*******************************************************
 Falcon 3.0 and Operation: Fighting Tiger
 Version 3.04 update
 
 2/9/94
 
 Includes: 
 Acer BIOS compatibility utility
 ThrustMaster's TM-STICK joystick utility 
*******************************************************
 
CONTENTS
--------
 
   UPDATE INFORMATION
     Who can update?
     Should I update?
   WHAT IS ON THIS DISK
     F3UPDATE.EXE
     F3README.TXT
   FALCON 3.04 UPDATE INSTRUCTIONS
   PROGRAM FIXES SINCE FALCON 3.03
   PROGRAM FIXES SINCE FALCON 3.02 
   PROGRAM FIXES SINCE FALCON 3.0 
   TROUBLESHOOTING
     Error messages
     Manual installation
     Manual updating
   SPECIAL PROBLEMS - ACER AND TSENG OWNERS
   FINDING SPECTRUM HOLOBYTE ONLINE
 

UPDATING
--------
 
   If you are updating Falcon 3.0, run the Falcon 3.04
   update program. Type "F3UPDATE" at the DOS prompt.
   This will update any version of Falcon 3.0 to version 
   3.04.
   
   WARNING: You should complete any campaigns you
   intend to finish before updating. The Falcon 3.04
   update process deletes all existing squadron files.
 
   OPERATION: FIGHTING TIGER WARNING: Do not attempt to
   install Operation: Fighting Tiger after updating to
   version 3.04! If you buy Operation: Fighting Tiger
   after you update to version 3.04, DELETE EVERYTHING
   in your FALCON3 directory and reinstall from scratch
   (Falcon 3.0, then Operation: Fighting Tiger, then
   the 3.04 update). See the update instructions below.
 
 Who can update?
   Any Falcon 3.0 owner can update to version 3.04.
   You are encouraged to distribute copies of the Falcon
   3.04 update disk to other Falcon 3.0 owners.
 
 Should I update?
   Yes, if you have any of the following versions of
   Falcon 3.0: Falcon 3.0 (no suffix), Falcon 3.0a,
   Falcon 3.0c, Falcon 3.0d, Falcon 3.0e, Falcon 3.01
   (Operation: Fighting Tiger) Falcon 3.01.1, (Operation:
   Fighting Tiger update) Falcon 3.02, Falcon 3.02.1 or
   Falcon 3.03.
 
   Note also that Falcon 3.04 is required in order to
   communicate with Hornet 1.01, MiG-29 1.03 or Falcon 
   3.04. Earlier versions will fail to communicate 
   properly with Hornet 1.01, MiG-29 1.02 and Falcon 
   3.04.
 
WHAT IS ON THIS DISK
--------------------

 F3UPDATE.EXE
   This disk contains the Falcon 3.04 update. The
   F3UPDATE.EXE program performs the 3.04 update for
   Falcon 3.0 and Operation: Fighting Tiger.
 
 F3README.TXT  
   The Falcon 3.04 update program will also place a 
   file called "F3README.TXT" into your FALCON3 
   directory. This text file contains important tips 
   on running Falcon 3.0 as well as a complete listing 
   of all features added to Falcon 3.0 from its 
   original release through version 3.02.
 
FALCON 3.04 UPDATE INSTRUCTIONS
-------------------------------
 
NOTE: If you downloaded this update, you must copy it
      onto a floppy disk before proceeding. The updater
      is designed to work from a floppy and will fail
      if you try to run it from your hard drive.

   1) Install Falcon 3.0 according to the instructions
      provided with that game (unless it is already
      installed).
 
   2) Install Operation: Fighting Tiger, if you have
      it, according to the instructions provided with
      that game (unless it is already installed).
 
   3) At the A: or B: prompt (depending on where the 
      update disk is), type "F3UPDATE."
 
   4) On the screen which appears, you will be given
      the choice to "Continue" or "Quit." Select
      "Continue" to go on.
 
   5) A warning appears, telling you that all your
      squadrons will be deleted if you continue. You
      are given the choice to "Continue" or "Quit."
      Select "Continue" to go on with the Falcon 3.04
      update.
 
   6) The Falcon 3.04 update program now searches your
      hard drive for Falcon 3.0. When it finds Falcon 
      3.0, it says "Falcon 3.0 found in:" followed by 
      the path to the directory containing your copy of 
      Falcon 3.0. Edit this path if it is wrong or if 
      you have another copy of Falcon 3.0 you wish to 
      update instead of the one found.
 
   7) At the bottom of the screen are four buttons:
      "Install," "Search," "View" and "Quit." "Quit"
      aborts the Falcon 3.04 update. "View" brings up
      this Read Me file. "Search" continues the search
      for other copies of Falcon 3.0 by checking other
      drives or directories. Select "Install" to
      continue the Falcon 3.04 update.
 
   8) The Falcon 3.04 updater will begin updating
      Falcon 3.0 to version 3.04. You can abort the
      Falcon 3.04 update by pressing CTRL-BREAK.
 
   When the Falcon 3.04 updater is finished, it will
   beep. Press any key to exit to DOS.
 
   Type "CHECKVER" at the DOS prompt. You should see
   the following line (in addition to other
   information, such as whether Operation: Fighting
   Tiger or MiG-29 are installed and how much memory
   you have available).
 
CHECKVER V2.01 - Find Falcon 3.0, MiG-29 & Hornet version numbers

Program         Version   Date      Time      Size
FALCON3.EXE     3.04      2-07-94   04:19pm   1372999
 
PROGRAM FIXES SINCE FALCON 3.03
-------------------------------

* Some users reported a problem where the views would
  switch around without any user input. This no longer
  happens.
 
* Serious joystick control and calibration problems
  found in version 1.0 have been fixed. The joystick
  inputs are now linear, and there is a "null zone" of
  20% of the stick's travel. What this means is that
  the plane will react evenly to gradual increases in
  stick pressure, and that slight movement of the stick
  near the center point will not cause the plane to 
  jerk around.

* This new version is fully compatible with version 2.0
  of the TM-STICK.COM joystick TSR, developed jointly 
  by Ken "Stinger" Richardson and ThrustMaster. With
  their permission, we have incorporated much of the 
  TM-STICK code into this update. As a result, you do 
  not need to load TM-STICK.COM to fix your joystick 
  problems. If you want the other features of TM-STICK, 
  however, you will still have to load it. After you 
  run this update, TM-STICK.COM will be on your hard 
  drive in the directory that contains Falcon 3.0. See  
  the TM-STICK.TXT file for information on how to use 
  this utility.

* AMRAAMs are now available in communications play.
 
* When you press Ctrl-K (to jettison all stores), you
  will still keep your wingtip missiles, even if they
  are AMRAAMs. In version 1.0, AMRAAMs were jettisoned.
  
PROGRAM FIXES SINCE FALCON 3.02
-------------------------------

* Several users reported a problem where if you create
  a squadron, take off and return, create another
  squadron, take off and return, then try to fly another
  mission with the first squadron, the game would crash 
  with a message saying "Fatal Error! Cannot Create 
  File!" This was related to the number of planes in a 
  squadron and has been fixed.

PROGRAM FIXES SINCE FALCON 3.0
------------------------------

All the changes from version 3.0 through 3.02 are 
listed in the F3README.TXT file which is placed in your 
Falcon 3.0 directory by the updater. There are many 
significant changes, so read the entire file (we 
recommend printing it out for reference).

TROUBLESHOOTING
---------------
 
   If there are problems with the Falcon 3.04 updater, 
   you will see one of several possible error messages.
   These messages are listed below.
 
 Error messages
   ERROR - NOT ENOUGH CONVENTIONAL MEMORY AVAILABLE
     You do not have enough conventional memory free to
     use the Falcon 3.04 updater. This message is
     extremely unlikely, since the Falcon 3.04 updater
     only requires 250K of free conventional memory to
     run. Refer to your Release Notes and Communications
     Handbook from Falcon 3.0 for tips on managing your
     memory.
 
   ERROR - DISK SPACE NOT AVAILABLE ON DRIVE:
     This message will be followed by the path to the
     drive and directory to which you are attempting to
     update Falcon 3.0. The solution is to make sure
     you have enough free space on your hard drive. The
     Falcon 3.04 update requires 2MB of free disk space. 
     
   ERROR - CANNOT LOCATE FILE (filename) ON DISK
     This message will be followed by the name of
     whatever disk you are trying to install to or
     update from. The word "(filename)" above will be
     replaced by whatever file the Falcon 3.04 updater
     is seeking. This message appears most often when
     the wrong disk is put in the drive. The solution
     is to make sure the update disk is in the drive
     being used.
 
     If you have the update disk in the floppy drive
     and still get this message, write down what file
     it is looking for and call Customer Support at
     (510)522-1164.
 
   ERROR - INVALID VERSION
     This message appears if the Falcon 3.04 updater
     cannot find certain files that should exist in a
     functioning, legitimate copy of Falcon 3.0.
 
     One likely possibility, especially if you have a
     backup copy of FALCON3.EXE, is that the Falcon
     3.04 updater is trying to update to a directory
     that only contains FALCON3.EXE. If this is so, quit
     the Falcon 3.04 update and restart it. When you are
     given the option to edit the path it will update
     to, type in the path to a full working copy of
     Falcon 3.0.
 
     Another possibility is that your FALCON3 directory
     has had some of its files removed. In this case,
     the solution is to quit the Falcon 3.04 updater,
     delete all the files from your FALCON3 directory
     (or whatever directory your copy of Falcon 3.0 is
     in), and re-install Falcon 3.0 (followed by
     Operation: Fighting Tiger if you have it). Then
     run the Falcon 3.04 updater.
 
   DATA ERROR READING DRIVE (drive, usually A: or B:)
     This message appears if there is a disk error on
     your update disk. Call Customer Support at
     (510)522-1164 for a replacement disk.
 
 Manual updating to Falcon 3.04
   If you are having trouble updating to Falcon 3.04,
   you can manually perform the Falcon 3.04 update 
   using one of the following procedures. Follow the 
   instructions appropriate to your setup, as different 
   files are needed depending on what is already 
   installed on your system.
 
   To update to Falcon 3.04 with Falcon 3.0 and 
   Operation: Fighting Tiger already installed:
 
   - Insert the 3.04 update disk in drive A.
   - At the A: prompt, type the following:
       COPY GOPATCH.EXE C:\FALCON3
       COPY 304PATCH.RTP C:\FALCON3
       COPY CHECKOFT.RTP C:\FALCON3
       COPY CHECKVER.COM C:\FALCON3
       COPY ASIAPAT.RTP C:\FALCON3
       COPY F30RESET.EXE C:\FALCON3
       COPY GOPATCH.EXE C:\FALCON3\ARMSDATA
       COPY 304ARM.RTP C:\FALCON3\ARMSDATA
       C:
       CD\FALCON3
   - You will now be at a C:\FALCON3 prompt. Type
     the following to update to Falcon 3.04:
       GOPATCH CHECKOFT
       GOPATCH ASIAPAT
       GOPATCH 304PATCH
       CD ARMSDATA
       GOPATCH 304ARM
   - The update is now complete. Remove the excess
     files from your hard drive by typing the following
     (you should still be in C:\FALCON3\ARMSDATA):
       DEL GOPATCH.EXE
       DEL *.RTP
       CD..
       DEL GOPATCH.EXE
       DEL *.RTP
       F30RESET
 
   To update to Falcon 3.04 with Falcon 3.0 only
   already installed:
 
   - Insert the 3.04 update disk in drive A.
   - At the A: prompt, type the following:
       COPY GOPATCH.EXE C:\FALCON3
       COPY EPATCH.RTP C:\FALCON3
       COPY 304PATCH.RTP C:\FALCON3
       COPY F30RESET.EXE C:\FALCON3
       COPY CHECKVER.COM C:\FALCON3                                    
       COPY GOPATCH.EXE C:\FALCON3\ARMSDATA
       COPY PATCHARM.RTP C:\FALCON3\ARMSDATA
       COPY 304ARM.RTP C:\FALCON3\ARMSDATA
       C:
       CD\FALCON3
   - You will now be at a C:\FALCON3 prompt. Type
     the following to update to Falcon 3.04:
       GOPATCH EPATCH
       GOPATCH 304PATCH
       CD ARMSDATA
       GOPATCH PATCHARM
       GOPATCH 304ARM
   - The update is now complete. Remove the excess
     files from your hard drive by typing the following
     (you should still be in C:\FALCON3\ARMSDATA):
       DEL GOPATCH.EXE
       DEL *.RTP
       CD..
       DEL GOPATCH.EXE
       DEL *.RTP
       F30RESET


SPECIAL PROBLEMS - ACER AND TSENG OWNERS
----------------------------------------

 There are a couple of special hardware problems which
 have been reported. The first has to do with Acer
 motherboards. The other problem only affects users who
 have a video card with the Tseng ET4000/w32 chipset.
 
 Acer and Acros owners
 ---------------------
  Owners of Acer computers, Acros computers or other
  computers with Acer motherboards using BIOS version
  version 1.2 could not play MiG-29 or Falcon 3.02.
  When either game was run, it would simply freeze
  with a blank screen.
 
  The solution is to use a small TSR (terminate-and-
  stay-resident) program called ACER.COM which we
  created to deal with this incompatibility problem.
  Running this patch will automatically copy ACER.COM
  into your FALCON3 directory.
 
  If you have an Acer with BIOS version 1.2, type
  "ACER" before you run MiG-29 or Falcon 3.04. This
  will load the ACER TSR into memory, where it will
  allow you to play Falcon 3.04 or MiG-29. When
  loaded, ACER.COM takes up 768 bytes (0.8K) of 
  conventional memory. Since MiG-29 requires 603K and
  Falcon 3.04 requires 604K of conventional memory,
  be sure you have enough free RAM for this TSR as well.
 
  When you are done playing, type "ACER U" to unload
  the TSR from memory.

 Tseng ET4000/w32 chipset
 ------------------------
  If you have a video card with the Tseng ET4000/w32
  chipset, you may experience problems with frequent
  white flashing in the simulation. You can download a
  specific fix for this video problem from our Customer
  Support BBS at (510)522-8909 or from GEnie, CompuServe
  or America Online.

FINDING SPECTRUM HOLOBYTE ONLINE
--------------------------------
America Online: Press Ctrl-K for "Go to Keyword."
    Then type "SPECTRUM" in the Keyword window. You can
    also send e-mail to us at S HOLOBYTE.
 
CompuServe: Type "GO GAMBPUB" at any ! prompt. Then
    select "Section 3" for Spectrum HoloByte. You can
    also send us e-mail at 76004,2144
 
GEnie: Type "M805;1" at any ? prompt. Then select
    "Category 18" for Spectrum HoloByte. You can also
    send us e-mail at HOLOBYTE.
 
Internet: Send us e-mail at 76004.2144@compuserve.com.
 
Prodigy: Check the "Flight Simulators" topic on the
    Game Club bulletin board (located in the Game
    Center area). You can also send us e-mail at
    TKNJ33A.
