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BBC Mastermind
Minimum System Requirements
The BBC Mastermind CD-ROM requires the following minimum system
to work correctly:
486 Multimedia PC with 50 Mhz processor and 8 MB of RAM
Double speed CD-ROM drive
16 bit (64K) colour display set to 640 x 480
SoundBlaster 16 bit audio card (or 100% compatible)
Suitable loudspeakers or headphones
Mouse or other pointing device
Windows 3.1, 3.11 or Windows 95
At least 10 MB of free hard disk space
Installation Instructions
1) Ensure that Microsoft Windows 3.1, 3.11 or Windows 95 is running
with no other applications open.
2) Insert the BBC Mastermind CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive.
3) Windows 3.1 or 3.11 users:
Within Program Manager, click on File and then select Run from the drop
down menu.
Windows 95 users:
From your Windows 95 desktop, choose Start and then Run.
4) On the command line type D:\Setup.exe then click OK.
If your CD-ROM drive is not drive D, substitute the correct drive letter.
5) To install BBC Mastermind, follow the instructions as they appear. If in
doubt choose the default options as you proceed through the installation.
Note: Quicktime for Windows
If you do not have a suitable version of Quicktime for Windows available on
your system, you should install the Quicktime software included on the BBC
Mastermind CD-ROM. If you are unsure, you should opt to install Quicktime
and when prompted you should calibrate your system by playing the
Movie which appears on screen. Once the calibration Movie has ended,
close the Quicktime Player by choosing File and then Exit. This will allow
you to continue with your BBC Mastermind installation.
6) Once you have completed the BBC Mastermind installation, if prompted,
shut down Windows and then re-start your computer. You should now be
able to start BBC Mastermind by double clicking on the BBC Mastermind
icon or program listing.
7) Next time you want to play BBC Mastermind insert the CD-ROM into your
CD-ROM drive and double click on the BBC Mastermind icon.
8) The BBC Mastermind Software can be uninstalled by selecting the uninstall icon or program listing.
System Configuration
Please ensure that you run BBC Mastermind using a 640 x 480 display set to 16 bit
(64K) colours and that you are using the latest drivers available from your hardware
supplier. If you need to change settings, refer to the documentation supplied
with Windows and your particular system.
For further information, please open the Readme file included within this software.
Technical Support
If you experience any problems after completing the installation procedure
contained in this booklet, please check that your system and settings meet or exceed
the minimum specification described above and refer to your Windows and system
documentation. Having checked your system, please attempt to install BBC
Mastermind again and make a note of the prompts displayed during the installation
process. If you still have a problem and require further assistance, you may call the
BBC Multimedia UK Technical Support Line on 0181 308 6544.
When calling, please ensure you have a pen and paper at the ready and have made
a note of any error messages displayed by your system! It will also be extremely
helpful if you have available any technical information about your PC configuration.
BBC Mastermind - Running the Main Program
Once the installation is complete, your desktop should contain a set of icons as shown:
Windows 3.1
Windows 95
In either case, you run the main program by double-clicking the Mastermind chair icon.
Under Windows 95, BBC Mastermind may also be run by selecting:
Start, Programs, BBC Mastermind, Mastermind
Getting Around
To skip the introduction, or any of the other video or audio
sequences, click the left mouse button once.
To jump to the end of a round, press the Escape key.
To select Help at the Sign-in screen, click on the 'spotlight' icon.
To quit from Mastermind, press the Escape key at the Sign-In screen
and confirm by selecting the appropriate option.
Sign-In
Between one and four contenders can play Mastermind in any single session.
Each contender must complete the following details:
Name
Gender (for voice responses)
Specialised subject
Shown below is the Sign-In screen completed for three contenders.
GENDER
HELP
You can obtain more detailed
instructions by selecting the help 'spotlight'.
Subject Selection
To select a specialised subject: Click on the subject
icon, positioned to the right of the contender's
name on the Sign-In screen, to display the
Specialised Subjects screen.
Select from the 'subject dial' a broad
subject heading.
To answer a broad range of questions on that subject, click on the title at the top of the 'subject line',
or alternatively,
Select a more specific specialised subject from
the 'subject line'.
SPECIALISED SUBJECT
Starting a Contest
Once all the details have been entered
correctly, select the 'chair' icon to start
the contest.
START
Magnus will ask you to confirm your request by clicking on the icon for a second time.
Note that contender details cannot be changed during a contest.
Specialised Subject Round
The rules and format of the competition mirror the BBC television programme.
Contenders are summoned to the chair, in turn, and have two minutes to answer
questions on their chosen specialised subject, with Magnus asking the questions.
Three potential answers appear gradually from screen
left, starting with the first two letters of the first word.
You can:
Select an answer (as soon as the first two letters
are displayed).
Pass on a question.
Ask Magnus to repeat a question.
At the end of the two minutes the buzzer sounds. Magnus summarises your performance and provides feedback on any passed questions. Note that where the answer to
a question is a person's name, the first name may or may not be presented as a
component of the answer.
The General Knowledge Round
At the end of the Specialised Subject round, Magnus summarises the state of play.
Contenders are then invited to compete in a General Knowledge round, with the same
rules applying as in the first round. Upon conclusion of the General Knowledge round,
Magnus again summarises the scores. The winner is the contender with the most
points and fewest passes. In the event that two or more contenders have the same
score and an equal number of passes, the winner is decided through a series of
tie-break rounds.
Re-starting a Contest
To re-start a contest, press the Escape key to return to the Sign-In screen. Contender
details can then be changed and the contest re-started. Should a contender wish to
retire from a contest their name should be deleted from the Sign-In screen.
Conclusion of the Contest
The contest concludes with a presentation of the Caithness Bowl - the traditional
Mastermind trophy. If applicable, the winner's name and score are added automatically
to the High Scores table, viewable from the Sign-In screen.
Note that the screen also includes an encrypted code.
This code is displayed only on this screen and not on the
High Scores table. If you wish to enter the BBC
Mastermind Multimedia Challenge it is important that you
make a precise note of this code (as shown), together with
your name, score and date.
Encrypted code
D IA *
E
IM
The BBC Mastermind Multimedia Challenge
E
ALLE NG
* M U LT
This is your chance to win a limited edition Caithness Glass paper-weight, engraved
with your name and score.
Send a postcard containing your name, score, date and the encrypted code (this checks
your score and question details) displayed at the conclusion of the contest to:
CH
MA
ST
Mastermind Multimedia Challenge
BBC Multimedia
Room A2030
Woodlands
80 Wood Lane
London W12 OTT
E RMI N D
COMPETITION CLOSING DATES
December 31st 1996
March 31st 1997
June 30th 1997
September 30th 1997
December 31st 1997
Details of the Competition together with a list of winners can be obtained from BBC
Multimedia at the above address. Please send a stamped, addressed envelope to the
above address.
BBC Mastermind - Custom Rounds
In addition to the BBC Mastermind program icon, a Custom Rounds icon will appear on
the desktop following installation. Double-clicking on this icon activates the Custom
Rounds utility.
Under Windows 95, Custom Rounds may be run by selecting:
Start, Programs, BBC Mastermind, Custom Rounds
Windows 3.1
Windows 95
This utility enables you to search the database of over 5000 questions to create
customised, specialised-subject rounds.
Once rounds have been created, they are selectable from the Subject Select screen in
the main BBC Mastermind program under Custom Rounds. There is no upper limit to
the number of Custom Rounds which can be created, but we recommend Custom
Rounds do NOT include more than 200 questions.
Creating a New Custom Round
The first screen allows you to create new Custom Rounds.
Existing Custom Rounds can also be either edited or
deleted from this screen, their names having first been
highlighted with a single mouse-click.
To create a new Custom Round:
Click on the word NEW - the Set Questions screen
is then displayed.
Name the round, entering up to 8 letters in the
first field, alongside ROUND NAME.
To browse questions:
Select a category using the arrow symbols on
either side of the SUBJECT AREA field, or
Enter a KEYWORD in the third field and press
Enter or click on SEARCH.
To add questions:
Select ADD for individual questions.
Select ADD ALL to include all the questions found
during a search.
The minimum number of questions required to produce a
saved round is 30.
To complete a Custom Round:
ADD or REMOVE questions as desired using the on-screen options.
Select SAVE to confirm your final selection.
Note that the right mouse button clicked over the arrow symbols skips to the first and
last selected questions.
Mastermind is one of a range of
entertaining and educational
CD-ROMs produced by BBC Multimedia.
Available through all usual stockists