********************************************************* Compton's Complete Reference Collection, 1998 Edition Version 1.0.1 for Windows 3.1/Windows 95 August 1997 ********************************************************* Welcome to Compton's Complete Reference Collection, 1998 edition! We would like to thank you for your purchase. It is our goal to make you a happy and satisfied customer, so we have created this file with useful information and solutions to problems you may encounter. This file contains information that was not available at the time the support materials and on-disc help were prepared. It also contains other important information to help you use this product successfully. If you are uncertain how to make a recommended change, please refer to the documentation that came with Windows and/or your computer system. CONTENTS I. Installation Instructions and Suggestions II. Troubleshooting III. Contacting Technical Support IV. Other Important Information I. Installation Instructions and Suggestions ********************************************************* A. Disk Compression If you are using a disk compression utility, the available hard disk space reported by the installation program may not be accurate. Disk compression utilities can only ESTIMATE available hard disk space. If the installation process is not successful, you may need to free additional hard disk space by removing unneeded files or applications from your hard drive. B. Network Installation This product is designed as a "stand-alone" application and does not support use by multiple users over a network. C. Under Windows 3.1, Compton's Complete Reference Collection works best with Windows operating in a 386-enhanced mode with a 20 MB permanent swap file established on a non-compressed drive. D. Installation Instructions Compton's suggests that you exit all applications before installing this product. Other programs and drivers running on the computer may interfere with the installation process. 1. Installation for Windows 95 Simply place the Compton's CD in the CD-ROM drive. The Windows 95 AutoPlay function automatically offers the option to install the program. Click on "Install" to begin the installation. If the Compton's CD is already in the CD-ROM drive and you have bypassed the AutoPlay function, follow these steps to begin the installation: Click on "Start" and select "Run ...". In the "Open" box, type "D:\SETUP.EXE" and press Enter. If your CD-ROM drive is not drive "D", substitute the letter of your CD-ROM drive when you type this statement. For example, if your CD-ROM drive is drive "E", type "E:\SETUP.EXE" and press Enter. When the program has finished installing the files, you are notified that the installation has been completed. Then, whenever you want to use Compton's Complete Reference Collection, simply insert the Compton's CD into your CD-ROM drive and click on "OK" when asked if you want to run the program. To start the program when the CD is already in your CD-ROM drive, click on "Start", choose "Programs", choose "Compton's Home Library", choose "The Complete Reference Collection 1998" folder, and then choose "The Complete Reference Collection 1998". 2. Installation for Windows 3.1 From the Program Manager, open the "File" menu and select "Run...". In the "Command Line" box, type "D:\SETUP.EXE" and press Enter. If your CD-ROM drive is not drive "D", substitute the letter of your CD-ROM drive when you type this statement. For example, if your CD-ROM drive is drive "E", type "E:\SETUP.EXE" and press Enter. Once the program files have been installed, the installation program scans for Video for Windows. If Video for Windows version 1.1e (or later) is already installed on your system, the program offers you the option of starting the Reference Collection or returning to the Program Manager. If Video for Windows is not installed on your system, the installation program offers to install it for you. Once Video for Windows 1.1e is installed, simply open the "Compton's Home Library" group and double-click on the "Compton's Complete Reference Collection 1998" icon to start the program. To exit the installation program at any time, click Exit or press F3. E. Meeting the Minimum System Requirements The installation program automatically determines if your computer system meets the minimum requirements to run the Reference Collection. If your system fails to meet the requirements, the installation program tells you exactly which requirements were not met. Three potential problems you may encounter and their solutions are described below: --"Detected: No suitable wave device" or "Detected: No MIDI device" or "Detected: No suitable MIDI device" If you get any of these messages, make sure that you have installed the Windows drivers that came with your sound board. This product requires at least one wave device capable of at least 8-bit mono at 22.050kHz, and at least one MIDI device with FM synthesis, all channels. NOTE: Because of their special hardware setup, certain IBM Aptiva and Thinkpad systems may generate these messages even though they DO have the proper equipment and software. If you own one of these systems and encounter one of the above messages, disregard the message and proceed with the installation. To check that your system has met the minimum requirements, you can run the program CNMSYSI.EXE, located in the "\WIN32" directory (Windows 95 users) or the "\WIN" directory (Windows 3.1 users) on the Compton's CD-ROM. Alternatively, load the Reference Collection and click on the "Tools" button. Then, while holding down the "Ctrl" key on your keyboard, click on the "About CRC98" button. A screen will display the minimum program requirements and the components found on your system. F. Running Directly from the CD-ROM It is possible to run this product directly from the CD-ROM without installing it on your hard drive. This is not recommended because the program performance will be significantly slower than normal. Also, any settings or preferences you change while using the program, such as the desired online service, will not be recorded; the program will return to the default settings the next time you start it. You will also not be able to subscribe to some of the online features available. II. Troubleshooting ********************************************************* This product has been successfully tested with a wide variety of hardware and peripheral equipment. It should be noted, however, that Microsoft Windows is a "device-independent" operating system that relies on device drivers to communicate with the various devices on your system. Occasionally, issues may occur with one of these drivers. Conflicts with sound cards, video displays, and printers are often resolved by reconfiguring or updating the device drivers supplied by the manufacturers. This product is not designed specifically for compatibility with any particular hardware item. A. Troubleshooting for both Windows 95 and Windows 3.1 1. Font Problems/Font Error Messages when Starting the Program This product requires that certain fonts be present on your system to display text correctly. If the program is unable to find the fonts it needs, some text may display poorly or in unreadable fonts. (If you are using Windows 95, please also see the section "Text Is Illegible or Displays in Wing Ding or Symbol Font" under "Troubleshooting for Windows 95" below.) If the program cannot find the proper fonts, you may see one of the following error messages after the introductory screen: --"The following TrueType Fonts were not found: ..." or "The following Fonts were not found: ..." To correct this problem, make a note of the missing font or fonts listed, then exit the program. If you are using Windows 95, click on the "Start" button, choose "Settings" and then "Control Panel". In the "Control Panel" window, double-click on the "Fonts" folder. Then from the "File" menu choose "Install New Font...". Then follow the instructions after the Windows 3.1 paragraph below. If you are using Windows 3.1, double-click on the Control Panel icon located in the Main group on the Windows desktop. In the Control Panel, double-click on the "Fonts" icon, and then click on the "Add ..." button. Move to the "\WINDOWS\SYSTEM" directory on your hard drive. A list of available fonts should appear; click on the font that was listed as missing in the error message and then click on the "OK" button. Then click on the "Close" or "Cancel" button; there is no need to restart Windows. If no list of fonts appears in "\WINDOWS\SYSTEM", consult your Windows documentation for assistance in loading Windows fonts. --"The TrueType Rasterize is NOT enabled. ..." If you are using Windows 3.1, to correct this problem, first exit the program. Then double-click on the "Control Panel" icon located in the "Main" group on the Windows desktop. In the "Control Panel", double-click on the "Fonts" icon, and then click on the "TrueType ..." button. Click in the check box "Enable TrueType Fonts" to place an "X" in the box. "Show Only TrueType Fonts in Applications" should NOT be checked. Click on the "OK" button. You must restart Windows for the change to take effect, so click on the "Restart Now" button. 2. Changing the MIDI Playback Device The program automatically detects the MIDI device on your system upon loading. To change the MIDI device used by the program, click on the "Tools" button, and then click on the "Preferences" button. Click on the "Sound & Media" tab, and then click on the "Setup MIDI Device ..." to manually select a MIDI device. 3. Boosting Performance While it is possible to run the program directly from the CD, performance will be sluggish because of the CD-ROM access time. The program runs best when installed on a hard drive using the "medium" or "large" installation setting. Turning off button sounds will also boost performance. To turn off button sounds, click on the "Tools" button, choose "Preferences", choose the "Sound & Media" tab, and then remove the "X" or checkmark from the "Play sounds when buttons are clicked" checkbox. 4. Program Installed Successfully but Will Not Launch You need to make two changes: First, locate the "PREFS.INI" file in the program directory on your hard drive. In the "[view]" section, insert a semicolon (;) at the start of the line reading "SplashFile=.\splash.spl". Next, go to the "[Prefs]" section and change the line reading "ButtonSounds=1" to "ButtonSounds=0". The program should now launch successfully. B. Troubleshooting for Windows 95 1. Movies Do Not Play: "Cannot find VIDS:CVID Decompressor" To address this problem, click on the Windows 95 "Start" menu, select "Settings", then select "Control Panel". In the resulting window, double-click on the "Add/Remove Programs" icon, and then click on the "Windows Setup" tab. Scroll down the list to "Multimedia" and double-click on it. In the new list that appears, scroll to "Video Compression" and make sure that the box next to it is checked. Click on the "OK" button, and then click on "OK" again. When you change these settings, you may have to restart Windows 95 in order for the changes to take effect. Click on "Yes" if you are offered this option. 2. Text Is Illegible or Displays in Wing Ding or Symbol Font Certain Lotus or IBM products, such as Lotus Wordpro, install a font that interferes with the fonts used by Windows 95. This problem can be resolved by removing the Monotype Sorts Font version 2.0 from your system. To remove the font, click on the Windows 95 "Start" menu, select "Settings", then select "Control Panel". In the resulting window, double-click on the "Fonts" icon. In the resulting list of fonts, find "Monotype Sorts Font" (sometimes listed as "Mtsorts_.ttf") and remove it by dragging it into the Windows 95 recycle bin on your desktop. 3. Problems Reading CD If you have trouble with your CD-ROM performance, the problem may be solved by adjusting the cache settings on your CD-ROM drive. To change these settings, click on the Windows 95 "Start" menu, select "Settings", and then select "Control Panel". In the resulting window, double-click on the "System" icon, and then click on the "Performance" tab. Make sure that in the resulting box both "File System" and "Virtual Memory" indicate "32-bit". Click on the "File System ..." button, and then click on the "CD-ROM" tab. Move the slider in the "Supplemental cache size" setting all the way to "Large". Make sure that the contents of the "Optimize access pattern for" box matches the speed of your CD-ROM drive; for example, if you have a double-speed (2X) CD-ROM drive, this box should read "Double-speed drives". When you change these settings, you may have to restart Windows 95 in order for the changes to take effect. Click on "Yes" if you are offered this option. 4. Optimizing Performance To make sure your system is operating at its peak graphic abilities, click on the Windows 95 "Start" menu, select "Settings", and then select "Control Panel". In the resulting window, double-click on the "System" icon, and then click on the "Performance" tab. Click on the "Graphics ..." button. In the resulting box, make sure the "Hardware acceleration" slider is set all the way to "Full". To make sure your hard drive is operating to its fullest potential, click on the Windows 95 "Start" menu, select "Settings", and then select "Control Panel". In the resulting window, double-click on the "System" icon, and then click on the "Performance" tab. Click on the "File System ..." button, and then click on the "Hard Disk" tab. Make sure "Typical role of this machine" reads "Desktop computer". Also make sure that the slider bar for "Read-ahead optimization" is all the way to the right at "Full". When you change these settings, you may have to restart Windows 95 in order for the changes to take effect. Click on "Yes" if you are offered this option. 5. Locating Possible Conflicts To find potential conflicts with your hardware that might be causing problems with the program, use the Windows 95 Device Manager. Click on the Windows 95 "Start" menu, select "Settings", and then select "Control Panel". In the resulting window, double-click on the "System" icon, and then click on the "Device Manager" tab. In the resulting list, look for yellow warning triangles with an exclamation point (!) in them. If you find any such triangle, click once on the item to highlight it and then click on the "Properties" button. Windows 95 will display a dialog box that explains the status of that device. Consult your Windows 95 or computer system documentation for more information. 6. Working with the Windows 95 Taskbar If you are using the "Always on Top" and "Auto Hide" settings for the Windows 95 Taskbar, the Taskbar may obscure some of the program interface. To keep the Taskbar from appearing on top of the program, turn off the "Always on Top" and "Auto Hide" settings by clicking on the Windows 95 "Start" button, then "Settings", then "Taskbar...". C. Troubleshooting for Windows 3.1 1. "GPF in Module ???.DRV" This type of error message is often related to the video driver being used by Windows. It can often be resolved by changing the video resolution to "640x480 with 256 colors". An alternative is to use Microsoft's Super VGA video drivers. These can be obtained from Microsoft. 2. "CDR-lOl" or "Not Ready Reading (CD-ROM drive)" Error messages related to the computer's ability to read the CD can often be resolved in one of the following ways: --Make sure that the CD is clean and free of scratches. CDs can be washed in warm water and dishwashing liquid. Scratched CDs should be replaced. --Don't cache the CD-ROM drive. If your computer is using DOS version 6.20 or later and the SMARTDRV caching driver, add a "/U" argument to the line that loads SMARTDRV in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. The line may appear as "C:\DOS\SMARTDRV.EXE /X /U". For more information on SMARTDRV, type "HELP SMARTDRV" at the DOS prompt. --Assign 20 buffers to reading the CD. This is done by setting the "/M:" argument on the MSCDEX line to 20. The line may appear as "C:\DOS\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD001 /M:20". For more information on MSCDEX, type "HELP MSCDEX" at the DOS prompt. 3. Videos Do Not Play Windows 3.1 usrs should ensure that Video for Windows is installed. The Compton's CD includes Video for Windows version 1.1e. This can be installed from the Program Manager by opening the File menu and selecting "Run...". In the "Command Line" box, type "D:\VFW11E\SETUP.EXE" and press Enter. If your CD-ROM drive is not drive "D", substitute the correct letter for your drive when you type this statement. For instance, if your CD-ROM drive is drive "E", type "E:\VFW11E\SETUP.EXE" and press Enter. PLEASE NOTE: The Video for Windows software supplied on the Compton's CD is for Windows 3.1 ONLY. Do not install it on a Windows 95 system; Windows 95 already includes the necessary Video for Windows software. D. Accessing the Internet To get the most out of this product's Internet features, we recommend using Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or America Online version 3.0. Compton's can launch any Web browser or commercial online service you may have, but unless one of these three programs is used, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to take you to the proper places on the Internet. Please make sure that your Web browser or online service is properly and completely installed before you attempt to use the Compton's Internet features. Additionally, you may need to make sure that you have already established an Internet connection via modem prior to trying to access the Internet through Compton's. Consult the documentation that came with your Internet software for information about this. Specific details about using America Online, the "Other" setting, and Prodigy Internet follow below. 1. Using America Online -- Versions Supported At the time this product shipped, the most recent version of the America Online software for Windows was version 3.0. The Internet features of Compton's have been tested extensively and successfully with version 3.0. This is the only version of America Online that will work correctly with Compton's. To use America Online version 3.0 with Compton's, select "America Online" from the list of online applications in the "Internet" section of the "Preferences" screen. Selecting "Other" and then browsing to your America Online software will NOT work properly; users with this setup may see America Online open a text editor instead of launching to the desired Internet site. Users of America Online version 2.5 or earlier can obtain a free upgrade to version 3.0; simply sign on to America Online and you should be offered the chance to upgrade automatically. Attempting to use Internet features in Compton's with America Online version 2.5 can result in the following type of error message: "WAOL caused a general protection fault in module FILER ..." America Online periodically upgrades their software, and they may have done so since this product was shipped. There is a strong possibility that America Online will not make the new version backward compatible with version 3.0, and this could cause problems when using America Online with this product. Compton's will make every effort possible to provide an upgrade solution if this should happen; consult our technical support Web page as described in "Contacting Technical Support" below for the most up to date information on this issue. For technical support in using America Online, please call 1-800-827-3338. 2. Using America Online -- Making Sure Compton's Can Find Your America Online Software If you install America Online version 3.0 onto your computer in one location on your hard drive, and then later move the America Online program files to a different location on your hard drive, Compton's will not be able to locate your America Online software. To fix this, re-install America Online to the new location on your hard drive. For technical support in using America Online, please call 1-800-827-3338. 3. Using the "Other" setting If you wish to use a program other than Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or America Online version 3.0 to connect to the Internet, you must pick "Other" from the list of online applications in the "Internet" section of the "Preferences" screen. You will then need to enter or browse to the location of your online software on your hard drive. Consult the on-disc help for more detailed instructions. Please note: When the online application is set to "Other", the Compton's program will not be able to take you directly to Web sites or other Internet features. One option with browsers or services of this type is to copy the Internet address listed in Compton's to the Windows clipboard and then paste it into the proper part of your online application. 4. Using Prodigy Internet -- Error message "Prodigy Internet is already running on your system" If you have chosen "Other" as your online application and have instructed Compton's to use Prodigy Internet, you may get this error message when you click on an Internet link in Compton's. To work around this, copy the desired Internet address in Compton's to the Windows clipboard, open Prodigy Internet, paste the copied text into the address field in Prodigy, and press Enter. III. Contacting Technical Support ********************************************************* We are here to assist you with any issues regarding this product. The Learning Company Technical Support Center can be reached via e-mail, U.S. mail, fax, or phone. Support is also available on an electronic bulletin board system. When contacting technical support, please provide as much information as you can about your computer system and the problem you are experiencing. Include your phone number so we can reach you if we need more information. Check our Web site, http://www.learningco.com, for answers to frequently asked questions and other technical support information. E-mail us at support@learningco.com. Reach The Learning Company Bulletin Board System via modem at 423-670-2023. Mail correspondence to: The Learning Company Technical Support Center 9715 Parkside Drive Knoxville, TN 37922 USA Attn: Compton's Complete Reference Collection '98 Contact us by fax at 423-670-2021. Call 423-670-2022 24 hours a day for automated technical support. Call 423-670-2024 24 hours a day for fax-on-demand solutions to common problems. Call (423) 670-2020 between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), to speak to a technical support agent. Please be at your computer when you call. IV. Other Important Information ********************************************************* A. Reinstalling or Removing Compton's Complete Reference Collection Under Windows 95 If you installed Compton's under Windows 95, the operating system can help you remove the program and its associated files. From the "Start" menu, select "Settings", and then "Control Panel". Then double click on the "Add/Remove Programs" icon. Follow the instructions in the "Install/Uninstall" section to remove the program. Uninstalling the program will not remove any files you may have created yourself, such as bookmark lists. Under Windows 3.1 Once you have installed the program, you may use the SETUP.EXE program to change the configuration or the location of the program files on your hard drive, or to remove the program and its associated files from your system. To do so, make sure your Compton's disc is in your CD-ROM drive, and then use the Program Manager or the File Manager to launch the SETUP.EXE program located on the CD-ROM. You will then be guided through the available options. Uninstalling the program will not remove any files you may have created yourself, such as bookmark lists.