FRONT PAGE SPORTS:
BASEBALL PRO 98
VERSION 1.0
README FILE
5/8/97
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About This Document:
Thank you for purchasing Front Page Sports Baseball Pro 98. This document contains last-minute information about Front Page Sports Baseball Pro 98 and other information about the program not found in the on-line manual for Baseball 98. This README file includes information that pertains to general problems and questions you may have concerning the game or your computer. Should you experience any problems with Front Page Sports Baseball Pro 98, please refer to this file for addition help on answering questions about the game and solving technical difficulties.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
II. GENERAL TECHNICAL ISSUES
III. GENERAL GAME ISSUES
IV. CONTACTING SIERRA
I. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
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MINIMUMS
PENTIUM 60
WINDOWS 95 (with Windows 95 drivers)
16 MB RAM
2X CD-ROM
Sound Card With DAC (Speech Capability)
MOUSE
18 MB hard drive space
SVGA 256 COLORS
RECOMMENDED
Pentium 120+
32 MB Ram
4X CD-ROM
Joystick w/Windows 95 driver
Accelerated Video Card
16 bit sound card
28.8 Modem
II. GENERAL TECHNICAL ISSUES
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Installation Instructions
To install Front Page Sports: Baseball 98, simply insert the CD ROM into your CD ROM drive. When AutoPlay comes on, click on INSTALL BASEBALL PRO. Then follow the on-screen prompts.
If you do not have Autoplay enabled on you system, you will need to click on START, then RUN. You will then need to type in the letter of your CD ROM drive, followed by SETUP.EXE.
Example: D:\SETUP.EXE
Then click on OK, and follow the on-screen prompts.
For information about the Install size, please see the section under GAME SPEED.
Common Install Questions or Problems
Problem: My system failed the Pixels per second test. What should I do?
Solution: Try the game anyway. The pixel test checks to see how quickly your screen can refresh. Sometimes you can go ahead and play normally even if you fail this test. If you notice very slow or choppy playback, or a "slide show" type of effect, you will need to update your video card driver. Contact the manufacturer of the video card or your computer for assistance.
Problem: I know my monitor is capable or producing more than 256 color pictures, but I failed the palette test.
Solution: The palette setting in Windows' Display Settings is set either too high or too low. In Windows 95, you can easily adjust this. You can change your windows palette by right clicking on the desktop and choosing PROPERTIES from the menu that appears. Once in the PROPERTIES screen, click on the SETTINGS tab. Click the button accessing the drop down located in the COLOR PALETTE area to the left of your screen until the message in the window reads "256 color". Click on APPLY and then on OK.
Problem: During the Setup program, I received the error SETUP CAUSED A GENERAL PROTECTION FAULT IN SETUP.EXE. Now when I try to run Setup, nothing happens.
Solution: Click on START, then FIND. In the NAMED window, type SIERRA.INI, then click on FIND NOW. Once the file is found, delete it, and restart your computer. Then run Setup again. When you get to the Main Menu, click on INSTALL, and when you get the message "Setup needs to test your system...", click on NO. Your system will likely then fail all of the tests. Disregard this and click on YES, you wish to continue. The Setup program should then run normally.
Game Speed
Baseball 98 includes different install sizes as well as game preference settings to help you optimize Baseball 98 for your system. If you experience slow performance, try reinstalling the game with a full installation.
For a full install you will needs about 134MB* of free hard drive space. With a full install you do not need the Baseball '98 CD-ROM in the drive in order to play the game. If you do not have enough free hard drive space to support this size of installation, you may want to try installing some of the options listed in the installation choices in the setup program for Baseball 98.
Install preferences are listed below and is structured for improving game performance based on available hard drive space. Sierra provides a chart which you can use to prioritize which components to install if your hard drive space is limited. Depending on your specific system, you may find a more optimal installation by not following the chart. For instance, if you have a 8X or better CD-ROM drive you may not want to perform a large install.
The chart below lists the install components on the far left. Each component has an estimated installation size which is displayed under the option size column. The TOTAL column adds up the total hard drive size required to install each component as you move down the chart.
INSTALL OPTION OPTION SIZE TOTAL
Minimum Install 18MB 18MB
3D STADIUMS 27MB 45MB
ARCADE DATA FILES 35MB 80MB
FRONT OFFICE BACK GROUNDS 11MB 91MB
STANDARD ARCADE SOUNDS 9MB 100MB
HIGH QUALITY ARCADE SOUNDS 34MB 134MB
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FULL INSTALL 134MB*
* = This number will vary depending on the actual size of your hard drive.
Memory
Memory (RAM), can affect the way a program runs in many ways. The lack of available memory, can cause poor performance, errors, and lockups. There are several steps you can take to try and optimize your system's memory.
Turn off all programs and utilities running in the background. Many systems come with software that automatically loads into memory upon starting Windows. To check for this, press the <CTRL> <ALT> and <DEL> keys on your keyboard all at once. This will access the CLOSE PROGRAMS window. The only program necessary to run Baseball 98 is EXPLORER. If there are other utilities listed in the CLOSE PROGRAM window, you will need to highlight them, one at a time, and click on the END TASK button. This will cause the CLOSE PROGRAM window to disappear. Press <CTRL><ALT><DEL> again, and continue to END TASK all items other than EXPLORER. If you find that performing an END TASK on a certain item causes your system to reboot, simply make a note of it, and remember not to END TASK it next time. This means that that particular item is necessary for your system to run Windows.
Turn off screen savers and wall paper. Right click on the Desktop area, and choose PROPERTIES. Click on the BACKGROUND tab, and make sure that Wallpaper is set to (None). Click on the SCEEN SAVER tab, and make sure that is also set to (None). Then click on APPLY, and OK. If you are using a screen saver other than those supplied by Windows 95, and it did not appear in your CLOSE PROGRAMS window, see the specific documentation on how to temporarily disable it.
Try lowering your resolution and color palette. The lowest possible settings are 640x480 resolution and 256 colors. You can change your windows resolution by right clicking on the desktop and choosing PROPERTIES from the menu that appears. Once in the PROPERTIES screen, click on the SETTINGS tab. Slide the lever bar located in the DESKTOP AREA to the right of your screen until the message below reads "800X600 pixels". Then click the button accessing the drop down located in the COLOR PALETTE area to the left of your screen until the message in the window reads "256 color". Click on APPLY and then on OK.
Make a bootdisk for Windows 95. To create a bootdisk, you will need a blank 3 1/2 floppy diskette.
-Insert the diskette into the A: drive.
-Double click on My Computer.
-Right click on the 3 1/2 A: drive, and select FORMAT from the
menu.
-In the FORMAT window, put a dot next to FULL, and a check next to COPY SYSTEM FILES.
-Click on START NOW.
-Once the diskette is finished formatting, double click on the C:
drive in the My Computer window.
-Click on VIEW, then OPTIONS. Click on the VIEW tab, and make
sure that only the SHOW ALL FILES option is checked. Click
Apply, then OK.
-Locate the file MSDOS.SYS. Files are listed alphabetically.
-Right click on MSDOS.SYS, and select SEND TO. Send it to 3 1/2
floppy (A:).
-Answer YES, when asked if you would like to replace the existing
file.
With the diskette in the drive, reboot your computer. This should be a sufficient Windows 95 bootdisk for most systems. If your system fails to recognize some hardware when booting from this diskette, simply remove it from the drive, and restart. You will need to obtain our trouble shooting guide for more bootdisk information. You can obtain the document Bootdisk Instructions for Windows 95 via fax, CompuServe, AOL or the Internet. See the section on Contacting Sierra for electronic addresses and phone numbers.
III. GENERAL GAME ISSUES
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Problems and Solutions
Problem: In arcade mode, the pitcher always throws to the center of the plate.
Solution: Go into GAME OPTIONS screen and click on GROUND RULES. Click on the 'Pitch to Center' check box to deselect that feature.
Problem: When pitching in "standard" or "advance mode", the pitch location selection screen does not appear.
Solution: Go into GAME OPTIONS screen and click on GROUND RULES. Click on the 'Pitch to Center' check box to deselect that feature.
Problem: In 640X480 resolution some of the windows in the BPI (Batter/Pitcher Interface) screen can not be seen.
Solution: In some cases, when running in 640X480, the optional game windows will not appear, or will only appear in part. In most cases these windows can be relocated by single clicking on menu bar of the particular window and repositioning it to the desired location. If the window is not on the screen at all, switch your monitor resolution settings to 800X600 resolution or higher. You can change your windows resolution by right clicking on the desktop and choosing PROPERTIES from the menu that appears. Once in the PROPERTIES screen, click on the SETTINGS tab. Slide the lever bar located in the DESKTOP AREA to the right of your screen until the message below reads "800X600 pixels". Click on APPLY and then on OK. Go into the game and position the window(s) that can not be seen in the 640X480 resolution towards the center of the screen. Exit the game and change your windows resolution back to 640X480 Pixels. You should now see the missing window(s) and be able to reposition it to the desired location.
Please see the on-line manual for more information about Baseball 98.
IV. CONTACTING SIERRA
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Sales Services
United States
Sierra Direct
U.S.A. Sales Phone: (800) 757-7707
7100 W. Center Rd. International Sales: (425) 746-5771
STE 301 Hours: Monday-Saturday 7AM to 11 PM CST,
Omaha, NE 68106 Sundays 8AM to 9PM CST
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If you experience any technical problems, our Technical Support Team will be more than happy to assist you. Please call (425) 644-4343 between 8:15 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday. We can be reached by Fax at (425) 644-7697, or by mail at the following address:
U.S. Technical Support
Sierra On-Line Phone: (425) 644-4343
Technical Support Monday - Friday, 8:15 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. PST
P.O. Box 85006 Fax: (425) 644-7697
Bellevue, WA 98015-8506
Sierra On-Line offers a 24-hour Automated Technical Support line with recorded answers to the most frequently asked technical questions. To access this service, call (425) 644-4343, and follow the recorded instructions to find your specific topic and resolve the issue. If this fails to solve your problem, you may still write, or fax us with your questions, or contact us via BBS.
U.K. Technical Support
Sierra On-Line Limited Phone: (0118) 920-9111
2 Beacontree Plaza Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Gillette Way Fax: (0118) 987-5603
Reading, Berkshire
RG2 0BS United Kingdom
(Disk/CD replacements in the U.K. are £6.00, or £7.00 outside the UK. Add "ATTN.: Returns."
France
Parc Tertiaire de Meudon Téléphone: 01-46-01-46-50
Immeuble "Le Newton" Support Technique automatisé 7 jours sur 7 24h/24
25 rue Jeanne Braconnier Techniciens accessibles du Lundi au Vendredi
92366 Meudon La Forêt Cedex de 10h à 19h
France Fax: 01-46-30-00-65
Germany
Sierra Coktel Deutschland Phone: (0610) 399-4040
Robert-Bosh-Str. 32 Montag bis Freitag von 9Uhr - 19Uhr
D-63303 Dreieich Fax: (0610) 399-4035
Deutschland Mailbox: (0610) 399-4041
Spain
Coktel Educative Multimedia Teléfono: (01) 383-2623
Avenida de Burgos 9 Lunes a Viernes de 9h30 a 14h y de 15h a 18h30
1º-OF2 Fax: (01) 381-2437
28036 Madrid Spain
Italy
Contattare il vostro distribotore
Technical Support via modem is also available through:
CompuServe USA: GO SIERRA
CompuServe United Kingdom: GO UKSIERRA
CompuServe France: GO FRSIERRA
CompuServe Germany: GO DESIERRA
America Online USA: Keyword Sierra
Email USA: [email protected]
Internet USA: http://www.sierra.com
Internet United Kingdom: http://www.sierra-online.co.uk
Internet France: http://www.sierra.fr
Internet Germany: http://www.sierra.de
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DISK/DOCO REPLACEMENT: PRODUCT RETURNS:
Sierra On-Line Fulfillment Sierra On-Line Returns
PO Box 485 PO Box 485
Coarsegold, CA. 93614 Coarsegold, CA. 93614
NOTE: To replace your disk(s) please send only Disk #1 (or the CD) and copy of your dated Receipt, if less then 90 days. After 90 days please include a $10 handling fee along with Disk / CD #1. For Documentation, please include a $5.00 handling fee and a photocopy ONLY of disk #1. Payment should be made at the time of your request. Sorry, no credit cards.
United Kingdom
Sierra On-Line Limited Main: (0118) 920-9111
2 Beacontree Plaza Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Gillette Way Fax: (0118) 987-5603
Reading, Berkshire
RG2 0BS United Kingdom
(Disk/CD replacements in the U.K. are £6.00, or £7.00 outside the UK.)
Add "ATTN.: Returns."
France
Parc Tertiaire de Meudon Téléphone: (01) 46-01-48-53
Immeuble "Le Newton" Lundi au Vendredi de 9h à 18h
25 rue Jeanne Braconnier Fax: (01) 46-30-00-65
92366 Meudon La Forêt Cedex
France
Germany
Sierra Coktel Deutschland Tel.: (0) 6103-99-40-40
Robert-Bosh-Str. 32 Montag bis Freitag von 9Uhr - 19Uhr
D-63303 Dreieich Fax: (0) 6103-99-40-35
Deutschland
On-Line Sales
CompuServe USA: GO SI (CServe Mall)
CompuServe United Kingdom: GO UKSIERRA
CompuServe France: GO FRSIERRA
CompuServe Germany: GO DESIERRA
America Online: Keyword Sierra
Internet: http://www.sierra.com
Internet: http://www.sierra-online.co.uk
Internet: http://www.sierra.fr
Internet: http://www.sierra.de
______________________________________________________________________________
SIERRA ON-LINE, INC. DOES NOT WARRANTY OR PROMISE THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN WILL WORK WITH ANY OR ALL COMPUTER SYSTEMS. SIERRA DOES NOT ASSUME ANY LIABILITY, EITHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL, FOR THE USE OF THE INFORMATION HEREIN, INCLUDING ANY AND ALL DAMAGE TO OR LOST USE OF COMPUTER HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE PRODUCTS, LOSS OF WARRANTIES, OR LOST DATA BY THE CUSTOMER OR ANY THIRD PARTY. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY SIERRA, ITS EMPLOYEES, DISTRIBUTORS, DEALER OR AGENTS SHALL CHANGE THE RESTRICTION OF LIABILITY OR CREATE ANY NEW WARRANTIES. IN NO CASE SHALL SIERRA'S LIABILITY EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE SIERRA SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
MICROSOFT SDK
________________________________________________________________________
The Redistributable Code is the property of Microsoft Corporation and its suppliers and is protected by copyright law and international treaty provisions. You are authorized to make and use copies of the Redistributable Code either as part of the application in which you received the redistributable Code, or in conjunction with the application for which its use is intended. Except as expressly provided in the foregoing sentence, you are not authorized to reproduce and distribute the Redistributable Code. Microsoft reserves all rights not expressly granted. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Redistributable Code, except and only to the extent that such activity is expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding this limitation. THE REDISTRIBUTABLE CODE IS PROVIDED TO YOU "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND/OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. YOU ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE ACCURACY AND THE USE OF THE REDISTRIBUTABLE CODE. MICROSOFT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE REDISTRIBUTABLE CODE, EVEN IF MICROSOFT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
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Copyright Sierra On-line 1997