Thank you for purchasing EA Sports NHL 99. This README file contains information on new features not covered in the manual. It also contains instructions on installing and running NHL 99. Finally, this README file contains information on performance issues, multiplayer issues, and hardware issues. ################################################################ 1) System Requirements a) Minimum Configuration b) Recommended Configuration c) Multiplayer Requirements d) 3D Accelerators e) Input Devices 2) Installing the Game a) Installation Program b) DirectX Installation c) Reinstalling the Game 3) Detailed Remote League Instructions 4) Performance Issues and Troubleshooting a) Improving Gameplay Performance b) 3D Accelerator c) Memory d) Video Card e) Sound Card f) CD-ROM g) Joystick h) Modem i) Network j) Power Management 5) Internet 6) HOW TO CONTACT ELECTRONIC ARTS ################################################################ ================================================================ 1) SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ================================================================ ---------------------------------------------------------------- a) MINIMUM CONFIGURATION ---------------------------------------------------------------- 166 MHz or higher Intel Pentium, Cyrix 6x86, or AMD K6 processor 16 MB RAM Windows 95 or 98 (does not run under Windows NT) Quad-speed CD-ROM drive (600K/second transfer rate) using 32-bit Windows 95 or 98 CD-ROM driver Hi Color (65,535 color) capable 1 MB PCI video card with DirectDraw(tm) support DirectX 6 (included on game CD) 30 MB free hard disk space plus space for saved games (additional space required for DirectX 6 installation) Keyboard Mouse Optional joystick Optional sound card with DirectSound support ---------------------------------------------------------------- b) RECOMMENDED CONFIGURATION ---------------------------------------------------------------- 200 MHz Pentium processor or higher 32 MB RAM 8x or faster CD-ROM drive using 32-bit Windows 95 or 98 CD-ROM driver 100 MB free hard disk space plus space for saved games (additional space required for DirectX 6 installation) Supported gaming controller Sound card with DirectSound support ---------------------------------------------------------------- c) MULTIPLAYER REQUIREMENTS ---------------------------------------------------------------- Network (2-12 players on up to 8 PCs): IPX or TCP/IP compliant network, 1 CD per computer Modem (2-12 players on 2 PCs): 100% Hayes compatible 28800 bps or faster modem; High speed serial port (16550 UART), 1 CD per computer ---------------------------------------------------------------- d) SUPPORTED 3-D ACCELERATORS ---------------------------------------------------------------- Supported 3-D graphics accelerator including 3Dfx Voodoo(tm) Graphics, Voodoo Rush(tm), Voodoo 2(tm), ATI® Rage Pro, Rendition® Verité(tm) V2200, Nvidia(tm) Riva 128(tm), Nvidia(tm) TNT, Intel® i740, or Matrox® G200 chipsets ---------------------------------------------------------------- e) SUPPORTED INPUT DEVICES ---------------------------------------------------------------- Microsoft Sidewinder(tm) Gamepad, Gravis Gamepad Pro, Gravis PC Gamepad, Gravis GriP(tm), Gravis Xterminator, Windows supported 4 or more button Gaming Controller (10 or more button analog pad recommended), ================================================================ 2) INSTALLING THE GAME ================================================================ ---------------------------------------------------------------- a) INSTALLATION PROGRAM ---------------------------------------------------------------- i. Start the Windows 95 or 98 operating system. ii. Insert the NHL 99 CD into your CD drive. The Autorun menu appears. NOTE: If the Autorun menu does not automatically appear, click the Start button on your Windows 95 or 98 Taskbar, then click Run.... At the Run dialog box, type d:\autorun, then click OK. (substitute the correct letter of your CD drive if other than D:) iii. Click INSTALL. The NHL 99 Setup menu appears. * You may exit the NHL 99 setup program at any time by clicking Cancel. iv. Read the general installation information, then click Next. The Setup Type menu appears. * The default install type is Typical. To choose a different install type, click COMPACT or CUSTOM. * The default install directory is C:\Program Files\EA Sports\NHL 99. To choose a different destination directory, click Browse..., select the desired directory, then click OK. v. Click Next. The Select Program Folder menu appears. Note: If you chose the Custom install type, the Select Components screen appears. Click the box next to the component(s) you want to install, then click Next. T he Select Program Folder menu appears. vi. Choose the destination folder in which you want NHL 99 to appear in the Start menu, then click Next. NHL 99 is copied to your hard drive. When NHL 99 file transfer is complete, you have the option to create an NHL 99 shortcut on your desktop. ---------------------------------------------------------------- b) DIRECTX INSTALLATION ---------------------------------------------------------------- After the NHL 99 file installation, the DirectX 6 prompt appears. *If you do not have DirectX installed to your computer, or you have a version previous to 6.0 installed, we recommend you click Yes. *If you have DirectX 6.0 or higher installed to your computer, we recommend you click No. DIRECTX INSTALLATION NOTES DirectX is an Application Programming Interface provided by Microsoft, which gives Windows 95 or 98 based applications high-performance, real-time access to your hardware. This makes the DirectX API well suited for Windows 95 or 98 games. NHL 99 uses the DirectX 6 API (the latest iteration of DirectX at the time of release) and includes DirectX 6 files which you can install. Two DirectX components, DirectDraw and DirectSound, may require updating your video card and sound card drivers respectively, for proper operation of these components. Using video card and sound card drivers that do not have DirectX support will result in display and audio problems in DirectX applications. During the installation of DirectX, your video card and sound card drivers will be updated if required. The DirectX 6 files included with NHL 99 include drivers for most video cards and sound cards from the major manufacturers of these peripherals. For new hardware, and for lesser known brands of peripherals, you may have to contact your manufacturer to obtain drivers that support DirectX. After installing DirectX 6, you can check to see if your video card or sound card drivers support DirectX: 1. Click the Start button on your Windows 95 or 98 Taskbar. Then click Run... 2. From the Run dialog box, type d:\directx6\directx\dxinfo then click OK. (Substitute the correct letter of your CD drive if other than 'D:') 3. Look at Display Driver and Audio Driver. The second column displays the driver version number; the third, whether or not your driver is Certified by Microsoft as supporting DirectX. *If your Display Driver or Audio Driver says "No Hardware Support" in this column, you must contact the manufacturer to obtain updated drivers, which have DirectX support. *If your Display Driver or Audio Drivers says "Certified" in this column, your video card or sound card supports DirectX, and it should work properly in DirectX applications. *If your Display Driver or Audio Driver is blank in this column, your video card or sound card driver supposedly supports DirectX, and is waiting for Certified approval from Microsoft. IMPORTANT NOTE: During DirectX 6 installation, the setup program checks to see if it can successfully update your drivers. If the driver being replaced has not been tested or if replacing the driver is known to cause problems, the setup program warns you accordingly. We recommend that you heed these warnings. ---------------------------------------------------------------- c) RE-INSTALLING THE GAME ---------------------------------------------------------------- If you are having problems or the game did not install correctly the first time, we recommend re-installing the game. i. Start the Windows 95 or 98 operating system. ii. Insert the NHL 99 CD in your CD drive. The Autorun menu appears. NOTE: If the Autorun menu does not automatically appear, click the Start button on your Windows 95 or 98 Taskbar, then click Run.... At the Run dialog box, type d:\autorun, then click OK. (substitute the correct letter of your CD drive if other than 'D:'). iii. At the Autorun menu, click RE-INSTALL. A prompt appears asking you to confirm your choice. * To cancel the Re-install, click No. iv. Click Yes. NHL 99 is removed from your hard drive. v. Click OK. The Setup menu appears. * Continue from Step 3 of Installing the Game. ================================================================ 3) DETAILED REMOTE LEAGUE INSTRUCTIONS ================================================================ Any Season, Playoffs, or Tournament that you have created can be turned into a remote league. The creator of a Season, Playoffs, or Tournament is considered the League Commissioner. The Commissioner is able to set whether teams are CPU controlled or human controlled, control passwords for these teams, conduct player transactions for all teams, and pass league and game information to the members of the League. ---------------------------------------------------------------- a) CREATING A REMOTE LEAGUE ---------------------------------------------------------------- *Create a Season, Tournament, or Playoffs. *In the User Control Screen, assign teams to all users for the remote league. *You may enter in passwords for these teams as well. *If you wish to Lock the Rules for the league you may do so in the Rules screen. Locking the Rules for the league prevents remote users from changing the League Rules to gain an unfair advantage when playing against opponents. *You may also choose to prevent users from Aborting a game in progress without saving it by setting the Abort Game option in the Rules screen to Off. This prevents users from quitting a league game that they are losing. Note that this applies only to Human vs. CPU games or Human vs. Human games on the same machine. You cannot save a game that you are playing against a remote opponent. *You may add additional users at any time by going to the Commissioner --> Edit User Control screen. ---------------------------------------------------------------- b) WAITING FOR REMOTE USER CONNECTIONS ---------------------------------------------------------------- It is the Commissioner's responsibility to make league data on his computer available to the remote users of the League. To wait for a remote user connection, go to the Commissioner --> Wait for Connection screen. Choose a connection type and advance. ---------------------------------------------------------------- C) JOINING A REMOTE LEAGUE FOR THE FIRST TIME ---------------------------------------------------------------- *To join a remote league for the first time, click on the Remote League option in the main screen. *Choose a connection type, fill in the connection info, and advance to connect to the Commissioner. (Note that the Commissioner must have his computer set to Wait for Connection mode). *Fill in your contact information (so that other users know how to contact you to initiate a game). *A list of teams available to be checked out is displayed on the right hand side of the screen. *Select the team you wish to control and click and drag it over to the left hand side of the screen to check it out (You may need to enter in a password at this time). *Disconnect from the Commissioner. ---------------------------------------------------------------- D) CONNECTING TO THE COMMISSIONER AFTER THE FIRST TIME ---------------------------------------------------------------- *Your League is saved as a Season, Playoffs, or Tournament once you have connected to the Commissioner for the first time. *From the main screen load up your Season, Playoffs, or Tournament to go the League screen. *Click the telephone icon, choose a connection type, fill in the connection info, and advance to connect to the Commissioner. *The purpose of connecting to the Commissioner is to send him results of the game you have just completed, and to check out your next game, in order to play it. ---------------------------------------------------------------- E) PLAYING LEAGUE GAMES ---------------------------------------------------------------- *If your next game is against a CPU opponent, or against a human opponent that resides on the same computer, click the Advance icon in the League screen to go to Controller Setup. *If your next game is against a remote human opponent, clicking Advance will take you to the Connect screen. *Choose your connection type, fill in the connection info, and advance. (Note that the remote opponent must also do the same). ---------------------------------------------------------------- F) TRADES, FREE AGENTS, AND CREATE PLAYER ---------------------------------------------------------------- *Note that only the Commissioner can trade players, move players on and off the Free Agent list, and Create Players. *If you wish to perform a player transaction or to create a player, contact the Commissioner to process the player transaction. ================================================================ 4) PERFORMANCE ISSUES AND TROUBLESHOOTING ================================================================ ---------------------------------------------------------------- a) IMPROVING GAMEPLAY PERFORMANCE ---------------------------------------------------------------- If NHL 99 does not run as quickly as you think it should, or if the gameplay is not smooth, you can reduce the audio and/or video details to increase overall performance. Note: The options described in this section are found in the NHL 99 Options and Details menus. For information on setting options, please refer to the enclosed manual. MINIMUM PROCESSOR SYSTEMS The following suggestions should increase speed on lower end systems. *Toggle Ice Textures OFF. *Cycle Audio Detail to LOW. *Set the Player and Arena Detail sliders to LOW. *Reduce Screen Size. The smaller the screen size, the greater the improvement. *Set the Resolution to 640x480. *Set the Render mode to 8 bit (software render only). LAST RESORT SUGGESTIONS *Set Play-by-Play Commentary slider OFF (all the way to the left). You may also install the Play-by-Play files on to the Hard Drive, to improve gameplay performance. To install the Play-by-Play files on to the Hard Drive, choose the Custom Installation when installing the game. ---------------------------------------------------------------- b) 3-D ACCELERATION ---------------------------------------------------------------- 3D SETUP PROGRAM When you first install NHL 99, the installer will detect for any supported 3D accelerators on your system. If a supported 3D accelerator is detected, NHL 99 will be set to run in 3D Accelerated Mode. If no supported 3D accelerators are detected, NHL 99 will be set to run in Software Render Mode. SUPPORTED 3D ACCELERATOR CHIPSETS 3Dfx Voodoo Graphics 3Dfx Voodoo Rush 3Dfx Voodoo II ATI Rage Pro Intel i740 Matrox G200 NVidia Riva 128 NVidia TNT Rendition Verité V2200 If you have a 3-D accelerator that does not use a listed chipset, but does support Direct3D(tm), NHL 99 may still run in 3D Hardware Accelerated Mode. To test out if your 3-D accelerator will run in Hardware Accelerated Mode, run the 3D Setup program found in your Start menu, under Programs>EA Sports>NHL 99 after you have installed the game. Change the 3D Graphics Renderer option from Software Renderer to D3D Device. If NHL 99 does not run correctly, change the 3D Graphics Renderer option back to Software Renderer, by running the 3D Setup program again. As a general rule, make sure you are using the latest drivers for your 3-D accelerator to ensure that NHL 99 runs correctly. 3Dfx Voodoo Graphics & Rush Boards NHL 99 requires the Glide run-time drivers when using the Voodoo Graphics & Rush chipsets. If you do not have the Glide run-time drivers for the Voodoo Graphics/Rush chipset installed or you have drivers older than version 2.43, the NHL 99 installation program starts the Glide 2.43 installation, which installs the Glide 2.43 driver on your system. Alternatively, you may contact your board manufacturer to obtain the latest drivers for your board. If you are using a version of the Glide run-time drivers later than 2.43, no Glide drivers are installed. NVidia Riva 128 Ensure you are using the latest revision of the drivers for the Nvidia Riva 128 3D chipset. NHL 99 may not appear correctly if you are using older drivers. ATI AGP Rage Pro 2x If you have this AGP card, under Windows 98 only, you may experience a freeze when you are the remote user, and you connect to the Commissioner. We recommend that you do not stay in this screen for a long time if you have this card, and Windows 98. ---------------------------------------------------------------- c) MEMORY ---------------------------------------------------------------- NHL 99 requires 16 MB RAM and Virtual Memory Enabled. We advise that you let Windows 95 or 98 manage the amount of virtual memory automatically (the default setting), and that you have at least 30 MB free hard disk space after installation. ---------------------------------------------------------------- d) VIDEO CARD ---------------------------------------------------------------- VIDEO PROBLEMS NHL 99 requires a PCI SVGA video card capable of 640x480 resolution with 65,535 colors (1 MB or more video memory). NOTE: If your Windows 95 or 98 display driver does not support DirectDraw, you may experience difficulties running NHL 99. GENERAL VIDEO CARD INFORMATION During DirectX installation, the DirectX setup program attempts to upgrade your existing display driver. The DirectX Setup program checks to see if your current display driver has been tested. If your current display driver has not been tested, or if upgrading your current driver is known to cause problems, the setup program warns you of this. In some cases, replacing your current driver may disable any Manufacturer specific utilities for your video card. If you want to keep these utilities functional, you may have to obtain the latest drivers with DirectDraw support directly from the manufacturer of your video card. DISPLAY UTILITIES With DirectX 6, some video cards that install Display Utilities to manage your video card features, may not run NHL 99 correctly. Please ensure that you disable display utilities if you are having problems running NHL 99. ---------------------------------------------------------------- e) SOUND CARD ---------------------------------------------------------------- NHL 99 requires a sound card that supports DirectSound. If your sound card driver does not support DirectSound you may experience choppy or stuttering sound, or sound that cuts in and out. If your sound card driver does not support DirectSound, we recommend obtaining updated drivers from your sound card manufacturer. INSTALLED SOUND CARD, BUT THERE IS NO SOUND *Make sure your speakers or headphones are plugged into the appropriate jack and the volume control is turned up. GENERAL SOUND CARD INFORMATION *During DirectX installation, the DirectX setup program attempts to install a DirectSound supported driver for your sound card. If your sound card driver does not support DirectSound, the DirectX setup program attempts to replace your existing sound card driver. *Please consult your sound card manufacturer for updated drivers if DirectSound drivers are not available with the included DirectX 6 files from Microsoft. *Note - if you are using a SoundBlaster 2.0 sound card, setting the audio detail to low may cause the sound to cut out altogether. ---------------------------------------------------------------- f) CD-ROM ---------------------------------------------------------------- NHL 99 requires a quad-speed CD-ROM drive. CD-ROM PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS *Be sure that you use a 32-bit native Windows 95 or 98 driver to control your CD-ROM drive. To configure a driver, access the Device Manager tab from Control Panel > System. *Do not use a DOS-based 16-bit driver (loaded in CONFIG.SYS) to control your CD-ROM. Performance may be significantly reduced. CHOPPY OR STUTTERING VIDEO OR AUDIO These problems may be improved by adjusting the CD-ROM read-ahead cache. To adjust the read-ahead cache: 1. At the Windows 95 or 98 desktop, right-click the My Computer icon, then choose Properties from the pop-up menu. 2. Click the Performance tab, then select File System... 3. Click the CD-ROM tab, then click in the Optimize access pattern for: box, and choose QUAD-SPEED OR HIGHER. 4. Move the Supplemental cache size: slider to SMALL, then click Apply. NOTE: Moving the slider to LARGE will not improve NHL 99 video performance, and may actually hinder performance by reserving RAM that would otherwise be available for the game. *Note - if you are using a lower end quad speed drive, you may experience stuttering play by play. If you are using a lower end quad speed drive, we recommend reinstalling the game, using the custom installation option to install the Play By Play files onto the hard drive. ---------------------------------------------------------------- g) JOYSTICK ---------------------------------------------------------------- CONTROLLER ISSUES CONVENTIONAL 4 BUTTON CONTROLLERS Although NHL 99 supports all four buttons when using a conventional 4 button gamepad, support is limited to 2 buttons when using two gamepads (or other 4 button controllers) simultaneously. The PC gameport supports a total of 4 buttons and two D-Pads when using conventional joysticks or gamepads. This does not apply to multi-button, multi-controller gaming devices such as the Gravis GrIP, Gamepad Pro, or Microsoft Sidewinder. Joystick Calibration In order for your joystick to work properly in NHL 99, you must install and calibrate it in Windows 95 or 98. To install or calibrate your joystick in Windows 95 or 98, access the Control Panel, and launch the Game Controllers applet. Note that some gaming devices use their own applets or software for installation and calibration. Gravis Gamepad Pro If you are experiencing difficulties with NHL 99 and your Gravis Gamepad Pro, please download the latest drivers from Gravis. The new drivers should fix any detection or calibration problems you may have with your Gravis Gamepad Pro and NHL 99. The Gravis World Wide Web site is located at: www.gravis.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------- h) MODEM ---------------------------------------------------------------- NHL 99 requires a 100% Hayes compatible 28.8 kbps or faster modem for modem play. A high speed (16550 UART) serial port is required for external modems. GENERAL MODEM INFORMATION NHL 99 uses the Windows 95 or 98 settings to initialize your modem. To use a modem in NHL 99, you must install it in Windows 95 or 98. To install your modem in Windows 95 or 98: 1. Click the Start button on the Taskbar. The Start menu opens. 2. From the Start menu, highlight Settings, then select Control Panel from the pop-up menu. 3. From the Control Panel, click Modems. 4. If you have not installed a modem before, let Windows 95 or 98 detect your modem by clicking Next>. Note: If your modem came with a Windows 95 or 98 driver disk or .INF file, follow the manufacturer's installation directions. MODEM DOES NOT INITIALIZE *Make sure your modem is installed correctly in Windows 95 or 98 and is turned on. *Make sure that your modem works properly in Windows 95 or 98. If your modem is installed correctly and works with other modem applications in Windows 95 or 98, but you are having problems initializing your modem in NHL 99, try changing your modem type in Windows 95 or 98 to "Standard Modem". Some computers have telephone answering or FAX applications pre-installed. Sometimes these applications tie up the modem, and do not allow other applications to access it. You must exit all applications that use your modem before playing a modem game. *You may experience a lengthy delay when pressing the Connection button from the main screen, if you once installed the TCP/IP protocol in Windows, and you no longer have an active TCP/IP connection. If this is the case, please remove the TCP/IP protocol from your Windows' Control Panel Network applet. *Some dial-up Internet Service Provider accounts may automatically start dialing up the ISP and minimize NHL 99 when you press the Connection button. If you want to establish a modem game, please disconnect from the ISP once it has connected, and maximize NHL 99 to continue. ---------------------------------------------------------------- i) NETWORK ---------------------------------------------------------------- NHL 99 requires an IPX protocol network and network interface card for network play. *If you experience difficulties with network play, you may want to consult your network manual or network administrator for specific information on loading drivers. CONNECTION PROBLEMS *Make sure the computers you are trying to connect are on the same network. NETWORK PERFORMANCE ISSUES There are various adjustments you can make to be sure you get the best performance out of your network game. These apply to the Server computer as well as the Client, but try them on the Server alone first as this may solve all the problems. *Make sure the Server computer (the one that creates the network game) is the fastest of the computers, as it controls the game speed. *High-traffic networks will slow the game down considerably. Avoid playing the game at peak traffic hours, while there are large file transfers or print jobs being done. *Performance is limited by the slowest computer. Adjusting the screen size on a slow machine can help boost performance in a network game. GENERAL NETWORK INFORMATION *Do not run any Windows 95 or 98 applications that communicate over the network in the background (e.g., mail programs, personal schedulers, system or network monitors). *Make sure you have disabled Network Messages. If you are connected to a Novell network. *You may experience a lengthy delay when pressing the Connection button from the main screen, if you once installed the TCP/IP protocol in Windows, and you no longer have an active TCP/IP connection. If this is the case, please remove the TCP/IP protocol from your Windows' Control Panel Network applet. ---------------------------------------------------------------- j) POWER MANAGEMENT ---------------------------------------------------------------- Windows 95/98 has power management features built into the Operating System. We recommend that you disable any power management features on your system. Go into the Control Panel and double click on Power Management to do this. ================================================================ 5) INTERNET HEAD TO HEAD PLAY ================================================================ Through extensive Internet testing, we have determined that we cannot guarantee Gameplay performance up to our standards for some users via Internet. Various factors affecting latency, including connection speed, time of day, Internet Service Provider used, & pathway from one user to another, prevents us from guaranteeing this. For users that want to attempt an Internet connection, we have password enabled this feature in the product. To enable Internet as a Connection option for Head to Head play, do the following: *Click the Quit icon. *Access the Credits. *Go into the Programmers credit screen. *Type in eaonline. Recommended for Internet Play: *56 kbps or higher Internet connection. *Play during non Prime Time hours. *Play with an opponent that is in the same general region as you. *We recommend that you connect to your ISP before starting NHL 99 if you want to enable the Internet cheat. We are interested in your comments and experiences regarding Internet Head to Head play. Please send your comments to nhl99pc@ea.com ================================================================ 6) HOW TO CONTACT ELECTRONIC ARTS ================================================================ The NHL 99 CD includes a Windows Help file that provides solutions and answers to the most common difficulties and questions about how to properly run this product. *To access the Help file, click the Tech Support button on the Autorun launcher. The Help file contains a utility that allows you contact EA via fax or e-mail. The utility automatically detects your system’s hardware and organizes this information into a report. *To run the support utility from within the Help file, click the Contact Tech Support button. TROUBLESHOOTING DOCUMENTS ONLINE! Electronic Arts Product Support now offers troubleshooting guides that help overcome some common difficulties. If you have access to the World Wide Web, you can find these guides at http://www.ea.com/techsupp/troubles.htm Here you will find troubleshooting information on DirectX, Joysticks, Modems, and Networks, as well as information on regular system maintenance and performance. (For game-specific information and additional troubleshooting, visit our main page at http://www.ea.com/techsupp.) If you have questions about the program, our Technical Support Department can help. Our web site contains up-to-date information on the most common difficulties with our products, and this information is the same as that used by our product support technicians. We keep the product support pages updated on a daily basis, so please check here first for no-wait solutions: http://www.ea.com/techsupp If you are unable to find the information you need on our web site, please feel free to contact Technical Support via e-mail, phone, fax, or letter. All messages are responded to in kind-if you send in a request by fax, response will also come by fax. Please be sure to include the support utility’s report in your e-mail message, fax, or letter: To run the support utility, click the Tech Support button on the Autorun launcher then click the Contact Tech Support button. If you need to talk to someone immediately, call us at (650) 628-1001 Monday through Friday between 8:30-11:45 AM or 1:00-4:30 PM, Pacific Standard Time. Please have the utility’s report printed and ready when you call. This will help us answer your question in the shortest possible time. No hints or codes are available from (650) 628-1001. You must call EA’s HINTS & INFORMATION HOTLINE for hints, tips, or codes. EA Tech Support Fax: (650) 628-5999. Electronic Arts Technical Support P.O. Box 9025 Redwood City, CA 94065-9025 HOW TO REACH US ONLINE Internet e-mail: support@ea.com Warranty inquiries: cswarranty@ea.com World Wide Web: Access our web site at http://www.ea.com FTP: Access our FTP Site at ftp.ea.com If you live outside of the United States, you can contact one of our other offices. In Australia, contact: Electronic Arts Pty. Ltd. P.O. Box 432 Southport Qld 4215, Australia In the United Kingdom, contact: Electronic Arts Ltd. P.O. Box 835 Slough SL3 8XU, UK Phone (753) 546465. In Australia: For Technical Support and Game Hints and Tips, phone the EA HOTLINE: 1 902 261 600 (95 cents per min.) CTS 7 days a week 10 AM-8 PM. If you are under 18 years of age parental consent required. Need Help? Call EA’s HINTS & INFORMATION HOTLINE for recorded hints, tips, and passwords 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! In the US, dial 900-288-HINT (4468). 95c per minute. In CANADA, dial 900-451-4873. $1.15 (Canadian) per minute. If you are under 18, be sure to get a parent's permission before calling. Hotline requires a touch-tone telephone. Call length determined by user; average length is four minutes. Messages subject to change without notice. TECHNICAL SUPPORT TROUBLESHOOTING DOCUMENTS ONLINE! Electronic Arts Product Support now offers troubleshooting guides that help overcome some common difficulties. If you have access to the World Wide Web, you can find these guides at http://www.ea.com/techsupp/troubles.htm Here you will find troubleshooting information on DirectX, Joysticks, Modems, and Networks, as well as information on regular system maintenance and performance. (For game-specific information and additional troubleshooting, visit our main page at http://www.ea.com/techsupp.) If you have questions about the program, our Technical Support Department can help. Our web site contains up-to-date information on the most common difficulties with our products, and this information is the same as that used by our product support technicians. We keep the product support pages updated on a daily basis, so please check here first for no-wait solutions: http://www.ea.com/techsupp If you are unable to find the information you need on our web site, please feel free to contact Technical Support via e-mail, phone, fax, or letter. All messages are responded to in kind-if you send in a request by fax, response will also come by fax. Please be sure to include the following information in your e-mail message, fax, or letter: *Computer manufacturer *Operating system (Windows 95 or 98, DOS 6.22, etc.) *CPU type and speed in MHz *Amount of RAM *Sound card type and settings (address, IRQ, DMA) *Video card *CD-ROM *Mouse driver and version *Joystick and game card (if any) *A copy of the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files from your hard drive *A description of the problem you're having If you need to talk to someone immediately, call us at (650) 572-2787 Monday through Friday between 8:30-11:45 AM or 1:00-4:30 PM, Pacific Standard Time. Please have the above information ready when you call. This will help us answer your question in the shortest possible time. EA Tech Support Fax: (650) 286-5080. Electronic Arts Technical Support P.O. Box 7578 San Mateo, CA 94403-7578 HOW TO REACH US ONLINE WARRANTY INQUIRIES: cswarranty@ea.com WORLD WIDE WEB: Access our Web Site at http://www.ea.com FTP: Access our FTP Site at ftp.ea.com