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INDEX
A)MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIRMENTS
B)BATTERIES
1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON PROLONGING BATTERY LIFE
2. REPLACEMENT OF BATTERIES
C) CONNECTING BARBIE(R) DOLL'S COMPUTER DESK TO YOUR PC
1. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
2. VERIFYING THAT BARBIE(R) IS PROPERLY CONNECTED TO YOUR SERIAL PORT DURING INSTALLATION
3. DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE BARBIE(R) COMPUTER DESK
D) INSTALL/UNINSTALL TIPS
1. WINDOWS(R)3.1x - INSTALLATION
2. WINDOWS(R)3.1x - UNINSTALLING
3. WINDOWS(R)95 - INSTALLATION
4. WINDOWS(R)95 - UNINSTALLING
E) CUSTOM NAME INSTALLER
F) CUSTOM TALK
G) SERIAL (COM) PORT TROUBLESHOOTING
1. WHEN INSTALLING THE PROGRAM, "BARBIE" IS NOT RECOGNIZED AS BEING ATTACHED PROPERLY EVEN THOUGH THE BARBIE COMPUTER DESK IS PLUGGED INTO A SERIAL PORT
2. I HAVE A SERIAL MOUSE ON SERIAL PORT COM1 AND AN INTERNAL MODEM ADDRESSED TO COM2. WHAT CAN I DO?
3. I HAVE A SERIAL MOUSE ON SERIAL PORT COM1 AND AN EXTERNAL MODEM OR DEVICE SUCH AS A PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) CONNECTED TO SERIAL COM2. WHAT CAN I DO?
H) VOLUME AND AUDIBILITY OF BARBIE(R) DOLL's VOICE
I) SYSTEM PERFORMANCE TIPS
1. IMPROVE DISK ACCESS PERFORMANCE
2. INCREASE OR ADD SMARTDRIVE CACHE
3. SET UP VIRTUAL MEMORY (Windows(R)3.1 users only)
4. INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FILE HANDLES (Windows(R)3.1 users only)
J) GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS
1. IF THE PROGRAM RUNS SLOWLY
2. IF DISPLAY OR GRAPHICS PROBLEMS OCCUR
K) COMPATIBILITY ISSUES
1. SCREEN SAVERS
2. OTHER MULTIMEDIA PROGRAMS
3. SOUND
4. LAPTOP COMPUTERS
L) CUSTOMER SUPPORT
M) LEGAL NOTICES
A)MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
-----------------------------
Windows(R)95 or Windows(R)3.1
Multimedia PC 486/66MHz or better
8MB of RAM
Double Speed (2x) CD-ROM drive
Color monitor with 256-color graphic capability
16-bit Sound Blaster(R) or 100% compatible sound card and speakers
Standard mouse and keyboard
Available serial (com) port for connection
9-pin (DB9) serial port connector included
25-pin serial port adapter may be required for users who only have a 25-pin serial port available (this adapter is not included)
Not recommended for use with laptop computers
B)BATTERIES
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1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON PROLONGING BATTERY LIFE
Your Talk With Me(TM) BARBIE(R) Doll includes a special feature which automatically turns the BARBIE(R) Doll OFF after approximately 5 minutes of inactivity.
PLEASE NOTE: You will disable the automatic OFF feature if you remove Barbie(R) from her "computer" workstation before a download of information is complete. If Barbie(R) is removed from her workstation during a download of information, you will need to reactivate the automatic OFF feature. To reactivate Barbie(R) dollÆs automatic OFF feature, simply press the Talk button on Barbie(R)dollÆs back. Barbie(R) should say a phrase. You can now put your Barbie(R) doll away until the next time you want to play.
If you want to continue to play with Barbie(R), hold down the Talk button on her back for three seconds until she says, "IÆm ready to sit at my computer." Place Barbie(R) at her "computer" workstation and make your play selections on your computer as usual.
2. REPLACEMENT OF BATTERIES
Please follow instructions in manual on how to replace batteries.
Only use the recommended replacement batteries. AAA size alkaline batteries should always be used for replacement in Barbie(R) Doll's legs. AG13 or LR44 or equivalent button cell batteries should always be used for replacement in Barbie(R) Doll's back.
If doll's mouth movement becomes slow or stops, and doll's voice becomes difficult to hear, it may be necessary to replace the AAA batteries in the doll's legs.
If doll does not talk at all when you press the button on her back, press the reset button on doll's back (see manual) and press the Talk button again. If this fails, replace the button cell batteries in her back.
Please note that replacing the batteries will cause previously downloaded phrases to be erased.
C) CONNECTING BARBIE(R) DOLL'S COMPUTER DESK TO YOUR PC
With the power on your computer turned off, set the doll's computer near your own. Locate the available serial (com) port you want to use and determine if it is 9-pin or 25-pin. If it is a 9-pin serial port, gently insert the 9-pin connector from the doll's computer desk cable. If you have a 25-pin serial port you will need to obtain a 25-pin adapter (not included).
2. VERIFYING THAT BARBIE(R) IS PROPERLY CONNECTED TO YOUR SERIAL PORT DURING INSTALLATION
During the installation process, your serial ports will be checked to verify that Barbie(R) is properly connected. If you do not see the word "Barbie" listed as being connected to a serial port, please follow the general troubleshooting tips found in the manual and listed below.
3. DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE BARBIE COMPUTER DESK
If you disconnect the BARBIE(R) Computer Desk from your PC but do not uninstall the program, it is not necessary to re-install the program when you reconnect the BARBIE(R) computer desk.
If you reconnect the Barbie(R) computer desk to a different serial port from the one you selected during the installation process, you will need to re-select your serial port in the Talk With Me(TM) program. To do this, you simply click on the help button, go to Main Topics in the Help menu and then select Configure Serial Ports. In this window, you will see a white box which informs you of the current status of your serial ports. You may re-select a serial port to connect the Barbie(R) computer workstation. When completed, click TEST to verify that the Barbie(R) computer desk is properly connected and recognized by your system.
From within the same Help menu (Configure Serial Ports), you may also change the baud rate from 57,600 to 38,400. Changing the baud rate to 38,400 will slow down the download process and should only be done if you have a computer below the minimum system requirements.
D) INSTALL/UNINSTALL TIPS
-------------------------
1. WINDOWS(R)3.1x - INSTALLATION
-Place the CD-ROM in the tray and close the tray
-Choose "Run" from the "File" menu.
-In the "Run" dialog box, type D:\Setup.exe (where "D:" is the letter that relates to the CD-ROM drive on your system).
-Follow the on screen prompts to complete the installation.
-Once the installation completes, you will be prompted to restart Windows(R).
-You will then be able to launch the Talk With Me(TM) BARBIE(R) application from the Talk With Me(TM) BARBIE(R) program group.
-The first time the application is run, you may see a "profiling video" dialog box. This is normal as the product installs WinG on your system.
2. WINDOWS(R) 3.1x - UNINSTALLING
-From the Talk With Me(TM) BARBIE(R) program group, double click on the Uninstall icon and follow the on-screen instructions.
-Please note that if you uninstall the program you will lose any personalized information that you have entered.
-Any custom names that you have added to the program will also be removed, although you should always make sure that you saved a copy of any downloaded custom names in a separate directory or on a disk.
3. WINDOWS(R) 95 - INSTALLATION
-Place the Talk With Me Barbie CD in your CD-ROM Drive.
-From the START Menu, select RUN, BROWSE and click on TWMB icon on your CD-ROM drive. Then click on OK. If the Auto-insert notification is turned on, the Setup program will launch automatically once the CD-ROM tray is closed.
-Follow the on screen prompts to complete the installation.
-When prompted to restart Windows(R), click YES.
-After Windows(R) restarts, you will have the choice of running the Talk With Me(TM) Barbie(R) application from the Desktop icon that is created automatically, or from the START menu, PROGRAMS, Talk With Me(TM) folder.
4. WINDOWS(R) 95 - UNINSTALLING
-In order to uninstall the Talk With Me(TM) program on Windows(R)95, you must do so through the ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS feature.
-To do this, you should go to START, SETTINGS, CONTROL PANEL and then double click on the ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS icon. From the Install/Uninstall tab, scroll down until you find the Talk With Me Barbie(R) directory. Highlight the directory and click ADD/REMOVE.
-Please note that if you uninstall the program you will lose any personalized information that you have entered.
-Any custom names that you have added to the program will also be removed, although you should always make sure that you saved a copy of any downloaded custom names in a separate directory or on a disk.
E) CUSTOM NAME INSTALLER
------------------------
If you order a custom name and download the file to your system, you will need to install the custom name file into the Talk With Me(TM) program.
-From the Barbie Talk Program Group, double click on the Custom Name Installer Icon
-Browse to the directory where the custom name has been downloaded to and highlight the file
-Click on Open and then on Next
-When notified that the file is installed, click on OK
-The next time you open the Talk With Me Barbie(R) program, you will find the custom name located in the Custom Name window.
-MAKE SURE THAT YOU KEEP A BACKUP COPY OF THE CUSTOM NAME FILE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTORY OR ON DISK.
F) CUSTOM TALK
---------------
The custom talk section of the program allows you to choose special phrases you want Barbie(R) to say.
When selecting a name to use with the custom phrases, please remember to click on OK after highlighting the name in order for it to show up in the custom phrases window and to be downloaded with the custom phrases.
Note that when you exit the program, your chosen phrases will not be saved in the program; however, you may choose them again if you want the next time you start the program.
G) SERIAL (COM) PORT TROUBLESHOOTING
-------------------------------------
1. WHEN INSTALLING THE PROGRAM, "BARBIE" IS NOT RECOGNIZED AS BEING ATTACHED PROPERLY EVEN THOUGH THE BARBIE(R) COMPUTER DESK IS PLUGGED INTO A SERIAL PORT
-If only one serial port was detected during the installation process and was shown as being used by another device, your second serial port may not be enabled.
-In Windows(R)3.1, you can verify if all your serial ports are enabled or set-up correctly by running MSD from the DOS prompt.
-Select PORTS from the MSD menu and review you computer's port availability. If you have more than one port listed, make sure that their addresses are not conflicting. Refer to your Windows(R) documentation on how to re-address serial ports.
-If only one serial port is listed, but you have two or more serial ports on the back of your CPU, all of your ports may not be enabled in CMOS. Refer to your hardware documentation on how to enable serial ports in CMOS.
-In Windows(R)95 you can verify if all your serial ports are enabled or set up correctly by opening Device Manager from Systems in the Control Panel.
- From Device Manager, double click on PORTS (If only one COM port is listed, then your second COM Port may not be enabled).
-Click on the COM number you want to view, click on Resources to view the COM port address settings. If you have more than one serial port listed, view Resources for both of them to make sure that their addresses are not conflicting. Refer to your Windows(R) documentation on how to re-address serial ports.
-If only one serial port is listed in the Device Manager, but you have two or more serial ports on the back of your CPU system, all of your ports may not be enabled in CMOS. Refer to your hardware documentation on how to enable serial ports in CMOS.
On older clone systems you may have a serial port plug on the back of your system; however, it may not actually be wired or hooked up to the mother board inside your CPU box. If this is the case, please refer to your hardware documentation on adding or connecting serial ports.
2. I HAVE A SERIAL MOUSE ON SERIAL PORT COM1 AND AN INTERNAL MODEM ADDRESSED TO COM2. WHAT CAN I DO?
-You will have to re-address your internal modem to COM3 or COM4. Refer to your hardware or modem documentation on how to re-address internal modems.
-Please note that COM1 and COM3 share the same interrupt as do COM2 and COM4. If you re-address your internal modem to a COM number that will share the same interrupt as the serial port you connect the Barbie(R) computer desk to, you will need to make sure that you turn off your modem or disconnect your telephone wire connection while you are using the Talk With Me(TM) program. This will ensure that any incoming faxes, e-mails, etc. will not conflict with the download process in the Talk With Me(TM) program.
3. I HAVE A SERIAL MOUSE ON SERIAL PORT COM1 AND AN EXTERNAL MODEM OR DEVICE SUCH AS A PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) CONNECTED TO SERIAL COM2. WHAT CAN I DO?
-You will have to disconnect the second device in order to connect the Barbie(R) computer desk to the second serial port.
-To do so, simply unplug the external device from your com port and connect the Barbie(R) computer desk to the same port.
-You will also need to shut down or close any software program that controls this external device that you have just disconnected.
-Once these steps have been completed, you can install the Talk With Me(TM) Barbie(R) software and the program setup should recognize that Barbie(R) has been properly connected.
-You can also verify that Barbie is properly connected by selecting the correct COM port and clicking on TEST COM PORT from within the HELP menu in the Talk With Me(TM) program.
-To re-connect you external modem/device, simply exit the Talk With Me(TM) program, disconnect the Barbie(R) computer desk, re-connect your other device, and re-open the software program that controls this device.
H) VOLUME AND AUDIBILITY OF BARBIE(R) DOLL's VOICE
The volume of the downloaded phrases that Barbie(R) will say is not adjustable. The volume of the voice heard on the computer is adjustable through your computer speakers and sound card settings.
To preview or listen to just a selected name from the Talk With Me(TM) program, simply highlight the name desired, click on OK and then on PLAY. If set up correctly, Barbie(R) will say the name you have just selected. In a few cases you may hear some background noise accompanying the name. When the same name is selected and downloaded as part of the phrases you have chosen, you will not hear any background noise at all.
I) SYSTEM PERFORMANCE TIPS
--------------------------
These tips are designed to improve your overall system performance.
1. IMPROVE DISK ACCESS PERFORMANCE
With MS-DOS(R) 5.0 or older, you'll need to use a separate utility for disk optimization. If you're using MS-DOS 6.0 or newer, use the following steps to defragment and optimize your disk:
-Exit Windows(R). At the C:\ prompt, type "defrag C: /f" and press ENTER.
This process will take a few minutes.
-Restart Windows(R) and run the program.
2. INCREASE OR ADD SMARTDRIVE CACHE
Change the SMARTDrive cache size to make more memory available.
-Go to the Program Manager.
-Select Run from the File menu.
-At the command box, type "sysedit" and click OK.
-The Sysedit window will appear. Click on the Autoexec.bat window to bring it to the front.
-Locate the line that shows smartdrv.exe and type in the appropriate size.
-If you have 8 MB of RAM, add 1024 1024. Your SMARTDrive setting should look like this: smartdrv.exe 1024 1024 (you have typed in 1024 1024).
-If you have 16 MB of RAM, add 2048 2048. Your SMARTDrive setting should look like this: smartdrv.exe 2048 2048 (you have typed in 2048 2048).
Note: Leave any other options on the smartdrv.exe line as they are set.
-If you've made changes, select Save from the File menu.
-Select Exit from the File menu.
-Exit Windows(R) and restart the computer.
3. SET UP VIRTUAL MEMORY (Windows(R) 3.1 users only)
(Note: If you are running any disk-compression software, refer to that software's manual or call the software manufacturer for assistance in setting up a permanent swap file.)
-Run Defrag as described above in Section 4-A.
-Double-click the Control Panel icon in the Main group.
-Double-click the 386 Enhanced icon in the Control Panel group.
-Click the Virtual Memory button on the right side.
-Make sure the current setting for Size is set to at least 6000 KB if you have 8 MB of RAM. Also make sure Type is set to Permanent. If these settings are not currently set, click the Change button.
-Under New Settings, make sure the Type is Permanent and the Size is set according to the above. The bigger the swap file size, the better performance you will have. We recommend setting the size to at least 8000 KB (but not more than 16000 KB). This will improve your overall system performance.
- Click OK. Follow the prompt to restart Windows(R).
4. INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FILE HANDLES (Windows(R) 3.1 users only)
Change the number of file handles available.
-Go to the Program Manager.
-Select Run from the File menu.
-At the command box, type "sysedit" and click OK.
-The Sysedit window will appear. Click on the Config.sys window to
bring it to the front.
-Locate the line that shows "files=" and change the number of files to
80. The line should now read:
files=80
-If you've made changes, select Save from the File menu.
-Select Exit from the File menu.
-Exit Windows(R) and restart the computer.
J) GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS
--------------------------------
1. IF THE PROGRAM RUNS SLOWLY:
-Close any unnecessary applications that may be running in the background.
-Be sure you are running Windows(R) in enhanced mode and that the Virtual
Memory settings are active. Refer to the performance tips above or your
Windows(R) documentation.
2. IF DISPLAY OR GRAPHICS PROBLEMS OCCUR:
If you experience display or graphics problems while running Talk With Me(TM) BARBIE(R)
-Make sure that your display setting is at 640x480 resolution and 256
colors. Refer to your system or Windows(R) documentation.
-Contact your video card or systems vendor to obtain the latest version
of their video driver.
-Make sure no other applications are running while Talk With Me(TM) BARBIE(R)
is running.
-If you are experiencing FREEZES or LOCKUPS in Windows(R)95, and you are sure you have the latest driver for your graphics card, you may need to lower the acceleration setting to basic or lower. To do this consult your Windows(R) documentation.
K) COMPATIBILITY ISSUES
------------------------
1. SCREEN SAVERS
If you are running a screen saver in the background and experience video
and sound problems during the program, disable the screen saver and the
problem should be solved. Refer to your user documentation on how to
disable the screen saver.
2. OTHER MULTIMEDIA PROGRAMS
If you experience problems when running the Talk With Me(TM) Barbie(R) application while other multimedia applications are running, shut down the other application and Talk With Me(TM) Barbie(R) should run without issue.
3. SOUND
Talk With Me(TM) Barbie(R) uses DirectSound for Windows(R)95 and a proprietary sound product for Windows(R) 3.1x. If you experience sound problems, verify with your computer manufacturer or vendor that you are using the most current version of the driver for your sound card.
4. LAPTOP COMPUTERS
It is not recommended that the Talk With Me(TM) BARBIE(R) software or Doll and Computer Desk be used with laptop computers. If you do use a laptop computer, you may experience some performance and download issues.
L) CUSTOMER SUPPORT
---------------------
If you have any questions, please contact us for assistance. Our technical support specialists can be reached toll-free at the numbers listed below:
In the US, call 1-888-MATTEL9 (1-888-628-8359)
In Canada, call 1-888-MEDIA11 (1-888)633-4211)
In Australia call 1-800-800-812
For a great place to get quick answers to the most commonly asked questions about Talk With Me(TM) Barbie(R) you can also contact Mattel on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.mattelmedia.com/barbie/talk
Comments or questions can also be mailed to:
Mattel Consumer Affairs
Tech Support GA 0109
333 Continental Blvd.
El Segundo, CA 90245
USA
Outside of the USA, see a telephone directory for a Mattel listing.
M) LEGAL NOTICES
----------------
(P) & (c) 1997 Mattel, Inc. El Segundo, CA 90245 U.S.A. All Rights Reserved.
The Barbie doll likeness and character, the color "Barbie pink" and other trademarks designated by (r) & (tm) are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Mattel, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries except for the following:
Microsoft, Windows, DirectX, DirectSound and MS-DOS are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Sound Blaster is a registered trademark of Creative Technology, Ltd.
The Intel Inside logo is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
Norton Desktop and Norton Navigator are trademarks of Symantec Corporation.
Netscape Navigator is a registered trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation in the United
States and other countries.
Netscape's logos and Netscape product and service names are also trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation, which may be registered in other countries.
Certain software engines and utilities (c) 1996 Gorilla Systems Corporation.
Uses Miles Sound System. Copyright (c) 1991-1997 RAD Game Tools, Inc.
