Star Trek: The Next Generation®
Birth of the Federation™
Version 1.00 (UK)
ReadMe File
13 May 1999
Please read this ReadMe file for the latest, most up-to-date information about Star Trek: The Next Generation Birth of the Federation.
Gameplay
If you are considering an attack on a system, we recommend that you examine the ground combat strengths of the forces involved. To look at the ground combat strength of a system, move your cursor over that star on the Galactic Map. A pop-up window will appear with that system's statistics, including its ground combat value. To look at the ground combat value of a troop transport, first disable Tool Tips from the Options menu. Then return to the Main Galactic screen. Select that ship's task force in the Task Forces panel at the left. Then move your cursor over the ship's icon at the bottom of the screen to bring up a window that lists the ship's statistics, including its ground combat value.
To scrap an outpost, you first need to be on the Main Galactic screen. Then select the system with the outpost and its name will appear under the Task Forces panel on the left side of the screen. Then select the outpost in the Task Forces panel and an icon along with statistics will appear in the Task Force Information window at the bottom of the screen. Click on this icon to bring up a dialog box that asks if you want to scrap the outpost. Click Yes to scrap the outpost or No to cancel. To scrap a starbase, follow the same directions.
Each starship, starbase and outpost has a maintenance cost, which can be viewed in the Technology, Solar System or Redeploy screen. These maintenance costs are totaled each turn and then compared to your total population. Any maintenance costs that exceed your population total are charged directly to your credit total. (Klingons have a special advantage in that their population is doubled for this calculation, which means free maintenance for twice as many ships.)
If you buy an item from the Build List, the Buy price is calculated before it includes the production value you will produce this turn. This means that the number of credits you get the next turn will exceed what you would normally get by the amount of production you had, provided that you buy the item. As an example, you start the game with 1,000 credits and you get 100 credits per turn of income. If you buy an item that costs 100 credits, you would think that the next turn you would have 1,000 credits. If you have 50 points of industry, however, this reduces the cost to buy the item to 50 credits (since 1 point of production is equal to 1 credit). This means you actually have 1,050 credits the next turn. Because you can adjust how much production you have before and after the item is purchased, however, this amount cannot be included in the calculation.
Manual, page 67: The icon (double right arrow) forwards the playback footage to the current turn, not the icon.
Manual, page 88: If you want to remove more than one structure of the first type in the Build Queue, press the Shift key as you click on its icon and you will remove all but one of that structure type. Then click the icon again to remove the final structure from the Build Queue. (If you want to delete multiple structures of the same type that are second in the Build Queue or lower, just press the Shift key as you click the icon and you will remove all of that structure type.)
Multiplayer
If you save a multiplayer game, the orders issued that turn will not be saved. (If you save a single-player game, though, the orders issued that turn are saved.)
If you are experiencing problems starting a multiplayer game over a network using the IPX protocol, we recommend that you try using the TCP/IP protocol instead. You can also try quitting the game and then restarting. This problem occurs because of lost packets due to a slow network connection.
If you chose the Domination victory condition in a multiplayer game, you can only win in an alliance with one other empire. Alliances of three or more empires cannot win via the Domination victory condition (per page 124 of the manual).
If you are unable to connect via a serial connection, we recommend that you try alternate serial (COM) ports, such as COM 3 for COM 1 or COM 4 for COM 2.
Troubleshooting
If you do not restart your computer after installing Birth of the Federation, then you may experience problems with the playback of the opening movie. We recommend restarting your computer after you finish installing the game.
If you minimize Birth of the Federation while in Tactical Combat by pressing Alt-Tab, the screen will have a flashing border. This problem will go away when you leave Tactical Combat.
If your Windows taskbar is positioned at the top of the screen and set to "Auto hide," the cursor in Birth of the Federation will be offset. We recommend that you either reposition your Windows taskbar or else turn "Auto hide" off by right-clicking on the taskbar itself, choosing Properties from the pop-up menu and then unchecking the box for "Auto hide."
Adobe Acrobat Reader
If you already have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, we recommend that you do not install the version of Acrobat Reader that comes with Birth of the Federation.
MicroProse System Information Utility
If you are experiencing any problems with Birth of the Federation, we recommend running the MicroProse System Information utility. To run this utility, select the Start menu and choose Programs > MicroProse > Birth of the Federation > Utilities > MicroProse System Information.
The MicroProse System Information utility looks at your computer system and then displays the version number of MicroProse titles (including Birth of the Federation) followed by the MPR version number (which is not really needed except by MicroProse internally), the primary display adapter on your computer (that is, your primary video card), any PCI multimedia devices (such as a 3-D graphics accelerator or a PCI sound card), details on your DirectX version, and information about your system (such as operating system, RAM, swap file, etc.).
This information is saved in a text file (MPSINFO.TXT) in your Birth of the Federation folder (which is usually C:\BOTF). If you need to call Customer Support, please have a printout of the MPSINFO.TXT file handy when you call. If you need to e-mail Customer Support, please include a copy of the MPSINFO.TXT file. If you write to Customer Support, please include a printout of MPSINFO.TXT with your letter.
MPR Test Utility
To run the MPR Test utility, select the Start menu and choose Programs > MicroProse > Birth of the Federation > Utilities > MPR Test. The MPR Test utility looks at your computer system and then displays information about your computer's graphics. Each video driver is listed followed by which device (video card) it works with and then the graphics resolutions that are supported.
The screen shot above shows that this computer system has two video cards. The primary video card ("device 0") supports 3 graphics resolutions at 16-bit color (640x480, 800x600 and 1024x768). The other video card ("device 1") supports 2 graphics resolutions at 16-bit color (640x480 and 800x600).
Set Color Utilities
If the colors of the graphics look wrong, try running either of the two following utilities: Set 15-Bit Color or Set 16-Bit Color. To run either utility, select the Start menu and choose Programs > MicroProse > Birth of the Federation > Utilities > Set 15-Bit Color or Set 16-Bit Color. If one doesn't work, try the other one. (You may experience this problem with a video card based on the S3 Trio 64 chipset.) If you later upgrade your video card, you can reset the game to automatically detect your graphics capability by running the Reset Color utility.
Sound
If your computer had no sound card when you installed Birth of the Federation, you will need to reinstall the game if you later add a sound card. Or you can edit the STBOF.INI file in your Birth of the Federation folder to read "SOUNDON=ON."
If you have a Turtle Beach Montego A3DXstream sound card, the game may crash while loading if you are not using the latest drivers. We recommend that you download version 2.0.1 of the drivers from the Aureal 3D Web site at www.a3d.com (not Turtle Beach's).
Graphics
If you have a laptop with a Chips & Technologies 65554 video chipset (such as the Winbook XL) and are experiencing problems running the game, we recommend that you update to the latest video drivers. You can download these drivers from http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/mobile/hiq.htm.
If you have a Matrox Millennium II video card and are using version 4.11 drivers, you may see graphic glitches with the cursor onscreen. We recommend that you reinstall your original Matrox video drivers.
If you have a Permedia II video card, the graphics may flicker onscreen. We recommend that you turn down the graphics acceleration to prevent this problem. To do this, open the Display control panel and select the Settings tab. Then click the Advanced Properties button. Select the Performance tab and move the Hardware Acceleration slider under Graphics to the left (toward None).
If you have a Hercules Stingray 128 3D video card, you may experience graphic glitches with the mouse cursor.
Video Card Driver Versions
Below is a list of video cards along with the minimum driver version needed to run this game. If you do not have the most recent drivers for your video card, please visit the manufacturer's Web site to download the drivers.
Hasbro Interactive does not control, and disclaims any responsibility or liability for, the functioning and performance of the Web sites listed below, including, without limitation, links to other Web sites.
Creative Labs http://support.soundblaster.com/files/download.asp
Video Card Driver Version
3D Blaster Banshee 990224
Graphics Blaster 3D/Eclipse 990204
Graphics Blaster Exxtreme 990202
Graphics Blaster Riva TNT 981231
Graphics Blaster 3D 981231
Diamond Multimedia www.diamondmm.com/products.drivers/driver-index.html
Video Card Driver Version
Monster 3D 4.10.01.1600
Monster 3D II 4.10.01.0207
Monster Fusion 4.10.01.0213
Viper V550 4.10.01.0255
Viper V330 4.10.01.0130
Viper Pro Video 2.24
Viper SE 2.24
Viper PCI 2.24
Fire GL 3000 rel.0998
Fire GL 2000 rel.0997
Fire GL 1000 4.10.01.2103
Fire GL 1000 Pro 4.10.01.2359
Edge 3D 2000 & 3000 2.30
Stealth II G460 4.10.1.1346
Stealth II S220 4.10.01.0104
Stealth 3D 4000 4.10.01.3306
Stealth 3D 3000 4.10.01.0069
Stealth 3D 2000 Pro 4.10.01.0069
Stealth 3D 2000 4.10.01.0069
Stealth 64 Video 3000 4.02.325
Stealth Video 2500 4.03.00.1509
Stealth 64 Video 2001 4.02.098
Stealth 64 Video 2000 4.02.268
Stealth 64 VRAM 4.02.268
Stealth 64 Graphics 2000 4.02.268
Stealth SE 4.02.268
Speedstar A70 4.10.01.0208
Speedstar A50 4.10.01.0208
Speedstar 64 Graphics 2000 4.02.373
ATI support.atitech.ca/drivers/drivers.html
Video Card Driver Version
Rage Fury 128-CD68
Rage Magnum 128-CD68
Xpert 128 128-CD68
Xpert 99 128-CD68
All-In-Wonder 128 128-CD68
All-In-Wonder Pro 5.24
Xpert 98 5.24
Xpert XL 5.24
Xpert @Play 5.24
Xpert @Play 98 5.24
Xpert @Work 5.24
Xpert LCD 5.24
Rage IIc products 5.24
All-In-Wonder 5.21
3D Pro Turbo 5.21
3D Xpression+ 5.21
Rage II/II+ chips cards 5.21
3D Xpression 3.11 for Win95 (on Win 98)
Video Charger 4.35 for Win95 (on Win 98)
Video Xpression 4.35 for Win95 (on Win 98)
Video Xpression+ 4.35 for Win95 (on Win 98)
Graphics Pro Turbo 4.03.2119 for Win95 (on Win 98)
Graphics Pro Turbo 1600 4.03.2119 for Win95 (on Win 98)
Graphics Xpression 4.03.2119 for Win95 (on Win 98)
Winboost 4.03.2119 for Win95 (on Win 98)
Wincharger 4.03.2119 for Win95 (on Win 98)
Winturbo 4.03.2119 for Win95 (on Win 98)
Matrox www.matrox.com/mga/drivers/home.htm
Video Card Driver Version
Productiva G100 4.10
Marvel G200 4.26
Millennium G200 4.51
Mystique G200 4.51
MGA-G200 4.51
Rainbow Runner G-Series 1.21
Millennium II 4.11
Millennium 4.12
Mystique 220 4.12
Mystique 4.12
Rainbow Runner Studio 2.10
3D Labs www.3dlabs.com/drivers/index.html
Video Card Driver Version
Oxygen 102/202/402 1.10
Glint 500TX 2101-0076
Permedia 2 2105-0364
Permedia NT 2101-0076
Permedia 1 2101-0076
Canopus Corporation www.canopuscorp.com/software.htm
Video Card Driver Version
Total 3D 2.30.02
Quantum 3D www.quantum3d.com/support/index.html
Video Card Driver Version
Obsidian2 X & S 0.5C
Raven 0.20
S3 www.s3.com/bbs/0main/topindex.htm
Video Card Driver Version
Virge 325 4.03.00.2111
Virge/GX2 (357) 3.42.02
Trio3D 2x 1.00.07
Trio3D (365/366) 2.61.06
Virge/DX (375) 3.42.02
Virge/GX (385) 3.42.02
Savage3D 6.12.01
SonicVibes (617) 4.10.00.1102
Trio32 (732) 2.11.03
Trio64 (764) 2.11.03
Trio64+ (765) 4.10.01.2108
Trio64UV+ (767) 2.30.03
Trio64V2/DX (775) 4.10.01.2108
Trio64V2/GX (785) 4.10.01.2108
STB www.stb.com/drivers
Video Card Driver Version
Powergraph 64 Video 1.24F
Powergraph 64 3D 1.24E
Powergraph 64 1.20I
Powergraph 32 1.20I
Powergraph Pro Video 1.20I
Horizon 64 1.21I
Horizon 64 Video 1.23O
Horizon Plus 1.20i
Nitro 3D 1.52A (Win 95 only) on Win 98 CD
Nitro 64 1.20i
Nitro 64 Video 1.21g
Velocity 440 1.52
Velocity 128 1.82
Velocity 3D 1.52A
Lightspeed 128 1.24B
Black Magic 3D 2.18
Hercules www.hercules.com/support/drivers
Video Card Driver Version
Dynamite Power 4.00
Dynamite 128/Video 1.23
Dynamite 3D/GL 1.06.0351
Dynamite TNT 0.59.10109
Stingray Pro and Pro/Video 4.11
Stingray 64 and 64/Video 4.60
Stingray 128/3D 1.33
Terminator 32/DRAM & 64/DRAM 4.65
Terminator 64/VRAM Windows 95
Terminator Professional 4.65
Terminator 3D & 3D/DX 1.28.2111
Terminator 128/3D 1.09.26103
Terminator 2x/I 1.10.2029
Terminator Beast 0.99
Thriller 3D 0.83.3596
Number Nine www.nine.com/support/drivers/index.html
Video Card Driver Version
Revolution IV 0.06062214
Revolution 3D 1.42 for Win 95 and 0.06061202e for Win 98
Imagine 128 2.13 for Win 95
Imagine 128 Series 4.16 for Win 95
Reality 772 2.04 for Win 95
Reality 332 2.04 for Win 95
Reality 334 1.054.334W
9FX Motion 771 2.05
9FX Motion 531 2.05
9FX Motion 331 2.05
Vision 330 2.07
GXE 64 Pro 2.05
GXE 64 2.05
GXE 64 Trio 2.07
Please note that Microsoft does not certify any Number Nine video card as compatible with DirectX 6.0 or later.
Orchid Technology www.orchid.com/support/driverlist.html
Video Card Driver Version
Celsius 1.32
Fahrenheit 1280 & Plus series 5.11
Fahrenheit 64 & Pro 64 1.22
Fahrenheit Pro Video 64 1.0
Fahrenheit Video 3D 1.0
Kelvin 64 & EZ 1.4
Kelvin Video 64 1.0
P9000 1.3
ProDesigner IIs 2.1
Righteous 3D 2.0
Oak Technology http://poppy.oaktech.com/drivlink.htm
Video Card Driver Version
OTI-64111 4.10.05
Cirrus Logic www.isdcorp.com/downloads/cirruslogic/graphics
Video Card Driver Version
CL-GD5436 1.14g
CL-GD5440 1.06
CL-GD5446 1.41
CL-GD5462 1.47
CL-GD5464 1.71c
CL-GD5465 1.71a
CL-GD5480 1.10
Intel support.intel.com/support/graphics/
Video Card Driver Version
Express 3D 2.0
Inwl740 PV3.2w
Video Card Manufacturers Web Sites
Alliance Semiconductor www.alsc.com/promotion1/support/index.html
Aopen www.aopen.nl/products/vga/default.htm
Ark Logic www.arklogic.com/support.html
Avance Logic www.realtek.com.tw/cp/download.htm
Britek www.viewtop.com/html/faq.htm
Data Expert www.dataexpert.com.tw/service.website/driverv.html
SIS www.sis.com.tw/driver/driver.htm
Sound Card Driver Versions
Below is a list of sound cards along with the minimum driver version needed to run this game. If you do not have the most recent drivers for your sound card, please visit the manufacturer's Web site to download the drivers.
Hasbro Interactive does not control, and disclaims any responsibility or liability for, the functioning and performance of the Web sites listed below, including, without limitation, links to other Web sites.
Creative Labs www.support.soundblaster.com/files/download.asp
Sound Card Driver Version
Sound Blaster Live! 981125
Sound Blaster 16/32/AWE 32/AWE 64 981119
Diamond Multimedia www.diamondmm.com/products/drivers/driver-index.html
Sound Card Driver Version
Monster Sound 1.07.06
Monster Sound MX300 1.02 (web release)
Sonic Impact S90 1.0209bw (web release)
Sonic Impact S70 1.02.04 (web release)
Sonic Sound 1.0
Sound Card Manufacturers Web Sites
Avance Logic www.realtek.com.tw/cp
Aureal Lab www.a3d.com/html/download/demos
Aztech Lab www.aztechlabs.com
Behavior Tech Computer Corp www.btc-corp.com/software/sound.html
Digital Audio www.digitalaudio.com/drivers.asp
Digital Research Technologies www.dr-tech.com/library.html
Ensoniq www.ensoniq.com/multimedia/mm_html/html/index.htm
ESS Technologies www.esstech.com/technical/drivers/downloadable/drivers/driver.htm#These
Oak Technology poppy.oaktech.com/audtech.html
Opti www.opti.com/html/drivers.html
Turtle Beach www.voyetra-turtle-beach.com
Customer Support
If none of the information above helps to solve your problem, please contact Customer Support.
We recommend running the MicroProse System Information utility and printing out the information displayed onscreen before calling Customer Support with a problem.
We would also appreciate having the following information:
* Version number of Birth of the Federation
* Your computer's processor and its speed
* Your computer's brand and model
* Total RAM installed in your computer
* Version of DirectX drivers
* CD-ROM brand and model name
* Video card brand and model name
* Sound card brand and model name
* Mouse brand and version number of mouse driver
* Joystick brand and model name
* Any error message you see in the game
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LICENCE AGREEMENT
*** IMPORTANT ***
1. LICENCE
The software and all images, photography, animations, video, audio, music and text contained on the enclosed CD-ROM and this manual, (together, 'the Product') are protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights which are owned by or licensed to Hasbro Interactive Limited of 2 Roundwood Avenue, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, UB11 1AZ ('Hasbro')
Hasbro grants to you as the original purchaser of this Product a non-transferable right to use the Product for your own personal and private use and not in connection with any business activity. Unless otherwise permitted by law, no part of this Product may be copied, reproduced, translated, modified, decompiled or reduced into any electronic or other form without the prior written consent of Hasbro. You may not rent or lease, or sell or transfer copies of the Product or any part of it.
2. WARRANTY
Hasbro warrants to you only that for a period of ninety days from purchase the Product will perform substantially in accordance with the specifications set out in this manual and that the original CD-ROM disk itself will be free from defects in materials and workmanship.
During this period the Product, if defective, will be replaced free of charge if returned to Hasbro at Caswell Way, Newport, Gwent, NP9 0YH, together with a dated proof of purchase, a brief description of the defect and the address to which it is to be returned. Any replacement will be warranted for a further 90 day period. This warranty does not affect your statutory rights in any way.
This warranty does not apply to defects caused by misuse, neglect, incorrect installation, damage, alteration, repair or excessive wear.
3. LIABILITY
Except as stated at 2 above, all conditions, warranties, terms, representations and undertakings express or implied, statutory or otherwise, in respect of the Product are expressly excluded.
Hasbro's liability to you shall under no circumstances exceed the original retail price of the Product and Hasbro does not accept liability for any indirect or consequential damage or loss (even if it is aware that the possibility of such damage or loss) including lost profits or revenues, or for any damages, costs or loss incurred as a result of loss of time or data or from any other cause.
Nothing set out above shall limit or exclude the Hasbro's liability to you for death or personal injury resulting from its own negligence or any other liability not capable of exclusion or limitation by law.
If you do not agree to be bound by these terms, you should immediately return the Product to Hasbro at Caswell Way, Newport, Gwent, NP9 OYH, together with a dated proof of purchase, for a full refund.