English Language Teaching

OALD7 queries

Phrasebuilder Genie queries

OALD6

Wordpower

Polish Wordpower

Essential Learner's

Mac compatibility (various products)

Word Magic

Wordsmith Tools

New English File

Miscellaneous queries

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why does the OALD 7 Compass CD-ROM fail to run?

A. A problem has been identified when installing early pressings of the CD-ROM on machines running Windows 98SE, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows ME or Windows XP in conjunction with certain antivirus software and firewalls. The installation appears to be successful but the OALD 7 Compass program fails to launch with no error message given, or with a "License data is invalid! Please contact Customer Support for further instructions." message.

Should you encounter this problem please email the helpdesk to fix the problem.

Q. I have QuickTime 7 for Windows installed. Why do I get an error message "QuickTime plug-in requires the QuickTime system extension version 5 or later" when starting the OALD7 Compass CD-ROM?

A. The Compass CD-ROM was developed before QuickTime 7 was released, and there are some incompatibilities which can be fixed as follows:

1. If it is open, close the OALD7 Compass application.
2. Download the no_QT_patch_OALD7.zip patch file
3. Unzip plugins_QT7_win.zip and run the enclosed file no_QT_patch_OALD7.exe
4. Sound should now be working whichever version of QuickTime you have installed - if you have any further problems or queries, please email the helpdesk.

Q. I have QuickTime 7 for Mac OS X installed. Why doesn't the sound work with the OALD7 Compass CD-ROM?

A. The Compass CD-ROM was developed before QuickTime 7 was released, and there are some incompatibilities which can be fixed as follows:

1. If it is open, close the OALD7 Compass application.
2. Download the main_xul.zip patch file
3. Double-clicking on main_xul.zip should extract a file called main.xul .
4. In the Finder, go in the directory where oald7 is installed, usually Applications.
5. Ctrl-click (or right-click) on oald7, and choose Show Package Contents. A new Finder window will appear.
6. Go into the Contents directory
7. Go into the MacOS directory
8. Go into the chrome directory
9. Go into the oald7 directory
10. Go into the content directory
11. In this directory, replace the main.xul file with the new main.xul you have just downloaded.
12. Sound should now be working - if you have any further problems or queries, please email the helpdesk.

Q. Why aren't the speaker symbols or phonetic spellings displayed correctly on my Compass CD-ROM?

A. This may be because your computer does not have the DictBats font installed; this usually comes as standard with the OALD7 CD-ROM. Following the below insructions should solve your problem:

1. Download the DictBats font
2. Move the DictBats.ttf file to your Desktop, so that you have easy access to it.
3. Go to 'Start' and then 'Run'.
4. Type %windir%\fonts and then click OK.
5. The 'Fonts' folder will appear. Drag and drop the DictBats.ttf file from your Desktop into the 'Fonts' folder. It should install itself automatically.
6. Restart your computer; OALD7 should now function correctly.

If you have any further problems or queries, please email the helpdesk

Q. Why has my Phrasebuilder Genie suddenly stopped running?

A. The Windows service pack MS06-051/KB917422, released by Microsoft on August 8 2006, stops some applications from running; they just don't open.

Microsoft has created a solution. You can download hotfix KB924867 - follow the link with your version of Windows from the list on that page to download the patch (these patches are only for Windows 2000 and XP).

After applying this patch, you may then receive an "error z0001: internal error" message when you try to run your Phrasebuilder Genie - if so, please follow these instructions:

1. Firstly download the patch.
2. Place the patch utility (UpdatePBG.EXE) in any convenient folder.
3. Run the patch by double-clicking on it.
4. The first time you use the patch it may ask you to insert the CD-ROM, however once this is done it should work fine and you will not need to run the patch again.

You should now be able to run your Phrasebuilder, but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further problems.

Q. Why does text display incorrectly on my Genie?

A. If you have any display problems with your Genie, try downloading and running this fix. Unless you have a broadband connection, please allow approximately 30 minutes for the download to complete.

Q. Does the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 6th edition CD-ROM work with Windows Vista?

A. Some users have been unable to use their OALD 6 CD-ROMs while running Windows Vista. Due to significant changes in the Windows operating system, we are unable to provide support for this application under Vista. If you are having problems, please follow our troubleshooting guide.

Q. Why does my Wordpower CD-ROM require the disc in the drive?

A. This is because of the copy protection on the Wordpower 3e CD-ROM. Therefore, even if you choose full installation, it needs the CD-ROM in the drive to make sure it is a genuine copy. To fix this please email the helpdesk.

Q. Why are the phonetic spellings on my Polish Wordpower CD-ROM displayed incorrectly?

A. This may be because your computer does not have the "Arial Microsoft Unicode" font installed. This font used to be part of the installation in the older versions of MS Windows, but Microsoft has since removed it from the newer ones.

Unfortunately, this font is not free and cannot be re-distributed outside MS products. For this reason we are unable to offer this font as a download for our customers.

Click here if you'd like to purchase this font from Microsoft.

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Q. Why do some of the matching pairs on the Essential CD-ROM have pictures missing?

A. A problem has been identified with the first pressing of the new Oxford Essential Learner's CD-ROM. Some of the pictures needed to play a few of the matching pairs games are missing.

If you encounter this problem, download this fix (approximately 6 megabytes). Double-click on the file to run it.

If the download doesn't work, we can send you a CD-ROM with the fix - please email us, and tell us your full postal address.

Please email eltdict.help@oup.com if you require further help.

Q. Why does my Oxford Student's Multimedia Dictionary not work?

A. The Oxford Student's Multimedia Dictionary sometimes conflicts with other software, including Windows XP SP2. This sometimes causes the error message "error z0001: internal error".

Please insert the disc into the drive, and look at the drive in My Computer - does it say OSMD_V10 or OSMD_V11?

If it says OSMD_V10
The problem is usually fixed by downloading this patch.

1. Unzip the patchoup.zip file - it contains one file called Patch_OUP_All.exe
2. Place the patch utility (patch_oup_all.exe) in any convenient folder (for example the Desktop).
3. Double click it to run it.
4. When started, a file browser is displayed. Browse to C:\Program Files\Oxford\OSMD. Select the QZ_ file.
5. When you click on Open, the file will be patched and is ready to run under Windows XP SP2.

If it says OSMD_V11
The problem is usually fixed by downloading this patch.

1. Unzip the uposmd.zip file. This contains a file named UpdateOSMD.EXE.
2. Place the patch utility (UpdateOSMD.EXE) in any convenient folder (for example the Desktop).
3. Run the patch by double-clicking on it.

You should now be able to run your Oxford Student's Multimedia Dictionary, but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further problems.

Q. Why is my ESL Genie CD-ROM not working with my Mac?

A. The ESL Genie is not compatible with Macs powered by Intel processors. It will work with Macs with PowerPC processors running OS X.

This incompatibility issue affects the following models:

• MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro
• Mac Pro
• iMac (from early 2006 onwards)
• Mac mini (from early 2006 onwards)

Q. Why won't my CD-ROM work on my Mac?

A. Many of our dictionaries are Windows compatible only. However, you can run a Windows operating system via products such as Boot Camp, and therefore be able to install the CD-ROM on you Mac. You could also try running Windows on a virtual machine (e.g. VMware or Parallels Desktop), although this may not work because of the copy protection on the disc. If you adopt either of these methods we will happily offer support for our product, once up and running.

Another option would be to use utilities such as Crossover Office or Wine, however we would not support such a method as the product isn’t actually running on Windows, rather a basic simulation of it.

The following CD-ROMs are Mac compatible:

• The Advanced Learner's Dictionary
• Oxford Learner's Thesaurus
• Word Magic
• ESL Genie (not compatible with Intel-based Macs)
• Study Genie Plus (requires a patch in order to run on Intel-based Macs [see below])

Q. Can I run my Oxford Study Genie Plus on my Intel-based Mac?

A. The original pressing of the CD-ROM does not run on Intel-based Macs. A solution has been created, which can be downloaded from here. Once the file has been downloaded, unzip it and copy the new SGP.app into your Applications folder, over-writing your old version. You may be prompted for an administrator's username and password at this point. The product should now run on your Intel-based Mac.

Q. Why does my Word Magic CD-ROM not run?

A. The CD-ROM doesn’t have an installer, and therefore no install routine. Because of this, it can give the impression the CD has crashed. In order to make the CD run quicker, you can copy the contents of the CD into a folder on your hard drive and then run WordMagic.exe (for Windows) or WordMagicOsX (for Mac) from that location.

Q. How can I obtain Wordsmith Tools?

A. This title cannot be ordered over the telephone or bought in a bookshop. It must be ordered over the Internet using the online order form. Buy Wordsmith Tools

Q. Why won’t my New English File iPack launch?

A. This may be because you are trying to launch the program with limited access rights, following the program’s installation by a user with full administration rights. The following may solve your problem:

1. Log in to the Administrators account and install the iPack.
2. Create a new folder outside Program Files (in C:\ would be a good place).
3. Locate the folder in which the iPack is installed and copy the files contained.
4. Paste these files into the folder you’ve just created, and then delete the original ones.
5. Select (but do not open) the new folder in Windows explorer and click on ‘Tools’ from the drop-down menu, then ‘Folder Options’, then ‘View’. Uncheck the bottom option ‘Use simple file sharing (recommended)’.
6. Right-click on the new folder and select ‘Sharing and Security’. Choose to ‘Share this folder’, and select ‘Permissions’ and give ‘Full control’ to ‘Everyone’. Click ‘Apply’.
7. Still in the ‘Properties’ menu for the new file, select the ‘Security’ tab. Allow full permissions for the groups listed and then ‘Add…’ users to enable these permissions. Click ‘Apply’.
8. Open the new folder and select all the contained folders. Right-click and select ‘Properties’, then select ‘Security’ and ensure that all users and groups have full permissions. Click ‘Apply’.
9. Log off the ‘Administrator’ account, log in as a user without admin rights (one which you have allowed full permissions for). Navigate to the new folder and select ‘start_here_.exe’.
10. The application should now run.

Q. What is a key-number? (encrypted CD-ROMs only).

A. The key-number, which is found on the front of your CD-ROM, is needed to unlock the encryption key code. To run many programs you will need to enter the key number. If you have not taken note of the key number, you will have to open your CD-ROM drive and write down the key number. However, before entering the key-number, please re-insert the CD-ROM in the drive and give it about ten seconds to spin up to speed.

Q. What is the difference between a single user and a network licence?

A. A single user licence permits the use of the software on one machine.

Q. My question isn't listed on this page, or the solution did not solve my problem. What can I do?

A. If you cannot find a specific question about your product on this page, or you have tried what is suggested and the product is still not working correctly, please try the following. This may solve your problem more quickly than contacting us for a solution.

1. Try running the software with all other programs closed, including disabling virus checkers and firewall software.
2. If possible, would you be able to try it in a different user account on your machine, an admin account rather than a standard user account, or on a different machine?
3. If it still does not work, please uninstall your Oxford CD-ROM software, reboot, re-install it and try again.
4. It is also possible that new operating systems or updates to existing operating systems released by Microsoft, Apple, or other operating system vendors may cause problems with existing Oxford products. We will provide a solution for these where possible.

If your product is still not working, please contact us .