Frequently Asked Questions

About the Programs

What is the difference between the Personal, Shop and Industrial Editions?
Can the faults be retried once completed?
What is the difference between the programs on CD ROM and the ones available through download?
Can I move the program from one computer to another?

Upgrading

I already have version 2.5 of the troubleshooting Skills Series software. Should I upgrade to Version 3.2?
Is there a special upgrade price to upgrade from Version 2.5 to Version 3.2?
I already have version 3.0 of the Troubleshooting Skills Series software. Should I upgrade to Version 3.2?

Installation and Activation Issues

I have downloaded the Demo program but when I attempt to install it I get the following error message: [filename] is not a valid win32 application.
I have installed one of the troubleshooting programs but I keep getting a 16 bit subsystem error message when I try to run the program.
I have installed the software and when launching the Troubleshooting program I get the following message: "Cannot find Shell.dll"
I have purchased the Troubleshooting skills series and when I try to activate the programs the message reads "Invalid Code". What do I do now?
When installing the any one of the Troubleshooting Skills programs I get an error message relating to INSTMSIA.EXE.
I have installed the programs but when I run the programs I get the message: "Your display setting is set to Large. . ." However when I check the font size as suggested in the message it is the required value.

About the Programs

1. What is the difference between the Personal, Shop and Industrial Editions? back to top

The Personal Edition is designed for personal use. It allows the programs to be installed on one computer and tracks the progress of one person. These are typically purchased by students, apprentices, trades persons, etc. wishing to learn or upgrade their troubleshooting skills.

The Shop Edition is designed for small businesses or shops with a limited number of users. It allows the programs to be installed on one computer and will track the progress of up to 5 individuals. Also included in this edition are Instructor Resources.

The Industrial Edition is designed for larger organizations. It allows the programs to be installed on one computer or a network and used by an unlimited number of individuals. Also included in this edition are Instructor Resources and a free subscription to additional Fault Packs.

Click here for a detailed comparison of each of the editions.

2. Can the faults be retried once completed? back to top

Yes. Guided faults can be tried an unlimited number of times.

Once all the “Test Your Skill” faults has been completed for each level, the program will pick from the previously completed faults.

3. What is the difference between the programs on CD ROM and the ones available through download? back to top

There is No difference. The CD ROM option is for persons who are unable to download the program.

4. Can I move the program from one computer to another? back to top

Once the program is installed on a computer it cannot be moved to another computer without the assistance of Simutech. However you could download the program on one computer then copy it to another computer BEFORE it is installed and activated. It needs to be installed and activated on the computer you plan on using it on.

Upgrading

1. I already have version 2.5 of the troubleshooting Skills Series. Should I upgrade to Version 3.2? back to top

Most users who have upgraded have found it to be very worthwhile. Some of the key new enhancements are:

Improved simulations allowing more flexibility with meter readings and control over the tips and warnings. The most extensive changes were done in the Motor Controls program.
A greatly enhanced evaluation system which provides more feedback on your troubleshooting approach and even provides a troubleshooting score
Several new faults of the Genius level in Basic Techniques and Motor Controls
Ability to add even more faults to each program through fault packs
New content - especially in Basic Techniques
Now works with Windows Vista

For more information please see New Features.

2. Is there a special upgrade price to upgrade from Version 2.5 to Version 3.2? back to top

We have provided a special upgrade offer for Customers using Version 2.5 who wish to upgrade to Version 3.2. Please see the special offer for more information.

3. I already have version 3.0 of the Troubleshooting Skills Series. Should I upgrade to Version 3.2? back to top

The only real difference between Version 3.0 and version 3.2 is that Version 3.2 will work with Windows Vista where Version 3.0 will not. Therefore upgrading is not required. We do however suggest that you have the latest release of Version 3.0. Patches can be downloaded from the support section of our web site.

Only if you now need the software to run on Windows Vista should you need to upgrade. To find out more please contact us.

Installation and Activation Issues

1. I have downloaded the Demo program but when I attempt to install it I get the following error message: [filename] is not a valid win32 application. back to top

This error message is normally caused when the downloaded file was damaged during the download.

If this is the case delete the old file and retry downloading the file.

If you chose to RUN the file from our download page you may want to try SAVING the file to your hard drive then running it from there.

2. I have installed one of the troubleshooting programs but I keep getting a 16 bit subsystem error message when I try to run the program. back to top

If you are using Windows XP and receive an error message similar to the following:

16 bit Window Subsystem C:\WINDOWS\System32\AUTOEXEC.NT. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.

This normally means that one of the files on your computer is either missing or damaged.

One solution that normally works is to restore the AUTOEXEC.NT file from the C:\WINDOWS\REPAIR directory to the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32. To restore this file complete the following steps:

Double click on My Computer.
Double click on your C drive.
Double click on the Windows folder.
Double click on the Repair folder.
Copy (don't move) the file autoexec.nt by right clicking on the file. A pop-up menu appears. Select Copy.
Go back to the Windows folder and find the System32 folder.
Double click on the System32 folder to open it.
Right click on and empty part of the window. A pop-up menu appears again. Select Paste.
The autoexec.nt file will appear in the folder.
Right click on the file itself. A pop-up menu will appear. Select Properties.
Check the Read Only box under attributes, and click apply.

Please refer to the Microsoft article for more information about this error by clicking the link below.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324767&Product=winxp

If this does not resolve the problem please contact Simutech Multimedia.

3. I have installed the software and when launching the Troubleshooting program I get the following message: "Cannot find Shell.dll" back to top

This means that the shell.dll file is missing from a specific directory. To replace the file please follow these instructions.

Double click on My Computer.
Double click on your C drive.
Double click on the Windows folder.
Double click on the System folder.
Copy (don't move) the file shell.dll by right clicking on the file. A pop-up menu appears. Select Copy.
Go back to the Windows folder and find the System32 folder.
Double click on the System32 folder to open it.
Right click on and empty part of the window. A pop-up menu appears again. Select Paste.
The shell.dll file will appear in the folder.
Right click on the file itself. A pop-up menu will appear. Select Properties.
Check the Read Only box under attributes, and click apply.

4. I have purchased the Troubleshooting skills series and when I try to activate the programs the message reads "Invalid Code". What do I do now? back to top

If you choose On-line activation, the computer must be connected to the internet when you are activating the program.
If the computer is connected to the internet and you still get the invalid license code when trying to activate the program, try temporarily turning off your firewall.
If it still will not activate, select Internet Browser as the option for activating the program and follow the instructions.
If the program still will not activate, please contact Simutech Multimedia.

5. When installing the any one of the Troubleshooting Skills programs I get an error message relating to INSTMSIA.EXE back to top

The version of Microsoft's Installer (MSI) agent on your PC is out of date. Please use the link below to download and install the MSI. You should have no problem installing the Troubleshooting Skills programs after installing the new MSI. Please note that this problem only occurs with Windows 98 or Millennium edition.

To download the Windows Installer file from the Web for Windows 98 or Millennium edition, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/WindowsInstaller/Install/2.0/W9XMe/EN-US/InstMsiA.exe

Next restart your computer and then install the desired Troubleshooting Skills program(s).

6. I have installed the programs but when I run the programs I get the message: "Your display setting is set to Large. . ." However when I check the font size as suggested in the message I find it set to the value required. back to top

The Troubleshooting programs require the display to be set in a normal resolution (a resolution that has a ratio of 4x3 such as 800x600, 1024x768 or 1280x1024) as well as a normal font size. In some computers the display resolution is set to a wide screen value that is not a ratio of 4x3 which will also trigger this message. In order to prevent this message from showing and to allow the programs to run, make sure the font size is set to small or normal AND the display resolution is set to a value with a ratio of 4x3 (such as the value listed above).