Maths Practice

Primary School Maths

Elementary School Math Educational Software

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Installation

Simple to install.

Even a child can do it with the simple instructions provided.

Before you start:  Do you have network permission to install software on your school LAN ?

Almost all problems reported so far have been linked to network security restrictions imposed on the school servers and PCs. Please check with your network administrator if in doubt. Still need assistance after reading these items - then contact our support team.

• Map a drive on the application server
• From a workstation, install the software into the network mapped drive
• Create the workstation shortcuts
• Start the application and complete the registration process
• In the application Admin area, configure the student settings including file paths
• Set the appropriate network rights
• Clone the workstation to the other PCs to load the appropriate windows background files or perform simulated installations on each workstation PC
• When all else fails read the detailed version.

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Windows XP

Windows ME

Windows 2000

Windows 98

Microsoft Windows® version certified.

MAC® users can run Maths Practice if they have an emulator like VIRTUAL PC. Due to the number of different MAC operating system versions and variety of emulators on the market, the user should confirm their own compatibility beforehand.

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To  install the software you will require 3 files – SETUP.EXE, EINSTEIN.CAB and SETUP.LST

These files are available from the original CD or can be downloaded from the internet web site. If you have obtained the software from the web site, it will first need to be unzipped in order to extract these files.

You should also have the relevant license and registration serial keys that were provided, as this will be required to unlock the software and perform certain customisation.

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Do your homework and study the documentation provided to make the installation process simple.

Prior to installation, make sure that any previous versions of the software are removed. To do this, use the ‘Add/Remove Programs’ section in the Windows Control Panel.

Installation is started by running the SETUP.EXE application on the installation CD or the downloaded files from the WEB.

1.      Insert the installation CD or download the compressed files from the Web and extract the files.

2.      Open windows explorer and select the CD drive or file location where you unzipped the files

3.      If your CD does not have ‘AutoRun’ enabled then Double click on the SETUP.EXE application

         Setup starts copying files necessary for the installation

4.      Make sure other applications are closed and press “OK”

5.      Change the required destination directory if required and press “OK”

6.      Press the “Install” button to commence installation

7.      Select the program groups that you want the application to appear under and press “OK”

Due to operating systems being regularly patched or upgraded, some of the files on your computer may be newer than the shipped versions. It is recommended that the most up to date copy be retained.

The installation process will load 4 types of files

1.      Windows system specific files to support the application

2.      The executable (Einstein.EXE)

3.      Data Files, settings and preferences

4.      Documentation

 The software has been loaded and installed and is now ready for use. By default, the installation will create an entry in the ‘Start/Programs’ section and a desktop shortcut.

 On first usage you will be prompted to enter the registration details. Refer to the section on ‘Registration and Serial Key entry’

 Following this the software will copy the remaining help and instruction files from the CD to your installed area

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Follow the procedures outlined in the ‘Stand Alone or Single PC Installation Process’. Each installation will work independently from the rest.

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Copy the contents of the CD onto a network drive that is accessible by all PCs.

From each PC navigate to the network area and run SETUP.EXE

Follow the procedures outlined in the ‘Stand Alone or Single PC Installation Process’. Each installation will work independently from the rest. 

Complete the registration process. Refer to the section on ‘Registration and Serial Key entry’

Adjust the user preferences, settings and any file locations. Refer to the section on ‘Settings and Preferences Configuration’

If all single installations will have the same drive and path settings then the registration and preferences section does not need to be duplicated on each PC. A simpler process is to perform the registration and configuration process on one PC, and once completed, copy the files containing this information to all the other PCs.

There are two files that need to be transferred to each PC, these are: ESettings and EConfiguration. They can be found in installation directory ‘C:\ProgramFiles\Einstein\’ unless you have stipulated a different setup path during installation.

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Follow the procedures outlined in the ‘Stand Alone or Single PC Installation Process’ for the first PC. 

Take an image of the PC and replicate it to other PCs using whatever software is available. One of the more popular applications is ‘Ghost’ which will completely duplicate an entire configuration of one PC onto another. The school network administrators might have other similar tools to replicate complete installations.

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By far the best and recommended setup for school environments is to have a server based setup. This will simplify administration and make future upgrades easier.

A network server installation does rely on the local PC having some default windows files present and will require certain network rights or privileges to operate correctly.

Application processing order summary

1.      Shortcut executes Einstein.Exe in the application installed area. (normally server P:/Einstein/Einstein.exe).

2.      Software reads the Configuration file to ascertain: (normally server P:/Einstein/EConfiguration).

·        License Registration Details (input by administrator).

·        Location of Student Files (input by administrator, student H: drive or other).

3.      Software opens ‘UserList’ file and prompts students for identification (H:/Einstein/EUserList).

4.      Software loads the students preference files (H:/Einstein/ESettingsxxx).

5.      History and work results stored in (H:/Einstein/EResultsxxx).

If any files are missing, empty defaults are regenerated.

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If each student has a dedicated personal mapped area:

The file ‘UserList’ should be configured to reside in this area. The list will only have 1 user , being the owner of the drive.

 If each student does not have a dedicated personal mapped area:

Eg All Students use a shared area or common folder.

The ‘UserList’ will control users with each student on the list having their own history and preference settings stored separately in this area. Therefore set all 3 file options to point to this area (UserList, Results & Preferences).

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This process should only be attempted by someone who has appropriate network access to create and delete items on the network servers.

On your network application server, create a directory called “Einstein” and make sure there is a valid path pointing to it. Eg P:\Applications\Einstein

Follow the procedures outlined in the ‘Stand Alone or Single PC Installation Process’, however, in step 5 ‘Change the required destination directory if required and press “OK”, make sure you select the network drive and path that you want the application to be installed under.

Complete the registration process. Refer to the section on ‘Registration and Serial Key entry’

Adjust the user preferences, settings and any file locations. Refer to the section on ‘Settings and Preferences Configuration’

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On the network application server, create a directory called ‘Einstein ’

Set the permissions/rights for this directory to:

 Option a)

Students = Read Only

Teachers = Read & Write

Option b)

If there is a third layer of security at the school, and some teachers are also not permitted to change application data, then this directory should be set as follows:

Students = Read Only

Teachers = Read Only

Administrator = Read & Write

Within this directory exists a file called ‘EConfiguration’. This file also needs to be set as follows:

Teachers = Read & Write

Data files require the following access and privileges to work correctly.

These files are normally installed in that application directory and include:

“EConfiguration” Initially supplied as part of the CD setup, however this file can be regenerated by the application on the first usage. It is created in the application directory and contains configuration setting and file location paths.

Needs to have read access to students and write access to administrators or teachers wanting to change file paths. This is a mandatory file and required by the application.

“ESettingsxxx.”, initially installed in the application directory and contains default settings for exercises. This file can be relocated to a position where the student has write access in order to change their preferences. The application will attempt to regenerate the file if it is deleted.

Each separate user has a separate ‘ESettings’ file numbered consecutively ‘ESettings1’..’ESettingsxxx.’

 “EUserList”, initially installed in the application directory and contains the list of users on the system. This file resides in the same directory as ‘ESettingsxxx.’

Adding and deleting users can be set up as either an Administrator or User function. If it is a user function then the location of the file will require ‘Read’ and ‘Write’ access.

 “EResultsxxx”, initially not installed but generated by the application if ‘History Logging’ is selected in the “Configuration Settings” section.

This file can be relocated to a position where the student has write access in order to log results. The student might require ‘delete’ access. The application will attempt to regenerate the file if it is deleted. This file is the only one that can grow in size. It is pipe delimited.

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In a networked environment, the following files will be stored on the server:

(substitute your install destination for ‘P:\Applications\Einstein’)

P:\Applications\Einstein\Einstein.EXE being the executable file that the desktop shortcuts point to.

 P:\Applications\Einstein\EConfiguration being the admin setup parameters and file pointers to the student directories. 

P:\Applications\Einstein\Sound\*.mp3 being the associated audio files used in the application.

 P:\Applications\Einstein\Instructions\*.rtf being the associated help files used in the application.

 P:\Applications\Einstein\EStatements being the application response comments.

 (substitute your students home drive for ‘H:\Einstein’)

H:\Einstein\ESettingsxxx being the students own profile and personal settings.

 H:\Einstein\EResultsxxx being the students log and results file.

 H:\Einstein\EUserList being the list of users working from this area.

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Each workstation requires a set of windows specific files in order to operate properly. These are automatically installed during the workstation installation process. All workstations will requires these files in order to run the software.

Various methods are used to do this and it really depends on the school process and policy as to how multiple PC updates are done.

Common processes include Ghosting or cloning of PCs and various server based distribution tools. Obviously individual installations will also work, however larger schools that have multiple PCs often have automated processes for this.

The files listed below are mainly for reference and can be found in the SUPPORT folder on the installation CD.

Local Windows files in the WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory:

AnimationGIF.ocx
ASYCFILT.DLL
COMCAT.DLL
COMDLG32.OCX
Einstein.exe
MCI32.OCX
MSCOMCTL.OCX
MSSTDFMT.DLL
msvbvm60.dll
OLEAUT32.DLL
OLEPRO32.DLL
RICHED32.DLL
RICHTX32.OCX
SETUP.EXE
SETUP1.EXE
ST6UNST.EXE
STDOLE2.TLB
VB6STKIT.DLL

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Read the license agreement and if you agree select the proceed option.

On first usage, the software will prompt for a valid ‘User Name’ and ‘Serial Key’ combination. This would have been provided to the school beforehand.

It is important that the key entry matches exactly with what was provided. Punctuation is important and so are spaces. The user name and Serial key is not case sensitive.

If you fail to get the correct combination you will be prompted to repeat the process until you are successful.

If you fail to get it correct, you can still continue by deferring this process until a later date. If you bypass the registration process, you will have restrictions on software functionality and will need to complete the registration process within 21 days otherwise the software will be fully disabled until a valid registration process is completed.

Amongst other items, you cannot save settings or print unless the registration process has been completed successfully.

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Both students and administrators can set application specific functionality. To get full details of the options, please refer to the documentation provided on the CD. In general there are 2 types of settings:

1 Student Settings.

This comprises of parameters for number of questions, degree of difficulty, number set to use, entry direction and a few other parameters. These can be set and saved so that they are used as the defaults on subsequent attempts.

2. Admin Settings.

These comprise of file locations, region settings and functionality that is allowed to be changed by students. These can be set and saved so that they are used as the defaults on subsequent attempts.

These 2 settings categories are stored in separate files to allow for independent network security options.

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Documentation is provided in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. You will require Acrobat reader to view the and print the documentation. A version of Adobe Acrobat Reader is supplied on the CD and newer versions can be freely downloaded from the internet.

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You cannot run Maths Practice software directly from the CD. Maths Practice needs to be able to save preferences and settings back to the application directory and this is not possible with CDs.

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In the event that files become corrupt, the system will attempt to regenerate certain files. If this fails, the administrator should manually delete the following files “ECONFIGURATION”, “ESETTINGS” or “ERESULTS” before restarting the application.

Remember that “ERESULTS” contains the students history so try not delete this is possible.

In the event “ESTATEMENTS” becomes corrupt, it should be replaced from the installation disk.

Audio files and windows system files will need to be replaced from the installation disk.

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Upgrading from previous versions to the newly released 'Young Einstein Mathematics' is simply a reinstall of the new software. The new version utilises different data files so that you can retain the older version if you like.

Any history or data retained from previous versions can not be transferred to the new version. This is primarily because the new version has replaced the 58 previous modules with several hundred new ones and added additional features and functionality.

For single users there is no change to installations, however for networked installations there are now 3 locations that can be changed. The default installation places these files in the application directory but they can be individually separated if required.

Under network installations you can now choose where to locate :

The user list file. This is a basic list of all users, you can add remove or select users from this list. Students select their name from this list before proceeding.

The user preferences file. This contains the users preferences, settings and average results for completed activities. Each user has a unique file.

 The user results history file. This contains the users results in detail for all completed activities. Graphs and reporting are generated from this file. . Each user has a unique file and results logging must be enabled to activate this functionality.

Other significant features of the new release:

1. Increased flexibility for installations and user lists
2. More detailed instructions per activity and the ability to change these to suite your own teaching methods.
3. Additional reporting with the introduction of progressive and cumulative grading
4. Extensive use of additional graphics
5. More games to entice the students.

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