Make These Windows XP Changes So Hoster 4 Will Run Correctly

 

Print & Follow These Instructions

 

When upgrading from a Hoster version before Version 4.xx, you must make these changes or Hoster will not run correctly, will have unexplainable problems, and can even crash. These problems disappear when the changes below are made.

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS!

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. DO ONLY what is stated here. For example, a knowledgable MTU user, who did upgrades that prevented his computer from running, said; "I updated the Software items listed under Windows Custom Update, and the four Hardware items that appeared. The hardware updates caused ALL the problems I was having."

DO NOT install Microsoft Hardware Upgrades! If you see a Microsoft Hardware update, select to hide it. Then, immediately go to your Hardware Manufacturer's web site for the "hardware device" Microsoft reported an look to see if they have a new driver for YOUR hardware model."

Follow our instuctions exactly. It is VERY RARE that anyone has a problem when doing their Windows Updates. If you do experience a problem, do a System Restore to reverse the Updates you have installed. It is best to do a FEW updates at a time, such as all for .NET or all for Windows Media Player, restart your computer, then do another related set, restart again, and follow this until all SOFTWARE Updates have been installed. Be SURE to do all updates BEFORE you install a major SR1, SR2 or SR3 upgrade. If not, you will have probelms that are only fixed by doing a System Restore, or re-installing Windows (and every other program on that computer).

 

NOTES:
"Click or Left click", move the mouse pointer over the indicated item and click the mouse left button.
"RIGHT click", move the mouse pointer over the indicated item and click the mouse right button.
"Double-click" move the mouse pointer over the indicated item and quickly click the mouse left button two times. If you don't click fast enough to open up what you are double-clicking, click two times again, but faster this time.

 

System Restore

If you have enabled System Restore in Windows, whenever you update Windows or install a new program, all the changes are saved and can be reversed back as many change levels as are saved.

 
 
How To Enable System Restore
  1. Click Window's Start button at the bottom left
  2. Click All Programs
  3. Click Accessories
  4. Click System Tools
  5. Click System Restore
  6. Click Create a restore point and follow the onscreen instructions
 
 
How To Restore To A Prior Saved State
  1. Click Window's Start button at the bottom left
  2. Click All Programs
  3. Click Accessories
  4. Click System Tools
  5. Click System Restore
  6. Click Restore my computer to an eariler time and follow the onscreen instructions
 
 
 
 
 

MANDATORY CHANGES

Install At Lease 1GB Computer RAM

With Hoster 4.xx, the XP upgrades (SP3) and larger Songs Databases (holding 10,000+ songs), your computer needs at least 1GB RAM to run safely and reliably. Upgrade your RAM and prevent headaches for you, your MTU.Community friends and MTU Staff.

 
 
Processor Speed Should Be At Least 1.3GHz

Hoster 4.x requires at least 1.3GHz to safely run all the new features. If you have a tightly designed Laptop or Shuttle computer, you may not be able to buy and install a faster processor as the Power Supply may be insufficient for an upgrade. However... adding a faster processor MAY or MAY NOT require more power. If you don't know, you need to find technical help to do this for you. With parts and labor, it may be cheaper to replace the computer.

 
 
Hard Drive Free Space

Most users don't know that Windows REQUIRES free hard drive space to perform "housekeeping" tasks to run reliably. Some experts say you need 25% free hard drive space, but at least 10% would be a minimum. If you have a 100GB drive, you need at least 10-25GB free. With a 250GB drive, you need 25-60GB free. If you see your hard drive light flashing a lot after 5 seconds when a new song starts playing, your drive may be "thrashing" due to not having enough free space. If you see this, add another hard drive (USB external is easy) and copy your KMA or other songs, videos, audio files to it so your C: drive has more free space.

 
 
Update Windows

IMPORTANT NOTE: You must ONLY use Windows Internet Explorer to do Windows Updates. You CANNOT use Firefox, Opera, Netscape or any other Browser.

You must do the Windows Software Updates to run a newer version of MTU software. Many users in the MTU.Community Forums who experienced weird problems, report they disappeared after doing the Windows Updates.

If at any point you experience problems, you can do a System Restore back to before the latest Updates.

  1. Click the Windows Start button at the bottom left
  2. Click Windows Updates
  3. When the page appears, click on the Custom button. Your computer is scanned for what updates it needs. If the Custom button doesn't appear, follow the instructions on that page to download and install the latest Windows Update Software version.
  4. In the left column, find Optional Software
  5. Click one "major function" to install at a time, clicking off all others. Install them in the following order:

    1. SR2 first if it appears
    2. Netframework 2 if it appears
    3. Netframework 3 if it appears
    4. Netframework 3.x if it appears
    5. Internet Explorer IE7 if it appears
    6. Windows Media Player WMPxx if it appears
    7. SP3 if it appears
  6. Click Install to install the selected function.
  7. Click no more than four (4) Updates at a time with titles that are related to the "major function" you just installed. (For example, first install Netframework 2, then install 4 Updates with "Netframework 2" in their name. Do all related Updates before installing another "major function".)
  8. Restart Windows after installing each major function and its related Updates (If not done, later Updates can crash Windows or cause weird problems):

    1. Left click the Windows Start button at the bottom left
    2. Left click Turn Off Computer
    3. Left click the Restart button
  9. Repeat this process until all "major functions" are installed and Critical Updates shows 0 items left to install.
  10. Restart Windows
 
 

RECOMMENDED CHANGES

SET THE RESOLUTIONS ON YOUR DISPLAYS

If not changed, this can cause; 1) Lyrics to be out of sync with the audio, and 2) Graphics will draw with random errors (top half may not draw, top may draw very slow and be out of sync with the audio while bottom half draws fast, etc.).

Set For Computer Monitor:

  1. Right click on the Desktop where there are no icons
  2. Left click Properties
  3. Left click Settings
  4. Make sure that your Resolution is set correctly for Monitor

    • This setting depends on your computer, but Hoster is designed to run on 1024x768 or HIGHER
    • Insure your colors are set at 16 bit, NOT 32 bit
  5. If you have a TV/Singer's Second Monitor

    • Left click Monitor 2 to select this monitor
    • Set the resolution slider to higher than 800x600 or your colors will not be correct
  6. Left click Apply and OK to close the dialog and save your new settings
 
 
SET WMP SPEED AND TURN OFF VIDEO ACCELERATION

If not set as below; 1) WMV video files may play only Audio with no Video, or 2) they may not play at all.

  1. Left click the Windows Start button at the bottom left
  2. Left click Windows Media Player
  3. Click the moust RIGHT button on the Menu bar to the left of Now Playing
  4. Left click Tools then left click Options...
  5. Left click the Performance Tab
  6. Left click Choose connection speed: and set it to LAN (10 Mbps or more)
  7. On this Tab, left click the checkbox to UN-Check the Turn on DirectX Video Acceleration for WMV Files selection
  8. Close Windows Media Player
 
 
ALLOW WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER TO PLAY LOCAL FILES

Video files will not play if this is not set as below:

  1. Open Internet Explorer
  2. Click Tools Menu
  3. Click Internet Options
  4. Click Advanced tab
  5. Scroll down to the Security section
  6. Click Allow active content to run in files on My Computer
  7. Also click Allow active content from CDs to run on My Computer
  8. Restart XP
 
 

CHANGES FOR YOUR BENEFIT

Disable Automatic Restart

Any time Windows XP detects a system failure it will restart on its own if this box is checked.

  1. Click Window's Start button at the bottom left
  2. Click Settings in the menu
  3. Click Control Panel
  4. Double-click the mouse left button on System near the bottom of the list
  5. In the dialog that appears, click Advanced Tab
  6. In the Startup and Recovery group, click the Settings button
  7. In the System Failure group, if the Automatically restart checkbox is checked , then click it so it is NOT checked
  8. Click all the OK buttons to close out of this dialog, and accept your changes.
 
 
Disable Automatic Updates

If you have Automatic Updates enabled and you connect your computer to the Internet, your Windows will automatically start updating, which is NOT best for you. It is best to disable "Automatic" and select to be told when updates are available for you to manually control updating.

  1. Click Window's Start button at the bottom left
  2. Click Settings in the menu
  3. Click Control Panel
  4. Double-click on Automatic Updates near the top of the list
  5. In the dialog that appears, click the Notify me but don't automatically download or install them checkbox so it is checked
  6. Click OK to close this dialog and accept your selection.
 
 

Close And Return To The Hoster Installation Program