JAWS - Run in default mode to troubleshoot problems

JAWS - Run in default mode to troubleshoot problems

Problem

A customer has a JAWS problem, to establish if their settings may be the cause of the problem.


Detail

Many JAWS issues can be traced to problems with user settings files and not JAWS itself. Therefore it is always worth trying to run JAWS in default mode. Since JAWS uses a layered configuration approach where the user settings override the defaults you may be able to more easily isolate the problem.

Resolution

Method 1 - Using alternate directory mode hotkey

If the end user is reasonably conversant with the use of JAWS hotkeys the following may be tried.

  1. Whilst JAWS is running press JAWSKey+SPACEBAR followed by letter Z, JAWS will say “Alternate directory mode on”, JAWS is now running default settings.
  2. Test your scenario and see if JAWS behaves as expected. If JAWS performs correctly in default mode the problem will be to do with the user settings file, you may need to remove or amend them to fix the issue.
  3. If the problem is still evident then the issue may be to do with the JAWS installation itself, perhaps a repair will fix or there is a wider issue with the system affecting JAWS.

Method 2 - Restart JAWS in default mode

Some earlier JAWS versions not support alternate directory mode, for those times or if that facility does not appear to work this second method may be used.


Using the mouse

  1. Determine the year/version of JAWS being used.
  2. Then open the JAWS window by clicking its icon in taskbar or in the system tray.
  3. Navigate to Options > Exit.
  4. Then confirm by choosing "Yes" to close JAWS.
  5. Open the "Run" command with Windows+R hotkey.
  6. Then enter a command line similar to below:

    JAWS2022 /defaults

    Where 2022 will be the year/version of the JAWS you are trying to troubleshoot.

  7. Test JAWS again to see if problem is resolved, it if is then some adjustment to user settings or complete reset may be required.
  8. When you are finished close JAWS and launch normally from desktop shortcut.

Using the keyboard (JAWS users)

JAWS users can do this whilst taking some care.  We recommend users without recourse to sighted help create a JAWS desktop shortcut key to ensure they can regain speech unless they are sure of reliably getting JAWS speech back using a different method.

  1. Press Windows+R to open the run command with JAWS running.
  2. Then type JAWS followed directly with the four digit year/version number curenetly being used, add a space and then the text /default as per example below:

    JAWS2022 /derfault

    Adjust the year version to suit as needed and press OK, nothing should happen but in most cases this command will be store in the run command for later.
    Now press JAWSKey+F4 to exit JAWS, when asked to confirm exist TAB to Yes and press ENTER.
  3. with JAWS speech disabled press Windows+R to reopen the Run command, then press ENTER key.   This will usually run JAWS in default mode as per the command entered in step y above.  Please be aware that in default mode JAWS will run with default speech and no Braille output. 
  4. Test the problem scenario with JAWS to see if the problem is resolved.
  5. When done exit JAWS again using JAWSKey+F4, then use a desktop shortcut key or any other method to restart JAWS

Testing, conclusions and resolution

If the problem was resolved by running in default mode this usually means the user settings are the cause of the problem you can use a method such as this to strategically disable configurations.
  1. If the problem happens in every application disable the DEFAULT.JCF (optionally DEFAULT.JDF if pronunciation issue.  Then test again.
  2. If the problem is specific to the app look for the app name in user settings and disable those configuration files.  Then test again.

  1. Search JAWS in the start menu.
  2. Select the search result "Utilities - JAWS" that matches the version being troubleshooted.
  3. Then select "Explore my settings".
  4. To disable a configuration setting highlight the file and press F2 to rename, then press HOME key or LEFT Arrow to the begin and insert number 1 and press ENTER.  The file should then show with number 1 at the beginning, as per example below:

    1DEFAULT.JCF

  5. After renaming any configuration files close and restart JAWS, test and repeat as necessary for any configurations disabled.
  6. If you need to restore a configuration (if for example it doesn't make any difference to the problem) highlight the file, press F2 then move to the beginning and remove the inserted number 1 and press ENTER and restart JAWS.

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