* Please see the Supported Transports section of this Readme for detailed system requirements for each transport.
2. Installation Instructions
* Important Note: You will be able to download, install, and run NetMech without having previously installed MechWarrior 2. However, you will NOT be able to host a game without the MechWarrior 2 Macintosh CD in your CD-ROM drive. You will be able to JOIN a game without the MechWarrior 2 disc.
1. After downloading the .hqx files, use your de-compression utility to decode the binhex format.
2. Double click on the "NetMech Installer" icon to begin the installation process.
3. The installer will search your hard drive for an installed version of MechWarrior 2. (Please be sure that there is only one version of MechWarrior 2 installed on your system, and that there are no versions of MechWarrior 2 in the Trash.)
4. The installer will indicate the location of the installed version of MechWarrior 2 in the bottom left corner of the window. Click "Install" to install NetMech to that location.
5. If MechWarrior 2 is not installed on the system, NetMech can still be installed. (The default location is into a MechWarrior 2 folder on the hard drive.)
6. You must restart your computer after installing NetMech.
3. Supported Transports and Transport Requirements
IPX
- IPX compatible network card. (MacIPX does not support PCI ethernet cards. You will not be able to play an IPX network game on a Mac with a PCI ethernet card. Please see the troubleshooting section for more details.)
- IPX Extensions - MacIPX Workstation software. (If your computer is currently on a Novell Network, you should be able to play NetMech using the IPX transport.)
* This is cross-compatible with the IPX transport in NetMech DOS. Challenge your PC friends to an IPX game of NetMech!
OpenTransport AppleTalk (OT AppleTalk)
- You must be on an AppleTalk network
- OpenTransport 1.1.1 software (version 1.1.2 recommended). Visit www.apple.com for more information on acquiring this software.
OpenTransport Internet (OT Internet)
- TCP/IP connection to the Internet
- To connect to the Internet via your modem you must have OpenTransport PPP installed. Visit www.apple.com for more information on acquiring this software.
Modem
- 14,400 bps or faster modem.
- Apple ModemTool Extension. Available at www.apple.com.
* This is cross-compatible with the Modem transport in NetMech DOS. Challenge your PC friends to a game of NetMech over your modems!
Serial
- Serial Cable
- SerialTool Extension. Visit www.apple.com for more information on acquiring this software.
4. MechWarrior 2 Related Features
Joysticks
Joysticks that are supported by MechWarrior 2 can also be used in playing NetMech. You must however configure your joystick controls in the "cockpit controls" screen within MechWarrior 2. If you have a CH Products Flightstick Pro, and are having problems entering the SIM in NetMech, open your Extensions folder and disable the InputSprocketLib extension by dragging it to the Extensions (Disabled) folder.
Custom 'Mechs
Any custom 'Mechs that you have created while playing MechWarrior 2 will be available for use in NetMech. Your custom 'Mechs will simply appear with the default 'Mechs in the "'Mech selection" screen of NetMech. To create custom 'Mechs you must go to the "Mech Lab" within MechWarrior 2.
5. Troubleshooting
* If you do not see one or any of the below options in the "Callsign/Connection Selection" screen, you may be missing software and/or hardware. Please see the Minimum system requirements and Transports sections above.
IPX
- MacIPX does not support PCI ethernet cards. You will not be able to play an IPX network game on a Mac with a PCI ethernet card. Both Apple and Novell are aware of the problem, but do not have a fix planned.
- Though compatible with DOS NetMech using IPX, NetMech Macintosh is NOT compatible with the Windows 95 version of NetMech.
OpenTransport AppleTalk
- Ensure the correct AppleTalk connection is selected in the AppleTalk Control Panel.
- If you still have the Control Panel called "Network" installed on your system after you have installed OpenTransport, you should delete the "Network" Control Panel.
- If you do not see other players immediately, please be patient, especially if you are on an AppleTalk network with multiple zones. NetMech will find players in your zone first, then search other zones for players.
OpenTransport Internet
- Your connection to the Internet must be either a PPP or Direct (TCP/IP) connection. You can NOT connect through a commercial online service (e.g. America Online, CompuServe, etc.).
Modem
- If you are experiencing a poor frame rate, try increasing the baud rate (if your modem can support it) in the "modem settings" screen in the NetMech shell.
Serial
- Check your AppleTalk Control Panel to ensure that your AppleTalk connection is NOT assigned to the same port that you have chosen for your serial connection.
- If you select CTS handshaking in the Serial setup screen, and there is not a computer on the other end of the serial connection your system will hang when you attempt to make the connection. You will be stuck until you disconnect the serial cable from the back of your computer. Most users do not need to select any type of handshaking when using the serial connection transport.
Joysticks
If you have a CH Products Flightstick Pro, and are having problems entering the SIM in NetMech, open your Extensions folder and disable the InputSprocketLib extension by dragging it to the Extensions (Disabled) folder.
6. Activision Customer Support
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions about NetMech, or any other Activision product, please feel free to contact us through any of our online services. Before contacting our online Customer Support, please consult the NetMech Readme (what you're reading now). It contains the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions and may quickly and easily provide a solution to your problem. If after reviewing the NetMech Readme file you are still experiencing problems, please feel free to contact us through any of our online services listed below. So that we can better help you, please include the following information:
1. Complete product title.
2. Exact error message reported (if any) and a brief desciption of the problem.
3. Your computer's processor type and speed (e.g., Power PC 601/66)
4. RAM capacity, hard drive size (including total size and free space), and any other peripherals you are running.
5. Which transport(s) you are experiencing problems using.
Online Services
E-Mail: support@activision.com
World Wide Web: http://www.activision.com
America Online: Use keyword "Activision" to locate the Activision forum.
