CD-ROM Frequently Asked Questions

My CD-ROM has stopped working after a Windows Update. What can I do?
LATEST INFORMATION published on 18 October 2006
On 8 August 2006, Microsoft published an automatic Windows Update KB917422. This update has installed on your computer and conflicts with a wide range of software, including Macmillan CD-ROMs. Computers running Windows 2000 and Windows XP are likely to be affected. Microsoft has made a hotfix called KB924867 which solves this problem.

You must download the hotfix yourself, because Microsoft forbids Macmillan from distributing the hotfix directly to you. Microsoft counts the number of downloads, and this will affect their decision whether to include the hotfix in an automatic Windows Update.

My operating system is Windows XP Service Pack 2 (XP SP2) and I'm getting a Z0001 message about an internal error. What can I do?
There's a downloadable update that should fix this easily. Please follow these simple instructions:

Click here to download the update.

Click Open when you see a window that looks like this:

Click OK.
Run the dictionary.

For automatic notification about future patches and updates, please register for our free monthly
e-lessons and webzine.

What does my computer need to run the CD-ROM?
These are the minimum system requirements:

• IBM-compatible PC (A virtual PC running on a Macintosh or other system will not accept the CD.)

• One of these versions of Microsoft^® Windows^®:
  98 operating on a Pentium 133 processor with 32 MB RAM 
  NT 4.0 Workstation with Service Pack 3 operating on a Pentium 133 processor with 64 MB RAM
  ME operating on a Pentium 200 processor with 64 MB RAM
  Professional Workstation operating on a Pentium 200 processor with 64 MB RAM
  XP operating on a Pentium 400 processor with 128 MB RAM

• Microsoft^® DirectX^® 

• 90 MB of free hard-disk space

• CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive

• DirectX^®-compatible screen card and monitor supporting 800 x 600 resolution with 16-bit colour resolution

• Microsoft^®-compatible mouse or pointing device

• For playback and practice of pronunciations: 16-bit Windows^®-compatible sound card with speakers or headphones, and microphone

Is there a network version of the CD-ROM?
Yes! Network versions of both the British English and American English CDs were published in July 2003. You can buy a standard licence for 10 simultaneous users, and upgrade easily for more users whenever you need to. Click here for more information.

Is there a Macintosh or Linux version of the CD-ROM?
There are no plans to produce a Macintosh or Linux version at the moment. If this is very important to you, please fill in our Contact Us form and explain why, so that we can consider your comments when we review our policy.

I've bought the CD-ROM, but I'm a Macintosh user. What can I do?
If you bought the Macmillan English Dictionary book and CD-ROM together, take the CD and proof of purchase to the place where you bought it, and ask for a refund of the difference between the price that you paid and the cost of just the book.

If you bought just the CD-ROM, take the CD in its original packaging and proof of purchase to the place where you bought it, and ask for the CD to be exchanged for the book, or ask for a complete refund.

If your supplier is unable to help you, please ask for advice from your local distributor.

I’ve been unable to install the CD-ROM on my computer. What have I done wrong?

1. Check that your computer meets the minimum system requirements.

2. Check that the date on your computer is correct.

3. Check that no other software, including anti-virus and crash protection, is running when you install the CD-ROM.

4. Check that you have followed the installation instructions and typed in the key code correctly.

5. If you are using Windows^® 2000 or Windows^® XP, only users in particular groups can install programs.
   For Windows^® 2000, you must be a member of the Administrators group or the Power User group to install the CD. For Windows^® XP, you must be a member of the Computer Administrators group to install the CD.

6. If you continue to have problems, send an email for technical support to medcd@macmillan.com. You should include the following information:

Full name
Postal address
Where you bought the CD-ROM
Key code, version number and ISBN, which are printed on the CD label
Details of your computer and operating system
A precise description of what happens when you try to install the CD-ROM

A screenshot that shows the problem would also be helpful, if you can provide one easily. Press the Print Screen key on your keyboard to create a screenshot, and press Ctrl+V to paste it into your email.

I've installed the CD-ROM successfully, so why doesn't it run properly?
There are several reasons why you might have a problem. These are the most likely solutions:

1. Check that your computer meets the minimum system requirements.

2. Download the latest version of DirectX^®, by selecting the appropriate download from the top right corner of http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/downloads/drx81.asp. You may need to restart your computer after downloading.

3. Download Windows updates from http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/. You should be told automatically which updates are required.

4. Update your graphics and sound drivers. For advice about doing this, see the next section.

How do I update my graphics and sound drivers?
1. Click on the Windows Start button and select Windows Update. If drivers are certified by Microsoft, they will often be offered when running Windows Update, so you do not need to know what hardware you have.

2. If you have a brand-name computer, go to the manufacturer's website and select the support section for your computer, where you should be able to find driver updates easily.

3. Contact your computer dealer. Some stores will be happy to offer assistance with upgrading drivers.

4. If you have a non-brand-name computer, look at the receipt. Often this will list what hardware is inside, and that can lead you to the site of the hardware manufacturer.

5. Visit DriverFiles.net, DriverGuide.com or any similar website that archives driver updates.

Where can I find the key code?
On early versions of the CD-ROM, this is printed on the right side of the label.

Does the CD-ROM need to be in my computer's CD-ROM drive whenever I use it?
No, the CD-ROM has been designed so that you can use it easily alongside other software. If you select the Full installation, everything you need will be transferred to your hard disk. This occupies approximately 560MB. 

However, sound files occupy a lot of space on your hard disk, so if you have limited space, you can select the Normal installation to transfer everything except the sound recordings to your hard disk. This occupies approximately 90MB. After a Normal installation, you need to have the CD in your CD-ROM drive if you want to hear the recordings. Everything else works normally without the CD.

I've done a Full installation, so why does my computer keep asking me to insert the CD-ROM?
Normally you need to insert the CD once every 30 days. If you are asked for the CD more frequently, the most likely cause of the problem is that the date on your computer is wrong. Check that your computer's date and time are set correctly, close down and restart your computer, then run the dictionary.

If you are using a virtual drive, the dictionary will not work. You should insert the CD in a physical local drive.

If you continue to have problems after confirming that you are not using a virtual drive, send an email to medcd@macmillan.com, and attach a file which is created on your hard disk by the installation software. The file is called CDCOPS.LOG. If your hard disk is called the C-drive, you will find the file at C:\CDCOPS.LOG.

You should also include the following information in your email:

Full name
Postal address
Where you bought the CD-ROM
Key code, version number and ISBN, which are printed on the CD label
Details of your computer and operating system
A precise description of what happens when you run the dictionary

I've inserted the CD after 30 days, but my computer keeps asking me to insert it again. What's wrong?
If you are using version 1.0, 1.01 or 1.1 of the CD, you might be asked to insert the CD several times on the same day. The following day, the CD should not be needed.

If you still have a problem, there's a downloadable update that should fix this easily. Please follow these simple instructions:

Click here to download the update.

Click Open when you see a window that looks like this:

You will see another window that looks like this:

If you have the British English edition of the CD-ROM, type this code: B83D335A

If you have the American English edition, type this code: 7B57DE27

Click OK.

Wait for message: "DONE! Successfully repaired"

Press OK.

Shut down and restart your computer.

Run the dictionary.

For automatic notification about future patches and updates, please register for our free monthly
e-lessons and webzine.

I can hear sound when I use other software, but not when I use MED. What's wrong?
If you made a Normal installation, check that the CD is in your CD-ROM drive.

Otherwise, the problem may be caused by having an old version of DirectX installed on your computer, or no version. To find out which version of DirectX is installed, please follow the instructions on http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q157730. To install the latest version, please select the appropriate download from the top right corner of http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/downloads/drx81.asp. You may need to restart your computer after downloading.

Can I use the CD-ROM on my laptop and my desktop computer at the same time?
Yes, you can. The user licence permits either one person to use the CD-ROM on more than one computer, or more than one person to use the CD-ROM on just one computer, but not both.

My CD-ROM has broken. Can I have it replaced?
Take your CD-ROM with its original packaging and proof of purchase to the place where you bought it, and ask for a replacement.

If your supplier is unable to replace the CD-ROM, send it with proof of purchase to your local distributor and ask for a replacement. It is recommended that you phone or e-mail the distributor beforehand to confirm the name of the person to whom you should send the damaged CD.

If your local distributor cannot replace the CD-ROM, send it with proof of purchase to:

MED CD Technical Support, Macmillan Oxford, Between Towns Road, Oxford, OX4 3PP, UK

Remember to include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and the address of the place where you bought it.

Can I cut and paste pictures into Word documents from the CD?
It is not possible to copy pictures from the CD-ROM directly into a Word document. If you would like a copy of an illustration, you can print it out.

How do I turn off the automatic pronunciation?
To turn off the automatic pronunciation replay, click on Options in the main menu, then click on Automatic pronunciation replay to remove the tick from the box.

Can I have only one pronunciation turned on?
Yes, you can. To select this option, click on Options in the main menu, then click on Display second recorded pronunciation to remove the tick from the box.

How is the CD-ROM different from the printed dictionary?
The CD-ROM allows you to look up words more quickly and search for words according to one or many criteria. It also makes it possible to put together wordlists and revise vocabulary.

Does the CD-ROM include everything that appears in the printed dictionary?
Yes, absolutely everything, plus thousands of recorded pronunciations, hundreds of sound clips, and dozens of maps!

Is the CD-ROM that is sold with the printed book as good as the CD-ROM that is sold separately?
The CD-ROM that is sold with the book is exactly the same as the one that is sold separately. There is no difference at all in the contents or the software.

How does the new QuickSearch technology work in different applications?
In Windows 98, 2000, NT 4.0, ME and XP QuickSearch can be used in:

• Internet Explorer 4, 5, 5.5 and 6
• Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, and Word XP
• Netscape Navigator 4 and 6
• Adobe Acrobat Reader 4 and 5

To look up a word in Internet Explorer, just point at a word with the mouse pointer.

To look up a word in Netscape Navigator, double-click on any word to highlight it, then press the Ctrl key.

To look up a word in Acrobat Reader, first select the text input option by clicking on the T icon. You should only need to do this once in any document. Then click on any word to highlight it, and press the Ctrl key to look up the word.

On some computers, QuickSearch might only work if you open MED after the application that you want to use it with.

MS Word
To look up a word in Word 97, click on the word and then move the cursor away slightly.

To look up a word in Word 2000 or Word XP, point at the word with the mouse pointer.

If you are working in Word and want to look up a word just typed, press and hold down the left-hand Shift key, press the right-hand Shift key, and then release the right-hand Shift key and finally release the left-hand Shift key to look up the word. This will insert the word to the left of the flashing vertical bar into the text entry filed in the MED window.

E-mail
With Internet e-mail systems such as Hotmail, you can use QuickSearch in the same way as in the normal browser. Other e-mail systems will respond in different ways: you can activate QuickSearch either by clicking or by pointing, depending on the system. You may need to choose Word as your default e-mail editor. In MS Outlook 2000 you can select words by simply pointing at them in e-mails that you are sending, forwarding, or answering. You will need to select Word as your default editor for e-mails. You can do this by finding Options under the Tools menu, in MS Outlook 2000, then selecting the tab marked Mail format, then selecting Microsoft Word. You should choose to send e-mails in HTML format.