Support
Most problems are dealt with in this document. If you still need help you can call toll-free (800) 423-0563 or e-mail: tl.support@thomson.com

Please have the following information ready before you call: the make and model of your computer, the version of the operating sytem you are using, and the amount of RAM and Hard Drive memory you have, and the exact wording and details provided in any error message you may have encountered.

Updates
You can download an updater for Sniffy when they are released by choosing the version you need below.

Windows®
No updates available at this time.

Macintosh®
Version 5.3f3 of Sniffy Pro and Lite for OSX are now available. These versions require either OS 10.1 or higher or an OS 8/9 Mac running CarbonLib 1.4 or higher. You should not install this update unless you are running OS X or have CarbonLib installed on a pre OS X Mac. If you update your copy of Sniffy and find it no longer works, delete it and re-install Sniffy from your CD.

Backup any data files you have before running this installation.

The installer is a "Classic" application. To install under OS X you must have Classic installed. (If you are currently running Sniffy under OS X, it will be running under Classic, so you will have classic installed).

Download Sniffy Pro Update for Macintosh OS X


Download Sniffy Lite Update for Macintosh OS X


(all downloads require StuffIt Expander)

Sniffy Frequently Asked Questions
  1. How do I use the Sniffy Web site?
    The Sniffy, the Virtual Rat home page has eight menu options on the left-hand side of the screen. You are advised to progress through the menus in the order from top to bottom, unless you know specifically what you are looking for.

  2. How do I work the Sniffy Pro Demo software?
    Step 1:
    After you have read the Main page, and the About Sniffy page, run the Tutorial (takes about 15 to 20 minutes) to see how to operate the program, and run learning experiments. Run the OVERVIEW first and then proceed through each of the three Projects.
    Step 2:
    Read the Manual Contents to see the range of exercises possible. We have chosen 3 major exercises (as detailed in the Tutor) which you can now try out on the Demo software. Please note the Demo runs for a limited time, and does not allow you to save files.
    Step 3:
    Read the Exercises pages, and print a hard copy so that you can have them beside you while you run the Demo.
    Step 4:
    Use the Download menu to select the version of Sniffy Pro you wish to play with on your own computer. Make sure you have completed Steps 1, 2, and 3 first.
    Step 5:
    Double-click the Demo installer, and follow the instructions.
    Step 6:
    Open the Sniffy Pro Demo folder and double-click the Sniffy Pro Demo icon (or in Windows look for the Programs command in the START menu, and select Sniffy Pro Demo).
    Step 7:
    For the next 20 days you can try out these exercises and any of your own!

  3. Can I run Sniffy under Mac OS X?
    An updater is now available to allow Sniffy to run as a native OS X application (see above). If you have OS X, you will want to perform the update. However, you can still run the CD version Sniffy in Classic mode under Mac OS X. For the best performance (especially when the Sniffy animation is hidden to "accelerate time"), we would recommend that you run the old version after booting your computer with Mac OS 9.1.

  4. If Sniffy appears to be moving very slowly how do I get him to speed up?
    1. Make sure no other programs are running.
    2. Use the File/Preferences menu to set the animation rate higher.
    3. Some older machines have barely enough memory so you may have to set the Control Panel Monitor Display Setting to 256 colors. Please not that Sniffy and his cage will take on different colors.

  5. If I get an I/O error what do I do?
    Usually this occurs when you are attempting to save a Sniffy file on a disk that does not have any more room. Save it to a different location. You may get this error when you are saving to a CD rom, or when you are opening an Sniffy export file, or other files that Sniffy cannot open.

  6. Sniffy appears with a white block around him (unmasked against background).
    This may occur on some systems. Try a different color setting or invoking a screen saver. We will resolve this problem in a future update.

  7. I cannot run the Tutor because I am missing a Microsoft dll file.
    If you are trying to run the Sniffy Tutor in Windows 95, you may need a file called "msvcrt.dll". If you do not have this file the Windows 95 operating system will tell you that the file is missing when you attempt to run the Sniffy Tutor. Please note that this may affect only some early versions of Windows 95. This is a well-known Microsoft problem, not a Sniffy software problem, and we advise you to talk with our support people at (800) 423-0563 or tl.support@thomson.com
  8. Why don't my print-outs come out?
    Keyboard shortcuts (CTRL P for Windows and Command P for Mac) are not implemented. You must select "Print" from the "File Menu". If you find that the "Print" option is not selectable (or greyed out) from the File menu it probably means that you are trying to print the Operant Chamber. The Operant Chamber is not a printable window. To enable printing select a different window by clicking on it, for example any Cumulative Record, then choose "Print" from the "File" menu"

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