JAWS 9.0 has arrived!

By Dr. Elizabeth Hinkle-Turner, Student Computing Services Manager

JAWS 9.0 has arrived and I have configured the network license for it on the ACS license server. All of the new features and caveats with JAWS 9.0 are exhaustively described at http://www.blazie.com/fs_products/software_jaws90fea.asp. JAWS 9.0 is certified to work with Windows Vista. Here at the university, I have tested JAWS 9.0 with Windows XP machines and it works just fine on newer model machines (3 years old or younger). Older XP machines may be equipped with older video cards and JAWS has 'issues' with these cards (however, if you install it on a machine and it dumps your video card drivers, just contact me and I will talk you out of the mess because I've figured a work-around!). So, here in the UNT community, please only install JAWS 9.0 on newer Windows XP and new Vista machines in order to utilize its full functionality.

The installation instructions for JAWS have not changed and here is a review of them below:

1. You must first set up the XP workstation to look for the correct location for the license server [note: you must contact the license server manager at ehinkle@unt.edu to get the name of the license server]: To force the workstation to look for the correct location for the JAWS license, add the environment variable LSFORCEHOST=nameofserver.acs.unt.edu as a system variable. [How to do this: Right-click MY COMPUTER and then click PROPERTIES; click the ADVANCED tab; Click ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES; click NEW to add a new system variable name and value : name=LSFORCEHOST and value=nameoflicenseserver.acs.unt.edu]
    

2. Insert JAWS application CD into the machine. Choose JAWS SETUP (NOT JAWS network setup!) from the menu:
   
   
    

3. If prompted, Choose 'Continue without Speech' (no need to reboot).
    

4. To begin installation, press Enter.
    

5. For most installations, choosing 'Automatic/Typical' is appropriate (answer ‘no’ to any additional options or freebies it might ask you about – you just want the application).
    

6. JAWS will be installed / you may be prompted to reboot.
    

7. Open up JAWS on your machine and voilà! it starts and it works! :-) (or it removes your video card drivers - call me! x4808).

Network managers can come by my office in ISB 129 to pick up a JAWS 9.0 CD-ROM. Please contact me at ehinkle@unt.edu or x4808 if you have any questions.

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