Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome, please click on a topic below to find related questions or symptoms and view their answers or solutions.
Installation FAQ
Symptom:The installation says to close 'Internet Explorer' but it's not running
Solution:Sometimes, it appears that Internet Explorer has been shutdown, but it is still running.
Follow the steps below to close Internet Explorer (if you're using that browser now, that's fine):
Follow the steps below to close Internet Explorer (if you're using that browser now, that's fine):
- Right click on the task bar and select task manager.
- Select processes tab.
- Click the name column, under processes tab to sort the names of running processes.
- Click on the first line that reads IEXPLORE.EXE.
- Click the 'End Process' button.
- You will get a warning screen, ignore it and click the 'End process' button on that screen.
- Your installation will proceed.
Licensing FAQ
Question:What is the licensing policy for your software?
Solution:Applied Human Factors grants a very generous license to each user for all of its products.
You may, in affect, use the software on any reasonable number of machines, if you guarantee that you'll be the only user. If there is a possibility of additional users using the software at the same time, you'll need to purchase the number of possible concurrent users.
Because our licensing policy is quite generous we require the user to license their product on each machine.
With each of our latest versions of products, you can license the product directly from within the software.
For older versions, you can get a license from our website. The link is on the right-side panel click 'I need a license code' to get started.
You may, in affect, use the software on any reasonable number of machines, if you guarantee that you'll be the only user. If there is a possibility of additional users using the software at the same time, you'll need to purchase the number of possible concurrent users.
Because our licensing policy is quite generous we require the user to license their product on each machine.
With each of our latest versions of products, you can license the product directly from within the software.
For older versions, you can get a license from our website. The link is on the right-side panel click 'I need a license code' to get started.
Question:If I download a new version of software, will I loose my license?
Solution:Once you've licensed a product, the license remains even if you download a newer version of the software as long as the main version number is the same as what you already have installed.
For example, if you have REACH 6.0.0 then downloading REACH 6.0.5 will not result in losing your license.
Moreover, newer versions of REACH like 7.0 (which does not exist yet) would run as a demo version.
For example, if you have REACH 6.0.0 then downloading REACH 6.0.5 will not result in losing your license.
Moreover, newer versions of REACH like 7.0 (which does not exist yet) would run as a demo version.
Question:I am trying to license my software, where do I find my serial #?
Solution:Your serial# is located on the CD, back of the manual, or in the email receipt you received when you purchased the product.
Question:I am trying to license my software, what do I do if I can't find my serial #?
Solution:If you can't find your serial #, please contact us, by clicking here. Please give us much information about your purchase as possible. We'll try to help you relocate your serial#.
ScanBuddy FAQ
Question:Why can't I use the mouse when ScanBuddy is active?
Solution:ScanBuddy looks at mouse clicks to determine when the user wants to select something. If ScanBuddy is 'scanning', then clicks from the mouse must be interpreted as a switch closure. In addition, the position of the mouse cursor is ignored. You can get control of the mouse in two ways:
- Click the 'pause' key on the hardware keyboard which is typically located near the 'numberpad' next to the Insert, PrintScreen keys.
- Let ScanBuddy go to sleep by not selecting anything. If you click once, a message appears telling you, you can click on the 'Pause' button to pause ScanBuddy.
Question:ScanBuddy won't let me use my mouse, what's going on?
Solution:ScanBuddy looks at mouse clicks to determine when the user wants to select something. If ScanBuddy is 'scanning', then clicks from the mouse must be interpreted as a switch closure. In addition, the position of the mouse cursor is ignored. You can get control of the mouse in two ways:
- Click the 'pause' key on the hardware keyboard which is typically located near the 'numberpad' next to the Insert, PrintScreen keys.
- Let ScanBuddy go to sleep by not selecting anything. If you click once, a message appears telling you, you can click on the 'Pause' button to pause ScanBuddy.
Question:How do I stop ScanBuddy from scanning?
Solution:ScanBuddy looks at mouse clicks to determine when the user wants to select something. If ScanBuddy is 'scanning', then clicks from the mouse must be interpreted as a switch closure. In addition, the position of the mouse cursor is ignored. You can get control of the mouse in two ways:
- Click the 'pause' key on the hardware keyboard which is typically located near the 'numberpad' next to the Insert, PrintScreen keys.
- Let ScanBuddy go to sleep by not selecting anything. If you click once, a message appears telling you, you can click on the 'Pause' button to pause ScanBuddy.
Symptom:ScanBuddy is not responding to my switch closure.
Solution 1:First make sure your switch is working. To do this follow this simple steps:
- Step 1. Check to make sure your switch acts like a mouse.
Aim your mouse and then click with your switch. If it acts like a mouse would move on to step 2. If it doesn't click then the problem is with your switch. Please consult with your switch manufacturer. - Step 2. Please check your anti-virus software. Click here to learn more.
Solution 2:This is most likely due to anti-virus software. Please click here to learn more.
Question:Once ScanBuddy is in 'line-scanning' is there a way to make it wait for a click to advance the line?
Solution:ScanBuddy 2.0 and lower doesn't allow for this. ScanBuddy 3.0 (currently in development) will have this feature.
SoothSayer FAQ
Symptom:SoothSayer predicts what I am typing and then stops working.
Solution:This is most likely due to anti-virus software. Please click here to learn more.
Question:How do I type numbers in SoothSayer?
Solution:SoothSayer numbers each cell. When you press the number corresponding to a word cell, that word is typed instead of the number.
This can be temporarily turned off using the following hot key sequence: F2 n. Note: you do not have to press them at the same time; just in that order. Another option is to use the number keys on the number pad of your keyboard. Finally you can turn of this feature, by going into SoothSayer settings and turn off numbering there.
This can be temporarily turned off using the following hot key sequence: F2 n. Note: you do not have to press them at the same time; just in that order. Another option is to use the number keys on the number pad of your keyboard. Finally you can turn of this feature, by going into SoothSayer settings and turn off numbering there.
REACH FAQ
Question:How do I copy REACH keyboards to a new location?
Solution:
As of REACH 6.0.6 all the keyboards, pictures, sounds have been relocated out of the 'program files' folder.
Below is a description of where the files are as of version 6.0.6 and where they were before. In addition, you can read how to move or copy the keyboards to a new drive or from an older version of REACH to the newest version.
For REACH 6.0.6 and newer
- Windows Vista, 7 & 8 users
- click on the start menu button in the task bar.
At the bottom text box where it reads, 'search programs and files,' - type %programdata%\applied human factors each 6' and press enter.
- Windows explorer will open to the location where you will find REACH's the folders forkeyboards, pictures, sounds and other data folders that REACH uses.
To copy a keyboard see below.
- Windows XP users
- Open Windows Explorer and enter '\documents and settings\all users\REACH 6.'
- You should now see REACH's folders for keyboards, pictures, sounds and other data folders that REACH uses.
- To copy a keyboard see below.
For versions older than REACH 6.0.6
- Open Windows explorer and type:
'%programfiles%\applied human factors\REACH 6'.
You should now see REACH's folders for keyboards, pictures, sounds and other data folders that REACH uses.
To copy a keyboard see below.
To copy a keyboard
- Open Windows Explorer to the correct folder location (see above) where REACH is located.
- Double click the keyboard folder.
- Next find the folder and keyboard file that you wish to copy.
- Copy all files with the same keyboard name to the new location.
- The new location must be under the REACH keyboard folder.
Question:I can't find REACH keyboards. Where are they?
Solution:
As of REACH 6.0.6 all the keyboards, pictures, sounds have been relocated out of the 'program files' folder.
Below is a description of where the files are as of version 6.0.6 and where they were before. In addition, you can read how to move or copy the keyboards to a new drive or from an older version of REACH to the newest version.
For REACH 6.0.6 and newer
- Windows Vista, 7 & 8 users
- click on the start menu button in the task bar.
At the bottom text box where it reads, 'search programs and files,' - type %programdata%\applied human factors each 6' and press enter.
- Windows explorer will open to the location where you will find REACH's the folders forkeyboards, pictures, sounds and other data folders that REACH uses.
To copy a keyboard see below.
- Windows XP users
- Open Windows Explorer and enter '\documents and settings\all users\REACH 6.'
- You should now see REACH's folders for keyboards, pictures, sounds and other data folders that REACH uses.
- To copy a keyboard see below.
For versions older than REACH 6.0.6
- Open Windows explorer and type:
'%programfiles%\applied human factors\REACH 6'.
You should now see REACH's folders for keyboards, pictures, sounds and other data folders that REACH uses.
To copy a keyboard see below.
To copy a keyboard
- Open Windows Explorer to the correct folder location (see above) where REACH is located.
- Double click the keyboard folder.
- Next find the folder and keyboard file that you wish to copy.
- Copy all files with the same keyboard name to the new location.
- The new location must be under the REACH keyboard folder.
Symptom:REACH crashes after the licensing screen.
Solution:REACH is crashing most likely due to a speech engine issue. Please click here to download speech. Note: A new tab or window will open with download instructions.
Symptom:REACH is not working with JAWS
Solution:REACH works with JAWS but you must change a setting in JAWS. You see, JAWS doesn't notice simulated keystrokes from other applications unless you tell it to. To change the setting in JAWS do the following:
- Step 1. Open the JAWS widdow.
- Step 2. Click on the Options menu.
- Step 3. Select Settings Manager.
- Step 4. Search for 'on-screen'.
- Step 5. Select the option to allow on-screen keyboards.
Symptom:REACH is licensed but crashes immediately after opening.
Solution:REACH is crashing most likely due to a speech engine issue. Please click here to download speech. Note: A new tab or window will open with download instructions.
Symptom:I've changed REACH settings, but when I exit REACH they don't stay.
Solution:REACH currently saves its settings in the \bin folder under Program Files. As a security measure, many system adminsitrators 'lock down' this area of Windows to prevent programs from saving anything there. Moreover, newer versions of Windows like VISTA and 7 transparently redirect any save operations to another place on the harddrive.
For Windows XP, please contact your administrator and ask to give you permissions to write to the REACH folder.
The location for any AHF product is,
for 32 bit machines: \program files\applied human factors\
for 64 bit machines: \program files (x86)\applied human factors\
For Windows XP, please contact your administrator and ask to give you permissions to write to the REACH folder.
The location for any AHF product is,
for 32 bit machines: \program files\applied human factors\
for 64 bit machines: \program files (x86)\applied human factors\
Symptom:I've changed REACH to startup when Windows starts, but then it doesn't when Windows starts up.
Solution:The setting to start REACH automatically is set in the registry for the whole machine. If the user does not have administrator privileges this can't be set. However, you can temporarily give administrator privileges, set the option in REACH to start REACH when Windows starts and exit REACH. Then revert the privilegs for the user to their previous settings. In future versions of REACH we will correct this issue.
Symptom:I click on a key in REACH but then REACH's keys don't work but word prediction and other buttons work.
Solution:REACH 5 may install on Windows 7, but will exhibit this behavior. Please upgrade REACH to REACH 6.0. If you already have REACH 6.0, please donwnload the latest version. This will fix your problem.
Question:Why does REACH mouse clicks work and then stop working on the keyboard?
Solution 1:REACH 5 may install on Windows 7, but will exhibit this behavior. Please upgrade REACH to REACH 6.0. If you already have REACH 6.0, please donwnload the latest version. This will fix your problem.
Solution 2:This is most likely due to anti-virus software. Please click here to learn more.
Question:Why does REACH Word Prediction works and then stops working?
Solution:This is most likely due to anti-virus software. Please click here to learn more.
Question:Is there a way to easily change the colors, size of text, on the keyboard keys?
Solution:Yes, you can! With REACH 4.0 and up you can use Hot-Authoring. Simply right-click on the key you want to change and make the appropriate changes
Question:Is there an easy way to set up REACH for a spelling test?
Solution:REACH 6.0.5: has a new feature which shuts off all parts of REACH that aid in spelling to help teachers and users get ready for a spelling test.
Under the menu Options, click on 'I am taking a spelling test.'
Once the test is over, you can turn it off the same way. Restarting REACH always puts everything back and takes you out of 'spell test mode'.
If you have version 6.0 but not 6.0.5, download the latest version of REACH to start using this feature.
REACH 5.0: To take a spelling test, you must close all the dictionaries, hide word prediction.
Under the menu Options, click on 'I am taking a spelling test.'
Once the test is over, you can turn it off the same way. Restarting REACH always puts everything back and takes you out of 'spell test mode'.
If you have version 6.0 but not 6.0.5, download the latest version of REACH to start using this feature.
REACH 5.0: To take a spelling test, you must close all the dictionaries, hide word prediction.
- Shutdown Dictionaries
- Click on 'Word Prediction|Dictionary Manager' menu option.
- Click on each dictionary and click again to close the dictionary.
- A closed dictionary indicates that REACH will not use it when the user types.
- Hide Word Prediction - Click on 'Word Prediction|Hide Word Prediction.'