XMAS Installation Notes

Updated 07 June 2006 9:15am EST

* Confirm Computer Requirements

Windows XP
1024 x 768 (XGA) display
512 MB RAM
DVD-ROM drive
DSL, cable modem, or higher (384 Kbps)


Also, you should verify that you have either PowerDVD or WinDVD installed on your computer and check that a DVD plays alright through Windows Media Player as well.

 

* Check DirectX

To determine which version of Microsoft Direct X you are running:

1. On the taskbar at the bottom of your screen, click Start, and then click Run.

2. In the Run dialog box, type dxdiag

3. Click OK.
A dialog box displays the version that you are running.

Latest version is DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

To download this version, search for "DirectX 9.0c End-User Runtime" at Microsoft Download Center

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/

[Important Note: DirectX December 2005 has NOT been tested with XMAS.]

* Check to See If You Have the .NET Framework Installed

You can check to see if you already have the .NET Framework installed by clicking Start on the Taskbar, selecting Control Panel, and then double-clicking the Add or Remove Programs icon. When that window appears, scroll through the list of applications. If you see Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 or higher, you are fine.

If you do not have .NET Framework installed, download it via Microsoft Windows Update

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

You will need to restart your computer after .NET Framework finishes installing.

* Download and install XMAS

To install the XMAS application, download and run this file:

http://web.mit.edu/shakspere/xmas/XMASInstaller.msi

Be sure you have a DVD from this list:

http://web.mit.edu/shakspere/xmas/xmas-dvd-registry.html

You may request that other DVDs be added to our database. Simply complete the form here:

http://web.mit.edu/shakspere/xmas/comments.html

You may use this same form to request your user account.

Once you have a username and password for XMAS, go through the tutorial:

http://web.mit.edu/shakspere/xmas/xmas-tutorial.html