Introduction
This page contains complete step by step instructions to help you get everything you need to get up and running, including a free sample version of one of our DesktopMates characters so you can completely test this technology to make sure everything functions properly on your system before deciding to purchase any full versions of our character models. Make sure to completely read and follow all the steps on this page. Once you have followed all the steps and have everything properly installed and then should you find something isn't working properly, first return here to make sure you haven't missed any steps, also try our FAQ listed under the "Help" section in the main menu bar above.
NOTE: This page only provides instructions to assist you in installing the required components and get you successfully up and running. Advanced functions and settings are provided in the programs used to operate the characters, such as CyberBuddy, Answerpad or Ultra Hal Artificial Intelligence programs. These technologies don't simply pop up a character onto your desktop which proceeds to mindlessly entertain you, it's much more sophisticated than that, these programs provide and add functionality to the characters, such as doing tasks for you and/or providing user interaction, so be sure to carefully READ THE HELP sections included in these programs.
Recommended System Requirements.
In most cases, all you will have to do is just install the CyberBuddy program and a character and possibly some additional voices (as per bottom of page), then start the program and load your character. Just carefully read & follow the instructions below and you'll be up and running shortly.
Click the "Technical" button to view a schematic and detailed info on how this technology functions, this will provide you with a general idea on how it works and how all the components tie together.
NOTE: On-board or integrated video & sound devices that come in many off the shelf or store bought computer packages are NOT usually of very high quality, and may not be adequate enough to properly run this technology as well as many of the high end games and may require that you upgrade. Click the "Do I Need To Upgrade?" button for more info.
The Installation
If you should experience problems downloading any program files or running the program's install setups, refer to these troubleshooting guides.
If you are running the Windows XP operating system - You will first have to install the Microsoft SAPI 4.0 runtime binaries before proceeding with the rest of the install. The reason for this is that Windows XP only came with SAPI version 5.0 but the speech engines (voices) for this technology requires version 4.0 to provide lip sync functions. Click here to download and install SAPI 4.0 This will not erase or replace version 5.0 from your system, both versions can coincide and function together.
Vista now makes use of SAPI 5.0 voices with lyp sync - Vista comes with several SAPI 5.0 voices and will use the default voice you have set on your system. If you are happy with this voice you don't need to add the SAPI 4.0 runtime binaries. However if you want to use any of the older voices you need to install the SAPI 4.0 runtime binaries. Click here to download and install SAPI 4.0 This will not erase or replace version 5.0 from your system, both versions can coincide and function together. You will also need to install the L&H Text to Speech Engine (tv_enua.exe) from Here!
Quick & Easy Install Steps
1. Install Operating Components - Click the CyberBuddy download button below to download and install the FREE CyberBuddy program. When you run CyberBuddy for the first time, if the Microsoft® Agent core components are not yet installed, the CyberBuddy program will install them for you. CyberBuddy is not a spyware or adware program, it's a fully functional and totally FREE program for you to use without any obligations to buy DesktopMates characters or anything else.
2. Install Characters - You should now be up and running and ready to install and add any characters you want, start by trying our free sample version below. Please remember that you CANNOT download and simply just click on the character's file to make them load or run. This will NOT place a character icon on your desktop that you can click on to make the character run, character's are loaded through the program your using to operate characters, such as CyberBuddy, Answerpad or Ultra Hal (refer to the info below on how to load a character using CyberBuddy). The character's setup installs the character into the Microsoft Agent character folder which is part of the Microsoft Agent technologies core components on your operating system. All versions of Windows beyond Windows98 comes with the core components for MSAgent Technology as part of your windows operating system. Windows 98 users can also add this Microsoft utility FREE!"
If your running windows 98 you can manually install the required MS Agent core components here ...
MS Agent Core Components
Download and Install Dawn's Sample Version
(14.8 mb)
3. Loading the Character onto your Desktop - Once you have everything above installed on your computer start your "CyberBuddy" program with the "CyberBuddy" Icon on your desktop and then click on the "CyberBuddy" Icon in your task bar system tray to bring up CyberBuddy's main window then click on the "General" tab at the bottom then click "Character and Speech Options", this is where you select and bring up your "DesktopMates" MSAgent characters and also select speech and voice options etc. You will see a drop down list containing the characters you have installed and once have selected the character then go to the next drop down list to select one of the voices you have installed then set the voices speed and pitch to where you like it then click "done". This should now be your default character until you select a different character.
NOTE: If you DO NOT see Dawn's free sample or any DesktopMates characters that you may have purchased in the drop down list then the character possibly hasn't been properly installed to the correct folder. You may also be missing the Microsoft Agent character folder which is part of the Microsoft Agent technologies core components on your operating system. All versions of Windows beyond Windows98 already comes with the core components for MSAgent Technology as part of your windows operating system. Windows 98 users can also add this Microsoft utility FREE!" If your running windows 98 you can manually install the required MS Agent core components here ...
MS Agent Core Components Even if your not running Windows 98 and your having this problem you should also try installing the MS Agent core components to make sure none are missing on your system and will also repair any that may have become corrupt.
Once you have the MS Agent Core components properly installed which contains the character folder, the DesktopMates character setup program will auto install the character to the proper character folder for you. If you still can't see the character in the drop down list, also check our FAQ for additional possible reasons why your character may not be showing up.
Free Add-ons & Extras
For better sounding female English speaking voices download the extra speech engines from our free add-on & extras page.
Allows you to have conversations with your character.
