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Troubleshooting

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PC Troubleshooting


Unable to Launch Error or Unable to see the 3D board:

Overall here's what the steps below are having you do:

  1. Remove existing versions of Java from your computer
  2. Download and install the latest version of Java
  3. Remove possibly conflicting versions of the Aku Shaper Software
  4. Download the last version of Aku Shaper software and run it


The error above is often because you have an older version of Java installed on your computer and/or your have conflicts in your Aku Shaper files. You can follow these steps:

1. Remove the older versions of Java from your computer.
Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features


Then click Java.
Scroll down to the Java programs
Highlight and then click the 'Uninstall' button on the top


Do this for all the versions of Java.

2. Download the latest version of Java at:
http://www.java.com

Follow the installation instructions.

3. Remove conflicting versions of the Aku Shaper program
File -> Control Panel -> Java


Then click on the 'General' tab on the top
Then under the words 'Temporary Internet Files' click the 'View' button

You should see this


Then highlight the Aku Shaper icon and click the red 'X' on the top
This will remove the .jnlp files that launch the Aku Shaper program. Having multiple versions of these can sometimes come in conflict.

4. Download the latest version of Aku Shaper by going to Aku Shaper -> Software -> Free Download or using the link that was sent to your email address when your originally opted to download the software.

Side Note #1 (Determining current Java version):

To find out what version of Java your have installed on your computer do the following:

Start -> Control Panel -> Java
Make sure the 'General' Tab is highlighted on the top and click the 'About' button and you should see the following




Side Note #2 (Problems downloading in Internet Explorer):

If you're having trouble downloading the program you can try changing the security settings in Internet Explorer. Under "Tools" and sub-heading "Internet Options" at the bottom. Setting it to Medium Security should work.



Still out of luck?

If you have any problems that aren't resolved by the steps above, please contact us through the contact page and include the following:

  • Operating System and version (ex: Windows Vista or Windows XP Service Pack 2)
  • Detailed nature of the problem
  • Cut and paste or screen shot of Java Exception or error message details

Mac Troubleshooting

First check which version of OS X you're using

First let's check your Mac:
Apple Icon -> About this Mac

If you have OS X version 10.4.x or below you have to use the version that compiles with Java 5, or you can upgrade to the latest version of OS X.

If you have OS X version 10.5.x you need to see what version of Java your Mac is using. You need to use Java 6 to be able to use the new features.

Next check which version of Java you're using

To check which version of Java you have on your mac do the following:
Finder -> Go -> Utilities -> Java -> Java Preferences

If you don't have Java 6 in the applications list, you need to download the latest version at this link:
Direct Download Page

Also here is Apple's Java page:
Java on Apple Home


Follow the installation instructions to install the update.

After installing the latest version of Java, you have to tell your Mac to use Java 6 as the default by doing the following:
Finder -> Go -> Utilities -> Java -> Java Preferences, and drag Java 6 to the top of the application list



Don't have the AkuBird icon on your desktop or only able to start Aku Shaper while online?

This could be because somehow your Aku Shaper icon has been deleted from your desktop. There are two things you should try.

Install Shortcuts to the Selected Application

  1. Finder -> Go -> Utilities -> Java Preferences
  2. Click on the 'Network' tab on the top
  3. Click on 'View Cache Files ...'
  4. Highlight the Aku Shaper application and click on the button with the arrow going upwards. (If you mouse over that button it will say 'Install shortcuts to the selected application')
  5. This should put the Aku Shaper bird icon on your desktop

Or, if that doesn't work try following the instructions in the section below.


Delete all old versions of Aku Shaper

Another thing that is a good thing to do is to get rid of all versions of Aku Shaper on your computer (this will only remove the application files and won't delete any of your personal files).

Follow the steps below to get to the Java Cache Viewer window:

  1. Finder -> Go -> Utilities -> Java Preferences
  2. Click on the 'Network' tab and then click on 'View Cache Files...' in the bottom right.
  3. Then delete all versions of the Aku Shaper software that you have installed by highlighting the application and then clicking on the red X.



For those with everything up-to-date

If you're running the latest version of OS X and you've installed the latest java updates as well and still can't get Aku Shaper to run, you might want to try the advice given in the following article. If trying to run Aku Shaper causes computer code to open in a text editor, this should do the trick: Mac Java Update Breaks Java Web Start.



Still out of luck?

If this doesn't work then you have to use Java 5 or have a computer savvy friend update your computer to all the latest versions.

If you're getting a popup error/exception when you run the software, email us the entire exception along with the OS X and Java versions you're using.

If you have any problems that aren't resolved by the steps above, please contact us through the contact page and include the following:

  • Operating System and version (ex: Mac OS X 10.4.7)
  • Detailed nature of the problem
  • Cut and paste or screen shot of Java Exception or error message details
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