Kodansha’s ‘Encyclopedia of Japan’ CD-ROM (1999) – Windows 11 Installation Instructions

# Introduction

For anybody that has a 1999 copy of Kodansha’s CD-ROM version of ‘[Encyclopedia of Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodansha_Encyclopedia_of_Japan)’, here’s instructions on how to install and run it on Windows 11 (x64).

Surprisingly, I was able to acquire a factory-sealed copy, for approximately ¥8,250, yesterday.

Whilst I have made a backup ISO file, I unfortunately can’t lawfully distribute it. As such, please don’t ask.

For those without a copy, if you would like to access its contents, you can do so via [JapanKnowledge](https://japanknowledge.com/en/contents/eoj/).

# Installation

Follow the steps below:

1. Insert the CD-ROM, and install the application without changing the default installation directory. It is not necessary to install the included copy of `Internet Explorer 5`.
2. Attempt to launch the application. If you receive an error message concerning `MCI32.OCX`, proceed with steps 3-7.
3. Type `Command Prompt` into the taskbar `Search` box; this is located next to the `Start` menu.
4. In the search results, right-click `Command Prompt` and select `Run as administrator`.
5. Copy and paste the following command: `regsvr32 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\MCI32.OCX`.
6. If the command doesn’t instantly execute, press the `Enter/Return` key.
7. Confirm that `MCI32.OCX` has been registered, and then close `Command Prompt`.
8. Launch the encyclopedia application.

# Missing Media

When a media file is unable to load, you will see an `X` instead of the media. This is because the software was originally designed to load media from the CD-ROM, which means that the CD-ROM must always be inserted in order to view those files.

# Fix

Follow the steps below:

1. `Open` the CD-ROM.
2. Go to: `[CD DRIVE LETTER]:\eoj`.
3. Copy the: `[CD DRIVE LETTER]:\eoj\media` folder.
4. Paste the entire folder to: `C:\Program Files (x86)\Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan`.
5. Type `Registry Editor` into the taskbar `Search` box; this is located next to the `Start` menu.
6. In the search results, right-click `Registry Editor` and select `Run as administrator`.
7. Copy: `Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Uniscope\Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan\1.0`.
8. Paste this into the top bar and press `Enter/Return`.
9. Right-click `MEDIA_PATH` and select `Modify`. Change the `Value data` to: `C:\Program Files (x86)\Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan\media`.
10. Click `OK` and close.

# Unable to Print

During testing, the `Print` button did not function.

# Fix

In Windows 11, use `Ctrl + P` to print pages.

To remove the header and footer, follow the steps below:

1. Type `Registry Editor` into the taskbar `Search` box; this is located next to the `Start` menu.
2. In the search results, right-click `Registry Editor` and select `Run as administrator`.
3. Copy: `Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\PageSetup`.
4. Paste this into the top bar and press `Enter/Return`.
5. In the empty space below `(Default)`, right-click and select `New` \-> `String Value`. Type `header` and press `Enter/Return`.
6. Repeat the step above, but type `footer` instead.
7. Close `Registry Editor`.

Note: This is a system-wide change. You will need to right-click the values and select `Delete` to reverse the change.

# Uninstallation

When uninstalling, the uninstaller may ask if you would like to delete `Mci32.ocx` and `Comdlg32.OCX`. Click `No` or `No to All`. Copies of these files should remain in: `C:\Windows\SysWOW64`.

by YokaiZukan