Possible Problems
If you run into any trouble, here is some technical help.
- I am getting an ODBC error message when I attempt to download a ScreenMate.
- I get an "illegal operation" error message when I try to run the ScreenMate.
- I can't delete my ScreenMate.
- I can't download a ScreenMate.
- How do I save a ScreenMate?
- How do I close a ScreenMate
- How do I use a ScreenMate?
- I am having trouble hearing my ScreenMate.
- I want my ScreenMate to be quiet. What do I do?
- Every time I start up my computer, the ScreenMate starts up with it. How do I delete it for good?
- Every time I start up a program, a ScreenMate starts up instead. What do I do?
- How do I make my own ScreenMate?
- I want more ScreenMates!
- How do I Uninstall the Felix the Cat ScreenMate?
1. I am getting an ODBC error message when I attempt to download a ScreenMate.
There is the possibility that we are updating our servers, or our website is experiencing technical difficulties. If you receive this error from our website, please try back again later.
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2. I get an "illegal operation" error message when I try download or run the ScreenMate.
If you receive this error while on our site, it is usually due to a problem with your browser conflicting with your MIDI music plug-in. We recommend that you upgrade to the latest version of your browser. Then download and install an appropriate MIDI music plug-in.
Also, if you have a lot of extra applications open, try closing them down and then try to download or run the ScreenMate.
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3. I can't delete my ScreenMate.
If the ScreenMate is running on your computer, place your cursor over the ScreenMate. Right click on your mouse. A drop down menu will appear. Make sure the "run on startup" option is not selected (if it is, deselect "run on startup"). Then, select "uninstall" or "delete" from the list of options.
If the ScreenMate is closed, place your cursor over the ScreenMate application (wherever you saved it to) and right click on your mouse. A drop down menu will appear. Select "delete." Then just follow the promptings.
We also recommend that you do a SEARCH to delete any shortcuts that may have been created. Click on the START tab in the lower left hand corner. Click "Find", then "Files or Folders." Then enter the name of the ScreenMate that you want deleted from your computer and delete that ScreenMate.
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4. I can't download a ScreenMate.
The ScreenMates site is designed to work correctly with all the most popular web browsers. If you are having trouble receiving sound or animation from our site, we strongly suggest you upgrade to the most recent versions of browser software:
Netscape Navigator available at www.netscape.com
America Online at www.aol.com
Internet Explorer available at www.msn.com
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5. How do I save a ScreenMate?
It's easy to save a ScreenMate to your computer's hard drive.
When you click on the ScreenMate graphic on the website to download it from our site, a download window will open. You can select to download it and "run it" from our site, or "save it" to your computer.
If you would like to save the ScreenMate to your computer, make sure to select where you want to save it to on your computer, and then select "save it to disc."
Remember where you saved it!
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6. How do I close a ScreenMate
When you are finished viewing the ScreenMate, just place your cursor over the ScreenMate and right click on your mouse.
A drop down menu will open up. Select "close."
You can also place your cursor over the ScreenMate in the task bar on your computer and right click on your mouse. A drop down menu will appear. Select "close."
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7. How do I use a ScreenMate?
Place your cursor over the ScreenMate and right click on your mouse, you will get a list of options to choose from.
Make sure to right click on your ScreenMate! It's a lot of fun!
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8. I am having trouble hearing my ScreenMate.
Not all ScreenMates have sound.
ScreenMates with audio use MIDI files. If you double click on the speaker in the lower right hand corner (system tray) you'll bring up your volume controls. Make sure it's not muted.
If you do not hear anything and you know the ScreenMate has audio, then check to see that you have the newest possible MIDI drivers for your sound card. If your sound card does not support MIDI sound, then you will not be able to hear ScreenMates.
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9. I want my ScreenMate to be quiet. What do I do?
If your ScreenMate has audio, some ScreenMates can made to be quiet. Place your cursor over the ScreenMate and right click on your mouse. A drop down menu will appear. Select "be quiet" on those ScreenMates that have the option.
If you would like to hear the sound again, just right click on the ScreenMate and deselect "be quiet."
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10. Every time I start up my computer, the ScreenMate starts up with it. How do I delete it for good?
When the ScreenMate is running on your computer, place your cursor over the ScreenMate. Right click on your mouse. A drop down menu will appear. Make sure to deselect the "run on startup" option. Then, select "uninstall" or "delete" from the list of options.
We also recommend that you do a SEARCH to delete any shortcuts that may have been created. Click on the START tab in the lower left hand corner. Click "Find", then "Files or Folders." Then enter the name of the ScreenMate and delete that ScreenMate that you want deleted from your computer.
If you have Felix the Cat (the black and white cat) then you will need to Uninstall it. Please read question 14 for directions on Uninstalling Felix.
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11. Every time I start my program, a ScreenMate starts up instead. What do I do?
If every time you attempt to start a program and a ScreenMate starts up instead, it appears that you or someone using your computer inadvertently saved the ScreenMate over the program's start up application. Please be aware that we cannot download our products on to your computer. Someone using your computer must do it from your computer.
Delete the ScreenMate: If the ScreenMate is running on your computer, place your cursor over the ScreenMate. Right click on your mouse. A drop down menu will appear. Make sure the "run on startup" option is not selected (if it is, deselect "run on startup"). Then, select "uninstall" or "delete" from the list of options.
If the ScreenMate is closed, place your cursor over the ScreenMate application (wherever you saved it to) and right click on your mouse. A drop down menu will appear. Select "delete." Then just follow the promptings.
We also recommend that you do a SEARCH to delete any shortcuts that may have been created. Click on the START tab in the lower left hand corner. Click "Find", then "Files or Folders." Then enter the name of the ScreenMate and delete that ScreenMate that you want deleted from your computer.
Please note that you may have to reinstall the program's start up file if you saved the ScreenMate over it. Next time you or someone using your computer attempts to save anything, make sure to be careful where it is saved to!
You can also attempt to "remove" it from the startup program of the application, as well.
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12. How do I make my own ScreenMate?
ScreenMates are produced by AdTools, Inc. using proprietary software. This software is the result of extensive research, and is one of the unique features of our products. Consequently, we do not license it to third parties or disclose the techniques it employs.
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13. I want more ScreenMates!
Please be aware that ScreenMates are very time and cost consuming. They take a fair bit of work, and we are a professional organization, which makes customized desktop marketing tools for our clients - so those assignments, naturally, must take precedence. Don't worry - there will be more ScreenMates posted for fun! You might want to just bookmark our page and return to it once a month or so to see if it's been updated.
If you like our ScreenMates, you may also enjoy our other websites: www.messagemates.com, www.tooned.com, www.pumpiworld.com, and www.plantster.com
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14. How do I Uninstall the Felix the Cat ScreenMate?
If you place your mouse's cursor over Felix while he is running, and right click, a drop down menu will appear. One of the options will read "Exit". If you click on that, you will close out of Felix until you choose to run him again.
If you want to delete Felix permanently, you must run the Felix "uninstaller". You can download the Felix Uninstaller from our website:
http://www.messagemates.com/getmate.asp?type=felixunstall&cat=d&path=felix/felixunstall.exe
(a download window only will pop open; if your browser is open, you may connect to a "page cannot be found" page, but just close the browser window and click on the link above again for the download window)
Then run it on your computer. Afterwards, restart your computer. Now the little guy will be gone for good.
If you have the newest version of Felix the Cat with the toybox, then right click on Felix when the program is running and select "uninstall." Follow the promptings.
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