Stunt Island Harbor
Return to the Topics Orbiter Info. SIH News Graphics Support Films Sets / Props Links

Join the world of Stunt Island! SI Support:
(Help for Stunt Island Users.)

Please select page sub-section
SD Editor SI Map Keyboard
Siupdate SI Guide Mic's SI Notes
Misc. Files

Mic's SI Notes
Last updated: February 23rd, 2003
RE: Additional notes from Mic on Stunt Island
Table of Contents:
Stunt Island Upgrades or Patches:
There are several series of patches to SI, culminating in the five files making up the "P3 Patch Set". This is an extensive and final patch to SI before it was given the "kiss off" by its developers.
 
Among other issues, the P3 Patch Set fixes problems with SI sounds when used with sound cards other than the original Sound Baster on IRQ 7 interrupt. Indeed, the patch totally eliminated a problem I had with SI when using it on a system equipped with a SB16 ASP ISA card running on the default for this new card: IRQ5. Without the patch, sound files played scratchy. After the patch was applied - the sound was clear as a bell (as it sounds on the original Sound Blaster).
 
The P3 Patch Set also eliminates the look up copyright protection that made users get out the manual to search for specific data regarding one of the aircraft in the simulation. It also added the Easy / Hard flight model
option to the Preferences Dialog box as well as the ability to select either independent Rudder or Aileron control. Checking of the Preferences screen via ALT+P and looking for the Easy / Hard flight model option is a good way to see if your copy of SI is up to P3.
 
The P3 patch set is available still at the site hosting the Disney Software archives. You can go there via the SI Links page.
 
Besides the comprehensive P3 patch, there is also a replacement for the original stand alone film player called playone.exe. This update is called SIPLAY.EXE an contains a couple of fixes regarding how this player works and setup on folks systems. You can get a copy of the new revised player as well as my notations on it currently on my Frontier Films webpage. This file: ffplayr.zip has everything a user needs to watch an SI film (SI is of course not needed).
 
 
Learning Stunt Island: The Manual
More than perhaps any other program, one who is attempting to get into SI needs to "RTFM"- Read The Frell'in Manual! The SI manual is a great technical work, nicely illustrated with screen shots and laid out in an easy to learn manner. Much like a textbook, the 180 page spiral bound manual is quality printed on very high quality, almost laminated index card weight paper. Its impressive and nice to curl up with at bedtime.
 
Someone took the time to totally scan the entire manual into PDF format. This may be the only way now to get this document
for the majority of new SI users who have come by the program via the dubious download avenue. While Disney Software has spooked the website, Home of the Underdogs from offering the complete Stunt Island program for download any longer, the over five meg manual in PDF format continues to be made available there.
 
It's a good idea for anyone to get this doc while they still can. Even individuals lucky enough to have the actual manual can make use of the PDF. (Perhaps, quick review at work ? Or perhaps just to search for some tid-bit of info.)
 
 
Problems with Running Stunt Island on Newer Systems:
One of the most consistent problems with SI on newer systems has been in having the correct compatibility to achieve sound, both music (midi tunes) as well as digital sounds.
 
Unfortunately, this is a pretty big issue for using SI with newer systems - SI really needs sound (as most sims do). The easiest way to get SI running with sound is to have a true Sound Blaster card in your system which is capable of a "SB16 Emulation mode" when at the DOS prompt from within WINDOWS 98. A card which states that it is 100% SoundBlaster compatible but which is NOT a true SoundBlaster card, probably won't work.
 
You need to make sure you have a true SoundBlaster card running real Creative Labs legacy software. Since I don't have ME or XP, I can't comment on getting SI running with those operating systems (yet) - but I believe it may indeed be easier to achieve full sound
with an XP system. Of course you can (for little money) always pick up an older system, say a 486 DX4-100; find a copy of good old MS DOS 6.22 (if it does not already come on it) as well find a true SoundBlaster card (either original or SB16) and have a special retro system for SI usage.
 
If you are unfamiliar with MS-DOS and not willing to learn just a little about setting up an AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files, the above option may not be the best avenue to pursue...
 
Regarding memory, SI likes extended and with EMM386.EXE loaded into your CONFIG.SYS file, it can be set to provide a place for SI to happily cache most all of itself. You do not need have Expanded available, but if it is present - I've not found that it won't hurt (unlike some other programs that really hate it).
 
 

Return to Top Menu