Readme file for BioForge (c) 1994, 1995 Origin Inc.
===================================================

Contents
--------
* Introduction
* Helpful Hints
* Command Line Parameters
* Troubleshooting


INTRODUCTION
------------

     This file will give you information about running BioForge from the
command line, brightening and darkening your monitor, using different
configuration files, and so on.  At the end are any troubleshooting tips
that we couldn't include in the manual or install guide.


HELPFUL HINTS
-------------

     When you are walking about the world, don't be afraid to USE just
about everything. You can hit the USE button to travel sometimes as 
well, like climbing down ladders. Stuck on a puzzle? Remember to read 
the log books you find carefully (put them in your hand and hit USE).
When you are in combat, constant, repetitive attacks will often stop
you from orienting toward your opponent. Be sure to pause a little so
that you can automatically face your opponent.


COMMAND LINE PARAMETERS
-----------------------

     When you run BioForge from the command line, you can specify many
parameters -- some of which are normally handled by the install program, 
and some which are not.  These parameters are listed below, with a 
description of their function:

GAMMA     Brightens and darkens your monitor. Use values from 0 to 100.
Higher values brighten the monitor, and lower values darken the monitor
(30 is the default). A setting of 50 should be enough for most dark 
monitors.

Example:  gamma=40

SUBTITLES Can be set to 1 if you want to see subtitle captions, or it can
be set to 0 if you don't want to see them.  If you are not using sound,
then you should turn on subtitles by setting this value to 1.

Example:  subtitles=1

SOUND     Allows you to turn digital sound effects on and off.  (However,
if you want to change sound cards, you must use the install program.)

Example: sound=on   or   sound=off

SOUNDVOL  Allows you to adjust the volume of sound effects on your machine.
Values range from 0 (quietest) to 100 (loudest).

Example: soundvol=100

SNDIRQ    Sets the IRQ for Sound Blaster-compatible sound cards. If you
are not getting digital sound, this could be the reason.  The IRQ defaults
to 5, but the other most common value is 7.

Example: sndirq=5

SNDPORT   This must match the port setting that your sound card uses
when playing digital sound.  The default port is 220.

Example: sndport=270

SNDDMA    Sets the DMA channel that Sound Blaster-compatible sound cards
use for digital sound. It defaults to 1, and you probably will not
need to change it.

Example: snddma=2

MUSIC     Turns music on and off. You MUST use the install program in
order to select which music card you want to use, since the file 
AILXMI.DLL contains different information for each music card.

Example: music=on

MUSICVOL  Allows you to set the volume of the music from 0 (quietest) to
100 (loudest).

Example: musicvol=100

MUSICPORT This is only used for some sound cards, and must match the port
your card is using for music in order for music to work properly. Port 
330h is the default.

Example: musicport=310

LANGUAGE  Allows you to specify which language will be shown in your game.
You must also change the setting for 'text' to complete the switch to
a new language. E stands for English, G for German, and F for French.

Example: Language=G
         text=d:\bioforge\monitors\gtext.flx

     If you have a DOS text editor and you are familiar with DOS,
you may want to edit the file INSTALL.OPT in order to make permanent 
changes to your configuration. ONLY do this if you are confident that you
know what you are doing.


Troubleshooting
---------------

     These are some of the problems you might encounter when you are
trying to set up and run BioForge. One of the best remedies for game
crashes is a SIMPLE CONFIGURATION. Your manual has instructions
describing appropriate configurations for BioForge.

     If you have a problem that you cannot solve, WRITE DOWN THE ERROR
that the game reports to you. Have this information -- along with your
computer's autoexec.bat, config.sys, make and model -- when you call
Origin's customer service department.

Q: I start the game, but after the text appears all I get is a black
screen.

A: You may be running QEMM with Stealth Mode. Use the simple configuration
described in your manual.

Q: I get this error: "CDR101: NOT READY READING DRIVE"

A: Your CD is not in the CD drive, or it is not being detected properly.
Under some circumstances you may have to put the CD in the drive, then
type   DIR E:   (where e: is the letter of your CD drive) and then
type BIOFORGE in order to run the game.

Q: The game starts, but freezes on the "Sound" line.

A: You may have chosen an incorrect sound card during the install, or the
IRQ setting might be wrong. Run the install program again with different
settings.

Q: The game starts, but freezes on the "Music" line.

A: You may have chosen incorrect settings for your music card. Run the
install program again and choose different settings.

Q: I installed for sound but I'm not hearing anything.

A: Try changing your IRQ settings in the install program. This is
the most frequent problem that stops sound from working. If this
doesn't help, you may have an IRQ conflict on your computer. Consult
your computer dealer for solutions.

Q: The frame rate during the intro seems to be irregular, giving a
"jerky" feel to the animations.

A: If you are running from a single-speed CD ROM, you will experience
poor performance throughout the game. BioForge does not support single-
speed drives. Alternately, you may be running on a computer that is too 
slow to show the intro properly. You can speed up CD access times with the 
/M:10 parameter on your CD driver line in your autoexec.bat file.

Q: I get "Fatal Error 286.3330: Parity error detected" when I run the game.

A: Your AWE32 card may not be installed properly. Alternatively, you
can deselect general midi in the install program.

You will probably need to load only himem, a mouse driver, and a disk
cache because EMM386 and other memory managers don't seen to work too
well. This is a total badass game, kind of like a super-Alone in the Dark
kind of game.  Have fun!


Quick Keys:

      C - Combat
        ALT, CTRL + ARROW KEYS - Fight
      S - Save Game
      P - Menu
      SPACE - Action
      ENTER - Drop/Pick up

