I'm assisting a client who is using DNS 11.5 pro, Microsoft Office 2010, Windows XP Pro 2002, SP3, Intel Core 2 Duo 3 GHz processor, 3.2 GB of RAM.

Client's computer is on a network, at an Australian university.

Most of the time, Dragon 11.5 is working really well, recognition accuracy is high, speed is generally good, except that now and again, client experiences a 30 second delay.

This happens most often when opening Microsoft word.  For example if client says "Open Word" (using desktop shortcut), the results box does not appear for 30 seconds. The same happens with the first phrase dictated in Word, a 30 sec delay before results box appears. After this initial delay, Dragon works normally with further dictation.

However if client works in a different application for while, for example outlook, then returns to Word, sometimes the delay occurs again in returning to Word. The delay has also occurred at times on first opening Dragon pad so I don't think it's only about Microsoft Word, but delay does seem to happen most often with Word.

Delay is always the same length, with this client it is 30 seconds.

I have tried opening Word by hand, and from the start menu rather than through desktop shortcut but this doesn't make any difference-delay still occurs.

I have seen a similar delay happening with  a few other clients (mostly on Windows XP, though one client was on Windows 7).  

Any suggestions as to what could be causing this delay would be appreciated. 

L

Can you share your client’s computer specs (processor speed and amount of RAM)? We're wondering if perhaps your client’s computer is having to dip into virtual memory when launching Microsoft Word or having to remap your document when returning focus to Microsoft Word.

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Lunis, specs are: Intel Core 2 Duo 3 GHz processor, 3.25 GB of RAM.

L

We should have also asked about the OS but 3.25 GB of RAM sounds a bit low. We suspect further this suspect this is an older dual core processor. It might be time to upgrade your hardware

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Thanks Lunis, operating system is Windows XP 2002 with SP3

Hi.

I expected, based upon your client's hardware specs, for Lunis, Chuck Runquist, and the other experts to identify your client's hardware as the most likely culprit. I will share with you, that, as someone who went from mediocre hardware to high-end hardware (built by Chuck Runquist), hardware will make an enormous difference in DNS' response time.

That said, on occasion, I still notice some delay in DNS' response time. I think I'm using a good quality noise-canceling microphone, and I think I'm using it correctly, so that doesn't explain the occasional delay.

As a frequent reader of this forum, occasional delay in DNS' response time seems to be a common complaint. If I understand correctly, it's just a function of the software as is currently exists. I may be wrong about this, but I'm just sharing my experience with you. If, however, I'm right about this, at least you'll have prepared your client, so that his or her expectations aren't frustrated if/when he or she upgrades to better hardware.

By the way, I'm not complaining about DNS — it's fantastic, and I enjoy using it. And, for the most part, when I dictate, the words appear on my screen almost as soon as they've left my mouth. But, with respect to commands, i.e., controlling the computer by voice, DNS' response time could be more instantaneous at times. And, on occasion, sometimes DNS just seems to stumble and fumble around for a minute or so before responding – maybe once or twice a day.

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DNS Pro 11.5 w/ VoicePower & ShowNumbers Plus!; Windows 7 Pro (64-bit); Intel Core i7-2600K @ 3.40 GHz, 16 Gb, Grundig DigtaSonicMic (corded)

Thanks for your posts. I agree that Dragon works best on fast processor and lots of RAM however I don't think this is a simple hardware issue. The delay is long, 30 seconds,  and there is a pattern to it in terms of when delay happens and the length of delay - always the same 30 secs. Most of the time Dragon is working fast. If the cause was underpowered machine I would expect general slowness, not this pattern of a long delay when opening or switching to Word. Also I see lots of other users with similar spec machines using DNS 11.5 pro without this delay.

L

 

We concur that this specific problem isn't caused by an underpowered computer. We also recall running into a much shorter version of this issue when switching to Microsoft Word in our previous Windows XP machine. We know that to some degree, NaturallySpeaking has to acclimate itself every time it switches to Microsoft Word and there's definitely a delay but if memory serves correctly, it should be closer to 6 seconds.

Obviously the real solution would be a new computer but for the time being, have you eliminated CTFMON.exe? If you're unfamiliar with this agonizing little utility, just look up “CTFMON” in the NaturallySpeaking Quick Tips (at the top of this page) for a step-by-step on bypassing it.

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FWIW, Lunis and LouisaK, I fired up my one remaining XP machine with DNS installed. It has about the same specs as mentioned below. With MSWord 2007 switching between Word documents caused a delay of about 10 to 15 seconds with very long documents taking longer. CFTMON is disabled.

Phil Schaadt

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DNS12 Pro BM V Large Vocabulary plus KB or Voice Computer running Win7 64 bit machines with i7-2640M to i7-3960x and i7-3770K processors plus a Sony VAIO Windows 8 machine. DBX Audio Gate with Allen&Heath mixer/USB Audio; Andrea PureAudio USB  usually with Airline 77 or Audio-Technica but also Sennheiser MD431 II, theBoom, et. al.

I double checked with client and confirmed that ctfmon has been disabled. I will check the posting on freezing.

Thanks

L

I wonder if this is related to the problem I brought up in the thread "Dragon freezes."

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DNS Premium 12.5, Intel i7 quad core 3.9 GHz, 16 GB, Windows 7, VXI TalkPro