Explorapedia: Cannot Hear Tad's Narration (125957)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Explorapedia series: World of Nature for Windows 1.0
  • Microsoft Explorapedia series: World of People for Windows 1.0
This article was previously published under Q125957

SYMPTOMS

In Explorapedia, you may not be able to hear Tad's narration, although you can hear other sounds, such as those associated with transitions and hot spots.

CAUSE

8-Bit Compressed Sounds

This problem occurs because most of the sounds in Explorapedia are 8-bit uncompressed sounds. Tad's voice, however, consists of 8-bit compressed sound. Compressed sound requires specific sound driver software to decompress it prior to playback. See the "8-Bit Compressed Sounds Solution" section below for a resolution.

"S" Missing on Win.ini MCI Extensions

Sometimes Tad's voice is not heard because there is no "s" on MCI Extension(s) in the Win.ini file. AutoDesk Animations, a third-party program, deletes the "s" on MCI Extension(s) in Win.ini, so Explorapedia does not recognize the MCI section in the Win.ini file. See the "Missing 'S' Solution" section below for a resolution.

RESOLUTION

Missing "S" Solution

If the "s" is missing on the MCI Extensions section of Win.ini, replace it using a text editor such as Notepad to edit your Win.ini file. For more information about editing your Win.ini file, see you Windows online Help.

8-Bit Compressed Sounds Solution

Check to see if Tad's voice has been turned off. Tad's voice can be turned on and off by clicking on Settings in the Spaceship, then click Sounds, then click Tad's Voice.

If Tad's voice is set to On in Settings, and you still can't hear his voice, use the following steps to resolve the problem:
  1. Verify that the [MCI] Sound driver is installed in the Drivers Control Panel. If it is not there, install it.

    For more information about how to perform this task in Windows, see your Windows printed documentation or online Help.
  2. If Step 1 does not resolve the problem, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    121132 MSACM 2.0: Compressed Audio Will Not Play

  3. If Step 1 or 2 does not resolve the problem, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    106549 Compressed Audio Doesn't Play on Sound Blaster Card

After following the above instructions, you should be able to run Explorapedia and hear Tad's narration.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/7/2003
Keywords:KB125957
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.