      --------------------------------------------------------
               Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95 README 
                          August 1995            
      --------------------------------------------------------
            (c) Copyright Microsoft Corporation, 1995

------------------------
HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT
------------------------

To view Readme.txt on screen in Notepad, maximize the Notepad window.

To print Readme.txt, open it in Notepad or another word processor,
and then use the Print command on the File menu.


--------
CONTENTS
--------
LIST OF MICROSOFT PLUS! README FILES
MICROSOFT PLUS! SETUP NOTES
SYSTEM AGENT
DISK COMPRESSION
TROUBLESHOOTING VISUAL ENHANCEMENTS
OTHER MICROSOFT PLUS! PROGRAMS


LIST OF MICROSOFT PLUS! README FILES
====================================

In addition to Readme.txt, Microsoft Plus! provides the following 
readme files:

    Internet.txt    Provides information to help you connect to
                    and browse the Internet. This file is located 
                    in the folder that contains your Microsoft 
                    Plus! Internet files.

    Support.txt     Provides additional information about product
                    support for Microsoft Plus!.
        
    Pinball.doc     Explains how scoring works in the 3D Pinball 
                    game, and describes the components of the Space 
                    Cadet table. To view Pinball.doc, use WordPad
                    or another word processor. Pinball.doc is 
                    located in the folder that contains your 
                    3D-Pinball game files.

    Script.doc      Describes the Dial-Up Scripting command 
                    language. Refer to this document for the 
                    commands you can use to create a Dial-Up 
                    Networking script. To view Script.doc, you 
                    will need WordPad or another word processor. 
                    Script.doc is located in the folder that
                    contains your Microsoft Plus! program files.


MICROSOFT PLUS! SETUP NOTES
===========================

Uninstalling Microsoft Plus!
----------------------------

To remove Microsoft Plus! from your computer:

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control 
   Panel.

2. Double-Click the Add/Remove Programs icon.

3. Click Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95, and then click Add/Remove.

4. Click Remove All.


If You Start Windows 95 From a Network Drive
--------------------------------------------

If you are running Windows 95 from a network drive, you cannot 
install Microsoft Plus!  To set up Microsoft Plus!, you must 
first set up Windows 95 entirely on your local hard disk.


Do Not Install DriveSpace 3 If You Use Banyan Vines
---------------------------------------------------

If you use Banyan Vines networking, do not install the DriveSpace 3
component of Microsoft Plus!  The Banyan network driver requires 
more memory than is available when DriveSpace 3 is present.

To install Microsoft Plus! on a system with Banyan Vines,
choose Custom Setup, and then uncheck the DriveSpace 3 checkbox.

For an updated version of Banyan Vines, contact the manufacturer.


SYSTEM AGENT 
============

Including Command-Line Switches When Scheduling Programs
--------------------------------------------------------

If the path to a program that you are scheduling includes long 
filenames, you must enclose the path and program name with quotation 
marks. To include switches in the command line, type the switches 
after the quotation marks. 

For example:

   "c:\program files\accessories\myprogram.exe" /switch1 /switch2


If Your Program Did Not Run At the Scheduled Time
-------------------------------------------------

If you receive a notification that your program did not run at its
scheduled time, it may be because of the following:

- Your computer was turned off.

- You were using your computer, and your program was scheduled to 
  run while your computer was idle.

- Your computer was running on batteries.

- System Agent could not find the program file you specified.

To make sure the program information is correct:

1. Click the Start button, point to Accessories, point to System 
   Tools, and then click System Agent.

   NOTE: You can also double-click the System Agent icon on the 
   taskbar.

2. Click the program that didn't run.

3. On the Program menu, click Properties.

4. Make sure the information in the Command Line box is correct. 
   Double-check the file name for the program.

5. If you want to change the schedule so that the program runs even 
   if you are using your computer or your computer is running on 
   batteries, click Change Schedule, and then make changes to the 
   schedule as needed.


Running Disk-Tool Programs While Other Programs Are Using Your Disk
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Programs that write to your hard disk when you aren't using your
computer (such as some screen savers, system-monitoring programs, 
or mail programs) can cause problems when you use System Agent to 
run disk tools. For example, if your mail program downloads mail 
every few minutes, it might cause a scheduled disk-tool program 
to restart repeatedly without making much progress, or even to
close before it has finished running.

If you encounter this problem:

1. Schedule your disk-tools programs to run at a time when 
   you know you won't be running other programs (for example,
   at night).

2. When you are finished working on your computer, make sure you 
   close any mail or system-monitoring programs that regularly write 
   to your disk.

3. If you are using a screen saver (for example, Microsoft Scenes)
   that writes to your hard disk, you might want to disable 
   it during the times disk tools are scheduled to run. 


Running Scheduled Programs While Playing Games That Use a Joystick
------------------------------------------------------------------

System Agent does not recognize joystick activity when checking to 
see if you are using your computer. Therefore, if programs are 
scheduled to run while you are not using your computer, and you 
are currently playing a game that uses a joystick, System Agent 
will run the scheduled programs anyway. This may cause your game 
to run significantly more slowly. To solve this problem, suspend
System Agent to prevent scheduled programs from running while 
you are playing your game.

To suspend System Agent:

 > Right-click the System Agent icon on the taskbar, and then 
   click Suspend System Agent.

After you are finished playing your game, you can resume System 
Agent by clicking the Suspend System Agent command again.


If System Agent Does Not List Your Scheduled Programs 
-----------------------------------------------------

If your list of scheduled programs does not appear in the 
System Agent window, it usually means that System Agent could 
not find your Sage.dat file. 

The following things could cause this problem:

 * You ran a program such as Lfnbk.exe that temporarily 
   or permanently modified your long filenames.

 * The file is located on a drive that was unavailable when 
   System Agent started (for example, a network drive or 
   a removable drive). 

To restore your list of scheduled programs:

1. In System Agent, choose Stop Using System Agent from
   the Advanced menu.

2. In Explorer, choose Options from the View menu in Explorer, 
   and then make sure Show All Files is selected. 

3. Copy the Sage.dat file from the C:\Program Files\Plus!\System 
   folder to the C:\ folder.

4. Explorer will ask whether or not you want to replace
   the current copy of the C:\Sage.dat file. Click Yes.

5. To restart System Agent, click the Start button, point to 
   Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, 
   and then click System Agent.

Your list of scheduled programs should now be restored.


If ScanDisk Stops With an Error, But Scandisk.Log Reports No Errors
-------------------------------------------------------------------

If ScanDisk for Windows stops checking your drives and displays
the error "Check was stopped because of an error (255)", but
the Scandisk.log file does not report any errors, the problem
might be that one of the drive(s) being checked no longer exists.

For example, this problem might appear if you undocked your laptop,
and ScanDisk then attempted to check all your drives. Or, it might
occur if you uncompressed a drive that ScanDisk was configured to 
check.

To work around this problem:

1. Double-click the System Agent icon on the taskbar.

2. In the list of scheduled programs, click ScanDisk.

3. In the Program menu, click Properties, and then click Settings
   in the Properties dialog box.

4. In the list of drives, deselect the selected drive(s) by
   clicking a drive other than the currently selected drive(s). 
   
5. Click the drive(s) you want ScanDisk to check.


DISK COMPRESSION
================

Using Disk Tools with Sidekick for Windows
------------------------------------------

If Sidekick for Windows version 2.0 is running, you may be unable to 
run certain disk tools, such as DriveSpace or Disk Defragmenter.

To work around this problem, first exit Sidekick, and then try 
running the disk tool again.

For an update to Sidekick that fixes this problem, contact the 
manufacturer.


Automounting Compressed Floppy Disks 
------------------------------------
DriveSpace 3 automatically mounts compressed floppy disks and
other removable media when Windows 95 is running.

However, when Windows is not running (for example, if you restart
your computer in MS-DOS mode), automounting is disabled. To
mount a compressed floppy disk yourself, you can use ScanDisk.
For example, to mount the compressed floppy disk in drive A, 
type the following at the command prompt:

    C:\> SCANDISK /MOUNT A:


Compression Agent and the Windows Swap File
-------------------------------------------
When Compression Agent recompresses the files on your compressed
drive, it automatically skips the Win386.swp file. (This file,
known as the Windows swap file, provides virtual memory for 
Windows and applications to use.) There is no need to specifically
exclude the Win386.swp file from compression by using Compression
Agent's Exceptions dialog box.


Freeing Conventional Memory If You Use DriveSpace 3
---------------------------------------------------

Some MS-DOS-based programs (for example, networks or games) may 
not be able to run if DriveSpace 3 compression is installed, even
if you have not yet upgraded your drives to DriveSpace 3 format. 
Typically, this problem occurs only when Windows is not running,
and with programs that require a lot of conventional memory.

To get your program to run, you need to reconfigure your
system so that more conventional memory is available. 

The general steps involved are:

1. Make sure your Config.sys file contains commands like the 
   following:

        DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS
        DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS
        DOS=HIGH,UMB
        DEVICEHIGH=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\DRVSPACE.SYS /MOVE

   These commands make it possible for DriveSpace to use
   upper memory, which can free more conventional memory for
   your program.

   NOTE: If the Devicehigh command for Drvspace.sys contains
         the /L:0 switch, delete the /L:0 from that command.

   If your Config.sys file does not contain these commands,
   add them. (To check whether DriveSpace is using upper 
   memory, type Mem /C at the MS-DOS prompt.)

2. Restart your system, and then try running your program again.

3. If your program still does not run, disable any unnecessary
   drivers and memory-resident programs in your Autoexec.bat
   and Config.sys files.

   Try loading device drivers by using the Devicehigh command 
   instead of the Device command. For example: 

        DEVICEHIGH=C:\WINDOWS\IFSHLP.SYS

   Try loading memory-resident programs by using the Loadhigh
   command. For example:

        LOADHIGH DOSKEY

   Restart your computer, and then try running your program again.

4. If your program still does not run, you need to create
   a startup floppy disk that you can use to start your computer
   without DriveSpace. You can then run your program from your
   uncompressed (host) drive. For more information, see the
   following section.


Creating a Startup Disk for Running MS-DOS Programs
---------------------------------------------------
If your MS-DOS program does not run because there is not enough free
conventional memory, and you have carried out the procedure in the
previous section, you may need to create a special startup floppy 
disk. You can then use that disk to start your computer without
DriveSpace, and then run your program from your uncompressed drive.

1. Make sure there is enough free space on your host drive (or 
   another uncompressed drive) to install your program. 

   To create more free space on your host drive, use the Adjust 
   Free Space command in DriveSpace. (For other ways to free space,
   look up "Disk space, freeing" in the Help index.)

2. Run the Startup Disk wizard to create your startup floppy disk.

   The Startup Disk wizard, Bootdisk.exe, is located in the folder
   that contains your Microsoft Plus! system files (typically
   the C:\PROGRAM FILES\PLUS!\SYSTEM folder). To use the Startup
   Disk wizard, you will need a formatted or unformatted floppy 
   disk that fits in drive A.

3. Insert your startup floppy disk in drive A, and then restart 
   your computer.

   Your computer will start without loading DriveSpace. This will 
   free memory for your program to use. 
 
   NOTE:  Your compressed drives will be temporarily unavailable. 
          They will become available again when you restart your
          computer normally.

4. Install your program on your host drive or on another 
   uncompressed drive.


TROUBLESHOOTING VISUAL ENHANCEMENTS
===================================

This section provides tips for troubleshooting problems with
Microsoft Plus! visual enhancements. 

Some of the problems in this section are caused by problems
with specific display drivers. If you are having a problem 
with your display driver, check the Windows Driver Library 
(WDL) disk for an updated version of your display driver.
For information about how to obtain and use the WDL, see 
the Windows 95 Display.txt file, which is located in the
folder that contains your Windows 95 files.


If You Are Using Multiple System Configurations 
-----------------------------------------------

If you run Microsoft Plus! on more than one system configuration 
(for example, if you have a laptop computer with a docking station 
and run Microsoft Plus! when your laptop is both docked and undocked), 
make sure that the display settings for both configurations are set 
up to use at least 256 colors. If this is not possible, you might 
not want to use desktop themes.


If Your Mouse Pointers Do Not Animate
-------------------------------------

To use animated pointers in Microsoft Plus!, you must use protected-
mode disk drivers and a Windows 95-compatible display driver that 
uses the device-independent bitmap (DIB) engine AND meets at least 
one of the following criteria:

 - The display driver is set to 256 colors or higher, and supports 
   color pointers.

   -or-

 - The display driver allows Windows 95 to access its memory in a
   linear fashion (such as through a frame buffer) to provide smoother 
   animation.

The following display drivers do NOT support animated mouse pointers:

 - ATI Ultra (mach8)
   This driver does not support a frame buffer.

 - Diamond Viper
   This driver is based on the Windows 3.1 video standard.

 - Standard Display Adapter (VGA)
   This driver is based on a standard established before animated 
   pointers were developed.

 - Super VGA
   This driver is based on a standard established before animated 
   pointers were developed.

To determine if you are using protected-mode disk drivers:

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click 
   Control Panel.

2. Double-click the System icon.

3. Click the Performance tab, click File System, and then 
   click the Troubleshooting tab.

4. If "Disable All 32-bit Protect-Mode Disk Drivers" is NOT checked,
    you are using protected-mode disk drivers.

If your system meets these requirements but your mouse pointers 
still do not animate, scan your computer for viruses. Boot-sector 
viruses can prevent mouse pointers from animating.


If Your Mouse Pointers Flicker or Leave Trails When Using a Theme
-----------------------------------------------------------------

On some displays, the mouse pointers in a desktop theme may flicker 
or leave "trails" of dots behind them. To prevent this from 
happening, use the Windows default pointers instead of the pointers 
for your theme.

To use the Windows default pointers with a theme, make sure the Mouse 
Pointers box is NOT checked when you apply the theme. If you are
already using a theme, you will need to restore your desktop to the 
Windows default settings before you can use a theme with the Windows 
default pointers.

To restore your desktop to the default settings, and then use the 
default pointers with a theme:

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control 
   Panel.

2. Double-click the Desktop Themes icon.

3. In the Theme list, click "Windows Default," and then click Apply.

4. In the Theme list, click the theme you want to use.

5. Make sure the Mouse Pointers box is NOT checked, and then choose OK.


If Your Large Desktop Icons Look Jagged
---------------------------------------
If your desktop icons are large, and some of the icons look 
jagged or have poor resolution, then those programs did not provide
large icons for use with the Use Large Icons display option.

To improve the look of your desktop, you might want to use small
(standard) desktop icons instead of large icons.

To stop using large icons:

1. Right-click the desktop, and then click Properties.

2. Click the Plus! tab.

3. Make sure the Use Large Icons box is unchecked.


If Your Desktop Icons Look Blotchy
----------------------------------

If you are using a desktop theme and your desktop icons don't look 
right (they are too dark, blotchy, or the shadowing doesn't seem 
right), try disabling some or all graphics acceleration for your 
display.

To disable your display's graphics acceleration:

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control 
   Panel.

2. Double-click the System icon.

3. Click the Performance tab, and then click Graphics.

4. Move the Hardware Acceleration slider bar towards "None."

   NOTE: If you reinstall Windows 95, the slider will be reset to 
   the default position. In this case, you will need to repeat this
   procedure to turn off graphics acceleration.


If Your Quicken Version 4.0 Program Does Not Look Right
-------------------------------------------------------

If you are using a desktop theme while using Quicken Version 4.0, the 
Quicken program window may not look right on your screen. To solve 
this problem, use the Windows default color settings instead of the 
color settings that come with your theme. 

To apply the Windows default color settings after you've selected a 
theme:

1. Use the right mouse button to click anywhere on the desktop, and 
   then click the Appearance tab.

2. In the Scheme list, click Windows Standard.

To preserve the Windows color scheme when selecting a new theme:

 > In the Desktop Themes window, make sure the Colors box is 
   unchecked.


OTHER MICROSOFT PLUS! PROGRAMS
==============================

This section contains notes about other Microsoft Plus! programs.


Using Dial-Up Server with Fax Programs
--------------------------------------

If Dial-Up Server is enabled, it answers all incoming calls 
on the first ring. This prevents fax programs, such as 
Microsoft Fax, from answering any incoming faxes.

To enable your fax program to answer incoming faxes, turn off 
Dial-Up Server. 

To turn off Dial-Up Server:

1. On the desktop, double-click My Computer.

2. Double-click the Dial-Up Networking icon.

3. Click the Connections menu, and then click Dial-Up Server.

4. Click the No Caller Access option.


If You Have Problems with the Sound Effects in 3D Pinball
---------------------------------------------------------

If you are experiencing a problem with the sound effects in Pinball, 
you can try running the Wmconfig program to fix the problem. 

1. Run the Wmconfig program.

   The Wmconfig program is located in the directory that contains your 
   3D Pinball files (typically, in the C:\PROGRAM FILES\PLUS!\PINBALL
   folder). 

2. In Wmconfig, select your sound card from the list. If you don't 
   know which sound card you have or you can't find it, click the 
   first Generic option in the list, and then click the Test button.

3. Continue testing Generic sound options until the sound effects 
   sound the way you want them to. 

4. Restart Pinball.


