First, install the game in WinXP, the install works fine. Once you have done that, go to the game's directory, and click on SVGATEST.BAT. This will present you with a number of choices for SVGA card...pick option Z. Once you have done this, opt to manually configure the SVGA card, and select the high speed driver, and follow the on screen instructions to calibrate the in-game SVGA gfx using the default settings. In the event of failure, try other settings, or try again using the low speed drivers. These are not quite as good, but are better than nothing. The high speed one works fine with Diamond Monster 2, Voodoo3 3000, GeForce2MX200, GeForce2MX400, and GeForce 4 ti4200, GeForce 6200, and Geforce 7600 in my experience.
After the game is set up, start it up using VDMSound, which can be found here:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/vdmsound/ Install VDMSound, and go to directory 'C:\Program Files\VDMSound'. There, open the file 'AUTOEXEC.VDMS'. Change the line
REM lh %SystemRoot%\system32\mscdexnt.exe
to
//REM lh %SystemRoot%\system32\mscdexnt.exe
and save the file, and close it.
Now, go to the Navy Strike directory, and run Navy Strike by right-clicking on the 'strike.exe' file, and selecting 'Run with VDMS'.
You SHOULD be up and running!
Now, here are a few hints to help you enjoy the game more:
1. Do NOT commence offensive operations as soon as you are authorized...wait until darkness.
2. Go for authorized SAM sites first, but do not use the usual weapons (HARM, Maverick)...instead, do stand off attacks using the Harpoon, which for some reason serves well as a SLAM version, from about 24NM out. Maverick attacks can also be used on damaged SAM sites that need a final hit.
3. Attack other targets using high level attacks, dropping Paveways where possible.
4. Escort raids with Wild Weasels, even if you know the local SAMs are offline.
5. Hit multiple SAM sites in a mission, 3 SLAMs should do the trick. Arrange the targets so that you attack them in sequence, without overflying active SAMs, or AAA at low level.
6. Target sites should be targeted using the nav system and the onboard camera systems. Line up with the target, drop a lock on the ground directly below you, and pan it out toward the target waypoint at double-quick time, using the MFD. Use the god's eye view. Once the crosshair is over the target area, fine-tune your aim.
7. Alternative (& faster!) targeting technique...fly toward the target waypoint, and hit the keys that give you a padlock to the ground target (shift F8, I think). Lock. Adjust using the aircraft's camera and the MFD, or even the external view of the target with key F5, and Bob's your Uncle.
8. Once you fire a missile at a target, re-lock, and send another. What the hell, you've got more than enough for the job, and you are doubling your chances of taking the target offline, or out.
9. Air fighting. The missiles are rather sensitive to being fired outside of parameters, so do't waste 'em, and transfer aircraft to work 'em as a team. Also, use your flaps as maneuver flaps when knife fighting with MiGs and Sukhois...they are pretty maneuverable, and the flaps in this game work for this.
10. Fly on the missions yourself. Plan them so that they make some sort of sense within Navy Strike's world...SEAD, Strike, with CAP, post-strike recce. Timing is important, and I would suggest 10 minutes between SEAD and the arrival of the strike package that will hit the primary targets. Keep the CAPs clear of the target's defences, ready to attack from long range with AIM-54s. Use wild weasels to cover all phases of the attack and to keep radars offline. Attack only at night, if possible.
Further game tip: In the \DIGISND folder, use a sound editing program to change the sound SIREN00.VOC into something else. It is irritating in stock form. If you like, I will email you a replacement sound that came from Rowan's older
Flight of the Intruder game.