MECHWARRIOR 2: MERCENARIES MERCNET INTERNET INSTRUCTIONS

NOTE:   We consider the Internet driver provided on the Mercenaries CD
        to be a beta version.  As we receive feedback from our users,
        we will attempt to address any problems that widespread use brings
        to light.

        The Internet driver provided with MercNet will be updated
        on the Activision web site (www.activision.com) and on the
        Activision BBS (310-479-1335) as new versions become available.

    ---------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------

SECTION 1 - MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNET PLAY
SECTION 2 - ABOUT INTERNET PLAY
SECTION 3 - STARTING AN INTERNET SESSION OF MERCNET
        3A      MS-DOS 6.22 AND MS-DOS MODE
        3B      MS-DOS PROMPT IN WINDOWS 95
SECTION 4 - CONNECTION PROCEDURES
        4A      CONFIGURING PPP FOR YOUR MODEM
        4B      ESTABLISHING A PPP CONNECTION TO THE INTERNET
        4C      STARTING MERCNET AND FINDING A GAME
        4D      CONNECTING DIRECTLY TO AN IP ADDRESS
        4E      DISCONNECTING
SECTION 5 - PERFORMANCE TIPS
        5A      CONNECTION SPEED
        5B      NUMBER OF PLAYERS
        5C      LOCAL OPTIONS
SECTION 6 - COMMON INSTALLATION AND CONNECTION PROBLEMS
        6A      MODEMS
        6B      ISP LOGIN
        6C      MERCNET LOBBY
        6D      GAMEPLAY
SECTION 7 - IF YOU STILL HAVE PROBLEMS...


**NOTE**

This file only contains information about the Internet
portion of MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries MercNet for MS-DOS.  For
general trouble-shooting and technical help, refer to README.TXT
and HELP.TXT located in the same directory as this file.



SECTION 1 - MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNET PLAY

- 100% IBM PC-compatible computer
- 486 DX2/66 MHz processor
- 8 MB RAM
- Microsoft MS-DOS 6.22 operating system with MSCDEX 2.10.
- Double-speed CD-ROM drive (300K/second sustained transfer rate)
- 65 MB of uncompressed hard disk space
- VESA local bus (VLB) or PCI video with 1 MB RAM
- 256 Color SVGA (640 x 480) video card
- 100% Microsoft-compatible mouse and driver
- Dedicated game card is highly recommended for joystick

- 14,400 bps 100% Hayes-compatible modem using a 16550 UART, or
  direct Internet connection
- A PPP account with an Internet service provider

Please Note: In order to host a game in MercNet for MS-DOS, the
MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries CD must be in your CD-ROM drive at all
times.



SECTION 2 - ABOUT INTERNET PLAY

-    Highly recommended that the game be played from MS-DOS MODE or DOS 
     6.22.  The MS-DOS Prompt of Windows 95 is not recommended.

-    Does not use Microsoft DirectX network drivers.

-    Does NOT use WinSock or other Windows based TCP/IP stacks.
     You can't use the Win95 dialer- you have to use the dialer 
     that comes with Mercnet.

-    Should not be installed to a compressed drive.



SECTION 3 - STARTING AN INTERNET SESSION OF MERCNET

3A.      ----------MS-DOS 6.22 AND MS-DOS MODE----------

(1)   At the DOS prompt, change to the directory where you installed
      Mercenaries.

(2)   Type MERCPPP and press the Enter key.

This will launch a batch file.  After executing several programs, the
batch file will launch the PPP dialer.  See the next section entitled
"Connection Procedures" for instructions on how to use the PPP dialer.


3B.      ----------MS-DOS PROMPT IN WINDOWS 95----------

Although we do not recommend it, the following will work on some 
machines.

(1)   Right click on the Windows Desktop, and choose "New -> Shortcut"
      from the pop-up list.  In the "Command Line" box, type COMMAND.COM,
      and click on Next.

(2)   In the "Select a name for this shortcut" box, type 
      "MERCPPP Window", then click on Finish.

(3)   Right click on the shortcut, and select "Properties" from the
      pop-up list.

(5)   In the window that appears, click on the "Program" tab.  This
      will bring up the program settings.

(6)   In the "Working:" box, type C:\MERCS (or wherever you installed
      Mercenaries).  
	  
(7)   In the "Batch file:" box, type MERCPPP.BAT

(8)   Click on the button labeled "Advanced..."  This will bring up a
      dialog box called "Advanced Program Settings."

(9)   Click once on the line that says "Prevent MS-DOS programs from
      detecting Windows" so that there is a check in the box associated
      with it.

You can now use your new short-cut anytime you want to start an
Internet session of MercNet.  It will launch the PPP dialer,
and give you a DOS prompt which you can use to run MERCNET.
See the next section entitled "Connection Procedures" for instructions 
on how to use the PPP dialer.



SECTION 4 - CONNECTION PROCEDURES

4A.      ----------CONFIGURING PPP FOR YOUR MODEM----------

The first time you run MERCPPP.BAT, it will ask you to
configure it for your particular modem and Internet service
provider.  From the PPP Menu screen, follow these steps:

(1)     A welcome box should be displayed.  
        Press ESC to continue past it to the "Profile List" box.
		
(2)     The "Current" profile is highlighted in the "Profile List" box.  
        Press the Enter key.
		
(3)     The "Configure Menu" should now appear.
        (If you have already loaded PPPMENU once during this session, 
        the "Profile List" box will appear instead.
        Press F1 to bring up the "Configure Menu".)
		
(4)     The menu item labeled "Port" should be highlighted.  
        Press the Enter key to bring up the "Port Menu" list box.
		
(5)     Select "I/O Port", press Enter, select the COM port your
        modem is on, and press Enter again.
		
(6)     If you are using an internal modem, you may need to set your IRQ.  
        Select "Interrupt", press Enter, select the IRQ line your
        modem's COM port uses, and press Enter again.
		
(7)     Press the ESC key to return to the "Configure Menu".
		
(7)     Select "Modem" and press Enter to bring up the "Modem Menu" list box.

(8)     Select "Phone Number", press Enter, type the phone number of your 
        Internet service provider, and press Enter again.
		
(9)     Press the ESC key to return to the "Configure Menu".

(10)    You should now be at the "Configure Menu" list box.  Press the
        ESC key, which should bring up a "Save Changes?" dialog box.
		
(11)    Make sure the item labeled "Save and Write NET.CFG" is
        highlighted, and press the Enter key.  This will return you
        to the "Profile List" box.
		
(12)    Press the ESC key, select "Yes", and press Enter.
        MERCPPP will then load the network driver, and take you
		back into PPPMENU so you can establish a PPP connection.


4B.      ----------ESTABLISHING A PPP CONNECTION TO THE INTERNET----------

Once you have configured MERCPPP for your modem and Internet service 
provider, MERCPPP is ready for you to connect to the Internet.

(1)     From the "Main Menu" list box, make sure the item labeled
        "Connect" is highlighted, and press the Enter key.
		
(2)     The "Profile List" box should now appear.  Highlight the
        selection labeled "Current" and press the Enter key.
		
(3)     Wait for the modem to dial and for a connection to be
        negotiated with your Internet service provider.
		
(4)     If the connection succeeds, a window will appear where you can
        enter your login information (name and password).
        If the connection doesn't succeed, you will need to repeat step 2.
		
(5)     Once your login has been validated and the PPP data stream
        begins, press Alt-S to begin PPP communication.
		
(6)     Once the "IPCP Open" message appears in the upper right corner,
        select "Exit" from the "Main Menu" to exit the PPP dialer.
        NOTE: Do not select "Hang Up", or your connection to the
        Internet will be lost.

At this point, MERCPPP tells you "You are now online!", and returns you to 
the DOS prompt.


4C.      ----------STARTING MERCNET AND FINDING A GAME----------

Once you have established a PPP connection to the Internet, and are back 
at the DOS prompt, type MERCS, and click on MercNet (or type MERCNET to go
straight there).

MercNet first goes to the "Connection Type" screen, where you should
enter your callsign, click on "WATTCP DOS Internet", and click on Select.

MercNet next takes you to the "Internet Connection" screen, which 
is like an Internet phonebook of places to find MechWarriors ready to
join combat.  Initially, it just lists the main Activision server, but 
you can add new servers or individual games if you know their IP address 
(see below).  Click on a server, then click on "Connect".
MercNet will then go to the main game selection screen, which behaves 
just as it does in normal games of MercNet.

If you get an error dialog box at this point, the server you chose
is probably unavailable.  Press CONTROL-Q, type MERCNET again, and choose 
a different server.


4D.      ----------CONNECTING DIRECTLY TO AN IP ADDRESS----------

At the "Internet Connection" screen described above, you can connect
connect directly to a game at a particular IP address even if no
servers are available near you.  To do this, add the IP address of
the person hosting the game to the Internet Connection screen's list 
of addresses.  It's easy to do; here are the steps:

(1)     Click on the button labeled "Add".  This will bring up the
        "Server Entry" dialog box.

(2)     In the text field labeled "Description", type a textual
        description to be listed with that IP address and press the
        Enter key.

(3)     In the text field labeled "IP Address", type the IP address
        you wish to connect to.

(4)     Click on the button labeled "Accept", which will return you to
        the Internet Connection screen.

(5)     Click on entry that you just created, and then click on the
        "Connect" button.

This will take you to the game selection screen, which behaves just as
it does in normal games of MercNet.  You will now be able to join
games hosted by the person whose IP address you entered.


4E.      ----------DISCONNECTING----------

When you are done fighting, and are back at the DOS prompt,
you can disconnect from your Internet Service Provider.  To do this, 
type MERCPPP from the DOS prompt and select "Hangup" from the "Main Menu".
You should also turn off your modem.  You may also wish to close
the DOS Box (in Win 95) or reboot (in DOS) to unload the drivers
loaded by MERCPPP.
      

SECTION 5 - PERFORMANCE TIPS

5A.      ----------CONNECTION SPEED----------

The faster the modem speed, the smoother the gameplay will be.
This is a variable that depends not only on the speed of your connection 
to the Internet, but also the speed of the other players' connections.  
Players on slower connections will appear to jump around the screen rather 
than move fluidly.

You may be tempted to turn compression on, or to select a line speed
much higher than the modem connection speed- but don't!
Modem compression should be turned OFF, as it causes data to be sent in 
big blocks, which makes everything jerky.  Error correction may also
cause data to be sent in big blocks, so use it with caution.

5B.      ----------NUMBER OF PLAYERS----------

The more players that participate in a game, the more data needs to be
transmitted every second.  In an 8 player game, there is too much data
for 28.8 modems to handle.  If all players are noticing jumpiness or
temporary pauses, there are probably too many players in the game for
the current speed of connection.

We recommend the following number of players per connection speed:

3 players - 14,400 bps connection
5 players - 28,800 bps connection
8 players - 57,600 bps connection


5C.      ----------LOCAL OPTIONS----------

MercNet has features that were designed to support a wide range of
computers. When you initially configure MercNet for play, MercNet will
make several default settings regarding which features should be used
and which should be turned OFF.

The trade-offs are different for each user, so we allow any machine to
run any options, but please keep in mind that the higher the level of
detail, the more demanding the machine requirements.

The two factors that most affect the performance of Mercenaries are the
speed of your processor and the speed of your video card.  Given the
limitations of your current system, there are a number of ways you
can boost the performance of the game by scaling back the features
you use:

(1)  Run the game at a low resolution.

Resolution can be adjusted by pressing the ESC key in a mission or in
the shell, and selecting "Combat Variables".  320x200 should provide
the best performance.  In 320x200 mode, less than one quarter as many
pixels get drawn per frame as in 640x480 mode.
Note: The resolution can only be changed in the shell prior to the 
fighting simulation.

(2) Turn off the cockpit and video displays.

The cockpit uses a lot of polygons and can be disabled by pressing the U
key during a mission.  The targeting video display can be disabled by
pressing F4 twice.  Avoid using other video displays such as down view,
rear view, missile view, etc.

(3) Turn off some of the combat variables.

The combat variables can be adjusted by pressing the ESC key in a
mission or in the shell, and selecting "Combat Variables".

Object Textmaps:        Try turning these OFF.
Terrain Textmaps:       Try turning these OFF.
Display Detail:         Try switching to LOW.
Object Density:         Try switching to LOW.
Explosion Chunks:       Try turning these OFF.
Particles:              Try turning these OFF.
Multiple Lights:        Try turning these OFF.
Shadows:                Try turning these OFF.

Implementing just some of the changes listed above should be sufficient
to get the game running reasonably on any machine. Other options can be
left ON, as their performance cost is low.  


Here are some recommended performance guidelines:

486 (all speeds):         320x200, all options off
Pentium (60-75mhz):       320x200, all options off
Pentium (90-133mhz):      320x200, all options on
                                  -or-
                          640x480, all options off except shadows
Pentium (150-200mhz):     640x480, all options on



SECTION 6 - COMMON INSTALLATION AND CONNECTION PROBLEMS


6A.      ----------MODEMS----------

***Question***
  I don't know what COM port and IRQ to use.  Help!
***Answer***
  MERCPPP installs a helpful utility called PPPSHARE\FIND_COM.EXE which
  finds all the COM ports.  To use it, go to the DOS prompt, then type
     CD \MERCS
     MERCPPP		 (if you haven't run it once already)
     CD PPPSHARE
     FIND_COM
  Then write down the COM ports and IRQ settings it displays, and 
  enter the right one into MERCPPP next time you run it.
  Be careful not to use the same COM port as your mouse uses!
  
***Question***
  The game cannot detect my modem when I am in DOS. Is this a problem
  with my modem?
***Answer***
  You may have an internal U.S. Robotics WinModem. This modem is not
  compatible with DOS programs.  Also, it does not emulate the regular
  serial chips so it cannot be detected by DOS.
  Modems that say "Windows Only" really mean it- they can't be used with DOS
  games.
  
***Question***
  I am trying to play the game in DOS 6.22 using the modem on my 
  Aptiva/M-Wave system, but I can't get it to work. How come this is
  happening?
***Answer***
  The M-Wave modem supports MercNet DOS from a Windows 95 DOS prompt and 
  DOS 7.0.  However, the M-Wave modem cannot be used in DOS 6.X.
  
***Question***
  The person I was playing with got disconnected and now I want to play
  again. What do I do?
***Answer***
  You must return to the Transport Selection screen and repeat the
  process you used to connect the first time.
  
***Question***
  My modem does not respond when I call the modem of another player who 
  has just disconnected from a previous game.
***Answer***
  If it is an external modem, switch it off and then on and try to 
  connect. If it is an internal modem, go back to the MERCS directory 
  and then return to MercNet and try connecting again.
  
***Question***
  There seems to be a lag in game play and the other 'Mechs keep 
  disappearing when using modems and slower machines.
***Answer***
  Your machine probably has an old 8250 serial chip. You need to upgrade
  to a serial port with a 16550 serial chip. You can tell what kind of
  serial chip you have by running MSD.
  
  
***Question***
  How do I disable call waiting?
***Answer***
  If your phone line has the Disable Call Waiting feature, you can
  disable call waiting by including the appropriate command in front of
  the phone number you are calling. This will prevent anyone from
  interrupting the call. For example:
  
  Name: John Doe
  Number: *70,,,1-818-555-1212
  
  Where "*70" is the code to disable call waiting, and the commas (,) are
  simply used to provide a delay so you can hear the special dial tone 
  that acknowledges your code. Check with your local phone company 
  regarding how to disable call waiting for your particular area; you 
  might need to use some other code instead of *70, for instance, #70.
  
  Only the person placing the call can disable call waiting!
  
  
6B.      ----------ISP LOGIN----------
  
***Question***
  I don't have an Internet service provider.  How do I get one?
***Answer***
  On the North American version of Mercenaries, there is an offer for an
  Internet service provider included on the CD (see the information card
  in the box for details).
  
***Question***
  My username and password are not accepted by my Internet service
  provider. I keep getting a message that says "Invalid login" or
  "Username not found".
***Answer***
  This indicates that your account with your Internet service provider is
  not active, or that you have forgotten your login information.  Please
  contact your Internet service provider directly to address this
  problem.
  
***Question***
  How do I get my Internet service provider to use PPP?
***Answer***
  Most Internet service providers (ISP's) include PPP access as part of
  their standard package.  Contact your Internet service provider for
  specific instructions on how to get your account set up for PPP access.
  Some ISP's have different phone numbers for PPP access, while others
  assign a different username to activate PPP.
  
***Question***
  My LAN has a direct connection to the Internet.  How can I play
  Mercnet over the 'Net?
***Answer***
  Mercnet uses the Packet Driver API to access the ethernet card.
  It reads the IP address and gateway from the file WATTCP.CFG.
  If you have the WATTCP utilities installed and working, you can
  use the same WATTCP.CFG for Mercnet as you do for them.
  Check out http://dark.uwaterloo.edu for more information on Wattcp
  and Internet applications based upon it.
  
  
6C.      ----------MERCNET LOBBY----------
  
***Question***
  Why does it take so long to bring up the MercNet pilot's lounge?
***Answer***
  There is some delay while MercNet is negotiating with the remote host
  for the game and player information.
  
***Question***
  Why do some players' messages come in bursts in the chat window?
***Answer***
  Depending on each player's type of Internet access, they may encounter
  latency problems that delay the transmission of their data.
  
***Question***
  After I play a game over the Internet, and try to switch back to playing
  IPX games, I can't get into the list of games!
***Answer***
  This is a known problem that will be fixed in the final release of the
  Internet driver.  For now, if you want to play over IPX after playing
  over the Internet, quit out of MercNet and start it again before selecting
  IPX.
  
  
6D.      ----------GAMEPLAY----------
  
***Question***
  Why does the other player's 'Mech seem to jump around and jitter?
***Answer***
  This happens when there is a lot of delay between another player
  sending information and your computer receiving it.  To avoid this
  problem, try a faster connection, try playing with less people in
  each game, or try playing other people who use your Internet service provider.
  See the section labeled "Performance Tips" in this document for details.
  
***Question***
  The other player disappeared briefly and then reappeared in a different
  place.  Why did this happen?
***Answer***
  This occurs when there is a momentary block in the flow of data from
  the other computer to your computer.  This can be due to network
  traffic, or due to temporary slow-downs on the other player's machine.
  
***Question***
  The other player disappeared and never came back again.
***Answer***
  This means that your connection to the other player has been severed at
  some point.  It may be that one of the Internet service providers in
  the connection had a server block up, or it may mean there was a
  problem with one of the players' computers on either end.
  
***Question***
  I keep hitting the other player dead on, but his 'Mech takes damage
  very slowly.
***Answer***
  This happens when there is a lot of delay between another player
  sending information and your computer receiving it.  To avoid this
  problem, try a faster connection, and try playing with other people
  who use your Internet service provider.  This will ensure that the
  data doesn't have to travel over to many bridges.
  
***Question***
  I am unable to do any damage to another player.
***Answer***
  This can happen if there is a long delay in getting data to or from
  the other computer.  If the delay clears up, gameplay will return to
  normal. If not, try reconnecting or finding players who are using the
  same Internet service provider as you.
  
***Question***
  The other player sees his 'Mech in a totally different position than
  where I see his 'Mech.
***Answer***
  This can happen if there is a long delay in getting data to or from
  the other computer.  If the delay clears up, gameplay will return to
  normal.  If not, try reconnecting or finding players who are using the
  same Internet service provider as you.
  
***Question***
  Why don't my joystick settings carry over from Mercenaries for Windows 95?
***Answer***
  Mercenaries for Windows 95 uses a different file for joystick
  configuration than MercNet and Mercenaries for DOS.  To configure
  your joystick for MercNet, run the DOS version of Mercenaries
  (MERCS.EXE) and use the "Cockpit Controls" screen from the "Options"
  button.
  
***Question***
  Why don't I hear any sound in the missions?
***Answer***
  If you installed the Windows 95 version of Mercenaries, you will need to
  run SETSOUND.BAT from your Mercenaries directory to configure your sound
  card for MercNet.



SECTION 7 - IF YOU STILL HAVE PROBLEMS...

Be sure to consult the Mercenaries Help file first- it contains answers to
some of the most frequently asked questions, and might help you solve
the problem faster.  If, after reviewing the Mercenaries Help file, you 
are still experiencing problems, or if you have any comments, questions 
or suggestions about Mercenaries, please feel free to contact us via any 
of the online services listed below.
When you report your problem, be sure to include the following information
in your message:

1.  Complete product title.

2.  Exact error message reported (if any) and a brief description of 
    the problem.

3.  Your computer's processor type and speed (e.g. 486 DX2/66, Pentium
    90...)

4.  Video and sound card makes and models (e.g. Diamond Stealth 
    64 video, Sound Blaster 16 sound...)

5.  Network information (e.g. driver you're selecting in MercNet, name
    of your Internet Service Provider, modem or direct connection,
    speed of modem or direct connection)

Please note: support for MercNet is provided through online services only.  


Online Services
---------------

Services with Activision Forums, E-Mail and File Library Support:

Internet E-mail:	
     support@activision.com
World Wide Web:	
     http://www.activision.com
America Online:
     Use keyword Activision to locate the Activision forum.
Microsoft Network:
     From any MSN window, pull down the Edit menu and select Go 
     To and then Other Location. At the prompt, type "Activision"
     and click OK.
CompuServe:
     76004,2122 or [GO GAMBPUB]
Activision BBS:
     310-479-1335 Up to 28,800 baud; Settings: 8 Bits, No 
     Parity, 1 Stop Bit (8, N, 1)


North America
-------------

Fax:

310-479-7355, 24 hours a day

FaxBack:

310-473-6453, 24 hours a day

Mail:

Activision
Customer Support
P.O. Box 67713
Los Angeles, CA 90067



UK and Europe
----------------------

Activision
Long Island House, 3A
1/4 Warple Way
London, W3 ORQ
United Kingdom.

Technical Support:   0990 143525
Customer Service:    0181 7429400

You can contact UK Customer Service between the hours of 
1:00pm and 5:00pm (UK Time) Monday through Friday (except
holidays).


Australia and Pacific Rim
--------------------------------

ACTIVISION AUSTRALIA AND PACIFIC RIM
P.O. Box 873
Epping, NSW 2121
Australia

Phone:			1902 962 000


FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND CUSTOMER SERVICE IN AREAS NOT LISTED, PLEASE
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR OR ACTIVISION VIA AN ONLINE SERVICE.  
(PLEASE NOTE: ACTIVISION ONLINE SUPPORT IS IN ENGLISH ONLY).
