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Index to Support
This page contains answers to our most frequent tech support calls in a rough order of frequency.
System Requirements and Compatibility
If you purchased your computer in the last 5 years it will almost certainly run our current software. Follow the links below for detailed requirements.
Old CDs won't work with my new computer.
Operating systems have changed several times over the last 15 years so you may have CD titles that do not run on your new computer. We offer inexpensive replacement CDs for all of our titles. The replacement CDs have improved graphics and bug fixes. They allow you to install the title on your computer so you do not need the CD each time you play the game.
We also have downloadable upgrades for Windows users that are available at no charge. These are small programs that replace the current desktop icon and they require the original CD in the CD-ROM drive in order to run.
Microphones
Most consumer-level Apple computers have a built-in microphone and speakers that work fine for casual use. We are not aware of any desktop computers running Windows that have a built-in microphone. If you want to record sound, you'll need to purchase a microphone as mentioned below. All Apple laptops and most laptops running Windows have a built-in microphone but they often pick up noise from the computer.
There are dozens of microphones on the market and most work well. We like the ones with their own stand rather than the ones that clip to the monitor. However, we prefer inexpensive “operator” style microphone/headphone combinations because they place the microphone right at the client's lips, are hands-free, and the built-in headphones reduce distractions. We've had good luck with many brands. Here is an example from Radio Shack.
CD not found or intermittent problems.
CD readers can read discs that have an enormous number of scratches and smudges on them but sometimes they get confused. And sometimes they get confused with brand-new CDs right out of the package. If you are having trouble installing the software, intermittent problems, or if the computer can't find the CD, take the CD out of the computer and rub the shiny side across your pant leg a few times to clean it off, then try again. This simple procedure solves about a third of our support calls. If it still doesn't work you will need to order a replacement.
Options Password
Options Page Password: Some of the CD's have an 'Options 2' page which requires a password. The password is the same for all the games and the password is: options. It is there to prevent students from changing your settings, so you probably don't want to let them see you use it.
Sound Recording
Many of our older titles use recording buttons that are similar to a tape deck. We grew up with tape decks, so the operation is intuitive to us but not to many of our younger customers. Follow these steps to record.
The round red button on the right is the record button. Click it once to start.
The stop button turns red during recording. Click it once to stop recording.
After recording, the play button turns green, click it once to hear your voice.
Miscellaneous
Phonology Match Ups
On the Phonology CDs, Match Ups games, there aren't enough pictures in some of the categories to fill up the board on the higher levels. To make the game work, pictures from other categories are automatically added to your chosen category. So if you pick L clusters, on level 4, you might see words from both the L and R clusters. There is a table in the manual which lists which words are used for each level with each category.
Volume measurements in Speech Visualization
The volume measurements are estimated measures. The measurement can vary depending on microphone placement, input level setting in the computer, and type of microphone. It is intended to be used for comparison between different productions of the speaker to determine whether the speech was "too quiet, "normal", or "too loud". The ranges can be set to take account of the characteristics of your microphone and PC.
General Troubleshooting
We've collected all of the answers to tech support questions that we've received over the years. Many of them aren't relevant to newer computers. If you have a question that wasn't answered above, these pages can probably help.
Year 2000 Compliance
- Our software is Y2K compliant. Print this statement if your organization still requires a statement of compliance.
Contact Us
If you have questions, please call our tech support line at 800-777-3166 or 805-544-0775.
You can also e-mail Tech-Support at our domain name, learningfundamentals.com and we'll get back to you within a few hours.
Hours:
Weekdays
8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Pacific Time
11:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. Eastern Time
We're often in the office earlier and later.