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Q132944: FltSim 5.1: Floppy Disk README1.TXT Contents

Article: Q132944
Product(s): Microsoft Home Games
Version(s): MS-DOS:5.1
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 07-MAY-2002

MS-DOS
kbusage kbsetup kbreadme kbref

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Flight Simulator for MS-DOS, version 5.1 
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SUMMARY
=======

The following article contains the complete Readme1.txt file for Microsoft
Flight Simulator for MS-DOS, version 5.1 on floppy disk.

MORE INFORMATION
================

****************************************
MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR  Version 5.1
R E L E A S E    N O T E S
****************************************

This document contains important information about Microsoft
Flight Simulator. For more details on how to fly, read the
Microsoft Flight Simulator Pilot's Handbook.

FSSYSTEM System Startup (Boot) Disk:
Hard Disk Space Requirement:
Joystick Support:
Memory Configuration:
Navigation Information:
Running Flight Simulator under Microsoft Windows:
Running Flight Simulator under OS/2 2.1:
Scenery Add-Ons:
Scenery Library:
Sound Support:
SVGA Support:

Memory Configuration

To run Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.1, you need a computer with at least
500 kilobytes (K) of free conventional memory. If your computer does not
have an expanded memory manager (EMM), you need 560K of free conventional
memory. Flight Simulator displays a message if your computer has
insufficient conventional memory, and you cannot run the program.  Please
refer to the "Troubleshooting Guide for Setup" in Chapter 24 of the Flight
Simulator Pilot's Handbook for tips on optimizing your system performance.

You can significantly enhance Flight Simulator's performance if you
configure your computer for expanded memory. Please refer to the
"Troubleshooting Guide for Setup" in Chapter 24 of the Flight Simulator
Pilot's Handbook or to your MS-DOS manual for instructions on how to
configure your computer for expanded memory.

If you have no extended or expanded memory, or encounter out of memory
errors when running Flight Simulator, you will get better performance if
you turn off the sound option. To do this, choose Preferences from the
Options menu, and then choose the Sound button. In the Sound Preferences
dialog box, choose No Sound Device from the Sound Board list. This will
save additional conventional memory and allow more features to run.

If your machine has only 4 megabytes (MB) of memory, Flight Simulator will
run better if you use the RAM memory parameter (see MS-DOS help on
EMM386.EXE) with no EMS limiter syntax used in the emm386 line in
CONFIG.SYS for MS-DOS version 6.0 or later. If you are running MS-DOS
version 5.0, you will have better memory and system performance if you
upgrade to MS-DOS version 6.0 or later.

For example, the RAM memory parameter is as follows:

 DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE RAM H=255 D=64

Your actual line may have slightly different arguments, but the important
thing is the presence of the RAM argument. H=255 is the number of EMS
handles, and D=64 is the number of direct memory access buffers.  The
values shown are best for Flight Simulator.

NOTE: Microsoft regularly updates Knowledge Base articles with new
information. The following paragraph was not included in the original
README.TXT file, but has been added here for your convenience.

If you use PC-DOS, the RAM statement allocates only about 244K of expanded
memory. You need to specify the amount of expanded memory needed to run,
which is about 250K.

Hard Disk Space Requirement

If your hard drive has 16K clusters (16384 bytes/cluster), the save load
time disk space requirement is 22 MB. If your hard drive has 8K clusters
(8192/cluster), the hard disk space requirement is 15 MB.  The Setup
program checks for 20 MB available on the hard disk.

Running Flight Simulator under Microsoft Windows

To run Flight Simulator under Windows, you must configure your system for
expanded memory. Running Flight Simulator under Windows with extended
memory may cause memory errors. In such a case, Windows terminates your
Flight Simulator session. Please refer to the "Troubleshooting Guide for
Setup" in Chapter 24 of the Flight Simulator Pilot's Handbook or to your
MS-DOS manual for instructions on how to configure your computer for
expanded memory.

Loading Sound into Conventional Memory. Flight Simulator loads sound files
into XMS memory for storage and quick playback. Running under Windows can
cause this memory to be moved, resulting in noisy sounds or system crashes.
Windows informs you of any system problems with an error dialog. If this
occurs, choose Preferences from the Options menu, and then choose the Sound
button. In the Sound Preferences dialog box, change the Use XMS Memory
option to No. When you select this option, Flight Simulator uses
additional conventional memory but resolves sound playback problems that
would occur using XMS memory.

If the aircraft in Flight Simulator are not flying smoothly under Windows,
you should run Flight Simulator directly from MS-DOS. This will result in
a higher display rate and smoother flying aircraft.

If you cannot get Flight Simulator to run properly under Windows, you
should run Flight Simulator in MS-DOS mode. Refer to Windows online Help
for information on running in MS-DOS mode.

You can use FSSYSTEM to build a system startup disk to configure your
system so that it runs Flight Simulator properly.  If you are running
Windows with protected mode drivers for your CD-ROM, FSSYSTEM will not be
able to load these drivers for you. You will need to add these drivers to
the configuration files on the system startup disk created by FSSYSTEM.
Refer to your CD-ROM or computer manual for information on setting up your
CD-ROM drivers.

Running Flight Simulator under OS/2 2.1

For best system performance, make sure that the following settings are
selected for your MS-DOS session:

 HW_TIMER = ON
 VERTICAL_RETRACE_EMULATION = OFF

If you are running SVGA graphics, switching back to the desktop may cause
screen refresh problems.  Press CTRL+ESC, and then press ENTER to return to
Flight Simulator.

To run Flight Simulator in a window, select VGA 320x200 256 color graphics
mode. Press ALT+HOME and you can toggle between full screen and a window.

Joystick Support

You can operate thrust reversers with the joystick as follows. Pull the
joystick throttle all the way back, then press F2 or KEYPAD 3 a few times
to engage the thrust reversers. Turn off the thrust reversers by pressing
F1 (cut throttle) or giving more than 1/8 forward thrust with joystick
(nudge the joystick throttle forward a bit).

A Colorado Spectrum Notebook Gameport driver is included  for use with the
appropriate joystick. To use this driver, type the following line in your
FS5.INI file: DEVICE=CS_STIK.FSO NOTE:  The gameport driver (NG.EXE from
Colorado Spectrum) must be installed for this to work.  For information on
installing gameport software, see documentation from the manufacturer.

If your joystick has throttle control, then it is best to calibrate the
system with the throttle slightly off the full closed stop.

Joystick drivers

The following drivers exist: STICK2.FSO, CS_STIK.FSO.  When no other
joystick driver is specified in the DEVICE= line in the FS5.INI file, the
CH products driver is the default (CH Flightstick Pro works best this way).
STICK2.FSO  supports a generic two-button joystick. CS_STIK.FSO is
discussed in the earlier paragraph on the Colorado Spectrum Notebook
Gameport driver.

SVGA Support

In order for the SVGA mode to function on an Orchid Fahrenheit (S3) or
Thunder & Lightning (Cirrus) card, the monitor selection must be correct.
Improper monitor selection may cause the display to sync improperly
resulting in an unstable picture, or a screen that looks "squashed." For
more information, refer to the documentation for your specific video board.

VESA 1.2 Compatibility

Some VESA 1.2 drivers are not fully implemented. Function 7 and modes 100h
or 101h must be implemented for Flight Simulator to work in the SVGA mode.
Refer to the documentation that came with your video board for more
information.  If Flight Simulator does not display properly when you select
SVGA using a VESA driver, run Flight Simulator Setup again from the Flight
Simulator directory and select the VGA display option. Contact your video
board manufacturer for an updated VESA 1.2 compatible driver.

SVGA 320x200 Mode

Although this mode may run 10% to 20% faster than the VGA 320x200 mode,
some graphics cards do not support this mode.  If your screen flashes or
does not display at all, select VGA 320x200 mode. VESA support on SVGA
320x200 is equivalent to selecting VGA 320x200.

ATI Mach 64 cards

Older ATI Mach 64 cards may need a bios upgrade.  Bios versions .15, dated
1994/6/10 or newer is required.

Sound Support

Using Flight Simulator under Microsoft Windows NT, Windows 95, or Windows
3.X, PC Speaker sound causes problems.  Avoid these problems by choosing No
Sound Device from the Sound Board list when you install Flight Simulator
under Windows.

Running Microsoft Flight Simulator under DR DOS. PC Speaker cockpit sounds
cause problems under DR DOS. Avoid these problems by choosing No Sound
Device from the Sound Board list when you install Flight Simulator.  If you
want to play sounds other than cockpit sounds (plane crashes and wheel
screeches), choose Preferences from the Options menu, and then choose the
Sound button. In the Sound Preferences dialog box, turn off the Cockpit
Sounds check box. Then (and only then) choose PC Speaker from the Sound
Board list to turn the sound back on.

Media Vision - Pro Audio Spectrum Sound Cards

You must correctly install the Media Vision driver (MVSOUND.SYS) before
setting Flight Simulator 5.1 to run with this sound card. Please refer to
the Media Vision documentation for instructions.  If the driver is not
installed correctly, you will get an error message. If you get poor sound
support from the Media Vision - Pro Audio Spectrum sound card, you may need
to disable DMA sharing with your card.  Please refer to the documentation
that came with the card for instructions.

To run Pro Audio Spectrum/Studio sound cards as Sound Blaster compatible
you must have a SET BLASTER line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.  For example,

SET BLASTER=A220 I7 D1 H5 P330 T6

Additionally, you need the appropriate Media Vision driver installed in the
CONFIG.SYS file. For example, in the sound card line of your CONFIG.SYS,
you should see MVSOUND.SYS for the Pro Audio Spectrum/Studio or PA3D.SYS
for the Media Vision Premium 3D sound card.  Flight Simulator only
recognizes the MVSOUND.SYS line. If you have another Media Vision sound
card, select Media Vision - Pro Audio Spectrum sound driver during Flight
Simulator Setup or choose Preferences from the Options menu, and then
choose the Sound button. In the Sound Preferences dialog box, change the
sound board accordingly.

Gravis Ultrasound Sound Card

The Gravis Ultrasound driver uses the SBOS or MEGAEM Sound Blaster
emulation. Make sure that you have one of these drivers loaded before
running Flight Simulator.

Loading Sound into XMS Memory

Flight Simulator loads sound files into XMS memory for storage and quick
playback. Certain memory configurations can cause this memory to be moved,
resulting in noisy sounds or system crashes. If this occurs, choose
Preferences from the Options menu, and then choose the Sound button. In the
Sound Preferences dialog box, change the Use XMS Memory option to No. When
you select this option, Flight Simulator uses additional conventional
memory but resolves sound playback problems that would occur using XMS
memory.

Navigation Information

The VOR frequency for Martha's Vineyard is 114.5, not 108.2 as shown on the
New York and Boston Area chart.

The VOR frequency for Deer Park is 117.7, not 111.2 as shown on the
New York and Boston Area chart.

FSSYSTEM System Startup (Boot) Disk

If you created a system startup disk and transferred it to your hard disk,
temporary CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files are switched in when FS5.1
begins running.  Your system's original CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT are
temporarily saved in CONFIG.FSS and AUTOEXEC.FSS. Under normal conditions
you should never have to use these files.  If something goes wrong and the
current CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT are not the correct files, copy these
.FSS files back to your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files.  Then restart
your computer.

Do NOT create a system startup (boot) disk if you are running under the Win
NT operating system.

Scenery Add-Ons

Older scenery areas, such as New York, San Francisco, and Paris should be
installed in Flight Simulator SCENERY directory. For example, If Flight
Simulator version 5.1 is installed in C:\FLTSIM5, then these scenery areas
should be installed into the C:\FLTSIM5\SCENERY subdirectory. Running Setup
for these scenery products installs everything correctly. Ignore the
message that states Disabling Scenery not Found.

Before using the Japan, Caribbean, and Europe 1 scenery products with FS5.1
CD-ROM, read the README.DOC file in the ADDONS directory of the CD-ROM.

Before running the performance booster(s) available with scenery add-ons
released on CD-ROM prior to 5/01/95, follow these  instructions. First,
copy the booster from your FLTSIM5 directory to  the cache directory of the
CD-ROM product.  For example, if you are running Europe 1 from the CD-ROM,
then copy the booster file from C:\FLTSIM5 to C:\FLTSIM5\EUROPE1.  This
will overwrite the booster file shipped with Europe1. This change affects
Las Vegas and Europe 1 only.

If you are seeing scenery conflicts while flying in a scenery add- on, turn
off the FS5.1 performance booster that corresponds to this area.  For
example, while flying in the Japan scenery area, turn off the FS5.1 Asia
booster.

If you want to go to an airport in your add-on scenery product that exists
on the Flight Simulator CD-ROM as well, choose Airports from the World
menu, then chose the scenery area you want and choose the airport you want.
Make sure you choose the airport from the scenery add-on and not the FS5.1
CD-ROM. For example, from the list of airports, choose JAPAN - Japan Add-on
(instead of Asia) to go to an airport in the Japan scenery add-on.

Scenery Library

Metro areas should always be the highest layer priority value (the lower
the layer number, the higher the priority value) in the regional scenery
type. For example, if there are two regional scenery areas active then the
FS5 Metro area should be at the top of the regional areas (layer value of
1).

Scenery areas and performance boosters must include an appropriate SCENERY
and TEXTURE directory under the main scenery directory. For example, the
JAPAN scenery directory must have a SCENERY subdirectory containing the
appropriate scenery files, and a TEXTURE subdirectory containing the
appropriate texture files. If these directories do not exist, Flight
Simulator will report a DATABASE ERROR when you are flying though these
scenery areas.

Additional query words: 5.10 kbhowto flightsim fltsim dos FS5 Dir read- me readme read

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbGamesSearch kbFlightSimSearch kbFlightSim510DOS kbSimSearch
Version           : MS-DOS:5.1
Issue type        : kbinfo

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