PROBLEMS (Q) AND ANSWERS (A) FOR SRE!          [last updated 12/30/92]

Q.  I can't figure out why ...
A.  Check SYSOP.LOG.  It records any errors that SRE detects.  If you
    report bugs to us, it may help if you include the contents of that
    file.


Q.  I can't get any flavors to work.
A.  Be sure you are putting FLAVOR, not FLAVORS, as the resource.dat
    option.


Q.  I am registered but I can't get nuclear & chemical weapons to show
    up on the menu.
A.  Each player will need to find nuclear, chemical, and psionic weapons.
    Since they are outlawed by the Galactic Coordinator, they are not easily
    available; I suggest keeping more covert agents than planets so that the
    agents will search the planets looking for people who can sell you a
    nuclear / chemical weapon.  If one is found, a question will be asked ("Do
    you wish to buy a nuclear weapon?") in the profits/ news screen.


Q.  I don't run a BBS, but I would like to play SRE.
A.  1.  Run INSTALL
    2.  During the installation process, select LOCAL play.  It will
        create a batch file that will ask for your name and then run
        SRE.


Q.  SRDOOR doesn't read the door file correctly.
A.  We have tested SRDOOR for DOOR.SYS and DORINFO1.DEF.  If you are
    unable to use these, you may be able to experiment with the formats
    for other BBSes.  Unfortunately, we have not fully tested the other
    BBS formats.  If you have any information about the door file
    produced by your BBS, please send us a letter!


Q.  I get an error message about running SRDOOR!
A.  Run INSTALL SRE to install the correct BBS type for your system.


Q.  SRE doesn't read the ANSI status of the user.
A.  SRE currently ignores the ANSI status, even though it's in the door
    file, so that users can play black and white if they'd like.  (It's
    faster without color!)


Q.  I can't figure out what to put in my batch file to run SRE.
A.  Run INSTALL to set up a batch file automatically.


Q.  I don't know how to set up my BBS software to run SRE.
A.  Consult your BBS manual for more information.  Look for information
    on running DOORS.  You also need to produce a DOOR FILE when running
    SRE.  Select a door file format that is compatible with the options
    listed in INSTALL.


Q.  I have a high speed modem running at locked baud rates.
A.  Read Resource.Doc for the "LockBaudRate" parameter, which lets you
    tell SRE that you're using locked baud rates.


Q.  I get snow on my CGA monitor.
A.  Use the Display.Video resource to set up BIOS calls.  See
    Resource.HLP for details.


Q.  SRE runs too slowly.
A.  Get a faster computer!  :)

    If you have EMS or XMS memory, you should set SRE's swapping so
    that it doesn't swap to disk.  Look at Resource.DOC for more
    details.  Also, try changing the display parameter in the
    resource file.  Turning off special effects might also help.


Q.  I am using DESQview and running SRE produces trash on my screen.
A.  Be sure to use
        Display.Video                   BIOS
    and
        Display.VGA                     off

    when running under DESQview.  (See Resource.HLP if you want
    details.)


Q.  I have a monochrome monitor.  How can I play locally without color?
A.  Use the /ANSI=0 switch to turn off ANSI color.  Also use BIOS
    video option to make sure SRE is compatible with your monochrome
    display card.


Q.  My modem buffer causes the pauses and Yes/No prompts to be
    extremely slow on the remote side.
A.  Use the /NOSPECIALEFFECTS switch to turn off the special effects
    at the pauses and Yes/No prompts.  Alternatively, (preferably)
    you can edit RESOURCE.DAT to set up your system configuration.


Q.  I want to know what the users have done in SRE.
A.  Use the LOG option in Resource.dat to write all output to a file
    Note: this file is overwritten every time SRE runs, so you should
    save it somewhere if you want the log of more than one user.  You
    can do this in your batch file with:
        SRE             (already in the file)
        TYPE SRE.LOG >>ALLUSERS.LOG


Q.  I want a separate file to contain the scores.
A.  SRE automatically creates SRESCORE.ANS (ANSI file) and
    SRESCORE.MSG (non-ANSI file) when it runs.  You can modify
    RESOURCE.DAT to write the score files anywhere you want.


Q.  I want to register but I don't want my name to appear.
A.  Your name will appear at the end of the game in the registered
    version.  We do not register to your handle for legal reasons.
    (A handle is not a legal recipient of registration benefits.)
    Sorry!


Q.  I want to register but I don't want my name to be added to
    junk-mail mailing lists.
A.  Don't worry!  All registerers of SRE will NOT be added to any
    junk-mail list.  Our list is used ONLY for notifying registered
    users of updates and/or bulletins.


Q.  SRE is terrible.
A.  Then why are you reading this?


Q.  I need to delete a user.
A.  Use SRE SYSOP to access the empire viewer, which allows you to
    delete the empire.


Q.  I've received my registration numbers and I want to know how
    to get the registration benefits.
A.  Type SRE REGISTER and enter your registration numbers.


Q.  Why is there no full editor in SRE?
A.  Many sysops want a full editor; many more users don't.  They are
    afraid that the temptation may be too great for sysops to give themselves
    extra money.  The main reason is that I have been trying to work
    on other enhancements & bug fixes and I don't have the time to
    write a full editor.


Q.  This game is registered to somebody else!
A.  Delete STATUS.SRE.  It won't display "Registered to Joe Bloggs" anymore.



Any more questions?  Write to

    Amit Patel
    SRE Question
    4851 Cairnsean
    Houston, TX 77084-2541

or if you have Internet access, send email to amitp@cs.stanford.edu

