      Mindscape, Inc.

        M E T A L   M A R I N E S

      Copyright (C) 1994 Mindscape, Inc.
      Copyright (C) 1993 Namco, Inc.
      All Rights Reserved.

This README.TXT file includes any last-minute information
not available when the printed manual and on-line help
files went to press.  Any information in this file replaces
or supplements the printed and on-line documentation.

Microsoft Windows(tm), and all other trademarks are
property of their respective owners.

===========================================================

* USERS OF PCI-BASED COMPUTERS
  Some systems with the newer PCI bus architecture may lock
  up when the "Connect" button in the serial or modem
  connections dialog is pressed.

  These systems, especially those with 16550 compatible
  UART serial port controllers, sometimes experience 
  difficulties which crash the machine when the port is
  opened.
  
  To play a head-to-head modem or serial game on such a
  computer, follow these steps to ensure a good connection.
  (1) If you are using an external modem, turn it on before
  you turn on your machine. (2) Boot your system and load
  Windows. (3) Run Metal Marines and select your
  connections options. (4) Press the "Connect" button
  before your opponent does.

  If both players are using systems which have this
  problem, connections are possible if both players
  press the "Connect" button simultaneously.  (Modem or
  distant players may of course find this difficult to do.)
  
  Contact your hardware manufacturer for any updates to the
  Microsoft Windows system files which may alleviate this
  problem.


* WAVEMIX.INI
  On some systems, the sound mixing system in WAVEMIX.DLL
  does not choose a suitable buffer size automatically.
  If the sounds in the game are very "choppy," or sound as
  if they are stuttering, the buffer size may be too small
  to play sounds smoothly.

  In the file WAVEMIX.INI, you can add the following
  settings for sound effect mixing:
      [default]
      WaveBlocks=3
      WaveBlockLen=4096
  
  If the [default] section (or the WAVEMIX.INI file) does
  not exist, create it and add the other value lines to
  it.  These values should allow for smooth sounds on
  almost all systems.
  
  A sample WAVEMIX.INI with these and many other options
  for particular sound cards is on the first diskette of
  the Metal Marines setup diskettes. Copy it to your
  Windows directory (where WIN.COM is) or refer to it if
  you wish to make changes to your existing file.

  If problems persist on your sound setup, you can disable
  WAVEMIX.DLL in Metal Marines by adding the following
  setting to the game options file METAL.INI:
      [System]
      WaveMix=0

  Sounds will now play directly to the Microsoft Windows
  sound devices, with the caveat that some sounds will cut
  others off in the middle.  This may be more acceptable
  than stuttering all sounds in order to mix them.


* 14.4Kbps (or faster) MODEMS
  Metal Marines does not support 14.4Kbps modem or serial
  connections.  However, a 9600bps connection is more than
  adequate for this game due to the efficient data
  transfers that Metal Marines uses during game play.
  Direct serial connections up to 19.2Kbps are supported.
  
  Consult your modem or computer hardware documentation for
  more details concerning modem or serial connections.


* BASIC MIDI
  Some music adapter cards have several options for their
  MIDI patch table preferences.  The theme music for
  Metal Marines was written to take advantage of either
  a "Basic" MIDI setup (using the channels 13 through 16),
  or "Extended" MIDI setup (using channels 1 through 10).
  Due to inconsistencies in MIDI standards between
  different music cards, the music may sound less than
  perfect if you are set up to use "General" MIDI patches.
  
  Consult your sound hardware documentation for more
  details concerning MIDI patch setups.


* PEN USERS and MOUSE MACROS
  In the on-line documentation, the terms "left-click,"
  "right-click," "left double clicks" and so on are used
  to describe mouse features.  Users of pen tablets or
  mouse macro products may have their pointing devices
  configured differently.  If so, please interpret this
  language accordingly.
  
  Consult your pointing device and Microsoft Windows
  documentation for more details concerning your mouse or
  pen options.


* LANGUAGE PREFERENCE
  When you run Metal Marines for the first time, if there
  are multiple language DLLs (such as METALENG.DLL for
  English) installed, a dialog will prompt you for a
  language choice.

  If you later install a new language choice, Metal Marines
  will not give you a choice to use the new language until
  the preference has been cleared.  Run Metal Marines, and
  in the Tactical Menu, choose "Language Preference" or
  press Ctrl+L.  Exit Metal Marines.  The next time you run,
  if there are multiple valid language DLLs, the language
  choice dialog will again be presented.

  (As a bonus feature, the METALPIG.DLL is included for
  play in "Pig Latin."  Follow the instructions above to
  erase your normal language preference, but when you reload
  Metal Marines, hold Ctrl+Shift.  If done properly, the
  dialog will allow you to choose Igpay Atinlay [Pig Latin]
  as your language.  The sentence "Pig Latin is a silly
  language" is said in Pig Latin as "Igpay Atinlay isay ay
  illysay anguagelay."  Mindscape has provided the Pig Latin
  language as a bonus feature, but does not support the
  Pig Latin language.  Please switch to your native language
  before you call Mindscape's Technical Support line for any
  other technical assistance.)

* Setup creates an icon for the Metal Marines Technical
  Readouts program.  If you start the Technical Readout
  application, you will see the specs for the Metal Marine
  unit itself.  Using the PgUp and PgDn keys, or the Enter
  key, you can view other data on other units used in
  the Metal Marines battlefields.  The Esc key (or the
  usual system menu button) allow you to leave the
  Technical Readouts program.

* Mindscape Technical Support 
  Be sure to have your product manual and game software
  ready when you call.

        Technical Support       (415) 883-5157
        Fax Line                (415) 883-0367

        America Online          Keyword: Toolworks
        CompuServe              GO TOOLWORKS
        Internet                sftwxtek@aol.com
        Automated Support       (800) 409-1497

        Mindscape Technical Support
        60 Leveroni Court
        Novato, CA  94949
