Talk:Leapster Explorer

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For more information you may Google the following phrases,

"HOW TO DISABLE EXPLORER ADVERTISING"


"LEARNING PATH and COPPA" ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


HOW TO DISABLE EXPLORER ADVERTISING

The original post by REALM below,


SUMMONS TO CONQUEST

Strategy: Use LFC against itself.


You will be working with the following files:


On Windows XP they are located in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Leapfrog\LeapFrog Connect\LeapsterExplorer

On Windows 7 They are located somewhere beneath C:\Users\...

On MAC you will need to explore, I am not a MAC pro, sorry.


Note that these are hidden folders so you will need to configure Windows Explorer or your search options to show them.


The files of interest are,


LST3-0x00170032-000001.lf2________1,520KB________Trailer 1

LST3-0x00170032-000002.lf2________1,221KB________Trailer 2

LST3-0x00170032-000003.lf2__________958KB________Trailer 3

LST3-0x00170032-000004.lf2________1,552KB________Trailer 4

LST3-0x00180009-000000.lf2________3,714KB________Pet Pad

LST3-0x00180009-000009.lf2____________6KB________Pet Pad Unlocker


LST3-0x00180016-000010.lf2___________10KB________Accessory Teaser


You will rename the first six files then replace them with the Accessory Teaser as a decoy file.

There are other files in this folder, DO NOT MESS WITH THEM!


1. Rename the first six files by adding .old to the file name. They should look like this,


LST3-0x00170032-000001.lf2.old________1,520KB

LST3-0x00170032-000002.lf2.old________1,221KB

LST3-0x00170032-000003.lf2.old__________958KB

LST3-0x00170032-000004.lf2.old________1,552KB

LST3-0x00180009-000000.lf2.old________3,714KB

LST3-0x00180009-000009.lf2.old____________6KB


2. Copy the Accessory Teaser file to a temporary folder and rename it to match the first six files, do this one at a time and then copy it back to the original folder.


When you are done the contents should look like this,


LST3-0x00170032-000001.lf2_______________10KB

LST3-0x00170032-000001.lf2.old_________1,520KB

LST3-0x00170032-000002.lf2_______________10KB

LST3-0x00170032-000002.lf2.old_________1,221KB

LST3-0x00170032-000003.lf2_______________10KB

LST3-0x00170032-000003.lf2.old___________958KB

LST3-0x00170032-000004.lf2_______________10KB

LST3-0x00170032-000004.lf2.old_________1,552KB

LST3-0x00180009-000000.lf2_______________10KB

LST3-0x00180009-000000.lf2.old_________3,714KB

LST3-0x00180009-000009.lf2_______________10KB

LST3-0x00180009-000009.lf2.old_____________6KB

LST3-0x00180016-000010.lf2_______________10KB


In effect you have replaced the original files with a copy of the Accessory Teaser file. This file is innocuous and its icon resides at the end of the main menu.



Now for the real trick, make sure you are fully charged or have a fresh set of batteries in place. Then connect the Explorer and let it do its thing.


Once LFC has settled down go to "My Toys", select your Explorer then select the "Settings" option at the top right corner and hit the "Repair" button.


This will overwrite the files on the Explorer and may take as long as 15 minutes to complete. Only now it will overwrite the advertising programs with the decoy file.


After it's complete it will then enter a lengthy synchronization process that may take another 15 minutes. do not interrupt it.


After about 15 to 30 minutes LFC will settle down, the status bar will show no activity and the eject button on "My Toys" will be green.


Eject your Explorer and disconnect it. It should reboot with all your profiles and games intact but the advertising junk will be gone.



Note that this procedure eliminates the Pet Pad program and advertising trailers entirely. It also clears the Learning Path statistics.

Other programs and settings appear unaffected.


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


LEARNING PATH and COPPA


There's a way to disable the Learning Path so that your Explorer stops spying on your kids and sending the data to packs of hungry marketing hyenas. This option is only vaguely mentioned in the LF Privacy Policy so here are the details,


Logon to your LF account and choose MY ACCOUNT at the top. Choose MY CHILDREN on the left and then the EDIT link. Choose ADVANCED SETTINGS. Choose the button that says DELETE MY CHILDS PAST LEARNING PATH DATA.


Then go back into ADVANCED SETTINGS and select DISABLE and SAVE CHANGES.


This will disable the Learning Path data collection system on your Explorer.


LF has conditioned the use of the Pet Pad program on this feature so your pet won't be earning any more treats if you do it.