

                  MAX - from CMP Media Inc.

            Volume 3, Number 6 -- November/December 1996


This is a "Read Me" file for MAX.  This contains information on 
new features, as well as a few hints, warnings, and suggestions 
that may help with MAX's performance and usability.


"CAPABILITY NOT SUPPORTED" ERROR
-------------------------
If you get a MaxView "Capability not supported" error, run the 
SETUP.EXE file found in the \BDESETUP\DISK1 directory on the 
MAX CD-ROM.


INTERNET ENABLEMENT
-------------------------
This MAX disc is Internet enabled, allowing you to launch onto 
the MAX Home Page or link to many of the MAX Partners on the Web.  
You must already have a Dialer, Browser and Internet service provider.


IMPORTANT!
-------------------------
PLEASE NOTE:  MAX will be in an inactive state until the browser
is terminated.  You must EXIT the browser to return to MAX.  You
may NOT leave the browser up and running and return to MAX by
pressing [Alt]+[Tab].
-------------------------



386 MACHINES
-------------------------
       WE STRONGLY URGE THE USE OF 486 SYSTEMS WITH MAX.
MAX requires a minimum of 8 MB of memory and a double speed 
CD-ROM.  We have tested this configuration with 386 25mhz and 
33mhz machines and found that MAX runs correctly but performance 
suffers in certain areas.  We cannot guarantee compatibility or 
performance on 386 systems.


MAX LOCKS UP DURING THE INSTALLATION PROCESS
-------------------------
MAX requires a permanent swap file in Windows of at least 19 MB
if your system has 8 MB of RAM or less available.  MAX will use 
about 8 MB of hard drive space when in use, however the 19 MB
will be required during the installation.

Since MAX uses Microsoft's Video For Windows, it must be installed
on your system for the videos to run correctly.  Video drivers for
some systems will cause the installation program to lock up.  Try 
resetting your video driver to standard VGA and restart the 
installation.  After the installation is complete, you may switch 
back to your normal screen settings.


TSR AND VIRUS SCAN PROGRAMS
-------------------------
TSR programs such as Virus Scan or network drivers should be 
disabled during the installation process if you are encountering 
problems.


FILES AND BUFFERS
-------------------------
If you experience problems while starting MAX, or MAX gives you 
file errors, add or modify the following two lines in your 
\CONFIG.SYS file:

Files = 100
Buffers = 40

This may increase your performance and allow MAX to run with other
applications open at the same time.  If you still have problems, 
try shutting down other Windows applications you have running, and
try again.  It is possible that your system's memory is not 
properly managed.  Review your Windows documentation on how to 
optimize your system's memory.


MAX WILL NOT PRINT PRODUCT LITERATURE
-------------------------
MAX cannot output to a PostScript driver in Windows.  If you are 
using the PostScript driver for your printer, install the standard
or non PostScript driver that came with your printer.  You may 
switch between the two drivers by using Print Manager or the 
Printers icon in Windows.


SCREEN RESOLUTION AND FONT SIZE
-------------------------
If the text in the MAX catalog or MAX Partners on the Web is not 
properly aligned, try resetting your video driver to 640x480 at 
256 colors.  (Windows often has trouble handling display 
coordinates using certain video drivers or fonts.)  If you are 
running at higher resolutions (like 800x600 or 1024x768), try 
setting your driver to Small Fonts instead of Large Fonts.


SCREEN FLASHES  (Palette Flashes)
-------------------------
When you use a computer in 256 color (8-bit) mode, Windows can 
only use 256 colors at one time, but programs may change which 
256 colors it is using at different times.  This causes the 
screen to "flash" or look weird for a short time.  This might 
happen when MAX changes from one piece of literature to another, 
or when MAX calls out to one of its supporting programs on the 
disc.  Unfortunately, this is normal but slightly irritating. 
MAX looks forward to the day when EVERYONE has 24-bit color.


NUMERIC KEYPAD WARNING
-------------------------
WARNING: While in the Catalog, DO NOT use the numeric keypad 
without first ensuring the NumLock key is pressed.  This will 
cause Windows to lock-up and require a reboot.


OS/2 AND MAX
-------------------------
MAX must be run in WIN/OS/2 in enhanced mode.


ANIMATIONS AND VIDEOS
-------------------------
If you are experiencing troubles with the animation at the 
beginning of MAX and/or any of the video files, try to play the 
file using the Media Player from the Accessories group in Windows.
You can find the animation and video files on the CD in 
\MAX\ANIMATE and in \AVI. Use the Video for Windows driver in the
Media Player.  Refer to your Windows and/or Video For Windows 
documentation for hints on getting things to work.  Once 
everything is straight in the Media Player, you should have no 
trouble in MAX.


NETWORKS
-------------------------
MAX is meant to be run as a stand-alone application and IS NOT a
network product.  However, limited trials have proven successful.

If you are running your networked system with a local CD-ROM 
drive attached and MAX will not load, it may be necessary to log 
off the network and reboot your system without loading any network
drivers.  Then install MAX.  This has proven successful in most 
cases.

The CD-ROM device drivers must be loaded from the local hard drive
and not from the network.

We have discovered that if you are installing MAX to a Novell
Network (ver 3.11) and are logged on as Supervisor, certain files
are marked as READ ONLY, HIDDEN and SYSTEM.  If you have done
this, the Product Literature, Promotions, Presentations, and
certain Catalogs will not work correctly.


REMOVING MAX FROM YOUR SYSTEM
-------------------------
Removing MAX is a simple matter.  Delete the "MAX, From CMP" group
from your Program Manager.  Delete the MAX subdirectory from your
hard drive, and remove the files named SQLMAX.INI and MAX.INI from
your Windows directory.  That's it.
