Q: I just installed the widget, and it doesn't work!
A: You also need to install a separate program called Speedfan, available here. Speedfan actually gets the temperature data from the computer, and my widget displays it on your desktop. Since I did not write Speedfan, I cannot distribute it with my application. This may change in the future if the author of Speedfan allows me to distribute his program with my widget.
Q: I installed Speedfan, and the widget still doesn't work!
A: You probably do not have the "console services" for the widget engine installed. For some reason, when you install Yahoo Widget Engine, it sometimes installs these, and sometimes does not. The solution to this problem is to uninstall the widget engine, and reinstall using the download link on this page. Once you reinstall, go to the widget page and redownload. It should work fine now. If not, please e-mail me and I will do my best to help you.
Q: I noticed there is an executable file embedded in the widget. Is this a virus?
A: No, this file, speedread.exe is a program written by Jozerworx, and is part of the functionality of the widget. Recently, a virus called Exploit.Win32.SQLexp was created that disguised itself as my widget. This lead to some lower quality anti-virus packages labeling version 6.2 of my widget as a virus. Version 6.3 corrects this problem.
Q: The widget is asking me to locate the "Speedfan Install Directory". What does this mean?
A: The widget talks to the Speedfan application, so it must be able to locate the Speedfan executable file. This file is put on your hard drive when you install Speedfan. By default, this file is located in C:/Program Files/Speedfan/. However, during the installation of Speedfan, you may have been the option of installing in a different location. Please point the widget to this location. Speedfan is NOT included with this widget. You must download it yourself. The latest version of Speedfan can be found here.
Q: I installed a new version of Speedfan, and now the widget doesn't work!
A: Sometimes isntalling a new version of Speedfan can muck with the widget settings. To reset the widget, right click on the main window, and select "Widget Preferences..." At the bottom of the Widget Preferences window, there is a checkbox labeled "Reset Widget to Defaults". Check this box, and click save. The widget will restart, and will ask you to run the first time configuration again. Once this is complete, your widget should work perfectly.
Q: Does logging need to be enabled in Speedfan?
A: Unlike previous versions of the Speedfan Widget, logging is no longer required for the widget to function. If you are using the log for a different purpose, you are welcome to leave it enabled. Speedfan is still required to be running for the widget to function.
Q: The units on one of my sensors is wrong! What do I do?
A: The widget makes an attempt to detect the units of each sensor. However, it can make mistakes. To correct the units, right click on the widget, and select the "Change Sensor Units" menu option. You will now be able to select between, temperature, fan, and voltage units for each sensor. If you want to switch between Farenheit and Celcius units, right click on the widget, and go to "Widget Preferences..." On the Widget Preferences screen, there will be a drop down menu that lets you chose your temperature scale.
You can also choose the "Reset Sensor Units", which will reset all the unit's to Speedfan's automatic values.
Q: The sensor names aren't very descriptive, and do not match the sensor names in Speedfan.
A: Speedfan does not make the names of the sensors it uses availabe to outside programs. The Speedfan widget automatically generates default names (i.e. Temperature 1 or Fan 3). You can easily change these names by right clicking on the widget, and selecting "Name Monitored Items".
Q: The graph does not seem accurate, whats going on?
A: The widget automatically adjusts the minimum and maximum points on the graph to maximize the visual effect. For a more accurate graph, use the log function of Speedfan and Excel.
Q: Is there a version of this widget for Motherboard Monitor 5?
A: This widget does not work with MBM, nor do I have plans at this time to create an MBM version. MBM has been out of developement for over 4 years, and does not run correctly on many modern computers. Speedfan is under active developement, works on most systems, and uses very little resources.
Q: All of my temperatures, fan speeds, and voltages read 0.
A: Speedfan encountered an error while the widget was starting up. Ensure Speedfan is working correctly, then restart the widget.
Q: I love this widget, and want to find a way to say thank you!
A: Well, I always appreciate a thank you e-mail. My address is located on the "About" screen of the widget. If you want to take it a step further, I welcome donations. Right clicking on the widget and selecting "Donate" will take you to a secure Paypal website allowing you to make a donation. The widget is freeware and does not require a donation for use, but any money I do raise goes towards caffine, which allows me to make more widgets.
