About This Document: Thank you for purchasing Sierra SnapShot Express. This document contains last minute information about SnapShot Express and other information about the program not found in the Help Files. This README file includes information that pertains to general problems and questions you may have concerning this software or your computer. Should you experience any problems with SnapShot Express, please refer to this file for additional help on answering questions about the application and solving technical difficulties.
32-Bit Internet Service Provider required for Internet options
Preferred:
Pentium 100+
32 MB RAM
4X CD-ROM drive
16-bit true color @ 800x600
Compatibility: All TWAIN-compliant input devices including digital cameras, scanners, and other image-capture devices. All Windows compatible black and white, color and photo printers.
Supported Image File Formats: JPG, TIF, GIF, FPX, PCD, EPS, PSD, BMP and more.
Supported Sound File Formats: WAV, MIDI
-----------------------II. GENERAL TECHNICAL ISSUES----------------------------
SnapShot Express known issues:
Win 98 specific Issues
Problem: You have installed SnapShot Express and are now unable to use software developed by Micrografx including products such as Picture Publisher 8 and Sierra Home's Complete Publisher.
Solution: SnapShot, Complete Publisher, and many other software titles were developed originally by Micrografx and often call common Dlls during installation and uninstallation. To avoid any problems with other Micrografx software and Sierra Home's Complete Publisher, make sure that SnapShot is installed first. If the software with which you are experiencing problems was installed before SnapShot, it is recommended that you delete and reinstall that software after installing SnapShot.
Problem: The Open dialog will not show all available folders on root drive.
Solution: Special NOTE: Sierra does not support any changes made directly to Windows *.ini files and strongly suggests making backups of a user's system and registry files before attempting any changes.
This is a known problem with Win 98. Microsoft is working on a solution. The workaround is:
1) find the Desktop.ini file that contains information regarding shell folders. (Use Start->Find -> Files or Folders)
2) this file contains a unique Class ID (CLSID) that identifies what portion of the shell it is in. Delete it. (Do not comment out, since the problem will repeat itself)
3) save changes
4) make the Desktop.ini read-only
5) open SnapShot.
Other Issues
Problem: The Help File refers to Calendar Projects, but you cannot find them.
Solution: The Help File was designed and produced for SnapShot 2.0. Although SnapShot Express offers all the functionality of SnapShot 2.0, it contains fewer Projects. Calendar Projects were not included in SnapShot Express.
Problem: Some text does not print as it appears in a Project. This seems to be Font Dependent.
Solution: Print a preview of your project to make sure the text is positioned properly. If it is not, you may want to select a different font or reposition the text.
Problem: Cannot reposition the Open File dialogue box launched when clicking on My Computer in Get Pictures mode because its title bar is hidden beneath your monitor's upper screen. All other functionality within the dialogue box is not affected.
Solution: This problem may occur with different video cards when running with your Display Font Setting set at Large Fonts and in the 800x600 Display Resolution mode. The functionality embedded in the box itself is not affected. To correct this, you may either reset your Display Font Setting to Small Fonts or reset Display Resolution to a different setting, for example 1024x768 or 640x480 pixels. To change display settings on your computer:
1) click the Start button on the taskbar
2) go to Settings and select Control Panel
3) double-click the Display icon
4) click the Settings tab
5) change the font size to Small Fonts, or adjust the Screen Area by sliding the Adjustment Bar
6) click Apply
7) if necessary, exit all open windows and restart.
Problem: The Desktop wallpaper is not loading when selected.
Solution: Restart the computer to load the wallpaper selected. If that does not work, go to your display setting and manually select the wallpaper that you created in SnapShot Express. To change your display settings:
1) click the Start button on the taskbar
2) go to Settings and select Control Panel
3) double-click the Display icon
4) click the Background tab
5) select the option in the wallpaper field for "Mgx1010"
6) click Apply.
Problem: Some backgrounds do not appear when creating projects for Output.
Solution: This error can occur when display settings are set for 256 colors. To correct this please change your Color Palette to an option higher than 256 colors:
1) click the Start button on the taskbar
2) go to Settings and select Control Panel
3) double-click the Display icon
4) click the Settings tab
5) change the color setting to 16-bit color or higher
6) click Apply
7) if necessary, exit all open windows and restart.
Problem: The right side of the diagram in SnapShot Express's Overview appears cut off.
Solution: This problem occurs when your Windows Display settings are set for Large Fonts. To view SnapShot Express Overview correctly, please change your display settings to Small Fonts. To change display setting on your computer:
1) click the Start button on the taskbar
2) go to Settings and select Control Panel
3) double-click the Display icon
4) click the Settings tab
5) change the font size to Small Fonts
6) click Apply
7) if necessary, exit all open windows and restart.
Problem: Help Text and background are misaligned.
Solution: This occurs when your Windows Display settings are set for Large Fonts. To view the Help correctly please change your display settings to Small Fonts. To change display setting on your computer:
1) click the Start button on the taskbar
2) go to Settings and select Control Panel
3) double-click the Display icon
4) click the Settings tab
5) change the font size to Small Fonts
6) click Apply
7) if necessary, exit all open windows and restart.
Problem: When trying to make an Internet connection via a LAN, the following error message occurs: "SMTP server netmail.sierrahome.com was not detected."
Solution: Open the Options dialogue box on the Taskbar in SnapShot Express. Select "General" and reset the "Sending E-Mail" option to Microsoft Mail (MAPI).
Problem: Cannot send E-mail.
Solution: Please make sure you have installed web browser or internet service provider software on your system.
Problem: Cannot post to the web with the Web Publishing Wizard.
Solution: If you are having problems posting to the web with the Web Publishing Wizard, please contact your Web Server host for correct configuration. Also, you may use any FTP software to transfer all files from the directory in which your web slide show was created and upload directly to your server.
Problem: Refresh issues when scanning and saving.
Solution: If you have refresh difficulties and SnapShot Express appears to have open windows behind your album pictures, press the F5 key on the keyboard or minimize and maximize the program and the screen will refresh.
Problem: Some refresh problems are noticed with AGP video cards.
Solution: If you have refresh difficulties or slow redrawing make sure your DirectDraw option is turned off. Please check your video card help or manual for more information.
Problem: When trying to import any album with the .sbj extension, the following error message appears: "Error Loading Album. Album with the same name already exists."
Solution: SnapShot Express records user and SnapShot Express information in these files. Upon opening SnapShot Express, these files are automatically opened within the program and appear as ClipArt, My Album, The Team, and My Art, etc. These files cannot be imported as SnapShot Express sees them as already open. To open personal albums, use the Get Pictures, Organize or Unpack features of SnapShot Express.
Problem: Unable to open *.ssp files (Projects) from the Get Pictures window.
Solution: This is by design. To open your previously saved Projects, use the Projects, Saved Work screen.
Problem: In the Projects area, text does not automatically resize itself when the text box is reduced.
Solution: This is by design. Please click on the Text button rather than the Move button to adjust the font size of the text.
Problem: Email messages do not word wrap and are limited to 246 characters.
Solution: This is by design. Please use the return key on your keyboard to wrap the text to the window.
Problem: Photo information is not saved in SnapShot Express for sent email messages.
Solution: This is by design so that if photo information is changed for emailing purposes, this new information does not replace the original photo information.
Problem: Errors sometimes occur when editing or working with large, complex *.jpg files.
Solution: This may occur if there are other programs running or the computer's resources are somehow limited in other ways. Please make sure that there are no other programs running and that there is at least 60MB of hard disk drive space free for swap file space.
Problem: SnapShot Express stops responding after using EasyPhoto Reader to Scan multiple photos and then choosing to Cancel.
Solution: This may occur if there are other programs running or the computer's resources are somehow limited in other ways. Please make sure that there are no other programs running and that there is at least 60MB of hard disk drive space free for swap file space. If you still run into issues, download the latest drivers for your scanner. Contact Storm Technology, the makers of the Easyphoto scanners, at the website http://www.stormtech.com/.
Problem: Errors occur when trying to pack an album with more than 200 items.
Solution: Unfortunately, though you can add more than 200 items to an album, an album cannot pack if it is oversized. If you wish to pack an album that has more than 200 items, it is best to split it into two or more albums for packing. When you unpack the albums later, you can copy all of the items into one album.
Problem: When exporting *.GIF files from the Edit Mode, the Options button in the Save dialog box is NOT preserving the settings correctly.
Solution: When you select the save button, you will again be prompted for options. Please enter your settings at this time and they will be applied correctly.
Problem: If you open Snappy Software and then close it while SnapShot Express is running, a blank thumbnail is created.
Solution: No workaround at this time.
Problem: Some symbols cannot be used in names when posting to the Internet or saving to the Internet using the Web Publishing tools.
Solution: The following symbols cannot be used in web page names when posting to the Internet or saving files due to standard Internet and Windows protocol: " " ! @ # % ^ & * ( ) - = + | } ] { [
Problem: Microsoft Web Publisher does not uninstall its files.
Solution: This is a known issue with Microsoft's Web Publisher. Please refer to the Web Publisher Readme for more information.
Problem: When using the Web Slide Show Wizard, all files are posted by default using lowercase filenames.
Solution: Special NOTE: Sierra does not support any changes made directly to the registry and strongly suggests making backups of a user's system and registry files before attempting any changes.
The following workaround is only provided if your Internet Service Provider Site requires that all posted files be in uppercase. To accommodate this you will need to edit your registry database as follows:
My Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\MICROGRAFX\SNAPSHOT EXPRESS\1.0\HSSC "WWWCASESETTING"
0 = NO CHANGE
1 = UPPERCASE
2 = LOWERCASE
* NT4.0 Specific Issues
Current Canon PowerShot 350 & 600 Twain drivers do not function under Microsoft's Windows NT 4.0.
Check with Canon for any updates.
Install Service pack #3 if you are experiencing random crashes and other problems.
Install Service pack #3 if you are having difficulty changing screen resolutions.
Problem: Having selected the Output option while editing a Saved Project in Project Mode, you cannot e-mail the displayed project using the Attachement/Project menu option.
Solution: If you wish to e-mail the displayed saved project, select Current Page from the E-mail/Attachment menu option.
-----------------------III. GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING----------------------------
IIIa. General Troubleshooting
NOTE: Before you begin troubleshooting, we strongly recommend completing steps 1 through 3 before doing anything else. This will help ensure that the Program is installed under an optimal environment and eliminate many basic problems. Corrupted or bad installations can cause a variety of problems; it is best to eliminate this possibility before you begin additional troubleshooting steps. The following steps can be used on any of Sierra On-Line's Family of Products unless otherwise indicated.
1) Check for Corrupt Files or other problems on the hard drive.
Before you do anything else, run one of the following DOS Commands (listed below) on the hard drive where the Program is installed. These commands will check for lost allocation units, corrupted files, cross-linked files, and other disk errors, which can corrupt files and/or the Program's installation. These commands will also correct the errors they find. For more information on these commands consult your DOS manual.
Windows 95
Go to START, RUN, and then type SCANDISK and click OK.
2) Check hard disk space.
Run the CHKDSK command from the DOS prompt (regardless of the DOS version you are using) and check the available hard disk space ("Bytes Available on Disk"). Make sure you have sufficient space on the hard drive to install the Program. Programs installed on a compressed hard drive will need twice as much compressed disk space. (Example: If you use any disk compression, and you wish to install a Program that requires 10MB of disk space, be sure you have AT LEAST 20 MB of space available, preferably 25 MB to allow not only a safe margin, but also room for saving charts, family photos, and reports.)
3) Reinstall the Program.
After completing the above steps, it is a good idea to reinstall the Program. Delete all the files and subdirectories for the program from the hard drive. It is highly recommended that you boot up with a basic boot disk prior to reinstalling the program. This will help insure that no memory resident problems (especially virus checkers) will interfere with the program's installation.
4) Check Available Memory.
You can check available memory in Windows 95 by selecting Start, Programs, under Windows 3.1 click on Main and click on the MS-DOS prompt icon. From the DOS prompt icon, type "MEM" and hit enter. Note the values that are displayed.
5) General Protection Faults
General Protection Faults are Windows errors that are typically caused by a memory conflict between one or more drivers or programs.
Before you begin troubleshooting General Protection Faults, you must have a basic boot disk for your system. Boot disk instructions are available from FAX(document #2470). A file called BDALL, which contains a boot disk creator utility and a complete set of boot disk instructions for a variety of systems, is also available. This file can be downloaded from our BBS at (206) 644-0112, or you can contact us in Technical Support from FAX at (206) 644-7697 or phone at (206)644-4343 and have the disk sent to you.
Finally, you will want a backup copy of your WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI files on this disk. Copy them to the boot disk using the following commands:
COPY C:\WINDOWS\WIN.INI A: <ENTER>
COPY C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.INI A: <ENTER>
NOTE: If your Windows directory is on another drive and/or using a name other than WINDOWS, use the correct name and/or letter of the drive instead of C:
IIIb. General Protection Fault Troubleshooting Steps
1) First, correct all FAT errors and lost allocation units by running SCANDISK or CHKDSK. Refer to Section IIIa., "General Troubleshooting", and read the instructions for Step 1 if you need additional information.
2) Make sure your Windows System Resources are over 60%. In Windows 95 click on START, SETTINGS, CONTROL PANEL, and click on the SYSTEM icon. Click on PERFORMANCE. If resources are below 60%, close any and all other Windows applications before continuing to the next step.
In Windows 95 shut your system down. Restart your system and when you see the message STARTING WINDOWS 95 hit your F8 key and this should bring up a menu. Select SAFE MODE.
If running Windows without the WIN.INI file active corrects the problem, make sure the LOAD= and the RUN= lines in the [WINDOWS] section of the WIN.INI file are blank, or insert a semicolon (;) at the beginning of each line. (You can edit the WIN.INI with a text editor program like Windows Notepad.) This will prevent any other Windows software from loading. If this fails to correct the problem, Sierra On-Line recommends calling either MICROSOFT, or if you received your DOS/WINDOWS software with you computer system, you will need to contact the hardware manufacturer. They should be able to help you isolate the conflict between your WIN.INI file and your SIERRA program.
3) Reinstall your Sierra Windows program, or the program that causes the GPF. Sometimes corrupted files and drivers (especially sound and/or video drivers in the case of Sierra On-Line Software) can cause GP faults, and reinstalling them may correct the problem. Often times, updating to the latest available versions of these drivers will correct problems as well. Contact the software manufacturer if you need assistance reinstalling and/or updating drivers.
4) Eliminate any memory-resident software. Close any and all other applications, make sure the STARTUP group is empty, and disable any and all screen savers (including the standard Windows screen saver) and shell replacement programs like Norton Desktop for Windows, PC Tools, etc. Also, don't run Windows from a menu program like DOS shell or similar programs.
5) To check for a Video driver conflict, change your Video driver to "VGA". A number of Video Drivers from third party vendors will conflict with some Sierra Windows programs. IMPORTANT NOTE : If your SIERRA ON-LINE program requires a 256-color driver, use Microsoft's "SVGA" (640x480, 256 color) driver if you have it available. If you do not have this driver available, use another driver for your video card and see if it makes a difference. You can contact Microsoft's BBS to obtain the driver from them.
6) Check for other possible conflicts with other, third-party software drivers. You can edit your SYSTEM.INI file and temporarily comment out any and all third party drivers, e.g. Adobe Type Manager, third party printer drivers, Bitstream, etc. You can use Windows Notepad to edit the SYSTEM.INI file, and insert a semicolon (;) at the beginning of each line that loads a third party driver. In your SYSTEM.INI file, the [BOOT] section should be set to a standard Windows default, which is listed below :
shell=explorer.exe
system.drv=system.drv
keyboard.drv=keyboard.drv
mouse.drv=mouse.drv
display.drv=vga.drv
comm.drv=comm.drv
sound.drv=mmsound.drv
7) Eliminate potential conflicts with DOS drivers by creating a basic boot disk that loads only those drivers necessary to start your system and Windows. A minimum boot configuration is listed below :
AUTOEXEC.BAT CONFIG.SYS
Path=c:\;c:\DOS;c:\WINDOWS Files=50
Prompt $p$g Buffers=30
Set temp=C:\ Device=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
Device=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS
Stacks=9,256
Depending on your particular systems, the files above may not be sufficient for your system to boot normally. If you need additional assistance creating a boot disk, please refer to the document, Creating a Windows 95 Boot Disk, available by visiting the Sierra Support site at http://www.sierra.com/support.
If creating a boot disk corrects the problem, then your GP fault is caused by one of the memory resident DOS program or Windows drivers that your system loads.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but it does represent the most common solutions to General Protection Faults encountered with Sierra Windows Software. For additional assistance, you may wish to contact Microsoft or your hardware dealer (if Windows came preinstalled on your computer).
IIIc. Changing Video Drivers and Font Sizes
IMPORTANT NOTE : While we can tell you HOW to change your video driver, we cannot determine the appropriate driver for the specific brand and model of video card you have installed in your computer. When selecting a video driver, you must select a video driver specific to the video card installed in your computer. Please refer to documentation that came with the video card installed in your system.
Most often, when you purchase a new video card, the Windows drivers will be included on floppy disks. If the video card came preinstalled with an entire computer system, the drivers should have been installed for you by the hardware manufacturer or included on floppy disks.
Changing Video Drivers from your Windows 95 Desktop:
1) click your right mouse button on an open area of your desktop
2) click on PROPERTIES
3) on the DISPLAY PROPERTIES screen click on SETTINGS
4) from this screen, you can change the number of colors if your card has that ability under the color palette section. If you have any problems changing your color palette to 16-bit color or need more information, consult your Windows documentation, or contact the hardware or video card manufacturer. Additionally, if you do not have the appropriate video drivers available to you, you will need to contact the hardware or video card manufacturer to obtain them.
If you have any problems changing your video driver or need more information, consult your Windows documentation, or contact the hardware or video card manufacturer. Additionally, if you do not have the appropriate video drivers available to you, you will need to contact the hardware or video card manufacturer to obtain them.
Changing from Large Fonts to Small Fonts:
Under Windows 95 follow steps 1-3 for changing video drivers and choose FONT SIZE.
--------------------------IV.CONTACTING SIERRA ON-LINE-----------------------------------
A) Customer Service, Support, and Sales
B) Technical Support
C) Legal Information
A) Customer Service, Support, and Sales
----------------------------------
United States
U.S.A. Sales Phone: (800) 757-7707
International Sales: (425) 746-5771
Hours: Monday-Saturday 7AM to 11 PM CST,
Sundays 8 AM to 9PM CST
FAX: (402) 393-3224
Sierra Direct
7100 W. Center Rd
STE 301
Omaha, NE 68106
United Kingdom
Havas Interactive
Main: (0118) 920-9111
Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Fax: (0118) 987-5603
Disk/CD replacements in the U.K. are ú6.00,
or ú7.00 outside the UK. Add "ATTN.: Returns."
2 Beacontree Plaza,
Gillette Way,
Reading, Berkshire
RG2 0BS United Kingdom
France
Havas Interactive
Phone: (01) 46-01-46-50
Lundi au Jeudi de 10h α 19h
Vendredi 10h α 18h
Fax: (01) 46-30-00-65
Parc Tertiaire de Meudon
Immeuble "Le Newton"
25 rue Jeanne Braconnier
92366 Meudon La ForΩt Cedex
France
Germany
Havas Interactive
Tel: (0) 6103-99-40-40
Montag bis Freitag von 9h - 19Uhr
Fax: (0) 6103-99-40-35
Robert-Bosh-Str. 32
D-63303 Dreieich
Germany
On-Line Sales
CompuServe United Kingdom:GO UKSIERRA
CompuServe France: GO FRSIERRA
CompuServe Germany: GO DESIERRA
Internet USA: http://www.sierra.com
Internet United Kingdom: http://www.sierra-online.co.uk
Internet France: http://www.sierra.fr
Internet Germany: http://www.sierra.de
Disk and or Manual Replacement:
Product Returns:
Sierra On-Line Returns
4100 West 190th Street
Torrance, CA 90504
Sierra On-Line Fulfillment
4100 West 190th Street
Torrance, CA 90504
NOTE: To replace your disk(s) please send only Disk #1 (or the CD) and copy of your dated Receipt, if less then 90 days. After 90 days please include a $10 handling fee along with Disk / CD #1. For Documentation, please include a $5.00 handling fee and a photocopy ONLY of disk #1. Payment should be made at the time of your request. Sorry, no credit cards.
* Returns to this address valid in North America only.
B) TECHNICAL SUPPORT
-------------------------
North America
Sierra On-Line offers a 24-hour automated technical support line with recorded answers to the most frequently asked technical questions. To access this service, call (425) 644-4343, and follow the recorded instructions to find your specific topic and resolve the issue. If this fails to solve your problem, you may still write, or fax us with your questions, or contact us via our Web site.
Sierra On-Line
Technical Support
P.O. Box 85006
Bellevue, WA 98015-8506
Main: (425) 644-4343
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:45 p.m. PST
Fax: (425) 644-7697
http://www.sierra.com
support@sierra.com
United Kingdom
Havas Interactive offers a 24-hour Automated Technical Support line with recorded answers to the most frequently asked technical questions. To access this service, call (0118) 920-9111, and follow the recorded instructions to find your specific topic to resolve the issue. If this fails to solve your problem, you may still write, or fax us with your questions, or contact us via our Internet or CompuServe sites.
Havas Interactive
2 Beacontree Plaza,
Gillette Way,
Reading, Berkshire
RG2 0BS United Kingdom
Main: (0118) 920-9111
Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Fax: (0118) 987-5603
http://www.sierra-online.co.uk
France
Havas Interactive
Parc Tertiaire de Meudon
Immeuble "Le Newton"
25 rue Jeanne Braconnier
92366 Meudon La ForΩt Cedex
France
TΘlΘphone: 01-46-01-46-50
Lundi au Jeudi de 10h α 19h
Vendredi de 10h α 18h
Fax: 01-46-30-00-65
http://www.sierra.fr
Germany
Havas Interactive
Robert-Bosh-Str. 32
D-63303 Dreieich
Deutschland
Tel: (0) 6103-99-40-40
Montag bis Freitag von 9 - 19Uhr
Fax: (0) 6103-99-40-35
Mailbox: (0) 6103-99-40-35
http://www.sierra.de
Spain
Havas Interactive
Avenida de Burgos 9
1║-OF2
28036 Madrid
Spain
TelΘfono: (01) 383-2623
Lunes a Viernes de 9h30 a 14h y de 15h a 18h30
Fax: (01) 381-2437
Italy
Contattare il vostro distribotore.
C) Sierra Warranty & Legal Information
-----------------------------------
Sierra's end user license agreement, limited warranty and return policy is set forth in the EULA.txt, found on the CD, and is also available during the install of the product.
