thank you for buying DOMARK products. With the introduction of Microsoft's new operating WINDOWS 95, the promise of hassle free gaming is close to realization. While many games will play properly in Windows 95, there are some that will not. This guide is designed to aid you in playing our games with WINDOWS 95 as your operating system. PLEASE NOTE: The following instructions are NOT guaranteed to work. We have successfully tested them on limited basis, and as systems vary - YOU Will ACCEPT ANY RISK INVOLVED IN ATTEMPTING TO MODIFY YOUR COMPUTER'S SYSTEM FILES TO PLAY OUR GAMES. If you have any problems or concerns regarding these instructions, please contact Microsoft technical support at 206-635-7500. You can also reach them by Internet Access = Ftp.microsoft.com/peropsys/win_news Please keep in mind that unless a company states that a game is compatible or designed to run in Windows 95, they are not responsible to get it to run under this operating system. ____________________________________________________________________________________ BEFORE YOU START ! 1- RUN the Windows 95 programs "SCANDISK" and "DEFRAG" to optimize your hard drive 2- RUN any Virus checking programs to verify no contamination 3- WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU: a- get a copy of the latest drivers for your computer hardware (e.g. mouse, soundcard, videocard...) please check your hardware manuals b- make sure you have made a Windows 95 startup disk ________________________________________________________________________________ Helpful articles These excellent articles provide information on optimizing Windows 95 for game use. PC MAGAZINE - The Windows 95 Upgrade Clinic by Don Wilmott (pgs. 269- 328) -Sept.12 1995 issue PC GAMER - EASY DOS IT (Gaming in Win 95) by Charles Brannon (pgs.60-63) September Issue MULTIMEDIA WORLD - Uncovering the Secrets of Windows 1995 by Michael Desmond (pgs. 85-102) Sept. 95 issue ===== These are sample files ===== CONFIG.SYS DEVICEHIGH /L:2,29168 =C:\SCSI\ASPI2DOS.SYS /D /Z - SCSI CDROM driver DEVICEHIGH=C:\SCSI\ASPICD.SYS /D:ASPICD0 - SCSI CDROM driver DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\Himem.sys - XMS memory manager DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE RAM HIGHSCAN I=B000-B7FF - EMS memory manager DEVICE=C:\SB16\DRV\CTSB16.SYS /UNIT=0 /BLASTER=A:220 I:5 D:1 H:5 BUFFERS=40 - opened data buffer allowance FILES=40 - opened files allowance DOS=HIGH, UMB - loads DOS high and into upper memory blocks LASTDRIVE=Z FCBS=4,0 STACKS=0,0 AUTOEXEC.BAT @ECHO OFF rem C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\MSCDEX.EXE /D:ASPICD0 /M:12 - Dos's CD-ROM prog. rem LH /L:0;4,26112 /S C:\MOUSE\mouse.exe - mouse SET SOUND=C:\SB16 - sound card directory SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 T6 - environmental sound card variable SET MIDI=SYNTH:1 MAP:E C:\SB16\DIAGNOSE /S - tests the sound card's functions C:\SB16\SB16SET /P /Q - sets the sound card's volumes rem C:\dos\smartdrv.exe 2048 /x /q /r PATH=C:\DOS;C:\windows;c:\qemm;c:\mouse - enables quick access to commands PROMPT $p$g SET TEMP=C:\DOS - TEMP directory SET LMOUSE=C:\MOUSE c:\ __________________________________________________________________________________ Above are samples of a Config.sys and Autoexec.bat file. These files should be in your root directory. Backups or variations of these files may be found by looking for the .BAK or .DOS extension in either your root directory or the Windows directory. You will still need these files for older programs that do not run properly under Windows 95. However, in many cases you may find that when you boot into DOS you now have lower conventional memory. To reclaim your conventional, you have several options: - Run Memmaker (use the Custom setting for better results) - REM out any un-neccessary drivers (such as Power.exe or Ansi.sys) - Purchase a third party memory manager (such as QEMM) You may also find that you may not have access to you mouse or CD-ROM. Upon installation, the Windows 95 system remarks (REM) out these lines (like in the above example). To allow these lines to load, remove the REM that prefaces these lines. The lines above that are bolded are generally needed to run a basic DOS system. GETTING TO DOS ! ================ If you click on the MSDOS PROMPT in Windows 95, you are still in the Windows enviroment. To boot into DOS 7.0, you can go to the START menu on the Windows taskbar and choose SHUTDOWN. Then choose to "restart in MSDOS mode". If you installed Windows 95 over your old DOS, upon starting your computer you can hit the F4 key (when you see "starting windows 95") to boot into your old dos. Finally, you can hit the F8 key and choose option 5 - COMMAND PROMPT. This option will boot your DOS drivers (but the Win95 drivers will still load). ================ I have included this article from an AOL user that describes how to edit the MSDOS.SYS. Proper editing of this file can make your gaming world under Win95 MUCH easier. *WARNING: the below instructions are for advanced users only * ________________________________________________________________________ Windows 95 MSDOS.SYS command options I compiled this text file from the article "When Breaking Up is Hard to Do" by John Woram, in the 'Optimizing Windows' section of 'Windows Magazine', the July 1995 issue. To my knowledge it is the only source for the complete configuration of MSDOS.SYS file, found in the root directory of Windows 95 operating system. To edit the file, type (at a DOS prompt): ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\MSDOS.SYS Then open it with a text editor (MS-DOS's EDIT.COM does just fine) and make your own modifications, based on this excelent revue by John Woram. After you're done with the modifications, type again: ATTRIB +H +R +S C:\MSDOS.SYS I suggest the following DOS batch file, for people that want to try more than one startup configuration: @ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\MSDOS.SYS @EDIT C:\MSDOS.SYS @ATTRIB +H +R +S C:\MSDOS.SYS assuming that your bootup drive is drive C, and you have the directory C:\DOS (DOS 6.x users) or C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND (Windows 95 users) in your path, stated in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Some users prefer to dual-boot: keep the old DOS and install Win95 in a separate directory. That's when you have the choice, at bootup time, to boot in your new Win95 configuration, or chose to boot to your old version of DOS (and eventually Windows 3.x, if you kept it on your hard disk). If you reboot with your old DOS version, MSDOS.SYS is renamed MSDOS.W40, so the appropriate batch file would be: @ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\MSDOS.W40 @EDIT C:\MSDOS.W40 @ATTRIB +H +R +S C:\MSDOS.W40 For more valuable information, go to keyword 'WINMAG' (AOL users) and read the entire article. It is excelent for Windows 95 users. You will also find many other interesting things in the WinMag area. [Options] * Default Nondefault ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BootDelay =2 Initial startup delay (seconds) % BootGUI =1 Automatic Windows 95 startup Start command prompt BootKeys =1 Startup keys F4, F5, F6, F8 enabled BootMenu =0 Hide startup menu (press F8 to display) Show startup menu + BootMenuDefault =1 Indicated menu option is highlighted @ BootMenuDelay =30 Delay (seconds) before running highlighted menu item (only if BootMenu=1): 1-99 BootMulti =1 Startup key F4 enabled F4 disabled + BootSafe =1 Safe mode startup available BootWarn =1 Display safe mode startup warning & menu BootWin =1 Enable Windows 95 as operating system Enable previous OS DblSpace =1 Load DBLSPACE.BIN (if present) DoubleBuffer =1 SCSI controller needs double-buffering DrvSpace =1 Load DRVSPACE.BIN (if present) LoadTop =1 Load COMMAND.COM or DRVSPACE.BIN at top of 640K memory Logo =1 Display animated logo as Windows 95 opens # Network =1 Networking enabled $ * Default action is taken if a line doesn't appear in the [Options] section. Except as noted, nondefault action is opposite to default. + If BootKeys=0, then BootMenu=1 and BootMulti=0 don't change default action. # Logo=0 may solve 3rd party memory management conflicts. $ Network=1 must be present or Safe Mode with network support doesn't appear as option 4 on Startup Menu. % Delay allows time to press the function key. Default is 0 if BootKeys=0. @ Menu option 3 is highlighted if a previous Windows 95 load failed. Look at the file MSDOS.SYS that I included in this archive. With that particular configuration (BootGUI=0, BootWin=1) you need to ADD a 'SHELL' line to your CONFIG.SYS file, to start your computer with Windows 95, DOS mode, without loading Windows 95 registry. Example of 'SHELL' line: SHELL=C:\COMMAND.COM C:\ /E:1024 /P /F *** Very careful when editing your msdos.sys settings! Your system may HANG if you make any wrong changes! If you have any questions or suggestions, give me an e-mail 'call' at axcel216@aol.com. Enjoy! _________________________________________________________________________ Domark titles are listed below, please select the game you have and follow its setup instructions. In general, this is easiest way to configure pre-Win95 games that do not cooperate with this operating system. Other options include: -creating a boot disk (format a:/s) then copying and editing your system files there -editing the Config.dos and autoexec.dos files, these files are what Win95 uses for MSDOS mode -for serious memory problems - purchase a Win95 memory manager (like Qemm 8.0) _________________________________________________________________________ TITLE: Formula One (F1) TESTING RESULTS: game WILL RUN through Windows 95 COMMENTS: Formula One may start with an error message that you need 582k to run the game. You can try to run the game under this situation, if you experience problems try running the game in MS-DOS mode RECOMMENDED SETUP: 1. Use Explorer to locate the F1 icon (in F1 directory) 2. Highlight this icon and then RIGHT CLICK 3. Select PROPERTIES 4. Go to the PROGRAM section and there: - check CLOSE ON EXIT - click on ADVANCED and choose "PREVENT MSDOS BASED PROGRAMS FROM DETECTING WINDOWS" 5. Then go to the WINDOWS and select FULL SCREEN 6. Finally, go to MISC. and adjust IDLE SENSITIVITY to LOW Flight Sim. ToolKit (FST) TESTING RESULTS: game WILL RUN through Windows 95 COMMENTS: FST is designed to run through windows and should run better under windows 95. Please read the FST readme.txt file for additional setup information. RECOMMENDED SETUP: Our advice is to RE-INSTALL the game through Windows 95 and not rely on the WINDOWS 3.x installation. NOTE: there is a README.TXT in the game directory that contains valuable game information - please read this document **** if you cannot find SETUP.EXE on the game CD, locate and run TOOLKIT.EXE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Special Note to owners of SUPER SPACE INVADERS and SHADOWLANDS: Our testing showed that both games WILL RUN in Windows 95. However, to obtain optimal performance you will need to go to the PROPERTIES section of each game. Once there, click the PROGRAM option, then click on the Advanced button. Then click on the choice - PREVENT MS DOS PROGRAMS FROM DETECTING WINDOWS. For added safety, click on the SCREEN option and select FULL SCREEN. Again, if any problems should occur, run the games from MS DOS mode. SVGA HARRIER/AV8B HARRIER ASSAULT TESTING RESULTS: Game WILL NOT run in Windows 95 COMMENTS: This game is not able to run under Windows 95. To run this game properly you will need to run the game through MSDOS MODE. RECOMMENDED SETUP: 1. Use Windows Explorer to locate the game directory labeled either HARRIER or AV8B. Once you locate the Directory expand the directory and locate the start command labeled either HARRIER, AV8B or HARFLY. 2. Highlight this executable and then RIGHT CLICK. Now choose the PROPERTIES selection. Once opened, go to the PROGRAM section. 3. In the PROGRAM section: Click on close on exit and then click on the ADVANCED button 4. Once in ADVANCED SECTION, click on MS-DOS MODE Click off the WARN BEFORE ENTERING MS-DOS MODE 5. Now you will need to specify a DOS configuration for the game. The easiest method of retrieving and inserting the lines from your Config.Sys and Autoexec.Bat is to use the Windows 95 utility - WORDPAD. 6. WORDPAD is usually located in either you START MENU or you can find it by using Explorer. You will want to open this program while you are still in the Properties section Thus both will be opened at the same time. 7. With Wordpad, you want to OPEN your CONFIG.SYS file and select the lines that you need for the game. You will need the CDROM drivers lines only if you have the CD game version. You DO NOT need the EMM386 driver, it is better to not include this driver. You will want to keep your FILES, BUFFERS, and DOS HIGH, UMB lines. To add these lines to the system settings for the game, use the COPY AND PASTE technique to insert these lines into the Custom Config.Sys in the Advanced Program Settings. 8. When you are finished with the Config.Sys in WordPad, close the file and then open the Autoexec.bat. Cut and Paste the Mouse, PATH, any SET lines, and any soundcard lines, into the Custom Autoexec.bat in Advanced program settings. When done, click on OK to save your work and exit the Properties section. 9. To start the game - DOUBLE CLICK ON THE EXECUTABLE FILE THAT YOU CHANGED. TANK COMMANDER TESTING RESULTS: game WILL NOT run through Windows 95 COMMENTS: Tank Commander will need a custom configuration to run properly in MS DOS mode. If you cannot get enough Conventional Memory to run the game, you can disable your mouse. RECOMMENDED SETUP: 1. Use Windows Explorer to locate the game directory labeled TANKGAME. Once you locate the Directory expand the directory and locate the start command labeled TC.BAT (or TC) 2. Highlight this executable and then RIGHT CLICK. Now choose the PROPERTIES selection. Once opened go to the PROGRAM section. 3. In the PROGRAM section: Click ON close on exit and then click on the ADVANCED button 4. Once in ADVANCED SECTION, click on MS-DOS MODE Click OFF the WARN BEFORE ENTERING MS-DOS MODE 5. Now you will need to specify a DOS configuration for the game. The easiest method of retrieving and inserting the lines from your Config.Sys and Autoexec.Bat is to use the Windows 95 utility - WORDPAD. 6. WORDPAD is usually located in either you START MENU or you can find it by using Explorer. You will want to open this program while you have the Properties section for the game open. Thus both will be opened at the same time. 7. With Wordpad, you want to OPEN your CONFIG.SYS file and select the lines that you need for the game. You will need the CDROM drivers lines. You need the HIMEM and EMM386 (set to RAM) managers. You will want to keep your FILES (put to 30), BUFFERS (put to 20), and DOS HIGH, UMB lines. To add these lines to the system settings for the game, use the COPY AND PASTE technique to insert these lines into the Custom Config.Sys in the Advanced Program Settings. 8. When you are done with the Config.Sys in WordPad. Close the file and then open the Autoexec.bat file. Copy and Paste the Mouse, PATH, MSCDEX (CD driver) and any soundcard lines, into the Custom Autoexec.bat in Advanced program settings. When done with the custom system files in Properties, click on OK to save your work and exit the properties section. 9. To start the game - DOUBLE CLICK ON THE EXECUTABLE FILE. ORION CONSPIRACY TESTING RESULTS: game WILL NOT run through Windows 95 COMMENTS: Orion Conspiracy will need a custom configuration to run properly in MS DOS mode. If you cannot get enough conventional memory to run the game, you can disable your mouse. You can also disable the game's music. (Do this in the Setup) RECOMMENDED SETUP: 1. Use Windows Explorer to locate the game directory labeled ORION. Once you locate the Directory expand the directory and locate the start command labeled ORION.BAT. 2. Highlight this executable and then RIGHT CLICK. Now choose the PROPERTIES selection. Once opened go to the PROGRAM section. 3. In the PROGRAM section: Click ON close on exit and then click on the ADVANCED button 4. Once in ADVANCED SECTION, click on MS-DOS MODE Click OFF the WARN BEFORE ENTERING MS-DOS MODE 5. Now you will need to specify a DOS configuration for the game. The easiest method of retrieving and inserting the lines from your Config.Sys and Autoexec.Bat is to use the Windows 95 utility - WORDPAD. 6. WORDPAD is usually located in either START MENU (in Accessories) or you can find it by using Explorer. You will want to open this program while you have the Properties section for the game open. Thus both will be opened at the same time. 7. With Wordpad, you want to OPEN your CONFIG.SYS file and select the lines that you need for the game. You will need the CDROM drivers lines. You need the HIMEM and EMM386 (set to NOEMS) managers. You will want to keep FILES (set at 40), BUFFERS (set at 30), and DOS HIGH, UMB lines. To add these lines to the system settings for the game, use the COPY AND PASTE technique to insert these lines into the Custom Config.Sys in the Advanced Program Settings. 8. When you are done with the Config.Sys in WordPad. Close the file and then open the Autoexec.bat file. Copy and Paste the Mouse, PATH, MSCDEX (CD driver) and any soundcard lines, into the Custom Autoexec.bat in Advanced program settings. When done with the custom system files in Properties, click on OK to save your work and exit the properties section. 9. To start the game - DOUBLE CLICK ON THE EXECUTABLE FILE YOU CHANGED. *** (run with ORION /V420 if low on Conventional mem.) Lords of Midnight TESTING RESULTS: game MAY run through Windows 95 COMMENTS: Lords of Midnight was able to start and run under Windows 95, however, once into the game it locked-up. We tried several settings in Properties to no avail. The game will run in MS-DOS MODE. NOTE: the SETSOUND program sets up the game sounds (mainly MIDI music). You can skip the Intro. sequence by using MIDNIGHT to run the game. If you have a lockup in MS-DOS MODE - try to running the game without the EMM386 driver. RECOMMENDED SETUP: 1. Use Windows Explorer to locate the game directory labeled ORION. Once you locate the Directory expand the directory and locate the start command labeled ORION.BAT. 2. Highlight this executable and then RIGHT CLICK. Now choose the PROPERTIES selection. Once opened, go to the PROGRAM section. 3. In the PROGRAM section: Click ON close on exit and then Click on the ADVANCED button 4. Once in ADVANCED SECTION, click on MS-DOS MODE Click OFF the WARN BEFORE ENTERING MS-DOS MODE 5. Now you will need to specify a DOS configuration for the game. The easiest method of retrieving and inserting the lines from your Config.Sys and Autoexec.Bat is with the Win95 utility WORDPAD. 6. WORDPAD is usually located in either START MENU (in Accessories) or you can find it by using Explorer. You will want to open this program while you have the Properties section for the game open. Thus both will be opened at the same time. 7. With Wordpad, you want to OPEN your CONFIG.SYS file and select the lines that you need for the game. You will need the CDROM drivers lines. You need the HIMEM and EMM386 (set to RAM) managers. You will want to keep your FILES (set to 30), BUFFERS(set to 30), and DOS HIGH, UMB lines. To add these lines to the system settings for the game, use the COPY AND PASTE technique to insert these lines into the Custom Config.Sys in the Advanced Program Settings. 8. When you are done with the Config.Sys in WordPad. Close the file and then open the Autoexec.bat file. Copy and Paste the Mouse, PATH, MSCDEX (CD driver) and any soundcard lines, into the Custom Autoexec.bat in Advanced program settings. When done with the custom system files in Properties, click on OK to save your work and exit the Properties section. 9. To start the game - DOUBLE CLICK ON THE EXECUTABLE FILE YOU CHANGED. WWII TESTING RESULTS: Game WILL NOT run in Windows 95 COMMENTS: This game is not able to run under Windows 95. To run this game properly you will need to run the game through MSDOS MODE. The safest video choice is to run in HIRES VESA (change in the DISPLAY section of the Main Menu) RECOMMENDED SETUP: 1. Use Windows Explorer to locate the game directory labeled WWII. Once you locate the Directory expand the directory and locate the executable labeled WWII.BAT. 2. Highlight this executable and then RIGHT CLICK. Now choose the PROPERTIES selection. Once opened, go to the PROGRAM section. 3. In the PROGRAM section: Click on close on exit and then click on the ADVANCED button 4. Once in ADVANCED SECTION, click on MS-DOS MODE Click off the WARN BEFORE ENTERING MS-DOS MODE 5. Now you will need to specify a DOS configuration for the game. The easiest method of retrieving and inserting the lines from your Config.Sys and Autoexec.Bat is to use the Windows 95 utility - WORDPAD. 6. WORDPAD is usually located in either you START MENU or you can find it by using Explorer. You will want to open this program while you are still in the Properties section Thus both will be opened at the same time. 7. With Wordpad, you want to OPEN your CONFIG.SYS file and select the lines that you need for the game. You will need the CDROM drivers lines only if you have the CD game version. You will want to keep your FILES, BUFFERS, and DOS HIGH, UMB lines. To add these lines to the system settings for the game, use the COPY AND PASTE technique to insert these lines into the Custom Config.Sys in the Advanced Program Settings. 8. When you are finished with the Config.Sys in WordPad, close the file and then open the Autoexec.bat. Cut and Paste the Mouse, PATH, any SET lines, and any soundcard lines, into the Custom Autoexec.bat in Advanced program settings. When done, click on OK to save your work and exit the Properties section. 9. To start the game - DOUBLE CLICK ON THE EXECUTABLE FILE THAT YOU CHANGED. (note: click on ESC to access menu while in plane cockpit) EWA/95 DOMARK - 1900 South Norfolk St. Suite 100 San Mateo, CA 94403 Phone - 415-513-8933 / Fax - 415-571-0437 / EMAIL - techsupp@domark.Com PS....future Domark games will be Win95 native!