                       ImagiNation Network (INN)
                      Common Problems & Solutions
                      ===========================

This following information was developed after the ImagiNation Network
manual was printed.  If you're having difficulty installing or running
INN, please read this document carefully.

CAN'T HEAR THE MODEM DIAL -
-------------------------
If you can't hear the modem pick up the phone and dial, then INN is
having trouble finding your modem.  You may need to change the COM port
setting for INN.  To do this, go into the directory into which you
installed the INN software, run the Install program, and choose "COM
Port" from the menu and select a different check marked selection.

NOT ENOUGH MEMORY -
-----------------
If you get the message "Not Enough Memory..." before starting INN or
during game play, you need to make a DOS Boot Disk.  A Boot Disk will
create an optimal setup for your computer to install and play INN.

To make a INN Boot Disk run the program BOOTDISK.EXE from either the #1
diskette (if you haven't already installed the software) or from the
directory into which you installed the INN software.  After creating the
Boot Disk, restart your computer with the Boot Disk still in the A:
drive.

INN GIVES AN ERROR #12 -
----------------------
Make sure you've chosen the modem brand that you have installed in your
computer.  You can re-run the Install program to check what brand modem
you have installed and change it to the correct brand if necessary.  For
additional information on this problem, see the technical information on
Error #12 below.

SUFFERING FROM EXCESSIVE DISCONNECTIONS? -
----------------------------------------
If you are finding you are getting disconnected from the ImagiNation
Network an excessive number of times, and specified 9600 baud as your
communication speed in the Install program, try re-running the Install
and change your communication speed setting to 2400 baud instead.  More
times than not, this will solve the problem.


                    ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION
                    ================================

NON-STANDARD IRQ AND COM PORT CONFIGURATIONS -
--------------------------------------------
If you have a non-standard IRQ setting for your modem, run the Install
program and change the COM Port setting by moving the highlight bar to
the COM Port line, hit Enter, and choose "Non-standard..." at the bottom
of the COM port list.

Note: You will always be told that your system does not appear to support
this choice.  This is the nature of a non-standard system and should not
be cause for alarm.

You will then be prompted for the IRQ and I/O Address settings.  If you 
are unsure as to what you need to select, just hit F1 for Help and you 
will be given information that should help you in determining the proper
answers for these prompts.  

Remember, in most cases you cannot adversely affect your system in any 
way by making an incorrect selection, at worse you will simply have to 
re-run this process and indicate a different selection.

MORE ABOUT COM PORTS -
--------------------
If you have an internal modem, please examine the COM port settings of
any previously installed Asynchronous Communications Adapters (ASYNC) or
multi-function boards, as well as the COM port setting of the internal
modem, to ensure there are no addressing conflicts.

COM ports 1 and 3 share IRQ #4.  COM ports 2 and 4 share IRQ #3. We
recommend that if you have a mouse on COM 1 you should set your internal
modem to COM 2.  If another device in your computer conflicts with COM
2, try setting your modem to COM 4.  Avoid using COM 3 if you have a
serial mouse on COM 1.

MORE ABOUT BOOT DISKS -
---------------------
A Boot Disk will allow you to bypass your computer's normal
configuration to create an optimal environment for installing and
playing INN.  To make a INN Boot Disk, run the BOOTDISK.EXE program from
either Disk #1 (if you have not already installed INN) or from the
directory into which INN is installed.  After creating the Boot Disk,
restart your computer with the Boot Disk in the A: drive.

A Boot Disk will not alter your existing system configuration.  Your
computer is designed to recognize a Boot Disk in the A: drive as an
alternate method of starting and configuring itself.  You might think of
the Boot Disk as your INN Startup Disk.  It's the best method we have of
ensuring that your memory configuration is set to best run INN.

SOUND BLASTER - ADLIB -
---------------------
Since INN uses mostly FM synthesis music, you can eliminate many Sound
Blaster conflicts by simply choosing AdLib as your music device in the
Install program.

OF MICE & MODEMS -
----------------
If you have an internal modem and a serial mouse you must make sure that
they aren't both using the same COM port.  Your modem and mouse each
need their own COM ports and IRQ interrupts.  Setting both mouse and
modem to the same COM port or interrupt may cause problems.  Changing
your modem to COM 2 or COM 4 (see your modem instruction manual for
directions) should resolve most conflicts.

AN ENEMY PLANE SHOT DOWN MY MOUSE -
---------------------------------
Occasionally, on a few brands of computers, you might find that your
mouse is misbehaving after a game of Red Baron.  Perhaps every time you
click on something, you get help instead of actually doing what you told
your computer to do.  What's happening is that your computer thinks you
are pressing one of the shift keys.  You can fix the problem by pressing
and releasing the two shift keys (you don't have to press them at the
same time.  Just press and release each one).

I CAN'T GET THERE FROM HERE (Reconnect Failure) -
-----------------------------------------------
When you move from one area to another on INN you actually change from
one host machine to another.  Although you can't see it, your software
tells the network to disconnect you from your current host machine and
connect you to another one.  In order for the network to get the message
to move you, it must receive a break signal from your modem.

If your modem isn't configured properly, the break signal may not be
passed through to the network properly.  If this occurs you will see a
"Reconnect failure" error message and INN will automatically re-dial the
modem to re-establish your connection.  Most often the solution is to
add a command to the modem initialization string that changes the way
break signals are handled.

The Install program has a list of initialization strings for various
makes and models of modems.  Check for yours in the "Modem model"
section of the program.  If your modem is not listed, start by choosing
"ImagiNation Network Default Settings".  If that doesn't work with your
modem, try one of the two "Generic" switchless modems.

Some modems designed with Rockwell ROM chips have problems sending a
break signal due to the design of the control chips.  The two modems
best known to exhibit this behavior are the Boca 14.4K internal Fax
modem and the Gateway Telepath internal 14.4K Fax modem.

Our programmers have designed an alternate modem driver that works
around this hardware problem.  While this replacement driver was
designed specifically for the Boca and Gateway modems, other 14.4K
internal fax modems that use a Rockwell chipset may benefit.  You can
choose this driver by selecting "Generic switchless (alternate)" in the
"Modem model" section of the Install program.

9600 BPS V.32 Connections -
-------------------------
In order for INN to successfully connect and reconnect you must disable
MNP 5 error correction.  Our modem initialization strings automatically
disable MNP.  If your modem isn't listed in our setup strings check your
modem manual, or call your modem manufacturer, and insert the control
codes to disable MNP 5 error correction.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT VIRTUAL MEMORY -
--------------------------------
With our ever-increasing variety and attention to detail, things just
got a little big.  So we needed more memory.  Well, we looked really hard,
and we found a couple of ways to get it.  One way is what we call Virtual
Memory (VM to its closest friends).

If our software finds that your are running low on available 
conventional memory (less than 580K), it will attempt to use any 
available Extended memory (XMS) or Expanded memory (EMS) your computer 
may have.  The Virtual Memory system requires a minimum of 311,296 bytes 
of XMS or EMS memory.  It can use up to 1,048,576 bytes of XMS or EMS if 
available.  Our Boot Disk Maker (BOOTDISK.EXE) will attempt to install an 
XMS manager if you have DOS 5.0 or higher.

If you do not have enough available XMS or EMS memory, the Virtual
Memory feature will use some of the space on your hard disk for
temporary storage, in much the same way that Microsoft Windows (tm)
uses its temporary swap files.  This works as long as you have at least
one megabyte of available space on your hard disk.  But it has one 
drawback - it can seem slow at times.  You'll know that VM is active 
because your cursor will look like a 3.5" diskette.


                               VOLUME CONTROL
                               ==============

Have you heard the opening music for INN so many times that you're 
humming it in the shower?  Have the neighbors called asking that you 
turn down the map music?  Well, now you can either turn the music 
down, or turn it off altogether.  To accomplish this you simply need to 
add the line LOGONVOL=0 to the LSCI.CFG file on your hard disk.  This 
will shut the music off in the dialing screen and the map.  If you wish 
to lower it, simply increase the number from 0.   The maximum volume is 
127.  After you are done editing the LSCI.CFG file, run the INSTALL 
program and choose "Accept these choices and save configuration" 
without changing any of the values.  From then on, the music and sound 
effects you hear when logging on will be turned off.

                                  SEASONS
                                  =======

INN has seasonal maps! If at any time you would like to restore
the original INN main map, you may add the following line to the
LSCI.CFG file in your INN directory:

    SEASONS=OFF

To turn seasons back on, either remove that line or replace the word
OFF with ON.  To force INN to show a particular season, replace the
word OFF or ON with WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER, or FALL. 

Make sure to run the INSTALL program after making any changes.  When
you see the main menu of the INSTALL program, select "Accept these
choices and save configuration" to save the new settings.  This
will compleate and save the changes you made.  Otherwise you may
notice that when you go from land to land the map screen changes.

Unless you have specified a particular season, the seasons are
dependent on your computer's internal clock setting.  If your
computers' internal clock is wrong, the seasons will not change
correctly.

                 ERROR MESSAGES AND THEIR MEANINGS
                 =================================

ERROR #1 -
--------
The connection to INN has been lost.  Check to make sure that someone
else in your household isn't attempting to log on to INN using the same
Member number.  If two people log on at the same time using the same 
number they will both be dropped.

ERROR #8 -
--------
The system that lets you reach out and touch INN is busy at the phone
number you chose during the installation process.  If you wait a few
minutes and try connecting again, you should be able to get through.  
If the number nearest you is busy on a regular basis, please call
1-800-462-4461 (between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm PST, seven days a week) and
report the busy phone number.

In the interim you can try calling another nearby access node, but YOU
WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TOLL OR LONG-DISTANCE CHARGES. Run the
Install program from the directory into which you installed INN, choose
"Access Phone #", and press F1 for a list of local access numbers.

ERROR #9 -
--------
First, double-check the Network access number you chose for INN to call.
Make sure you've selected an access number from the list in the INSTALL
program.

If you cannot hear your modem pick up the phone and dial, the "COM Port"
setting in the Install program may be incorrect.  Check which COM port
your modem is using, re-run Install and choose that COM port.  Also,
check to make sure your phone line is plugged into the modem.

If you have an internal modem, and if you can hear the modem go off
hook, dial, and connect, but you still get Error #9, try changing the
COM port the modem uses.  If your modem is set to COM 2 or COM 3 try
changing to COM 4.  Check your modem manual for the proper switch
settings or jumper positions to change the COM port on the modem.

ERROR #10 -
---------
Verify the network access number by running the INSTALL program.  If you
have selected a valid network access number, then the system that lets
you reach out and touch INN may be experiencing network trouble.  If the
problem persists for more than a few minutes, call 1-800-462-4461
(between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm PST, seven days a week) and report the
problem, including the number you are calling, so that we can get it
fixed.

In the interim you can try calling another nearby access node, but YOU
WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TOLL OR LONG-DISTANCE CHARGES.  Run the
Install program in the directory into which you installed INN directory,
choose "Access Phone #", and press F1 for a list of local access
numbers.

ERROR #12 -
---------
Your modem initialization string may need modification.  INN works best
if MNP 5 error correction is disabled.  If your modem is not on the list
of modem models in the Install program and the default choice gives you
this error, check your modem manual for the initialization command that
disables MNP error correction.  While advanced modem commands vary,
often this command is AT&Q0 or AT\N0.  If you are unable to find the
commands to disable MNP error correction please call INN Tech Support at
1-800-462-4461 between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm PST, seven days a week.

ERROR #13 -
---------
The system that lets you reach out and touch INN may be experiencing
network trouble.  If the problem persists for more than a few minutes,
please call 1-800-462-4461 (between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm PST, seven days a
week) and report the problem, including the number you are calling, so
that we can get it fixed.

In the interim you can try calling another nearby access node, but YOU
WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TOLL OR LONG-DISTANCE CHARGES.  Run the
Install program in the directory into which you installed INN and press
F1 in the access number screen for a list of local access numbers.

ERROR #21 -
---------
Reconnection Failure can be caused by two conditions.  First, check your
modem initialization line to make sure that the modem init string
disables MNP error correction.  Second, if your modem has the Rockwell
ROM chips you may need to use the alternate modem driver. If you are
receiving this error and your modem does not appear on the modem model
list in the Install program, please call 1-800-462-4461 (between 8:00 am
and 10:00 pm PST, seven days a week).

ERROR #999 -
----------
This indicates that you have encountered an unknown problem and the
system was unable to determine what went wrong.  This error message
indicates that something unusual that the software cannot identify
occurred on your system.  Check your system configuration for COM port
conflicts and available memory.  If you have an external modem your
serial cable may be defective.  Try switching serial cables and see if
the problem persists.  If you continue to get this error please call
1-800-462-4461 (between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm PST, seven days a week).

UNABLE TO LOAD VIDEO DRIVER -
---------------------------
This indicates that the LSCI.CFG file in the directory into which you
have installed the INN software has been damaged.  To fix this run the
Install program, make sure the Video option is set correctly, and choose
"Accept these choices".  This will re-write the LSCI.CFG file for the
INN software.


                       INN TECHNICAL SUPPORT
                       =====================

If you experience problems installing or operating INN, or if you have
any questions concerning any of the above steps, our Technical Support
team will be happy to assist you.

CONTACTING INN TECHNICAL SUPPORT - 
-------------------------------- 
Please call 1-800-462-4461 between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm PST, seven days a
week.  You can also reach us on INN at mailbox #950, by fax at (209)
642-0885, by TTY/TDD (for the hearing impaired) at (209) 658-7977, or by
mail at the following address:

                        The ImagiNation Network
                             P.O. BOX 1550
                           Oakhurst, CA 93644
                        ATTN: Technical Support

BEFORE YOU CALL -
---------------
To help us provide the best service possible please be in front of your
computer when you call and have the following information ready: What is
your member number or Mailbox number?  Modem brand name and type
(internal or external)?  What COM port is the modem is set to?  Do you
have a Serial or Bus mouse?  Are you getting an Error message?  What
network access phone number did you choose for the program to call?
