FAQ.txt for Circus Linux!
by Bill Kendrick
bill@newbreedsoftware.com
http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/circus-linux/
Version 1.0.3
April 28, 2001
GENERAL PROBLEMS:
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PROBLEM:
I want the mouse pointer to stay within the window.
SOLUTION:
During the game, press the [G] key to turn mouse-grabbing on.
(You can press it again to turn it off.)
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PROBLEM:
My mouse is gone!
CAUSE:
"Mouse-grabbing" is on. The mouse pointer (which, by the way, is
invisible) cannot be removed from the window.
SOLUTION:
Press the [G] key to turn mouse-grabbing back off.
(You can press it again to turn it back on, if you like).
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PROBLEM:
When using a joystick, the teeter-totter jumps between the left, middle and
right positions, instead of moving smoothly.
CAUSE:
This is because your joystick is digital. It only has a left, right and
middle position.
SOLUTION:
Use the "--digital" option when you start the program.
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PROBLEM:
When using real Atari paddles, the teeter-totter moves the opposite direction
and doesn't go all the way to the edges.
CAUSE:
Atari 2600 paddles are calibrated differently.
SOLUTION:
Use the "--paddle" option when you start th eprogram.
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PROBLEM:
The game is very slow on my computer.
CAUSE:
Your computer is probably not very fast, or you have a slow video card.
SOLUTION:
Use the "--low" option when you start the program.
SOLUTION:
Try using a different color depth. 16bpp is better (faster) than 24bpp,
for example.
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PROBLEM:
There's no sound or music.
CAUSE:
Your computer doesn't have a sound card, or it's misconfigured.
SOLUTION:
Get a sound card and make sure it's configured.
CAUSE:
Another program is using your sound device.
SOLUTION:
Quit that program.
CAUSE:
You ran the program with the "--disable-sound" or "--nosound" or "-q" option.
SOLUTION:
Quit Circus Linux! and start it again without any sound-disabling option.
CAUSE:
The volume settings are set to "off".
SOLUTION:
Click the "SFX" and "MUSIC" options on Circus Linux!'s title screen until
the volume of the sound effects and music are at suitable volumes.
CAUSE:
The game is paused.
SOLUTION:
Press the [SPACE] key.
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PROBLEM:
The clowns bounce back down when they hit balloons.
CAUSE:
The "Bouncy Balloons" game option is set.
SOLUTION:
Click the "Bouncy Balloons" option on the title screen so that the
option is no longer set.
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WINDOWS PROBLEMS:
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PROBLEM:
My joystick doesn't work!
CAUSE:
The current version of Circus Linux! uses a stable version of the
Simple DirectMedia Layer library. That version does not include
joystick support.
SOLUTION:
Wait for a newer release of Circus Linux!, after SDL jumps to 1.2.x.
(See: http://www.devolution.com/~slouken/SDL/ )
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LINUX PROBLEMS:
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PROBLEM:
My joystick doesn't work!
CAUSE:
Is your joystick plugged-in and configured to work right?
SOLUTION:
Make sure your joystick is plugged in and configured (see your Linux
distribution's manual).
CAUSE:
Circus Linux! wasn't compiled to play with a joystick.
SOLUTION:
Run "make distclean" and then make sure you use the
"--enable-joystick" option when you run "./configure" (see INSTALL.txt)
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PROBLEM:
When compiling, there's an error about SDL_JOYAXISMOTION not being defined.
CAUSE:
The version of SDL you have does not support joysticks.
SOLUTION:
Run "make distclean" and then make sure you _don't_ use the
"--enable-joystick" option when you run "./configure" (see INSTALL.txt)
SOLUTION:
Get SDL version 1.1.2 or higher, which supports joystick.
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If you have a question you think would be suitable for this FAQ, please
e-mail me:
bill@newbreedsoftware.com
Thank you!
