Verifying and Installing Prerequisite Software
Verify the progam levels for the prerequisites of your purchased software.
Verifying Program Software Level
Verify: In general, you can check the version.release of most programs by starting the program and clicking Help -- About. If you cannot start the program, you can also check the level in the Windows Control Panel. Go to Start -- Control Panel -- Add or Remove Programs. Select the program in the list and click the "Click here for support information" link (note: some programs may not have this link).
Uninstall: To Uninstall a program go to the Start -- Control Panel -- Add or Remove Programs list. Find the program in the list and click the Remove button. There are slight differences for [Windows7, Vista], and [XP].
.Net Framework
Verify: To check .Net Framework versions, go to Start -- Control Panel -- Add or Remove Programs. All Microsoft .Net Framework versions and service packs will be listed. In general, installing the latest version will also install necessary previous versions. For example installing version 3.5 will also install 2.0 and 3.0. .Net Framework versions can co-exist so do not uninstall the previous versions.
If you need to install BOTH DirectX and the .NET Framework, then install the .NET Framework FIRST. Otherwise, the DirectX install may skip some .Net related dlls and you will have to reinstall DirectX again. It's highly recommended that you create a Windows Restore Point before installing new .NET Framework versions in case you need to back out of an install.
Instructions
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Find the lastest version and install the
.NET Framework. (FREE download) - After installing, go to Start -- All Programs -- Accessories -- System Tools -- Windows Update to install any necessary security updates and to address any known application compatibility issues.
DirectX
See our separate instruction page for verifying and installing DirectX prereq.
Windows Media Player
Verify: To verify the program level, follow the instruction in the Verifying Program Software Level section above. Windows Media Player (WMP) version 11 (or later) drivers, are used by Sound Mill to play non-Wav format audio (ie MP3, etc). WMP version 10 should work according to Microsoft documentation but it is not officially supported for Sound Mill since all of our testing is done on WMP version 11.
Install:
Download and install the latest WMP at one of these links:
latest Windows Media Player.
Windows Installer
Verify: In general, if our program setup (installer MSI file) starts when you double click the file, you likely have a sufficient level of the Microsoft Windows Installer (Microsoft Windows Installer 3.0 or later).
Install:
If necessary, download and install the
latest Microsoft Windows Installer from this list.
Web Browser
A CSS2 compatible Web Browser is required to view the Help documentation. Most modern browsers will work (Internet Explorer 5.x or later, Firefox 1.0 or later, or your favorite browser). CSS1 browser will work but will have some minor layout quirks. CSS2 is Cascading Style Sheet W3.org level 2.
Always Set a Windows Restore Point
Optional but Smart! DirectX and the .Net Framework should be considered as service packs to your system. As such, it is always a safe practice to set a Windows Restore Point before installing them. It only takes a few seconds. And it is the ONLY way to back out of either of these types of installs (in rare cases where it is necessary).