Microsoft KB Archive/159867

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

The Microsoft Network 2.0 CD-ROM Readme.txt File
Last reviewed: August 11, 1997

Article ID: Q159867

The information in this article applies to:


 * The Microsoft Network version 2.0

SUMMARY
This article contains a copy of the information in the Readme.txt file on the MSN, The Microsoft Network, CD-ROM.

MSN Starter Kit Tips and Troubleshooting
Thank you for choosing the Microsoft Network (MSN). This document contains information that will help you solve common problems and get the most out of MSN.

Table of Contents

 * 1) MSN Starter Kit Contents

2. System Requirements 3. Video Cards and Display Problems 4. Hard Disk Location of MSN Program Files 5. Microsoft Internet Explorer Installation 6. Installation Problems 7. Connection Problems 8. Improving Performance 9. CD-ROM Issues 10. Removing MSN Files and Shortcuts


 * 1) MSN Starter Kit Contents

The MSN Starter Kit supports the Windows 95 AutoPlay feature and will start automatically when you put the MSN Starter Kit CD in your CD-ROM drive. There are two programs on the CD:

- MSN Preview : a multimedia preview of the new MSN. It explains some of   MSN's features and what you can expect as a member.

- MSN Setup : a program which installs and configures the software necessary to access the new MSN. The MSN Starter Kit supports the Windows 95 AutoPlay feature, and will start the MSN Starter Kit automatically when you put the MSN Starter Kit CD in your CD-ROM drive. One way to cure problems you encounter is to quit the program, remove the CD from your CD-ROM drive, and then re-insert it. As the MSN Starter Kit starts up again, it should be able to fix most problems you might have encountered. If it doesn't, see the other items in this Read Me or the Tips and Troubleshooting section of Help.

NOTE: If your CD-ROM driver is not Windows 95 compliant, install the MSN Starter Kit using the following instructions:

1. Insert the MSN Starter Kit CD in your CD-ROM drive.

2. Click the Start button in the lower left hand corner of the Windows 95 Taskbar, and then click Run.

3. In the Open dialog box, type the following (presuming that your CD- ROM drive is drive D): D:\msnstart (and click OK)

The first time you insert the CD the MSN Preview will run. Subsequent insertions of the MSN Starter CD will display a menu of choices to run:

1. The MSN Preview 2. MSN Setup 3. Connection Troubleshooter Before installation, MSN Setup attempts to locate the software it requires on your hard disk; if the software is not found, MSN Setup will install it. However, MSN Setup will always install:

- The three components of the show Rifff - The Media files System Requirements

- Windows95 - Personal computer with a 486/66 or higher processor - 14.4 Kbps modem or higher - 8MB of memory required, 16MB recommended - 50MB additional hard disk space - CD-ROM drive (2x or higher) - VGA or higher resolution graphics card. - Sound card recommended - Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device MSN is only compatible with Windows 95. It does not run on Windows NT or on Windows 3.1. In the future it is possible that MSN will support these operating systems but as of the date of this writing, October 1996, no support is available.

In order to fully experience MSN you will need a sound card and speakers. MSN will function properly but audio is integral to the full experience. Also, the MSN Preview program included on this disk makes extensive use of audio and will not be useful if you do not have sound capabilities.


 * 1) Video Cards and Display Problems

LESS THAN 256 COLORS

The MSN Starter Kit will not run if your display is set to 16-color mode - it is designed to run at 640x480 resolution, or higher, with a minimum of 256 colors. If your display is set to show 16 colors, change your display setting to show 256 colors or more. If you experience problems with display colors, check your color configuration:

1. Go to the Start Menu and select the Control Panel option from the Settings menu choice.

2. Open the Display icon.

3. Select the Settings tab.

4. From the "Color Palette" box, select 256 colors or anything higher than 16 colors.

MORE THAN 256 COLORS

Some video cards may encounter problems when using accelerated video drivers, video drivers with more than 256 colors, or high resolution video drivers. If you run into display problems:

1. Try switching to a driver supplied with Windows 95.

2. Change to a different display mode. An alternative to using a different driver is to change your video mode to a standard video mode such as 640x480 resolution with 256 colors.

For details on how to change drivers or switch to a different display mode, see your Windows documentation.

NEC computers using the Alliance Promotion video card do not work well with the MSN Starter Kit. Please contact your computer dealer for assistance.


 * 1) Hard Disk Location of MSN Program Files

The majority of the files MSN requires need to be stored on your System Disk (the drive from which your computer boots; generally the C: drive). If you do not have enough space on your System drive, Setup will notify you and provides an "Expert" option. If you select Expert installation you will be prompted several times during installation for an alternative storage area (i.e. other than your System drive).


 * 1) Microsoft Internet Explorer Installation

MSN requires Internet Explorer (IE) version 3.01 or higher. If you have an older version of IE, MSN Setup will install a new version. During IE installation, you will be prompted to accept the IE End User License Agreement. IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THE IE LICENSE AGREEMENT, MSN SETUP WILL FAIL AND YOU WILL NOT BE PROPERLY CONFIGURED TO ACCESS MSN. YOU MUST ACCEPT THE IE LICENSE IN ORDER TO USE MSN.


 * 1) Installation Problems

You may sometimes get the error "MSNAUDIO.ACM is in use. Retry / Cancel" when installing the Interactive Music Architecture. Click on "Cancel".


 * 1) Connection Problems

If you click on MSN Program Viewer, and you don't get the sign in screen but instead get a message saying: "#|http://onstage.msn.com could not be found" refer to the MSN troubleshooter. If you are still unable to connect to MSN, check the following:

- Insert the text from the EA CD README file. Include sections on proxy, dialup provider, etc.

- Make sure you do not have Connect Through a Proxy Server enabled in IE.


 * 1) Improving Performance

Make sure that Windows 95 is optimized for your CD-ROM drive. Windows 95 provides settings for CD caching and for accessing various CD-ROM drive speeds.

To review these settings:

1. Select the "My Computer" icon on your desktop and click it with the secondary mouse button (usually the right mouse button).

2. Choose Properties.

3. Choose the Performance tab.

4. Choose the File System button.

5. Choose the CD-ROM tab. In this box, make sure that the Supplemental Cache size is set to     "Large." Also, verify that the Optimize access pattern is correctly set for the type of CD-ROM drive that is installed on your system (the MSN Starter Kit requires a double speed, or faster, CD-ROM     drive). CD-ROM Issues

EJECTING THE CD WHILE THE APPLICATION IS RUNNING

Do not remove the CD-ROM disc while you are running the MSN Starter Kit. If you eject the MSN Starter Kit disc from the CD-ROM drive while running the MSN Starter Kit, insert a disc for another program, you'll get a System Error message. Reinsert the MSN Starter Kit disc, then choose Enter. CONFLICTS WITH THE CD-ROM DRIVE

In Windows 95, follow these procedures to check for conflicts with your CD- ROM drive:

1. Double click on the "My Computer" icon with the right mouse button.

2. Select Properties, to open the System Properties window.

3. Select the Device Manager tab and look for the CD-ROM drive in the list. If it appears with an exclamation point to the left of it, there is a conflict with your hardware setup. Check the manuals that came with your CD- ROM drive for information on how to set up your CD-ROM drive or contact the manufacturer. CD-ROM DRIVE CONFLICTS WITH WINDOWS 95 AUTOPLAY FEATURE

AutoPlay is a Windows 95 feature that automatically starts an application when you put its CD in your CD-ROM drive. If the MSN Starter Kit does not start automatically, your CD-ROM driver does not support AutoPlay or the AutoPlay feature is disabled. To start the MSN Starter Kit manually:

1. Insert the MSN Starter Kit CD-ROM.

2. Click the Start button in the lower left hand corner of the Windows 95 Taskbar, and select Run.

3. Enter "D:\msnstart.exe" (without quotation marks) in the Open dialog.

4. Click OK, and the MSN Starter Kit will start. The MSN Starter Kit will also create an icon in your Start menu - to start MSN in the future, simply select MSN on your Start menu. DISABLING WINDOWS 95 AUTOPLAY

To prevent Windows 95 from playing the MSN Starter Kit CD automatically, press down and hold the SHIFT key as you insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive.


 * 1) Removing MSN Files and Shortcuts

If you want to remove the MSN Program Viewer, you can delete them with the Add/Remove Programs feature on the Windows 95 Control Panel control panel. For details on using the Add/Remove Programs feature, see your Windows documentation.