AEC Training Technologies - Technical Support

Need Help?

Technical support for A/E/C Training Technologies' "Construction Project Delivery Systems: Evaluating the Owner's Alternatives" training CD is provided by the CD developers, NewMedia Communications, located in McLean, VA. We ask that you first read these frequently asked questions and answers to see if they provide a solution for your technical problem. If not, e-mail a description of your problem, along with your system's specs, e-mail address, name and phone number to us at techsupport@aectraining.com.

FAQs

Q. The CD requires that QuickTime 2.x or higher be installed on my system in order to play the program. How do I check to see if QuickTime is installed?

A. To check if QuickTime 2.x or higher is installed on your system,

Double-click "My Computer"
Double-click "Control Panel"
Find the QuickTime icon. The text below the icon may read QuickTime or QuickTime 32. If you find the icon, double-click it, and check which version it is. The version number is listed in the upper right of the screen. As long as the version number starts with a "2" or higher, you have the necessary QuickTime version installed and may proceed with launching the CD.
If you do not have QuickTime 2.x installed, follow the instructions below:
Press Ctrl+Q to quit the program.
Press the Start button located in the bottom left of your screen and navigate to Windows Explorer.
Locate the CD drive.
Click one time to view contents of CD.
Locate and open "Quicktim" folder.
Double-click Qtinst32 and follow instructions to install QuickTime 2.1.2
When finished, remove the CD and restart your computer.

Q. I don't have QuickTime installed, but every time I double-click the CD drive, the PDS program tries to launch. I end up looking at a black screen. What can I do to get to the QuickTime file?

A. Autoplay is active on your machine, and so is trying to launch the program, instead of letting you see the contents of the CD. A work-around is as follows:

Press Ctrl+Q to quit the program.
Press the Start button located in the bottom left of your screen and navigate to Windows Explorer.
Locate the CD drive.
Click one time to view contents of CD.
Locate and open "Quicktim" folder.
Double-click Qtinst32 and follow instructions to install QuickTime 2.1.2
When finished, remove the CD and restart your computer.

Q. How do I launch the program?

A. Launching the "Construction Project Delivery Systems" program on Windows 95 only takes a few minutes. The program uses the Windows 95 Autoplay feature, which launches the program by just inserting the CD into the CD-ROM drive. This feature may be disabled or turned off by your system (often by anti-virus software installed on your system).

If Autoplay is turned on:

Insert the CD in your CD drive and the program will start automatically.
If you want to exit the program and start again at a later time, eject the CD once finished with the program...and insert it when you are ready to begin again.

If Autoplay is turned off or not operational on your system, follow these instructions:

Press the Start button in the lower left of your screen
Select Run
Type in "D:\Pds.exe"
If the program does not start quickly after following these directions, and all you see is a black screen, you will need to install QuickTime to view the program. To do this, click Ctrl+Q to quit the program and follow the QuickTime installation procedures given in the answer to the previous question.

Q. The program is not running smoothly on my computer. What should I do?

A. Screen savers and e-mail software (which alerts you to incoming mail) may interfere with the performance of this program. Please disable this software before using the program.

Q. I have a large monitor, but the program screen appears small on my screen. Is there anything I can do to increase the viewing area used by the program?

A. Yes. If you would like to increase the viewing area taken up by the program screen, you may reset your monitor to 640 x 480 resolution. You will need to return your monitor settings to their original resolution after ending your session. Before you change your monitor settings, note what they are currently so that you can return to this setting after you're done reviewing the CD for the day.

To change your monitor settings:

Click the Start button
Move your cursor over the Settings pop-up menu. A new menu will pop up to the right of Settings. Mover your cursor over Control Panels and click on it.
Double-click "Display," and choose the "Settings" tab.
Adjust the "Screen Area" to 640x480 (by moving the control bar) and choose o.k. You get a few seconds to preview this new setting, and Windows will ask you if you want to keep it. Click "Yes."

Once you change your settings, all icons and text on your screen should now appear larger. If text appears more difficult to read at the larger size (which may happen if you have low VRAM or DRAM), reset the display to your original resolution settings. For most of you, this setting will make the program play at maximum size for your monitor.

Q. Is there a recommended order for viewing the CD?

A. First-time users are encouraged to view the CD in the following order:

"Welcome" found on the right menu bar
"Program Instructions" found on the right menu bar

Modules within the main menu area are intended to be viewed in the order as numbered:

"Introduction"
"Project Delivery Concepts"
"Today's Systems"
"Alternative Systems"
"System Selection"

The glossary may be accessed at any time while using the program. You may also quit at any time, but it is suggested that you finish a module or main section within a module to make it easier for you to pick back up where you left off.

Q. I don't hear narration with the CD. What may be the problem?

A. First, hopefully you have sound capability on your PC. To check, go to "Monitor and Sound" from your Control Panel. Check some of the sounds listed there. Adjust volume by sliding the control bar to ensure the sound is audible and at a comfortable volume. If you are not hearing any sounds, check connections to your speakers on the machine to make sure everything that should be plugged in, is. If you are hearing sounds for other programs or within the Control Panel, but not using the pro

Q. What is the required system configuration for playing the CD?

A. To play Construction Project Delivery Systems on a PC, you must have:

Microsoft® Windows® 95 or higher
100 MHz Pentium® or faster processor speed
16 MB RAM (free for program use)
2x or higher speed CD-ROM drive
640 x 480 monitor display (or higher); 256 colors (or higher)
Windows-compatible sound device
QuickTime^TM 2.x or higher (QuickTime is included with the CD, simple installation required to run the CD)

Q. How do I quit the program if all I see is a black screen, or I don't see the Quit button?

A. Control+Q will allow you to escape the program at any time.

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