Final Information about Dark Secrets of Africa

13.02.00

Version 01.04

Foreword:

Even after publication, Dark Secrets of Africa will continue to be 
developed and improved.

It is therefore possible to obtain information about the most up to date
version  under the following Web Site address:  http://www.newgsoft.com




CONTENTS
==========

1. Installation

2. Hardware Requirements

3. Drivers for Graphic Cards etc.

4. Tips & Tricks - Not Included in the Handbook

1.   INSTALLATION
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1.1	Insert the CD into the CD-ROM disc drive.
	If the auto-start function on your computer is activated, wait 
        until "Dark Secrets Launcher" is called up.

1.2 	If the auto-start function is deactivated, open the application  
	"My Computer" on your Desktop and double click on the CD-ROM disc drive symbol.  
	(if you are using Windows 98 with an Internet facility you 
	 only need to click once each time.)

1.3	In "Dark Secrets Launcher" you now have several installation possibilities.

It is best to work through these in the following order:

a. Install Dark Secrets of Africa
b. Install DirectXMedia 6.0
c. Install DirectX 6.0
d. Start Dark Secrets of Africa

Launcher will end after completion of the relevant programme, if the installation 
of DirectX 6.0 calls for a Reboot or you have installed Dark Secrets of Africa.

If you want to continue with the installation, follow the steps described 
under point 1.2.

1.4 If you have more than one CD-ROM drive installed (e.g. CD-ROM drive & CD-R drive), 
you will of course encounter problems if you have, for example, installed the game 
from the CD-ROM drive and then tried to play the game from the CD-R drive.

If you do not wish to start the game from the installing drive or the order of your 
drives has changed, please carry out the following: 
		
a. Go to the directory on the hard disc in which you installed Dark Secrets of Africa.
b. Open the file CDROM.LOC.
c. Replace the disc drive details with the new ones that the new disc drive gives you.
d. Save the file.

Dark Secrets should now have been exported to the other drive.



2. HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
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Minimum Configuration:

Intel Pentium (tm) 133 MHz
Windows (r) 95/98
32MB RAM
DirectX 6.0
HiColor (16 bit) capable DirectX 6.0 compatible Graphic Card with 2 MB
VRAM.
100% Windows 95 compatible Mouse & Sound Card (with relevant 
speakers).
4x speed CD-ROM Drive.
Monitor capable of reproducing 640 x 480 picture resolution in Highcolor.





Recommended Configuration:

	Intel Pentium II (tm) >= 266 Mhz
	Windows (r) 95/98
	64 MB RAM
	DirectX 6.0 (or higher)
HiColor(16 bit) capable DirectX 6.0 compatible Graphic Card with 8MB VRAM.
100% Windows 95 compatible Mouse and Sound Card (with relevant speakers).
24x speed CD ROM Drive (or faster).


3. RECOGNISED PROBLEMS WITH GRAPHIC CARDS ETC.
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It is possible for the occasional problem to occur with certain drivers.

In general, especially with regard to graphic card drivers, you should 
observe the following rules:

- Keep your drivers, without over exaggeration, up to date.
- Never install drivers that are still in the Beta stage.
- Where possible, only install officially certified Microsoft (tm) drivers.
- Do not over increase the speed of your whole computer system and graphic card, 
thus reducing the stability.
  

FURTHER TIPS
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If you use Windows 98 together with an older graphic card you should keep a look 
out for the most recent driver updates for Win 98.


 As with all Microsoft products, you should download the most recent "Service Packs" 
from the Microsoft Update Website.


If, when starting games (not just Dark Secrets) you quite often get a warning 
along the lines of:
 "Programme causes a protection breach/error etc" this could be caused by a 
virus called either Win 95 Spacefiller or Win 32.cih.Spacefiller.

This virus is fairly wide spread, especially on Windows 98 systems.


If you have DirectX 6.1 installed, it could be that your hardware is not 
compatible with this version.  


The hardware manufacturers are currently working on updating their systems and 
releasing new drivers.  
herefore, always keep a look out for new drivers on the market.  

For this reason, installing DirectX 6.1 may not always be the solution to all  
your problems as the manufacturers of your graphic card may possibly not have 
updated their drivers yet.  In such a situation, use the DirectX 6.0 which is 
supplied with the game or even try the DirectX 5.0 version in order to stabilise 
your drivers.

The newest DirectX and DirectXMedia versions can be found on the Internet at:   
http://www.microsoft.com/directx/default.asp


WHERE TO OBTAIN DRIVERS FOR GRAPHIC CARDS ETC.
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The most important Websites in alphabetical order are:

Graphic Cards:
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-  Acer Peripherals			http://www.aopen.com.tw

-  ATI Technologies			http://www.support.atitech.ca

-  Canopus Corporation			http://www.canopusvideo.com

-  Creative Labs			http://www.soundblaster.com

-  Diamond Multimedia			http://www.diamondmm.com

-  Matrox				http://www.matrox.com
					http://www.matroxusers.com

-  S 3					http://www.s3.com

-  STB Systems				http://www.stb.com

-  Trident				http://www.tridentmicro.com

Sound Cards:
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-  Advance Logic			http://www.realtek.com.tw

-  Cirrus Logic				http://www.cirrus.com

-  Creative Labs			http://www.soundblaster.com

-  Diamond Multimedia			http://www.diamondmm.com

-  ESS Technology			http://www.esstech.com

-  Jaton				http://www.jaton.com

-  S 3					http://www.s3.com

-  Yamaha				http://www.yamaha.com




4. TIPS AND TRICKS - IN ADDITION TO THE HANDBOOK
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A menu has been integrated at the last minute, which enables objects to be collected up.  
To pick up an individual object, click on it with the left mouse button.  
To pick up all objects in your immediate vicinity, click on "collect everything"

If at some stage in a level you find yourself unable to continue, check that you have 
activated all the floor switches, that all torch positions have been lit and that you 
have dealt with all the monsters, these being the main objects that  activate the 
opening mechanisms.  

Some switches need to be pressed more than once or in a particular order.

Sometimes you need to wait until a particular time of day before putting something down 
in a certain place, i.e. there are certain actions that ere time related.

 Move the mouse cursor over the clock in order to read the actual time in the "Help" 
indicator.

Another tip!  If your medicine or vitality points are approaching nil, move close to a 
waterhole and drink plenty of water.  For every ration of water you take on board, 
you'll gain 10 vitality points.



"What do I do if my bearer is constantly being killed by the monsters?"

Remove the bearer in good time from your expedition group via the group order menu and 
take over the battle yourself.  After gaining victory, select the 'follow mode' for your 
bearer from the group order menu to enable him/her to return to the group.




"Loading a level takes more than 3 minutes!?"

You can solve this by saving the game where it is, rebooting your computer and then 
loading the saved game again!


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Dark Secrets developed by New Generation Software
Copyright (c) 1999 Magic Bytes.  

All rights reserved.


The use of names without mentioning trade marks does not constitute 
non-recognition of copyright. 


Win 95, Windows 95, Win 98, Windows 98, Windows NT, DirectX, DirectDraw, DirectXMedia, 
DirectSound are all trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation.

All other products mentioned are trade marks of their respective manufacturers 
