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Qin, Tomb of the Middle Kingdom README
May 1996
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(c) Copyright Learn Technologies Interactive, 1996
This document contains important information that
supplements the Qin documentation.
Contents
* General
* Best video mode to use
* Optimizing performance on minimum-configuration machines
* Before you call Technical Support
* System manufacturers
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General
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> Qin screen size
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Qin was designed to play in a full screen with a 640X480 256 color Windows video driver.
If you have configured Windows to operate in a higher resolution (such as with an
800X600 256 color or 1024X768 256 color driver), the game play area will appear smaller.
In order to view the game in the full dimensions of your computer screen, you will need
to load a 640X480 256 color video driver. If you are using Windows 3.1 or 3.1.1, make
sure that you use a driver that is created for your specific brand of video card. For
more information about configuring Windows or obtaining this driver, please contact your
video card manufacturer.
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> A note on sound
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Qin features an original soundtrack and a carefully designed stereo sound environment.
We recommend that you use multimedia speakers or headphones while playing.
Performance on slower machines may be improved by setting the background music
switch to "off" in the Preferences section of the Options screen.
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> Can't save a game
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If Qin can not save the current game, the working or target directory
may be read only, or your hard drive may have insufficient space available.
Make sure your target directory is pointing to your hard drive and not the CD ROM drive.
Make sure that the drive you are saving your game on has at least 300K free space.
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Best video mode to use
***************************************************************************************
If you are running under Windows 95 with an accelerated video card you
will get the best combination of video quality and performance by running in either
hi-color or true-color modes.
If you are running under Windows 3.1x we recommend that you run in 256 color mode.
***************************************************************************************
Optimizing performance on minimum-configuration machines
***************************************************************************************
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> Increasing the size of your swapfile
(Windows 3.1 only)
-------------
In Windows 3.1, Qin requires at least 8 MB of RAM. Increasing the swapfile
size to 10MB or more may improve the performance of Qin.
Follow this procedure to increase the swapfile if your computer has enough
available disk space:
1. In the Main group, double-click the Control Panel.
2. Double-click the 386 Enhanced icon.
3. Click Virtual Memory.
4. Click Change.
5. Increase the size of the swapfile.
6. If you are using a temporary swapfile, change the type to Permanent.
7. Make sure that 32 Bit Disk Access is checked.
Follow this procedure to increase the swapfile if your computer is low on
disk space and you are running MS-DOS 6.0 or later:
1. In the Main group, double-click the Control Panel.
2. Double-click the 386 Enhanced icon.
3. Click Virtual Memory.
4. Click Change.
5. Under New Swapfile Settings, enter None in the Type box.
6. Click OK in both dialog boxes.
7. Close Windows.
8. From the MS-DOS prompt, run Scandisk, and then Defrag. For information about
these two commands, see the MS-DOS User's Guide.
9. Once these commands are completed, restart Windows. Increase the virtual
memory using the previous procedure.
NOTE: If you are unable to create a 10 MB swapfile using this procedure, you can
remove files from the hard disk, and then try the procedure again.
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> Increasing the size of your CD-ROM cache
(Windows 3.1 only)
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For increased performance, modify the MSCDEX.EXE line in your autoexec.bat to
change the MSCDEX parameter /M:x to /M:20 or /M:30.
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> Increasing the size of your CD-ROM cache
(Windows 95 only)
-------------
1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Double-click on the System icon.
3. Click on the Performance tab.
4. Click on File System.
5. Click on the CD-ROM tab.
6. Select the access pattern that matches your CD-ROM and choose the
largest cache size available.
7. Click OK in both dialogs.
8. Click Yes to restart your computer.
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> Use SmartDrive
(Windows 3.1 only)
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If your computer system has 8 or more Megs of RAM and you are using Windows
3.1, make sure that you enable SMARTDRIVE. SmartDrive is a disk caching utility which will
greatly improve game performance.
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Before you call Technical Support
***************************************************************************************
If you find a problem with Qin please follow these instructions before calling
Technical Support.
1. Using File Manager or the Explorer, select the Qin CD and double-click on the
chkcrc16.exe program.
2. Click OK.
3. Chkcrc16 will verify the contents of the Qin CD. Depending on the speed of
your CD-ROM drive this process can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes (as long
as the status indicator is in motion, the program is running correctly).
4. If chkcrc16 reports any bad files then you should take your CD back to the store
where you bought it and exchange Qin for a new copy.
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System manufacturers
***************************************************************************************
The following is a listing of Technical Support and Customer BBS numbers for
system, sound card, video card and CD-ROM manufacturers. Learn Technologies Interactive has made every
effort to ensure that these numbers are correct. However, you may want to
consult the documentation for your PC, video card, sound card or CD-ROM drive
for more up-to-date information about each company.
Acer
Technical Support (800) 733-2237
BBS (408) 428-0140
BBS (800) 833-8241
AST Research
Technical Support (800) 727-1278
BBS (714) 852-1872
Compaq
Technical Support (800) 652-6672
BBS (713) 378-1418
Dell
Technical Support (800) 624-9896
BBS (512) 728-8528
Epson
BBS (310) 782-4531
Gateway
Technical Support (800) 846-2301
BBS (605) 323-2224 or (605) 232-2109
Download Service (800) 846-7562
Hercules Computer Technology Inc.
Technical Support (510) 623-6050
BBS (510) 623-7449 (V.32 bis)
BBS (510) 623-7034 (9600 baud)
BBS (510) 623-7142 (2400 baud)
IBM
Technical Support Multimedia (908) 329-7131
Technical Support PS/1 PRO (800) 765-4747
Technical Support Valuepoint (800) 772-2227
Technical Support Valuepoint (213) 621-5576
Intel
Technical Support (800) 538-3373
BBS (503) 645-6275
Leading Edge
Technical Support (800) 225-2283
BBS (503) 836-3971
Micronics
Technical Support (510) 651-2323
BBS (510) 651-6837
Packard Bell
Hardware Support (800) 733-4411
Software Support (801) 579-0161
BBS (801) 250-1600
BBS (818) 773-7207
Tandon
Technical Support (805) 523-0340
Tandy Computer
Technical Support (817) 878-6875
Toshiba
Technical Support (800) 999-4273
BBS (415) 656-5159
Zenith
Technical Support (800) 227-3360
BBS (800) 888-3058
Sound Card Manufacturers
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Advanced Gravis
Technical Support (206) 881-6945
ATI Technologies Inc.
Technical Support (905) 882-2626
BBS (905) 764-9404
Aztech
Technical Support (800) 886-8879
Boca Research Inc.
Technical Support (407) 241-8088
BBS (407) 241-1601
Cardinal
Technical Support (717) 293-3124
BBS (717) 293-3074
Creative Labs
Technical Support (408) 428-6622
BBS (408) 428-6660
Diamond
Technical Support (408) 736-2000
BBS (408) 524-9301
Logitech
Technical Support (510) 795-8100
BBS (510) 795-0408
Media Vision
Technical Support (800) 638-2807
BBS (510) 770-0968
Microsoft
Technical Support (206) 637-7096
BBS (206) 936-4082
BBS (206) 936-6735
Reveal
Technical Support (800) 473-8325
Roland US
Technical Support (213) 685-5141
Turtle Beach
Technical Support (717) 843-6916
BBS (717) 845-4835
Video Card Manufacturers
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Actix Systems
Technical Support (408) 986-1625
BBS (408) 970-3719
Advanced Integration Research
Technical Support (408) 428-0800
BBS (408) 428-1735
Advanced Micro Technology
Technical Support (909) 598-6120
BBS (909) 594-5770
Alpha Systems Lab
Technical Support (800) 576-4275
Altech International
Technical Support (800) 882-8194
BBS (408) 946-2227
Artist Graphics Company
Technical Support (800) 627-8478
BBS (612) 631-7664
ATI Technologies
Technical Support (905) 882-2626
BBS (905) 764-9404
Atlaz Intl., Limited
Technical Support (516) 239-1854
Boca
Technical Support (407) 241-8088
BBS (407) 241-1601
Cache Computers, Inc.
Technical Support (510) 226-9922
BBS (510) 226-7486
Cardinal
Technical Support (717) 293-3124
BBS (717) 293-3074
Celerite Graphics, Inc.
Technical Support (510) 226-6390
BBS (510) 226-7851
Cirrus Logic
Technical Support (510) 435-8808
Technical Support (510) 623-8300 (west coast)
Technical Support (508) 470-3380 (east coast)
BBS (510) 440-9080
Colorgraphic Communication
Technical Support (404) 455-3921
BBS (404) 452-8238
Cornerstone Technology
Technical Support (800) 562-2552 x306
BBS (408) 435-8943
CSS Laboratories, Inc.
Technical Support (800) 966-2771
BBS (714) 852-9231
Diamond Computer Systems, Inc.
Technical Support (408) 325-7100
BBS (408) 325-7175 (14400 baud, 8 bits, no parity, 1 stop)
BBS (408) 325-7080 (2400 baud, 8 bits, no parity, 1 stop)
Edge Technology, Inc.
Technical Support (800) 438-3343
ELSA America, Inc.
Technical Support (800) 272-3572
BBS (415) 588-6286
Focus Information Systems, Inc.
Technical Support (510) 657-4586
BBS (510) 657-9451
Genoa
Technical Support (408) 432-8324
BBS (408) 943-1231
Headland (Video Seven)
Technical Support (800) 553-1850
BBS (415) 656-0503
Hercules Computer Technology Inc.
Technical Support (510) 623-6050
BBS (510) 623-7449 (V.32 bis)
BBS (510) 623-7034 (9600 baud)
BBS (510) 623-7142 (2400 baud)
Identity Systems Technology
Technical Support (800) 723-8324
BBS (214) 705-7213
IOcomm Intl., Corp.
Technical Support (800) 998-8919
Liberty Electronics USA
Technical Support (800) 497-8324
Matrox Electronics Systems Limited
Technical Support (800) 462-8769
BBS (514) 685-6008
Metheus Corporation
Technical Support (503) 690-1550
BBS (503) 690-1559
MicroStep, Inc.
Technical Support (818) 336-8991
BBS (818) 961-9992
Mirage Computer Systems
Technical Support (310) 440-1460
National Design, Inc.
Technical Support (512) 329-5055
BBS (512) 329-6327
Number Nine Computer Corporation
Technical Support (617) 674-0009
BBS (617) 862-7502
Nth Graphics
Technical Support (800) 624-7552
BBS (512) 832-1964
Oak Technology
Technical Support (408) 737-0888
BBS (408) 524-9014
Orchid Technology Inc.
Technical Support (510) 683-0323
BBS (510) 683-0327
Paradise
Technical Support (800) 832-4778
BBS (415) 968-1834
Sigma Designs
Technical Support (510) 770-0100
BBS (510) 770-0111
SixGraph Computing, Limited
Technical Support (800) 561-2892
BBS (514) 336-4169
STB Systems
Technical Support (800) 234-4334
Technical Support (214) 234-8750
BBS Phone (214) 437-9615
BBS (214) 237-9615
SuperMac Technology, Inc.
Technical Support (408) 245-0646
BBS (408) 773-4500
Swan Technologies, Inc.
Technical Support (800) 468-7926
BBS (814) 237-6143
Trident Microsystems Inc.
Phone (415) 691-9211
BBS (415) 691-1016
Tseng Labs
Technical Support (215) 968-0502
BBS (215) 579-7536
Video Logic, Inc.
Technical Support (617) 494-0530
BBS (617) 494-4960
Video Seven
Technical Support (800) 553-1850
BBS (510) 656-0503
BBS (415) 656-0503
VidTech Microsystems, Inc.
Technical Support (800) 752-8033
BBS (612) 780-3564
Willow
Technical Support (212) 402-9500
CD-ROM Manufacturers
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Hitachi
Technical Support (800) 241-6558
Mitsubishi
Technical Support (800) 344-6352
BBS (714) 236-6286
Mitsumi
Technical Support (408) 970-9699
NEC
Technical Support (708) 860-0335
BBS (508) 635-6328
Panasonic
Technical Support (800) 222-0584
BBS (201) 863-7845
Sony
Technical Support (714) 826-6410 (west coast)
Technical Support (201) 368-3774 (east coast)
BBS (408) 955-5107
Teac
Technical Support (213) 726-0303