[Support Center] Recently Changed Articles

Mac Computer Installed OK But I Cannot See Any Birds! Icon Bouncing or Not Responding.

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:24:47 GMT

Problem: I installed the software without any problems but I am not seeing any of the birds. I see an icon below but nothing happens or it bounces. What do I need to do? I am new to computers so be very specific please.

Solution: Along the bottom of your Mac computer screen you will see an icon that looks like a square blue face. When your mouse pauses on this, it says "Finder." Click this icon.

Now double-click the word Applications. Next, scroll down and double-click on the words Thayer Birding Software. To the right you will now see a small orange and blue bird icon and the word "eViewer" along with your version number.
Double-click the word eViewer (NOT the small icon.)

If you think you did this and nothing is happening, look down below in the row of icons and see if there is an icon with the blue and orange bird. If so, click on this icon. The program is actually open. Look at the very top of your screen and you should see the Apple icon followed by eViewer... File... Edit ...View ... and so on.

Click on the word File and then click on the word Open. You should now see a new box with a list of the bird programs in your "Collection." Double-click on the name of a Collection (such as Guide to Birds of North America.)

The eViewer Field Guide page will now appear showing bird photos, identification info and much more.
You can maximize this screen by clicking the green dot in the upper left corner. You should be all set to go.

You might want to click Help and then click eViewer help to see the electronic User's Guide. We also have video tutorials at our web site.

To close the program you will need to click eViewer at the very top of the screen and then click Quit.

Error 1304 and Error 2350

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:59:51 GMT

Problem: I have Windows XP. When the installation of the program gets to the copying files stage, it proceeds VERY slowly, until the fourth green bar appears in the status bar. At that point, the following error message appears:
"Error 1304. Error writing to file.
CrystalDecisions.CrystalReports.Engine.resources.DLL.
Verify that you have access to that directory."
Retry Cancel.

I press "Retry", and get this error message: "Error 2350. FDI server error." Retry Cancel

I press "Retry" again, and get this message: "Error 1334..." I'll paraphrase the rest. File ???.cab cannot be installed because it was not found in cabinet file 'CR1151.cab'. This error message cuts off so I don't know the rest. When I press "OK" (the only option), the installation terminates.

What is the problem, and how do I fix it?

Solution #1: The 1304 error message you are receiving is often the result of attempting to install software on WinXP, Win2000 or WinVista while logged onto the system with a Limited User Account.

Limited User Accounts do not have the proper permissions to install software. ONLY Computer Administrator accounts have the proper permissions to install software.

So, if you are using WinXP, Win2000 or WinVista, the first thing you'll want to do is to make sure you are logged onto the computer with a Computer Administrator account BEFORE you attempt to install (or uninstall) any software.

If you don't know whether or not your normal account is an Administrator account, do this:
A. If you don't know your user name, click on 'Start'. Then, look for your user name at the top or bottom of the Start menu.
B. Go to 'Control Panel' then open 'User Accounts'.
C. When the 'User Accounts' window opens, look under your user name. If you DO NOT see the word 'Administrator' under your user name, you SHOULD NOT attempt to install software - because ONLY Administrator accounts should install software on WinXP, Win2000, WinVista or Windows 7.

To make yourself the Administrator, click "Change Your Account Type" and then select Administrator.

Solution #2: We use a third-party software called Crystal Reports to help generate the Sightings reports in the software. According to Crystal Reports, a Windows Installer package containing the Crystal Reports XI Release 2 merge modules can fail during installation with the following error:

Error 1304. Error writing to file.
CrystalDecisions.CrystalReports.Engine.resources.DLL

The Crystal Reports XI Release 2 merge modules require the installation of .NET 2.0 on your computer prior to installation. Our birding software includes the .NET 2.0 as part of the installation and installs it for you if it is not there.

If you see Error 1304, it means that the .NET Framework has not installing correctly or something has gone wrong. It is not possible to tell if the problem is with the installation or a pre-existing condition.

We suggest doing a .NET Framework repair or, if necessary, uninstall the .NET Framework and reinstall it.

In Windows XP, the .NET Framework is an add on that can be managed from Control Panel->Add or Remove Programs. Then look for Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 (service packs may be listed), select it and click on the link “Click here for support information” and then click the “Repair” button. Note that this does not work for Windows Vista and Windows 7 since the .NET Framework actually comes with the operating system and is an OS component and not a separate installation add on.

Importing Your Sightings From an Older Version

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:14:43 GMT

Problem: I got a new computer and installed the new version of your software on it. Now how do I move all my Sightings, Custom Quizzes, Observers, Comments and Hall of Fame information from the old program into the new program?

Solution: First, make sure you are running the latest version of the software. To get free updates, open the program and click Help. Then click "Check for Updates." You will need to do this two separate times in order to get all of the updates.

Then the solution is fairly straightforward:
1. Open the new program and in the top menu Bar click File. Then click "Import from Previous Version..." [NOT Restore Back Up]
2. Click the Browse button (it looks like a black binocular) and, on Windows computers, locate the file called database.mdb. On Mac computers, locate the file called Birding.db [See instructions below]
3. Click Import.

Finding the database.mdb file or the Birding.db file in step two and moving it to your new computer can be a challenge. You should also be aware that backups you made while using version 3.0 or 3.5 will not be able to be imported into a Vista or Windows 7 computer -- so you will need to find the original database.mdb file.

If Your Old Database is on a Vista or Windows 7 Computer:

On Vista and Windows 7 computers there appears to be a database.mdb file in TWO different locations! But Vista and Windows 7 do not allow data in the Program File to be altered -- so they created something called "Virtual Store" to keep databases that had been changed (by adding sightings, for example.)
If you are trying to import a version 3.x, v4.x or v5.x database, then the file you want is in the "Virtual Store" location:

C:/Users/YourNameHere/AppData/local/VirtualStore/ProgramFiles/ThayerBirdingSoftware/eViewer 3.x (or 4.x or 5.x)\Database

You might also try using the Windows Search function to find database.mdb on the hard drive of your old computer.

If Your Old Database is on a Mac Computer:

1. Open a Finder window and go to Applications and then double-click the Thayer Birding Software folder.
2. From there, while holding down the Control key, click the eViewer icon.
3. Then click on "Show Package Contents"
4. Double-click on "Contents", then double-click on "Resources".
5. Scroll down to Birding.db.
6. Copy the contents of that file.

If Your Old Database is on an XP Computer:

On your old XP computer look in:
C:/Program Files/Thayer Birding Software/eViewer 3.5/Database/database.mdb or in
C:/Program Files/Thayer Birding Software/eViewer 3.9/Database/database.mdb or in
C:/Program Files/Thayer Birding Software/eViewer 4.0/Database/database.mdb

For version 3.0 or 3.1 this file is in C:/Program Files/Thayer Birding Software/data

If it is not there, try C:/Documents and Settings/All Users/Application Data/Thayer Birding Software/eViewer 3.x/Database/database.mdb

I Found The Correct Database...Now What?

Once you find the database.mdb file or the Birding.db file, you will need to copy it from your old computer and place it on your new computer. We suggest just placing it on the desktop so it is easy to find.

The database.mdb file is fairly large, so you may need to burn a CD-ROM or use a memory stick to copy this file. Then install this database.mdb file on the desktop of your new computer.

The new birding program installed on your new computer can then be used to import everything you need from the old database. Just click File in the Menu Bar and then click Import from Previous Version.

Plan B:
Some backup files made using version 3 or version 3.5 will not work because the file structure changed between versions. If you have a backup file with the extension tbsbu and you already got rid of your old computer, all is not lost. You will need to install the old birding program on a friend's XP computer and then use the tbsbu file to restore your sightings, etc. Then copy the database.mdb file from your friend's XP computer and move it to your new computer.

You may also see a message such as: "An error occurred importing the database: The Microsoft Jet database engine cannot find the input table or query 'MDF'. Make sure it exits and that its name is spelled correctly."

This error message indicates that the MDF table cannot be found. You are probably trying to import a backup file of your sightings that was created by an older version of our software. This file is probably named backup.mdb. Backup files from older versions of the software cannot be import into v3.9.x, v4.0.x, or v5.0.x. The backup files from older versions are mdb files, but are not the same format as the application database. We only support the import of the application database from older versions. The easiest solution would be to restore the backup into the older version and then import the application database.

Note to version 4.0 users: Since the new version 4.0 has fewer species in it than version 3.0, 3.5 or 3.9, it is possible that some of your sightings will not be imported into version 4.0. This will only happen if the bird is not physically on the v4.0 disc. About 250 very rare and accidental birds are now found only in the Gold edition (version 5.0). If this is a big concern to you, we suggest upgrading to version 5, rather than to version 4.

Since you obviously care a great deal about your sightings, we would like to strongly suggest that you consider using our favorite Listing and Recordkeeping Program called Birder's Diary. This is a FAR more robust program than our listing program and is designed for active listers and recordkeepers - especially those that travel outside the U.S. and Canada.

Birder's Diary - North American edition

Birder's Diary World edition.

Unknown License Error: Access to Path... is Denied

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:13:18 GMT

Problem: Hi there. I have a new laptop (Toshiba) running Windows 7 OS and cannot load the Thayer Birding Software's Birds of my Region version 3.9 (2007) from my CD to my new laptop...; I get this error: Unknown License Error: Access to the path 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Thayer Birding Software\eViewer 3.9\eViewer.lic' is denied.

Solution: It appears that you have a new 64-bit computer. Our software with version numbers of 3.9.8 and higher run just fine on 64-bit computers. If your disc says 2007 on it, then you have version 3.9.0 or 3.9.1 ... so that disc will not run on a 64-bit computer.

Version History

We can send you a new version 3.9.8 disc. The Shipping and Handling cost is $15. Send your check and the old CD to:
3.9.8 Disc Swap
Thayer Birding Software
12650 Colliers Reserve Drive
Naples, FL 34110

Or you can get the new version at Online Nature Mall (and enter the promotional code LOYAL to get a loyal-customer discount.)

To check to see if you are running a 32-bit Operating System or a 64-bit Operating System:

click Start (circle in lower left of your screen)
click Control Panel
click System and Maintenance
click System
Then look in the System section for the System type

Error 24952 - Digital Signature Issue

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:59:46 GMT

Problem: I recently upgraded my HP dv6700z from Vista Home Premium x64 to Vista Business x64. Birds of North America Gold v. 5.0.2 ran fine on Vista Home Premium x64. It refuses to install on Vista Business x64. I am stopped with error message 1330, "D:\Media Cab has an invalid signature...Error 24592 was returned by WinVerifyTrust". I know that Media Center is not included in Vista Business and cannot be added. Is this the issue and is there a workaround so I can continue to use BoNA?

I am aware of the fix at http://www.thayerbirding.com/support-center/index.php/kb/article/000131 and it did not work. I tried with Code Signing turned on and turned off with no luck. Also, I am not getting Error 266 or 272. I am getting Error 24592.

Solution: First, make a folder on your desktop called ThayerBirding. Then copy the contents of BOTH DVDs into the ThayerBirding folder on your Desktop and then double-click setup.exe to begin the installation. The ONE folder should NOT include sub-folders called Disc 1 and Disc 2 - just copy the entire contents of each disc folder into the new ThayerBirding Desktop folder you create.

Error 1330 and Error 272 (or 266) - Digital Signature

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:51:40 GMT

Problem: When installing v5.0 of the eField Guide Viewer application on Windows 2000 or when installing v3.9 or higher on other Windows versions, you may encounter an error related to the digital certificate used to digitally sign the installation files. The error message will be similar to the following:

Error 1330. A file that is required cannot be installed because the cabinet file D: \Help.cab has an invalid digital signature. This may indicate that the cabinet file is corrupt. Error 272 (or error 266) was returned by WinVerifyTrust.

Solution: [This solution for the Gold edition may be easier than following the steps below: First, make a folder on your desktop called ThayerBirding. Then copy the contents of BOTH DVDs into the ThayerBirding folder on your Desktop and then double-click setup.exe to begin the installation. The ONE folder should NOT include sub-folders called Disc 1 and Disc 2 - just copy the entire contents of each disc folder into the new ThayerBirding Desktop folder you create.]

Here is another solution:
Please complete the following steps to fix this error.

1. Open Internet Explorer by right clicking and selecting the “Run as administrator” menu.
2. Select the Tools->Internet Options... menu option
3. Select "Content" tab
4. In the "Certificates" group, click "Certificates..." button
5. Select "Trusted Root Certification Authorities" tab
6. Select "GlobalSign Root CA" from the list (you may need to scroll down. If you do not see it, read the solution below.)
7. In "Certificate intended purposes" group, click "View" button
8. Select "Details" tab
9. Click "Edit Properties..." button
10. Under the "Enable only the following purposes" radio button, check the box for "Code Signing"
11. Click OK
12. Click OK again
13. Click Close
14. Click OK
15. Install Thayer Birding Software's eField Guide Viewer

In Step 6 above, if your computer does not have the GlobalSign root certificate on your computer, do this:

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Go to www.ThayerBirding.com and click on the Get help tab -> Free Downloads -> GlobalSignRootCertificate. Then save the file to your desktop. Close the Thayer Birding website.
3.Select the Tools->Internet Options... menu option
4. Select "Content" tab
5. In the "Certificates" group, click "Certificates..." button
6. Select "Trusted Root Certification Authorities" tab
7. Click the "Import..." button to start the Certificate Import Wizard
8. Click Next
9. Select the certificate file (GlobalSignRootCertificate.cer) that you downloaded to your desktop in step 1 (please unzip first.)
10. Click Next
11. Make sure "Place all certificates in the following store" is selected
12. Make sure the certificate store is "Trusted Root Certification Authorities"
13. Click Next
14. Click Finish
15. Install Thayer Birding Software's eField Guide Viewer

Here is another solution that should be used only by very experienced computer users:

This morning I stumbled on a solution (which works for Windows Vista) for Error #1330 ==>"file cannot be installed because cabinet file H:\Help.cab has invalid digital signature. This may indicate cabinet file is corrupt. Error 266 was returned by Win Verify Trust" . So I was finally able to install the new DVDs for the Birds of NA Gold edition you sent me! (Great Birding software -- Even better than the previous outstanding versions!)

If anyone else has the same problem I had in trying to install the Gold Edition for Windows Vista, here is the solution that worked for me:
Temporarily set the non-driver signing policy to silently succeed by doing the following steps before installing the Gold edition:
(1) Click on Start
(2) Type regedit in the Start Search box
(3) Right click on regedit.exe
(4) click on Run as Administrator
(5) In the Registry, click on the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Non-driver Signing
(6) Take note what the current value is for the Policy Binary Value.
[Mine was 01 and is used here in this example]
(7) Right click on the Policy Binary value and then click on Modify.
(The value will then appear in this format: 0000 01)
(8) Delete 01
(9) Then type 00 so that the current Policy Binary Value in the Registry will now appear as 00
(10) Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
(11) Install Birds of NA Gold Edition
(12) Repeat Steps (1) through (5) to change the Policy Binary Value from 00 back to the original value noted in Step (6)

Finally, you may want to try this:
Copy the contents of the DVD (or for version 5, BOTH DVDs) into ONE folder on your hard drive and then run setup.exe to begin the installation from your hard drive. We think it is easiest to make a folder on your desktop called ThayerBirding so it is easier to find. The setup.exe file will be in this folder. Just double-click on it to start the installation. This will often bypass the digital signature issue.

Microsoft .NET Framework - Thayer.Birding.UI.Windows.EGuideForm threw an exception

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:59:17 GMT

Problem: I just received a new Windows 7 64-bit computer for Christmas and I reinstalled my Thayer Birding Gold program version 5.0.0. It installed fine, but when I try to start it I get a Microsoft .NET Framework error. The error mentions that "Thayer.Birding.UI.Windows.EGuideForm" threw an exception. It gives me a chance to continue or quit. If I continue, the program shuts down. What can I do to fix this?

Solution: Version 5.0.0 does not run well on a 64-bit computer. First, try the free fix available on our web site at:
64 Bit Problem

If that does not work, mail your version 5.0.0 discs to us and we will send you the version 5.0.2 discs.
Send to:
Gold disc Swap
Thayer Birding Software
12650 Colliers Reserve Drive
Naples, FL 34110

Cannot Install Raven Lite on Lion OS X 10.7

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:16:26 GMT

Problem: When I tried to install the Raven Lite program on my Mac computer (running OS X 10.7 - Lion) I got an error message saying that Lion no longer supports PowerPC applications. Raven Lite would not install. Now what do I do? I really want to use Raven Lite to see the bird's sonograms (pictures of their songs.)

Solution: Raven Lite will install on Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. It will also install on Macintosh Tiger, Leopard and Snow Leopard. However, the version of Raven Lite shipped with version 4 of the Thayer Birding Software will not INSTALL on the new Lion operating system. It is just the installer package that causes a problem, not the Raven Lite program itself. In fact, if you installed Raven Lite when you were running Snow Leopard as your operating system and then later upgraded to Lion, you can use Raven Lite now without any problem!

This is easy to fix. Just go to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology web site and download the free file found there. They have invented a work-around that will install Raven Lite on your Mac Lion computer.

Information for Lion users (read this first!)

Free Mac Lion Download (Clicking this will begin the free download.)

Error 2738 - Cannot Access VB Script run time for Custom Action.

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:29:34 GMT

Problem: Raven Lite installed, but when install got to the efield guide, I got an error message #2738 that said it could not access the VB script run time for custom action.

Solution: This is a very common issue where the vbscript.dll file is not properly registered on your computer. Hundreds of computer software programs run into this issue as they try to install. So you are not alone!
Note that this file is not part of the Thayer Birding Software installation and should already be on your machine. (In fact, it probably is - it is just registered in the wrong place.) The following steps should fix the problem:

The VBScript engine can be quickly registered by following these steps:

Run Command Prompt as administrator:
Start Menu -> All Programs -> Accessories
Right click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator

Run the following command:
If you are using the 32-bit version of Windows:
Type cd %windir%\system32 into the Command Prompt and hit Enter

If you are using the 64-bit version of Windows:
Type cd %windir%\syswow64 into the Command Prompt and hit Enter

Type regsvr32 vbscript.dll into the Command Prompt and hit Enter.

Then try installing the Thayer Birding Software program again. It should work this time. If it does not, then try running the McAfee removal utility (see below)

McAfee Anit-virus Software Issues:

McAfee Anit-virus software is often loaded onto new computers at the factory.
Comcast also provided this for free to its subscribers a year or two ago.
If you now use another anti-virus product, you probably uninstalled the McAfee software (or it may still be in your computer.)
Alas, the ininstall was not as clean as you (or McAfee) would have liked.

If you have uninstalled a preinstalled McAfee software from your computer, download the McAfee Consumer Product Removal utility here
Save the file, e.g. on your Desktop > double click on the file and follow the instructions on the screen.

For Windows Vista and Windows 7 users, right-click on the file and choose Run as Administrator.
Once the process is completed you will recieve a message that the cleanup has been successful. Reboot your computer.

Then try installing the Thayer Birding Software program again. It should work this time.

Will This Birding Program Run on an iPad or iPad2?

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 15:08:12 GMT

Problem: Will version 4 or 5 run on an iPad or iPad 2 computer?

Solution: No, the eField Guide Viewer will not run on the iPad. The iPad runs the iOS as the operating system (similar, if not the same as the iPhone), not a version of Mac OSX.

Our birding software will run on Mac computers using OSX 10.4, 10.5, 10.6 or 10.7.

Error 1721 - Problem With Windows Installer during Installation in Version 4

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:56:01 GMT

Problem: When I try to install the software, I get this error message: Error 1721: There is a problem with windows installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact support.

Solution: This happens when the Raven Lite program does not install completely, even though the icons appear on the desk top and Raven Lite is listed in the computer's installed programs.

Try reinstalling Raven Lite again. It may take three or four tries. When successful, you will see the icons flash. You should now see a Next button to complete the installation.

Note: Raven Lite is a separate stand-alone program from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that lets you click the word "spectogram" next to the bird song in our program. You can then see an image of the bird's song. Some folks have reported that the Next button, used to complete the installation of our program, may be hidden behind a Raven Lite screen -- so drag and drop the Raven Lite screen if things appear to be frozen.

If this does not work, try installing the birding program but skip over the Raven Lite installation. You can always install this later.
Raven Lite is available as a free download from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

[This error may also appear when installing on a computer running Windows 2000. We no longer support this operating system.]

v3.9 - Error 1721 on Windows 2000 computer

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:25:19 GMT

Problem: During installation on a computer running Windows 2000 I got this error message: Error 1721. There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor. Action: SAPI4.0, location: D:\spchapi.exe, command: /Q

Solution: There is a problem during installation on computers running Windows 2000 that also have the ASPI speech engine already installed. Please send your version 3.9.0 CD-ROM to us along with $15 to cover shipping and handling and we will send you a new version 3.9.8 DVD.

Mail it to:
Thayer Birding Software
12650 Colliers Reserve Drive
Naples, FL 34110

Or you may want to get the new version 4 DVD at www.OnlineNatureMall.com. During checkout enter the promotional code LOYAL to get the 10% loyal-customer discount.

v3.9 - Error: Type initalizer for 'Thayer.Birding.ApplicationSettings' threw an exception

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:22:55 GMT

Problem: I am trying to load my birding program on my new laptop and I cannot open the program. I get the following message. The type initalizer for 'Thayer.Birding.ApplicationSettings' threw an exception.

Solution: If you have a 64-bit Operating System, you should install the program on your computer. Then download and install the free 64-bit update from our web site. Go to www.Thayerbirding.com, place you mouse over the Get Help tab and scroll down to the Free Downloads section. Then click on 64-bit Computer Update and follow the instructions. (Quite a few folks find that this solution does not work for them... see alternate soltion below.)

To check to see if you are running a 32-bit Operating System or a 64-bit Operating System:

click Start (circle in lower left of your screen)
click Control Panel
click System and Maintenance
click System
Then look in the System section for the System type

Alternate Solution: If this does not work for you, please mail us your v3.9, v3.9.1 or v3.9.5 disc and a check for $15 to cover shipping and handling.
We will send you a v3.9.8 disc to install. That should fix this issue.

mail to:

Windows Disk Swap
Thayer Birding Software
12650 Colliers Reserve Drive
Naples, FL 34110

Do NOT send any disc unless it says v3.9 or v3.9.1 or v3.9.5 on the face of the disc.
Or you can get the new version 4 disc at www.OnlineNatureMall.com. During checkout enter the promotional code LOYAL to get the 10% loyal-customer discount.

Arial Font Missing

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:41:24 GMT

Problem: When I tried to use the zoom function I received an error message: Error viewing Photo - Font 'Arial' does not support Style 'Regular'

Solution: It appears the Arial font on your computer is corrupted or missing.
To correct this, download the arial.zip file to your desktop. Download Arial.zip

Next unzip (extract) the zip file into a folder called arial.
Finally, right click on each file and select the “Install” menu option and overwrite the existing font (if there).

You can also download arial fonts from this link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=0ec6f335-c3de-44c5-a13d-a1e7cea5ddea

Download and install this very basic font and you will be all set to go.
You can also Google "arial font free download" and find lots of other places on the Internet to get this.

V4.1 Update for Mac Computer Causes Blank Screen to Appear

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:52:35 GMT

Problem: I downloaded and installed the v4.1 software update for Version 4 and now it doesn't work at all.
It opens up to a blank screen with it's menu across the top and everything within the menu is grayed out. Help???

Solution: Open the program by clicking Finder > Applications > Thayer Birding Software. Then double-click on the eViewer icon.

You should now see the menu bar at the top left side of your screen that says
eViewer | File | Edit | View | etc

Now click the word File and then click the word Open.
Now double-click on the program name (i.e. Guide to Birds of North America).
The eViewer screen will appear.

4.1 Update Error - Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0' provider is not register on this local machine

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:05:06 GMT

Problem: I am getting the following error message when I try the second upgrade step:
The following error has occurred
The "Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0' provider is not register on this local machine"

Please advise how to correct his situation.

Solution: Our testing indicates that the issue should only have occurred for version 4 users running a 64-bit operating system on Windows 7. We have fixed the issue, tested it on 64-bit Windows 7, and made the changes available to the public. This will prevent any additional users from running into the same problem.

For those users who attempted to update between October 13th and 16th 2011 and have run into this problem, we have created a zip file you can download that contains files that will need to be unzipped and copied into the
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Thayer Birding Software\eViewer 4.0" folder on your computer before checking for updates again.

After copying the files, you should run the check for updates to ensure they you have the latest changes.

4.1 Update zipped file

v4 - Screen Saver THAYER~1.SCR-.NET Framework Initialization Error

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:21:02 GMT

Problem: I just installed v.4 and upgraded to 4.0.1. I created a Custom List and saved it as a screen saver (using Windows 7 Pro SP 1). I selected ThayerBirds screen saver. But the settings tab would not open and Preview would not run. When the screen saver activated I got an error window titled "THAYER~1.SCR-.NET Framework Initialization Error". The window said "Unable to find a version of the runtime to run this application." HELP!

Solution: There is a file on your computer called "Thayer Birding Software.scr" and this may need to be replaced or restored to the original condition. Here is a link to a zipped copy of the file you need:

ThayerBirdingSoftwareSS.zip

You will then need to unzip this file and then copy the file "Thayer Birding Software.scr" to your C:\Windows\System32 folder and replace the existing screen saver file. That should fix the problem.

The user wrote back to us and said "When I first looked for the .SCR file in C:\Windows\System32 it wasn't there using my file manager. However, I did a Windows Computer Search for the file and it did appear, so I did a "Restore Original" and then it was there, and the SCR did work. Something weird happened to "hide" the .scr file originally."

Cannot see Range Maps, Bird Photos, Etc. - just an image placeholder

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 22:18:11 GMT

Problem: On any bird page the thumbnails on the right side for the bird photo, range map, sounds, etc, show as generic icons not thumbnails. When I click on one of these generic icons, the proper image opens. I tried to fix the problem by making sure that "show thumbnails" is selected in Windows 7. But this has no effect. Now what can I do?

Solution: Believe it or not, this problem is probably caused by a setting on your internet browser, specifically Internet Explorer.

To fix this, open Windows Internet Explorer and click Tools.
(If you do not see this link, click the ALT key on your keyboard. You should then see "File View Favorites Tools Help" at the top of the browser screen.)
Then click Internet Options. Or you can also click the cog-like icon and select Internet Options.

Next click the Advanced tab. Scroll down to the Multimedia section. The last item under Multimedia should say "Show pictures." Check the box in front of "Show pictures."

You should now be able to use your Thayer Birding Software program and see the thumbnail images, range maps, etc.

Raven Lite Installs but Thayer Birding Program does Not Install

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:30:30 GMT

Problem: I am unable to get the software to install the second part, the Thayer eField Guide on our computer (a new Dell desktop purchased in 2010, Windows 7, about 425 GB of free space available.) I get the Raven Lite installed, going through all the steps, until the computer says it is installing the field guide; and this will take a few moments. Nothing ever happens; the installation progress bar never registers any degree of installation. I have waited as long as an hour without any action.

I have tried several times to install the complete software without success. I have even uninstalled the portion loaded (Raven Lite) and started anew. No progress.

Solution: The version 4 disc should install without a problem on your XP, Vista or Windows 7 computer.

Sometimes the Raven Lite installation screen will block the button you need to click to proceed with the Thayer Birding Software installation. Try moving the purple Raven Lite screen to the side with your mouse and see if there is something behind it. Installation should take less than 30 minutes. At times the computer will appear (or sound) as if it is "stuck" but that is just the spot where it is working hard to install all the videos.

[After sending this message, we heard back from this person: "Thanks! It worked! The screen needed was really hidden. My husband is enjoying your program so much!"]

Windows Server 2008 and Thayer Birding Software

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:29:06 GMT

Problem: I am not able to install your software on Windows Server 2008 here at the University.

Solution: Apparently our software does not do well when installed on a system like Server 2008.

Windows Server 2008 was released on February 27, 2008 and is one of Microsoft Windows' server line of operating systems. It is based on the Vista architecture. Large organizations may use this to limit their vulnerability to outside attacks from hackers, among other reasons.

We are not sure why this person had a problem and no one else has reported this issue. The software runs fine on Vista. Please let us know if you have any experience with installing our software on Windows Server 2008 and your results.

Version 4 and Lion OSX 10.7

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:47:00 GMT

Problem: Does version 4 work on Lion (Mac's new OSX 10.7 operating system)?

Solution: Yes. We have been using Lion since it was released on July 20, 2011 and have had no problems with it. Version 4 also works great with Snow Leopard (10.6), Leopard (10.5) and Tiger (10.4). It will not run on OSX 10.3.9 (Panther)

Gold Edition will not update

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 01:38:14 GMT

Problem: I have the Gold version 5.01 and can't update it. I click yes to the Thayer updater and the flashlight just keeps looking until it times out. I built this computer system myself a year ago and Gold always worked great. Now I installed a new SSD and all the Windows software. It could be anything. In fact, I have another problem where I can't access apple.com or microsoft.com but can access many other sites. I am a totally satisfied Longtime Thayer Customer who just needs a little help.

Solution: [This is the solution this user eventually found on his own] The MTU limit on our PPP connection with Local Area Connection 2 on my computer was set too high. Data packets were being fragmented in transmission. I used this link, http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/94721-mtu-limit-test-change-your-connections-mtu-limit.html?filter[2]=Networking%20Internet to ping and troubleshoot. I reset the MTU limit to 1492 using the Command Prompt with Administrator privileges. I not only fixed the update problem with your Gold Edition both all connection problems with other websites I couldn't access before. I thought I'd share this with you in case somebody else has a similar problem. Thank you for your time and Good Birding to you.

Error 2738

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:48:30 GMT

Problem: I installed version 3.9 on my new Dell with Vista Business. It got all the way through installation and ready to install when I got this:
Error 2738. Could not access VBScript run time for custom action. I tried to install it twice but got the same message the second time.

Solution: For 32-bit Operating Systems, this is an issue where the vbscript.dll file is not properly registered on your computer. Note that this file is not part of the Thayer Birding Software installation and should already be on your machine. The following steps should fix the problem:

The VBScript engine can be quickly registered by following these steps:

1. Run Command Prompt as administrator
2. Start Menu -> All Programs -> Accessories
3. Right click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator
4. If you have a 32-bit version of Windows do this: Type cd %windir%\system32 into the Command Prompt and hit Enter.
5. If you have a 64-bit version of Windows do this: Type cd %windir%\system64 into the Command Prompt and hit Enter.
6. Type regsvr32 vbscript.dll into the Command Prompt and hit Enter

NOTE: If this does not fix the problem, then that means you probably have the scripting engine registered under HKEY_CURRENT_USER, and you need to make sure that you remove that registration and re-register it under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. You can use the following steps to unregister it from HKEY_CURRENT_USER:

1. Click on the Start menu > All programs >Accessories
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator
3. To unregister the VBScript engine, run this command:
reg delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{B54F3741-5B07-11CF-A4B0-00AA004A55E8}" /f then hit Enter
4. Next, you must also type the following command: c:\windows\system32\regsvr32 vbscript.dll, then hit Enter. [Note, if you have a 64-bit computer, insert \Wow6432Node\ before CLSID in the above string font>

NOTE: If you have a Vista 64-bit Operating System, you need to be running version 3.9.8 or later. We released a 64-bit update in February, 2009. To get this update, please visit our web site and click on Get Help and then click on Free Updates. Or send us your old version 3.9 disc and $15 to cover shipping and handling and we can send you a new version 3.9.8 disc. [send to: v3.9.8 swap, Thayer Birding Software, 12650 Colliers Reserve Drive, Naples, FL 34110 ] Or you may prefer to get the new version 4 DVD. At www.OnlineNatureMall.com just enter the promotional code LOYAL during checkout to get a 10% loyal-customer discount. There are a lot of new features in version 4, including hundreds of additional videos and much more detailed range maps.

To Check to see if you are running a 32-bit Operating System or a 64-bit Operating System:
click Start (circle in lower left of your screen)
click Control Panel
click System and Maintenance
click System
Then look in the System section for the System type

v3.5 - Error 3420

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:28:56 GMT

Problem: When I load my v3.5 CD-ROM on my new 64-bit computer, I get Error 3420.

Solution: Version 3.5 CD-ROMs were created in 2006, well before 64-bit computers were popular. The v3.5 program runs fine on Windows XP 32-bit computers. They will not run on 64-bit computers. There is not an upgrade path for v3.5 so that it will run on 64-bit computers.

But the new v4.0 and v5.0.2 DVDs work great on 64-bit computers. You can order these at www.OnlineNatureMall.com

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v3.9 - Type Initializer Threw an Exception

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:14:04 GMT

Problem: When installing, I see this error message: The type initializer for Thayer.Birding.Applicationsettings threw an exception.

Solution: You almost certainly have a 64-bit operating system on your computer. You will need to download and install the free 64-bit update on our web site. Go to www.ThayerBirding.com and place you mouse over the "Get Help" tab. Then scroll down to "Free Downloads" and then click on "64-bit computer update".

To check to see if you are running a 32-bit Operating System or a 64-bit Operating System:
click Start (circle in lower left of your screen)
click Control Panel
click System and Maintenance
click System
Then look in the System section for the System type.

This problem was solved beginning with v3.9.8 and v5.0.2.
If this solution does not work for you, please send us $15 (to cover shipping and handling costs) and your old disc (v3.9, v3.9.1, v3.9.5, v5.0 or v5.0.1 only) and mention that you got an error that says "Type Initializer Threw an Exception."

Mail to:
Windows disc swap
Thayer Birding Software
12650 Colliers Reserve Drive
Naples, Fl 34110