Technical Requirements and Information for
The CDROM Test Files

Opening the files
All of the files in the Exams and Tests folders on the CD-ROM, as well as the Listening Scripts and Answer Keys files were originally created in Microsoft Word. A glitch in the manufacturing process resulted in a mixture of Microsoft Word files and Microsoft Word files in rich text format (files with the extension .rtf). This mixture will be corrected in the next reprint of the CD-ROM. Until then, here is how you, as a PC user, can easily open and use all of the files. Macintosh users can open all of the files on the CD-ROM simply by double-clicking on them.

  • The following files are Microsoft Word files. They will open when you double click on them: 1-6 Exams A & B; 01 Test B; 03 Tests A & B; 05 Tests A & B; 07 Tests A & B; 09 Tests A & B; 11 Tests A & B; 13 Tests A & B; 15 Tests A & B; 17 Tests A & B
  • The following files are Microsoft Word files in rich text format (rtf files). To open them, double click on them and an "Open With" dialog box will appear. Scroll down in the "Open With" box until you see the Word icon next to "Win Word" (Windows 95 or 98) or the Word icon next to "Microsoft Word for Windows" (Windows Me or 2000). Highlight that program, hit OK, and the file on the CD-ROM will open. Here is a list of the rtf files on the Test Files CD-ROM: 1-9 Exams A & B; 7-12 Exams A & B; 10-18 Exams A & B; 13-18 Exams A & B; 01 Test A; 02 Tests A & B; 04 Tests A & B; 06 Tests A & B; 08 Tests A & B; 10 Tests A & B; 12 Tests A & B; 14 Tests A & B; 16 Tests A & B; 18 Tests A & B; Listening Scripts; Answer Keys

Hidden files and folders
When you open the CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive, you should see two folders (Exams and Tests) and two files (Listening Scripts and Answer Keys). If you see any other files or folders (for example Desktop DB or Desktop DF), you are seeing hidden files or folders that PC users are not meant to see or open. In Windows 2000 or Me, check the setting for this on your computer by going to Windows Explorer or My Computer and opening your CD-ROM drive. Then follow this electronic path: Tools menu > Folder Options > View tab > Hidden files and folders. "Do not show hidden files and folders." should be selected. If you want to check this setting and you are using Windows 95 or 98, Folder Options might appear under the View menu rather than under the Tools menu.

Downloading the files to your hard drive
The VISTAS Test Files CD-ROM was created to allow you to download the files to the hard drive of your computer in order to manipulate them to create alternate versions of the tests and exams. A fast way to do this is to open Windows Explorer or My computer and then open your CD-ROM drive. Highlight the folder or file you want to download to your hard drive, pull down the File menu, select "Send to...", and select "My Documents." An entire folder and/or file will then be copied to your hard drive. On your hard drive, you can then open the files, do save as, rename them and save them where you so desire. When you next re-open any file on your hard drive that was an rtf file on the Test Files CD-ROM, you should not see the "Open With" dialog box. The files should self-convert from rtf to Microsoft Word for you.

Once you have saved all the files on the Test Files CD-ROM to your hard drive, you can throw the CD-ROM away. You no longer need it since you can simply do a "save as" to any of the files on your hard drive to create new files.