TECHNICAL
HELPS for Kid Pix 3 & 4
from Sunday Software
On this page:
1. Getting Text to Speech feature working
on XP
2. Tips on Importing Graphics/Backgrounds
3. How to Delete user sign-in names from list
4. Windows XP and ADMIN/USER Rights
5. Screen upsidedown. Windows XP compatibility issue(?)
6. Curing the Text playback "cut-off" during slideshow
7. Solving the Quicktime "Jpeg Compressor" error message
8. Problem getting stickers/animations to appear
If your problem isn't described here, check out this
other
support page for Kid Pix 3 help.
Please note: Kid Pix 3 and 4 are nearly identical.
Many solutions mentioned here for version 3 will work for version 4.
1. Problem: After installing Kid
Pix® Deluxe 3, the Text to Speech feature does not work.
Or, the program encounters a problem
when it opens and must close.
Solution: Installing the Microsoft® Speech API
4.0 from the Kid Pix® Deluxe 3.0 CD should resolve the issue.
Consult the data that follows for additional information and
a resolution.
Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 relies on SAPI 4.x for
speech functionality. Windows® XP is packaged with a later version (SAPI
5.0). Because Windows®
XP does not ship with the sapi 4.0 speech.dll installed, the Text to Speech
feature of Kid Pix® does not work. You must manually install the sapi
4.0 program.
Follow the procedure below to
install the Microsoft® Speech API 4.0 from the Kid Pix®
Deluxe 3.0 CD.
- Place the Kid Pix® Deluxe
3.0 CD into the CD-ROM drive.
- Close all programs and windows
and return to the desktop.
- Click Start and select Run. The
Run dialog box will appear.
- Type X:\INSTALL\DATA\SPCHAPI.EXE
in the Open: field. (Replace X with the correct drive letter
that represents the CD-ROM drive containing the Kid Pix®
Deluxe 3.0 CD.)
- Click OK. This will install Microsoft®
Speech API 4.0 to the C:\Windows\Speech folder.
- When the file copy is complete,
click Start and select Shut Down.
- Select the option for Restart
and click OK to restart.
- When the restart is complete,
open and use Kid Pix® Deluxe 3. The issue should be resolved.
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2. Importing Graphics and Backgrounds
While working in Kid
Pix® Deluxe 3, you want to import a graphic or background
from the hard drive or other media into the program. The remainder
of this technical note describes the procedure. Follow the procedure
below to import a graphic or background into Kid Pix® Deluxe
3.
- NOTE: Kid Pix Deluxe 3 will import
the following graphic or background file types: Bitmap (*.bmp),
JPEG (*.jpg, *.jpeg), GIF (.gif) or Macintosh® Picture (*.pic,
*.pict).
- While in the Paint Zone portion
of Kid Pix® Deluxe 3, position the mouse pointer at the top-left
portion of the screen where the screen is black. The mouse pointer
should appear as a triangle.
- Click once. The Menu bar should
appear.
- Move the mouse to position the
pointer over the Add menu option and click Add Graphic (to import
a graphic) or Import Background (to import a background) from
the menu that appears. The Add Graphic (or Import Background)
window will open.
- Click the down arrow button to
the right of the Files of type: field and select the file type
for the desired graphic (or background) to import (i.e., *.bmp,
*.jpg, .gif or *.pic).
- Using the Look in: field, navigate
to the drive and location of the desired graphic (or background)
and click once on the file name to select it. A preview of the
selected graphic file may appear in the Preview: box.
- NOTE: To the right of the preview
box is a list of four options describing how the graphic or background
will appear when added (or imported) to the current picture.
By default, Center at Original Size will be selected if adding
a graphic and Shrink/Stretch to fill Canvas will be selected
if importing a background. If needed, select another option.
The preview to the left may change.
- Click OK. The graphic or background
selected in Step 5 will appear on the current picture in the
Paint Zone. If a graphic was added, adjust the graphic as needed.
- NOTE: After adding a graphic
(or importing a background) to a picture in Paint Zone, the picture
can be saved and added to a slide show in the Slide Show screen.
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3. How to Delete a User Name from Sign-In
List...
User names can be deleted
from the sign-in list by completing the steps presented in this
technical note.
To delete a name from the sign-in
list, complete the following steps:
Open Kid Pix® Deluxe 3.
Type kidpixadmin into the "Enter
your name here" field on the Log In screen at program startup.
Press ENTER on the keyboard.
The following three options will appear on the right side of
the screen: Done, Add and Delete.
Click once on a name in the list
to select it and click Delete.
Click Done when all unwanted
name or names have been deleted. The deleted names will no longer
appear in the sign-in list.
If
the deleted user had files they created, such as saved drawings,
soundfx and music, they need to be deleted too. Go to
c:\programfiles\broderbund
\kidpix3\users and delete user folders.
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5. Screen Upside Down
or...."Kid Pix could still not be started a second time"
Kid Pix runs fine on 99% of XP machines. But there are
some issues with some machines.
First, try curing the Upside Down or Restart problem
by switching to Win 98 compatibility mode in XP.
If that doesn't work, then go to
www.sundaysoftware.com/support/KidPix_XP_Problem.htm
The problem seems related to a particular Intel video
chip and driver on some XP computers.
Updating that driver is the solution which has worked for some people.
Others have solved it by turning of XP's "rotate monitor" option. Read
www.sundaysoftware.com/support/KidPix_XP_Problem.htm
for details. To switch to Win98 compatibility
mode in XP...
Do this: Right click
your startup icon for Kid Pix, select Properties, and then
"compatibility" and set it to Windows 98 compatibility.
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7. Solving the Quicktime "JPEG
Compressor" error message
This one has bugged many of us for some time. It pops up when
you try to save your picture. The solution comes from Jay Y.
a computer lab teacher here in Columbus. The "Can't find
JPEG compressor" error on KidPix Deluxe 3 happens when trying
to save files or print them. The jpeg compressor file is part
of the Quicktime installation you probably installed when you
installed KidPix (or you most likely have installed Quicktime
from one of many other CDs often used in the CE computer lab).
During the Quicktime installation, you are given two options:
"Minimum" and "Recommended" install option
for Quicktime. If you did the "minimum" install, you'll
get this error message.
Solution: Reinsert the Kid Pix CD and "uninstall"
Quicktime. Then reinstall Quicktime selecting the "Recommended"
option.
Later, if you encounter this same error message again, it's
probably due to accidentally installing Quicktime from some other
CD and selecting Minimal instead of Recommended.
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9. If you have additional problems not found on this page...
Go to
http://support.selectsoft.com/products/K/LLKIDPID3J.htm
MORE HELPS
for Kid Pix Studio Deluxe 3 gleaned from
selectsoft...
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QuickTime™ Movie Sounds Do Not Play
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After installing Kid Pix®
Deluxe 3 on a Windows NT® operating system,
the sound attached to the QuickTime™ movies
may not play. When
Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 is installed on a Windows
NT® operating system, you may not be able to
hear sounds associated with imported
QuickTime™ movies. This is a limitation of
the program. However, you will be able to
view the movie. |
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Too Many
Objects…Please Flatten or Delete
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While inserting animations
in Kid Pix® Deluxe 3, you may receive the
following message: "Too many objects on
page. Please flatten or delete." Reducing
the number of objects or flattening those
objects should resolve the issue. This
technical note describes how to proceed.
Follow the instructions below to flatten
objects.
NOTE: When an object is flattened, it
becomes part of the background. Once
flattened, the animation for that object
will not play. Clicking the "Undo Guy" will
remove the last change that was made.
-
With
your project on the screen, choose the
object that you would like to flatten.
-
On
the top menu bar, click the Toolbox
option.
-
Choose the Flatten option.
-
Select either "Selected" or "All" for
the object to be flatten.
-
Click
OK. The selected objects will be
flattened.
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Cannot Choose a
Different Printer
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When attempting to print
using the program, you want to use a
different printer connected to the system.
Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 uses the Windows® default
printer. There is not a setting within the
program to change the printer. Changing the
default printer to reflect the printer that
you want by using the Window® printer
control panel should allow you to switch
printers.
Change the Windows®
default printer in the following manner:
-
Close
programs and return to the desktop.
-
Click
Start, choose Settings and select
Printers.
-
In
the window that appears, locate the icon
representing the printer that you want
to use.
-
Right-click on the icon and select Set
as Default.
-
Close
the Printer window and print. The
printer that you select is now the
Windows® default printer.
NOTE: Repeat the steps above to
switch back to the original printer.
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Freezes When
Using Backgrounds
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Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 freezes
when attempting to use the Kid Pix® Deluxe 3
backgrounds after clicking the Backgrounds
button. An incorrect version of QuickTime®
or not having QuickTime® installed can cause
the program to freeze. (Kid Pix® Deluxe 3
requires QuickTime® 4.1.2 or higher.)
Installing QuickTime® will help resolve this
issue. Consult the remainder of this
technical note for additional information.
Complete the steps below to install
QuickTime®.
-
Close
all programs and windows and return to
the desktop.
-
Insert the Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 CD into the
CD-ROM drive.
-
Close
any windows that open and return to the
desktop.
-
Click
Start and select Run. The Run dialog box
will open.
-
Type
D:\INSTALL\QT4\QuickTimeInstaller.exe
in the Open: field. (The letter D
represents the CD-ROM drive. If a
different letter represents your CD-ROM
drive, use that letter when typing the
information in the Open: field.)
-
Click
OK. The installation of QuickTime® will
begin.
-
Follow the prompts to complete the
installation.
-
Launch and use the program.
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Resolution
Setting Not Restored (Windows®)
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When starting Kid Pix®
Deluxe 3 on a computer running Microsoft®
Windows®, the screen resolution is changed
to 800 x 600. After successfully using and
closing the program, the resolution setting
is not restored to its original setting.
Manually restoring the settings will resolve
this issue. This technical note describes
the process.
Complete the following steps to restore the
screen resolution:
-
Close
all programs and windows and return to
the desktop.
-
Right-click an open area of the desktop
(without icons) and choose Properties.
-
In
the Display Properties window, select
the Settings tab.
-
Near
the bottom-left portion of the window
under Colors or Color Palette, click the
drop-down menu and choose the desired
settings.
-
Under
the Screen Area or Desktop Area setting,
position the mouse pointer on the
adjusting needle.
-
Click
and hold the mouse button and move the
mouse to slide the needle until the
desired setting appears.
-
Release the mouse button.
-
Click
Apply.
-
Choose Yes if asked: "Do you want to
restart the computer?"
NOTE:
If any of the desired settings are not
available, contact the computer manufacturer
for additional assistance and information.
Downloading and Installing the current
driver for the display card will help allow
Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 to restore the resolution
automatically when the program is closed.
See
our VIDEOCARD FAQs
for info about how to change your
videodriver.
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Program Locks
when Adding Sound (Windows® XP)
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When attempting to add
sound to a picture or slide show in Kid Pix®
Deluxe 3 on a system running Windows® XP,
the program locks up. Typically, this occurs
when the user is logged in to Windows® under
a user that does not have Administrator
rights. Changing that user's rights or
logging in under another user that has
administrator rights should resolve the
issue. This technical note describes how to
proceed.
For Windows® XP, you must
be logged in to Windows® as a user with
administrator rights to use all of the
features of Kid Pix® Deluxe 3. To change or
view your user rights, contact the system
administrator.
If the program remains locked up, continue
with the following steps:
-
Press
and hold down the CTRL and ALT keys on
the keyboard and tap the DELETE key
once.
-
Release the CTRL and ALT keys. The
Windows Security dialog box will appear.
-
Click
the Task Manager button. Task Manager
will open.
-
Click
the Applications tab.
-
Locate the listing for Kid Pix® and
click it once to select it.
-
Click
the End Task button. Kid Pix® should
close.
-
Close
Task Manager by clicking the X in the
top-right corner of the window.
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Letters Display
When Using Arrow Keys
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While editing a text box
in Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 on a Windows® XP
system, letters display in the text box when
the arrow keys are used. Enabling Windows XP
Compatibility options will resolve this
issue. Consult the remainder of this
technical note for additional information.
Complete the following steps to enable the
Windows® XP Compatibility options:
-
Close
any open windows or programs to return
to the desktop.
-
Locate the desired shortcut to launch
Kid Pix® Deluxe 3. (This icon is
typically found on the desktop or the
Start menu.)
-
Right-click the icon and choose
Properties from the menu that appears.
-
Select the Compatibility tab in the
window that appears.
-
Place
a checkmark before the "Run this program
in compatibility mode" setting.
-
Choose Windows® 98/Windows Me from the
dropdown menu that appears below the
setting.
-
Click
Apply and click OK to accept the
changes.
-
Launch and use Kid Pix® Deluxe 3.
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KidPix 3 Has Encountered
a Problem (Windows® XP)
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When attempting to run Kid
Pix® Deluxe 3 on Windows® XP, the following
message appears: "KidPix 3 has
encountered a problem and needs to close.
We're sorry for the inconvenience." The
information and procedure presented in the
remainder of this note describes how to
install and run a program using the Program
Compatibility Wizard in Windows® XP.
If Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 is successfully
installed, complete the "Running Kid Pix®
Deluxe 3 in Compatibility Mode" procedure
below. If the installation of Kid Pix®
Deluxe 3 failed, click
here to continue.
Running Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 in
Compatibility Mode
-
Close
all windows and programs and return to
the desktop.
-
Locate the Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 Shortcut
icon on the desktop and right-click on
it.
NOTE: If no shortcut exists on
the desktop, click Start, select
Programs or All Programs, select Kid Pix
Deluxe 3 from the list of programs and
right-click on the Kid Pix Deluxe 3
icon. Continue with Step 3.
-
Choose Properties from the menu that
appears. The Shortcut to Kid Pix Deluxe
3 Properties window will open.
-
Click
the Compatibility tab.
-
Under
the Compatibility mode heading, click
inside the box before "Run this program
in compatibility mode for:" statement.
The field below the statement will
become active.
-
Click
the down arrow to the right of Windows
95 and choose Windows 98 / Windows Me
from the list that appears.
-
Under
the Display settings heading, click
inside the box before the Disable visual
themes setting to place a check there.
-
Click
Apply and click OK to close the Shortcut
to Kid Pix Deluxe 3 Properties window.
-
Click
the Kid Pix shortcut to launch the
program.
NOTE:
If the issue remains, uninstall and
reinstall the program by completing the
steps that follow.
Install and Running Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 in
Compatibility Mode
Complete these steps:
NOTE: Windows® XP allows different
options for viewing graphical interface. The
following procedure assumes that the default
Windows® XP view settings are used, rather
than the Classic Start Menu View.
-
Uninstall Kid Pix® using the Add or
Remove Programs Control Panel. (If Kid
Pix® does not show in the Add or Remove
Programs Control Panel, continue with
Step 2.)
-
Verify the
Minimum System Requirements (Technical
Note ID: 21012). (This information
is needed as the procedure below is
completed.)
-
Close
programs and return to the desktop.
-
Insert the Kid Pix® CD into the CD-ROM
drive.
NOTE: If a program installation
screen appears with a prompt to install
the program, click the selection (e.g.,
No, Cancel or Exit the Installation,
etc.) that will cancel the installation
and return to the desktop.
-
Click
Start on the Windows® taskbar.
-
Click
All Programs, choose Accessories and
select Program Compatibility Wizard. The
icon appears as a question mark (?). The
Program Compatibility Wizard Welcome
window will open.
-
Click
Next.
-
Click
the "I want to use the program in the
CD-ROM drive" radio button.
-
Click
Next. A window presenting the different
Windows® Compatibility Modes will open.
-
Click
the radio button next to the desired
Compatibility Mode and click Next.
(Consult the Minimum System Requirements
of Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 for system
information.)
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Click
Next. A window showing the heading "Test
Your Compatibility Settings" will
appear. In addition, the selected
settings will appear.
-
Verify that the settings are correct.
NOTE: If the settings are not
correct, click the Back button to return
to the previous screen (or screens) and
make the necessary changes.
-
With
the correct settings selected and
showing in the "Test Your Compatibility
Settings" window, click Next. The
program installation will begin.
-
Follow the prompts to install the
program.
-
After
the installation is complete, close the
program to return to the Program
Compatibility Wizard.
NOTE: After the program is
closed, the window with the "Did the
program work correctly?" question will
reappear. The "Yes. Set this program to
always use these compatibility settings"
will be selected.
-
If
the program functioned properly using
the compatibility mode that was selected
in Step 10 (above), click Next. (The
Program Compatibility Data window will
open.) Continue with Step 17.
NOTE: If the program did not
function correctly, uninstall the
program (using the Add or Remove
Programs Control Panel: Step 1) and
repeat the above procedure, choosing
different compatibility settings.
-
In
the window that opens, select Yes or No
and click Next. The Completing the
Program Compatibility Wizard window will
appear.
-
Click
Finish to close the window.
-
Launch and use Kid Pix®.
NOTE:
For questions regarding the Program
Compatibility Wizard or Windows® XP (or
both), contact Microsoft® or go to
http://www.microsoft.com for additional
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Accessing the User Guide
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While using Kid Pix®
Deluxe 3, you want to access the User Guide.
The remainder of this technical note
describes the procedure.
Follow
the steps below to open the Kid Pix® Deluxe
3 User Guide.
NOTE: The Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 User
Guide is in the .PDF file format. Adobe®
Acrobat® Reader is required to view and
print the Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 User Guide. If
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader is not installed, the
latest version can be downloaded free from
the
Adobe® Website.
Accessing the User Guide
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While
in Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 in the Paint Zone
or at the SlideShow screen, position the
mouse pointer at the top-left portion of
the screen where it is black. The mouse
pointer will change to a triangle.
-
Click
once. The menu bar should appear.
-
Move
the mouse to the right and position the
triangle (pointer) over Help.
-
Click
View User Guide from the Help menu. The
Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 User Guide will open
in Adobe® Acrobat® Reader.
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Desktop
Resolution Not Restored Upon Exit
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After exiting Kid Pix®
Deluxe 3, the original desktop resolution
and color settings are not restored.
Additionally, you may not be able to restart
Kid Pix® Deluxe 3 until the computer has
been restarted. This issue is caused by an
issue with the display driver and can be
resolved by lowering the video hardware
acceleration or updating the display card
driver. View the remainder of this technical
note for additional information.
For Windows® 98/ME, begin
with Lowering Hardware Acceleration
(Windows® 98/ME).
For Windows® 2000/XP, begin with
Lowering Hardware Acceleration (Windows®
2000/XP).
Lowering Hardware Acceleration (Windows®
98/Me)
Note: Before lowering hardware
acceleration using the procedure that
follows, contact the computer manufacturer
for additional information. Some computers
may experience video issues after changing
this setting.
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Click
Start, select Settings and choose
Control Panel.
-
Double-click the System icon. The System
Properties will open.
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Click
the Performance tab.
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Click
the Graphics button. The Advanced
Graphics Settings window will appear.
-
Locate the hardware acceleration
adjustment bar. (It will show the words
None and Full at each end.)
-
Record the current setting.
-
Position the mouse pointer on the
hardware acceleration slide bar and
click the mouse button, keeping the
button pressed.
-
By
moving the mouse, move the hardware
acceleration slide bar to the left to
the Basic setting and release the
mouse button. The word Basic will appear
in the sentence immediately under the
slide bar.
Note: Do not select the NONE
setting, which is the setting to the far
left.
-
For
the new setting to take effect, click OK
and restart the computer when prompted.
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Launch and use the program.
Note:
After closing the program, return to the
Advanced Graphics Settings window (see
above) and reset the hardware acceleration
to the original setting.
If lowering the hardware acceleration
improved program performance, repeat the
above procedure before launching and using
the program. Updating the Video Driver is
recommended to prevent this issue from
occurring again. Review the Updating the
Video Driver (Windows® 98/ME) procedure for
information about updating the driver.
Updating the Video Driver (Windows®
98/Me)
Note: The driver information (make
and model information) is found in the
Device Manager in the System Properties
window.
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Close
all windows and programs and return to
the desktop.
-
Right-click the My Computer icon and
select Properties from the menu that
appears. The System Properties window
will open.
-
Click
the Device Manager tab.
-
Select View devices by type, if it is
not already selected.
-
In
the list of devices, locate and
double-click Display Adapters. This will
expand the Display Adapters list.
-
Double-click the driver name that
appears below Display Adapters. The
Properties window will open.
-
Click
the Driver tab and record the driver
information. (The date of the driver
currently installed should be
displayed.)
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Contact the computer or hardware
manufacturer to determine if the driver
is up to date and if a newer driver is
available. Driver information is
typically available at the
manufacturer's website.
Lowering Hardware Acceleration (Windows®
2000/XP)
-
Close
all windows and programs and return to
the desktop.
-
Right-click a blank area on the desktop
and left-click Properties from the menu
that appears. The Display Properties
will open.
-
Click
the Settings tab.
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Click
the Advanced button.
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Click
the Troubleshoot tab. A window will open
with the display adapter type identified
on the title bar.
-
Locate the hardware acceleration
adjustment bar. (It will show the words
None and Full at each end.)
-
Record the current setting.
-
Position the mouse pointer on the
hardware acceleration slide bar and
click the mouse button, keeping the
button pressed.
-
By
moving the mouse, move the hardware
acceleration slide bar to the left one
position and release the mouse button.
Note: Do not select the NONE
setting, which is the setting to the far
left.
-
For
the new setting to take effect, click
Apply and then click OK.
-
Click
OK again to close the Display Properties
window.
-
Launch and use the program.
Note:
If the issue remains, repeat the above
procedure and move the hardware acceleration
slide bar to the left one additional
position. (Do not select the NONE setting,
which is the setting to the far left.)
After closing the program, return to the
Hardware Acceleration adjustment area of the
Troubleshoot Tab (see above) and reset the
hardware acceleration to the original
setting.
If lowering the hardware acceleration
improved program performance, repeat the
above procedure before launching and using
the program. Updating the Video Driver is
recommended to prevent this issue from
occurring again. Review the Updating the
Video Driver (Windows® 2000/XP) procedure
for information about updating the driver.
Updating the Video Driver (Windows®
2000/XP)
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Close
all windows and programs and return to
the desktop.
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Click
Start, select Settings (Windows®
2000/Windows® XP Classic Start Menu) and
click Control Panel. The Control Panel
window will appear.
-
Double-click the System icon (Windows®
2000/Windows® XP in Classic View). The
System Properties window will open.
Note: For Windows® XP, if the
System icon does not appear in the
Control Panel, click Classic View (on
the left) and then double-click the
System icon. The System Properties will
open.
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Click
the Hardware tab.
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Click
the Device Manager button. The Device
Manager window will open.
-
Click
the plus (+) sign next to Display
(video) to expand the list.
-
Double-click on the device driver name
that appears in the list. The Properties
window will open listing the driver
information.
-
Click
the Driver tab and record the driver
date.
-
Contact the computer or hardware
manufacturer's website to determine
if the driver is up to date and if a
newer driver is available. Driver
information is typically available at
the manufacturer's website.
-
Click
OK to close the window.
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