
README for Pinochle 2.0

Pinochle 2.0 is a shareware program by Christopher Chapman.  It plays 
Double Deck Pinochle on computers with Windows 3.1 or Windows 95.

I hope you enjoy the program!


Contents of this file

0.  Legal stuff
1.  System requirements
2.  Installing Pinochle 2.0 automatically
3.  Installing Pinochle 2.0 manually
4.  Running the program
5.  Uninstalling Pinochle 2.0
6.  Restoring the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM subdirectory
7.  Undoing the registration
8.  How to report bugs
9.  History of program
10.  Future plans


0.  Legal Stuff

Pinochle 2.0 is copyright (c) 1994-96 by Christopher Chapman.  All rights
reserved, except that this program may be distributed freely or for
duplication costs only, provided that it is unaltered and that all files
included in the original PINOCHLE.ZIP file are included.

If you use Pinochle 2.0 for more then 15 days, then you must register it
with the author.  Follow the instructions in the online HELP | REGISTER
command from within the program, or read the file REGISTER.TXT.


1.  System Requirements

Pinochle 2.0 requires Windows 3.1 or Windows 95.  It should run on almost
any computer that runs Windows 3.1.  

The program requires an 80386 or higher processor, 2mb of extended memory, 
and just over 1mb of hard disk space.  Recommended minimum configuration is
80486 or Pentium at 20mhz or faster, and 6mb or more of RAM.


2.  Installing Pinochle 2.0 automatically

Pinochle 2.0 was designed for Windows 3.1, but also works in Windows 95.
You should use the INSTALL program in either version of Windows.

You may use the automatic installation if and only if Windows is located
on either drive C: or D: in the \WINDOWS and \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directories.  
This should be the case unless you have deliberately altered your setup.  If
this is not the case, then follow the directions in part (3) below for a 
manual installation.

First, close any programs you have running within Windows.  This is a good 
safety precaution before you install any new programs.

Copy all the unzipped files to a subdirectory where you wish to keep the
program.  This program does not require its own subdirectory and does not
create one for itself.

For example, you may do something like the following:


    MD \PINOCHLE
    MOVE PINOCHLE.ZIP \PINOCHLE
    CD \PINOCHLE
    PKUNZIP PINOCHLE.ZIP

Now run the program INSTALL.EXE from Windows.  At the program manager, select
FILE | RUN ...  and input the directory name where you have the program, plus
\INSTALL.EXE.  If you followed the above directions, this would be:

    \PINOCHLE\INSTALL.EXE

Press OK.  The installer will copy necessary files to your \WINDOWS\SYSTEM
subdirectory, and will notify you that it is making backups of any previous
versions of files found there.  The installer does *not* create a program
group in Windows, since most users add Pinochle to a group of other games.

The install program does *not* change or add anything to WIN.INI or
CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT

After the installer has finished, you may add the PINOCHLE.EXE file to any
program group.  For example, if you followed the above, you would:
    
    Open a program group in Windows
    Select:  FILE | NEW | PROGRAM ITEM
    Input:   \PINOCHLE\PINOCHLE.EXE

That's all.  You may now enjoy the game!  It is probably best if you exit
and restart Windows after any program installation.


3.  Installing Pinochle 2.0 manually

To install Pinochle manually, following the instructions above to move the
distributed files to any subdirectory you like.  Then copy the following
files from the Pinochle location to your \WINDOWS\SYSTEM or equivalent 
subdirectory (wherever you run Windows from):

    BIVBX11.DLL
    CTL3DV2.DLL
    MHRUN300.DLL
    MHCARDS.DLL
    MHCD200.VBX

You may then delete these files from the Pinochle location.

Add PINOCHLE.EXE to any program group in Windows, and you are ready to play!
No changes need to be made to WIN.INI or CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT.  In 
Windows 95, no additions are made to the system registry.


4.  Running the program

Simply run PINOCHLE.EXE from the Windows Program Manager, either by using the
FILE | RUN ... command or by adding PINOCHLE.EXE to a program group or to
the Windows 95 Start menu.

If you know how to play Pinochle, then the program should be pretty self-
explanatory.  For more information, or to learn how to play Pinochle, check
out the online help system.  Select HELP | CONTENTS from the main menu.

Note:  If you are an experienced Double-Deck Pinochle player, this program
may use a different meld system from the one you use.  There are *many* 
different scoring systems out there.  Check out HELP | MELD TABLE from 
within the program to see how this program scores.  Also, note that the
next version of Pinochle will include options for setting up your own meld
table.  This upgrade will be free to registered users of Version 2.0.

Note also that you may print the Meld Table from with Windows Help.

Windows 95 Note:  For users with 640x480 screens, some of the buttons in
Pinochle 2.0 may be obscured by the Windows 95 task bar.  You may compress
the vertical spacing of elements in Pinochle 2.0 by selecting FILE | 
WINDOWS 95 MODE from the main menu.  Note that this option does *not* have
anything to do with Windows 95 as such; it may be used or not used according
to personal taste in either Windows 3.1 or Windows 95.


5.  Uninstalling Pinochle 2.0

If you decide not to keep Pinochle 2.0, simply delete the following files
from the directory where it resides:

    PINOCHLE.EXE
    PINOCHLE.HLP
    PINOCHLE.CFG
    README.TXT
    REGISTER.TXT
    INSTALL.EXE

You should not delete the .DLL and .VBX files from \WINDOWS\SYSTEM, since
they may be used by other programs, too.  However, you may wish to read the
next section on \WINDOWS\SYSTEM if you wish to delete some of those files.


6.  Restoring the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM subdirectory

If you uninstall Pinochle 2.0, or if you experience problems with other
programs after its installation (very unlikely!), then you may wish to 
restore your \WINDOWS\SYSTEM subdirectory as follows.  Generally, this 
should not be necessary, even after uninstalling the program, and I do
*not* recommend tinkering with the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM subdirectory.  Only
follow my suggestions below if you already know what you're doing!

It is always a good idea to backup your system before performing tasks like
this, since a mistake could be costly!  Do not attempt these tasks unless you
are highly familiar with Windows installation.

    A.  Move to the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM subdirectory
    B.  See if any of the following backup files exist:
            BIVBX11.D~L
            CTL3DV2.D~L
            MHRUN300.D~L
            MHCARDS.D~L
            MHCD200.V~X
    C.  Delete the following files:
            BIVBX11.DLL
            MHRUN300.DLL
            MHCARDS.DLL
            MHCD200.VBX
    D.  If any backup files were found in (B.) then copy those backup files
        to their original file names (replace the '~' with a 'B' or 'L').
        Example:
            COPY  CTL3DV2.D~L  CTL3DV2.DLL
    E.  Once you are *sure* that everything is working properly, you may
        then delete the files listed in (B.) above.


7.  Undoing the registration

If you have registered Pinochle 2.0 but for some reason wish to undo the
registration (e.g., if you wish to change the capitalization of your name),
then move to the Pinochle location and delete the file  PINOCHLE.CFG.

This will reset the program to "unregistered" and will erase your win/loss
record.

You may then re-register Pinochle if you wish, by following the initial
registration procedure with your name and registration number.  You may
e-mail the author at  cnchapman@aol.com  if you have registered but lost the
registration number.


8.  How to report bugs

I hope that Pinochle 2.0 is bug free.  It has been thoroughly tested, but 
unfortunately problems may always exist out in the "real world"!

    General Problems

Note that some video drivers cause problems with a variety of programs.  If
Pinochle 2.0 does not run at all, or if it gives a "General Protection Fault"
then you should try using a different video driver, or update your video
drivers from your manufacturer or by downloading from an online service.  To
determine whether the problem is with video or with another aspect of your
system or with Pinochle 2.0, you may wish to try using the generic VGA or
SVGA drivers from Microsoft by running SETUP from the Windows Main program
group.

If you have problems that are not resolved by changing video drivers, then
also try running Pinochle 2.0 without any other programs running in Windows.
You could have a shortage of Windows resources (memory, virtual disk space,
file handles, etc.)

Note that your DOS path specified in AUTOEXEC.BAT should contain the path for
your Windows system.  If not, Pinochle might have difficulty finding its
system components.


    Other Problems

If you do have a problem to report, please write or e-mail me with as much 
information about the problem as you can gather.

If the program crashes:  Note any error messages / numbers that appear

If you were playing a game:  Note the game number from the title bar

Write to:  Chris Chapman, P.O. Box 555, Uniontown, AR  72955
or email:  cnchapman@aol.com


9.  History of the program

Pinochle 1.0 was a DOS version of the program.  It had a primitive interface,
but was a very small program and played very quickly.  It would make a nice
program for an old 8088 system or a laptop.  It is available free for the
asking to registered users of Pinochle 2.0

Version 2.0 is for Windows, and has improved in several areas, especially
overall playing and bidding.


10.  Future plans

I plan to continue work on the program in the future.  Upgrades to the 
program will be free for registered users of Version 2.0.

Following are some options I am considering for the upgrade:

    User-definable meld table and scoring system
    Modifiable personalities for the computer players
    Difficulty levels (both easier and more difficult than current)
    Ability to adjourn a game with forfeiting (restart it later)

Let me know if you have any suggestions!


THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO TRY PINOCHLE 2.0.  I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE GAME.

-- Christopher Chapman
-- cnchapman@aol.com

