1. ALShift.zip Driver
2. readme.txt File Contents

readme.txt Driver File Contents (ALShift.zip)

ACT LABS Shifter / Clutch Utility v2.3 README
---------------------------------------------
For the latest version of this utility, please check our web site at:
http://www.act-labs.com/

QUICK-START: Run utility, choose gear layout, minimize, run game, shift!


VERSION HISTORY
---------------
v2.3 - Added gear-grinding sound effects support to generic mode, so 
       gear-grinding sounds can be heard in any game - not just directly 
       supported games.  Choose generic mode and map the shift up and 
       shift down keys to keys you won't be using in the game, unless you 
       want to use generic support mode for shifting also.

v2.2 - Added support for F1 2002
       Added support for Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2

v2.1 - Added extra options page to clutch wizard:
         1) Option for whether or not engaging the clutch should set 
            the game to neutral.  Uncheck this if you want to use a 
            game's native clutch support but you still want to hear the 
            gear-grinding sound effects.
         2) Option for whether or not shifts should be allowed if the 
            clutch is not pushed in.
         3) Option for whether or not sound effects should be played 
            when shifting without pushing the clutch in.
         4) Option for whether or not shifting into non-neutral gears 
            should be handled by the utility.  Disable this if you want 
            the sound effects from the utility but want to use a game's 
            native support for the shifter.
       Improved support for F1 2001 (works with original and v1.074 patch)
       Improved support for Rally Trophy (demo and full version)

v2.0 - Added digital clutch support!
       Added support for F1 2001
       Added support for NASCAR Racing 4 (for people who want to use 
         the "optimized" driver - everyone else should use the game's 
         native shifter support)
       Added support for Rally Trophy demo (you may need to shift once 
         using the game's shift controls before shifting with the shifter)
       Fixed support for STCC2 (make sure you have STCC2 v3.3)
       Improved support for SCGT (still not 100% though - you must 
         start a race in last position for it to work)

v1.1 - Added support for several games

v1.0 - Original release


INTRODUCTION
------------
The ACT LABS Shifter / Clutch Utility is a program which lets use your 
shifter, and optionally a clutch pedal, with games that don't have 
built-in support for these devices.  You can choose between two different 
modes to accomplish this:

Direct Support - This mode works by directly altering the contents of 
the game's gear value in memory.  It only works with games that we 
specifically support in the utility, but it's usually the best option 
for those games because it's very easy to use, it lets you shift between 
gears instantly, and it's generally very reliable.  Clutch support is 
only available in direct support mode.

Generic Support - This mode works by simulating keypresses to issue 
Shift Up and Shift Down commands to the game.  If you're using 
Windows 2000 or XP, this mode will work with almost any game that 
accepts Shift Up and Shift Down commands from keyboard keys.  If you're 
using another version of Windows, many games will be unable to "see" the 
simulated keypresses so this mode won't work at all with those games.


INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE DIRECT SUPPORT MODE (recommended)
------------------------------------------------------------
1. Make sure your shifter is plugged in and is displayed in the list of 
   game controllers in the system Control Panel.

2. Make sure your shifter is in neutral.  You should keep it in neutral 
   until you're in a car and ready to race.

3. Run the ACT LABS Shifter Utility by clicking Start, Program Files, 
   ACT LABS, ACT LABS Shifter Utility.

4. Choose Device Settings, select a gear layout that matches the 
   plate you're using with your shifter, and click OK.  (If you haven't 
   switched plates on your shifter, you can skip this step.)

5. Make sure Direct Support is selected in the main window of the utility. 
   (This is the default setting.)

6. [Optional] If you want to use a clutch pedal in addition to the 
   shifter, click on the Settings button next to "Clutch Device".

7. Minimize the utility.  It stays running and is shown in the system tray.

8. Start the directly supported game you want to play.  (To see which 
   games are currently supported directly, choose Direct Support Settings 
   from the main window of the utility and look at the list of games.)

9. In the game: Make sure that no commands in the game are assigned 
   to buttons used by the shifter.  If you're using an RS Shifter, it 
   uses buttons 1, 2, 6, 7, and the hat switch.  If you're using a 
   GPL USB Shifter, it has its own set of buttons 1 through 8, which 
   games do not typically map by themselves.

10.Get into a race and you're ready to shift!  (Remember to choose a 
   vehicle with a manual transmission!)


DIRECT SUPPORT NOTES
--------------------
* Always keep the shifter in neutral while you're outside a vehicle.  
  That is, before a race begins and after it is finished.

* Depending on the game and your computer, you may notice a slight 
  delay the first time you put the shifter in gear after loading a new 
  track.  It is often a good idea to shift in and out of first gear before 
  the pre-race countdown begins (if there is one), which gets this delay 
  out of the way.

* Replays won't work in some games.  This is because while the game is 
  recording your driving for the replay history, it doesn't realize that 
  you're shifting because you're not giving it "Shift up" and "Shift down" 
  commands.  Note that you may be able to shift *during the replay*. :)

* Animations showing the driver shifting gears won't be shown in some 
  games.

* If you're playing a multiplayer game, you may need to host the game on 
  your computer in order for the shifting to work properly.


CLUTCH SUPPORT NOTES
--------------------
* You must use the direct support mode in order to use clutch support.

* The clutch support works by setting the game to neutral while you 
  have pushed the clutch in.  Therefore, clutch support is not possible 
  for games that don't support neutral.

* If the clutch is working backwards from how it should, go back into 
  the clutch settings and change the checkbox on the axis selection 
  page.


INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE GENERIC SUPPORT MODE
-----------------------------------------------
1. Make sure your shifter is plugged in and is displayed in the list of 
   game controllers in the system Control Panel.

2. Make sure your shifter is in neutral.  You should keep it in neutral 
   until you're in a car and ready to race.

3. Run the ACT LABS Shifter Utility by clicking Start, Program Files, 
   ACT LABS, ACT LABS Shifter Utility.

4. Choose Device Settings, select a gear layout that matches the 
   plate you're using with your shifter, and click OK.  (If you haven't 
   switched plates on your shifter, you can skip this step.)

5. Make sure Generic Support is selected in the main window of the utility. 
   (This is NOT the default setting.)

6. Choose Generic Support Settings and set the settings to match the game 
   you want to run.  For a description of each setting, move the mouse over 
   it.  Some settings may require experimentation.  When you have the 
   settings right for a game, you can save all of your settings as a preset 
   by using the Presets menu in the main window of the utility.

7. Minimize the utility.  It stays running and is shown in the system tray.

8. Start the game you want to play.

9. In the game: Go into the controller configuration.  Set the Shift Up 
   and Shift Down commands to be keyboard keys that match the settings you 
   chose in the utility.  For example, by default Shift Up is set to the 
   Page Up key, so press Page Up (on the numeric keypad!)  Also, make sure 
   that no commands in the game are assigned to buttons used by the shifter.  
   If you're using an RS Shifter, it uses buttons 1, 2, 6, 7, and the hat 
   switch.  If you're using a GPL USB Shifter, it has its own set of 
   buttons 1 through 8, which games do not typically map by themselves.

10.Get into a race and you're ready to shift!  (Remember to choose a 
   vehicle with a manual transmission!)


GENERIC SUPPORT NOTES
---------------------
* If you find that the shifter has become "out of sync" with the game, 
  press the manual reset button.  By default, this is the upper-right 
  dashboard button on the Force RS.  If you're using the GPL USB Shifter, 
  you'll have to change this so that one of the gears performs a manual 
  reset (like 7th gear, which is button 7).

  Note that pressing the manual reset button while the shifter is in 
  NEUTRAL will tell the utility that the game is in neutral.  Pressing 
  the manual reset button while the shifter is IN GEAR will tell the 
  utility that the game is in whatever gear you shift into *next*, so 
  hit the manual reset button and then shift into the gear the game is in.

* If nothing happens when you shift in the game, and you're sure you've 
  configured the same shift up and shift down keys in both the utility 
  and the game, and you're running Windows 95, 98, or ME, the game may 
  not support simulated keyboard input and generic support won't work.


STATUS INFO
-----------
You can choose Status Info from the File menu to see information about 
the current status of your shifter and the utility.  This screen is helpful 
for verifying that your shifter is in good physical working order and is 
recognized properly by the utility.  It also shows the last action 
performed by the utility, which is especially helpful for understanding 
what's going on in generic support mode.


TECHNICAL SUPPORT
-----------------
If you've followed the instructions in this document and things still 
aren't working right, please contact techsupport@act-labs.com for 
technical support and provide the following information:

* What game you're trying to use the utility with
* What mode you're using (direct or generic support)
* The device name(s) shown in the main window of the utility
* A description of the problem (what happens when you try to shift?)