Windows 7 does not come pre-installed with the Microsoft Agent technology needed for Vox Proxy. There is, however, a HOTFIX available from Microsoft to install this feature.The hotfix is available here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969168
Be sure to note whether you have a 64-bit (x64) or 32-bit (x86) system (it should default correctly).

Install Vox Proxy AFTER the hotfix is installed.

Vox Proxy Version 4 MAY install properly with Windows 7, although you may encounter similar security issues as in Vista. If so, try turning off User Account Control (see Notes on Vista below).

Version 5 should install smoothly in either Windows 7 or Vista without changing security settings.

If Vox Proxy appears to install correctly, but does not appear under "add-ins", it may be that PowerPoint has disabled the Vox Proxy add-in. You may re-enable the add-in by following these Microsoft instructions:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms268871.aspx
Summarized here:

• In PowerPoint, click the Microsoft Office Button. Click the PowerPoint Options button.
• In the categories pane, click Add-ins.
• In the details pane, locate the add-in in the Inactive Application Add-ins list.
• Vox Proxy may be shown at "APL in PowerPoint"
• In the Manage box, click COM Add-ins, and then click Go.
• In the COM Add-Ins dialog box, select the check box next to the disabled Vox Proxy add-in.
• Click OK

NOTE that you MUST HAVE VERSION 4 OR NEWER to run in PowerPoint 2007. Click here if you have version 3 or older.

VISTA NOTES

Vox Proxy version 4 will work on the Windows Vista operating system. Click here for more details about using Vox Proxy with Windows Vista. The Vista version permits the use of new Text-To-Speech engines, but also contains some Microsoft-imposed restrictions.

Before attempting to install Vox Proxy Version 4 on Vista, be sure to see required Vista Security Settings below. Version 5 should install without changing any security settings.

DOWNLOAD an interim Version 4 program update, which includes updates for Vista.
Save this file in the folder:
C:\Program Files\Vox Proxy
and replace the existing file of the same name.
NOTE THAT THIS IS FOR EXISTING VERSION 4 USERS ONLY. If you download this file with a previous version, Vox Proxy will cease to function.

Required Vista Security Settings

Vox Proxy requires two Vista security seetings.They are:
1. User Account Control (UAC) must be set OFF
2. Data Execution Prevention (DEP) must be set to "essential Windows programs and services only"

DOWNLOAD detailed instructions in the form of a Word document showing the step-by-step procedure to make these changes in Vista.

This is a reported problem with CD Prep in Version 4: When you insert the CD, it auto-starts, but after seeing "starting PowerPointViewer", it quits with an error.

Until we release an update, you can fix the problem with the following procedure:

Copy all files from the folder:
c:\program files\vox proxy\viewer
into the viewer folder in your CD Image folder. For example, if your Cd Image folder (from which you burn the CD) is c:\program files\vox proxy\cdimage
Then you should copy the viewer files into the folder:
c:\program files\vox proxy\cdimage\viewer

With Office 2007, Microsoft has removed the SCRIPTS object in PowerPoint presentation files, which is where Vox Proxy scripts are saved. Version 4 of Vox Proxy will be required with PowerPoint 2007 and presentation files must be converted using Version 4 while you are still running on PowerPoint 2000-2003.

Click here for more details about this important release.

Microsoft has posted a bulletin on their Agent home page saying that if you are using Windows-XP and the characters stop speaking, you must re-install the speech API. Do that by running the following two programs (in this order):

Speech API
Speech Engine

You can just open each of these files to run them. We believe that this is one of many software compatibility problems with Service Pack-2.

A patch program for Version 3 to allow all users in Windows XP or 2000 to access the Vox Proxy menu in PowerPoint. This applies to Version 3 only and fixes a bug in versions from 3.0 through 3.112.

Log onto the user from which you installed Vox Proxy (and from which you can see the Vox Proxy menu). Then download this exe file and open or run it to apply the patch.

Direct download link to the latest Vox Proxy program file. Save this file to the folder:
c:\program files\vox proxy
and overlay the old file of the same name

IMPORTANT: This update is for Version 3 only! If you have version 1 or 2, click here for the latest program.

Versions 3 and newer of Vox Proxy support Microsoft Media Player 9 or 10. If you have Version 1 or 2 and plan to use Vox Proxy's PlayMedia command, you must upgrade to Version 4.

A handful of useful items about using Vox Proxy

Slow or stalled characters in PowerPoint 2002 (Office XP) slide shows

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