Dear Student,

If you are having a hard time getting a video to play or a CD/DVD to work, chances are that all you really need to do is do something that would be a good idea to do anyway: “Update your media player.”

If you haven’t already done so, please update your system using Microsoft's free and (relatively) easy update process. You should do this for no other reason than just to make your computer run better and be safer from hackers. Note:  It has been my experience that about 99 times out of a hundred updating your system will also solve any problems you are having with seeing the video on these disks.

You can update your operating system (Windows versions) by clicking on Internet Explorer, Tools, Windows Update...(Or you can click or cut and paste this address: http://update.microsoft.com
and use the update function to make sure you have all the latest service packs and patches including the most recent version of Internet Explorer.

When Widows starts the update service, choose:

1.   Express Install: (High Priority Updates for Your Computer)

2.  Then after you do all the high priority updates, go back and run Windows Update again and choose:

Custom Install:  Choose this to scan for optional, critical, and security updates your computer needs, choose from all the updates on the site, and review updates before downloading.
 

The update function will scan your computer.  Then it will list available updates.  Do the critical ones first.  You may need to reboot a couple times during the update process.  If you've got a slow connection you may have to download the updates overnight and install them in the morning.  Note: In some circumstances you may need to turn off your "virus protection" (if you have it) for a few minutes while installing the services packs and stuff from Microsoft so that your system can update.  Then be sure to turn your protection back on again when you are done.

3.  Next, make sure you have a good "media player." Download the latest version of Microsoft's "Windows Media Player." Don't worry, the process is relatively simple.  Just go to:

http://microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer
Note: even if you weren't having problems with your CD's it is generally a good idea to do all of the above "updating" if for no other reason than to help avoid viruses, worms, and trojans.

4.  An other idea to consider:  If you can get the CD to work, but would like it to work faster--if you have the hard drive space (and after you've done the above updates) you could copy the video file from the CD to your hard drive. Your hard drive is much faster than your CD Rom drive. 

5.  And finally, check your security settings.  Sometimes people's security settings prevent the javascript in the pages from working on their system. Look for any dialog boxes at the top of your browser window that ask if you want to give this "page/program" permission and click yes.

Remember I'm HAPPY to replace your CDs, but first let’s make sure  

The thing to do at this point is to update your computers to check if that solves the problem. (It is a good idea to update anyway just to prevent viruses and close attack holes). You might have already done the above steps. I don't know how computer savvy you are--you sound like you know quite a bit.

If you've already updated your system and the CDs still don't work please send me your mail address again so I can send you the replacement CDs. 

Cordially,

Bill

(Dr. Vicars)

Other Advice:

Sometimes there is an issue with “codecs.” 
Your media player uses “compression / decompression” software to handle video files.
It can often “go get” the correct file from the internet on its own, (it can update its "codec" for .wmv files). This is a very normal thing and can be done automatically for you via the internet.

Open up Media Player (Microsoft) and can click on "Tools" and then choose "OPTIONS" then choose the PLAYER tab. One the "player" window look to see the "Download codecs automatically" check box and make sure it is checked.

Then connect to the internet.
Then try to play the CD or DVD.  If you have an older codec, Media Player goes to the internet to download an updated codec so your computer will be able to play the latest files.
 

In a message dated 9/12/2003 1:09:44 PM Pacific Daylight Time, a student@msn.com writes:

Yeah! I finally got it. I had to change it to read all files. Thanks.  ________

In a message dated 6/1/2004 5:58:03 AM Pacific Daylight Time, ___@yahoo.com writes:

Hi Bill

I just purchased a new computer and installed the  Immersion American Sign language CD's one of them makes a noise and the other is unable to open completely.

What should I do?

--student

Dear Student,

You want to figure out if the problem is with the CDs or is it your computer. First thing to do is to try them on a different computer.  Upon visual inspection, do the CDs seem okay?  Are they clean and free from scratches?

You said one of them made a noise.  Do you mean a noise from your speakers or from the CD player itself?

Next thing to do is "update" your computer.

You can update your operating system (Windows versions) for FREE by going to Internet Explorer, Tools, Windows Update...and use the update function to make sure you have all the latest service packs and patches including the most recent version of Internet Explorer.  See: http://update.microsoft.com

The update function will scan your computer.  Then it will list available updates.  Do the critical ones first.  You may need to reboot a couple times during the update process.

To make sure you have a good "media player," download the latest version of Microsoft's "Windows Media Player." Don't worry, the process is relatively simple.  Just go to:

http://microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer

After upgrading your MediaPlayer check to make sure it can download new codecs as needed.  You do this in MediaPlayer's tools/preferences menu.  Just open MediaPlayer, then go to tools, preferences, and look for the setting that lets you do "automatic downloading of codecs."  Make sure you have selected the option to allow automatic downloading of codecs from the internet and make sure you are logged on to the Internet when you first try to play the CD.

Then shut down and restart again. 

Note: even if you weren't having problems with your CD's you should do all of the above "updating."  Keeping your computer updated helps avoid viruses, worms, and trojans.

If the above procedures do not solve your problem, let me know if you'd like me to send you a new set of CDs.

Have a nice day.

Bill

In a message dated 10/21/2004 7:56:07 AM Pacific Daylight Time, erikbee@ writes:

Dear Bill,

Hi, My name is Mikki, and I purchased your "Value Pack" about five weeks
ago.  Since then, I have been learning ASL and enjoying what I learn.  By
the way, when I started to use CD "#3" I encountered the problem.  The
screen was moving "periodically" and did not understand what you sign
because the scene is not in series.  I tried other CDs, #1, #2 #4, and
#5, they have no problems.
Could please replace the "#3" CD with the working one when I send the
No. #3 CD to you via mail?

My E-mail address is erikbee@ and please let me know ASAP.
Thanks.
Mikki Beermann

Mikki,

Guess what?  The solution is probably not a new CD.  It is to update your media player so it has the latest codecs. 

This is a good thing.  Really.  By updating your operating system your computer will be better able to withstand virus attacks.

It is also "free" and relatively painless.

Here are the instructions:

  Those students that have a hard time getting the Unit 3 (ASL 103) CD to play have without exception needed to download a few free items from Microsoft to update their system. The 103 CD uses a somewhat newer CODEC (compressor/decompressor) software than is on your computer.  What that means is that you might need to download the most recent version of Windows Media Player, and the most recent version of Windows Internet Explorer. You can update your Media Player and update your Internet Explorer by using an automatic update process. You can do this by to Internet Explorer> Tools> Windows Update...and use the update function to make sure you have all the latest service packs and patches.
Here is a shortcut link to try:

http://update.microsoft.com That is a relatively recent link and should work.

After you've downloaded and installed the various updates and restarted your computer, you should be able  to play the CD. 

Now, I realize you may not be a "computer expert" and this might seem like a challenge.  Give it a try though. It will help protect your computer from hackers in addition to letting you play the CD.

After you've updated your system, if you are still having problems, contact me so I can help you get it working. (And, yes, if it ends up being the CD's fault, then I'll certainly replace it.)

Bill

Other possible issue:

Sometimes it could be that it is your computer's security settings are preventing the lessons from showing up.

Some of the pages have Javascript in them and that flags some Window's operating systems.  Look for any "warning" boxes that show up at the top of your browser window and click "allow."

I think the important thing is to find out if it is the disk, or if it is the computer that is not letting the lessons show up.

Try the disk in someone else's computer and see what happens, then let me know.

Bill

Hi Dana,
Thanks for contacting me.
Let's try a couple things, okay? There is a strong chance that it is your security settings that is causing the problem.
"Windows" operating systems don't like to let "active content" run from CDs so you have to give them permission.
In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options. On the Advanced tab, scroll down to the Security section of the list. Select the "Allow active content from CDs to run on My Computer" check box, and then click OK. See below:

Now, if that doesn't work, or even if it does, I suggest you right click on the CD icon listed in "My Computer" and choose "explore."  Then copy the contents of the CD to a folder on your hard drive.  Then open that folder and click on "index"  or "index.htm" and see if you can get it to run from your hard drive without using the CD.
In either case, let me know how it goes.
--Cordially,
Dr. Bill

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Macintosh (Apple) compatibility:
Some macs can run the CDs directly, some can't.  In your circumstance I recommend we try opening the CDs on a PC compatible computer and then copying them to a USB thumb drive.  The CDs are a few hundred MB each, so depending on the capacity of your thumb drive you might have to make a few trips between computers. Or if you have a high capacity thumb drive you can just use the CDs from the thumb drive wherever you go on whatever computer you happen to be at.
Using the thumb drive, copy the CDs to individual folders your Mac and then open the "index" file at the root of each CD folder to "start" the CD interface. At that point they should behave like web pages. If after you copy the CDs to your local computer and you open the files and click on the "video" (quiz) link suppose the video doesn't play--it is likely due to your computer wanting to know what program to use to play the videos. You might need to associate the .wmv (video) files with "MediaPlayer" from Microsoft.  It might be easy, or you might need to go to http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/ and get the version of MediaPlayer that fits your operating system.
 

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