Q107181: Contents of the Windows Sound System 2.0 README.TXT
Article: Q107181
Product(s): Miscellaneous Windows Products
Version(s):
Operating System(s):
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Last Modified: 13-JUN-2001
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The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows Sound System, version 2.0
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SUMMARY
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This article contains the complete text of the Microsoft Windows Sound System
version 2.0 README.TXT file located on disk 1.
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MICROSOFT WINDOWS SOUND SYSTEM (Version 2.0)
Copyright (C) 1991-1993 Microsoft Corporation
This document supplements the "Microsoft(R) Windows(TM) Sound System
Software User's Guide" and accompanying software.
CONTENTS
1. Troubleshooting
1.1 Trouble Hearing Sound with Sound Finder or Music Box
1.2 Windows on a Network Installation
1.3 Using Music Box with a Future Domain SCSI Card
1.4 Using Quick Recorder with a 386 Computer with a 25 MHz or Lower
CPU
1.5 Playing Stereophonic Files with a Monophonic Audio Board
1.6 Playing MIDI Files with Sound Blaster Pro Audio Hardware
1.7 Opening More Than One Instance of a Quick Recorder File
1.8 Detecting Installed Hardware
1.9 Playing 44kHz files with Sound Blaster Pro Audio Board
2. Voice Pilot
2.1 Using Multiple Mixer Devices
2.2 Confirmation Option Limitations
2.3 Using Audio Cues
3. ProofReader
3.1 Versions Supported
3.2 Using Multiple Instances
3.3 Installation Sequence
3.4 Removing or Reinstalling ProofReader
3.5 ProofReader Dictionary for Non-U.S. English-Speaking Countries
3.6 Using ProofReader for Lotus 1-2-3 with International Country
Settings
3.7 Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4
4. Using Windows Sound System with Windows NT
5. Compatibility with Windows Sound System
5.1 Windows Sound System and Other Audio Drivers
5.2 Windows Sound System and MIDI Sequencing Software
5.3 Potential IRQ Conflicts in IBM PC/AT Bus Class Computers
5.4 Installing EMM386 on Stacked Drives
5.5 Using IRQ 7 on Gateway 2000 Computers
5.6 Using Windows Sound System in Windows Standard Mode
5.7 IRQ and DMA Conflicts on EISA Computers
6. Removing Windows Sound System from Your Computer
7. Sound Blaster Pro, Sound Blaster 16, and Sound Blaster 16 ASP
Issues
8. Sound Blaster Compatibility with the Windows Sound System Sound
Board
8.1 Problems Playing Music
8.2 Using GAMES.PIF
8.3 Choosing between Sound Blaster and Sound Blaster Pro
8.4 Playing Mickey's ABC
8.5 Playing Alphabet Blocks
8.6 Playing Broderbund Games
1. Troubleshooting
1.1 Trouble Hearing Sound with Sound Finder or Music Box
If you do not hear sound when using Sound Finder or
if Music Box cannot find your CD-ROM drive, ensure
that you have the following entries or files in the
appropriate locations:
In the WIN.INI file in the Windows 3.1 directory:
[MCI extensions]
wav=waveaudio
mid=sequencer
rmi=sequencer
In the SYSTEM.INI file in the Windows 3.1 directory:
[MCI]
CDAudio=mcicda.drv
WaveAudio=mciwave.drv
Sequencer=mciseq.drv
In the Windows 3.1 system directory:
MCICDA.DRV
MCIWAVE.DRV
MCISEQ.DRV
1.2 Windows on a Network Installation
If you're running Windows from a network installation, you cannot
play MIDI files. You must install Windows on your local hard disk
to play MIDI files.
If you're running Windows from a network installation, CTL3D.DLL
does not get copied to your hard disk. Either install Windows on
your local hard disk, or copy CTL3D.DLL to your Windows Sound System
directory on your local hard disk.
1.3 Using Music Box with a Future Domain SCSI Card
If you have a Future Domain SCSI card installed in your computer
and Music Box doesn't play, ensure that you have the latest version
of the CD-ROM driver, FDCD.SYS (version 2.23 or later).
1.4 Using Quick Recorder with a 386 Computer with a 25 MHz or Lower CPU
Quick Recorder cannot record reliably at high sampling rates on some
computers, particulary 386 computers with 25 megahertz (MHz) or
lower CPUs.
To correct the problem:
1. Record at a sampling rate lower than CD Quality (less than 44
kHz). This reduces your computer's processing.
2. Close other applications, if possible.
3. If you must make CD-quality recordings, keep them as short
as possible.
1.5 Playing Stereophonic Files with a Monophonic Audio Board
Quick Recorder cannot play some CD-quality stereophonic files in
Recorder view. Try playing these files using Sound Finder or use
Quick Recorder in Expanded View.
1.6 Playing MIDI Files with Sound Blaster Pro Audio Hardware
If you are using Sound Blaster Pro audio hardware, and you have
the microphone turned on in Voice Pilot, you will not be able to
hear a MIDI file while it is playing. Turn off the microphone.
1.7 Opening More Than One Instance of a Quick Recorder File
To open more than one instance of a Quick Recorder file, you must
have SHARE.EXE installed in MS-DOS. For instructions on installing
SHARE.EXE, see the "MS-DOS User's Guide."
1.8 Detecting Installed Hardware
If your audio hardware does not function correctly, ensure
that you selected the right audio hardware when you ran Setup.
If an outdated driver is present, Setup may not detect the presence
of the correct audio hardware.
1.9 Playing 44kHz files with Sound Blaster Pro Audio Board
Quick Recorder cannot play some 44kHz stereophonic files in
Recorder view. Try playing these files using Sound Finder or use
Quick Recorder in Expanded View.
2. Voice Pilot
2.1 Using Multiple Mixer Devices
Voice Pilot uses the mixer device with the lowest number (the one
listed in the first "mixerX=" line in your SYSTEM.INI file) that
meets its requirements. If you want to use a driver other than the
default driver for your Voice Pilot input, manually renumber the
"mixerX=" lines in your SYSTEM.INI file so that the number of the
mixer device you want to use is the lowest.
2.2 Confirmation Option Limitations
The Confirmation option cannot be used on commands that are not
top-level commands; that is, the Confirmation option can be used
only with commands that appear on the menu bar or with commands that
are not contained on menus.
2.3 Using Audio Cues
If you are using Voice Pilot's audio cues, Voice Pilot may attempt
to sound a cue at the same time another application, or VoicePilot
itself, tries to issue a sound. As a result, you may not be able to
use Voice Pilot to start ProofReader or you may receive a warning
that the device is being used by another application. To correct
this situation, in the Audio Cues section of the Preferences dialog
box, select None.
3. ProofReader
3.1 Versions Supported
ProofReader is supported only in Microsoft Excel version 3.0 or
higher and Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows versions 1.0, 1.0a, 1.1.01, and 4.
3.2 Using Multiple Instances
If you run more than one instance of Microsoft Excel or Lotus 1-2-3
for Windows, ProofReader is present only on the menu of the first
instance.
3.3 Installation Sequence
You must install your Windows-based spreadsheet application before
installing ProofReader with the Windows Sound System Setup program.
3.4 Removing or Reinstalling ProofReader
To remove or reinstall ProofReader for Microsoft Excel, see your
Microsoft Excel documentation for information on how to remove or
install an add-in.
To remove or reinstall ProofReader for Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows
(123RDR), see your Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows documentation for
information on how to remove or install an add-in.
3.5 ProofReader Dictionary for Non-U.S. English-Speaking Countries
The ProofReader dictionary NON-US.DCT contains terms that
accommodate the differences between English as spoken in the United
States and English as spoken in some other English-speaking
countries.
To use this dictionary, add it to the list of active ProofReader
dictionaries:
1. From the Microsoft Excel or Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows
Proof menu, choose Options.
The Options dialog box appears.
2. In the Category box, choose Dictionary.
The Dictionaries dialog box appears.
3. Choose Add Dictionary.
The Add Dictionary dialog box appears.
4. In the Directories box, choose the Windows Sound
System directory (the default is C:\SNDSYS).
NOTE: If you installed Windows Sound System
in a directory other than C:\SNDSYS,
choose the proper directory name.
The list of available dictionaries (*.DCT files)
appears in the File Name box.
5. In the File Name box, select NON-US.DCT.
6. Choose OK.
7. Choose Done.
3.6 Using ProofReader for Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows and
International Country Settings
Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows uses its own country settings, not
the country settings used by Windows. If ProofReader does
not read some numbers correctly, verify that the country
settings selected in the Windows Control Panel match the
country settings that are set for Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows.
3.7 Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows Release 4
Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4 does not support accelerator keys for
add-ins, such as ProofReader. Use the mouse or the arrow
and Enter keys to select commands.
4. Using Windows Sound System with Microsoft Windows NT(TM)
The Windows Sound System sound board can be used in ISA/EISA
computers running Microsoft Windows NT. Sound applications
that are shipped with Windows NT play sounds through the
Windows Sound System sound board by using an audio driver
included with Windows NT. Windows NT-based applications that
use the Microsoft Windows version 3.1 Sound Application
Programming Interfaces (APIs) should operate properly with the
Windows Sound System sound board.
5. Compatibility with Windows Sound System
5.1 Windows Sound System and Other Audio Drivers
The Windows Sound System audio driver may conflict with other
audio drivers. If you use multiple sound boards and drivers,
you may experience interrupt (IRQ) channel, I/O address, or
DMA channel conflicts that can cause your computer to stop
or to repeat sounds. Therefore, we recommend that you remove
all other audio drivers by using the Windows Control Panel
Drivers application.
If you remove an old audio board and install a new board,
you may have to manually remove the driver entries from
your SYSTEM.INI file.
For information on how to remove Windows Sound System software,
see DEINSTAL.TXT in your Windows Sound System directory (the
default is C:\SNDSYS).
5.2 Windows Sound System and MIDI Sequencing Software
Windows Sound System is incompatible with certain Musical
Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) sequencing applications.
Sound Finder cannot play a file with an .MID or an .RMI
extension while a sequencing application is open, regardless
of whether a file is actually loaded into the sequencer. If
you want to use Sound Finder to browse MIDI files and other
types of files, close your sequencer first. Alternatively,
you can use your sequencing application to play MIDI files.
Finale 2.2 for Windows from Coda Music Technology is compatible
with the Windows Sound System sound board and software if you
modify the WIN.INI file. For more information on using
Finale for Windows or MusicProse for Windows with the
Windows Sound System sound board, contact Coda Music
Technology at (612) 937-9611.
If you experience difficulties while using your MIDI sequencer
with your Windows Sound System sound board:
1. See the Windows Sound System documentation to ensure you
have installed and configured both the sound board and
the software properly.
2. See the documentation for your sequencer.
3. If you continue to experience problems, contact Microsoft
Product Support Services.
5.3 Potential IRQ Conflicts in IBM PC/AT Bus Class Computers
IRQ 2 is unavailable to add-in cards on IBM PC/AT bus class
computers. If you are using an IBM PC/AT bus class computer
and you select IRQ 2, your selection defaults to IRQ 9.
5.4 Installing EMM386 on Stacked Drives
Installing Windows Sound System on stacked drives and
running the MS-DOS Configuration program to enable
Sound Blaster compatiblity may cause your stacker drive
to load incorrectly. Stacked drives are often loaded
into UMB space; therefore, EMM386 must be present to
provide UMBs. Copy EMM386 onto a nonstacked boot drive.
The nonstacked drive is usually the drive that contains
the MS-DOS system files.
5.5 Using IRQ 7 on Gateway 2000 Computers
Windows Sound System cannot use IRQ 7 on some Gateway
2000 computers. However, you may be able to make IRQ 7
available for use on such a computer by changing a
BIOS setting. Contact your Gateway 2000 representative
to determine how to make IRQ 7 available. (For information
on IRQ settings, see the "Microsoft Windows Sound
System Software User's Guide.")
5.6 Using Windows Sound System in Windows Standard Mode
You cannot perform a sound check if you are running
Setup in Windows Standard mode. To check hardware
operation, run Windows in Enhanced mode or use Sound
Finder or Quick Recorder to play a file.
5.7 IRQ and DMA Conflicts on EISA Machines
If an EISA machine is incorrectly configured, Windows
Sound System may report that all IRQ or DMA channels are
in use.
To solve this problem:
1. Use the EISA configuration utility supplied by your
hardware manufacturer to configure the computer properly.
This is the preferred solution.
-or-
2. Disable the EISA resource scan of SNDSYS.DRV and
VSNDSYS.386 by adding the EnableEISAResourceScan=FALSE
flag to the [SNDSYS.DRV] section of the SYSTEM.INI file.
Note that disabling this feature can cause problems with
enhanced SCSI adapters, such as the Adaptec 1742.
6. Removing Windows Sound System from Your Computer
If you want to remove Windows Sound System from your computer,
see DEINSTAL.TXT, in your Windows Sound System directory
(C:\SNDSYS by default).
7. Sound Blaster Pro, Sound Blaster 16, and Sound Blaster
16 ASP Issues
Setting the MIDIInPersistence= variable in the [WSSSBPRO.DRV]
or [WSSSB16.DRV] section of your SYSTEM.INI file allows you
to configure the amount of data that will be processed in the
MIDI-in interrupt. The default value is 50, the recommended
range is 50 to 1024. Decreasing this value may prevent the
MIDI-in device from being completely serviced and may
cause data loss or may stop input.
8. Sound Blaster Compatibility with the Windows Sound System Sound Board
8.1 Problems Playing Music
If your game offers the choice, select Ad Lib
compatibility for music output and Sound Blaster
compatibility for sound effects. This will prevent
music from playing too slowly.
8.2 Using GAMES.PIF
If you're using a user-specified shell in MS-DOS,
ensure that the file GAMES.PIF (located in the directory
in which you installed Windows Sound System, C:SNDSYS
by default) references the same shell as your COMSPEC system
variable. To edit the GAMES.PIF file, use Windows PIF
Editor. For more information on the COMSPEC system variable,
see your MS-DOS documentation.
8.3 Choosing between Sound Blaster andSound Blaster Pro
If your game offers choice between Sound Blaster and Sound
Blaster Pro, you must select Sound Blaster, not Sound
Blaster Pro, as your audio board.
8.4 Playing Mickey's ABC
Mickey's ABC cannot detect the presence of
the Windows Sound System sound board. However, it will
work correctly if you select Ad Lib compatibility
as the option for music.
8.5 Playing Alphabet Blocks
If you experience problems playing Sierra On-Line
Alphabet Blocks with the Windows Sound System sound
board, add AcceptCloseSamplingRates=TRUE to the
[SNDSYS.DRV] section of the SYSTEM.INI file.
Alphabet Blocks uses a nonstandard sampling rate
that is not directly supported by the Windows Sound
System sound board. Setting this flag to true allows
the driver to accept sampling rates that are within
5% of the actual supported rate.
8.6 Playing Broderbund Games
If you experience problems while playing Broderbund
games, set the VirtualHDIRQ=FALSE switch in the [386Enh]
section of the SYSTEM.INI file.
Additional query words: 2.00 read me
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Keywords :
Technology : kbWinSoundSysSearch kbWinSoundSys200
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