Q: What are the system requirements for CyberBuddy.
Q: All the files did not install, what do I do?
Q: I get an error when I try to install CyberBuddy.
Q: I have downloaded the latest version of CyberBuddy, but when I run it, it seems to be the old version.
Q: The program says "CyberBuddy could not load the Microsoft Agents."
Q: Do I need to uninstall CyberBuddy before I install an update?
Q: I have Windows XP and the characters have stopped talking or do not talk.
Q: I get the error "missing file ICQMAPI.DLL", what do I do?
Q: I get the error "missing file RASAPI.DLL", what do I do?
Q: How can I uninstall CyberBuddy?

Q: How do I setup the mail?
Q: I have mail setup, the test works ok, but when I check mail it says I do not have any. I know I do have mail. What's wrong?
Q: When I click the "Test" button in email, it reports that it cannot connect to the server.
Q: When I click the "Test" button in email, it reports "Invalid User ID or Password", or something similar.

Q: I don't receive messages from people trying to send to my CyberBuddy.
Q: Will CyberBuddy Instant Messaging work with Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), LAN or on a router?
Q: I want to use my CyberBuddy UIN on another computer, but when I install CyberBuddy I get a new UIN.
Q: I installed CyberBuddy but I did not get a UIN.
Q: I accidentally erased CyberBuddy and re-installed it. Can I get my original UIN back?
Q: Can I chat with more than 1 person at a time?
Q: What is the "Synchronize" function and what does it do?
Q: Why doesn't CyberBuddy work with ICQ?
Q: The "Last Voice Msg" selection of the menu does not do anything. Why not?

Q: My agent shows the text in the balloon but no voice is heard.
Q: When CyberBuddy starts, my computer dials into the internet. Can I prevent this?
Q: I use Zone alarm. When CyberBuddy starts, Zone Alarm asks if it can be a server. Why is this?
Q: When I run CyberBuddy there seems to be 2 icons in my system tray. Why?
Q: Can I have more than one character at a time on my screen?
Q: I have asked for news and weather but I don't seem to get it very often.
Q: How do I get the weather for my location?
Q: I selected to get my weather temperature in Celsius but the report or portions of the report come in Fahrenheit.
Q: Why is the Internet speed report so different from my modem speed?
Q: I have asked CyberBuddy to report my Internet speed at intervals but it has not said anything.
Q: How can I have Multiple CyberBuddies on my computer for different users?
Q: CyberBuddy starts when my computer starts. Can I prevent this?
Q: Can I direct CyberBuddy to a different News, Weather or Stock page?
Q: I'm sure I saw someone wearing a CyberBuddy shirt. Where did they get it?
Q: What's the story behind that funny looking CyberBuddy character?
Q: Other Problems not listed here.

Q: What are the system requirements for CyberBuddy.
A. The System requirements are driven mainly by the requirements for Microsoft Agents. The Requirements are listed on the About MS Agents page at: http://yeayou.com/msagent/Page2.html



Q: All the files did not install, what do I do?
A. When CyberBuddy is installed, it must install several files from Microsoft in order to operate. These files are downloaded from Microsoft (unless you have the CyberBuddy CD-ROM, in which case the files are contained on the CD). The files are free from Microsoft. CyberBuddy checks your computer for the appropriate files and will download them from Microsoft if they do not already exist. Sometimes, for one reason or another, there may be a problem downloading one or more of these files. You can install the required files manually here http://mycyberbuddy.com/page54.html

TIP: Consider getting CyberBuddy, The Microsoft Agent Files, and several agent characters on CD-ROM. Check it out http://thecyberbuddy.com/Page40.html



Q: I get an error when I try to install CyberBuddy.
A. If you have the CD-ROM version of CyberBuddy and you get a message indicating that a file cannot be found, try restarting your computer. I have seen Windows get "confused" and not be able to determine a file path. Restarting the computer lets Windows correct itself. Other Installation Problems are described below.

If the Setup program fails to run:
InstallShield fails to start
CyberBuddy uses a standard program to perform installations that is popular among many software developers. "InstallShield" performs very reliably most of the time, but on occasion it can become confused and fail to work properly.
Often times, this occurs when one installation fails to "clean up" after itself, and collides with a different install later on. Because of InstallShield's popularity, this can happen fairly easily.
To correct this, all that is usually required is to clean your system's temp directory of InstallShield's files. Fortunately, users can quickly locate their temp directory and safely remove any files there.
Step 1: Close any open applications
If you have any other applications or windows open, close them. InstallShield may not function properly if it does not have complete control of your computer. Be sure to close any extra background tasks too.
Step 2: Locate Your Temp Directory
Double Click the "My Computer" Icon on the Windows Desktop. Open your "C:" drive. Open the folder labeled "Windows", and then open the folder labeled "Temp".
Step 3: Clean Your Temp Directory
Hold down the "CTRL" key and press "A". This will select all of the items in your WINDOWS\TEMP directory. Press Delete and remove all of the files there. Since this directory is only used by files that are open by running applications, you may safely remove anything here (unless it is in use by a running application - at which point you will be notified that the file cannot be removed.)
Step 4: Restart Your Computer
Once you have removed old InstallShield files from your Temp directory, restart your computer (via your Windows Start button).
Step 5: Retry the Setup Program
Run the Setup program. It should now install properly.

I have searched the web for other problems with InstallShield and have found the following solutions with other programs that had problems with InstallShield. This should help with CyberBuddy and other programs that use InstallShield.
1. Clean out the Windows/Temp folder of all files as shown in the steps above. This seems to be the most popular solution. Don't delete the folder, just all the files in that folder.
2. The Path name to the install program may be too long. For example it may currently be c:\Windows\My Download Files\New Files\CyberBuddySetup.exe or something like that. Try moving it to a folder with a shorter path. For example, put it in C:\Windows\Desktop.
3. The Path to the Windows Temp Folder (especially in Win2000 and XP) may be too long. This is where InstallShield attempts to create it's temporary files. The path of the temp folder may need to be moved to a location closer to the top level of the hard drive.
4. Make sure you are not out of space on the hard drive you are running the Setup program on.
5. Windows 2000, most setups created with InstallShield require that you have Administrator or at least Power User privileges. As a restricted user you typically don't have write access to certain areas where InstallShield needs to place files and/or registry entries.

If you still can not get Install Shield to run, please email me at the contact page ( http://MyCyberBuddy.com/page51.html and explain the error you are getting.

Problems After Initial Setup Installation:
When CyberBuddy is installed, it must install several files from Microsoft in order to operate. These files are downloaded from Microsoft. The files are free from Microsoft. CyberBuddy checks your computer for the appropriate files and will download them from Microsoft if they do not already exist. Sometimes, for one reason or another, there may be a problem downloading one or more of these files. If you get an "eefadeH exception", "Class not registered" error or other error, try running CyberBuddy again. CyberBuddy will check for the files and will try to download them again if they failed to install the first time.
If all else fails, you can install the files manually at http://www.mycyberbuddy.com/page54.html

ALSO: Consider getting CyberBuddy, The Microsoft Agent Files, a number of agent characters and much much more on CD-ROM. Check it out http://thecyberbuddy.com/Page40.html

I have noticed that from time to time (rarely), the Microsoft servers have been unavailable. If that is the case, try again little later.


Q: I have downloaded the latest version of CyberBuddy, but when I run it, it seems to be the old version.
A. Make sure you exit CyberBuddy (use the button marked "Exit") before installing the new version.


Q: The program says "CyberBuddy could not load the Microsoft Agents."
A. One or more of the files required to run Microsoft Agents are missing. This may be due to another program that you uninstalled, that deleted some needed files. You can try to restore the application you deleted or go to the Agent Installation page at: http://www.mycyberbuddy.com/page54.html Here you can install the Agent files manually which should restore the missing, needed file.


Q: Do I need to uninstall CyberBuddy before I install an update?
A. No. Do not uninstall CyberBuddy before updating. The CyberBuddy install will update the appropriate files and will keep all of your preferences and you UIN intact.


Q: I have Windows XP and the characters have stopped talking or do not talk.
A. Microsoft Agent uses SAPI 4.0 to provide speech services. Windows XP however now ships with SAPI 5.0 which does not provide backward compatibility support for its predecessor. Fortunately, SAPI 4.0 and SAPI 5.0 can co-exist together on the same Windows XP computer.
In order for the speech engines to work with Microsoft Agent in Windows XP, you must download and install the SAPI 4.0 runtime component at http://activex.microsoft.com/activex/controls/sapi/spchapi.exe
Or, see the CyberBuddy Microsoft Agent Component Download page at http://MyCyberBuddy.com/page54.html


Q: I get the error "missing file ICQMAPI.DLL", what do I do?
A. This should only be seen on very early versions of CyberBuddy (Version 1). This may happen as a result of installing a new ICQ version after CyberBuddy. There are 2 solutions. 1. Re-install CyberBuddy. This will re-install the missing file. All your options will remain intact. 2. Get CyberBuddy version 2 from http://thecyberbuddy.com This version does not use ICQ or the special file. See the Main page for details.


Q: I get the error "missing file RASAPI.DLL", what do I do?
A. Note: CyberBuddy versions 2.09.00 and higher eliminated this problem.

For Previous Versions:
Rasapi.dll is a windows file that handles Dial Up Networking. If you are on a network system that does not use Dial Up Networking at all, it may be possible that windows has not installed rasapi.dll. CyberBuddy uses this file to determine online status.
To correct the situation, install Windows Dialup Networking (DUN). (Or the latest CyberBuddy Version) Normally, you can install this from the Control Panel, in the Add/Remove Software Section. It will be in the Windows tab in this section.


Q: How can I uninstall CyberBuddy?
A. CyberBuddy uninstalls with the Windows Un-Install function. Go to "My Computer" - "Control Panel" - "Add/Remove Programs", then select CyberBuddy from the list. You can also delete the CyberBuddy folder. It is usually: C:\Program Files\CyberBuddy

Q: How do I setup the mail?
A. I have a special page for setting up email. It can be found at http://thecyberbuddy.com/Page28.html


Q: I have mail setup, the test works ok, but when I check mail it says I do not have any. I know I do have mail. What's wrong?
A. You need to check the box, in the mail account list, to make that account active.


Q: When I click the "Test" button in email, it reports that it cannot connect to the server.
This means that the server address is most likely not correct.


Q: When I click the "Test" button in email, it reports "Invalid User ID or Password", or something similar.
A. This message is actually coming from your email server. If you get the message that your authorization failed it means that your email server did respond, but it indicated that the user authorization failed. This could be due to an incorrect user name OR password. Here are some things that other users have found when they had problems with the username and/or password.

1. In some cases, the user name or password may be case sensitive. MyName may not be the same as myname.
2. Some email servers require that the user name be the entire email address. For example: your user name may be myname, but the user name required for the email server is myname@myisp.com.
3. Make sure there are no spaces before or after the username or password in the boxes where you entered these.
4. Double check the spelling. This is a common error.

Q: I don't receive messages from people trying to send to my CyberBuddy.
A. Check the "Buddies" tab page and verify what you have set for Instant Messaging. If "Instant Messaging Enabled" is checked, you should be able to receive from other CyberBuddies. If "Receive only from Contacts" is checked, you will only be able to receive from CyberBuddies that you have put in your contact list.
Also, if you are on a LAN, using a router, or using Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), see the next question: "Will CyberBuddy Instant Messaging work with Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) or on a router?"


Q: Will CyberBuddy Instant Messaging work with Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), LAN or on a router?
A. Yes, in most cases but you need to set CyberBuddy up for this situation. You must have version 2.11.14 or later of CyberBuddy. If you are using ICS, a router, or are on a LAN, do the following: Go to the "General" tab of CyberBuddy. Click on "Advanced Options". In the Instant Messaging section, check the box marked "Use Server Based Instant Messaging.". Now, exit and restart CyberBuddy. Note that this must be done for all computers on your internal network that are running CyberBuddy. Note also that this option will enable Instant Messaging to work but File Transfer and Voice Messaging (Using your voice with a microphone) will not work with a router or Windows ICS.



Q: I want to use my CyberBuddy UIN on another computer, but when I install CyberBuddy I get a new UIN.
A. You can copy the options file (cyberbud.opt) from your original computer to the new one. It is in the same folder as CyberBuddy. This is most likely c:\program files\cyberbuddy. This will copy your original UIN (and other options) to the new computer.



Q: I installed CyberBuddy but I did not get a UIN.
A. CyberBuddy will assign a UIN, from the CyberBuddy UIN Server, the first time you go online after installing CyberBuddy.
Make sure you have checked "Instant Messaging Enabled" on the "Buddies" tab. If you are online, you can click on the "Server Update" button on the "Buddies" tab. This will also have CyberBuddy try to get a UIN if one has not been assigned.
You can also try this: Go to the "General" tab and check "Cable Modem / LAN" in the section labeled "I am connected to the internet via". Then exit CyberBuddy (use the exit button) and re-start it. (You can then set the selection back to "Dialup Connection" if you are on a dialup connection.)
If all this still does not work, it may be that the server that assigns UINs is down at the moment (it happens from time to time). Please try again later.



Q: I accidentally erased CyberBuddy and re-installed it. Can I get my original UIN back?
A. Yes. In CyberBuddy version 2.05.00 and greater, there is a way to restore a previous UIN.
To do this, send an email with the UIN that your CyberBuddy is currently set to, and the UIN you would like it changed to ( your previous UIN). You will be emailed a small file to place in your CyberBuddy folder. The next time you start CyberBuddy, the UIN will be changed.
Use the Contact page at http://MyCyberBuddy.com/page51.html o send UIN change requests.

Q: Can I chat with more than 1 person at a time?
A. Yes. If you have CyberBuddy version 2.10.01 or later and your friends also have the later versions, you can chat with many people at once. CyberBuddy has 2 chat modes, "Private" and "Group". "Group" means that you chat with the people who are in your online list. If you have the box checked, next to their name, you will be able to send and receive messages from the people in the list. To change to "Group" mode, click the "Private" button. This button is used to change between modes. To expand your contact list of Buddies, you can use the "Synchronize" function. It is explained below.


Q: What is the "Synchronize" function and what does it do?
A. The "Synchronize" function is used to synchronize your contact list with the contact lists of the friends you are chatting with. To do this, make sure that your friends are checked in the boxes in the online list. Right Click in the online list and select "Synchronize". In a few seconds, they people they are chatting with will appear on your online list, and the people you are chatting with will appear on theirs.


Q: Why doesn't CyberBuddy work with ICQ?
A. Early versions of CyberBuddy (version 1.24 and before) had an interface to announce when ICQ users came online. ICQ licensing requirements did not permit further use of this function and the interface to ICQ caused problems in a number of systems. Since then, the ICQ interface has been dropped and CyberBuddy independent instant messaging was implemented. CyberBuddy assigns UINs (User Identification Numbers) much like ICQ.


Q: The "Last Voice Msg" selection of the menu does not do anything. Why not?
A. This selection will play the last voice message that has been sent to you. Note that this is not the last text-to-speech instant message sent to you, but the last message that was the sender's actual voice. If no one has sent you a voice message, this selection will do nothing.

Q: My agent shows the text in the balloon but no voice is heard.
A. In most cases, this is solved by adding or updating the Microsoft Speech Control Panel. The control panel itself does not appear to be as important as some of the other files that are updated when this is installed.
Try the following items to see which may resolve your problem.
1. Make sure that you do not have "Silence CyberBuddy" checked on the "General" tab if it falls within the time you have set to be quiet.

2. Make sure the Agent Character is enabled for spoken output.
Try this first, it is the easiest.
In CyberBuddy, go to the "General" tab. Click on "Character Properties" (if CyberBuddy does not show this you are using an older version), make sure "Play Spoken Audio" is checked on the Output tab page.

3. Download and Install the latest Microsoft Speech Control Panel.
You can download the control panel from http://MyCyberBuddy.com/page54.html

4. Make sure that some other audio device is not currently using the computers audio resources.
It is not likely, but some other application may be using the audio channel. Only one device at a time can use the audio channel.


Other Agent Problems
You can visit the Microsoft Agent Troubleshooting Page at
http://http://www.microsoft.com/msagent/support/user/tts.asp



Q: When CyberBuddy starts, my computer dials into the internet. Can I prevent this?
A. Yes. When CyberBuddy runs, it looks for news, weather, email etc. from the Internet. Windows is configured on your computer such that a program trying to access this information will cause Windows to attempt to connect to the Internet. On your computer desktop, go to My Computer, Control Panel, Internet Options, then the "Connections" tab. Check the box labeled "Never Dial a Connection". This will prevent the unwanted dialing.


Q: I use Zone alarm. When CyberBuddy starts, Zone Alarm asks if it can be a server. Why is this?
A. CyberBuddy of course receives most of it's information (News, Weather, Jokes, Thoughts etc.) via the internet. In addition, it provides Instant Messaging and voice messaging. Even if you do not use these features, CyberBuddy has the capability. Zone alarm detects this capability and asks if you want it to be a server. It is asking permission to be a server to send messages. It then will ask if you want CyberBuddy to access the Internet. This is the same as a browser accessing the Internet.


Q: When I run CyberBuddy there seems to be 2 icons in my system tray. Why?
A. When CyberBuddy runs, you will see the CyberBuddy program icon in the system tray. In addition, most Agent Characters have their own icon. It is a part of the character. You will notice that if you change characters, the character icon will usually change as well. (Some characters do not have an icon).


Q: Can I have more than one character at a time on my screen?
A. Versions 3 and 4 of CyberBuddy (the CDROM versions from http://MyCyberBuddy.com/page40.html have multiple simultaneous characters and allow more than one character at a time on the screen (see http://thecyberbuddy.com/Page4.html ).


Q: I have asked for news and weather but I don't seem to get it very often.
A. If you have "Updates Only" checked , you will only hear reports when they have changed.


Q: How do I get the weather for my location?
A. In the Weather Location box on CyberBuddy, you can enter a Zip code, major city name, or Airport ICAO Code. To test, you can click "Check weather now" to have CyberBuddy check the weather with your settings, or click "Web Page" which will bring you to the Weather Server Web Page for the location selected.
The Airport city codes used are now the 4 letter ICAO codes. Some pages listing ICAO 4 letter airport codes:

Here is a page where you can enter a city name and get the airport code.
http://www.ar-group.com/icaoiata.htm

Another Airport code browser.
http://www.tmdg.co.uk/browse/

Here is a code list:
http://www.ukatts.org.uk/codesa-f.htm

or do a search for ICAO Airport Codes at http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=00340925231615648189&q=ICAO+Airport+Codes&sa=Search

Weather Location examples:
18360, Chicago, London, Paris, KEWR, EGLL




Q: I selected to get my weather temperature in Celsius but the report or portions of the report come in Fahrenheit.
A. CyberBuddy attempts to give you your preferred format based on your selection. If that format is not available from the weather server for all or a portion of the weather report, it will revert to the other format.



Q: Why is the Internet speed report so different from my modem speed?
A. CyberBuddy keeps track of how fast it receives information as it gathers the news, weather and stocks you have selected. It tracks this speed in bytes per second. A measure of exactly how much information is moved in a given time period. This speed tracking is a measurement of how fast your internet connection is working and a measurement of how fast the various servers are delivering information.




Q: I have asked CyberBuddy to report my Internet speed at intervals but it has not said anything.
A. CyberBuddy must gather a certain amount of information before it will report on Internet speed. It does this when it checks news, stocks and weather. If you are not using these features, or have it set to seldom retrieve information, you may not get a report.




Q: How can I have Multiple CyberBuddies on my computer for different users?
A If you have more than one CyberBuddy user on you computer, you may want to set the program up with multiple user profiles. There is an option that allows you to define multiple CyberBuddy users. Each user will have their own options and UIN.

Go to the "General" tab of CyberBuddy and click on "Advanced Options". You will see a section called "Multiple Users".
Type the name of the new user in the space provided. (Note: this does not have to be the actual name of the user, it is the name that CyberBuddy will use to load the profile for that user. You may for example have John1 and John2 as the profiles but the actual names of the users may both be John.). Click "Add New User". CyberBuddy will setup the new user.
To delete a user profile, click on the name in the list. The right-click and select delete.

When there are multiple users in a CyberBuddy program, there will be an additional button on the General Tab called "Change Active User". This button will allow you to switch between users.


Q: CyberBuddy starts when my computer starts. Can I prevent this?
A. Yes.
CyberBuddy starts when your computer starts so that it can begin work right away and will detect when you go online. To prevent this:
In versions 2.10.23 or later: Go to the "General" tab of CyberBuddy then click on "Advanced Options". Uncheck the box marked "Launch CyberBuddy on Startup".
In earlier versions: Use Windows explorer and browse to C:\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. Delete the CyberBuddy shortcut in this folder.


Q: Can I direct CyberBuddy to a different News, Weather or Stock page?
A. CyberBuddy uses specific servers for the News, Weather and Stocks because the information is formatted specifically for CyberBuddy. As such, CyberBuddy must get the information from these specific locations. However, the Web Watching Wizard (WWW) section of CyberBuddy can be used similar to these functions, to watch and report from your favorite sports, financial, news etc. pages. This feature was put in CyberBuddy to answer requests from users to have CyberBuddy check user-selected sites. See the CyberBuddy help file for details on using this function.


Q: I'm sure I saw someone wearing a CyberBuddy shirt. Where did they get it?
A. Right here http://MyCyberBuddy.com/store



Q: What's the story behind that funny looking CyberBuddy character?
A. My son, who was 13 at the time, made the drawing of that funny looking character. When I was writing the CyberBuddy program, that character came to mind and reminded my of what an imaginary Cyber Buddy might look like. I used him (with my son's permission) and created an icon from the drawing. I've had a number of requests to create an agent character of CyberBuddy. You can download a free character of "Cyber" at http://CyberTheBot.com
.


Q: Other Problems not listed here.
A: Check the Microsoft Agent Troubleshooting FAQ at http://www.microsoft.com/msagent/support/user/tts.asp