6.  The program fails to run after appearing to install successfully

There are several possible reasons:

A)  (CD or Network versions)  Operating systems later than Windows 98:  If you are signed in as a “restricted user”, the program may appear to install, but may then not run correctly.  Installation must be carried out by a user with  “Computer Administrator” rights. If you installed as a “restricted user”, you will need to sign on as a computer administrator, uninstall and then reinstall.  If this does not make sense to you, please contact us.


B) (CD or Network versions)  The program appears to be starting, but then disappears after a few seconds. With the CD version, a message about “verifying the disk” will be displayed. A message about a soundcard may or may not be displayed. The program needs a working soundblaster-compatible soundcard. Check in “System” that you have a working soundcard. Reinstalling the soundcard driver fixes this problem in over 90% of cases.

C) (CD Versions only)  Your CD is damaged. Often, a message about “verifying the disk” will be displayed. Check your disk for damage, and see if it will install and run on a second computer. If scratched, a replacement can be provided on receipt of the old disk (however damaged!) for a small administration charge. Contact Sales on 0208 748 5927 (+44 from outside UK)

D) (CD Versions only) Your CD Drive is not compatible with our copy protection OR your CD is an illegal copy. Again, if possible check by trying on a second computer (ideally a different model/vintage). Please contact our technical support for advice.

E) (CD versions only)  Your CD is dirty, and/or your CD drive laser lens is dirty. Cleaning kits can be purchased from high street shops. Note that  we have several cases of customers being able to install the program, but not then run, until cleaning the CD/CD drive, so this is worth a try.

F) Your  computer has gone into hibernation, and been unable to find the program on being brought out from hibernation. We suggest that you close the program down before allowing your computer to hibernate.  You may see a message “Unable to find CD”

G) Your program stops at the login screen. In some cases, the whole computer may freeze.  Restart the computer. Look on the root of the program CD for “Fixgraphics.exe”, and apply this.  (details)

H) You have a CD version, which works fine for an administrative user, but fails to open for a restricted user. For schools, this is often a group policy or permissions issue. For all users, if you have XP, go to xppatch

G) (CD or Network versions)  Rarely, the opening “splash” screen will come up, hang and close after 20-40 seconds with no error message, OR you get a message “Unable to initialise”.  On checking you find you have a working soundcard.
(1) Empty the contents of the wordshark-shared / Numbershark-shared to a safe place, and try again (on network versions you will need to re-enter the licence details). If this works, contact Support for further instructions..
(2) If this does not work, contact support unless you are a competent technician. If you are,  uninstall, manually search for .sha files and remove any of our files & directtories left on the computer.  Manually search the registry for any evidence of “shark” or “javaw”, and remove if you are sure they our our entries. Double-check the soundcard is working (e.g. Try record and playback in Windows Sound Recorder). Reinstall (for CD version you may need to go to Wordshark3i..exe if present).