System Requirements

The LINKS Reading CD-ROM makes use of the latest internet technologies to provide users with a rich multimedia learning experience. For optimal performance, please ensure your system meets these minimum requirements:

Minimum System Requirements

Computer System
Platform:    PC
Operating System:    Windows 95 +
Memory:    32MB of RAM
Processor:    120MHz Pentium, Pentium II 450MHz or higher recommended
CD-ROM Drive (CD product only):    12x-Speed or faster
 
Monitor and Sound
Monitor Display Settings 800 x 600 pixels +, True Color (32 bit)
 
Browser
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 +
JavaScript Enabled
 
Plug-Ins
Macromedia Flash Player 5.0 +
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 +

Monitor Display Settings

This LINKS Reading CD-ROM uses a set browser size. However, you can adjust your monitor resolution to 800 by 600 pixels, so it fills your screen. This CD is best experienced at True Color (32 bit) settings. It will function at lower color settings, but the colors in images will appear distorted.

To change your resolution and color settings, follow the steps below:

  1. Click the "Start" button in the bottom left corner of your screen.
  2. Click "Settings" > "Control Panel."
  3. Double-click "Display."
  4. Click the "Settings" tab.
  5. Under screen resolution, drag the index to the left until it reads "800 by 600 pixels".
  6. Set the "Color Palette" (or "Colors") to the highest color setting your monitor allows.
  7. If prompted with a "Compatibility Warning," click to highlight "Apply settings without restarting."
  8. Your display should adjust to the new settings. If colors appear distorted you will need to close all open programs and restart your computer.
  9. Click Apply, then OK.

Not hearing sound?
Please check your computer's volume level (go to Start Menu/Control Panel/Sounds), and make sure your speakers or headphones are properly connected.

Browser

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher
The LINKS Reading CD-ROM is designed for use with Internet Explorer version 5.0 or higher. If you currently use an older version of this browser or a different browser, you may experience technical difficulties with this CD. If your browser is not Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher, please obtain a free browser upgrade at the Microsoft site:

Download the latest Internet Explorer Browser

JavaScript Enabled
You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser settings. To see if the browser you are using right now is JavaScript enabled, use your mouse to hover the over the box below:

If the image above does not show the word "Yes!" when you hover over it, follow the steps below:

  1. Select "Tools" from the browser toolbar at the top of your screen.
  2. Select "Internet Options" from the drop-down list.
  3. Select the "Security" tab.
  4. Click on the Custom Level button.
  5. Scroll down to the section called "Scripting."
  6. Verify that Active scripting is enabled. If it is not, then click the circle next to "Enable."
  7. Click "OK."
  8. Click "Yes" if prompted by a warning.
  9. Click "OK" to close the second window.
  10. If the instructions window is still open, close it and click the "Refresh" button on your browser toolbar.

JavaScript should now be enabled. To test, hover over the image above.

 

Plug-Ins

The LINKS Reading CD-ROM offers enhanced multimedia content that requires special software additions to the standard browsers. These software additions are known as plug-ins. We only adopt plug-ins which are freely available to the public, and which have been widely adopted among our users already.

Below is a list of the plug-ins the LINKS Reading CD-ROM requires:

Macromedia Flash
The Macromedia Flash Plug-In allows you to experience audio, video and animation.
Download Flash Player from Macromedia.com

Adobe Acrobat 4.0 +
Adobe Acrobat Reader is free software that lets you view and print Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files.
Install Acrobat Reader from Adobe.com