GETTING STARTED...

   Create a directory on your hard drive.
   [ md \hkmj ]
   
   Move the zipped file to that directory.
   [move hkmjle.zip \hkmj] 
   
   Unzip the big file. 
   [ pkunzip hkmjle]
   
   Uncompress each of the four archive files by typing its name.
   [ le1 ]
   [ le2 ] etc.
   
   Delete the archives.
   [ del le?.exe ]

   Make sure that you have enough memory. The DOS command 'mem'
   will display current available memory. This program requires
   580k (593,920) of conventional memory and 400k (409,600) of
   EXPANDED memory. You may need to alter your 'autoexec.bat' and/or
   your 'config.sys' files to achieve this.

   Run the configuration program.
   [ config ]
   Click on the buttons for the sound and music. If you choose Sound
   Blaster or Sound Blaster Pro, make sure you set the IRQ and DMA to
   match the settings of your card. Click on the test buttons to verify
   that your choices are correct. Click Exit to save and go back to DOS.

   IF YOUR SOUND BLASTER OR SB PRO IS SET FOR AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN 220,
   THEN ENTER THAT ADDRESS AS A PARAMETER TO THE CONFIG PROGRAM.
   example:  'config 240'

   Start the game.
   [ hkmjle ]

   If you get an error message for the mouse, check to see that your
   'autoexec.bat' or your 'config.sys' includes the loading of your mouse
   driver. When you boot your computer, does the mouse driver load?

   If you get an error message indicating insufficient memory, consult
   your DOS manual, DOS online help, or your computer dealer.

   Otherwise, the title screen will appear. Click your left mouse button.
   The main menu appears. Click on Tutorial. View each page, then Exit.

   Back at the main menu. Click on Play. Enter your name on the SignUp
   screen by clicking on the lettered buttons as if it were a typewriter.
   When done, click on Okay.

   Now choose your opponents. You must select 3 of the 8 players. Click
   on the buttons with the checkmarks to select or de-select them. The
   buttons with the "i" symbol contain a short bio of each person. You
   might also want to change one or more of the game options. Clicking
   on the "?" symbol next to the three options explains what it's for.
   Click on Okay when done.

   Four tiles appear face down. Click on one at random. Each of your
   opponents will also pick one. Based on the Wind tile you each have
   chosen, your seats at the table are assigned. This is important
   only as one of the many traditional ways of preventing cheating.

   The Options screen appears. You may turn Voice, Music, and PC Sounds
   off and on. You may adjust the speed of the game and you can re-visit
   the Tutorial. You can toggle the extra markings that are put on tiles
   that otherwise are only marked in Chinese. This screen is accessible
   in between each hand. Click on Continue.

   A hand begins. The dice are rolled (another anti-cheating tradition).
   Everyone is dealt 13 tiles. Flowers are set aside and replaced. The
   Bird hovers until you indicate that you are ready by clicking either
   button. If you are East, then you begin the hand. You must throw a
   tile. If you click on the Bird (lower right corner), he will fly over
   to suggest a tile to throw. Click left on the unwanted tile. It is
   discarded and it will no longer be your turn. Before discarding, though,
   notice the Menu icon in the lower left corner. Click left on this icon
   if you want to make a Kong, claim to Win, or Quit. Also, while it is your
   turn, you can press Alt-X to go straight to DOS. This "boss key" is the
   only keyboard function in the program.

   Then each opponent, from Lower (your right) around to Upper (your left),
   will play. When they discard a tile, it will be highlighted in yellow
   for a few seconds (depending on Speed of Play). If you don't want it
   or if you are not entitled to claim it, click the right button to
   proceed. If you DO want it, and are entitled to it, click left and
   a menu will appear. Choices are Chow, Pong, Kong, or Win. Choose one
   or click right to let it go.

   Eventually someone will win or the Wall will run out of tiles. If there
   is a winner, the center of the screen displays the details, most of
   which are on buttons that offer explanations. If the winner was East or
   if the Wall ran out (dead hand), the Winds will not rotate; otherwise,
   the Winds rotate counter-clockwise. Each full rotation brings up a
   different tablecloth (background image). At the end of four full rounds,
   you have played an entire game. If you wish to continue, you will be
   taken to the screen where you choose a Wind to determine your seat, and
   everyone starts over with 500 chips. Winnings and losses are saved to
   disk and may be reviewed from the History section of the main program
   menu. If anyone goes bankrupt during a game, the game ends and you are
   taken back to the main menu.


   Q. Why doesn't my Pro Audio Spectrum work?
   A. Sometimes they just won't. For Voice, configure it as a Sound
      Blaster. It's only mono, but it works.

   Q. I have a stereo sound card. Why do the voices come out of the
      wrong speakers?
   A. You have the left and right speakers reversed on your desk.

   Q. Why does the game work under Windows but not under DOS?
   A. Windows has a built-in mouse driver. DOS programs require
      that you correctly load a mouse driver at boot-up.

   Q. My computer supports SuperVGA, but the game doesn't work. Why?
   A. This program will detect and support most popular VGA cards if
      they have 512k or 1meg of video memory. Less common brands will
      work if they support the VESA standard for mode 101 (640x480
      with 256 colors). Most often these cards require you to load
      a VESA driver (often called 'vesa.com' in your 'autoexec.bat').

   Q. Can I use my own bitmap files for tablecloths?
   A. Yes, but you must have an image editing program that will allow
      you to force your picture's palette to that of 'modern.pcx'.
      Crop it to 371x269. Save it as 'victoria.256'.

   Q. Why is the scoring system so complicated?
   A. Everything tends to get more complex over a few centuries. Actually,
      the Hong Kong method used in this program is relatively simple.
      You might want to print out the file 'scoring.txt' and keep it
      handy. As each hand is won, analyze the points, the payout, and
      the explanations you get from clicking on the score buttons.


   ----------

   Playing mahjong is easy, but to come out on top you will have to learn
   how to make a number of subtle choices. It takes a good while to
   realize just when to take a risk or just when to destroy a marginal
   hand in order to stop an opponent from a big win. When your defense
   becomes as good as your offense, when your instincts sharpen and you
   get good at guessing what your opponents' hands may contain, you will
   win consistently. You will also enjoy the satisfaction of the occasional
   Triple Full House or even one of the Special Hands.

   Have fun,

   J. R. Fitch
   Nine Dragons Software