

                       TRIALS of BATTLE - Player's Guide



Table of Contents
=================
 1) HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

 2) SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

 3) INSTALLING THE GAME

 4) STARTING THE GAME
    -Game Type Dialog
    -Game Setup Dialog
    -Load/Generate Pilot Dialog
    -Server Name Dialog

 5) THE HANGAR VIEW
    -The Hangar Monitor
    -The Combatant List
    -The Equipment List
    -The Status Window
    -The Round Countdown Timer
    -The Action Buttons

 6) ENTERING THE ARENA

 7) VEHICLE CONTROLS

 Appendix A: PERFORMANCE AND GRAPHICS SETTINGS

 Appendix B: IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS



1) HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
========================

  Trials of Battle is a leading edge game that requires a certain minimum level
of hardware performance in order to provide an enjoyable gaming environment.
There are, however, many options that can be adjusted to achieve acceptable
performance.  What follows is what we consider to be the minimum hardware
needed to run Trials of Battle at an acceptable level.

Minimum hardware requirements:
 - 486DX4/75 CPU
 - 12MB RAM (16MB for Warp Connect or Warp v4)
 - DIVE compatible video card running at 256 colors
 - DART compatible audio card (to play with sound enabled)
 - 14.4k bps modem (for multiplayer games)

To provide a more enjoyable experience we recommend the following hardware
configuration.

Recommended hardware:
 - 75MHz Pentium CPU or better
 - 16MB RAM
 - DIVE compatible video card running at 256 colors
 - DART compatible audio card (to play with sound enabled)
 - 28.8k bps modem (for multiplayer games)
 - OS/2 compatible joystick



2) SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
========================

  Trials of Battle requires the following software be installed prior to
use:

 - OS/2 Warp V3 or better (OS/2 Warp V4 recommended)
 - IBM's OS/2 Joystick Driver (if you want to use a joystick)
 - DIVE compatible video drivers for your video card
 - DART compatible audio drivers for your sound card

If you have OS/2 Warp v4, you should already have DIVE and DART compatible
drivers installed and you SHOULD NOT install the DART DLLs included with this
game.  Most other video and sound drivers already support DIVE and DART also so
you may not have to worry about installing or upgrading these drivers
separately.

Note: OS/2 Warp Connect (or equivalent) or a modem is required for multiplayer
games.



3) INSTALLING THE GAME
======================

  Trials of Battle requires approximately 35MB of space on your hard drive for
a full installation.  If you choose a minimal installation, most of the large
data files will remain on the Trials of Battle CD-ROM and you will only need
approximately 8-10 MB of free hard drive space.  The full installation will
lead to better performance, especially on computers with slow CD-ROM drives.

  To start the installation program, insert the Trials of Battle CD into your
CD-ROM drive and type:

  x:\install

where x is the drive letter of your CD-ROM.  Follow the instructions on the
screen to complete the installation.


4) STARTING THE GAME
====================

  To start the game, change into the directory in which Trials of Battle (TOB)
was installed and type "tob" (without the quotes).

  The introduction movie will start to play.  The movie can be interrupted at
any time by either clicking on the movie window or by pressing a key.  When
the movie stops the Game Type Dialog will be displayed.

Game Type Dialog:
-----------------
  The first dialog box that appears is the Game Type Dialog.  This box is used
to specify whether to start a single player game or a multiplayer game.  The
only difference between a single player game and a multiplayer game is that
more than one person can participate in a multiplayer game, but training rounds
can only be conducted in a single player game.

Single Player Game:
  A single player game is played by only one person with all opponents being
controlled by the computer.  When a single player game is selected, TOB takes
care of starting the server executable without additional user input.  After
this option is selected, the Game Setup Dialog will appear.

Join Multiplayer Game:
  Once a TOB server for a multiplayer game has been started, this option allows
additional clients to connect to the server.  After this option is selected,
the Load/Generate Pilot Dialog will appear.

Start Multiplayer Game:
  A multiplayer game can be played by one or more players with each player
running a TOB client on a separate machine.  In addition, one TOB server must
be started, on either a separate machine or on a machine with a TOB client,
to which all of the TOB clients connect.  The Start Multiplayer Game option
will start a TOB server to which other players can connect.  It will also
automatically connect the current client to the TOB server.  After this option
is selected, the Game Setup Dialog will appear.

  Alternatively, a TOB server can be started directly from an OS/2 prompt by
typing "tbserver" (without the quotes).  This allows the server to be started
separately from all clients.  This method is not as user friendly as starting
the server from the client, since it involves several command-line arguments.
However, it is the only way to start a game server on a dedicated machine.

  There should be only one TOB server running on any given machine.

Game Setup Dialog:
------------------
  The Game Setup Dialog allows the user to control a variety of items.  For a
single player game the only items that need to be set are the total number of
combatants and the difficulty level.  When starting a multiplayer game,
additional information is required about the number and types of connections
to allow.

Number of Modem Players:
  This spin button determines the number of modem connections to allow to the
TOB server.  Since TOB supports up to four comm ports, up to four modem
connections can be specified.  Modem options must be specified for each modem
connection allowed (see Comm Port, Speed, and Init String below).  When modem
connections are allowed, the total number of combatants is limited to six.

Number of LAN/Peer Players:
  This spin button determines the number of connections allowed via network
(LAN or Peer via Warp Connect).  Connections on a TCP/IP network should be
specified with the Number of TCP/IP Players option, rather than this one.
When starting a multiplayer game, one LAN/Peer connection is required to
connect the client to the server.  Although the actual connection is done
automatically, the connection must be included in the total number.

Number of TCP/IP Players:
  This spin button determines the number of TCP/IP connections allowed to the
TOB server.  Use this spin button for a TCP/IP network or to play over the
Internet.

Total Number of Combatants:
  This number determines the total number of combatants in each combat round.
It can range from 2 to 12, but must be greater than or equal to the number of
connections specified in all of the spin buttons above it.  This total includes
the client that is starting the game.  Computer-controlled combatants will be
used as necessary to keep the total number of combatants at the desired level.

Comm Port:
  When modem connections are allowed, the modem options must be specified for
each modem connection.  The modem options include the comm port, the speed,
and the initialization string.  The comm port can be any port number that has
a modem attached to it.

Speed:
  After selecting a valid comm port, this option is used to specify the
modem speed for that comm port.  Most players should be able to select 57600.
Selecting a speed setting of "Unused" will prevent the comm port from being
used by TOB.

Init String:
  The third part of the modem options is the initialization string.  This
string can be up to 40 characters long.  Refer to the documentation that came
with the modem for more details.  Depending on the modem, it may be possible
to leave this field blank.

Difficulty Level:
  The difficulty level controls how good the computer-controlled opponents are
and how many supplies are initially scattered around the Arena.  The difficulty
level does not affect the rules of the game, just the difficulty of staying
alive.

Initial Points:
  If a multiplayer game is being started, there will be an option to control
how many Kill Points a new pilot will start with.  Increasing the number of
Kill Points allows the players to purchase more equipment initially.

Show All Equipment:
  If a multiplayer game is being started, there will be an option to show all
of the possible equipment immediately instead of only showing the equipment
appropriate for the player's rank.

Quit Game:
  Selecting this button exits the game.

Back:
  Selecting this button returns to the Game Type Dialog.

Start Game:
  Selecting this button saves the entries on this dialog and continues on to
the Load/Generate Pilot Dialog.

Load/Generate Pilot Dialog:
---------------------------
  The Load/Generate Pilot Dialog is used to select and load a previously
created pilot or to generate a new pilot.  It is also used to save or delete an
existing pilot.  On the left side of the dialog box is a list of all pilots
currently in the save file.  The right side of the dialog box contains the
vital statistics of the selected pilot.

  This dialog can be accessed either when starting a new game or from the
hangar view during a game.  In order to leave this dialog, an active pilot must
be selected or a new pilot must be generated.

Available Pilots:
  This list box shows all of the pilots currently inhabiting the pilot save
file.  Selecting a pilot from the list will cause information about that
pilot to be displayed in the Pilot Information area to the right of the list.

Pilot Information:
  This area displays information about the currently selected pilot.  This
information can not be changed.

Generate Pilot:
  Clicking on this button allows a new pilot to be generated.  To complete the
generation, the new pilot must be given a name and a callsign by entering the
information in the secondary dialog box as requested.  The callsign is
the name that is associated with the pilot during combat.  After providing
the name and callsign, the new pilot will be generated, and the game will
return to the Hangar View.  All new pilots are Human pilots and start at
Gladiator, 3rd Rank with a Light Hovertank.

Save Current Pilot:
  This button saves all information about the current pilot, such as number of
kill points, equipment on the vehicle, and current damage.  The pilot data is
automatically saved each time the pilot enters and exits the arena.  However,
any changes made after returning from combat will be lost if they are not
saved before exiting the game.  Pressing F2 in the hangar view will also save
the pilot data.  This option is only active when the Load/Generate Pilot Dialog
is accessed from the hangar view.

Delete Pilot:
  Selecting this button will delete the pilot currently selected in the pilot
list.

OK:
  The OK button causes the currently selected pilot to be loaded and the game
to continue.  If the OK button is not enabled, then a valid pilot is not
selected.  Either the currently selected pilot can not be used or there are no
pilots in the pilot list and a new pilot must be generated.

Server Name Dialog:
-------------------
  If the Join Multiplayer Game button was pressed in the Game Type Dialog, the
Server Name Dialog will be displayed.  This dialog requests the name of the
server to which the client should connect.  To connect to a server running on
a LAN/Peer network simply specify the name of the network machine in the Server
Name field.  To connect to the server via a modem, enter a '#' followed by the
number to dial.  To connect to the server via TCP/IP, enter a '@' followed by
the address or host name of the server.

  TOB stores the names of the last five servers to which the client connected.
Click on the down arrow to the right of the Server Name field to access the
list of past server names.

Modem Options:
  When connecting to a server via modem, the proper modem options must be
specified.  See the section titled "Game Setup Dialog" above for details.

Back:
  Select this button to return to the Game Type Dialog.

Join:
  After specifying a server name, click on the join button to attempt to
connect to the server.


5) THE HANGAR VIEW
==================
  The Hangar View consists of six different areas: the hangar monitor, the
combatant list, the equipment list, the status window, the round countdown
timer, and the action buttons.

The Hangar Monitor:
-------------------
  The Hangar Monitor displays a view of the player's vehicle in the hangar as
it is prepared for combat.  As equipment that is externally visible is added
to the vehicle or as the player progresses in rank, the Hangar Monitor will be
updated accordingly.

  Clicking on particular areas of the Hangar Monitor allows the player to
access additional information or to perform certain actions.  Clicking on the
vehicle will display the Vehicle Equipment Inventory Dialog.  Clicking on the
equipment storage door will display the Storage Equipment Inventory Dialog.
Clicking on the repair robot will display the Vehicle Repair Dialog.  Clicking
on the lockers will access the Load/Generate Pilot Dialog.  Clicking on the
computer panel will access the Options Dialog.  Clicking on the door to the
arena signals that the player is ready for the next combat round.

Vehicle Equipment Inventory Dialog:
  This dialog displays a list of all of the equipment currently installed on
the vehicle.  This list displays the name of the equipment, its current damage
level, and its current value if it were to be sold.

  Points Left:
  This is the total number of Kill Points available to spend.

  Mis./Can./Mine:
  Each of these buttons displays a dialog box with information about that
  particular type of ammunition.  This dialog box allows the player to sell
  or store ammunition by specifying the number of items to remove from the
  vehicle and pressing the appropriate sell or store button.  If one of the
  buttons is disabled, then the vehicle is not able to carry that particular
  type of ammunition.

  Sell:
  The player can sell one or more pieces of equipment by selecting the
  unwanted items in the equipment list and clicking on the sell button.
  The player will be awarded with kill points equal to the specified value
  of all items sold.

  Store:
  The player can store one or more pieces of equipment by selecting the
  unwanted items in the equipment list and clicking on the store button.
  Due to the bulkiness of Armor, only one set may be kept in storage at
  a time.  Multiple pieces of the other equipment may be stored.  However,
  the total storage space is limited.

  Done:
  Clicking on the Done button dismisses the dialog box.

Storage Equipment Inventory Dialog:
  This dialog displays a list of all of the equipment currently in storage.
This list displays the name of the equipment, its current damage level, and
its current value if it were to be sold.

  Points Left:
  This is the total number of Kill Points available to spend.

  Mis./Can./Mine:
  Each of these buttons displays a dialog box with information about that
  particular type of ammunition.  This dialog box allows the player to sell
  or load ammunition by specifying the number of items to remove from
  storage and pressing the appropriate sell or load button.  If one of the
  buttons is disabled, then the vehicle is not able to carry that particular
  type of ammunition.

  Sell:
  The player can sell one or more pieces of equipment by selecting the
  unwanted items in the equipment list and clicking on the sell button.
  The player will be awarded with kill points equal to the specified value
  of all items sold.

  Load:
  The player can load one or more pieces of equipment from storage onto the
  vehicle by selecting the desired items in the equipment list and clicking
  on the load button.  If the vehicle already has a similar piece of
  equipment, that existing piece must be sold or stored before the new piece
  can be loaded.  The only exception is armor.  If there is already a set of
  armor in storage and a set on the vehicle, then one set must be sold before
  the second set can be moved.

  Done:
  Clicking on the Done button dismisses the dialog box.

Repair Vehicle Dialog
  This dialog allows any damage to the vehicle or equipment to be repaired.
This dialog works as follows:

  System Damage Report:
  This area lists all of the equipment currently installed on the vehicle
  along with its damage status and repair cost.

  Point Total:
  This is the total number of Kill Points available to repair the vehicle.

  Do Repairs:
  To initiate repairs on the vehicle, select one or more items from the
  System Damage Report list and click on the Do Repairs button.  This button
  will be disabled if there are no repairs to be made.  Clicking on the Do
  Repairs button without first selecting an item to repair will cause all of
  the damaged items to be repaired starting at the top of the list.  The items
  will be repaired one at a time until either all of the items have been
  repaired or the kill points left is insufficient to do the needed repairs.

  Done:
  The Done button will dismiss the Vehicle Repair Dialog.

Load/Generate Pilot Dialog
  This dialog box is the same one used when initially starting the game.
See the above section entitled "Load/Generate Pilot Dialog" for a full
description of this dialog box.

Game Options Dialog
  The Game Options Dialog allows the player to set the game options, graphics
features, and input devices for the computer.  The game options are as follows:

  Graphics Options:
  These control the graphics complexity for the game.  In general, the more
  graphics options selected the slower the game will run.  These options
  control the resolution at which the terrain and cockpit are rendered, which
  parts of the game world are rendered with texture maps, whether to use
  flat or smooth shading, and whether or not to show the frame windows.

  Sound Options:
  These check boxes determine whether to play sound effects, engine sounds,
  and music.  In order for engine sounds to be turned on, sound effects must
  also be turned on.  The volume for the sounds can also be controlled by
  adjusting the slider bar.

  Game Options:
  The Team Color field is primarily for use during multiplayer games.  The
  selected color will be displayed around the bottom of the vehicle during
  combat.  This helps differentiate one vehicle from another similar vehicle.
  Computer players do not use team colors.

  The Priority field allows TOB to run at a higher priority than normal,
  which can potentially allow TOB to run more smoothly and be more responsive
  to user input.

  Single Player Options:
  During a single player game, the Training Session option can be controlled.
  When the Training Session option is checked the player's vehicle is
  invincible.  It can not be damaged or destroyed.  The player also has the
  ability to get free refills during simulation by pressing the 'l' key.  This
  causes the energy, fuel, and oxygen supplies to be refilled.  However, the
  player will not receive credit for the round or for any kills acquired
  during the round.  Energy, fuel, and oxygen levels are also not reset after
  the round.

  Combat Msgs:
  Clicking on the Combat Messages button, causes the Setup Combat Communication
  Dialog box to be displayed.  This dialog allows up to five different messages
  to be entered.  During combat, the predefined message will be broadcast to
  all players when the corresponding function key (F5 - F9) is pressed.

  Input Config:
  Clicking on the Input Config button causes the Configure Input Devices Dialog
  to be displayed.  This dialog works as follows:

    Additional Input Devices:
    The player can select to use either the joystick or the mouse to
    control the vehicle during combat.  If neither of these buttons
    is selected, then only keyboard control will be allowed.

    Mouse/Joystick Actions:
    This area contains a description of which vehicle actions correspond to
    which mouse/joystick actions.

    Calibrate Joystick:
    A joystick must be calibrated before it can be useful.  To calibrate
    a joystick click on this button and follow the instructions on the
    screen.

    Throttle Control:
    The Throttle Control Dialog allows the player to determine whether the
    up/down arrows keys or the f/d keys control throttle.  The other pair
    of keys will control pitch.  When checked, the Auto Stop feature will
    automatically bring the vehicle to a halt when the throttle keys are
    released.

    Done:
    Clicking on this button dismisses the Configure Input Devices
    Dialog and returns to the Game Options Dialog.

  Cancel:
  This button dismisses the Game Options Dialog without saving any changes
  that were made.

  Save:
  The Save button saves all changes that were made so that the settings will
  be used the next time the game is started.

  OK:
  The OK button dismisses the Game Options Dialog and implements any changes
  that were made.  However, if the options are not saved by pressing the
  Save button, these changes will be lost when the player exits the game.

Ready for Combat
  When a player is ready to enter the Arena and begin combat, the player clicks
on the door to the arena.  This notifies the server that the player is ready
to begin combat and causes the player's vehicle icon to change to reflect this
status.  Once a player has sent the ready signal, no further changes will be
allowed to the vehicle.  This includes new purchases as well as repairs.  When
all combatants indicate that they are ready to enter the arena, combat will
begin regardless of how much time is left on the round countdown timer.  See
"Entering The Arena" for details on starting the combat round.

The Combatant List:
-------------------
  This window lists all of the combatants who will be participating in the
next combat round.  It displays their callsigns and an icon showing what type
of vehicle they will be using.  A vehicle icon with an open door or cockpit
means that the combatant has not yet indicated that they are ready for combat.
If the vehicle icon has a closed door or cockpit, the combatant has indicated
that they are ready to begin combat.  Once all combatants are ready, the round
will begin.

  Clicking the second mouse button on the combatants window will bring up a
context menu with two options:  display the Pilot Information Dialog or
send a message to the pilot (computer controlled pilots will ignore any
message sent to them).  The Pilot Information Dialog can also be displayed
by double clicking on a vehicle icon.

  If a player joins a multiplayer game and the combatants are currently in the
arena, no combatant list will be displayed.  In this case the round countdown
timer displays the time left until combat ends (see the section entitled "The
Round Countdown Timer" for details).

The Equipment List:
-------------------
  This window displays a list of all of the equipment currently available to
the player.  The equipment available changes with the rank of the player.  As
a player is promoted, a dialog box will notify the player of what additional
equipment has become available.  However, not all of the vehicles can use all
of the equipment.  All equipment is included in the list, even if it can not
be used with the current vehicle, so that the player can obtain information
about equipment that might be used by an opponent.

  Clicking the second mouse button on the equipment list will bring up a
context menu with two options:  display the Equipment Description Dialog or
purchase the piece of equipment.  The Equipment Description Dialog can also
be displayed by double clicking on the icon for a piece of equipment.

The Status Window:
------------------
  The Status Window displays a variety of information in four sections.

  The first section of information contains the current level of energy, fuel,
and oxygen for the vehicle.  A level of 100% is completely full.  A lower
percentage indicates that the vehicle could hold some more of the supply.  If
a vehicle runs out of energy, the lasers will not work.  However, energy will
recharge.  If a vehicle runs out of fuel, it will stop moving and become an
easy target.  However, the weapons will still work.  If a vehicle runs out of
oxygen, the pilot will black out.

  The second section contains information on the mass of the vehicle and the
points left to spend upgrading or repairing the vehicle.  The mass of the
vehicle is useful for determining the size of engine that is needed to move
the vehicle at an acceptable speed.  The points left is increased as kill
points and bonus points are earned during a combat round.  They are decreased
as equipment is purchased or damage is repaired.  The points left can also be
increased by selling equipment.

  The third section contains information on the next combat round.  The type
of combat round, the gravity level, and the arena name for the round are
displayed.  This information is useful in deciding how to outfit a vehicle for
the next combat.

  The fourth section contains information on the player's current status.  It
displays the total number of points earned by the player.  This total includes
both kill points and bonus points.  Normally, this value continually increases.
However, if a player is demoted, the number of kill points will be decreased.
The section also shows the minimum number of kill points and combat rounds
needed to be promoted to the next rank.

The Round Countdown Timer:
--------------------------
  The round countdown timer displays the time left until the next combat round
begins or the current combat round ends.  If the timer is counting down to the
beginning of the next round, it will display the text "Combat begins in:" next
to the time.  If a player joins a game while the other combatants are in the
arena or if the player leaves combat early, the timer will display the text
"Combat ends in:" next to the time.  The time is displayed in minute:seconds
format and the timer is updated every five seconds.

The Action Buttons:
-------------------
  The two action buttons at the bottom of the Hangar View are for quitting the
game and for displaying the help screen.

Exit Button (red "X"):
  Pressing this button exits from TOB after receiving a verification.

Help Button (the orange question mark):
  Pressing this button displays the Information Dialog which contains a list
of vehicle controls and descriptions of the various round types.


6) ENTERING THE ARENA
=====================
  Combat will begin once all combatants have indicated that they are ready to
enter the arena or when the round timer reaches zero and at least one human-
controlled combatant is ready.  When combat begins, the Hangar View will
disappear and, after a short delay, be replaced by a view of the appropriate
vehicle cockpit.  Initially, all vehicles will be placed at a predetermined
spot near the exterior walls of the Arena.  Once all vehicles have signaled
that they are ready, vehicles will be free to move about and begin combat.

  If a player enters the Arena after combat has already begun, the player's
vehicle will be placed at a random location within the Arena.


7) VEHICLE CONTROLS
===================

  The vehicle controls are described in the following table:

   COMBAT VEHICLE CONTROLS           KEYBOARD        MOUSE          JOYSTICK
==============================     ============    ==========     =============
Rotate right                       Right arrow     move right     move right
Rotate left                        Left arrow      move left      move left
Pitch forward*                     f key           move down      move forward
Pitch backward*                    d key           move up        move backward
Increase forward throttle*         Up arrow        ----------     -------------
Increase reverse throttle*         Down arrow      ----------     -------------
Alternate throttle control         1-9 keys        ----------     -------------
Stop                               5 or Insert     ----------     -------------
Slide left/right                   z/x keys        ----------     -------------
Slide up/down (flying only)        q/a keys        ----------     -------------
Jump Engines                       j key           ----------     -------------

Fire lasers                        space bar       Button 1       Button 1
Fire rear lasers                   Shift+space     Shift+Butn 1   Shift+Butn 1
Fire secondary weapon              Enter key       Button 2       Button 2
Select secondary weapon            w key           ----------     Button 4
Select ammo type                   Tab key         ----------     Button 3
Toggle missile guidance            g key           ----------     -------------

Toggle radar jamming               e key           ----------     -------------
Target next radar contact          t key           ----------     -------------
Select system to repair            r key           ----------     -------------
Toggle scanner/damage display      s key           ----------     -------------
Toggle terrain overhead/side view  v key           ----------     -------------
Toggle left/right/rear camera      c key           ----------     -------------

Exit the arena                     Ctrl+E          ----------     -------------
Exit the game                      Ctrl+X          ----------     -------------
Refill fuel, energy, & oxygen      l key***        ----------     -------------
Toggle capture/release of mouse    m key****       ----------     -------------
Send message to opponent           F5 - F9         ----------     -------------



       GAME CONTROLS                 KEYBOARD
==============================     ============
Quick save                         F2 key**
Size window to 320x240             F3 key
Size window to 640x480             F4 key
Show or hide the frame windows     F12 key


   *The throttle and pitch keys can be swapped.
  **Only works while in the hangar view.
 ***Only works during training sessions
****Only works during combat when mouse control is enabled.




Appendix A: PERFORMANCE AND GRAPHICS SETTINGS
=============================================
  There are many factors that affect the graphical performance of TOB.  Among
these are processor speed, video bus speed, screen resolution, and color depth.
For optimum performance, TOB is designed for 640x480, 256 color displays.
TOB may be run at higher resolutions and color depths, but a performance
penalty will be incurred.

  There are also several graphics settings that can be used to tailor TOB's
performance on a particular machine.  The following table lists the recommended
graphics options for a variety of processors (local bus video is assumed):


                        |  486DX2  486DX4  Pentium 75  Pentium 90  Pentium 133
  ----------------------+------------------------------------------------------
  High Resolution       |                      X           X           X
  Low Resolution        |    X       X
  Terrain Texture Maps  |                                              X
  Wall Texture Maps     |                                  X           X
  Vehicle Texture Maps  |                      X           X           X
  Smooth Shading        |            X         X           X           X
  Show Frame Windows    |


Appendix B: IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS
================================
  This section explains some of the common problems that may be encountered
when running Trials of Battle, and their possible solutions.

Problem: There is no sound or sound stops playing after only a short time.

  Trials of Battle uses a new sound technology in OS/2 Warp called DART.
  The first thing to check is that you have sound enabled.  Click on the
  computer panel in the hangar view and make sure the sound options are
  checked and that the volume is turned up.

  If you are not using OS/2 Warp v4, then you will need to install the
  DART DLLs that are included on the Trials of Battle CD-ROM in the file
  dart.zip.  Unzip the file and follow the instructions in the readme
  file to install the DLLs.

  If you still have trouble with sound, you may need a new driver for
  your sound card.  Check with the manufacturer of your sound card to
  obtain the latest version of the drivers.

  It is also possible to adjust the number and the size of the sound
  buffers that TOB uses.  This may solve a problem that some sound cards,
  most notably the Pro Audio Spectrum, have with small sound buffers on
  OS/2 Warp v3.  To adjust the sound buffer parameters, start Trials of
  Battle with the following command line switch:

    tob -sXXX,YYY

  where XXX is the number of sound buffers (the default is 6) and YYY
  is the size of the sound buffers (the default is 2048).  For example,
  a good value to try if you're have problems is 8 buffers and with a
  size of 4096.  So you would start tob by typing: tob -s8,4096.  You
  do not have to use the -s switch every time you start the game.  Once
  the buffer settings have changed, the game will remember them until
  they are changed again.

Problem: The game pauses or "hangs" periodically.

  There are usually two main causes of this problem.  First, there may
  be a background utility, such as a CPU monitor, that runs periodically
  and takes processor time away from TOB.  This is a fact of life when
  running in a true multitasking environment such as OS/2 Warp.  However,
  the problem may be reduced by running as little as possible in the
  background while TOB is being played.  In addition it may be possible
  to reduce the priority of the utilities in their settings notebook (for
  example, Object Desktop's Control Center will allow you to set its paint
  priority to low).  Finally, you can also increase the priority of TOB by
  clicking on the computer panel in the hangar view and setting the option
  for priority to Normal, High, or Highest.

  The other common cause of this problem is outdated video drivers.  You
  can contact the manufacturer of your video card to make sure that you
  are using the most recent version of their video driver.

Problem: When going into combat, the screen becomes distorted, is completely
black, or all of the colors are corrupted.

  These are symptoms of an incompatibility between TOB and the EnDIVE
  implementation on some video cards.  For now, the problem can be fixed
  by disabling EnDIVE on your video card.  Check the documentation that
  came with the video driver for details.


Problem: When going into combat, the cockpit colors are strange.

  This problem occurs occassionally on 256 color displays when OS/2's
  pallette manager does not get reset properly.  To correct this, simply
  reduce TOB to run in a window (by pressing F4 or F3), right click on
  the desktop background, and select "Refresh now" from the menu.  This
  process may need to be repeated a few times.


If you encounter a problem that is not covered above or if you still have
problems after trying the above solutions, you can obtain support in one
of the following ways:

  Telephone: (313) 453-0328
  email:     support@stardock.com

Please include as many details as possible about how to reproduce the bug,
your hardware/software configuration, and anything else that you feel may
help to isolate the problem.


                        (c) ShadowSoft 1996
