Ravi Research Solution
Minesweeper
1012ICT Assignment 2 – User Manual
Student Name: Ravi Vyas
Student No: s2889549
Published
May 08,2014
Version
1.2
Status
Final Version
Preface
Unit: Research & Development Department
Organisation: Ravi Research Solution
Author: Ravi Vyas
Title: Technical Head
Address
22 Todman St, Carina, QLD, 4152
Tel: + 61 415530507
Fax: + 61 415530507
www.rkvwebsolution.com
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Revision Sheet
Version number
Date
Revision Description
1.0
1.1
April 16,2014
April 23,2014
1.2
May 08,2014
Primary Version(Draft)
Secondary
Version(Final Draft)
Final Version
Copyright Notice and Disclaimer
Copyright © RKV Web Solution 2013 All Rights
Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced
without RKV Web Solution’s express consent.
Ravi Research Solution. (RRS) does not give any
warranties towards the content of this manual.
Furthermore, Author tried to include every
forethought of this manual. In addition, RRS
anticipate no duty for any error for this manual
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Inc.
Other trademark goes to their respective authors.
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Contents
Preface
1
1.0 Introduction
2
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
Audience description ..................................................................... 2
Applicability statement .................................................................. 3
Purpose statement ......................................................................... 3
Document usage description .......................................................... 3
Help and Support ........................................................................... 4
Problem reporting instructions ...................................................... 4
2.0 Using Minesweeper
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
5
Game description ........................................................................... 8
Software Features .......................................................................... 8
Scope ............................................................................................. 9
Materials........................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Preparations .................................................................................. 9
Cautions and Warnings ................................................................ 10
Method ........................................................................................ 11
Related Information ..................................................................... 13
Error messages, known problems & error recovery ...................... 14
3.0 Bibliography
15
4.0 Glossary
16
5.0 Reflection
17
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Introduction
This manual is proposed to provide all the essential information to play
minesweeper game. The game was introduced by Microsoft which is one of the
most well-known games, it is developed for mind testing and reasoning. It
displays in tabular form (grid view) which has number of cells, in which several
mines (bombs) would be hidden.
Fig 1.0
Mines
The following report will demonstrate the installation and basic characteristics
of the game.
Audience description
 This is game is targeted for those users who uses windows computer.
 Any gender whose age is more than 11 years would be able to play this
game.
 Prior experience is not necessary to play this game.
 The game is mainly targeted for school students, university students,
senior citizens and professionals who want to divert their mind from
studies or work.
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Applicability statement
 Version 1.0
 Version 1.1
 Windows 98,Windows XP, Windows 7
Purpose statement
The aim of Minesweeper game is to analyse the user’s mind as well as engage
them into the game. Furthermore, it is built for the player to find hidden mines
which are circulated in cells, as it compels the users to think. This game also
increases eagerness of the users to play multiple times and helps to release the
tension. (Johan Eliasson, 2004)
The game’s main purpose is not only to entertain users but to stay focussed and
enhance their analytical thinking, which is highly significant for students and
professionals. (Katrin Becker, 2001)
Document usage description
 To view introduction of this report please have a look
Section 1.0 Introduction
‘
 To view Document usage description please have a loook
Section 1.4 Document usage description
 To seek Help and Support please have a look
Section 1.5 Help and Support
 For any error or problem please feel free to submit a report,for that
please have a look
Section 1.6 Problem reporting instructions
 For installation please have a look
Section 2.7 Method
Further report will specify how to install and play minesweeper game.
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Help and Support
 The help button is placed conveniently on top of the game’s tab.
 If the game’s application does not start then click on the start menu and
type in “help and support” which directs the user to the help option, in the
space provided please type minesweeper keyword.
 You can get help from RRS , Feel free to call on +61415530507 or visit
http://www.rkvwebsolution.com/help
 If you are not registered with RRS please register first to get instance
reply 24/7,visit http://www.rkvwebsolution.com/register
Problem reporting instructions
Contacting Technical Support
RRS gives 24/7 technical support to their registered customers:
If you are facing any problem to download this game or while playing this game
please visit http://www.rkvwebsolution.com/contact/problem
1. Please fill up the form and complete all the mandatory fields :
2. Enter your name, mobile number and email address in the given field.
3. Please specify the problem which you are facing in the subject field. Also
mention your software name and version number.
4. Type in the whole query in the message box, please keep in mind that you
cannot write more than 500 words.
5. If you are using your account then you can directly submit a report via
email to us. For that please add your subject and write the problem.
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Using Minesweeper
The report states all the installation information related to this game for
beginners. It shows all the steps of installation and how to play this game.
How to Install: Please look up to the Method Section,
Please follow the following options:
1. Download “Minesweeper.exe” from
http://www.rkvwebsolution.com/windows/game/minesweeper.exe
2. Create game folder in your program file, for that click to the start button
and click to my computer.
(Fig 2.0)
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3. Click on C drive and select program files.
(Fig 2.1)
4. Double click on program files, create new folder which called “Games”.
(Fig 2.2)
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5. Double click on “Games folder” and paste minesweeper.exe from
download folder.
(Fig 2.3)
6. If you are using windows 7 then right click on “Minesweeper.exe” and
“Run as administrator” otherwise double click on “Minesweeper.exe”
(Fig 2.4)
7. As you click on “Run as administrator” it will start installing game and
after couple of minutes, user will be able to initialize game.
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Game description
Minesweeper is old but a really interesting puzzle game developed by Microsoft.
Users of windows Operating system (OS) can play this game. The game can install
in other OS such as Mac but originally it was created for windows platform. Player
has to apply logic to play as it involves numeric. Player will see this game in grid
view which has rows and each row contain cells (see figure 2.5). Prior to starting
of the game, player can pre-fix the number of mines, level of difficulty (8x8
beginner level, 16x16 intermediate level, 16x30 expert level or custom). To start
the game, player needs to click on any cell of his preference to get information
about the neighbouring cell, which will give further information about the number
of mines that might be hidden in the next eight surrounding cells. If a mine
appears during the play then the game starts from the beginning. Furthermore, if
a player is not certain of his next move, the cells could be concealed with the
option (flag) and could be revealed with the user’s suitability.
(SHAHAR GOLAN, 2000)
(Fig 2.5)
Software Features
 Once the user reads the manual, it will be easy to understand all
the steps of installation and how to play the game.
 Few features that user’s are unaware of viewing a square using left
and right clicks to gather (Andy Miller and Sam Hazlehurst,
1998).
 It has a timer options which keep ticking every second and keeps a
record of the duration in which the player has completed the game.
 There is a smiley icon in the summary panel which is a shortcut to
start a new game at any time.
 One of the important features is the size of this game which is only
58kb, you can install it in any OS and it will run smoothly.
Other Important features are
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1. A game board which has a choice to display or hide the mines.
2. A summary board which shows the result of the player.
3. Player can play multiple games at a time without confusion.
4. Player can have the record of the number of games he has won.
(Kasper Pedersen, 2004)
Scope
The main aim of this report is to demonstrate the usefulness of the minesweeper
game. Report will be a great advantage for the beginner of this game.
 The report is divided into two parts, which are “introduction” and “using
minesweeper”
 Part 1 describes the information about RRS and basic information about
this manual. Moreover, help and support will provide by RRS.
 Part 2 includes all the necessary steps of installation of the game. In
addition, it also describes how core logic of the game and how to play it.
 The report will include all the features and aspects of this game.
 It will not give any hint to win this game quickly.

Preparations
As shown in installation steps, user must create game folder in program files,
instead of going in the game folder every time, user can right click on game icon
and send it to the desktop.
Please have a look fig 2.6
(Fig 2.6)
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Cautions and Warnings

Stay focus while playing otherwise it increase the chance to lose the game
quickly.

Be careful when you set the flag as it could not be mine cell too.

Smiley icon is a shortcut to start new game, don’t click on it if the game
has not ended.

You can set your own number of mines using custom options, which
appears in the game menu. Click on custom and three categories (height,
width and mine) would be displayed. Please have a look fig 2.2
(Fig 2.7)
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Method
INSTALLATION
Installing software from RRS is really easy and user friendly as we provide direct links of
software to download and it would not take more than a couple of minutes.
Please refer to following document.
System Requirements
System must satisfy the criteria.



Windows 98,Xp,Vista,Windows 7 ,Windows 8
Hard Drive 40 GB or greater
Ram 128MB or greater
How to Start

Please fine the minesweeper.exe in your desktop or if you have not make
a shortcut on your desktop then please go to C:/ProgramFiles/Games

Please refer to below image, minesweeper.exe is on desktop.
(Fig 2.8)

To start the game, double click on minesweeper.
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(Fig 2.9)

If you are a new player of this game then keep the difficulty level to
beginner otherwise set it as per your expert level.

You can readjust your game screen using custom menu which appears
under game menu. Please click on that and set your height and width.
Please have a look below figure
(Fig 2.10)

To start the game please click on grid cell, once you will click on it, timer
will start automatically.
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(Fig 2.11)

You can keep revealing cell by clicking on it.

You can use the information of cell which is revealed to know how many
mines are there, in your nine surrounding cells.

If you have doubt on any cell which could have hidden mine then you can
set flag using right click.
Related Information
User can customize screens with their own creativity.
To import custom skin in game, click on extras and select custom skin.
(Fig 2.12)
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Have a look these videos.
Pac-Man Minesweeper X Skin (2006)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFOKrrY2iWk
Super Mario Minesweeper X (2006)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls4aoOeljQk
Note: Customize screen must have 100 cells (10x10).
(Fig 2.13)
(Fig 2.14)
Error messages, known problems & error recovery
 Majority of the users face “.dll” error which says that “Windows cannot
properly load your MineSweeper.dll file”. If user keep Minesweeper.dll in
the same folder, than he can encounter this error.
 Rather than playing with logic and tricks, user always guesses the mines.
 Without empathizing the rule and regulation of game, users should not
start the game.
 Users should start the game with positive mind set and keep a track of the
proceedings.
 The duration of game is less and a player easily makes error.
 Many players do not have an idea about setting of flags using the right
click.
.
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Bibliography
Bayer, K. M., Snyder, J., & Choueiry, B. Y. (2006, July). An Interactive ConstraintBased Approach to Minesweeper. In AAAI (pp. 1933-1934).
Retrieved from,
http://www.aaai.org/Papers/AAAI/2006/AAAI06-344.pdf?origin=publication_detail
This content includes that minesweeper was created in 1989 and was originally
developed for Microsoft OS.
Becker, K. (2001). Teaching with games: the minesweeper and asteroids experience.
Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, 17(2), 23-33.
Retrieved from,
http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=775347
This content describe about the target audience of minesweeper game, it shows that
most of the student would have tried this game and prior experience is not required.
Department of Computing Science.(2005). Assignment 4: minesweeper. UMU
University
Retrieved from,
http://www8.cs.umu.se/kurser/TDBA74/HT05/OblExercises/assignment4/ind
ex.html
This website include requirements that how to create a minesweeper manual.
Jay Geater, J. (2014). How To Fix MineSweeper.dll is Missing / Not Found Error
Messages, USA
Retrieved from,
www.solvusoft.com/en/files/missing-not-found-error/dll/windows/microsoftcorporation/minesweeper/minesweeper-dll/
This content includes one of the main error of minesweeper which is .dll error. It
also give the meaning of “minesweeper.dll”, why it is required and what kind of
error occur if it would not include.
Kasper Pedersen K. (2004). Complexity of Minesweeper. Research Article
Retrieved from,
http://www.minesweeper.info/articles/ComplexityMinesweeperStratergiesFor
GamePlaying.pdf
This article describes the complexity level of minesweeper that how user can set
level of complexity prior to start the game.
Microsoft. (2014). Install a game in the Games folder
Retrieved from,
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/install-game-gamesfolder#1TC=windows-7
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This content includes all the steps of installation of the game and it also stated
that which folders required saving the game and running it. Furthermore if you
are unable to see the game in windows7 then this site gives link to download it.
Miller A., & Hazlehurst S. (1998). Minesweeper. Research Article
Retrieved from,
http://cs.brown.edu/~spr/designbook/assign/minesweeper/minesweeper98.p
df
This article gives the deep information about minesweeper, how it has created
and how it looks like. In addition, it also shows the instruction of game which
could be useful when user plays the game.
SHAHAR GOLAN S. (2000). Minesweeper on graphs. Research Article
Retrieved from,
http://www.minesweeper.info/articles/MinesweeperOnGraphs(Golan).pdf
This article describes the early information about minesweeper that for which
platform the game was developed.
Pac-Man Minesweeper X Skin-Llproductions, 2006
Retrieved from,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFOKrrY2iWk
Super Mario Minesweeper X-Llproductions, 2006
Retrieved from,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls4aoOeljQk
Both videos show various screens that user can import in minesweeper game
and play with it.
Glossary
Minesweeper
Abbreviation
Definition
RRS
Ravi Research Solution
OS
Operating System
GB
Giga Bytes
MB
Mega Bytes
KB
Kilo Bytes
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Reflection
This is not a mandatory part of the assignment but I would still like to share my learning
experience. This report has helped me to create a user guide for the software in real life
scenario. I have learnt how to include various aspects of software employment such as
installation of software, help and support form, errors and problems which users would
face. Referencing is important to include that should be appropriate, significant, relevant
to the topic and should be in the right format. Furthermore, I am still working on my
writing style and the learning aspects of professional writing with each assignment. The
confidence I gained from this assignment is invaluable and would help to develop a
better report in future. Thanks.
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