This file contains configuration requirements, installation instructions, and
tips to help you and your children and students have the best possible
experience when using the Math Shop Deluxe CD-ROM. If you're having trouble
getting Math Shop Deluxe to run properly, chances are you will find helpful
tips here.
Math Shop Deluxe provides just what you need to excel at math. The exclusive
Math Shop Hints System features strategies and step-by-step sample solutions
for every problem. You choose how much help you want and when you want it.
From math basics to pre-algebra, Math Shop Deluxe empowers you to master
math.
Izzy, Zack and Zoe are your guides as you make your way through the eight
wacky shops of Arcade Alley and tackle thousands of real-world math problems.
Earn money for every problem you answer correctly - then use that money to
play any of the four games in the Math Shop Arcade!
Windows Requirements
In order to run Math Shop Deluxe on your Windows computer you should make
sure it has the following capabilities:
* 486 66Mhz or faster processor
* Microsoft Windows 95 or later
* 12MB of RAM (16MB recommended)
* Minimum 5MB hard disk space available
* 640 x 480 display with 256 colors
* Double-Speed CD-ROM drive
* Windows Compatible Sound Card
Instructions for Installing Math Shop Deluxe
1. Turn on the computer and start Windows.
2. Insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive.
3. Windows 95 users: On most Windows 95 computers, the setup program will
appear automatically after you've put the disc in the drive. Click
INSTALL (and skip to step 5). If the startup screen doesn't appear, click
START on the task bar, then select RUN from the menu.
4. In the RUN dialog box, type in the letter corresponding to your
CD-ROM followed by :\SETUP" and click "OK." Example: if your CD-ROM is
drive "D," type in "D:\SETUP."
5. Follow the on-screen instructions. This process will copy selected files
to your hard drive and create a Math Shop Deluxe icon in the Scholastic's
Math Shop Deluxe Program Group. The Scholastic's Math Shop Deluxe
Program Group can be found by clicking START on the task bar and then
clicking Programs.
Uninstalling Math Shop Deluxe
Within the Scholastic's Math Shop Deluxe Program Group created by the Math
Shop Deluxe setup program choose Uninstall Scholastic's MathShop Deluxe. In
the Uninstall Math Shop Deluxe window which follows choose automatic to
completely remove all Math Shop Deluxe files (including saved setting files)
and all references to the program in the start menu and program registry,
without affecting the functionality of other programs installed on your
system.
Math Shop Deluxe can also be removed by using the Windows 95 Add/Remove
Programs icon. Using the Add/Remove Programs icon in Windows 95 will
completely remove all Math Shop Deluxe files (including saved setting files)
and all references to the program in the start menu and program registry,
without affecting the functionality of other programs installed on your
system. To remove Math Shop Deluxe from your Windows 95 system, proceed as
follows:
1. Click Start on the task bar, point to Settings, and then click on Control
Panel to open the Control Panel window.
2. Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon to open the Add/Remove Programs
sheet.
3. From the list of programs, click Scholastic's Math Shop Deluxe to select
it, then click the Add/Remove button. At the prompt, click Yes to remove
the program from your system
TROUBLESHOOTING QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
If you're having problems running Math Shop Deluxe on your computer, read the
following questions and answers and see if this information helps solve your
problem(s).
1. What can I do to get the best performance when running Math Shop Deluxe?
Listed below are tips for improving performance.
* Verify that your computer meets all of the minimum requirements necessary
to run Math Shop Deluxe.
* Math Shop Deluxe will look best when the display is set to 640 x 480. This
will allow you to view Math Shop Deluxe at the largest possible size. Your
display must also be set to 256 colors. To set your display to 640x480 and
256 colors, follow these instructions: Click the Start menu, choose
Settings, and then choose Control Panel. In the Control Panel, double click
the Display icon. In the Display Properties window, select the "settings
tab." In the Color Palette drop down list, select 256 colors. Then change
the Desktop Area slider to 640x480. Click OK. If you are prompted to
restart your computer, click yes. After your computer restarts, you can run
Math Shop Deluxe again.
* Shut down all, or as many other programs as possible before running Math
Shop Deluxe.
* De-fragment your hard drive. If your hard drive is full or has been in use
for awhile, it may be fragmented. A fragmented hard drive can slow
performance substantially. To de-fragment your hard drive, use the built in
utilities that come with Windows 95. Click the Start Menu, then choose
Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools, then Disk Defragmenter.
Follow the instructions for how to de-fragment your hard drive.
* Add more memory to your computer (Math Shop Deluxe runs best in Windows
with 16 MB of RAM or more).
2. When I run Math Shop Deluxe I get an error message or it quits
unexpectedly. What can I do?
* On some computers, problems in the video driver software may cause Math
Shop Deluxe to quit with unexpected errors. To fix this problem you should
get an updated video driver from your computer manufacturer. Contact your
computer manufacturer for instructions on getting an updated video driver.
3. At the beginning of Math Shop Deluxe, the movie "skips" frames and
playback isn't smooth. How can I make it run more smoothly?
* Math Shop Deluxe was optimized for a video display of 640x480. See
question #1 above for instructions on how to improve performance overall.
4. My audio isn't working. What should I do?
* If you are not getting sound from your speakers or headphones, check the
following: Are all cables properly connected? This product should produce
audio through your sound card. Make sure that the cables from your speakers
or headphones are connected to your sound card, that the speakers have
power, and that the volume is turned up.
* Check that your sound card is properly configured for Windows and that the
right sound drivers are installed. To test for sound, double-click on the
"Sound" icon in your Windows Control Panel. Select a sound file, then press
the "Test" button. You should hear a sound. If not, your sound card is not
properly set up. Refer to your sound card user's manual for instructions on
proper configuration and installation.
* If sound was playing and has stopped playing during the game, you may have
accidentally hit the mute shortcut key: Control V on the keyboard. Try
Control V again. If this does not work, you may want to quit Math Shop
Deluxe and restart.
5. Audio sounds scratchy - as if it's being played on an AM radio. What
should I do?
* Check to make sure that the cable that connects your speakers to your
computer is plugged into the correct jack. If you have a SoundBlaster or
SoundBlaster compatible sound card and your speakers are powered (i.e. you
need to plug them in), then you should plug the speakers into the "Line
Out" jack on the sound card -- not the "Speaker Out" jack. The "Speaker
Out" jack is only for non-powered speakers.
6. I'm getting an error message telling me that I'm out of memory. What
should I do?
* If you are getting an "Out of Memory" message, the system crashes a lot, or
performance is sluggish, chances are your memory resources are stretched to
capacity. Try closing all other applications before starting this program.
Also, verify that virtual memory is turned on (see your Windows User's
Guide). If problems persist, you may need to add additional memory to your
system.
7. When I run setup, it stops part of the way through. What should I do?
* The most common cause of a setup failure is the effects of other
applications that are running. Be sure to close ALL other running
applications before running Math Shop Deluxe setup. Even programs which may
start automatically when you run windows need to be closed.
8. When I'm running Math Shop Deluxe, the screen occasionally flashes
incorrect colors and then switches to the correct colors. Can I prevent
this from happening?
* The most common cause of this effect, known as "palette flashing," is that
another program is running in the background and is trying to change the
color palette being used by your computer display. To prevent these palette
flashes you can shut down these other programs.
9. Math Shop Deluxe will not launch or locks up during start up. What can I
do?
* Certain video cards will not play QuickTime 16 until their display drivers
are updated. QuickTime 16 is used by Math Shop Deluxe to play many of the
animations found in the product.
These video cards include:
Jazz Adrenaline Rush 3D
Hercules Stingray 128/3D
* Verify that hardware acceleration is turned to none. To do this: go into
the control panel then into System (also known as System Properties). Click
on the Performance tab. Located at the bottom of this window you will se
section called Advanced Settings. Left click on the Graphics tab. A window
will pop up containing the Advanced Graphic Settings. Move the slider for
Hardware Acceleration to "none". Click OK. You will get a window which will
prompt you to restart Windows for these settings to take effect.
If neither of these two options work, please contact your computer
manufacturer or video card manufacturer to receive the latest drivers.
FUNCTIONALITY TIPS
1. Do the skill levels correspond to grade levels?
* Level 1 - Grade 3
* Level 2 - Grade 4
* Level 3 - Grade 5
* Level 4 - Grade 6
* Level 5 - Grade 7
2. Are there any shortcut keys.
* To quit Math Shop Deluxe: Control Q
* To access Arcade Alley Controls: Control T
* To mute the sound: Control V
* To turn the sound back on: Control V
* To quit an Arcade game: Esc
3. Is there a way to mute the sound?
* Yes. The mute shortcut key is Control V. To turn the volume back on, just
do Control V again. Mute does not turn the sound completely off, but it
does lower it substantially.
4. I did 20 problems but I didn't get a promotion or a raise? Why did this
happen? For example: I did 1 full shift of 10 problems at level 2. Then I
did the first 4 problems in the second shift. I then clicked on Harder and
completed the last 6 problems in shift 2 for a total of 20 completed
problems.
* If you change levels in the middle of a shift, while you will still get
paid for problems which were answered correctly, your score for that shift
will be erased. You must complete 2 full shifts at a level to be promoted
and receive a raise. The level is changed if you click on the Harder or
Easier buttons, or if you are demoted during a shift to an easier level
because you answered 3 problems in a row incorrectly. Also, if you change
levels in the middle of a shift, as this shift is erased, any work done at
a certain level will not be reflected in the Student Record.
5. I started a shift in a shop and when I printed out the Student Record it
said I had not yet started that level.
* See #4.
6. The promotion and demotion seems to be skipping levels.
* Go into Arcade Alley Controls and make sure that the levels you need to be
working on are turned on. If for example you want to make sure that your
students or children work on level one only, you must turn off all of the
other levels as the promotion/demotion feature will promote/demote the
player to the next level which is turned on. If levels 1 and 5 were turned
on, the student would be promoted from level 1 to level 5.
7. I need to switch the program to another computer. Is there a way to do it
so that I don't lose all of the records?
* Yes. Install Math Shop Deluxe onto the new computer. Go into the
Scholastic's Math Shop Deluxe folder on the hard drive. Before you start up
Math Shop Deluxe on the new computer, go into the Scholastic's Math Shop
Deluxe folder which is on the computer you have been using. Copy this
older SETTINGS.MSD file to the Scholastic's Math Shop Deluxe folder on your
new computer. Be sure to run the program and verify that your records have
been successfully copied over before you uninstall Math Shop Deluxe from
the old computer as the Settings.msd file is deleted during uninstall.
8. What is the default password for Arcade Alley Controls.
* mathfun
9. I changed my password for Arcade Alley Controls and now I can't remember
it.
* Call technical support.
10. For additional assistance, call technical support:
U.S. -- 1-800-SCHOLASTIC (724-6527)
Canada -- 1-800-268-3860
International callers -- 573-659-1687
Fax inquiries -- 573-635-7630.
Hours of operation:
+ 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. CST Monday through Friday
+ 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. CST Saturday
Copyright 1997, Scholastic Inc.
All rights reserved.