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                           MATH CIRCUS
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This README.TXT text contains additions and alterations to the manual.

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                             CONTENTS
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                1.   Arranging to launch from Windows
                2.   SOUND when launched from DOS
                3.   SOUND when launched from Windows
                4.   Mouse problems

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 1.                  Arranging to launch from Windows
==========================================================================

This software is designed to run under DOS, but (as with many DOS
programs) it may be launched from Windows if you wish.  The way to achieve
this is much the same under all versions of Windows.  The exact details
described here apply to Windows 3.1.

First you must install the software to your hard drive as described in the 
manual.  It is assumed in these instructions that you have installed it in 
the directory C:\CIRCUS.  If you have installed it somewhere else, 
such as C:\MATHCIRC, then replace C:\MATHCIRC with C:\CIRCUS in the
following instructions.

Start Windows, and choose the group in which you want the new item to 
appear.  Ensure that the title bar of this group is highlighted (by 
clicking anywhere in this window).

From the main "Program manager" menu, choose "File" then "New" (by clicking, 
or by pressing ALT then F then N).  Click on the "Program Item" button, then
click on "OK".  Now type in the three lines of text as follows.  Do NOT 
press ENTER to move from line to line, but use the TAB key or the mouse 
instead:
        Description:          Math Circus         
        Command Line:         C:\CIRCUS\CIRCUS.EXE
        Working Directory:    C:\CIRCUS

The "Description" may be any text you wish.  The "Working Directory" must
be the full path name of the directory where you installed the software. 
The "Command Line" should be the same path name, plus the "\" symbol, 
plus CIRCUS.EXE.

The remaining step is to arrange for a suitable icon to be displayed.  
Click on "Change icon", and ignore any message saying that no icons are 
available (by clicking on the "OK" button).  A window labelled "Change Icon" 
will appear.  Click on "Browse" then navigate your way to the directory 
C:\CIRCUS.  Double-click on the filename CIRCUS.ICO.  Finally 
keep clicking on "OK" buttons to complete the process.


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 2.                     SOUND when launched from DOS
==========================================================================

The variety of sound cards and their related software drivers is constantly 
changing.  This software endeavors to provide correct sound effects under 
a wide range of conditions, but there are certain limitations.

The sound menu offers you various options for sound effects.

        Sound effects: no
                This turns off all sound effects (except the opening
                music, which can be turned on or off separately).
                This should work correctly on all computers.
        Sound effects: yes
                This will attempt to produce sound effects, depending
                on the sound card setting.
        Sound card: none
                Use this if you have no sound card, or if you experience
                problems with the other settings.  The sounds will be
                "beeps" via the internal computer speaker, and this 
                should work on all computers.
        Sound card: SB16
                Use this setting if you have a Sound Blaster 16 card, or
                a later Sound Blaster card.  It will also work
                for certain earlier cards if you have updated drivers.
        Sound Card: SB2/SBPro
                Use this setting if you have a Sound Blaster 1.5 or 2,
                or a Sound Blaster Pro card.

Many other cards emulate either SB16 or SB2/SBPro.

The first time you use the software, it will try to determine what sound 
card you have (if any), and will try to choose the setting appropriately.  
Normally it will therefore not be necessary to alter the setting.

If you choose to alter the setting to "SB16" or "SB2/SBPro" yourself, then 
an error message will be given if any part of the sound system appears not to
be working.  This error message will appear when the fault is discovered, 
which will typically be when you next try one of the puzzles with 
sound effect turned on.  If this happens, start again and choose a different 
setting.

Each time the software starts, it checks that the current setting is 
suitable.  If any problems are found, it automatically changes the setting
to "Sound card: none" and continues.

Not all errors with sound cards are predictable!  In the worst possible 
situation, the system may hang rather than give an error message.  If this 
happens, reboot the computer, go to the directory where you installed
Math Circus, and give the command SOUNDOFF.  This alters the settings to 
"Sound card: none", and turns off sound effects and music.  This will
avoid using the sound card and thus should avoid the error.  You may then
wish to turn sound effects or music on again, but you should leave the
sound card setting at "None".


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 3.                     SOUND when launched from Windows
==========================================================================

These comments are in addition to section 2, "SOUND when launched from DOS", 
which you should read first, and they assume that you have already arranged 
for the software to be launched from Windows.  (See section 1 for details 
about how to achieve this.)

There are additional known problems involved in using sound in a DOS
program when it is launched from Windows.  These problems apply to all such
programs, and are to do with the way that Windows emulates DOS.  They apply
to versions of Windows at least up to 3.11, and to some sound cards and 
drivers.

These problems result in unpredictable errors, particularly with SB16
sound cards.  Typically you may receive a message indicating that a device 
is already in use or is unavailable, but at other times the whole system 
may hang.  

If this happens, use the SOUNDOFF command from the DOS prompt as described 
above.  Go the the DOS prompt (either in Windows, or by quitting Windows), 
navigate to the directory where you installed Math Circus, and give the
command SOUNDOFF.  After this, you should be able to use Math Circus either 
from the DOS prompt or from within Windows.  You can turn sound effects or
music on again, but you should leave the sound card setting as "None".

==========================================================================
 4.                     MOUSE problems
==========================================================================

This software is designed to work with a standard Microsoft mouse.  Many 
other types of mouse are compatible with this, so will also work.

If you do not have a mouse, you can use the SPACE BAR to move through the 
available choices, then ENTER to make your selection.

If you have a mouse but it does not work properly, there are two likely
causes.

The first possibility is that you do not have a mouse driver installed.  
The pointer will appear, and you will be able to control it using the space 
bar and ENTER, but moving the mouse will have no effect on the pointer.
Note that Windows uses is own separate mouse driver, so the fact that your 
mouse works in Windows does NOT mean that you have a mouse driver for DOS
programs suitably installed.  Usually a suitable driver is provided with 
your mouse, complete with installation instructions.  If in doubt, contact 
your dealer and ask for a DOS mouse driver for your mouse.

The second possibility is that your mouse in not Microsoft compatible, 
or that you have mouse-driver software that is non-standard or is not 
consistent with the drivers in common use when Math Circus was written.  
Unfortunately there may be instances where later Microsoft drivers are not 
entirely consistent with their earlier drivers.
  
At worst this may cause the pointer to remain fixed, and even the SPACE BAR
and ENTER will not work.  In this case, it is necessary to disable the 
mouse.  To do this, use the /N option:

To install, use       A:\INSTALL /N    instead of      A:\INSTALL
To run, use           CIRCUS /N        instead of      CIRCUS

The /N option causes the software to disregard the mouse, so that you will  
be able to drive the software by using the SPACE BAR and the ENTER key.


Date of this README file:
September 1995


 