Home > Technical Support > What are some general tips for troubleshooting installation problems?

You can resolve most install issues by performing one of the tasks below. The first task is to disable caching on your CD-ROM drive. Next, you will want to make sure all other non-essential applications are not currently running. If that doesn't work, you will want to clean your CD-ROM.

Disable Caching of CD-ROM

Begin on the Windows 95/98 desktop with all programs closed. Follow the steps below to disable caching in Windows 95/98:

1. Click Start.

2. Select Settings and then select Control Panel.

3. In the Control Panel, double-click the System icon and then select the Performance tab.

4. Click File System under Advanced settings, and then select the tab labeled CD-ROM.

5. Now switch the setting under Optimize access pattern for to No Read Ahead.

   If it is already set to No Read Ahead, then change it to the speed of your CD-ROM drive. For example, if your CD-ROM drive is a Quad speed, then select Quad speed or higher.

6. Close the dialog boxes by clicking OK or Close until Windows prompts you to restart your computer.

   At this point restart Windows. This shouldn't affect the performance of your CD-ROM drive when using Family Tree Detective. However, you may see a slowdown in performance if you use applications that depend on graphics, sound, or video being played from your CD-ROM drive.

Close All Applications

Often, if other applications (especially virus protection programs) are running at the same time you install Family Tree Maker, they may cause difficulties. This is why many programs, including Family Tree Detective, ask you to close any currently running applications at the beginning of the setup process. Follow the steps below to close your applications in Windows 95/98:

1. From the Windows 95/98 Desktop, press the CTRL+ALT+DEL keys at the same time.

   Windows displays the Close Program dialog box.

2. From this dialog box, you can close any single open program by highlighting it and clicking End Task.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until all programs except for Explorer and Systray are closed.

Clean the CD

Sometimes newly-manufactured CD-ROMs have a light film on them. This is enough to make the CD-ROM unreadable on most drives. However, by cleaning the CD, you can make it work fine.

1. Wipe the shiny side of the CD with something dry, soft, and lint-free.

2. When wiping the CD, wipe from the center outward, not in a circular motion, and be sure to wipe the whole CD.

3. Now you can begin the installation procedure again.