

        
          Installing and Running the ImagiNation Network in Windows 3.1
          
          
          
          
          --Remember!
          The ImagiNation Network software requires MS-DOS. We do not 
          support or recommend using another operating system such as 
          Windows 3.1. 
          Although the ImagiNation Network may work just fine under 
          Windows 3.1, we have not thoroughly tested it. If you have any 
          problems using the ImagiNation Network under Windows 3.1, you 
          may get the best information if you contact Microsoft 
          directly. However, you can use these instructions to attempt 
          to access the ImagiNation Network using Windows 3.1. 
          Keep in mind that these instructions may not work for 
          everyone. When in doubt, use DOS to get online in the 
          ImagiNation Network.
          
          
          --System Requirements
          To run ImagiNation in Windows, you need at least a 386/SX 25 
          Mhz computer, MS-DOS Version 5.0 (or later) and Microsoft 
          Windows Version 3.1 running in Enhanced Mode with 4 MB RAM.
          You must have a minimum of 585K of free conventional memory
          in your DOS session.
          
          
          --Installation
          1. Insert your ImagiNation CD or Diskette #1 into the 
          computer.
          2. From the Windows Program Manager, click FILE on the menu 
          bar.
          3. From the FILE menu, click on RUN.
          4. In the Command Line field, type the path and filename of 
          ImagiNation's installation program. 
                For Example:
                If installing from a diskette in the A drive, you would 
          type: 
                A:\INSTALL 
                
                If installing from a CD in the D drive, you would type: 
                D:\INSTALL
          5. Once you've entered the command, click on the OK button.
          6. Follow the on-screen prompts from the Install program.
          
          



          --Running the ImagiNation Network under Windows 3.1
          Even though ImagiNation is a DOS program, a Windows Program 
          Information File (PIF) is included with your ImagiNation 
          software. This PIF tells Windows about ImagiNation's memory 
          and video requirements so that Windows can better manage the 
          program. You can execute ImagiNation in Windows from its 
          Program Information File (PIF).
          
          1. From Windows Program Manager, click FILE on the menu bar.
          2. From the FILE menu, click on RUN.
          3. In the Command Line field, type the path and filename of 
          the ImagiNation program.
          
                For Example: 
                If you installed ImagiNation onto your C: drive and 
          into the INN directory, you would type: 
                C:\INN\INN.PIF

          4. Once you've entered the command, click on the OK button.
          5. Now, the program will start..  Have fun!
          
          Use the Included PIF File
          Trying to run ImagiNation in anything other than full screen 
          mode will probably cause you to have problems maintaining 
          connection if the ImagiNation Window loses focus even for less 
          than a minute. Using the INN.PIF file will cause ImagiNation 
          to run in full screen mode, which is very highly recommended 
          under Windows 3.1. The INN.PIF file is located in the 
          directory where ImagiNation is installed.
          
          Memory Issues
          Memory issues are probably going to be the biggest problem 
          when running ImagiNation under Windows 3.1.  Many computer 
          manufacturers figure that most of their users will operate 
          entirely under Windows, and make no effort to free up memory 
          for use in a DOS session. You must have 585K of free
          conventional memory in a DOS session to run ImagiNation.
          If you do not have sufficient free conventional memory, we
          recommend you exit Windows and run ImagiNation through DOS.
          If the memory is still insufficient, we recommend you create a 
          boot disk and use it to run ImagiNation. Instructions for
          making a boot disk are included in the READ.ME file in your
          ImagiNation directory.
        
          
          --Setting up a Windows Icon for ImagiNation
          Due to the fact that ImagiNation is a DOS program, a Windows 
          Group and Icon won't be created for you automatically when you 
          install the software. But, ImagiNation has provided an Icon 
          file (ICO) so that you can create your own group and icon 
          after you install.
          



          Creating a Windows Group for ImagiNation:
          1. From Windows Program Manager, click FILE on the menu bar.
          2. From the FILE menu, click on NEW.
          3. Select "Program Group," then click on OK.
          4. Type the word "ImagiNation" in the Description field, then 
          click on OK.
          5. Now your ImagiNation Group is ready for you to add the 
          Icon.
          
          Adding the ImagiNation Icon to your ImagiNation Group:
          1. With your ImagiNation Group open and active, click FILE on 
          the Program Manager menu bar.
          2. From the FILE menu, click NEW.
          3. Select "Program Item," then click on OK.
          4. In the Description field, type the word "ImagiNation."
          5. In the Command Line field, type the path and filename of 
          the ImagiNation program.
                For Example:
                If you installed ImagiNation onto your C: drive, and 
          into the "INN" directory, you would type: 
                C:\INN\INN.PIF
          6. Click on the Change Icon button.
          7. You will see the following message:
                "There are no icons available for the specified file"
                "You can choose an icon from those available for Program 
          Manager"
          8. Click OK
          9. In the File Name field, type the path and filename of the 
          ImagiNation icon file (ICO).
                For Example:
                If you installed ImagiNation onto your C: drive and into 
          the INN directory, you would type:
                C:\INN\INN.ICO
          10. Click on OK, and you will see the INN icon as the current 
          icon.
          11. Click on OK again.
          12. Now you're back to the Program Item Properties. Click OK.
          13. Now you have an ImagiNation icon to start the program.
          
          
          --Troubleshooting
          If you encounter a  problem running the ImagiNation Network, 
          it may be due to inadequate memory or an improper modem 
          configuration. 
                If you run into memory problems, it is recommended that 
          you make a bootdisk or run ImagiNation under a pure MS-DOS 
          environment (That means close Windows completely!).  If your 
          modem is unable to connect, make sure that you have selected 
          the correct modem model, baud rate and local access phone 
          number from the installation choices. For more troubleshooting 
          tips, view the READ.ME file from the ImagiNation installation 
          program or any text viewer.
          



          Some possible problems INSTALLING ImagiNation in Windows:
                With ImagiNation Network software Version 2.4, the 
          installation routine may not properly detect the COM ports if 
          it is running in Windows. This will cause the installation 
          program to report, "Your system does not appear to support 
          this choice," regardless of which COM port is selected for 
          your modem. This should not affect ImagiNation's ability to 
          use the modem, provided that the correct COM port is selected.
                If you run the installation routine in a DOS window and 
          then attempt to run ImagiNation in that same window, a serial 
          mouse may lock up. If this happens, close the window and open 
          a new one. This should not affect a PS/2-style mouse.
                If you attempt to install ImagiNation's Football Online 
          in Windows, you may see this message: "Error reading drive A: 
          or B:" on the second or third diskette. If this happens, exit 
          Windows and install Football Online in a true DOS environment.
                If you are having any problems running the installation 
          routine in Windows, it is recommended that you exit Windows 
          and install in a true DOS environment.
          
          Some possible problems RUNNING ImagiNation in Windows:
                In Windows, it is possible to run into an occasional 
          "Device Conflict." This is because ImagiNation is unaware of 
          Windows and attempts to use a device that Windows is currently 
          using. This is most common with devices such as a modem or 
          sound card.
                If you should get the message, "Unable to play sound -- 
          the <sound card name> is in use by another application," then 
          Windows is unable to release the sound card to ImagiNation. 
          Quit Windows and run ImagiNation from DOS.
                If you should get a COM Port Device conflict, Windows is 
          currently using the modem and unable to release it to 
          ImagiNation. Close the Windows program that is using the modem 
          and try running ImagiNation again.
                If your mouse cursor is jerky and hard to control in 
          ImagiNation, your DOS and Windows mouse drivers may be 
          incompatible. One known problem is with the Microsoft Mouse, 
          Version 9.00. Try getting a more recent driver package from 
          your software dealer. You can also run ImagiNation from DOS to 
          fix this problem.
                If you get a "General Protection Fault" or "System 
          Integrity Violation," that means that one program has violated 
          the memory space of another. Try to exit Windows gracefully, 
          then reboot the computer. This problem can be caused by having 
          too many programs running at the same time. You can always 
          check the Windows Task List by pressing [Ctrl-Esc]. This will 
          show you the programs that are currently running and give you 
          the opportunity to end any unneeded tasks. If you are going to 
          run ImagiNation in Windows, it is recommended that you have 
          only Program Manager and ImagiNation running.
          
          



          --Known Problems, Causes and Solutions:
          
          INN installation program causes the mouse to not work 
          correctly.
          
                Problem: After running the INN installation from inside 
          a DOS session under Windows 3.1, a serial mouse may stop 
          functioning.
                Cause: The installation program attempts to write modem 
          commands to the serial ports to detect a modem.  Some mice 
          don't take kindly to being spoken to as if they were a modem, 
          and refuse to cooperate for the remainder of the session.
                Solution(s): Close the DOS session and open another one 
          before launching the ImagiNation Network. Alternatively, run
          the INN Install from the Program Manager's FILE/RUN command. 
          This way the DOS session will close automatically, at the end 
          of the installation. Or, close Windows and install ImagiNation 
          in a true DOS environment.
          
          COM ports are not detected under Windows during installation 
          of ImagiNation Network software.
          
                Problem: No COM port is detected under Windows, and when 
          you choose one, it returns the message "Your system doesn't 
          appear to support this choice" and asks if you would like to 
          choose it anyway.
                Cause: Windows fails to detect the com port when first 
          queried for it inside of a DOS session.
                Solution(s): If you know which COM port your modem 
          driver is using, choose it and ignore the warning. Quit 
          Install and restart it in the same DOS session.  This should 
          allow the Install program to detect your COM port. Or, close 
          Windows and install ImagiNation in a true DOS environment.
          
          Football installation causes "Error Reading A:" message.
          
                Problem: While installing the Football Online program 
          from diskettes, you may get an error message that says "Error 
          Reading A:" (if you're installing from drive A:) after you 
          insert the third disk of the set and press a key to continue.
                Cause: The problem has been traced to a conflict between 
          the installation program and VSHARE.386, the Windows version 
          of DOS's SHARE.EXE.
                Solution(s): Quit Windows and install Football Online 
          from a true DOS environment. If it still fails, make and use a 
          bootdisk before installing Football Online.

