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FAQ: PC Access® for Windows

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General Questions

Where is the Uninstall PC Access option?

Q: Where is the Uninstall PC Access option?

A: Starting in PC Access 4.30.158, MFM removed the Uninstall option in the PC Access for Windows program group. However, this does not mean that you cannot uninstall PC Access. If you need to uninstall PC Access, see: Uninstall PC Access for instructions.

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PC Access and Windows XP Compatibility Modes?

Q: Does PC Access for Windows run in Windows XP Compatibility Modes?

A: Yes. PC Access for Windows 4.20 and 4.30 will run in Windows XP Compatibility Modes. However, PC Access for Windows runs in Windows XP without the use of XP's Compatibility Modes.

For information on Windows XP Compatibility Modes, see: Related Information.

Related Information

How to Determine your Microsoft Internet Explorer Version

Q: How do I determine my Microsoft Internet Explorer version?

A: You can find your Microsoft Internet Explorer version by following the instructions in this Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

Updating or Upgrading PC Access

What is the difference between an Update and an Upgrade?

Q: What is the difference between and Update and an Upgrade?

A: In everyday speech the words "update" and "upgrade" are interchangeable, but at MFM they mean distinct things:

  • An update is a set of files you may download at no charge from the MFM Web site to bring your current version of PC Access to the latest Build for your version. For more information on updates, see: Updating PC Access.
  • An upgrade to PC Access is a set of diskettes or a CD-ROM you may purchase from VISTAinfo or your local MLS. For example, if you are running any Build of PC Access 4.20 (such as 4.20.132), you need an upgrade to obtain the new features in PC Access 4.30. For more information on upgrades, see Upgrading PC Access.
Related Information

Updating PC Access

Q: What is an "update" to PC Access?

A: In everyday speech the words "update" and "upgrade" are interchangeable, but at MFM they mean distinct things. An update is a set of files you may download at no charge from the MFM Web site to bring your current version of PC Access to the latest Build for your version.

To understand this definition you need to know:

After MFM has found and corrected problems in the current release of PC Access, we release a new Build for that release. MFM typically releases a new public Build every few months, usually after we have circulated a few intervening beta Builds among a set of customers who test them. For example, here is the history of Builds for PC Access 4.30.

An update to PC Access is a file or set of files you may download free of charge from the MFM Web site. It updates your current version of PC Access to the latest Build number for the same version. For example, if you are currently running PC Access 4.30.147 (i.e., Build 147) you may download a free update to bring your copy of PC Access up to the latest Build for version 4.30. (i.e., Build 158).

To find out exactly what updates are available for each Build of PC Access, see the Update Wizard.

Related Information

Update Type

Q: What update type should I use?

A: MFM offers several types of updates. They vary in two basic ways:

  • Convenience: an update type is convenient if it can update a wide range of PC Access versions, and will even work if your existing copy of PC Access has some damaged or missing files.
  • File size: an update type is faster if it requires you to download a small file.
Unfortunately, we cannot maximize convenience and speed simultaneously. For an update type to tolerate damage and work with many versions of PC Access it needs to have a larger file size. MFM provides several kinds of updates so you can choose what works best for you. For example, if you have a fast connection to the Internet then you may not mind downloading a larger file.

Here is a summary of the update types in roughly increasing order of total file size:

  • Update Patch: An Update Patch is the quickest way to update from one Build of PC Access to another. An Update Patch consists of a small program that changes some of your existing PC Access files to convert them to a newer Build. Because the Update Patch stores only the parts of the files that changed when MFM created the new Build, rather than complete copies of these files, the Patch will not work if the files it needs to update are missing, damaged, or of the wrong Build. The Update Patch has the advantage of being the smallest update file and thus the quickest to download, but you can only apply it if you are running a specific version of PC Access and nothing is wrong with the copy on your computer.
  • WinZip: The WinZip method differs from an update Patch in that it contains full replacement copies of specific files necessary to update your copy of PC Access to a new Build. It does not change the existing copies of these files on your computer; rather it overwrites them with brand-new copies. Thus the WinZip method can work even if your existing copies of these particular files are missing or damaged. Like the Update Patch, the WinZip method only works with a specific version of PC Access. The WinZip method uses a self-extracting archive file that you download and execute on your computer.
  • InstallShield: The InstallShield method is generally the most reliable update method. The InstallShield method uses a larger file and will take longer to download; however, you can update several different versions with an InstallShield update. For example: An InstallShield update can update PC Access versions 4.30.144 - 4.30.150 to PC Access 4.30.151.
  • Disk Images: If you are updating several computers, or you need to distribute an update to other PC Access users, consider using the Disk Images method. Unlike the other methods, the Disk Images method requires you to download several files, with one file to create each diskette the update occupies. For example: If you use the Disk Image method to update PC Access versions 4.30.144 - 4.30.150 to PC Access 4.30.151, you will need to download three files and you need three 3.5" blank diskettes.
If you want the most general and reliable update method (but not necessarily the fastest to download) use the PC Access Update Wizard to help you determine what update you need.
Related Information

Upgrading PC Access

Q: What is an "upgrade" to PC Access?

A: In everyday speech the words "upgrade" and "update" are interchangeable, but at MFM they mean distinct things. An upgrade to PC Access is a set of diskettes or a CD-ROM you may purchase from VISTAinfo or your local MLS. For example, if you are running any Build of PC Access 4.20 (such as 4.20.132), you need an upgrade to obtain the new features in PC Access 4.30. When you install the software from the diskettes or CD-ROM, you will upgrade from a lower version number of PC Accessto the latest version. Note: You can update version 4.10 to the latest version of 4.20 free of charge.

Every one to two years, MFM adds a substantial set of new features to PC Access. After we do, we increment the release number of PC Access. For example, on December 15, 1998, we released PC Access 4.30.147. That was the first Build of PC Access 4.30 available to the public.

If you are already running an earlier Build of the latest version of PC Access, you do not need to purchase an upgrade. Instead, you may download a free update to the latest Build of PC Access. For example, if you are running any Build of PC Access 4.30, you may update your copy to the latest Build of PC Access 4.30 at no charge.

Click here for a list of New Features in PC Access 4.30.

Related Information

What Upgrades are Available?

Q: What upgrades are available?

A: As of April 10, 2000, the current version of PC Access for Windows is 4.30.158. You can upgrade your existing version of PC Access to version 4.30.158. Contact your Multiple Listing Service (MLS) or VISTAinfo to purchase an upgrade.

Related Information

Why Should I Upgrade?

Q: Why should I upgrade?

A: Most people upgrade PC Access to obtain the new features in the current version. As of April 10, 2000, the current version of PC Access for Windows is 4.30.158. Here are a few of the new features in PC Access 4.30.158:

  • A new E-Mail Message window lets you send Internet e-mail messages from PC Access. You may send ordinary text messages, listings and photos from your MLS, and loan payment schedules you calculate on the Amortization window.
    • Note: to use the E-Mail Message window, your ISP must provide you with an SMTP server. The E-Mail Message window cannot send e-mail to an ISP which uses a proprietary e-mail server.
  • A new Internet Setup window, enabling you to instruct PC Access to launch Windows Dial-Up Networking automatically when you select a PC Access command that uses the Internet.
  • For a complete list of new features see: New Features in PC Access 4.30.
Related Information

How Do I Obtain an Upgrade?

Q: How do I obtain an upgrade?

A: See the MFM Product Order Form web page for more information.

Related Information

Upgrading to PC Access 4.30

Q: What PC Access version(s) can I upgrade to PC Access 4.30?

A: You can upgrade PC Access versions 4.00, 4.10, and 4.20 to PC Access version 4.30. See the MFM Product Order Form web page for more information.

  • For a complete list of new features, see: New Features in PC Access 4.30.

    Related Information

    User Authorization Error 0 During Upgrade

    Q: I just upgraded to PC Access 4.30. When I try to install the user authorization , I receive an Error 0.

    A: The original PC Access 4.30 disk 1 may not be in your diskette drive, or the diskette is write protected. Insert the original PC Access 4.30 disk 1 in the diskette drive and try again.

    Related Information

    Upgrading an Agent Version to a Broker Version

    Q: Can the PC Access 4.30 upgrade change my Agent version to a Broker version or my Broker version to an Agent version?

    A: No. If you upgraded your PC Access Agent version 4.10 using the PC Access 4.30 upgrade disks, the upgrade process will make your PC Access 4.30 upgrade version a 4.30 Agent version.

    Related Information

    Upgrade Disks Replace Original Disks

    Q: What does the PC Access 4.30 upgrade do to my original PC Access disks?

    A: Your original PC Access disks will no longer work after the User Authorization Manager uses them to validate your PC Access 4.30 upgrade.

    Related Information

    User Authorization

    Installing the User Authorization from a SuperDisk

    Q: Are there any problems installing the PC Access user authorization from a SuperDisk (LS-120) disk drive?

    A: Yes. See: Technical Bulletin #006: Compaq, Dell, or NEC computers using a SuperDisk (LS-120) disk drive.

    Related Information

    User Authorization Error 0 During Upgrade

    Q: I just upgraded to PC Access 4.30. When I try to install the user authorization , I receive an Error 0.

    A: The original PC Access 4.30 disk 1 may not be in your diskette drive, or the diskette is write protected. Insert the original PC Access 4.30 disk 1 in the diskette drive and try again.

    Related Information

    Setting Up PC Access

    Grayed-out E-mail, Modem Wizard and Internet Setup

    Q: In PC Access 4.30, why are the E-mail, Modem Wizard and Internet setup options grayed out?

    A: The PCAPLUS.EXE program that enables these options does not run in Windows 3.1x. PCAPLUS.EXE is a 32-bit program that requires Windows 95, 98 or NT.

    Related Information

    Modem Wizard Can't Find Com Port

    Q: Why doesn't the Modem Wizard detect the correct COM Port for my modem?

    A: If you are running PC Access 4.20 or 4.30 in Windows 2000 or Windows XP, the Modem Wizard cannot read your modem settings from the Windows 2000 or Windows XP Registry. Use the instructions below to manually select your modem's COM Port. If you are running PC Access 4.20 or 4.30 in Windows 95/98/NT, the Modem Wizard may be unable to detect the correct COM Port on PCMCIA modems and some internal modem cards. If this happens, you must manually select your modem's COM Port in the Port radio button group on the Modem Setup Window.

    To manually select your Modem's COM Port:

    1. From the PC Access Main Menu click Setup Menu | Advanced | Modem.
    2. In the Port radio button group, select your modem's COM Port. If you do not know what COM Port your modem uses, select COM 1 and click Test.
    3. If your modem uses COM 1, PC Access will display the Modem Tests OK message. If PC Access displays an error message, select another COM Port and click Test. Continue selecting different COM Ports until PC Access displays the Modem Tests OK message.
    Related Information

    On-Line Agent and Mapping Programs

    Q: In PC Access 4.30, why are the On-Line Agent and/or Mapping programs unavailable?

    A: These are third-party software programs available through VISTAinfo .

    Related Information

    Setting Up TCP-Telnet

    Q: Can I use the Setup Assistant or Installation Assistant to set up a TCP-Telnet session?

    A: No. You can set up a TCP-Telnet session by clicking on Setup | Advanced | MLS Setup, click on the TCP/IP tab.

    Related Information

    Printers

    PC Access Default Printer

    Q: How do I determine what printer PC Access is using?

    A: From the PC Access for Windows Main Menu window: [ Version 4.20 and earlier]: Look on the right hand side of the Main Menu. You will see a line of text beginning with Default Printer:. [ Version 4.30]: Look on the status bar in the bottom left corner of the Main Menu. You will see a line of text beginning with Default Printer:.

    Multiple Printers

    Q: Can I use more than one printer in PC Access?

    A: Yes. PC Access uses the default printer you have in Windows as the PC Access default printer. You can add additional printers in PC Access by clicking Setup | Advanced | Printers | Add.

    Related Information

    PC Access Requires a Printer

    Q: Do I need a printer to run PC Access?

    A: PC Access requires that you have installed a default printer in Windows. You do not actually have to connect a physical printer to your computer to do this. You can tell Windows to "print" to a file on your computer's hard disk. This allows any software that requires a printer (such as PC Access) to "think" you have a printer connected to your computer.

    If you do not have a default printer in Windows, install the Windows Generic / Text Only printer and set the port to FILE. To install the Windows Generic / Text Only printer driver in Windows 98:

    1. Click Start | Settings | Printers | Add Printer.
    2. Follow the instructions in the Add Printer Wizard to install a Generic / Text Only printer driver.
    If you chose to print while you are on-line with your MLS using PC Access, Windows will send the information you are printing to a file on your hard drive.

    Related Information

    Third-party Software Programs

    On-Line Agent and Mapping Programs

    Q: In PC Access 4.30, why are the On-Line Agent and/or Mapping programs unavailable?

    A: These are third-party software programs available through VISTAinfo .

    Related Information

    Miscellaneous

    Slide Show Files

    Q: Can I view the Slide Show files in a program other than PC Access?

    A: No. The PC Access Slide Show files use a proprietary format and only PC Access can let you view them.

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    Last modification date: Wednesday, May 14, 2003 09:45:01

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