Thank you for purchasing quality software from Microsoft. This file contains suggestions for handling common problems and offers late-breaking news that will help you get the most out of the program.
You can print this file by opening it in any Windows word-processing program, and then clicking the Print command on the File menu. To read this file on the screen, scroll up or down using the Page Up and Page Down keys on your keyboard.
Table of Contents
1. Installation tips
2. Upgrading
3. Graphics and layout tips
4. Video cards and display problems
5. CD-ROM problems
6. Error starting program
7. Printing problems
8. Printing tips
9. Scanner and camera problems
10. Saving your projects to a floppy disk
11. Internet and e-mail issues
12. Opening projects from older versions of Picture It! products
13. Digital Image Library / Picture It! Library
14. Files written to the Windows System folder
15. Microsoft Product Support Services files
1. Installation tips
This program requires a Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, or Windows XP operating system. This program cannot install or run on Windows 95 or Windows NT.
Shut down other programs
It is best to shut down other programs, including virus checkers running in the background, before running Setup. Setup installs system files that may be shared with other programs.
Some virus-checking programs will prevent this program from installing properly. To avoid problems during installation, turn off any virus-checking program. To turn off a virus-checking program, perform one of the following procedures:
* If an icon appears on the right end or bottom of your Microsoft Windows operating system taskbar, right-click the icon, and then choose a command to turn it off (command names vary, but may be Close, Exit, or Suspend).
* If no icon appears on your Microsoft Windows taskbar, hold down the following keys at once: CTRL+ALT+DELETE. You will see a list of all the programs that are running. Select the virus-checking program, and then click End Task.
Turn off HP OfficeJet devices
If you have Hewlett-Packard OfficeJet devices installed on your system, you might have trouble installing this program. Turning off the OfficeJet software before installing should solve this problem. To turn off the OfficeJet software, on the Microsoft Windows operating system taskbar, right-click the OfficeJet Software icon, and then click Close OfficeJet Software.
Log on as an administrator on Windows 2000 or Windows XP
This program will not install correctly on Windows 2000 or Windows XP when you are logged on as a user without administrative privileges. To ensure correct installation, log on as an administrator before running Setup.
Setup will install Internet Explorer and Outlook Express
You must have Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later installed on your machine to run this program successfully. Parts of this program also require Outlook Express 6.0. Setup will install Internet Explorer 6.0SP1 and Outlook Express 6.0 if you do not have them on your computer. This installation will not replace your primary browser.
Setup may install Windows Media Player 9 on Windows XP Systems
You must have Windows Media Player 9 or later installed on your machine to use the PhotoStory feature in Picture It! Library or Digital Image Library. This feature is only available on Windows XP. This installation will replace your existing Windows Media player. If you decline to install Windows Media 9, the PhotoStory feature will be unavailable until Windows Media 9 is installed.
You may have two choices when installing this program:
1. Typical Installation (Recommended): This option installs all files required for normal program operation. Clip art, templates, and sample photos can be accessed later from your CD. Recommended for most users.
2. Full Installation: Choose this option to install everything to your hard drive. This will eliminate CD swapping.
Reinstall this program if you remove Microsoft Office 95 or later
Removing Office 95 or later will remove some shared components that this program requires. If you uninstall Office 95 or later, be sure to remove and then reinstall this program before using it again.
Upgrading Internet Explorer and Outlook Express
Setup will upgrade Internet Explorer and Outlook Express if you have an older version on your computer. If you wish to have a language of Internet Explorer 6.0 or later that is different than the language of this program, you should upgrade Internet Explorer to version 6.0 or later before you run setup.
2. Upgrading
Digital Image Pro and Picture It! will coexist with earlier versions
If you have an earlier version of a Picture It! or Digital Image Pro product installed on your computer, Setup will allow the two versions to coexist. After installing Picture It! 9 or Digital Image Pro 9 you will be able to use both the previous and the new versions.
3. Graphics and layout tips
Choose small fonts instead of large fonts for on-screen display
The templates in this program have been designed to look best with the small fonts display setting. Using the large fonts display setting may change how text and graphics appear in relation to each other. As a rule, use small fonts for optimal appearance. Or, reformat the text in the templates to look good with large fonts.
Set a default printer to avoid graphics and layout problems
If you do not have a default printer selected, you may encounter problems with graphics and layouts. To add a new printer, click the Windows Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Printers. Double-click Add Printers, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Video cards and display problems
Set your monitor to display at least 256 colors with a resolution of at least 800 x 600.
This program requires you to set your display to at least 256 colors to run. A resolution of at least 800 x 600 is recommended. If your video driver supports it, 16-bit or 24-bit color is recommended for optimal on-screen display of the color templates and other content. Refer to your Windows documentation for instructions on setting your display to a higher color mode.
Troubleshooting
If you are having display problems, try the following:
* Close down other programs to ensure there is enough memory.
* Switch to the Super VGA driver included with Windows 98 or later.
* Obtain updated drivers from your video card manufacturer. Most problems can be fixed by obtaining new drivers. Contact the manufacturer of your video card to determine if there are newer driver versions available. The phone number should be in the guide that came with the video card or with your computer.
* Change to a standard display mode, such as a resolution of 800 x 600 with 256 colors.
5. CD-ROM problems
Always keep a CD from this program in your CD-ROM drive when running the program
If you chose a Typical install: To access the designs and other content for your projects, you must keep a CD from this program in the CD-ROM drive while running the program. The program will tell you if you need to switch this program's CDs to locate different content.
Verify that the CD-ROM drive is working
If you encounter a CD problem, first make sure that the CD-ROM drive is working. Insert a different CD that you have used before in the drive and make sure that it works. If other CDs also do not work in your CD-ROM drive, try the following:
* Check for conflicts with your CD-ROM drive by right-clicking the My Computer icon on the Windows desktop, and then clicking Properties. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Device Manager tab, and then look for the CD-ROM drive in the list. If it appears with an exclamation point to the right of it, there is a conflict with the hardware setup. You should check the guide that came with the CD-ROM drive for information on setting it up correctly.
* If you still see an error message after checking the points above, check the guide that came with the CD-ROM drive for information on how to set up the drive, or contact the company that supplied the CD-ROM drive.
Verify that the CD is working
If your CD-ROM drive works, try the following:
* Make sure that this program's CD is correctly inserted into the CD-ROM drive.
* Ensure that the CD is free of dust or marks. Clean the CD with a dry cloth.
* Try the CD in a different computer's CD-ROM drive.
* Make sure all the files on this program's CD are visible in Windows Explorer by doing the following:
1. Insert this program's CD.
2. Start Windows Explorer.
3. Click the plus symbol (+) next to the CD-ROM drive containing this program's CD. It will be listed with a label similar to "PI2_CD1" or "PI_CD1."
4. Locate the file named autorun.exe. If you cannot see this file on this program's CD, you may be using an earlier version of the CD-ROM driver. Contact the CD-ROM drive manufacturer for an updated driver. If you can see this file on this program's CD, try to copy this file from the CD to a location on your hard disk. If the file does not copy successfully, you may be using an earlier version of the CD-ROM driver. Contact the CD-ROM drive manufacturer for an updated driver.
6. Error starting program
Reinstall the program
If you get a "Missing File" error message after you start this program, or if you get an error message that says, "The application could not be initialized. The session has been terminated," you will need to reinstall this program.
May conflict with Microsoft Camcorder
This program may quit unexpectedly when used with the Microsoft Camcorder program included with Office 97.
7. Printing problems
Printouts vary with different printers
Printers differ in their ability to print fonts, colors, graphics, and various text attributes, such as spacing, alignment, and character formats. Therefore, the appearance of your printed project may vary from printer to printer. If you encounter problems while printing from this program, such as no printout, low print quality, or missing text, there are several ways to troubleshoot the problem. Refer to the printer guide for information. For example, if you check the printer and the printer displays a message or an error indicator, the printer guide may provide information on how to correct the problem.
Print preview is blank and nothing prints when new printer is installed
If a printer is installed while the program is running, printouts may be blank. It is recommended that you close the program before adding a new printer. (Make sure to save your work before closing the program.) After you add the printer, restart the program and then print.
The printer does not print at all
When a printer does not print at all, the cause is often mechanical:
* Check that the printer is plugged in and turned on.
* Check that the correct port is specified for the printer. Most printers are connected to the LPT1 port on a computer.
* Make sure that you have the correct cable for your printer and that the cable is connected properly.
* Try printing from another program, such as Microsoft Word. If you are not able to print, and the printer is turned on and correctly connected, see the printer manual for further assistance. If you are able to print from another program, the problem may be specific to this program.
* Check to ensure that you are using the correct printer driver. For more details, see the documentation that came with the printer or contact the printer manufacturer.
* Check the printer setup by doing the following: (Note that these steps do not apply to Windows XP.)
1. Click the Windows Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Printers.
2. Verify the printer information displayed.
3. Print a test page. If the test page does not print, verify the port and driver settings (refer to your printer manual for instructions).
Printer not printing at all or printing poor-quality images
All printers have special software, called drivers, that translate the information between your computer and your printer. For best results, make sure that you have the most current drivers for your printer. Also be sure that the printer drivers are designed specifically for your operating system. The most current printer drivers can usually be downloaded from the printer manufacturer's Web site.
Graphics could be clipped or may not print on some printers
Some printer drivers have difficulty printing some graphics. An updated printer driver often corrects the problem. Contact the printer manufacturer to obtain the latest printer drivers for your printer.
Canon printers may "clip" graphics (only printing part of the graphic). If you are using a Canon printer, using the latest printer driver may help correct the problem.
Change printer settings if graphics are clipped
If you have a problem with graphics getting clipped (only printing partially), or if the spooler quits unexpectedly when you try to print, try changing the settings of your printer by doing the following (does not apply to Windows XP):
1. Click the Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Printers.
2. Right-click the printer icon you want, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Details tab, and then click the Spool Settings button near the bottom of the dialog box. (Your printer may have different options. Refer to the printer guide.)
4. Select RAW from the Spool data format list.
5. Click OK, and then click OK again to close the Properties dialog box.
6. Restart your computer.
7. Start this program, and then print your project again.
This change reduces the chance of a spooler quitting unexpectedly. If you encounter this problem even after making these changes, turn off your computer, and then start the computer again. Doing this should further reduce the chance of a spooler quitting unexpectedly.
Light-colored text, lines, and shapes might not print with some printers
Some printers print light-colored text, lines, and shapes as white, thus causing the objects to "disappear." If this happens, try using a darker color in your project, and then print again.
Printed image quality is poor
Some printers may be set to print at a quality, or mode, that is not well suited for photographs. To adjust the print quality:
1. On the File menu, click Print.
2. When the Print task appears, click the Change Printer Settings option.
3. Look for a setting for either the print mode or the print quality, and then make sure the setting is not set to Text or Draft (some printers may default to this selection).
A better setting to use is Photo, or Graphic if Photo is not offered.
Change mode for Canon BJC 6000 printer
The Canon BJC 6000 defaults to Text mode. It is recommended that you change this to Photo or SuperPhoto before printing.
Transparent graphics do not print correctly on HP DeskJet 600 and 900 series printers
You may experience problems printing transparent GIF images on HP DeskJet 600 and 900 series printers. The problems may include dark horizontal streaks in the graphic, unusual patterns, and sections of the image printing blank. To remedy this problem, update to the latest printer driver for your printer. The supported driver versions are:
* 680 series: version 9.02 or later
* 690 series: version 9.03 or later
* 970 series: version 2.0 beta or later
Update drivers for HP DeskJet 600 Series printers
For all image types from this program to print properly, HP DeskJet 600 Series printers require updated drivers. The drivers can be downloaded from the printer manufacturer's Web site.
HP LaserJet 5L may need an updated driver
If you have trouble running the printer characterization test, then you may need an updated printer driver. Go to the HP website and download an updated driver for this printer.
HP DeskJet 660C printers do not print rotated text correctly
This problem occurs specifically with the version 7.0 printer driver. If you are using an HP DeskJet 660C printer, you must have the latest printer driver from Hewlett Packard to correctly print projects containing rotated text.
HP Photosmart 100 Printer may produce lines in printed images
If images printed from your HP Photosmart 100 printer contain lines or bands, you may need to download a patch. To download the patch, visit the HP Web site at http://www.hp.com/cposupport/pc_photography/support_doc/bpy20784.html.
A one-pixel gap appears between the border and the background
This program paints any borders in your project after painting the background, leaving a one-pixel gap between the interior edge of the border and the outer edge of the background. With most projects, this gap is not noticeable. If this gap is noticeable, you can reduce the visual effect of the gap by selecting backgrounds and borders that are similar in color.
Rotated text and graphics may be clipped on some dot matrix printers
Some older dot matrix printers with non-square pixels (for example, Epson FX-80 and Panasonic KX-P2180) will cause printing and display problems with rotated text and graphics. Text may be clipped by the frame edges. Pictures may be clipped or significantly reduced in size. If you can change your printer's resolution to a square pixel resolution, this should fix the printing and display problems.
Printer not printing flipped images for a T-shirt transfer
In some cases, a printer is able to print a normal image but not a flipped image for a T-shirt transfer. To correct the problem, make sure that you have the most current drivers for your printer and that the printer drivers are designed specifically for your operating system. The most current printer drivers can usually be downloaded from the printer manufacturer's Web site.
Some graphics may not print on Epson Stylus Color ESC/P2 printers
Some image formats (for example, .jpg, .gif, .bmp, and .pcx) may not print properly on Epson Stylus Color ESC/P2 printers, especially if they are rotated or flipped. If this happens, try converting the images to another format, such as .wmf, and then reinserting them in your project.
White text on a black background may not print as expected
If you are printing white text on an object with a black background to a PCL printer in Vector Graphics mode, the text may not appear in your printout. If this problem occurs, try switching to Raster Graphics mode in your printer's Properties dialog box, or change your background or text to a different color.
Colors may dither when printing to Lexmark 5700 and 7000 printers from Windows 98
If you are using a Lexmark 5700 or 7000 printer, and you are using printer driver 1.0.1.3, you may get discoloring around text boxes in some projects. To resolve this problem, download the latest drivers for your printer from the Lexmark Web site at http://www.lexmark.com.
Kodak paper size EK-PH-007 may not format properly
When printing multiple pictures with the template for Kodak paper size EK-PH-007, some printer models will not format the pictures properly on the page. If you are not satisfied with the printing results with this template and your printer, try another paper size and template.
8. Printing tips
Let this program show you how to print double-sided
This program demonstrates how to print on both sides of the paper, even if your printer does not support duplex printing. The instructions for double-sided printing vary depending on the project type and type of printer. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully each time you print a double-sided project.
The animation showing the process of printing on both sides of the paper displays a graphic at the top of the diagram. This represents the front page of your project. Always follow the animation to get the optimal printed results.
You may have to run a print test if this program is not familiar with your printer. Once you have followed all of the instructions for the print test, this program will know which set of double-sided printing instructions to show you.
Use the correct type of labels to print on a laser printer
Before you print labels using a laser printer, be sure to check that the labels are designed for laser printers. Using non-laser printable labels in a laser printer may cause damage to the printer. Please read your laser printer's documentation on label printing carefully. Be certain that you do not feed the same sheet of label paper into a laser printer more than once, or you may void your printer's warranty.
Use Raster Graphics setting for better printing on laser printers
Printers using HP PCL language will print graphics better if you set the printer to Raster Graphics mode. To set the Raster Graphics mode, on the Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Printers. Right-click the printer icon, and then select Properties. Look through the dialog box to get to the tab for setting Raster Graphics mode.
9. Scanner and camera problems
WIA-compliant scanners may have compatibility issues with Windows Me
WIA-compliant scanners can have compatibility issues with TWAIN drivers and Windows Millennium Edition (Me). If your scanner is WIA compliant, be sure to scan using WIA drivers and not TWAIN drivers. You can tell that both WIA and TWAIN scanner drivers have been installed on your computer if you see that the scanner is listed twice in the scanner list box of the Scan task. If you experience difficulty scanning, try selecting the other listing of the scanner from the list box.
Program may not differentiate between cameras and scanners
In some cases, this program will not be able to distinguish between camera software and scanner software installed on your computer. If you are no longer using the camera or scanner, you can uninstall the software associated with that device.
Epson PhotoPC 800 camera does not support Automatic Download
The Epson PhotoPC 800 camera does not support the Automatic Download feature. To transfer pictures from an Epson PhotoPC 800 to your computer, use the software provided with the camera. Once the pictures are saved on your computer, you can open the pictures with this program.
Epson Perfection 636 scanner may not be compatible with Windows scanner driver
The Epson Perfection 636 scanner may not work correctly with the scanner driver installed with Windows. If you have trouble scanning pictures from this scanner, remove the installed scanner software from your computer, and then install the scanner software that came with the scanner. Refer to the scanner's user guide for information.
HP Photo Scanner 1000 is not compatible with this program
The scanner software included with the HP Photo Scanner 1000 is not compatible with this program. To scan an image for use in Picture It!, insert a photo into the scanner, close the lid, and then click the button on the side of the scanner. Then, use the Picture It! photo browser (File | Open) to access the image in the "removable drive" created by the HP Photo Scanner.
Kodak DC240 Zoom camera does not support Automatic Download
The Kodak DC240 Zoom camera does not support the Automatic Download feature. To transfer pictures from a Kodak DC240 Zoom camera to your computer, use the software provided with the camera. Once the pictures are saved on your computer, you can open the pictures with this program.
Kodak 4800 camera
If you are having trouble opening pictures from this camera, you may need to update your firmware. In order to open pictures in this program you need Kodak PTP-enabled 4800 firmware. Contact the manufacturer for firmware information.
Microtek ScanMaker X6 scanner has compatibility problems with Windows Me
If your computer is running Windows Me, it will not support a Microtek ScanMaker X6 scanner connected by a parallel (EPP) port. Check the scanner manufacturer's Web site to see if updated drivers are available that will make this scanner compatible with Windows Me.
Casio QV-7000SX camera may need updated drivers
The Casio QV-7000SX camera is compatible with this program, but may need updated drivers. If you have trouble downloading pictures from this camera, contact the manufacturer for updated TWAIN drivers.
Visioneer OneTouch 5300 USB scanner has compatibility issues with Windows Me
The Visioneer OneTouch 5300 USB scanner has some compatibility issues with computers running Windows Me. If you are using the scanner software, it is necessary to click the Preview button each time before clicking the Scan button. The scanner manufacturer may offer updated drivers that may eliminate the need to preview each time before scanning. For updated drivers, check the scanner manufacturer's Web site.
10. Saving your projects to a floppy disk
Use a disk with sufficient space available
If you intend to save your project to a floppy disk, make sure that there is sufficient space available on it.
Keep the floppy disk in the drive
Once you have saved your project to a floppy disk, do not remove the floppy disk from the disk drive until after you have quit this program, opened a different project, or saved the project onto your hard disk.
11. Internet and e-mail issues
Difficulty connecting to MSN Photos
If you have difficulty connecting to MSN Photos, you may be experiencing network connectivity problems. If you experience such problems, continue trying to connect. If you are able to connect to other sites, try connecting to MSN Photos again at a later time.
Use the Modem Troubleshooter
If you encounter problems connecting to the Picture It! Web site using a modem, try using the Modem Troubleshooter in Windows online Help. It provides step-by-step instructions for solving modem problems.
Problem with AOL 4.0 Client in Windows 98
If you have installed the AOL 4.0 Client that was included with Windows 98, you may encounter problems running it after you install this program. For details about how to handle this issue, visit the AOL Web site or contact AOL technical support.
12. Opening projects from older versions of Picture It! products
This program can coexist with older versions of Picture It! products. However, once you have opened an older project in this new version of Picture It!, you will not be able to open it again in the older product.
Greetings Workshop 2.0 projects cannot be opened
You cannot open projects from Greetings Workshop Deluxe 2.0 in this program.
.MHP files cannot be opened
If you created an MHP file in any version of Picture It! Publishing, you will not be able to open that file in this program.
Picture It! Express does not support .MIX files
If you have Picture It! Express installed, you will not be able to open .MIX files, even those created in older versions of Picture It! products.
13. Digital Image Library / Picture It! Library
MetaData
In order to keep files in sync, the Library writes back changes that are made to metadata (date, keyword, caption, and so on) into the file itself. When the Library writes these changes into a file, information that is proprietary to the camera manufacturer may be removed from the file. This can create a compatibility problem between the Library and some cameras and camera software that use this proprietary information. At the time this product was released, there were three identified compatibility issues: 1) Canon Photo Stitch software, 2) the Nikon D1X camera & Nikon Capture software, and 3) the Kodak 14N camera and PhotoDesk software. In order to avoid these compatibility issues, avoid editing your metadata in the Library if you want to later use the same photos with the aforementioned camera software.
CD and DVD burner Archive problems
If your attempt to burn a CD, DVD, or VCD fails try the following to fix the problem:
*Use a slower burn speed
*Log onto the computer as an administrator
*Verify the CD or DVD you are trying to write to is blank
*Verify the CD or DVD you are trying to write to is writable
Some CD or DVD burners are not supported by this program. For example:
Yamaha CD-RW 4260tx
SAMSUNG CD-RW/DVD SM-308B
Occasionally updating the device driver will allow this program to burn to unsupported devices. For a more comprehensive list of unsupported devices go to the products Web site:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=16914
"Unable to finish burn" error when archiving large numbers of pictures
If you encounter an "Unable to finish burn" error when archiving a large number of images, it might be due to insufficient disk space. Try archiving fewer images at one time.
"Unable to finish burn" error when B's Clips is installed
If you have B's Clips installed on your machine you might encounter an "Unable to finish burn" error with some burn devices. If you uninstall "B's Clips" you should be able to burn successfully using the Archive Pictures Wizard.
Burn not successful with some media types
Many burners support multiple media types (i.e. CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, etc.). If you have trouble burning successfully on one of the media types try another supported type. Devices that may cause this problem include:
Panasonic KXL-RW 40AN, which may not successfully burn to CD-R media. Try burning to CD-RW instead.
Sony DVD RW DRU-500A, which may not successfully burn to CD-R or CD-RW. Try burning to DVD-R or DVD-RW instead.
14. Files written to the Windows System folder
In accordance with the "Designed for Windows XP" guidelines, the following are noted as files written by the install of these products to the Windows System or System32 folders:
LeadTools image Import filters:
Lfcmp11n.dll ltdis1ln.dll lfpng11n.dll
ltwvc11n.dll pcdlib32.dll lfbmp11n.dll
lfeps11n.dll lffax11n.dll lfgif11n.dll
lfpcd11n.dll lfpcx11n.dll lfpsd11n.dll
lftga11n.dll lftif11n.dll lfwmf11n.dll
ltfil11n.DLL ltimg11n.dll ltkrn11n.dll
MS Line services DLL:
msls2.dll
CD Burning Support files (Picture It Library / Digital Image Library only):
px.dll pxdrv.dll pxmas.dll
pxwave.dll vxblock.dll
\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\pxhelp20.sys
\WINDOWS\inf\PxHelp20.INF
Macromedia Flash
\SYSTEM32\macromed\flash\Flash.ocx
15. Microsoft Product Support Services files
The Microsoft Product Support Services team has provided additional information and tools to help you resolve problems that you might encounter with this program. From the Help menu, select About Microsoft, and then choose Technical Support.
You can also find support information in the PIP folder on the setup CD. Open the support.txt file.
Additional information can be found on the Microsoft Support Web site at http://support.microsoft.com/support/search.