------------------------------------------- Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro Readme.txt File July 1995 ------------------------------------------- (c) Copyright Microsoft Corporation, 1995 This document provides complementary or late-breaking information to supplement the Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro documentation. -------- CONTENTS -------- 1. NETWORK ADAPTERS 2. NOTES FOR WINDOWS 95 USERS 2.1 Setup Issues 2.2 Calibration 2.3 Game Performance 2.4 Game Port Configuration 3. GAME PORTS 3.1. Game Ports with Limited Functionality 3.2. Incompatible Game Ports 4. USING SIDEWINDER 3D PRO WITH GAME PORT CABLES 4.1 Y-Cables 4.2 Extender Cables 5. REGULATORY INFORMATION 5.1. United States Radio and TV Interference Regulations 5.2. Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations ------------------------- 1. NETWORK ADAPTERS ------------------------- Network adapters with an AUI DB 15-pin port resemble the standard game port. Plugging your SideWinder 3D Pro joystick into a network adapter can damage your joystick. ----------------------------- 2. NOTES FOR WINDOWS 95 USERS ----------------------------- 2.1 Setup Issues * Before you install the SideWinder 3D Pro software, check the Control Panel to make sure it includes a joystick icon. If not, your game port may not be functioning properly. Refer to your Microsoft Windows 95 documentation for help adding or configuring your game port. * If the Windows 95 Joystick Properties window is open when you run the SideWinder 3D Pro Setup program, the software won't install properly. To resolve this problem, close the Joystick Properties window, and then run the Setup program again. 2.2 Calibration If you calibrate your SideWinder 3D Pro joystick as either a ThrustMaster joystick or a CH Flightstick Pro joystick, you may experience some erratic movement in the Windows 95 Joystick Properties window. This isn't a problem with your joystick--it's a characteristic of analog joysticks. To resolve this problem, install the SideWinder 3D Pro software, and then use SideWinder 3D Pro in digital mode. 2.3 Game Performance Most MS-DOS(R)-based games perform well with Windows 95 (including an MS-DOS window in Windows 95). However, the following games perform better with MS-DOS: * Descent (Parallax Software) * Wing Commander III (Origin) * SuperKarts (Williams) * Savage Warriors (Mindscape) To run your game with MS-DOS: 1. From Windows 95, click the Start button. 2. Click Shut Down. 3. Choose the option to restart the computer under MS-DOS. 2.4 Game Port Configuration SideWinder 3D Pro only functions properly if your game port's configuration is set to Basic Configuration 0 in the Device Manager. To ensure that your game port is set properly: 1. From the Windows 95, click the Start button. 2. Click Settings, and then click Control Panel. 3. Double-click System. 4. Click the Device Manager tab, and then double-click Sound, Video, and Game Controllers. 5. Double-click Game Port Joysticks. 6. Click the Resources tab, and make sure that Settings Based On is set to Basic Configuration 0. ------------- 3. GAME PORTS ------------- 3.1. Game Ports with Limited Functionality SideWinder 3D Pro functions only in analog mode if you use any of the following game ports: * ThrustMaster ACM Pro * Colorado Spectrum Notebook * Advanced Gravis Eliminator * Media Vision Premium 3D * Media Vision Pro Sonic To use SideWinder 3D Pro in analog mode with the Windows 95 operating system, we recommend that you select CH FlightStick Pro or ThrustMaster in the Windows 95 Joystick Properties window. 3.2. Incompatible Game Ports The Sound Blaster 16 SCSI-1 (SB 16 SCSI) game port is incompatible with SideWinder 3D Pro in both analog and digital modes. However, all other Sound Blaster game ports are compatible with SideWinder 3D Pro. ------------------------------------------------ 4. USING SIDEWINDER 3D PRO WITH GAME PORT CABLES ------------------------------------------------ 4.1 Y-Cables We recommend that you don't use a y-cable to connect the SideWinder 3D Pro joystick to your computer because some y-cables can damage your joystick. 4.2 Extender Cables We recommend that you don't use a game port extender cable to connect the SideWinder 3D Pro joystick to your computer. Extender cables severely reduce the SideWinder 3D Pro joystick's performance. ------------------------- 5. REGULATORY INFORMATION ------------------------- 5.1. United States Radio and TV Interference Regulations This device complies with Part 15 of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules. Operation is subject to the following conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. The Microsoft hardware device(s) which accompanies this software can radiate radio frequency (RF) energy. If not installed and used in strict accordance with the instructions given in the printed documentation, the device may cause harmful interference with radio and TV reception. Any cable that is connected to the device must be a shielded cable that is properly grounded. Your Microsoft hardware device has been tested, and it complies with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in Part 15 of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful RF interference in a residential installation. There is, however, no guarantee that RF interference will not occur in a particular installation. To determine if your hardware device is causing interference, disconnect the device from your computer. If the interference stops, it was probably caused by the device. If the interference continues after you disconnect the hardware device, turn the computer off and then on again. If the interference stopped when the computer was off, check to see if one of the input/output (I/O) devices or one of the computer's internal accessory boards is causing the problem. Disconnect the I/O devices one at a time and see if the interference stops. If your computer does cause interference, try the following measures to correct it: * Relocate the radio or TV antenna until the interference stops. * Move the computer farther away from the radio or TV, or move it to one side or the other of the radio or TV. * Plug the computer into a different power outlet so that the computer and radio or TV are on different circuits controlled by different circuit breakers or fuses. * If necessary, ask your computer dealer or an experienced radio-TV technician for more suggestions. You may find helpful information in the booklet "The Interference Handbook" (1993), published by the FCC. The booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. The stock number is 004-000-00493-1. NOTE: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by Microsoft could void the user's authority to operate this device. 5.2. Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du réglement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.