                       ImagiNation Network (INN)
                      Common Problems & Solutions
                      ===========================

The following information was developed to complement the ImagiNation 
Network manual.  If you're having difficulty installing or running INN, 
please read this document carefully.

MEMBERSHIP ID NUMBER
--------------------
You can use the ID.EXE program to enter or change your ImagiNation 
Network Membership ID Number.  Why would you want to do this?  You may 
need to enter your Membership ID Number, for example, if The ImagiNation 
Network asks you for membership information (name and address, etc.) 
every time you try to play, or if you've deleted The ImagiNation 
Network from your hard drive and want to re-install it.

To use the ID.EXE program, change to the directory in which you installed 
The ImagiNation Network and type ID XXXXXXXXXX (where XXXXXXXXXX is your 
10 digit ImagiNation Network Member ID number).  For example, let's say you 
installed The ImagiNation Network to an \INN directory on your C: 
drive and your member number was 1234567890.  You would type:

C: [Enter]
CD \INN [Enter]
ID 1234567890 [Enter]

At this point, you will see the question "Do you really want to do 
this?"  Verify that you have entered the correct ImagiNation Membership 
ID Number, and type:

Y [Enter]

If you don't have a membership ID number or you don't know what your
membership ID number is, please call The ImagiNation Network Member
Services.

NOT ENOUGH MEMORY -
-----------------
If you get the message "There is insufficient memory..." before starting 
INN or during game play, you need to make a DOS boot disk.  A boot disk 
will create an optimal environment for your computer to install and 
play INN.

To make a INN boot disk, run the program BOOTDISK.EXE from either the #1
diskette (if you haven't already installed the software) or from the
directory into which you installed the INN software.  After creating the
boot disk, restart your computer with the boot disk in the A: (or B:) 
drive.

A boot disk will not alter your existing system configuration.  Your
computer is designed to recognize a boot disk in the floppy drive as an
alternate method of starting and configuring itself.  You might think of
the boot disk as your INN Startup Disk.  It's the best method we have of
ensuring that your memory configuration is set to best run INN.

BOOT DISK MAKER SWITCHES
------------------------
The boot disk maker supports several option switches that allow you to
make different kinds of boot disks.  To use these switches, type 
BOOTDISK followed by the switch.  For example, "bootdisk -c" would add 
CD-ROM drivers to the boot disk.  Here is an explanation of the various 
switches:

-e  Adds Expanded memory (EMS).  Use this option if you have 
insufficient memory to play Football Online.

-s  Adds SmartDrive.  Use this option if you are making a boot disk
for Football Online.  SmartDrive speeds up Football Online game play  
in some cases.  WARNING: Using this option may cause insufficient
memory messages (depending on your system configuration).  If this 
occurs, simply re-make the boot disk without this switch.
 
-c  Adds CD drivers.  Use if having installation problems with the 
CD-ROM version.  Boot with this boot disk before installing from the 
ImagiNation CD.  NOTE: INN installs completely to your hard drive.  
Once installed the CD is no longer required (keep it as a back-up). 
Therefore, if you are receiving insufficient memory messages or other 
problems with this special CD boot disk, simply re-make the boot disk 
without the "-c" switch.

-d<dir>  Change to <dir> directory on boot.  Use this option if you 
want to automatically change to the directory in which you installed
INN when booting from the boot disk.  For example, if you installed 
INN to an \INN directory, you would type: 

          BOOTDISK -d\INN
 
-r<cmd>  Run a command <cmd> on boot.  Use this option if you want to
automatically run INN when booting from the boot disk.  For example:
  
          BOOTDISK -rINN  

Note that this command must be used in conjunction with the "-d" command.

WINDOWS (tm) SUPPORT -
--------------------
INN is a DOS application, and while it may run fine in Windows, there is
also the possibility you could experience technical difficulties.  In
particular, you may experience low memory problems, sound card problems
or mouse problems.  If this is the case, try exiting Windows completely
and running INN from the DOS prompt.

LONG DISTANCE CALLS
-------------------
Due to recent changes by many telephone companies, it may no longer be
necessary to put a 1 in front of long distance numbers when dialing
within the same area code.  How does this affect you?  This means it
is possible for you to dial a long distance number within your area code
without a warning dialog box from The ImagiNation Network that it is 
long distance.  What can you do to avoid unnecessary long distance 
charges?  Consult your phone book or telephone service provider to 
determine whether an access number is local BEFORE you call it.  You 
are responsible for any long distance charges you incur when calling 
The ImagiNation Network.

INSTALL PROGRAM HANGS
---------------------
If the Install program hangs when the dots are being drawn on the top of
the screen, it was unable to automatically detect your computer's 
hardware. This may be caused by an interrupt conflict or other 
configuration problem.  Type: 

Install -m [Enter]

If you are installing from a CD-ROM, change to the \INN directory on the
CD and type:

Insttsn -f -m [Enter]

This will bypass the Install program's automatic detection feature.  You
can then enter your computer's Installation Choices manually.  

YSERBIUS CHARACTERS
-------------------
If you performed a Custom Install and chose not to install The Shadows
of Yserbius, your characters have been backed up to the main ImagiNation
directory.  To restore them, re-install Yserbius, make sure you are in
the directory in which you installed ImagiNation (usually C:\INN) and
type:

copy ysrbchars.dat yserbius\mychars.dat [Enter]
copy ysrbmaps.dat yserbius\automaps.dat [Enter]


                    ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION
                    ================================

CAN'T HEAR THE MODEM DIAL -
-------------------------
If you can't hear the modem pick up the phone and dial, then INN is
having trouble finding your modem.  You may need to change the COM port
setting for INN.  To do this, go into the directory into which you
installed the INN software, run the Install program, and choose "COM
Port" from the menu and pick a different check marked selection.

MORE ABOUT COM PORTS -
--------------------
If you have an internal modem, please examine the COM port settings of
any previously installed Asynchronous Communications Adapters (ASYNC) or
multi-function boards, as well as the COM port setting of the internal
modem, to ensure there are no addressing conflicts.

COM ports 1 and 3 share IRQ #4.  COM ports 2 and 4 share IRQ #3. We
recommend that if you have a mouse on COM 1 you should set your internal
modem to COM 2.  If another device in your computer conflicts with COM
2, try setting your modem to COM 4.  Avoid using COM 3 if you have a
serial mouse on COM 1.  

AUTO DETECT YOUR MODEM'S COM PORT
--------------------------------

New for version 2.4: The install program now has the ability to detect
and check your modem's COM port and IRQ (interrupt request). If you 
are unsure about which COM port your modem is using, you can use this 
feature to find out. To use this feature...

1. Run INSTALL.BAT at the C:\INN directory
2. Choose "COM Port" from the Installation Choices 
3. Choose "Auto Detect Modem's Com Port"

If you experience problems while using the Auto Detection feature, 
it may be because your modem is in conflict with another piece of 
hardware in your computer.  For example, two devices may be using 
the same IRQ.  If this is the case, check your modem manual or 
consult a computer hardware specialist.

SOUND BLASTER AND COMPATIBLES / ADLIB -
-------------------------------------
Since INN uses mostly FM synthesis for its music and sound effects, you 
can eliminate sound card conflicts by choosing AdLib Music Synthesizer 
as your music device in the Install program.

OF MICE & MODEMS -
----------------
If you have an internal modem and a serial mouse you must make sure that
they aren't both using the same COM port.  Your modem and mouse each
need their own COM ports and IRQ interrupts.  Setting both mouse and
modem to the same COM port or interrupt will cause problems.  Changing
your modem to COM 2 or COM 4 (see your modem instruction manual for
directions) should resolve most conflicts.

MY MOUSE DOESN'T WORK! -
----------------------
INN is a DOS application and requires a DOS mouse driver.  Note that 
Windows has its own mouse driver and although the mouse may be working 
in Windows, you still need to load a DOS mouse driver for DOS programs.  
A mouse driver is a program that allows your computer to communicate
with your mouse.  Generally, DOS mouse drivers have names like MOUSE.COM
and MOUSE.SYS.  Check your mouse documentation for information on loading 
a mouse  driver.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT MEMORY SWAPPING -
---------------------------------
Once INN has a minimum of 580k Conventional memory, it can "swap" data 
into Extended memory (XMS) or Expanded memory (EMS).  Memory swapping 
requires a minimum of 311,296 bytes of XMS or EMS memory, but it can 
use up to 1,048,576 bytes of XMS or EMS if available.  Our Boot Disk 
Maker (BOOTDISK.EXE) will attempt to install an XMS manager if you 
have DOS 5.0 or higher.  Memory swapping significantly increases the
speed of certain operations.

If you do not have enough available XMS or EMS memory, a Virtual
Memory feature will use some of the space on your hard drive for
temporary storage, in much the same way that Microsoft Windows (tm)
uses its temporary swap files.  This works as long as you have at least
one megabyte of available space on your hard disk.  But it has one 
drawback - it can seem slow at times.  You'll know that Virtual Memory
is active because your cursor will look like a 3.5" diskette.

                               VOLUME CONTROL
                               ==============

To control the volume of the music in the title screen, use a text editor
to modify the LSCI.CFG in the INN directory on your hard drive.  Add the 
line LOGONVOL = 0 to shut the music off completely, or use LOGONVOL = n
(where "n" is a number between 1 and 127) to adjust the volume to any
level you like.  When you are finished editing the LSCI.CFG file, save
it as a plain text file.

New for ImagiNation version 2.4: The music volume in the map is now 
determined by the volume setting of the persona you are using.  To
change the volume level of your personas, click on OPTIONS, select
PREFERENCES and adjust the VOLUME slider.  There is a sound effect 
that is played when a persona is selected to indicate the volume level
associated with that persona.  Choose the volume level of the persona 
in the upper left corner carefully, because this will be your default 
persona. 

When exiting a land, the volume of the map music will remain at the level
it was in the land, with a few exceptions.  For example, when exiting 
MedievaLand, the volume will be set by the LOGONVOL value in the LSCI.CFG 
file.  If there is no LOGONVOL line in the LSCI.CFG file, the volume will 
be set to the maximum level. 

                                  SEASONS
                                  =======

INN has seasonal maps! If at any time you would like to restore
the original INN main map, you may add the following line to the
LSCI.CFG file in your INN directory:

    SEASONS = OFF

To turn seasons back on, either remove that line or replace the word
OFF with ON.  To force INN to show a particular season, replace the
word OFF or ON with WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER, or FALL. 

Unless you have specified a particular season, the seasons are
dependent on your computer's internal clock setting.  If your
computers' internal clock is wrong, the seasons will not change
correctly.

                 ERROR MESSAGES AND THEIR MEANINGS
                 =================================

ERROR #1 -
--------
The connection to INN has been lost.  Check to make sure that someone
else in your household isn't attempting to log on to INN using the same
Member number.  If two people log on at the same time using the same 
number they will both be dropped.  This error may also occur if you have
call waiting and someone tries to call you while you are on-line.  Check
with your phone company for information on temporarily disabling call 
waiting.

ERROR #8 -
--------
The system that lets you reach out and touch INN is busy at the phone
number you chose during the installation process.  If you wait a few
minutes and try connecting again, you should be able to get through.  
If the number nearest you is busy on a regular basis, please call
INN Member Services and report the busy phone number.

In the interim you can try calling another nearby access node, but YOU
WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TOLL OR LONG-DISTANCE CHARGES. Run the
Install program from the directory into which you installed INN and 
select "Access Phone #" to choose a different access number.

ERROR #9 -
--------
First, double-check the Network access number you chose for INN to call.
Make sure you've selected an access number from the list in the INSTALL
program.  

If you cannot hear your modem pick up the phone and dial, the "COM Port"
setting in the Install program may be incorrect.  Check which COM port
your modem is using, re-run Install and choose that COM port.  Also,
check to make sure your phone line is plugged into the modem.

If you have an internal modem, and you can hear the modem dial and 
connect, but you still get Error #9, see the discussion of Non-standard 
IRQ and COM Port Configurations below.  

Finally, make sure that your mouse is not using the same COM port as your 
modem.  If the problem persists, please contact the INN Member Services
department.

ERROR #10 -
---------
Verify the network access number by running the INSTALL program.  If you
have selected a valid network access number, then the system that lets
you reach out and touch INN may be experiencing network trouble.  If the
problem persists for more than a few minutes, call INN Member Services 
and report the problem, including the number you are calling, so that we 
can get it fixed.

In the interim you can try calling another nearby access node, but YOU
WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TOLL OR LONG-DISTANCE CHARGES.  Run the
Install program from the directory into which you installed INN and 
select "Access Phone #" to choose a different access number.

ERROR #12 -
---------
Verify that you are calling an INN Local Access Number.  Run the
Install program from the directory into which you installed INN and 
select "Access Phone #" to choose a different access number.  If you 
are sure you are calling an INN Local Access #, your modem initialization 
string may need modification.  INN works best if MNP 5 error correction 
is disabled.  If your modem is not on the list of modem models in the 
Install program and the default choice gives you this error, check 
your modem manual for the initialization command that disables MNP error 
correction.  While advanced modem commands vary, often this command is 
AT&Q0 or AT\N0.  If you are unable to find the commands to disable MNP 
error correction please call INN Member Services.
  
ERROR #13 -
---------
The system that lets you reach out and touch INN may be experiencing
network trouble.  If the problem persists for more than a few minutes,
please call INN Member Services and report the problem, including the 
number you are calling, so that we can get it fixed.

In the interim you can try calling another nearby access node, but YOU
WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TOLL OR LONG-DISTANCE CHARGES.  Run the
Install program in the directory into which you installed INN and press
F1 in the access number screen for a list of local access numbers.

ERROR #999 -
----------
This indicates that you have encountered an unknown problem and the
system was unable to determine what went wrong.  This error message
indicates that something unusual which the software cannot identify
occurred on your system.  Check your system configuration for COM port
conflicts and available memory.  If you have an external modem your
serial cable may be defective.  Try switching serial cables and see if
the problem persists.  If you continue to get this error please call
INN Member Services.

UNABLE TO LOAD VIDEO DRIVER -
---------------------------
This indicates that the LSCI.CFG file in the directory into which you
have installed the INN software has been damaged.  To fix this run the
Install program, make sure the Video option is set correctly, and choose
"Accept these choices".  This will re-write the LSCI.CFG file for the
INN software.

NON-STANDARD IRQ AND COM PORT CONFIGURATIONS -
--------------------------------------------
The standard IRQ settings for serial ports are IRQ 4 for COM 1 and COM 3 
and IRQ 3 for COM 2 and COM 4.  A common example of a "non-standard" 
IRQ setting would be COM 3 on IRQ 5.  If you have a non-standard IRQ 
setting for your modem, run the Install program and change the COM Port 
setting by moving the highlight bar to the COM Port line, pressing Enter, 
and choosing "Other Communications Port Settings" at the bottom of the COM 
port list. 

You will then be prompted for the IRQ and COM Port settings.  If you 
are unsure as to what you need to select, just hit F1 for Help and you 
will be given information that should help you in determining the proper
answers for these prompts.  

You cannot adversely affect your system in any way by making an incorrect 
selection.  At worse you will simply have to re-run this process and 
make a different selection.


                        INN MEMBER SERVICES
                        ===================

If you experience problems installing or operating INN, or if you have
any questions concerning any of the above steps, our Member Services
team will be happy to assist you.

CONTACTING INN MEMBER SERVICES - 
------------------------------ 
Please call 1-800-462-4461 between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm PST, seven days a
week.  You can also reach us on INN at mailbox #950, by fax at (209)
642-0885, by TTY/TDD (for the hearing impaired) at (209) 658-7977, or by
mail at the following address:

                        The ImagiNation Network
                             P.O. BOX 1550
                           Oakhurst, CA 93644
                        ATTN.: Technical Support

BEFORE YOU CALL -
---------------
To help us provide the best service possible, please be in front of your
computer when you call and have the following information ready: 

	*  Your Member number or Mailbox number  
	*  Modem brand name and type (internal or external)
	*  The COM port setting of the modem 
	*  Mouse type (serial or bus)  
	*  Any error message you may have received
	*  The network access phone number you chose for the program to call


