SUPPORT: HOME
Part I Computer System:
1.0 - Introduction
1.1 - DOS
1.2 - Windows 3.x
1.3 - Windows 9x
1.4 - Windows Me
1.5 - Windows NT/2000/XP
1.6 - Still having problems under Windows NT/2000/XP?
1.7 - Considerations for fans of real-mode DOS games: The sound card
1.8 - Sound Card problems under DOS
Part II CHAMP-Cable / Joystick:
2.0 - What is the CHAMP-Cable?
2.1 - Why a digital joystick?
2.2 - I do not have a CHAMP-Cable and / or a digital joystick!
Part III Miscellaneus:
3.0 - Where can I buy CHAMP games?

1.0 - Introduction
The CHAMPgames were written between 1993 and 1997 - before Windows 98 was released. As with many older games, some users may experience problems running them on modern computer systems. Here are some tips which help you get them running.

The following information are not a step-by-step instruction how to fix a sound problem or what is to do getting the joysick to work. If a CHAMPgame will not work correct, the following information shows different ways how to fix the problem.

The CHAMPgames are written in and for the operating system DOS, so the games need DOS to run. The games will usually run under Windows without problems, it depends on your Windows version and the sound card of your computer.

1.1 - DOS
A plain DOS operating system like FREE DOS, DR-DOS or MS-DOS is the perfect way to enjoy the CHAMPgames. And- you should run the games under DOS for optimal performance. If you have the DOS sound driver that matches your sound card and - for using an analog joystick - the DOS driver that matches your game controller, you are set to run the games.

- GoTo: FREE-DOS is the future of DOS. Step in and download a free DOS !

- GoTo: QuikMenu is a powerful graphical, Windows-like desktop/menu system for DOS. The icon and button interface allows for quick and intuitive interaction with everyday computer tasks. A full set of desktop utilities are provided. Support CHAMPgames icons.

- GoTo: Interesting DOS Programs Great DOS-Collection. A MUST visit site for any DOS user.

1.2 - Windows 3.x
Windows 3.x is a DOS extension, so plain DOS and excellent DOS support under Windows 3.x is available.

- GoTo: Calmira is a completely free Graphical User Interface (GUI) for the DOS-Extension Windows 3.1x which updates your dull Windows 3.1x program manager GUI to an impressive Windows 95 GUI Clone. Besides the new GUI, Calmira adds Windows 95 functionality such as "my computer window", "shortcuts", "right click menus", "task bar" with "start menu" and much more.

1.3 - Windows 9x
Windows 95 and Windows 98 follow the tradition of Windows 3.x in that they are all based upon MS-DOS. The benefit of these platforms is the excellent DOS support and the lower hardware requirements than the Windows NT line (see below), and the support for just about any hardware or software you throw at it.

Using Windows 9x is a easy, good and comfortable way to enjoy the CHAMPgames without trouble.

Note: Windows 98 is still very common, and mostly sound support in a DOS session under Windows is available, even with a PCI sound card.

1.4 - Windows Me
Users of Windows ME may also experience problems as DOS mode is not accessible by default. DOS is as fully entrenched in Windows Me as it was in earlier versions of Windows 9x, but it's quite well hidden. What's missing in Windows Me is support for 16-bit Real Mode DOS. Indeed you can no longer restart Windows in DOS mode (from the start menu) or use the F8 key to start Windows in DOS mode. You can, however, use a Windows Me boot disk to boot into a DOS command prompt.

There are guides on the Net which can tell you how to make DOS accessible under Windows Me - I recommend you exercise caution and do not attempt this procedure unless you know what you're doing.

1.5 - Windows NT/2000/XP
Windows 2000 and Windows XP are based upon the newer "Windows NT" architecture, which replaces the DOS base with the NT kernel. Windows 2000, XP and NT provides a DOS emulation. The down side is that the DOS support for Windows NT is not nearly as strong as it is for Windows 9x, especially with regards to specialty hardware and games.

Windows NT, 2000 or XP provides DOS emulation for running the games but direct peripheral access (to video devices, sound cards, game controllers, printer port) is limited (dependent to the PC hardware too). In case that you have sound problems or joystick problems I recommend you the following external links:

- GoTo: SoundFX 2000 is a commercial sound card and game port emulator for DOS programms running on Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0.

- GoTo: VDMSound is a free sound and game port emulator for DOS programms running on Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

1.6 - Still having problems under Windows NT/2000/XP?
Then you should realize that Windows NT/2000/XP is not DOS. The DOS emulation of those Windows versions allows users to run "some" DOS code within a DOS virtual real mode session. The emulation is limited.

If you are a big fan of DOS games, you really need DOS. Just set up a bootable DOS partition and multiboot DOS and Windows. That way, you'll actually have DOS.

1.7 - Considerations for fans of real-mode DOS games: The sound card
In addition to a real, bootable copy of DOS, you really do need a sound card that's supported in real mode. This almost always means a jumpered, non-Plug 'n' Play, ISA ("not" PCI!) Sound Blaster-compatible sound card. Getting one is no problem. You can pick up a real Sound Blaster on eBay for peanuts. A real problem might be finding an available ISA slot on your computer's motherboard. ISA slots are getting harder to find these days. (Note that although many PCI sound cards claim to support DOS, they usually provide very spotty real-mode DOS support or even no real-mode DOS support at all! Many manufacturers use rather deceptive advertising, like "works with DOS titles". Many of these cards are designed to work only with applications running inside a virtual real mode session within a Windows environment.

If you have a bootable copy of DOS, and a jumpered, non-Plug 'n' Play Sound Blaster, you should be set for just about every DOS game ever written!

1.8 - Sound Card problems under DOS
The newer CHAMP games works with Sound Blasters, SB-compatibles, and SB-clones. The sound and music will not work with the native modes of non-Creative Labs' sound boards. (Creative Labs is the major player in the sound board market.) However, the games has been designed and tested to work with their compatible modes, (which are often only 90-95% "compatible").

You need a 386SX or higher processor and (for best performance) a DOS operating system with enough free conventional memory. Each newer CHAMP game will run under Windows (WIN 3.x, WIN 9x). There are, however, some sound card issues when running the games under Windows (though this is because the games are written in and for DOS).

The games can autodetect the sound hardware's port, DMA, and IRQ settings. To manually configure your sound card, choose Configure Sound Card in the Sound menu.

2.0 - What is the CHAMP-Cable?
It's a cable that allows you to plug an old Atari compatible 9-pin digital joystick or equivalent into the parallel 25-pin printer port (LPT1, LPT2 or LPT3). The CHAMP Cable supports the following CHAMP Games: CHAMP Kong, CHAMP Ms. Pac-em, CHAMP Pac-em, CHAMP Galaxia, CHAMP Centiped-em, CHAMP Asterocks, CHAMP Invaders and CHAMP Galagon. It also supports the following joysticks: Atari 2600, 7800, 400, 800, 1200, 130xe, - Commodore 64, 128, - Colecovision and digital Wico.

2.1 - Why a digital joystick?
This is the ultimate way to experience CHAMP games. A digital joystick has advantages over an analog joystick, faster response time and no calibration.

2.2 - I do not have a CHAMP-Cable and / or a digital joystick!
Joysticks can be found at flea market or in ad sections of magazines. An other way is to build the joystick and cable yourself.
An analog joystick is a digital joystick with additional electronic components. If you or a friend knows a little about electronics, it will not be very difficult to modify the analog joystick.
A printer sends the following signals to the PC: printer acknowledge, busy, online, error and paper empty. The CHAMP games use the same signal lines in conjunction with a digital joystick for the commands: movement left, right, up, down and fire.
For more information: Layout diagram.

3.0 - Where can I buy CHAMP games?
Unfortunately, CHAMProgramming is out of business and you can't order a game. If you have an original CHAMP game and would like to sell it or to swap it for another CHAMP game, please contact me by email: manfred.kremer@champ-em.com.
Anyway, all games are still available, please check my download-section!

CHAMP Games, CHAMP Kong, CHAMP Ms. Pac-em, CHAMP Pac-em, CHAMP Galaxia, CHAMP Centiped-em, CHAMP Asterocks, CHAMP Invaders, CHAMP Galagon and CHAMP Cable are trademarks of CHAMProgramming Corporation.
Other brands and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
© 2000-2005, Manfred Kremer, All Rights Reserved.