ViaVoice isn't working properly after reformatting/reinstalling
Submitted by jakmi on Sun, 04/19/2009 - 20:40.
Hi,
I use ViaVoice Pro USB Edition Release 9 with Windows XP Home Edition. I reformatted my computer several months ago, and had to reinstall ViaVoice. Before that it was amazingly accurate on everything I dictated, but now....horrible! I backed up the entire program on a flash drive, and THOUGHT I had replaced all the important folders, but I must be missing something. I DID have to purchase a new mike, as well, (Labtec, I think) but that shouldn't be a problem, should it?
Has anyone any suggestions as to how to get it back to the 'amazing' level of recognition? It has always been a godsend to me, but is totally frustrating right now.
Thanks so much for your help!
Judy
jakmi wrote: I DID have to
I DID have to purchase a new mike, as well, (Labtec, I think) but that shouldn't be a problem, should it?
Judy
There could be any number of factors causing your problems, but I don't think I would rely on a Labtec mike. Still, I would work on other possibilities first, like trying to re-install or repair install VV. Also test your mike by making a recording and listening to it. Also, did you re-import your old user files?
Bruce
jakmi wrote:
Hi,
I backed up the entire program on a flash drive, and THOUGHT I had replaced all the important folders, but I must be missing something.
Judy,
Did you backup your voice files?
There are two ways you could have done it:-
1. By using the back-up procedure in Control Panel \ ViaVoice Options.
2. By copying your user folder from C: \ Documents and Settings \ [your user name] \ Application Data \ IBM \ ViaVoice \ Users \ [your user name]
If you did not back up your user speech folder or files, then I'm afraid you have lost the entire of your build up custom vocabulary as well as your training.
If you did make a backup, if it was the first method, use the restore facility, which is the reverse of the back-up, and if it was the second method then simply copy your back-up user folder, and paste it into C: \ Documents and Settings \ [your user name] \ Application Data \ IBM \ ViaVoice \ Users .
When doing the restoration, make sure that ViaVoice is closed and not running in the background. To do this you may have to close down and reboot.
The impression I get from your posting is that you simply backed up C: \ Program Files \ ViaVoice.
In stating all the above, I am assuming that the user files are stored in Documents and Settings, as in the case of VV 10. It may well be that in VV 9, your user files are stored in C: \ Program Files \ ViaVoice, in which event your user files should be in your back-up. However transferring them to a flash drive could have resulted in the user files being corrupted.
Have a look at http://www.speechcomputing.com/node/1781
Quentin
ViaVoice isn't working properly after reformatting/reinstalling
Dear Bruce & Quentin,
Thank you so much for your replies. Unfortunately, Quentin, I believe you're correct. I was trying to be so careful to back everything up for the reformat....but I failed to check the proper way to backup ViaVoice.
So.....I guess it means another long & frustrating processing time before I get it back to where it was. Ahhhh....
And Bruce, I think you're right, as well...don't think the mike is helping much. I've tried about 5 different ones since my old one gave out, and none seem as responsive.
Thank you both. It sure helps to have others input! I appreciate your time and help so much.
Best Regards,
Judy
jakmi
jakmi, I'm glad/sorry
jakmi,
I'm glad/sorry Quentin was able to help out. As for the mike, I'm sure a vendor or two will be willing to offer suggestions, but I would at least give this one a fair shot once you've gotten VV back into operation. If you do ask for mike help, be sure to let us know what kind you're looking for, like whether a standard wired head set, a wireless model, etc.
Bruce
jakmi wrote:
....I was trying to be so careful to back everything up for the reformat....but I failed to check the proper way to backup ViaVoice.
If you used an imaging program such as Acronis or Norton Ghost to restore your XP, then your voice files should be in C: \ Documents and Settings \ [your user name] \ Application Data \ IBM \ ViaVoice \ Users \ [your user name], and could possibly be rescued.
Quentin
Microphone Note
Speech recognition can only be as strong as its weakest link and in our opinion, Labtec doesn't really make an acceptable microphone. Labtec microphones are better suited to VoIP and gaming. You also want to make sure that you are using a good soundcard.
Lunis Orcutt - Developer of KnowBrainer &
Host of the http://www.TheMicrophoneStore.com
A Nuance Gold Certified/Endorsed Partner
ALWAYS Ask If Your Speech Recognition/Microphone Vendor Is Nuance Certified
jakmi wrote:
I DID have to purchase a new mike, as well, (Labtec, I think) but that shouldn't be a problem, should it?
Judy,
I omitted to address the microphone problem in relation to Labtec. I have to agree with KnowBrainer.
You could have a look at Martin Markoe's site http://www.emicrophones.com/ where you will see a variety of microphones that he has tested as being suitable for speech recognition. I have purchased items from him, and for some odd reason, they were delivered to my office in Ireland within days (faster than anything I order in my own country!).
As regards the soundcard, you can bypass this by using the USB sound pod that comes with many of the microphones. In fact you should have an Andrea USB sound pod which you would have got when you purchased VV 9.
Quentin
We believe we were the 1st
We believe we were the 1st speech recognition/microphone vendor to introduce the Microphone Comparison Matrix where you can compare pricing, accuracy, comfort, noise cancellation and features.
Lunis Orcutt - Developer of KnowBrainer &
Host of the http://www.TheMicrophoneStore.com
A Nuance Gold Certified/Endorsed Partner
ALWAYS Ask If Your Speech Recognition/Microphone Vendor Is Nuance Certified
Testing and Comparing Microphones
We believe we were the 1st speech recognition/microphone vendor to introduce the Microphone Comparison Matrix
Actually Nuance had the first (albeit almost useless/irrelevant) rating system. eMicrophones, specializing in microphones for speech recognition since 1997 was the first vendor to have testing that included not only in house testing, but independent speech recognition software customers test and report their findings. The method found by CLICKING HERE has since been copied (I'm flattered). When we saw what a good idea a Microphone Comparison Chart is we made one as well.
eMicrophones even has endorsements from other vendors like Knowbrainer. In November of 2004 he wrote to us concerning the Sennheiser ME3 headset microphone:
"This is the BEST microphone we have ever tested bar none!"
--
Martin Markoe, eMicrophones, Inc.
The best microphones for Speech Recognition
Read, "Key Steps to High Speech Recognition Accuracy"