HELP FILE FOR VIPER SOFTWARE SIMULATIONS V1.45 and ON

Index 

        A: SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
        1: KNOWN PROBLEMS
        2: Do's and Don'ts
        3: Help with flying



SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

(SVGA MODE 640*480 256 Colour VESA) 
Minimum System 486DX66 with 4Mb of RAM
Local or PCI video BUS with VESA SVGA CARD or Vesa driver loaded
capable of 640*480 256 colours 1Mb of video memory required.

***IMPORTANT NOTES ON VIDEO CARD TYPE AND SUPPLIED BATCH FILES***

Each mission is started with a batch file. Two batch files are supplied
per mission for different video modes. Batch files with the words 'VESA'
in them, support VESA 1.2 compliant video cards. Batch files with the
words 'S3' in them, are for S3 based video cards e.g. Diamond Stealth.

If your video card uses the S3 chipset be sure to use the correct batch
files. The frame rate will be 20% faster. Other video cards should use
the VESA batch files. If you try an S3 based mode with a non S3 card
you will get the message 'video bios not responding' and your system
will hang.

NB: YOU CANNOT RUN THE SIMULATION FROM THE EXECUTABLE FILES. YOU MUST
USE THE SUPPLIED BATCH FILES.


KNOWN PROBLEMS
1: Soundblaster 16 Multi media sound card
   Engine sound sometimes stops after other sound effects, e.g. guns fired.
   We suspect a bug in the SB hardware when running 32 bit VCPI
   software. Simply click button 2 on your joystick (Weapons toggle)
   or hit key F if using the keyboard (Drops a flare) When the new
   FX stops the engine sound comes back.

   Message:
   Previously installed software is neither DPMI or VCPI compatible.
   And game will not load.
   Cause: EMM386 loaded with NOEMS or NOVCPI switch. If you must use EMM386
   use EMM386 RAM instead. This will still provide access to UMB's and
   extended memory. Backup your AUTOEXEC.BAT AND CONFIG.SYS Files BEFORE
   you start modifying them. See your DOS manual for further details about
   modifying these files, and EMM386 switches.

   Some video cards will lock the system if running in SVGA mode. This is 
   caused by EMM386 using the mono UMB area of the video ROM for extra 
   memory. Either run the simulation from a boot disk, or edit EMM386 
   command line to remove the conflict.


DO'S AND DON'TS
2: Do run the game from DOS only
   DON'T try to run it from a shell such as PCTOOLS or Windows.
   Win95 users should run the simulation from either safe DOS mode
   or from a DOS bootable floppy disk.

   Do use a Joystick rather than the keyboard or mouse. Trying to fly an
   aircraft with such realistic handling qualities as this with the keyboard
   means one of two things. Either you don't take flight sims seriously, or
   you are playing it in the office where a joystick would look a bit odd!
   Either a: stick to space invaders or b: get on with the spreadsheet you
   are supposed to be working on.


HELP WITH FLYING
3: Rule one, use a good quality joystick (Gravis, thrustmaster etc.)
   Remember to use the elevator trim control + - on NUM PAD so that 
   the aircraft will fly straight and level at the given throttle setting.
   Use the waypoints (/) forward slash key to find your way about the flying
   area.

   Learn what the various cockpit instruments are, and how to use them. Most
   of the vital information is contained on the heads up display (HUD).
   Another vital instrument is the ADF (Auto direction finder.) To see this
   working, press the / key before takeoff and watch the ADF needle move around
   as you toggle through the waypoints. The needle is pointing to target areas.
   After take off, turn into the needle until it is pointing straight up. This
   means you will be flying towards the target. Note that waypoint 100 is always
   your home base.