Mac Multimedia: Beta Version of Sound Manager Causes Problems (153746)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Bookshelf for the Macintosh 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996-1997 editions
  • Microsoft Cinemania for Macintosh, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 editions
  • Microsoft Encarta 1994 The Complete Multimedia Encyclopedia
  • Microsoft Encarta 95 The Complete Interactive Multimedia Encyclopedia for Macintosh
  • Microsoft Encarta 96 Encyclopedia for Macintosh
  • Microsoft Encarta 97 Encyclopedia for Macintosh
  • Microsoft Music Central for the Macintosh, 1996, 1997 editions
This article was previously published under Q153746

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to start any of the programs listed at the top of this article on a computer running a system with a beta version of Sound Manager, a warning message appears. Then, the program may quit or run without audio capability.

At best, audio won't play, either in audio clips or QuickTime movies. At worst, the program won't run, and there will be a warning dialog. A list of the specific error messages generated by the various applications is listed below.

CAUSE

Microsoft Bookshelf, Cinemania, Encarta, and Music Central all check the version number of Sound Manager and return an error message or disable sounds if anything other than a release version of Sound Manager is running.

RESOLUTION

The short-term solution to the error message problem is to perform a custom installation of Sound Manager from the program compact disc. This replaces any existing Sound Manager extension present (regardless of the version number) with the version of Sound Manager included on the compact disc, eliminating the problem. A manual installation might be necessary with programs where the installer does not replace the beta Sound Manager. Make sure you check the version of Sound Manager after you complete a custom installation procedure.

The long-term solution is to wait until the new Sound Manager beta program completes and a final product is released. After installing the release version of Sound Manager, these products should work properly.

MORE INFORMATION

The following list includes the error messages received and the behavior that occurs when you try to run the application with the beta version of Sound Manager:

Bookshelf 1996-97 Edition

"Microsoft Bookshelf requires that Sound Manager 3.0 or later is installed. Currently, no audio (including pronunciations, spoken quotations, or anthems) will play. Please run the Bookshelf Installer from your Compact Disc."

Result: The program functions properly except for missing audio.

Cinemania 97

"This machine is not properly configured to play audio clips. This problem must be fixed before you can run Cinemania 97." Result: The application launches all the way to the content window, but user is forced to quit.

Music Central 97

"This machine is not properly configured to play audio clips. This problem must be fixed before you can run Music Central 97." Result: The application launches all the way to the content window, but user is forced to quit.

Encarta 96

No error message on launch.

Result: All media controllers are disabled (grayed out).

Cinemania 96

"Cinemania is unable to proceed due to an unknown error. To correct the problem, try restarting Cinemania."

Result: User is forced to quit the program.

Music Central 96

"Music Central is unable to proceed due to an unknown error. To correct the problem, try restarting Music Central."

Result: User is forced to quit the program.

Bookshelf 95

"Microsoft Bookshelf requires that Sound Manager 3.0 is installed. Currently, no audio (including pronunciations, spoken quotations, or anthems) will play. Please run the Bookshelf '95 Installer from your Compact Disc."

Result: The program functions properly except for missing audio.

Encarta 95

No error message on launch.

Result: "Couldn't open multimedia window" message appears during use of the Media Gallery. Videos and audio are non-functional.

Additional Notes

The Bookshelf Installer script replaces Sound Manager without questioning version numbers during a custom installation. This is the only program from the list at top of this article where the installer has been tested to confirm replacement of the beta Sound Manager. After you perform a custom installation, check the version of Sound Manager (located in the Extensions folder in the System Folder) to make sure the beta version was replaced. If it has not, you should manually copy the Sound Manager.

The newest released versions of QuickTime and Sound Manager are available on Apple's web sites, located at:

http://www.apple.com/quicktime

The third-party products discussed here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/21/2004
Keywords:KB153746
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.