Ai Squared

Hi All ZT Users,

Since I still haven't installed Internet Explorer 7 yet and I am still using Internet Explorer 6 I was wondering if anyone can tell me the pros and cons between both versions of Internet Explorer when using it with ZT 9.1 Magnifier & Speech.

I also would like to know if for some reason after installing Internet Explorer 7 and not being satisfied with it can I remove it and reinstall Internet Explorer 6.

So for any ZT users who can share there experience with me I would much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

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THE DON

Hi
I am currently using IE 7 and am experiencing some problems. I initially updated to IE 8 and then had to uninstall it . So assume you should be able to uninstall IE 7 if you do not like it.
Currently, I am having problems with IE running slow. Also, since I use screen reader, I can tell when the screen reader is not going to read the screen for me. If I do not hear "page loaded" when I switch from one page to another on the web, then I can be sure that screen reader will not read the page.

Also, it is spilling over into my Outlook Express. When I reply to emails, I lose the typing echo which I have set to read both words and characters. It loses the reading of the words. The page does not move while I type which am not sure what to call that or what that is about.

For some reason when I switched to IE 7, I lost the ability to open my Dell Music Match Juke Box. Weird huh? I also went to open Microsoft Plus and found that would not open either. So do not know what is a Zoom Text thing and what is a windows IE thing. Am not happy at all. I only updated from IE 6 because of Facebook. I could not work well in that site and it kept telling me to update to IE 8 which I did without checking to see if Zoom text was compatible with it. Now I am down to IE 7 and wish I had just left the stupid thing alone.
Let me know what you do and if you have better luck.
Kathy

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Kathy

Hello Kathy,

Open Internet Explorer, open the Tools menu and click on Internet Options, click on the Advanced tab, under the Browsing heading uncheck "Use Smooth Scrolling", click Apply, click OK, restart computer. Also if you have any kind of toolbars that are on in IE like an anti-virus once specifically AVG you will want to disable it as that can sometimes cause an issue.

See if doing a cursor Detect will help the Outlook Express problem.

1. With ZoomText magnifying, and while a cursor is showing in the problem application, do Ctrl+Alt+Shift+D.
2. Wait for a few seconds.

One of two messages will appear:
"No new cursor detected." or
"New cursor detected. Would you like to save the cursor definition?".

3. In the case of the first message, try changing the cursor properties within the problem application. ZoomText does best with a blinking vertical line or a blinking underline. And repeat from Step 1.
4. In the case of the second message, choose Yes to save the new cursor definition.
5. Once you've successfully detected and saved a new cursor definition, save the ZoomText configuration as described below:

1. At the ZoomText main menu, choose File.
2. Choose Save As Default. (Be sure to pick the item with all three words together, save as default.)
3. When asked if you're sure you want to save the current settings as your default settings, choose Yes.

Take care,

James

Hi James
Well, we meet again! I had checked on IE+Tools+Options+Advanced to make sure that the box you indicated was unchecked. Tonight after receiving an email notification, I clicked to view your response. Once I had signed in and was on the page with your reply, the screen reader function quit working. I followed instructions for Mouse Detection and no mouse was detected. I read on and followed instructions for changing the cursor properties. I am unsure on how to change them and the help menu within Zoom Text offered no help. So I decided to reply to your post to inquire on how to do it. Once I clicked reply to post, and the page appeared with the reply box, I found that my cursor is a blinking vertical line. I also got back my screen reader functions. However, as I am writing this reply, I have lost typing echo for both words and characters. It keeps going in and out. At times, the screen does not appear to move (as with my Outlook Express) which is when I lose the typing echo for the words and only have it for characters.

I do not see any Anti Virus on my IE Tool Bar. I do have Macaffee. But it is located on my System Tray at the bottom of my screen.

Lately, I have been experiencing an issue on the web. For example, I signed on to this forum, read your post, clicked reply to post, and got server cannot be detected message with instructions for diagnosising problem. This happens almost every time I move from page to page within a site or even from moving site to site.

Do you believe me now when I say I need a priest who can perform exorcisms to get the devil out of this machine????
Thanks for the reply.
Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Kathy

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Kathy

Hello Kathy,

What is the specific version of ZoomText you are using (In ZoomText click on Help -> About ZoomText -> Version)? Have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling ZoomText? I would assume you probably have but if not please try uninstalling ZoomText and download the latest version and install that.

Here are some other possible things you can possibly try if you already have not.

Make sure your version of ZoomText is up to date (http://www.aisquared.com/support/more/updates/).

In XP
1. Click the Start button.
2. Choose Control Panel.
3. Double click the Display icon.
4. Click on the Settings tab.
5. Click the Advanced button.
6. Choose the Troubleshoot tab.
7. Mid-page is a slider labeled Hardware Acceleration.
8. Make sure this is set to Full.
9. Click OK.
Adjust for Best Performance For XP, Vista, and Windows 7 (http://www.aisquared.com/knowledge_base/more/kb_article_176/). *Use the directions for Vista for Windows 7.

In XP
1. Click on the Start button
2. Select Run...
3. Type the command below in the blank area next to Open:
msconfig
4. Click the OK button
5. This will bring you to the System Configuration Utility in the General tab
6. Click the radial next to Selective Startup
7. Uncheck Load Startup Items
8. Click the OK button
9. Click the Restart button
10. When the computer restarts a message box will appear stating that you have used the System Configuration Utility
11. Check the box labeled "Don't show this message or launch the System Configuration utility when Windows start"
12. Click the OK button.

In Vista or Windows 7
1. Click on the Start button
2. Start typing in the search field "msconfig" and press Enter, if you get the UAC message click Continue
3. This will bring you to the System Configuration Utility in the General tab
4. Click the radial next to Selective Startup
7. Uncheck Load Startup Items
8. Click the OK or Close button
9. Click the Restart button
10. When the computer restarts a message box will appear stating that you have used the System Configuration Utility
11. Check the box labeled "Don't show this message or launch the System Configuration utility when Windows start"
12. Click the OK button.

1. Close all applications.
2. At the ZoomText main menu, choose Help.
3. Choose Tech Support.
4. Into the FixIt command section, type AHOI and click the FixIt button.
5. Highlight the AHOI module you wish to re-register. (Remember which one you're working with. This case IE.)
6. Click the Remove Module button.
7. Click on the Add Module... button.
8. Highlight the appropriate module or select them all and click the Open button.
9. Click the Exit button.
10. Exit and restart ZoomText.

If you want with you help we can try to remote into your PC. For a remote session we can be reached at (802) 362-3612 option 3; generally Monday - Friday; 9 am - 5 pm, Eastern Time. Thanks.

Take care,

James

Hi James
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. You do know that it is me Kathy Kalaluhi. We have been through most of these steps already. We did the msnconfig thing and the fix it in Zoom Text. My problems started when I installed the update for IE 8 and lost the screen reading ability while on the web or in IE. So we uninstalled the IE 8 and went to IE 7. I encountered all these problems when I switched back. I then contacted you and you had me go through these steps. I got most of my screen reading features back but still have times when it acts up. Mostly, I lose the typing echo in Outlook Express. It is weird because if I create a new email, I might not lose the typing echo. but when I reply to an email is when I am most likely to lose the typing echo. sometimes, it will come back when I hit the enter key to start a new paragraph.

I think I did re-install Zoom Text from the website as I was not sure if I could do that because I did not have a cd. But I contacted either Becca or cathy and found out how to do that.

I will have to look to see which version of Zoom Text I am using. I know it is 9.1 something. Do not know if it is the latest.

As I was typing the above, I lost the typing echo for words but did get it back and hoe lost it again. I got it back when I hit the back space key because I had made a typo. Now this is all weird.

I was looking on the site for system requirements for Windows 7. Can you give me any info on that?

Oh yeah, the screen jerks when I do hit the enter key to start a new paragraph.

One more thing. I am constantly getting a mesage that is read to me saying "dialog box" and nothing appears. While this is happening it interupts whatever I am doing. If I am in the middle of typing an email, it stops typing. I can hit keys but nothing appears. If I am playing spider solitaire, and am moving a stack of cards, they will not move. This lasts for a few seconds and then things go back to normal.

I do not know what to tell you. I would be interested in someone doing a remote but would feel more comfortable if my husband was here to do it. He has a doctor appointement on Monday but do not know if he will be home before your work day ends. If so, can i schedule a time for some time Monday afternoon?
Kathy

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Kathy

Hi Kathy,
I just noticed that you had replied to me about your experience with updating from Internet Exploere 6 to 7 and 8.
Since I never noticed your reply I decided to go from Internet Explorer 6 to 8 since 7 was no longer available to me.
I had no bad experience all is going well with me. Zoomtext can read the web pages with the speak it tool , AppReader, and DocReader too.
However I do experience sometimes problems with Outlook as when I type the window does not move with it just as you have mentioned above.
Also as I am typing this reply to you and wanna go back up and down with cursor to read what I wrote and than continue reading it does not always read everything it just says "blank," I noticed though that to make it read you have to place the cursor at the end of each phrase and than it may work.

One thing that I make sure I never do is install toolbars as I don't like them.. So like James explained about toolbars it may be valid too.
Another suggestion I can give you is to check if you have any spywares, malwares, and viruses running on your computer. Also I've noticed that sometimes Zoomtext may not read if the boarders of a window such as Outlook, Internet Explorer, Document, or whatever window has the boarders of it hidden. I know this because once I had my window boarders not showing since I had resized and moved them around, and made things unreadable. By this I mean when resizing your windows make sure you see the borders of the top and bottom or the left and right.

I hope I have helped in some way. Good Luck. .

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THE DON

Hi The Don
Thanks for the suggestions. I think the only one that applies is looking for spyware etc.

I have a question should you go back and read this reply....do you have your screen set on normal for color? Or, do you use a scheme and if so, do you notice any difference in Zoom Text's performance?
Thanks for the reply.
Kathy

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Kathy

Hi Kathy,
I don't use color schemes for Zoomtext normally. I have my colors of computer fixed the way I want it by the Settings/ Control Panel/ Display. I mainly keep my background black with bright fonts. However on some occasions I will use the ZoomText Color enhancement because some programs will still show in white background or the fonts may not be clear.
By the way where I mentioned about the windows borders causing ZoomText not to read in a window you can simply do this test to see if it will read it:
On top right corner where you have the Minimize, Maximize or Restore Down, and Close button just click the Restore down button if it is in Maximized mode and see if it will read it than.

Good luck.

Hi The Don Again,
Another question comes up after reading your reply. I use the Zoom Text color enhancement because I like the black background with white or yellow font. It is simple to change back and forth to normal when I need to change it to play Spider solitaire or other card games on the computer. How does it work using the Display in the control panel for identifying the cards in the games?

I asked about the color enhancement and using schemes because sometimes my computer does weird things when I am using that function. for instance, once I tried to do a remote with an Aisquared rep and it would not allow me to connect because I was using a scheme such as invert brightness or reverse video. Once i changed it to normal, it connected just fine. Since I use this scheme all the time, I have not really tried sending an email on normal view to see if it is the color scheme producing some of the problems. I just know that I did not have these problems until I installed the update in IE to 7. The only reason I updated was because of Facebook. Everything ran slow and my screen reader would not read much of what appeared on the screen. I actually updated to IE 8 but uninstalled it when it did not work and went down to 7.

I am using Windows XP are you? Or, are you on Vista or Windows 7??

Just got a tip from a guy who writes a tech column for the paper and he sent me two sites with free malware cleaner programs. I ran a trial one yesterday and it told me I had 732 corrupted files but would not fix it unless I bought it. so before I do anything else, I will run that. I ran my security center program and it detected no viruses or anything else for that matter so am not sure what is going on.

Well, I have gainned a lot from just replying to your post and thank you very much.
Kathy

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Kathy

Hi Kathy,
Please be careful where you get programs to scan for spywares. Some may claim alot of malware and only ask you to pay for fixing so in order to make you pay they install bad malware on you. I want you to use a free one that I use and will clean whatever if finds for free. Trust me this one is good I have been using it for a long time and is one of the top recommended. the program is called MalwareBytes you can get the free version with doing a quick scan and it will be good enough. Go Filehippo.com and there you go under Antispyware programs and find MalwareBytes. Make sure you get the latest version and check for updates after installing it. I also recommend another free program called Ccleaner which is very small in size and will keep your computer running and performing at it's top since this program cleans history, cookies, and other junks that clutter the computer. This program is another free and well reviewed program that can also be found at filehippo.com just look for Ccleaner and yes with to letter c's.

You say computer with Explorer 8 was running slow if it's not for viruses and after cleaning it than you might want to disable some startup programs that are not needed at all time when computer starts. For example if you don't use a printer all the time it doesn't have to start at windows startup you can start it manually yourslelf when you need it. Most important programs to start with windows are antiviruses, firewalls and programs needed at all time.

Than there is the memory if not enough that makes your computer slower or harder to be stable.

I use XP and have set my colors via the Display in control Panel rather the via ZoomText color scheme. The only time I use the ZoomText color scheme as enhancement is when certain programs such as Windows Live has a white background.

With the Display in Control Panel I than go to Display and have the following settings and works great with Spider Solitaire and other games just by the colors of my display. I too have it set with black background and yellow text but not via ZoomText.

Here is how I have it set up:
Go to Display than Appearances and set these like this:
For Windows & Buttons I have it set to Windows Classic Mode.
FOr Color Scheme I have it set to High Contrast Black.
For fonts I have it set to normal.
Than I click the Advanced button and set the colors and sizes for background, fonts, widnows boarders, title bars, acptions, toolbars etc to the way I like it.
About using ZoomText color scheme I have had a few times where using it and windows would just freeze and make a ticking sound where I had to reboot.
I hope I have helped in some way.and by the way I use Facebook with no problem concerning ZoomText the problems I encounter with Facebook is because of Facebook itself that has alot of errors or because how freguently they change there look.

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THE DON

Hi The Don Once Again,
Well, you have no idea how much you have helped. I really appreciate your step by step directions.

I just saw this notification so have not yet fooled around with the display. But, I do want to tell you that I wrote to a guy who writes a tech column for the newspaper up in Syracuse, NY. My cousin lives up there and she reads his column every week so I figured I would give him a try. this was before I had received your posting. He suggested Cleaner and Microsoft Security essentials which he said were both free. I did the Microsoft Essentials and it found nothing. Went to cleeaner and it said it was not free. Or, better stated, it was not free. Maybe i missed a trial or something?

I will try working with changing my appearance in the display rather than using color enhancement features. I keep telling Aisquared techs that I swear my computer is possessed and in need of an exorcism or something. I have the weirdest things happening.

One day, I was surfing the web for recipes and came accross a bed and Breakfast site. I clicked on a recipe and my screen reader read the recipe. Was not impressed so hit the back arrow button. When I went back to the list of links of the recipes, it kept reading the previous page. I clicked on a new recipe and it read the previous recipe. This continued to happen so I closed the site and Internet Explorer. I went to my Inbox in Outlook express to check my messages. My mouse when ran over the email I wanted to read, read the recipe that I had first clicked on in the bed and Breakfast site. Like it was a broken record and kept reading it over and over. Sometimes this still happens but not to this extreme. For instance, I was on a site today and it kept reading the same line over and over and would not read anything else on the page. But as soon as i move my mouse down to where the "start button" is and it reads that then it will stop repeating the same line.

I also am finding that when I am on Internet explorer and surfing from page to page that if I do not hear the screen reader say "page loaded, internet explorer...." then the screen reader will not read that page. It is weird but if I move to five pages, two of those pages will not fully load and i am unable to read them. After I hit the third page i want to move to, I can hit the "back button to page two, and it will then read it. A lot of work to read a recipe on how to make hamburger or something, haha.

I had additional RAM put on my computer and should be ok there. So am not sure if memory is an issue.

I will look for the cleaner programs again. The one I tried that said i had 732 corrupt files was called Anti Malware Pro. Someone else recommended Spy Bot. Do you know anything about that one?

Really and truly, thanks for all of your help.
Kathy

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Kathy

Hi Kathy,
I use the Windows Live One Care Security scanner don't know if it's the same as the one you mentioned Microsoft Essentials. Here is the link for the one I use: http://onecare.live.com/site/en-ca/default.htm
For Ccleaner I believe you didn't download the right program. Like I mentioned above on previous message note there is an extra c in Ccleaner.
Here is the link: http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/ once there look at top right and download the latest version. This has been free all the time unless you want to donate. This program is for keeping your computer clean and running or performing better. It cleans your cookies, junk, history and traces to keep your computer privacy in tack.
Yes I use Spybot Search & Destroy too. This program takes longer for a scan and I also use SpywareBlaster, and AntiSpyware. FOr antivirus I use the free AVG and for firewall I use the Windows XP one.
Keep in mind that no Antivirus or Antispyware programs are perfect therefor it is good to have at least 2 or 3 of each since each one can find things that others can't. Just remember for Antivirus and Firewall you should not run 2 of them at same time or installed. I use only windows XP firewall and AVG for antivirus however for second opinion in antivirus I use Trend Micro Housecall for free but online scanning only not installed.

About your unexplainable weridness issues of Zoomtext repeating or not reading right or at all I really don't know what I can say more but if you want I can make a good suggestion for you. That would be if there is a long article that can't be read to you, you can always copy the article an dpaste it in Word processor and have it read from there. Of course that's if Zoomtext works well reading from Word.

If there was a way I could contact you by email I would be able to give more support with better instructions. As here I don't want to take the whole place.

I hope I have given at least some help. Your problems seem rare. Maybe something from your computer is in compatable with Zoomtext and only Aisquared can confirm that. I have had some issues you explain above few times but not like you. I know sometimes if there is another page beneath the one I want to have read it will read the one beneath.

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THE DON

Hi
Yes you are a big help. I always get something out of your replies.
My email address is

kathykal10@comcast.net

Feel free to write any time.

I just came in from shoveling a ton of snow so read your response and will try some of these things.

I suspect something on my computer is not compatible with Zoom Text but am not sure what or where to start looking let alone how.

Keep in touch and please do send any other tips you can think of.

I suspect too that while on the web that something is interfering with pages fully loading. That is when I lose screen reader. I have no issues with borders and keep forgetting to mention that.

Thanks.
Kathy

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Kathy