TypingMaster Pro [2005]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For version 6.30
Updated 1/8/2005
Copyright 2005 TypingMaster, Inc. All rights reserved. 

Note: The format of this page has been been optimized for printing. 

Note: Both the Network installation and School Usage related questions are answered in a separate Network FAQ, please click here to read it.

Contents 

Installation Questions

Other Questions

Purchase Questions

 

Q: Why WinXP Installation gives AUTOEXEC.NT error?

Some TypingMaster versions do use installShield setupper that contains 16bit startup procedure. This may cause setupper to fail if so called 16-bit subsystem is disabled for some reason.

Installing SP2 into XP may cause the text file "AUTOEXEC.NT" to be deleted from the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory. Without this text file in the "SYSTEM32" folder, any 16 bit programs no longer work.

The solution is simple: search your hard drive for another copy of AUTOEXEC.NT (we found two other copies in different directories) and then copy AUTOEXEC.NT to the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 folder and reboot. The setup should now run.

You can alternatively create this "AUTOEXEC.NT" by hand, it should contain these rows:

@echo off
lh %SystemRoot%\system32\mscdexnt.exe
lh %SystemRoot%\system32\redir
lh %SystemRoot%\system32\dosx
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 P330 T3

If you need to create this file manually to solve this and similar problems with other software, you can also see the link below: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324767

More info:

 

Q: Why program does not fit on the screen?

Answer 

Like many multimedia applications TypingMaster requires an 800x600 display area (also known as the screen resolution) and SVGA monitor. All modern monitors are SVGA or better so you propably just have a lower resolution, so follow instructions below to fix the situation.

To change the resolution (Win95/98/NT) 


1. Choose Start Menu..Settings..Control Panel..Display..Settings.
2. Set Desktop area to 800x600.
3. Press OK.

After this not only will Typingmaster work properly but you will also have more "space" in your display.

If this doesn't fix the problem, please write to our helpdesk.
 

Q: How to make Setup Installation Diskettes

TypingMaster Pro does not fit to 1.44MB diskette, but you can burn it into CD-ROM or order the backup CD-ROM shipment.

However, it is still possible to manually make three installation diskettes for TypingMaster Pro. To do this, you need a little knowledge of working with computers: You must use WinZip to split the setup to floppies, please consult WinZip web site for details.

Q: Installation stops with an "InstallShield Error"

Answer for InstallShield "File Copy error"

Try to install to another hard drive OR

If you have Anti-Virus software running, try to close it temporarily or restart your Windows in "Safe Mode" when installing the software.

Please use the One-Click installation instead, click here to start it.

Answer for Other InstallShield Errors

TypingMaster installation is based on InstallShield(r) which copies some files to the TEMP directory (system's temporary directory) during installation. In some situations the TEMP directory might be full or may contain corrupted file(s) and this causes the installation to fail.  

Try to clean your TEMP-directory. You can locate it usually from C:\TEMP or C:\WINDOWS\TEMP. Go to that directory and remove all unnecessary files. 

Try to install to another hard drive.
 

Q: Uninstallation Fails to error "Unable to launch"

If you have tried to remove the program normally from the Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs window, and have gotten an error message, the uninstallation should be completed manually or the hot fix should be used to complete the uninstallation automatically. 

A) You can download the hot fix ( size 200 kb) to finish the uninstallation:
Under some particular circumstances the uninstallation program of TypingMaster Pro might not work with Win98.  There is a hot-fix available here (size 200 Kb)

B) you can complete the manual uninstallation described below:

MANUAL UNINSTALLATION


The manual uninstallation requires the following steps:
1. Close both TypingMaster and Satellite if active

2. Use Windows Explorer to remove the TypingMaster folder, usually 
C:\Program Files\TypingMaster. Make sure you remove all the files and 
sub folders from TypingMaster folder.

3. Remove the TypingMaster shortcut icon from Desktop by right clicking and 
choosing Delete on top of it.

4. Right click on Start menu and click "Open" when the Start Menu folder 
opens, double click on "Programs". Then remove TypingMaster icon folder, by 
selecting it and pressing the "Delete" key.

5. The Uninstallation entry remains in Control Panel's Add/Remove programs 
section. It does not cause any harm, but if you like to make it disappear, 
you can use some third party tools (TweakUi) to remove the entry or contact our technical support for details.
 

Q: Is TypingMaster Pro compatible with my machine?

Answer

  1. TypingMaster Pro is fully compatible with Windows 95/98/ME/NT4/2000/XP/2003 and newer operating systems (including Terminal Services)
  2. TypingMaster works in the all modern "IBM PC compatible" machines, Pentium or newer processor is recommended.
  3. TypingMaster should work properly with all applications, however, ProTrainer might have some limitations e.g. with modern games.
  4. All TypingMaster 98 and newer products are year 2000 compatible.
  5. Network version of TypingMaster can be installed either to Terminal Server or into standard File Server on LAN (e.g. Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 Server).

Q: What product versions are available?

Windows Compatible Products (LAN)

  • TypingMaster Pro for Windows 95/98/ME/NT4/2000/XP/2003
  • TypingMaster 2002 for Windows 95/98/2000 
  • TypingMaster 99 for Windows 95/98 
  • TypingMaster 4.0 for Windows 3.1

Macintosh/Unix/Windows Compatible Products

Other products

Q: Are future upgrades free?

Fixes for Free 

All the bug fixes and minor upgrades are always free of charge, these are available for download from the support FTP site. 

Current Upgrade Fees 

  • Updating old TypingMaster 98/99/2001/2002 to TypingMaster Pro costs $20 USD.
  • Upgrade for TypingMaster 2001/2002 license package customers to TypingMaster Pro is free, the new license code can be requested by email from our Support web site

Q: What if my computer crashes, may I load the program again for free?

Answer

Yes, but you have to save your personal license key to a safe place and you will be able to load and install the program again.   If possible, consider copying the installation package to the floppy diskettes or to the CD-ROM media.
 

Q: My License Key does not work or was lost

Answer

Please notice, that there are separate registration keys for the different products (TypingMaster 99, 2002, Pro).

You can request your forgotten license code and details concerning your license(s) to your email account by clicking here:

INCORRECT LICENSE KEY ERROR

  • Be extremely accurate when typing your registration name and number
  • Try to cut+paste the license code to the application from the email you received

HOW TO ENTER LICENSE CODES

To enter your license code into TypingMaster PRO, choose Info from the menu and click "Enter License"

Q: What language versions and keyboard layouts are available?

Answer

Both US/UK English versions have been designed for the international use. This means that TypingMaster English version supports all common keyboards (such as QWERTY, AZERTY, QWERTZ, DVORAK) used all around the world. Choose the Settings page from TypingMaster menu to adjust your keyboard setting.  
 

Available Language versions:

  • US English
  • British-English
  • Finnish, Swedish (keyboard layoyts supported: QWERTY)
  • French (AZERTY, QWERTY, QWERTZ )
  • Spanish (QWERTY)
  • German (QWERTZ, QWERTY and Swiss-German)
  • Dutch (Nederlands QWERTY, Belgian AZERTY)
  • Italian (QWERTY and Swiss-German QWERTZ)
  • Portuguese

Q: Is DVORAK support available?

Answer

"DVORAK" keyboard layout is supported by English version of TypingMaster Pro. Support is available in the Basics course, Special marks course and through the ProTrainer.
Please notice, that so called "DVORAK Left hand" and "DVORAK Right Hand" versions are supported only by ProTrainer. 


 

Q: How can I manage the users of the program?

From the TypingMaster Setup program make sure you choose the Network installation to install the User Manager tool, which can be used e.g. to view and delete the users.

Q: How are Gross Speed and Net Speed calculated?

Answer

Gross speed indicates the total number of characters you have typed divided by your time. When you mistype a word, an error is marked. The net speed is your total speed with the errors calculated into the result.

The errors are calculated in the following fashion:

( total number of characters - number of mistyped words * error factor ) / time

The error factor is set to 5 by default. This means that 5 characters are reduced for each mistyped word. This setting can be changed in the TypingMaster Manager program.

For example if you type 100 characters in one minute and you mistype 6 words, your gross speed will be 100 CPM and your net speed will be 70 CPM.

If you are using Words per Minute notation, results are divided by 5. In the example above, you would get gross speed of 20 WPM and net speed of 14 WPM.

How can I disable Games from the TypingMaster menu?

It is possible to disable the Games option from the menu in the TypingMaster program. This is handy if you are teaching a touch typing course and want the students to focus on the course. To disable games in TypingMaster visit User Manager / Common Settings.

Q: How can I purchase TypingMaster Pro?

General Information

  • Read general information about purchase process by clicking here
  • Information for companies/schools concerning licenses and P.O. 
    •

    Purchasing through Internet

    • To purchase with a credit card, please click here
    • The purchase process is secured and safe
    • Note, that you can also fax or call your credit card number to us!

    Regional Retailers (Australia, UK, USA, EUROPE..)

    See the updated list of our retailers and their contact informations by clicking here 

     

    Q: I have not received the product I purchased?

    Electronic Delivery

    If you have purchased an electronic email delivery (without S&H costs) you shall receive the product in electronic form. It means that you are not going to receive cd-rom or floppies by snail mail. Instead, you should receive the installation instructions and the required license codes by email.

    If you have not received these instructions please write to our helpdesk with the date of order, possible order number and credit card owner name (not number!). We shall find out from which internet retailer you have purchased your license and shall send you the instructions. 

    Media Delivery

    TypingMaster Inc. has several retailers who are handling the delivery. If you have not received your media, you should contact the retailer who you ordered the CD-ROM from.  See the most common retailers and their contact informations by clicking here. 

    Q: How can I start using (or load)  the program I have purchased?

    Electronic Email Delivery

    If you have purchased the electronic delivery and received the license key from one of our Internet retailers such as Shareit, Aquatech, you need to first download and install the corresponding TypingMaster demo package to your computer. 

    To download a copy to your machine, click here to load TypingMaster Setup program. Choose Run this program to start installing it immediately after loading is completed (loading takes usually 5-15 minutes).

    After you have loaded and installed the program's demo version into your computer, follow the instructions supplied with the license key to make it fully featured.

    Q: Why limited users of my Win2000/XP cannot access TypingMaster?

    Because of the default File Security settings in Windows 2000 and XP, the limited normal users do not have permissions to change files inside the Program Files folder. Please follow these steps to change the file security rights so that each user of machine can both write and read the TypingMaster database files:

    Advanced Instructions (for Windows 2000):

    1. Login into your machine as Administrator/person who installed the software. Double click on My Computer and browse to the folder which contains your TypingMaster installation folder (e.g. C:\Program Files\TypingMaster).

    2. Select the "database" subfolder. And select "File > Properties" from the
    menu.

    3. Click on the Security tab and check that the "Everyone" group appears in the list of names. First, uncheck the option "Allow inheritable permissions.." from the very bottom. Then choose so that the "Everyone" group has Full Control -permissions to the folder (enable the Allow checkbox on right side).

    Easy Instructions / Instructions for Windows XP Home:

    In Windows XP Home, the "security Tab" is hidden by default, with Pro version you can activate it from Folder Options.

    However, alternatively you can use the simple tool below to apply the fix:

    1. First make sure you log onto your computer as the administrator.

    2. Next click on the link below to download our small helper tool, please save it to your Desktop: fix-tm-xp-rights.zip.

    3. Once the tool is downloaded unzip the tool by right clicking it and choosing to save its contents into your desktop. You should get three files, TypingMaster-XP-fix.cmd, fix-tm-xp-rights.exe and readme-xp-fix.txt.

    4. Double click on TypingMaster-XP-fix.cmd file to Apply the fix.

    The fixer tool shall locate your TypingMaster if its installed into one of the following locations: C:/Program Files/TypingMaster (The default location recommended by setup), C:/Program Files/TypingMasterPro, C:/TypingMaster. (If you have installed into another location, You can drag and drop the Database folder from another location over the fix-tm-xp-rights.exe)


    5. Once this has been done your TypingMaster installation is ready to be used by all users of your computer.