Help Topics

How do I get started with SolidProfessor?

  1. Download SolidProfessor LMS
  2. Add desired courses within the SolidProfessor LMS interface.
  3. Retrieve license and begin watching lessons! (Full courses require username and password obtained at time of purchase).

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System Requirements

  • Microsoft® Windows XP or Vista Operating System
  • Internet Explorer 6 or later
  • 1024 X 768 or better display resolution
  • Windows Media Player 10 or better
  • Microsoft® .NET 2.0 Framework
  • 500 MB Disk Space Minimum (more depending on number of courses loaded)
  • DVD ROM Drive
  • Pointing Device
  • Speakers

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Does SolidProfessor provide any type of testing?

Yes. SolidProfessor provides self-assessment tests that can be accessed from within the SolidProfessor LMS interface (Tools, Online Testing), or online by clicking here. When you complete the test results will be emailed to you and any other recipient you choose.

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Do SolidProfessor Courses include exercise files?

Yes. Exercise files can be accessed from within SolidProfessor LMS using the Tools drop-down menu and selecting Download Parts.

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Is it possible to create a custom course in SolidProfessor LMS?

Yes. In SolidProfessor LMS use the Create Lesson Plan icon, or click Tools, Create Lesson Plan. You can create multiple lesson plans and drag-and-drop lessons from any course into your Custom Lesson Plan.

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What is Check for Updates? How and why should I do it?

Checking for updates will keep your SolidProfessor LMS working at top performance by ensuring that you have the most recent version of the software. SolidProfessor LMS will automatically check for updates at startup, but if you want to check for updates manually, click the Tools drop-down menu and select Check for Updates.

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How do I add courses to the SolidProfessor LMS interface?

Launch SolidProfessor LMS and click the Add/Remove Course icon, or click the Tools drop-down menu and select Add/Remove Course. Follow the on screen prompts to add the desired course either from DVD or to download from the web. With either method you can begin viewing lessons as they are loaded.

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How can I Save and Share my Custom Lesson Plan?

To share a Custom Lesson Plan, first close SolidProfessor LMS. Then find the courses.spx and folders.xml files in your Windows directory at C:\Program Files\SolidProfessor\SolidProfessor LMS. Send copies of these two files, and have the recipient place them into C:\Program Files\SolidProfessor\SolidProfessor LMS, replacing their original files. SolidProfessor LMS should be closed before attempting to replace these files. Once replaced, launch SolidProfessor LMS and the new Custom Lesson Plans will be available.

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Video isn't playing correctly or a black screen appears when trying to play video. How can I fix the problem and make sure my system is compatible to play videos?

SolidProfessor makes use of technology from Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer. We strongly recommend obtaining the latest versions of these programs using the links available in System Requirements.

If your system is up to date, check for compatibility using the following link to identify any other potential problems: Compatibility Test

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I'm experiencing poor video quality. Is there anything I can do?

Yes. SolidProfessor video lessons are viewable at a 1:1 ratio for crisp, high quality viewing. In SolidProfessor LMS click the Optimize View while a video is playing, or click the View drop-down menu and select Optimize View. Not that a video must be playing in order for Optimize View to be active. If your video quality is still poor please be sure you are using the latest version of Windows Media Player.

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Video disappears or turns purple and green

First we recommend upgrading Windows Media Player to the latest version. If video problems persist try changing the following settings.

To turn off overlays, do the following:

  • Right-click on the video area of the LMS and go to: Options > Performance > Video Acceleration (advanced)
  • Clear the Use overlays check box.

If the problem continues, try turning off the video mixing renderer (VMR). You can turn off the VMR by clearing the Use video mixing renderer check box (available in the same location as the Use overlays check box).

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I have a problem with a single video lesson. It ends before it’s supposed to. How can I fix it?

It's possible that a lesson file was not installed completely, or became corrupt during installation. To replace the file with the most up to date version, do the following:

  1. When the lesson is playing, right click on the video and select Properties. Note the Location of the file displayed (typically C:\Program Files\SolidProfessor\SolidProfessor LMS\media\...)
  2. Close SolidProfessor LMS.
  3. Browse to the location of the file and delete it.
  4. Launch SolidProfessor LMS and attempt to play the same file. Select Resume Now to download the file.
  5. Select the Start button to begin the download. Once the file is downloaded you can play the file without problems.

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How do I upgrade to SolidProfessor LMS v2?

If you already have SolidProfessor LMS installed...

  1. Launch SolidProfessor LMS
  2. Go to Tools, Check for Updates.
  3. Accept the Update and LMS v2 will be installed automatically

Using Windows Vista?

  1. Download the following file to your hard drive: ReleaseFull.exe (use the Save option)
  2. Remove your existing SolidProfessor installation by going to Start, Control Panel, Programs and Features. Select SolidProfessor LMS and click Uninstall.
  3. After uninstalling the original version, double click the downloaded file (ReleaseFull.exe) to install LMSv2.

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I just downloaded SolidProfessor LMS and the program will not install. What can I do?

SolidProfessor LMS requires Microsoft’s .NET Framework 2.0 to install and run. The download version of SolidProfessor LMS does not include the .NET Framework 2.0 (the downloaded file is called ReleaseFull.exe). If your system requires a .NET upgrade you will see an error during installation indicating that the .NET upgrade was not found and installation will terminate. If you experience this problem, please click here to download and install the .NET Framework 2.0. After installing .NET 2.0 you can re-run the SolidProfessor LMS installer to complete the installation process successfully.

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Licensing

Most SolidProfessor courses require that you have a valid license in order to view the material. The first time you play a course you will be prompted for your username and password in order to retrieve a license. Your username and password are typically provided at the time of purchase, or during registration for a special offer.

Note: In order to retrieve your license your computer must be connected to the internet and you must meet the System Requirements. Once a license is delivered and your content is loaded, an internet connection is no longer required.

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Windows Media Player indicates a Security Component needs to be upgraded. When I click “Yes” to proceed with the upgrade, nothing happens. What is going on?

The Security Component referenced is Microsoft's Digital Rights Management (DRM) component. Windows Media Player (WMP) will automatically attempt to retrieve and install this component over the Internet. However, your internet security settings may prevent this from being successfully accomplished. Rather than downloading through WMP, please use the link below. This will install the necessary Security Component directly through your Web Browser (Internet Explorer required, version 7 recommended). Note: in order for this page to run, you must allow the Active X control to be installed when prompted. If your settings do not allow Active X controls, please consult your system administrator.

http://services.wmdrm.windowsmedia.com/indivSite

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When I click on a lesson, no video plays. All I see is a black screen. What is going on?

When a lesson is played for the fist time, a license is required. You should be prompted to obtain a license before the video plays. If you are not prompted, you can access the license directly from our licensing page. To go directly to the licensing page click here.

If you encounter errors during the licensing process, it's likely due to a need for a Windows Media Player DRM security component upgrade. To access this update click here.

If this does not resolve the issue please see other help entries referencing your specific error number.

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I have followed the licensing procedure but the Play button is not active, why?

When you attempt to play a course you are prompted to obtain a license. However, the license you obtain may not be for the course you are attempting to play, so the Play button will not become active. For example, let’s assume your account entitles you to a 2008 Core Concepts license. If you attempt to play a lesson from the 2007 Sheet Metal course, you will be prompted to obtain a license. You will enter your username and password and you’ll be presented with your available course – in this example it would be 2008 Core Concepts. The license will be delivered successfully and the licensing window will be closed. However, when you return to the 2007 Sheet Metal course, the play button will not be active because the license you received is not for the 2007 Sheet Metal course – it’s for the 2008 Core Concepts course.

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Why do I receive Error #438 when requesting a license?

Error 438 is shown when your Internet Explorer security settings prevent a license request from being issued to SolidProfessor servers. You can eliminate this error by setting your Internet Security Settings (Start, Control Panel, Internet Options, Security), to the Windows recommended default level of "Medium High." Your System Administrator may have to assist you in making this change.

The two specific settings that prevent licensing are "Run ActiveX controls and plug-in," and "Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting." Both of these must be enabled for SolidProfessor licenses to be delivered.

Note that once licenses are successfully retrieved, you can return your security level to its original setting.

Important: If lowering your security level does not resolve Error #438, it is likely due to internet security settings implemented at the corporate network level. Please consult your IT department and inform them that you need access to the following URLs: solidprofessor.com, solidprofessorstore.com, keys.redapplemedia.com. You can also bypass these network restrictions by obtaining your license through another network, such as your home internet connection. Once a license is obtained this process will not have to be repeated unless you purchase additional SolidProfessor courses.

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Why do I receive Error #10002 when requesting a license?

Error 10002 is shown when your Windows Media Player security component is not properly configured to store your SolidProfessor license. A simple upgrade of your security component is required in order to eliminate this error. You can obtain the upgrade here:

http://services.wmdrm.windowsmedia.com/indivSite

Note that this Microsoft web page requires ActiveX controls to be enabled. You can enable ActiveX controls by going to Start, Control Panel, Internet Options, Security and setting your security level to the Windows default Medium High. Your System Administrator may have to assist you in making this change.

Once your security component is upgraded, you can return your security level to its original setting.

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Why do I get errors when trying to obtain a license (errors 87, 10065, 10113, or 10114)?

SolidProfessor courseware is protected using Microsoft DRM. This allows us to distribute content directly to your local machine and eliminate the need for a broadband internet connection when you wish to view your content.

DRM licenses are distributed by a licensing server that you connect to using Windows Media Player (10 or later) and Internet Explorer (6 or later). Before a license is delivered your Windows Media Player must be individualized through a security component upgrade. This is done at the following Microsoft web page:

http://services.wmdrm.windowsmedia.com/indivSite

This upgrade will fix most common DRM related errors. However, if you cannot run this upgrade, it's likely due to internet security settings implemented on your local machine or your corporate network. Temporarily disabling anti-virus, anti-malware, and web filtering software is strongly advised. Because Microsoft DRM is also used by many mainstream music and entertainment providers, some IT Departments may block license delivery in the workplace. If you have trouble obtaining a license and you see errors such as Error #438, please consult your IT department.

Some systems may require a complete rebuilding of the DRM Security Component due to file corruption. In such cases errors such as Error #87, 10065, 10113, or 10114 will be encountered. This can be resolved by removing and replacing your DRM component using the following procedure:

NOTE: This procedure will completely remove your DRM settings including any DRM licenses currently on your system. If you have previously licensed DRM protected content from music or movie providers, do not follow this procedure as your licenses will be permanently lost. SolidProfessor is not responsible for any wrongly deleted licenses. If you've never licensed DRM protected content on your computer, you can safely continue.

First remove the existing DRM component:

  1. Run the DRM Reset application from: http://www.solidprofessorstore.com/drmreset.exe
  2. Once complete, a message will indicate the DRM component was removed successfully.

Next, rebuild the DRM component:

  1. Visit http://services.wmdrm.windowsmedia.com/indivSite and press the Upgrade button.
  2. A message will indicate the DRM component was successfully upgraded.

Finally, acquire SolidProfessor License(s):

  1. Visit the licensing page at: http://www.solidprofessor.com/Law/db-lookup.asp
  2. Enter Username/Password
  3. Select from list of available courses and click Get License button.
  4. A message will indicate if license was obtained successfully.

After completing these steps, you should now be able to play your courses.

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