1. How can I get MechWarrior2 and POD (version 2) to run on my Voodoo²?

2. I just got a new Creative Labs Blaster 3D Voodoo²! What's the easiest way to install it? I need step-by-step, since I'm new at this.

A: These games do not recognize the Voodoo2 properly during installation and so do not install the proper executable. However, copying the proper 3Dfx executable over from the CD to the game folder is only the first step. They will "run" off the executable but the color palette will look wrong. A fix I gathered from the Internet involves:

1. Copy the 3dfx executable from the CD to the game folder. For POD, this is Podx3dfx.exe copied to C:\UbiSoft\Pod2_0.

2. Get the original Monster3D driver pack from Diamond (http://www.diamondmm.com) and expand it into a folder on your hard drive. Copy the following files from there over to the game folder:

glide.dll

Sst1init.dll

3. Make a batch file in the game folder and name it something like Pod3dfx.bat (you can do this with Notepad). Put the following lines in the batch file:

set SST_FT_CLK_DEL=0x4

set SST_TF0_CLK_DEL=0x6

set SST_TF1_CLK_DEL=0x6

set SST_VIN_CLKDEL=0x1

set SST_VOUT_CLKDEL=0x0

set SST_TMUMEM_SIZE=2

podx3dfx

4. Make a shortcut or change the existing POD shortcut to point to that batch file. It works well, although I haven't thoroughly tested it to understand the actions of the particular commands. The tip from the Internet also called for copying fixmemap.vxd from the Monster 3D drivers to the game folder. I did not do that, and it runs fine. Try that additional step if the above does not work. It seems to run "untweaked" (a bit slow) and not respond to some Voodoo2 commands under these circumstances, but otherwise it runs perfectly.

Other fixes on the Internet call for downloading a huge (24MB) POD patch. The above method avoids that. It assumes you have the full 2.0 version, though.

Addendum: To gain refresh rate control insert a line in the above batch file:

SET SST_SCREENREFRESH=85

You need this if you want to avoid a 60Hz default setting. The Voodoo2 display properties have no effect when sing the old glide.dll. Use whatever refresh rate you want - often a refresh rate DIFFERENT from the desktop at 640x480 is useful to allow correct screen alignment independent of the desktop.

Also, to speed things up insert:

SET SSTV2_FASTMEM=1

SET SSTV2_FASTPCIRD=1 Why these two commands refer to the V2, while the others are V1 commands, is not clear to me.

SET SST_GRXCLK=90

A: I'll give you this in the clearest way I can. The installation should be straightforward:

-D/L latest reference drivers from the 3Dfx website and unzip them into a folder on your HD
-Power off, ground self
-Insert card
-Attach cables
-Boot
-Win95 detects a PCI Multimedia device and asks for driver disk.
-Direct it to folder where you have the latest drivers.
-At some point it may ask for the Windows CD or have trouble finding a file. Redirect it back to the driver folder.
-Reboot after drivers are installed and prompted to do so.
-Load Quake II
-Frag away
-D/L Incoming demo, Barrage demo, Forsaken demo, CART Racing demo, etc., etc.
-Stay up all night
-Skip work the next day
-Get fired from job
-End up on welfare still fragging away
-Buy Pentium II 333 system with welfare check and money stolen from relatives because the Voodoo2 runs better that way.
-Trade car for a second Voodoo² for SLI
-Sell blood for money to buy more games

See how easy it is? If you have any problem with the above steps, get back to me. I have been
through all of them several times. I even know how to get a cheap divorce if that comes
up.

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