After my post yesterday, I received a message from a visitor to the site that included the following...

"Talked on the phone to a rep at Mattel Sat (26) and he assured me that they were actively working on an update for the Win 7 problem. I told him that some of the forums about Funkeys are mentioning that no updates are forthcoming and he told me those are false rumors. The projected release for the update is early Jan. (Which probably means Feb/Mar in programmer talk!)"

This is great news for those who have 64 bit Windows 7 machines!

Now to clarify, my last post in no way said that the drivers would NOT be made and my intent was not to start any rumors. I simply pointed to how long it took to get a Vista 64 bit driver. I'm glad to see that Mattel is still actively supporting U.B.Funkeys. If anything, this is encouraging to those of us who are still hoping for a resurgence of Funkeys in 2010! :)

Thanks to all those who have contacted up on this subject...

Labels: 64 bit, Vista 64, Windows 7

Since the gift-giving of yesterday, the contact us form has been inundated with questions about U.B.Funkeys compatibility with Windows 7 64 bit computers. It seems that a lot of parents have purchased Funkeys for their kids either for the first time, or maybe some have purchased new computers for their kids to play their Funkeys on. Either way, the case is unfortunate right now.

Bottom line is that when this issue first came up for Windows Vista 64 bit users, Funkeys were actively being released and were selling like hotcakes and it still took Mattel about a year to come out with a patch for Funkeys to work with 64 bit Vista machines.

Looking at the situation now, with no sign of new Funkeys on the shelf and the fan base a little worried that Mattel is letting the line die, it doesn't look good for any patches to be coming out soon (or possibly ever) for Windows 7 64 bit.

I wish I had better news for you all. If I hear anything, I'll certainly let you all know!

PS: Just curious, but why are so many people buying 64 bit machines? Are retailers pushing the 64 bit versions hard? It seems like they'd be more open with people regarding potential issues with their current hardware and software. Hmmm...

Labels: 64 bit, Software Patch, Vista 64, Windows 7

For quite some time now, people using the 64 bit version of Windows Vista have been unable to install and play U.B.Funkeys. It's been a constant question in each installment of Ask Funk-E and was said to be on the list of things that Mattel wanted to address. Well, that day has come!

Wags, a member of our forum recently called the tech support line at Mattel and asked again about the problem again. This time, the answer was quite welcome! The driver had been created to allow for the use of U.B.Funkeys on a 64 bit Vista computer...

They'll e-mail the files out if you want to call the Mattel tech support line at 800-803-9611. I thought I would also add them here for download if you'd like them that way. The following is the e-mail exactly as Mattel sent it out, and the two files are downloadable at the end of this post in a zip file...

Thank you for contacting Mattel regarding your U.B. Funkeys product..

Our records indicate that you were unable to install U.B. Funkeys on your Windows 64bit system. We have created a patch that will install the drivers need to play U.B. Funkeys. Attached are 2 files that will assist you with this process.

o The Patch Installer
o Instructions for installing.

To avoid these files being blocked by Spam and E-mail Filters you will need to first change the name of the installer file.

o Save the Funkeys Patch.txt to your Desktop.
o Right click on the downloaded file.
o Select Rename.
o Delete the txt and replace it with zip, hit enter.
o Extract the files to the Desktop
o Open the folder, and launch the exe file.
o Follow the instructions in the README attachment to run the Patch.

Thank you again for contacting us. If you have any questions or concerns in the future, please feel free to call us at 800-803-9611, Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 7:00 pm, ET, and Saturday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, ET.

Sincerely,

Mattel Consumer Relations

Download the Zip file here!

Labels: Drivers, Game Updates, Install Help, Vista 64

We are very excited to give to you all the next installment of "Ask Funk-E"! In this edition, Funk-E answers questions regarding the DC Heroes Funkeys, possible New Adventure Packs, Dot's Future, Deleting Accounts, The Red Buttons, Chats as Singles, the Final Verdict for Vista 64, the Fate of Speed Racer, Mesofunkey Plains, Beautiful Garden, and more!

Click here to read Installment #4 now...

Labels: Adventure Pack, Ask Funk-E, Beautiful Garden, Chat Funkeys, DC Funkeys, Dot, Mesofunkey Plains, Site Updates, Speed Racer, Vista 64