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How to make a "swap file"
"My Videos Don't Run" or "My Videos Playback Jerky"
Windows is a copyright of Microsoft Corporation
Troubleshooting Tips
1. Screen looks funny (fonts on buttons are too small or difficult to read)
We recommend you use a 640x480 video driver that supports 256 colours. Check with your video card dealer to make sure you are running the most up-to-date video drivers for your card.
If you are running a "large fonts" driver try the "small fonts" instead (or vice versa)
2. Printing problems
Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser uses Windows Print Manager to perform its printing tasks. Unlike word processing programs that contain their own printer drivers we are using the drivers supported by Windows. For this reason you must have a Windows print driver loaded to Windows. See your Windows documents or Printers under Control Panel to make sure your printer is supported.
Ensure that the correct print driver is installed for your printer. If your printer supports multiple emulation modes, ensure that the print driver matches the current emulation mode of your printer.
See more Printer help below.
3. "Insufficient Memory" or other Fatal Error message on program load.
See the section below on insufficient memory and how to make a "swap file."
Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser UK relies on system resources fairly heavily. We would recommend limiting all other applications that also utilise system resources (e.g. add-on menu managers, virus-checkers, etc.)
4. Video Playback Problems
See below
5. Colour palettes (16-colour, 256-colour, and >256-colour drivers) and the Videos Screen.
6. 256-colour vs 16-colour background patterns.
Printing Problems
Printing In Windows 3.1
1. To print using the Windows version of the Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser UK , you must have a Windows 3.1 supported printer driver installed. Technically speaking, the Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser UK really does not print. When you push the Print button inside Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser, a Windows-owned dialogue box appears used to select, and optionally configure, the printer.
After a print is started, the text (actually a graphics font) is sent to the Print Manager application. From this point, Print Manager is in charge.
2. You can successfully print using another page publisher program (WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, AMI Pro, etc.) by using the export to clipboard option from the Print Preview screen, or choose the Print To File option on the Print dialogue box (and simply name the file as a *.txt file) and save it to your hard disk (for example, sample.txt). From this point, you may either bring that *.txt file into your favourite word processor for printing, or print it from a DOS prompt using the command PRINT SAMPLE.TXT. Make sure you execute this command from the directory that contains the text file. The DOS print will give you a draft (text) print and not a graphics (TrueType font) print.
3. Go to Control Panel and double-click on the Printers icon. The dialogue that appears should tell you which printer driver you have installed as the Windows default printer. If you push the "Add" button you will be presented with a list of Windows supported drivers (big list). If your specific printer brand and driver is not listed here, than Windows Print Manager may not support your printer. Look to see if your printer can emulate Epson or the IBM Proprinter. If it can, set it's emulation mode, then load one of these drivers and try to print again. The Epson FX80 or the IBM Proprinter works well with many dot matrix printers.
You will need to have your Windows 3.1 disks handy in order to install new printer drivers. Check with your printer manufacturer, as they may be able to provide you with a printer driver that will perform in Windows 3.1 (or at least suggest one that will).
Memory Problems
Error - Insufficient Memory under Windows 3.1
The Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser UK v2.0 for Windows requires 4 MB of RAM memory for operation. Currently, Microsoft recommends at least 4 Mb of RAM (physical memory) for normal Windows 3.1 operation (many experts now recommend 8 MB). If you receive an insufficient memory message (could be any number of messages which all end in "insufficient memory") please refer to the "swap file" instructions below. We recommend that you limit your system resource memory consumption by deactivating any TSR (terminate and stay resident) programs, screen savers, virus checkers, or menu managers. Make sure you do not have any other applications open when trying to launch Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser UK.
1. If you have a PC with only 2 MB of RAM you should get at least 2 more Mb of memory. A 1 MB RAM chipset is fairly inexpensive and is usually quite easy to install. Contact your PC manufacturer for details on adding RAM memory. If you do not know how much RAM memory is on your PC, then exit Windows and type MSD at the C: prompt and press the Enter key. This diagnostic program (provided by Microsoft) will let you know several important facts about your PC. You should familiarise yourself with your PC's configuration because it comes in handy on a regular basis.
2. If you have a 4 MB (RAM) or more machine, try the following. At Program Manager, pull down the Help menu and select 'About Program Manager...'. This display will report your memory with Windows launched. The number should be at least 3,600 KB to execute Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser UK v2.0 correctly (this number can vary based on the percentage of system resources free). In most cases, the system resource This same display should also show you to be operating in the 386 enhanced mode (make sure you are). If you are in the "standard mode" exit Windows and change to the 386 enhanced mode by typing win /3 at your c: prompt. This switch tells Windows to run in the 386 enhanced mode.
One way to increase your memory available to Windows is to increase your swap file size on hard disk. Basically, this will take some of your hard disk space and allocate it to Windows as RAM memory. This "cheap" substitute for [physical] RAM memory is known as "virtual memory." Consult Microsoft and/or your Windows User Manual prior to making any memory adjustments to your PC.
1. Go to Control Panel and double-click on the "386 Enhanced" icon.
2. On the resulting screen, push the button marked Virtual Memory. Now choose the Help button to see how you adjust your Virtual Memory.
3. The Virtual Memory screen will tell you your current swapfile settings: drive, size, and type.
4. After pressing the Change button you will be prompted to choose the drive, size, and type of swap file you wish to create. Windows automatically tells you how much free space you have available (on your hard disk) and will even recommend a swap file size (do not exceed this value!). Normally, you should have at least 20 Mb of your hard disk free to create a reasonable sized Permanent Swap File for Windows. Windows will automatically recommend the largest swap file you can make, based on the amount of free space you have on disk. If your hard disk is double-spaced (for example, using DoubleSpace or Stacker), you must create a Temporary Swap File.
5. After the adjustment is made, you must restart Windows. Check your available memory under the Program Manager|Help|About Program Manager... (outlined above) to make sure your available memory has increased.
Try launching Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser UK with these new adjustments.
Video Problems
Video For Windows 1.1d
The Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser UK v2.0 CD has the Microsoft Video For Windows Version 1.1d runtime distribution on it. Do NOT install this if you have Windows '95 as there is a more recent version of Video for Windows already on Windows '95. Later versions of Microsoft's Video for Windows should be able to run the video clips contained on Medical Adviser UK v2.0 CD-ROM without a problem. If you do experience a problem you may wish to try another video driver (for your video card) or contact Microsoft's technical support.
Installing Video For Windows
1. Place Medical Adviser UK v2.0 CD #1 into your CD-ROM drive
2. At Program Manager pull down the File Menu to "run"
3. Type D:\runtime\setup (where D: is your CD-Rom drive) and press the OK button.
4. Follow the instructions given by the Video For Windows setup program. This installation will "test" your video card and will notify you (in most cases) if your video card will be able to handle video under Video for Windows 1.1d.
If you fail during this installation, then the likely conflict is between your video card (or device driver) and Video for Windows 1.1d. If this occurs, we suggest updating Video For Windows to a newer version, or trying another device driver for your video card. Changing your display driver is easy, and can be performed within Windows Setup (or from a specially designated video display icon). Older computers, with older video cards may be simply unable to deal with the requirements of Video For Windows. Sometimes just updating the device driver (software) is all that is needed. If necessary, notify your PC manufacturer for assistance with changing your display driver or updating your device drivers.
Note: Microsoft will occasionally update Video for Windows to enhance video playback. Often the updates will improve playback on select PC's. Notify Microsoft or contact their BBS to download the latest copy of Video for Windows. Many of these new releases are available through AOL or other on-line systems.
In short, Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser UK v2.0 provides a large number of 24 bit video files using an Indeo video codek (*.AVI) but requires a video subsystem that can playback videos under Video for Windows 1.1d or above.
Before you do ANYTHING try loading a higher colour video driver (16 million colours) or the 16 bit high selection you get in Windows "95" This may immediately correct your problem. If not, see the section below on Colour palettes and the Videos Screen for suggestions.
Some Possible Problems:
1. Wrong version of Video for Windows (see above) on your PC (you must have 1.1d).
2. Video codecs necessary to decompress video are not on your system. Home Medical Advisor Pro 5.0 requires both the Cinepak and the Indeo 3.2 codecs are installed to your system. See your system documentation to make sure these are on your system.
3. Wrong video card driver, or driver is old (try another driver, like one which displays more than 256 colours, or see video card manufacturer list below to obtain updated drivers). Often many multimedia display problems occur due to incompatibilities between device drivers. Many display problems are solved simply by loading the standard SVGA 256 colour driver Windows supplies (only found on Windows for WorkGroups and 3.11).
Remember that this version of Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser UK v2.0 uses Video for Windows Version 1.1d. This program will be made available for install to your PC when you install Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser UK v2.0.
If you have any problems installing Video for Windows 1.1d---please contact Microsoft or your video card manufacturer for assistance. Problems with running or installing Video for Windows 1.1d are often related to your video subsystem (video card or video card driver). Usually your least demanding setup is the 640 x 480, 256 colour driver that is specific for your brand video card. The best driver to use for optimal video viewing is probably the 640 x 480 resolution in 16 million (or 65,000) colours. The higher resolution (800 x 600; 1024 x 768) and higher colour (65K colours & above) drivers require more muscle (Pentium) to get them to operate video clips smoothly. Please note that some substitute desktops and screen saver programs may adequately interfere with your video device drivers ability to perform normally under Video For Windows 1.1d. Consider uninstalling them from your system as a test.
4. Inadequate CD-ROM set up (hardware problem....see your manufacturer). Is your CD device hooked up as "Polled", "DMA channel", or "Interrupt (IRQ)". Most multimedia setups require "IRQ." Is your CD device sharing an interrupt?
5. Video card is having problems (try new card). Older video cards simply were not manufactured to take the abuse today's video technology is dishing out. We further complicate that by providing 24bit videos (movies in 16 million colours!).
6. Inadequate SCSI device driver. Try a new updated SCSI driver (if you are using a SCSI interface for your CD-ROM drive).
Testing Videos using Media Player
Any problems with video playback should first be tested through Microsoft Windows, Media Player (which will use Video For Windows). Media Player is usually located in the Accessories Program Group.
1. Launch Media Player and pull down the File Menu to "open."
2. Set the path for your CD drive and choose a directory off any one of the Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser UK CD's that says "videos."
3. Double click on any of the AVI files located in one of the videos directories. Now push the play button on your Media Player.
If you can't run the video here (using just Windows) then you will not be able to run it in the Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser UK (since we use this device within Dr. Schueler's Medical Adviser UK).
Testing your CD Device
Try to test your CD device by copying one of the video files (*.avi) on to your hard disk drive, and then using Media Player to playback the clip from hard disk. If it plays back from hard disk well, then the problem is occuring somewhere in your CD player (CD device driver or SCSI device driver).
Possibilities here include: incorrect CD configuration, double buffering, shared interrupt, need to update CD device driver, inadequate (old) SCSI interface card, or just a plain slow CD drive.
If any of these are the case you may need to speak to your PC manufacturer / CD device manufacturer.
Remember, most CD-ROM multimedia products today will probably be using Video for Windows 1.1e (or higher) to play their video clips. Granted, not all these applications will be running 24 bit video files like the Medical Adviser, so some applications may run under Video for Windows 1.1d when we do not.
Video Card Manufacturers
Any abnormalities in display or video playback often result from the use of an inappropriate video driver or the need for an updated video driver. Video drivers are usually available from the video card manufacturers at no charge. Video drivers are being constantly revised to "keep up with the times." Many companies will allow you to download the latest drivers from their BBS (if you have a modem).
All of our software is perfected through user feedback. We encourage you to mail all comments or suggestions to:
EBC House
Townsend Lane
London NW9 8LL
Technical Support (9AM - 5:00PM) (0181) 200 8897
Please be in front of your PC when you call.
Click here for more information on how to contact us.
Video For Windows is a copyright of Microsoft Corporation