I can't play music CDs, MP3 files, or voice chat over the Internet when HAL is running.

Cause:

The sound card is not able to allow two programs to access the sound card at the same time.

Solution:

Right-click on the ear icon and select ENABLE ATTENTION WORD. The blue square next to that option should change to a gray square, indicating that this option has been disabled. With this option disabled, you will not be able to put HAL into listening mode by saying the attention word programmed in the Personal Assistant Configuration screen. However, because HAL is no longer actively listening for the attention word, it is no longer using the sound card. You can now start a music CD or play an MP3 file or something similar. When you wish to interact with HAL, you will need to stop that program (stop it, not necessarily close it). You can then left-click on the ear icon to get HAL's attention. Once you're done interacting with HAL, left-click on the ear icon to take HAL out of listening mode, then resume playing the music file or related program.

Solution:

Replace the sound card with a full duplex capable sound card. Full duplex sound cards are capable of having more than one program access the sound card at the same time. With this type of sound card on your system, you can interact with HAL even while you're playing a music CD or MP3 file.