Exploring Science (Pearson Longman) - White screen of death!

[tom_pearson]

I'm attempting to fix an issue that is preventing Exploring Science 8 from loading locally on a Windows XP SP3 system, a white screen with nothing but "100%" is displayed, and an error message reading:

 

"Executable '%programpath%\wrapper.exe' had the following unrecoverable error:

Couldn't find library MSVCR80.dll (required by C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE12\MSOXMLMF.DLL)

Please ensure that it is installed"

 

This problem was also found on Exploring Science 7, which was fixed with a patch provided by Pearson Longman. This is no longer available, and I have had no response from their support team.

 

Has anyone had the same problem? Did you ever manage to gain a fix from Longman? If so I would be very grateful for some help. I believe the patch just replaced the main launching executable and a few splash screens.

 

Thanks in advance!!

[lickydog]

Have sent you a PM...

[tom_pearson]

Thanks, I'll let you know how I get on.

[tom_pearson]

Worked like a dream, thanks very much!

[Edu-IT]

Is this one with a space scene on the case? If so, do you know how to set the shared drive for all users?

[lickydog]

Got you - these are the old ones in CD jewel cases...

 

ISBN 1-582-84901-2 (Exploring Science Pupil Interactive CD-ROM 7 for QCA SOW) 2004

==================================================

Title : ESOR7i_PATCH.zip

Type : zip

url : http://centraal.uk.knowledgebox.com/kbase/files/CDROM/patches/Exploring%20Science/ESOR_Pupil/ESOR7i_PATCH.zip

==================================================

 

ISBN 1-405-80083-6 (Exploring Science Pupil Interactive CD-ROM 8 for QCA SOW) 2005

==================================================

Title : ESOR8i_PATCH.zip

Type : zip

url : http://centraal.uk.knowledgebox.com/kbase/files/CDROM/patches/Exploring%20Science/ESOR_Pupil/ESOR8i_PATCH.zip

==================================================

 

ISBN 1-582-85352-4 (Exploring Science Pupil Interactive CD-ROM 9 for QCA SOW) 2005

==================================================

Title : ESOR9i_PATCH.zip

Type : zip

url : http://centraal.uk.knowledgebox.com/kbase/files/CDROM/patches/Exploring%20Science/ESOR_Pupil/ESOR9i_PATCH.zip

==================================================

 

Problem:

The shared data setting is lost when another user logs onto the PC. The problem presents itself when launching Exploring Science in the form of a dialogue box stating that the shared data folder has not been set up. The user is advised to seek a teacher or the administrator.

 

Cause:

Macromedia Flash uses a bespoke shared object library to store this data. Due to the security constraints placed upon Flash objects, it is created in a unique location that cannot be simply copied to the 'All users' profile.

 

Solution:

Download the zip file and extract the files into the application directory (e.g: C:\es8\es8) overwriting the following files:

 

es8.exe

kd1.swf

main.swf

In addition, ensure that sharedpath.xml is placed into the config folder.

 

Note:

Perform a file-search on the affected machines to locate and delete instances of 'kdtest1.sol'. This file will be re-created with the correct version automatically when running the product again.

Edited September 21, 2010 by lickydog
correction

[lickydog]

This thread - re. white screen refers to the ActiveBook discs.

 

These have the following ISBN on their case/disc

ISBN 1-405-82306-2

ISBN 1-405-82309-7

ISBN 1-405-82312-7

[Edu-IT]

Got you - these are the old ones in CD jewel cases...

 

ISBN 1-582-84901-2 (Exploring Science Pupil Interactive CD-ROM 7 for QCA SOW) 2004

==================================================

Title : ESOR7i_PATCH.zip

Type : zip

url : http://centraal.uk.knowledgebox.com/kbase/files/CDROM/patches/Exploring%20Science/ESOR_Pupil/ESOR7i_PATCH.zip

==================================================

 

ISBN 1-405-80083-6 (Exploring Science Pupil Interactive CD-ROM 8 for QCA SOW) 2005

==================================================

Title : ESOR8i_PATCH.zip

Type : zip

url : http://centraal.uk.knowledgebox.com/kbase/files/CDROM/patches/Exploring%20Science/ESOR_Pupil/ESOR8i_PATCH.zip

==================================================

 

ISBN 1-582-85352-4 (Exploring Science Pupil Interactive CD-ROM 9 for QCA SOW) 2005

==================================================

Title : ESOR9i_PATCH.zip

Type : zip

url : http://centraal.uk.knowledgebox.com/kbase/files/CDROM/patches/Exploring%20Science/ESOR_Pupil/ESOR9i_PATCH.zip

==================================================

 

Problem:

The shared data setting is lost when another user logs onto the PC. The problem presents itself when launching Exploring Science in the form of a dialogue box stating that the shared data folder has not been set up. The user is advised to seek a teacher or the administrator.

 

Cause:

Macromedia Flash uses a bespoke shared object library to store this data. Due to the security constraints placed upon Flash objects, it is created in a unique location that cannot be simply copied to the 'All users' profile.

 

Solution:

Download the zip file and extract the files into the application directory (e.g: C:\es8\es8) overwriting the following files:

 

es8.exe

kd1.swf

main.swf

In addition, ensure that sharedpath.xml is placed into the config folder.

 

Note:

Perform a file-search on the affected machines to locate and delete instances of 'kdtest1.sol'. This file will be re-created with the correct version automatically when running the product again.

Oh please you are joking me?! I just spent 3 days packaging this software cos' it takes hours. (Thanks btw!)

 

I'm guessing I can write a script to copy these files over rather than create new MSI's.

Edited September 22, 2010 by Edu-IT

[jamesfed]

Hi all - I think I'm having a simlar problem but with Exploring Science 9 (started a new thread here- http://www.edugeek.net/forums/educational-software/64549-exploring-science-9-white-screen.html), I have tried applying the patch shown here but the instructions don't seem to apply as I can't find any of the files listed to overwrite.

[pcrockett]

Hi there. Would you mind sending me the same PM with the solution to this problem. I'm having exactly the same issue with the white screen and "100%" being displayed.

Many thanks

[lickydog]

Done and done

[pcrockett]

Many thanks for sending those. I tried to PM you but I'm a new user and have to be "5 greater" or something I received a patch to fix this problem (from Longmans) before I saw your post so I never got chance to try yours. I've uploaded the fixes I was sent for Exploring Science 7,8 and 9.

 

Thanks again,

 

Phil

ESOR7_AB_version7.zip

ESOR8_AB_version8.zip

ESOR9_AB_version9.zip

[sucy]

Hello!

I have the same problem, but it's New Oppurtunities Edu for life Intermediate Test MAster (ISBN: 1-4058-4138-9)

Could you help me, please?

Thanks!

Peter Suto

[jimmy_2k]

Many thanks for sending those. I tried to PM you but I'm a new user and have to be "5 greater" or something I received a patch to fix this problem (from Longmans) before I saw your post so I never got chance to try yours. I've uploaded the fixes I was sent for Exploring Science 7,8 and 9.

 

Thanks again,

 

Phil

 

Sorry to bump an old thread but these have just saved me some grief!

[PyROm]

Hi, can anyone give me the fix for this please? I just had a laptop returned to me where exploring science decided to remove chunks of windows/office. ISBN 0-582-83630-1 tried contacting pearson who says they dont support it anymore and dont sell an equivelent. Edited February 14, 2013 by PyROm

[PyROm]

Sorry, wrong isbn, that was one for the assessment cdrom, not the active book.

[lickydog]

How did it break?

 

It all looks very forgotten - but these were 2004 releases mind; will have a dig in my archives to see if I can locate anything relevant.

 

Closest I can find is the companion website: Exploring Science QCA - Assessment Materials

[lickydog]

Have dug up some files off the old support server: for the Assessment CDROM - UNC support

http://centraal.uk.knowledgebox.com/kbase/files/CDROM/patches/Exploring%20Science/ESOR_Assess/UNC_patch/Y9_Assess_UNC_patch.zip

http://centraal.uk.knowledgebox.com/kbase/files/CDROM/patches/Exploring%20Science/ESOR_Assess/UNC_patch/Y8_Assess_UNC_patch.zip

http://centraal.uk.knowledgebox.com/kbase/files/CDROM/patches/Exploring%20Science/ESOR_Assess/UNC_patch/Y7_Assess_UNC_patch.zip

 

These are the only patches I could locate - and to be fair you're pretty much on your own with these...

I guess you just need to search for and replace the files provided in the zip.

Edited February 14, 2013 by lickydog

[lickydog]

Other than pcrocket's links above for the ActiveBook titles the only other relevant file I could find was: http://centraal.uk.knowledgebox.com/kbase/files/CDROM/patches/Exploring%20Science/ActiveBook/ESOR9AB_MSI.zip

I guess this is to help with rolling out the patch files.

 

Unfortunately since my day, the support articles associated with these fixes have been lost/taken down...

[PyROm]

Hi, thanks for getting back to me, it is the active book we are trying to use. It was actually our technician who first found the problem, we have 7,8 and 9 installed, all came up with error about library not registered. He put them into xp sp3 compatibility mode which made 7 and 8 work, but when he did it with 9 files started to go missing.

[PyROm]

The patch seems to have stopped it deleteing files although it now just locks up on a white screen. I have copied the wrapper.exe from exploring science 8 into the 9 folder and set it to windows 2000 compatibility mode and it works. You get the es8 splash screen but afterwards its all es9.

[Edu-IT]

Does anyone know the default setup PW for the old Exploring Science?