CRICUT DESIGN STUDIO - TOP TECH SUPPORT SOLUTIONS

Top 5 CDS Tech Support Solutions:

1. Before installing the CDS, please make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements. Many of the issues we’ve seen came from some of the minimum requirements being overlooked. Here they are: - OS = Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista 32 bit - Processor Speed = 800 Mhz - RAM = 512 MB - Free Hard Disk Space = 100 MB - External Media Drive = CD/DVD-ROM - USB Port = 1.1 - Display Resolution settings = 1024x768 or higher

2. For the CDS to be able to work properly, your computer needs to be running with a resolution of 1024x768 or higher, and your DPI setting needs to be set to Normal (96 DPI). Screen Resolution settings can be found by going to Start/Control Panels/Display, then clicking on the Settings tab. Just use the Screen resolution slider to make a change. To find DPI settings while still on the Settings tab, just click on the Advanced button, then use the DPI setting drop-down menu to choose Normal size (96 DPI). Changing the DPI requires a computer reboot to take effect.

3. For best installing results, please follow the steps outlined in the CDS Quick Install Guide (link at the bottom of this post) to the letter. Before installing anything, please make sure your Windows Operating System is as up to date as possible (internet connection required). To update Windows, go to Start/Control Panels/Windows Update. Give your computer a minute to determine what updates are needed, if any. If some are needed, choose the Express install option and go make a sandwich. When the update is done, reboot your computer, then proceed with the CDS install. Note: Be sure that your Cricut is NOT connected to the computer when you install the CDS. Only connect it after you’ve successfully installed the program.

4. Before you install the CDS, make sure there are no other programs running. This includes anything running in the background (locate these in the taskbar on the bottom-right of your desktop) and any Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware/Firewall programs (as they might misinterpret the CDS files being installed and block them).

5. Before updating your Cricut Firmware, you need to make sure your computer can see your Cricut (know it’s connected). After installing the CDS, plug your Cricut into your computer using a USB A/B cable. Any open USB port should work. Now when you turn your Cricut on, your computer should automatically detect a new device and let you know about it with a word bubble that pops up in the bottom-right of your desktop. If your computer does not let you know that it can see the Cricut, try turning off the Cricut, then plugging the USB cable into a different USB port (most computers have a few ports in front, and some more in back) and turning the Cricut back on, to see if the message pops up. If you try them all (remembering to turn the Cricut off before each new plug attempt) with no pop-up, disconnect the USB cable, reboot the computer, then try connecting it again to as many ports as it takes to be seen. This will ensure that your Cricut is communicating successfully with your computer, and will reduce the possibility for problems when you continue with the firmware update. Note: After your computer sees the Cricut successfully, and when you get to step 2 of the firmware update process (the steps page comes up when you click on Update Cricut Firmware), be sure that your Cricut is put into Firmware Update mode correctly. When you press and hold down Stop, and then press Power, you need to keep the Stop button down till the Cricut beeps at you. This usually takes about 5 or 6 seconds. This is how you know your Cricut is ready to receive new firmware. If the Cricut didn’t beep, it’s not in Firmware Update mode. Note: Updating Cricut firmware can take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes, maybe even a bit longer (time for another sandwich). If your firmware update takes a significantly shorter time than 5 minutes, your Cricut isn’t getting the proper update. The process needs to be started again from the beginning. More Support Information is coming. As with any software launch, there are always unforseen issues that can only be discovered and resolved after release into the general public. Most of you are experiencing the program as we intended, but our goal is to have all of you experiencing it that way.

Please call or email Customer Support if you require assistance, or check the Cricut Message Boards as many solutions to issues have already been discovered and posted by you wonderfully clever people. Please have patience with us as we resolve the issues that you are experiencing.

The Quick Install Guide can be found here: http://www.cricut.com/images/promotions/CricutDesignStudio/CDS_Quick_Install_Guide.pdf The CDS User Manual can be found here: http://www.cricut.com/images/promotions/CricutDesignStudio/CDS_User_Manual.pdf