Questions & Answers

 
 


 

 
 
 
Q: Will the PineWood Racer program work with Windows XP?
 A: To quickly answer this, I must say NO.   But you are able to install it on an XP system and make it work.  There are two major drawbacks.  One is it will not interact with the track interface.   Thus you will be unable to perform a derby race with the interface.  Secondly the network ability will not work at all.  This hinders the ability to make it work as a terminal login program.

You can use an XP computer system to access the race data.  This is why you are able to install it on an XP system.   Note: Windows NT, 2000, and XP all have the same limitations with the program.
  
Q: Is the PineWood Racer a DOS or Windows program?
 A: It is designed for Windows 95/98 but is actually programmed in DOS.  I use PowerBasic which is a DOS compiler that is very efficient.   Because of this I can easily access the interface device without having to build windows drivers and other hard to write DLLs and VXDs.   My program has windows drivers built into it so it will work very well with Windows.  It can even turn windows off so it can enable it's accurate timer system.  It also must have windows installed to enable it to work with networking systems.   It uses IPX/SPX (not the same as TCP/IP) protocol. 

 
 
Q: How do I enable IPX/SPX network support in Windows?
 A: The PineWood Racer will only work with Windows 95, 98, and ME networking.  It will not work with Windows for Workgroups, NT, or 2000.  Even though all of these support IPX/SPX protocol.   

You must also have a network card installed and setup in your system.

To install the IPX/SPX protocol just follow the following instructions.

1. Click "Start"
2. Click "Settings"
3. Click "Control Panel"
4. Double-Click on "Network"

You should now see a list of items, scroll through the list and look for something that has "IPX/SPX" at the beginning of the line.  If you don't see it then continue on.  If you do, then it's already installed and setup.

5. Click "Add.."
6. Select "Protocol" and click "Add.."
7. Under "Manufacturers" find and select "Microsoft"
8. Under "Network Protocols" find and select "IPX/SPX-compatible Protocol"
9. Click "OK"

That should be it...  Windows may ask for the windows CD, if it does just follow the instructions on the screen.   It will then ask you to restart the system.   After this is finished you should be ready to run the PineWood Racer software in network mode.

 
 
Q: Can I download your program for free?
 A: Yes you now can.   I now have a demo program out for people to test.  It is fully enabled except for track interface communication will not work.   Go to the download page to download.

 
 
Q: Will your program support Linux in the future?
 A: Yes it will some time soon...    Once PowerBasic releases there Linux compiler, I will then convert it over.   I can't wait!

 
Q: Why can't I get my interface to work with a PCI Printer Port?

 A: If you have installed one of the new PCI printer ports into your system and you can't get the interface to work on that port.   It's because it's not set at a standard printer port address.    Standard addresses are 3BCh, 3F8h, and 2F8h.   To correct this problem do the following:
  1. Right click on "My Computer" icon.
  2. Select "Properties..."
  3. Select "Device Manager" tab.
  4. Click on the little plus symbol in front of "Ports (COM & LPT)"
  5. You should see your new port.   Double click on the new port.   If you do not know which on is the new port, then consult the technician that installed the port for you.
  6. Click the "Resources" tab.
  7. Click the "Use automatic settings" to remove the check mark.
  8. Find the "Input/Output Range" in the list and double click on it.
  9. Use the Up and Down arrows to select a new address.   Try to use one of the previous mentioned.   If you are unable to find one that is unused or are unable to get to one of the address jump to step 11.
  10. Click "OK" several times until it asks you to restart or your back to the desktop.  You should now be able to use the pine wood racer.   If you are still having problems then continue onto step 11.   Else you are finished...
  11. Click "Cancel"
  12. Click "Use automatic settings" to place the check mark back.
  13. Take a note of the Input/Output Range on paper.
  14. Click "Cancel" several times until you are back to the desktop.
  15. Click "Start"
  16. Click "Run"
  17. Type "c:\pwr\pwr.ini" and press Enter
  18. This should bring up a Notepad windows with the PineWood Racer settings in it.
  19. Look for a line that reads "PortSearch=3BC 378 278" add to this list the port that you wrote down in step 13.   Example if the port in setup was 1123 - 1223 then you should add 1123 to the PortSearch to come up with a line that reads "PortSearch=3BC 378 278 1123"
  20. Click "Save" from the "File" menu.
  21. Close out of the notepad program
  22. Try and run the PineWood Racer again.   It should now find the interface.  If you still have trouble then you may need to contact a local computer technician and have them look at this documentation.   And you can EMail me for support if you would like.

 
Q: How can I build a Derby Track?
A: I don't build derby tracks but I have found a WebPages that will help you build one for yourself!   Go to the following WebPages below!

http://www.inetworld.net/bosworth/index.html

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