Setting The Clock
Ever noticed how the clock sometimes gives you the full first second, and sometimes shaves it down to nothing? Well, you can either CTRL-P and CTRL-N repeatedly until one trial gives you a full second (which can be frustrating and time-consuming), or try this trick. When you want the full first second on a level, exit Chip's Challenge while on the level screen, then run it again. You should have the full first second.
CYPHER is level 34. Don't know what "cypher" means? Well, its definition is "code". If you look closely at the walls in this level, they spell out passwords for several of the higher levels, one of which is 146. In the original Atari game, 146-149 were hidden levels. (145 was added for the Windows version.)
Speaking of whihc, level 145 is the "credits" level. It is EXTREMELY easy, and untimed. The obstacles in the level spell out the initials of creators, and the "hint" displays more thanks. The level's name is Thanks To... and the password is TONY. Hmmm... I wonder who Tony could be.
Mouse Info
Mice aren't very nice, at least not in Chip's Challenge. Although a click of the mouse will send you to the destination square, it may take you there via a route that causes Chip to scurry right into water, or a creature, or another obstacle. There's an exception to every rule, though, and one Chip's exception is level 103, ICEHOUSE. Here, the mouse actually helps you at the beginning. Click on the teleport to get the exact timing you'll need on the ice slide.