| Various Dragon Dictate Questions |
Q. I cannot get DragonDictate to recognise any words that I speak?
A. Use the Sound Recorder that is installed with Windows to check whether you are able to record your voice using the supplied microphone. If you are unable to hear the playback then check that the microphone is installed in the correct socket of the soundcard, that the soundcard and drivers are installed correctly and that the recording volume level is initially set to between ½ and ¾ of maximum volume.
Under Windows 95 the recording volume level is accessed through the volume control option which is located in the Accessories/Multimedia menu under the Start Menu. Select Options and then Properties to switch between playback and recording volume controls. Windows 3.x users can access the recording volume controls from the Mixer option in the Accessories group (this may differ depending on the software that comes with your soundcard.)
If the soundcard appears to be operating properly the problem could be related to the microphone. If you have another microphone, even the one that came with your soundcard, then try this with the sound recorder. If this allows you to record your speech then the microphone may be faulty.
Q. I have been using DragonDictate for some time and the recognition does not appear to improve?
A. DragonDictate continually adapts to the way you speak. The only way that the system can do this is by correcting any mis-recognised words as they appear. Educate the system by typing out the correct word and then saying Choose 1 etc depending on which choose option the required word appears. The Oops command can be used to correct words that have already passed (up to a maximum of the last 32). Saying Scratch That or Choose 10 on misrecognised word does not allow the system to improve.
Q. I am using a Packard Bell PC and receive an error message when trying to use DragonDictate.
A. This is a known problem with Packard Bell and will affect the use of all voice recognition software packages. Packard Bell have offered the following 'work around':
| Use CTRL-ALT-DEL to close CommCentral (if running) | |
| Use CTRL-ALT-DEL to close Fmedia (if running) | |
| Use CTRL-ALT-DEL to close FMTHUNK.EXE (if running) | |
| Go to System Properties in the Control Panel | |
| Select the Device Manager tab and open the Sound, Video and Games Controllers section | |
| Select the properties button for 'Sound 16 SRS PnP & Wavetable' | |
| Go to the settings tab and deselect 'software wave table' and the 'full duplex' option (ie remove the ticks from the boxes) | |
| Close System Properties | |
| Restart the computer |
Q. I am using Microsoft Office 97 and I receive error messages when trying to use some features using DragonDictate.
A. Microsoft Office 97 is a competely rewritten version of the Microsoft Office. MS Office 97 is not completely backwardly compatible with MS Office 95. Microsoft have changed many of the macro functions, it is these functions that DragonDictate uses to enable the features of MS Office 97 to be voice activated. DragonDictate version 3 is compatible with MS Office 97 (if Office 97 compatibility is selected at installation).. There are no known problems relating to dictating into MS Office 97.
Q. I am using Windows NT. Will DragonDictate work on this Operating System?
A. The only products with the Dragon range of speech recognition software are DragonDictate version 3 and Dragon NaturallySpeaking. DragonDictate Solo, Solo Pro Classic and DragonDictate version 2 do not support Windows NT.
Q. When I go into Dictate Mode I get the message 'unsupported application'?
A. DragonDictate Solo will only allow you to dictate into the application that was selected at installation. The installation option will give you a choice of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Access, Excel or Internet Explorer. DragonDictate Solo will have to be reinstalled if you wish to change the application you wish to dictate into.
Q. I am using WordPerfect as my word processor. Can I still use DragonDictate Solo?
A. WordPerfect nor AmiPro/WordPro are supported application within DragonDictate Solo. Text can be dictated into Write/Wordpad or Notepad which can then be cut and pasted into your word processor.
Q. I don't have any of the supported applications. Can I still install DragonDictate Solo?
A. Yes. When installing DragonDictate Solo simply select any of the applications listed and the installation will continue. The installation process does not check for the selected application nor add any files specific to the chosen application. DragonDictate Solo can then be used for command and control and Write or WordPad can be used for dictation.
Q. I cannot add words using the Add Word option in the Tools Menu.
A. The Add Word option within DragonDictate Solo has been disabled as DragonDictate Solo does not allow the user to add macros. New words are added to the vocabulary by spelling out the required word and saying Choose 1. The new word will not require any additional training.
Q. I have accessed the Help system but would like to know more about what I can do with DragonDictate Solo.
A. DragonDictate Solo includes a Tutorial which can be accessed from the Help menu in the Voice Menu. The Tutorial gives step by step instruction on using the microphone correctly, dictating text, correcting recognition errors, using the word history and controlling applications.