The Lost Files of Sherlock Homes
Sherlock Holmes & The Case of The Rose Tattoo
Setup Walkthroughby Inferno
Mythos/Electronic Arts
Circa 1996
System Requirements:
- Intel 486DX2/66 with at least 8 Mb of RAM for DOS or 16 Mb
of RAM for playing under Windows(R).
- 15 MB hard disk space
- Double-speed or faster CD-ROM drive
- 1 MB SVGA video card (VESA Compliant)
- Microsoft or 100% compatible mouse
- MS DOS 5.00 or higher
- MSCDEX Version 2.10 or higher
Memory Requirements:- 7104 Kb available extended memory (XMS)
- 400 Kb available conventional memory
- EMS memory is not used by the game.
Recommended:- Intel Pentium processor or higher
- 16 MB of Ram or higher
- Digital or 100% compatible sound card combined with or addition to:
- Wavetable or General MIDI music card
The General Drill
First let's take a look at the "General Drill"
Whenever I start a new game, especially an "older one"; I have always made it a habit to make sure my system is clean. (So let's clean house) Our cleaning products?? No, I'm not talking about special Orange Sprays or Pine smelly disinfectants! I'm referring to the "3 Musketeers" of WINTEL Systems. They are: "Disk Clean Up", Check Disc (the old Scan Disc in pre XP Windows based systems) and Defrag.
First, Let's do a Disk Clean Up (Don't know how?) GO to-->Start-->All Programs--> Accessories--> System Tools-->Disk Clean Up. Empty out what you don't need ( you'll be surprised at what you can accumulate!) Shut down all extra programs. (for those of you who know how to do this part...just skip onto the next area of the "Setup".) For those of you who don't, the easiest way to terminate your TSRs (terminated but staying resident programs, also known as
background applications") is to right click on each of the little icons in the lower right portion of your "Tool Bar" (located near your clock), As you right click on each of them you will get the option to either "exit", "close" or "unload". Do this for each of them. Then, if you have a Screensaver go ahead and disable it.
If you haven't done the "Ole' Scan Disk"...(in XP it's called "Check Disk") and Defragged recently here is a good time to do it. Go to-->My Computer-->Local Disc "C" ("C" is mine but your Local Disc maybe assigned another letter)-->Right Click-->Properties-->Tools-->"Check Now..." ->Make sure that both boxes are checked--> 1.)Automatically fix file system errors and 2.)Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors.-->Click Start. You can follow this same path to locate your Defrag program as well or use Start-->All Programs-->Accessories-->System Tools-->Defrag Hard Drive.
Check your system by doing a "Ctrl, Alt & Delete", this will bring up "The Task Manager", If you have closed out all Windows Programs, the field under "Applications" will be blank.
(Leave the field marked "Processes" alone. Yep, I know there are lots of interesting files in there...but your really better off not touching anything in there unless you really know just what you are doing.)
You might want to check on your Video and Audio Acceleration at this time, make sure you set the video at the 2nd notch from the right --> and audio should be set to the 2nd notch from the right as well (I find that this is the best setting for this adventure on MY system. Yours may be different, but this is always a good place to start and you can increase or lower them as you see fit after the game is installed.)
I know this seems like a bother, but if you take the time to make sure your system is sparkling on the inside, you'll have less headaches later. Remember a healthy XP is a happy one.
I've also increased my file size to 100, instead of the default of 40. I actually did this for "Toonstruck" but since I have I've noticed that many of the older games run more smoothly. It isn't really necessary for this one but you may want to consider it. You can find the directions here.
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Note**: For newer computers like ours, this game can pose a number of "Crash Points" : Using the Hatpin/ Using the trident/Using the Gun........To solve these crashes back to the Desk Top, try using "turbo" slowdown program set at 40%.
You must have VDMS Sound already installed (and if you're wise ...as I know all of you are) and VDMS Launchpad as well. You can get more information about these utilities on My Computer Specs Page.
You must also have Vesa drivers enabled on your system for the game to run correctly. VDMSound does offer some Vesa support.
Close out of all windows applications such as email, internet browsers other games, granny's favorite recipe files...etc. You'll also need to close out of the TSR programs as well. In XP remember that the TSRs) or "Terminated but Stay Resident" programs are (believe it or not located in bottom right corner ("the toolbar" , close out or disable each icon here and don't forget to unload your keyboard).
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Let's install "The Rose"
- Put the CD1 into your default CD ROM DRIVE.
- Go to-->My Computer-->Whatever letter Drive you've placed it in (mine is "D") -->Right Click and locate the following file: AUTORUN.EXE. Choose-->Properties then follow the chart below.
Compatibility-->
Compatibility mode-->
none
Display Settings-->
check-->disable visual themes
input settings-->
check-->turn off advanced text services for this program
Click Apply. Click OK.
Double click on this file.
The Autostart splash screen will come up. Click on "INSTALL".
The Installation program will begin and will tell you that it will install the files to "C:\HOLMES2" let it.
SetSound will be next ... follow through all prompts. I chose Creative Labs SOUNDBLASTER & 100% Compatibles for both MIDI and Digital sound since we will be using VDMSOUND. I suggest you do the same.
Click on Done. Exit back to Desktop.
Locate C:\HOLMES2 game file on your system. Double Click to open.
Locate the file: HOLMES2.BAT Right Click --> Properties --> Compatibility-->and follow the rules in Table 1
Click Apply. Click OK.
Right Click once again on this file and choose Send To --> Desktop.
Close out of all windows back to the Desk top. Locate HOLMES2.BAT on the Desk Top. Right Click.--> Properties. Follow the rules in the table below:
SHORTCUT--> RUN--> Maximized Close on Exit--> Uncheck Box OPTIONS-->
CURSOR SETUP --> DISPLAY OPTIONS -->
Command History-->edit options-->
small
Full Screen
Buffers = 50
Number of Buffers = 4
quick edit modeCompatibility--> Compatibility mode--> no option checked Display Settings--> check-->disable visual themes
input settings--> check-->turn off advanced text services for this program
...enjoy Inferno
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