DK CD-ROMs Technical Information

Please note that our CD-ROMs are licensed for use on only one screen at a time, and it is illegal to make copies for your own or others’ use, or to run the program across a network. Some CD-ROMs are now available as Network Versions, please check for availability, otherwise, a bulk copy purchase price is available.

Because no 2 PC's are exactly the same, it's common for people to have temporary problems when installing or running new software. These problems are usually related to the individual computer’s settings, and they can be easily fixed with either a patch or by following some simple directions provided by GSP who are the producer of Dorling Kindersley (DK) CD-ROMs. The software is very rarely faulty.

Do you need GSP’s help? Things to check first.
GSP have a vast knowledge of the DK products and the common problems people experience. They have put together some handy hints and tips on keeping your machine running efficiently. On the GSP website you will find frequently asked questions about a range of issues, such as Common Error Messages, Problems with Video / Display, Problems with Sound, Problems with Printing, General Hints and Tips. It’s very likely that you will find some hints there to help you to get the best performance from your computer.

Go to GSP’s website at http://www.gsp.cc and choose “Technical Support”. Click on "Search for an answer in our FAQ catalogue" and then type in the product name.  Select the product from the list and click on "List FAQs".  You will almost certainly see your particular issue listed, and will be able to follow the directions to fix it.

Should you not be able to find a solution to your issue via the GSP website, click on "Log a Support Ticket" to fill in their online Technical Support Email Request Form. If unable to access the website, you can email GSP direct dksupport@gsp.cc - remember to include as much information about your computer as you can, and give the ISBN/Catalogue number of the CD. You can normally expect a response within 2 working days.

All of the DK CD-ROMs in our current range, sold in rectangular DVD style cases, are compatible with Windows XP.
As some DK software was written and released before the recent new version of Windows XP, you may need a patch to get them to work on the latest version of XP. DK CD-ROMs have now been upgraded to include this patch, but it can be easily downloaded by people whose CDs were produced prior to this recent upgrade. See below for directions for installing this patch.

* Generic Patch for Windows XP - click here to download patch
Microsoft released Windows Service Pack 1 fairly recently, after some of our CDs were produced, and this has caused some CDs to have broken sound. GSP has released a generic patch to fix problems this service pack may cause in those CDs produced before the upgrade. DK CD-ROMs have now been upgraded to include this patch, but it can be easily downloaded by people whose CDs were produced prior to the upgrade. See below for directions for installing this patch.

* Generic Sound Patch for Windows XP with Service Pack 1 Installed - click here to download patch

If you need to download one of these patches, please choose the following options:
1. Double Click the link for the selected patch
2. Select SAVE
3. In the SAVE IN box select DESKTOP
4. Click on SAVE
5. When the DOWNLOAD COMPLETE dialog box appears, click on CLOSE
6. Double click on the relevant file on your desktop

Unfortunately, although a few DK CD-ROMs will run on Macintosh computers, Macintosh has declined to offer support for them, and therefore, neither GSP nor Total Learning is in a position to support them.

* A few of the older version DK CD-ROMs, sold in the square, hard plastic “jewel cases” may need a patch to run on Windows XP. This applies to older versions of I Love Science!, Children’s Encyclopedia, My First Getting Ready for School, My First Toddler School, The 3 Little Pigs and others. (Check your product under Technical Support on the GSP website.)

* Generic Patch for XP compatibility - click here to download patch

For some older versions of CD-ROMs you may need to run the program in Compatibility Mode. There are two ways to do this.
1. Start the Program Compatibility Wizard:
Click Start, click Help and Support, click Find Compatible hardware and Software for Windows XP, then, under see Also in the Navigation Pane, Click Program Compatibility Wizard

2. Set the Compatibility Properties for a program manually:
Right click on the icon for the CD or the program shortcut in the Start menu, click Properties, click Compatibility, tick “Run this programme in compatibility mode for” and choose 95 or 98 from the drop down box. Click Apply. You may also need to do this again, selecting “disable visual themes”. Changes will not remain in effect after you close the program.

Please note that not all older version DK CD-ROMs are XP compatible, even with the patch, and you may need to purchase a new version from a Total Learning Consultant. Versions of Learning Ladder Preschool, 1&2 and 3, Atlas of the Solar System and Ultimate Human Body 2.0 and others purchased prior to 2003 cannot be patched and will not run on XP.

For Problems running older versions under Windows 2000, Hold down the CTRL/ALT/DEL buttons on your keyboard, select Task List, Click on the Processes tab, Click on the item called WOWEXEC, Click on End Process, wait until it has disappeared from the list, close Windows Task Manager. Run the program.

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Older Version DK CD-Roms
* A few of the older version DK CD-ROMs, sold in the square, hard plastic " jewel cases" may need a patch to run on Windows XP. This applies to older versions of I Love Science!, Children's Encyclopedia, My First Getting Ready for School, My First Toddler School, The 3 Little Pigs and others. (Check your product under Technical Support on the GSP website.)

<back to DK CD_ROMs INDEX>