Microsoft(r) Interactive CD Sampler README Document
August1996
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(c) Copyright Microsoft Corporation, 1996
If you would like more information on how to obtain the products shown on the Microsoft Interactive CD Sampler, Please call Microsoft's Sales and Information Center at 1-800-426-9400.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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What is the Microsoft Interactive CD Sampler?
System Requirements
Startup Instructions
WHAT IS THE MICROSOFT INTERACTIVE CD SAMPLER?
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Microsoft Interactive CD Sampler is a CD-ROM based multimedia catalog of Microsoft products that allows you to explore information on business applications, games, reference materials, on-line sites, and children's software products available from Microsoft.
It provides you with access to:
* An overview of each product
* Product features information
* System requirements
* The ability to view product demonstrations
* Various free software, trial versions, demos and links to web sites
* "Try These" information about other similar or complementary products
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
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o Microsoft Windows(r) 95 *
o 486DX/66 processor or higher processor
o 4 MB RAM (8 MB recommended)
o CD-ROM drive (4x speed or better recommended)
o Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
o VGA + display (256 or more color video recommended)
o Windows-compatible sound card recommended
* If you are using Windows 3.1 you cannot run the Interactive CD Sampler. You can however still view the catalogs, many of the demos, and even install some of the trial versions! Please see the Windows 3.1 specific Startup Instructions for more details.
STARTUP INSTRUCTIONS
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To run Microsoft Interacive CD Sampler:
The Sampler will run and display better if all other applications are shut down first.
Insert the CD in the CD-ROM Drive. It should start on its own or:
From the Start Menu:
1. Click Start, Run and type:
D:\sampler\sampler.exe (where D is the CD-ROM drive)
From Windows Explorer:
1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, and then click Windows Explorer.
2. Click the icon for your CD-ROM drive.
3. Double-click on the Sampler folder.
4. Double-click the Sampler application icon (sampler.exe).
From My Computer:
1. Double-click the My Computer icon.
2. Click the icon for your CD-ROM drive and the Sampler should automatically start.
OR to proceed manually:
3. Click the File menu, and then click Open.
4. Double-click the Sampler application icon (sampler.exe).
For Windows 3.1
1. In the Windows Program Manager, choose the Run command from the File menu.
2. In the Command Line box, type d:\catalogs.exe (whereby d: is the letter for your CD-ROM drive), then click OK.
Startup Program and Multimedia Controls
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The startup program uses the regsvr32 utility to register the following controls and unregister them when the sampler finishes: FXIMG432.OCX, FXLBL432.OCX, FXSND432.OCX, FXVID432.OCX, PICCLP32.OCX. The cleanup program performs the unregistration only, but is usually not necessary. It is used if an attempt to launch the application failed because controls had previously been unregistered improperly. However, a user only knows this after a launch fails and since the startup program performs the unregister as well, running the startup program a second time should be successful if the error ever occurs.
System color requirements
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Some minor display problems, i.e. Excessive "graininess", or palette flashing have been detected with certain video cards. If you experience display problems, first check your computer's settings. The optimal computer settings for the Interactive CD Sampler are 256 colors or more and 640 X 480 resolution. If this does not solve the problem, please contact your video card's manufacturer.
To change your computer's display settings:
1. Click the Start button and choose Settings Control Panel or right click on the desktop and choose Properties.
2. Choose Display.
3. In the Display Properties dialog box select the Settings tab.
4. Select 256 Color, High Color or any setting higher than 16-color from the drop down list under Color Palette.
5. Under Desktop area, drag the slider to 640 by 480 pixels.
6. Choose OK.
Windows-compatible Sound Support
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The Microsoft Interactive CD Sampler requires a sound card, and most parts of the program do not run without a sound card or with the sound extensions enabled. If you have a sound card but it is not working with the CD Sampler (or Windows) you need to set up the card to play under Windows. Also make sure that your speakers are plugged in and that the volume for is set at an audible level.
You also must have a Media Control Device for Wave Audio installed or enabled. To check and/or install this:
1. Click the Start button and choose Settings Control Panel or right click on the desktop and choose Properties.
2. Choose Multimedia.
3. In the Multimedia Properties dialog box select the Advanced tab.
4. Choose Media Control Devices
4. Choose Wave Audio Device, and make sure that the option Use this Media Control Device is enabled (the little circle in front of the option name will have a dot in it).
If Wave Audio Device is not listed, go to Add New Hardware in Control Panel, and select
Microsoft MCI from the Manufacturer list. In the list on the right you will see Wave Audio Device.
Running The Demo Files
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There are different ways to exit from the demos or trial versions. You can exit from any demos that do not have an Exit or Quit button displayed by pressing the ESC key.
If you encounter other problems, exit all other applications; there may be a conflict with the CD Sampler, an individual demo or there might not be enough much available memory.
If you encounter other problems viewing the demos; you may have a hardware or video conflict; or you may need to upgrade your video driver. For more information, please contact your hardware manufacturer.
