v5.00.844 and SAPI 4 synth problem

Hi,
I can't seem to get FS to respond back in a timely manner on this so I
thought I'd see if anyone here can solve this problem.

I had been running v5.00.621.  I found the v5.00.844 update on the FS web
site, downloaded, and installed it as I usually install updates.  The
install seemed to go okay, but when I restarted, my nice Microsoft Mary
voice was gone and Microsoft SAM was the only choice.

I then tried the SAPI 4 Detect option and my Windows XP system froze.

Now, considering I've never had problems with JAWS updates before, at this
point I was understandably frustrated at the mess this update made out of my
otherwise formerly functioning JAWS.  I think the thing that really got me
too is that FS doesn't post any installation notes right there on the page
with the link to download.  Their attitude seems to be just stick it out
there and oh well if there are problems; probably not what they intended but
it's the message I get loud and clear from all this mess.

I personally don't go in for software that treats users this way.  It just
ends up creating totally unnecessary technical support headaches when
companies pull stunts like this.

Anyway, after about 48 hours, FS support finally got back to me.  Meanwhile,
I ran on 4.51 and finally got so disgusted waiting that I took matters into
my own hands, completely uninstalled 5, including wiping it off the hard
drive, and reinstalled my working former version of 5.  Unfortunately, the
response was so cryptic in describing the steps I should take, I again
finally ended up trying to guess at what was expected because it took so
long to get back to me.  Again, all of this probably caused because such a
crappy update was released; FS tech support is probably flooded with
requests for help.

Finally I was provided with instructions to get SAPI 4 Detect to work, at
least long enough to get it to make the synths available in the Change
Synthesizer menu.

So, I go select the Microsoft Text to Speech engine in the menu.  Now,
during install, I have had to say that Elloquence is my primary speech
engine, because at that point I can't say I want my SAPI 4 engine since it
has been removed as of this update.

I confirmed that Elloquence was unchecked, and that the wanted Microsoft
engine was checked, in the Change Synthesizer menu.

The current problem is that, when JAWS restarts, Elloquence is back.  It
will not retain the fact that I want the Microsoft SAPI 4 engine; it always
reverts back to Elloquence no matter what I do.

I'm at my wits end with this most recent update.  I can see why maybe some
users like it, but personally I liked having my Microsoft Mary on SAPI 4.
Alternatively, can anyone suggest exactly how I might find and use Mary
under SAPI 5?  I did try this way back in v4.51 but hated the results, so
haven't wasted my time looking into it again.

I need some help and I need it hopefully within the next 24 hours.  I'm kind
of missing my 5.0 features and would like to get them back.  The tech at FS
probably hasn't gotten back to me because of my anger and frustration, but
darn it, this is ridiculous in the extreme to create this many problems and
yet provide no help getting it installed or working.  One tech at FS told me
it was quite common to completely uninstall one release and put in another.
Yes, and then here I go having to copy my dictionary and everything else
back in to avoid having to set it all back up manually.  I'm sorry if this
is so long, and I'm sorry if my attitude bites, but darn it, I get sick and
tired of people creating problems intentionally and seeming to not give a
darn about it or making apologies for it.  Apologies don't cut the mustard
in this sort of case because the problems shouldn't be there in the first
place.

Please, somebody do something to help with this.  I'm trying to be nice, but
nice goes out the window when my life is made difficult for no good reason.
-Greg Epley




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