How to Reinstall Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software

Last reviewed: 05/12/2008
Article ID: R10695

The information in this article applies to:

NOTE:  For instructions on reinstalling Version 11 Tabs3 and PracticeMaster programs, please see KB Article R10888, "How to Reinstall Version 11 Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software".

SUMMARY

Occasionally it may be necessary to reinstall one or more Tabs3 and/or PracticeMaster programs. Typically, reinstallation is required in the event of hardware problems. This article lists the files that will be affected and includes the procedures for reinstalling Version 10 software over an existing Version 10 program. If you are using Version 9 or earlier, call our Technical Support Department for conversion instructions.

FILES AFFECTED DURING REINSTALLATION

The following files are affected during reinstallation of the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software:

Reinstalling Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software will not affect your data files, the STI.INI file, dictionary files, report definitions or Report Writer definitions. We recommend reinstalling all Version 10 programs your firm has installed.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Before Installing

Tabs3 Remote, Cost Recovery Interface and DTE InHand Handheld Integration Note:  If you are reinstalling Tabs3 due to an upgrade, software license transfer, firm name change, etc. (i.e., you have a new Tabs3 serial number), make sure you merge any remote data files, cost recovery system data files, and handheld integration files before reinstalling Tabs3. Otherwise, the previously entered information cannot be imported.

Case Master Note:  With the release of Version 10.6, Case Master’s name has been changed to PracticeMaster. If you are installing PracticeMaster over an existing Case Master Version 10 program, please refer to the "Initial PracticeMaster Installation" section of this article before reinstalling Version 10.

PracticeMaster Briefcase Note:  If you are reinstalling PracticeMaster, make sure you check in any PracticeMaster Briefcase data before installing PracticeMaster. The installation program will not permit installation of program files unless all Briefcase data is checked in.

Tabs3 Palm Application Note:  If you use the Tabs3 Palm Application programs, you can update the Palm Application program on each handheld device once you have installed the updated program from the CD-ROM. Make sure you HotSync data from the handheld device before updating the Palm Application program on the handheld device. To update the Palm Application program, from the Start button, select Programs | Software Technology | Palm Software | Install Tabs3 Palm App. Once the files have been installed on the handheld, you will also need to create new Palm Application Data Files and HotSync them to the handheld. Your Palm Application manual contains complete details regarding these procedures.

Other Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Programs:  If you use any of the following programs from Tabs3, they may need to be updated if they were purchased before Version 10.6 was released (i.e., 05/01/2002). Contact our Technical Support Department if you use any of the following programs:  TASKBILL, WCNVASCV.EXE, SPLITT3.EXE, COPYT3.EXE, TSCONV.EXE, TBDEVICE.EXE, or the Tabs3 Handheld Integration program.

Program Directory Note:  When installing, you will be asked to enter the path where the program you are reinstalling resides. If you do not know the directory, you will be given the option to search for the directory. When the search feature is used, the installation program will search the specified hard drive and list all directories where it finds System Configuration installed. (Note: When installing Tabs3 Remote or PracticeMaster Briefcase, the installation program will instead look for the directory where Tabs3 Remote or PracticeMaster Briefcase is installed.) Alternatively, you can determine where the software is installed by opening the program and selecting the Help|About menu option. The Current Working Directory is the directory where the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster program is installed. Make sure you close the program before reinstalling the software.

Note:  When installing from a Windows 2000/XP/NT4 workstation, you must have Administrator privileges.

To install the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster programs from the CD-ROM on your hard disk:

  1. Insert the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive.

  2. A CD Browser program will automatically start. (Note: If the Windows CD-ROM Autorun feature is disabled, click the Start button, and then click Run...  Click the Browse button and navigate to the CD-ROM drive. Double-click the LAUNCH.EXE file. Click OK.)

  3. Select the appropriate menu option depending on whether you are installing a full working version or trial version.



    4. Note: We recommend reinstalling all of the Version 10 programs that your firm currently has installed.

  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the selected programs.

  5. If installing Version 10.6 or Version 10.7 for the first time (i.e., you currently have Version 10.2 or 10.5 installed), each and every workstation accessing the software must run the SETUP program located on the file server. This step is normally not required when reinstalling the same version; however, it is required for the first installation of Version 10.6 or greater. This process updates the required system DLL files for all Tabs3 and PracticeMaster programs as well as the PracticeMaster Word Document Assembly template files on each workstation. Workstations that do not run the SETUP program will receive errors when attempting to start the software. (Note: If Version 10.6 or Version 10.7 has previously been installed, it is not necessary to perform the following procedures.)

    Note:  When running SETUP on a Windows 2000/XP/NT4 workstation, you must have Administrator privileges.

    1. From the workstation, click the Start button, and then click Run...
    2. Click the Browse button and select the directory where the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster program files were installed. Then select the SETUP.EXE file found in the program file directory and click OK to run the program.
    3. Follow the on-screen instructions to run the SETUP program.
    4. Repeat steps a through c for each workstation that will be using Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software.

  6. Consider reinstalling the Documentation to make sure you have the most current files.

If you have any questions, please call our Technical Support Department at (402) 423-1440.

INITIAL INSTALLATION OF VERSION 10.6 or VERSION 10.7

The following information applies to you if you are installing Version 10.6 or Version 10.7 for the first time and it is being installed over an existing Version 10.5 or earlier installation. Otherwise, you are done with the update process and can ignore the rest of these instructions.

  1. PracticeMaster Users:  After installing PracticeMaster, start PracticeMaster on the fastest workstation available. A message will be displayed indicating your System Files need to be updated. Unlike previous subreleases, you cannot bypass this update. Click Yes when asked if you want to update files at this time. A message will be displayed prompting you to make a backup. It is critical that you have a current backup of both program files and data files for PracticeMaster BEFORE proceeding with the update process. The built-in PracticeMaster backup program backs up your data files but not the program files. Make sure you have a backup of the program files (made outside of PracticeMaster) before proceeding.

    Note: You must log into PracticeMaster as a Manager in order to successfully update the System Files.

    Note: Additional information regarding this process can be found in the online Help by clicking the Help button when this message is displayed. You can also read more about this process in KB Article R10672 - Automatically Updating PracticeMaster System File Definitions.

  2. Tabs3 Users who do not have PracticeMaster:  After installing Tabs3, start Tabs3 on the fastest workstation available. A message will be displayed indicating your System Files need to be updated and you will be prompted to make a backup. It is critical that you have a current backup of both program and data files for Tabs3 BEFORE proceeding with the update process. The built-in Tabs3 backup program backs up your data files but not the program files. Make sure you have a backup of the program files (made outside of Tabs3) before proceeding.

    Note: You must log into Tabs3 as a Manager in order to successfully update the System Files.

  3. ODBC Users:  If you are using an ODBC driver to access PracticeMaster, Tabs3, or TAS data, your ODBC report definitions may need to be edited (i.e., field names and field IDs). Furthermore, after you have installed Version 10.6/Version 10.7, you will need to run the Initialize ODBC program in each program for which data is retrieved using an ODBC driver.


  4. PracticeMaster Journal File Modification:  As documented in the "What's New in PracticeMaster Version 10.6" list (included in PracticeMaster online Help and in our Knowledge Base), a new journal type record for "Research Records" has been added to the Journal File. Before you can use this new feature, you may need to modify your existing Journal File using the Form Designer so a page is present for Research Records. You can do this using one of the following methods:

    Note:  Firms that have not customized their Journal File form layouts will automatically have the new form layout for Research records.

    5. Method #1 - Resets all other Journal form layouts to new Journal form layouts. Be aware that the default form layouts have been redesigned to have a new look with a more logical order (e.g., the Description is at the top of the page, the tab order has changed, etc.). Examples of the new form layouts can be found on pages 74-76 of the Version 10.6 PracticeMaster manual. (The manual is provided in PDF format on the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster CD-ROM). No other data entry forms are affected.

    1. Start PracticeMaster. From the File menu, select Open and then select Journal.
    2. From the Edit menu select Form Designer. If a Research tab already exists, no custom changes were made by your firm. Therefore you do not need to modify the form layouts and you can skip to step h.
    3. Click the button to add a Category Page. A Journal Page Category dialog box will be displayed.
    4. Click the drop-down button and select Research. Click OK.
    5. Click the button to open the Control Panel.
    6. Click the Reset to OEM Layout button. Click Yes to confirm you want to overwrite your current form layouts.
    7. Click Close to close the Control Panel.
    8. Click to close the Form Designer.
    9. Click Yes to save changes.

    Method #2 - Retains Customized Journal Pages but requires manual creation of the form layout for the Research Page.

    1. Start PracticeMaster. From the File menu, select Open and then select Journal.
    2. From the Edit menu select Form Designer. If a Research tab already exists, no custom changes were made by your firm. Therefore you do not need to modify the form layouts and you can skip to step i.
    3. Click the button to add a Category Page. A Journal Page Category dialog box will be displayed.
    4. Click the drop-down button and select Research. Click OK.
    5. Click the button and select the Research URL field. Click OK.
    6. Repeat the previous step for all of the following fields:  Research File, Desc, Date, Client_ID, Related_Party, User_ID, Time, Duration.
    7. If desired, arrange the elements in the desired locations. Page 76 of the Version 10.7 PracticeMaster manual (or page 75 of the Version 10.6 PracticeMaster manual) shows an example of the default Research record form layout. (The manual is provided in PDF format on the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster CD-ROM.)
    8. Right-click the grid and select the Add Menu Button menu option. Drag the button to the desired location. Double-click the button. Edit the default "Button" text to "Edit Times". Select "Edit Times" from the drop-down list.
    9. Click the button to close the Form Designer.
    10. Click Yes to save changes.

INITIAL PRACTICEMASTER INSTALLATION

When installing PracticeMaster Version 10.6 or Version 10.7 over an existing Case Master Version 10 installation, there are several issues you need to be aware of. In addition to the product name being changed from Case Master to PracticeMaster, various terminology changes have been made such as “case” terminology has been changed to “client”. These changes entailed changing the Case File name from CMCASE to CMCLIENT and various field ID changes which in turn may affect some third party integrations as documented below.

Report Definitions PracticeMaster report definitions are not affected because the field IDs are automatically converted when the report is accessed.
HotDocs Document Cross Reference Files HotDocs Document Cross Reference Files are not affected because the field IDs are automatically converted when the document is accessed.
Word Document Templates PracticeMaster recognizes both old and new field IDs. Therefore, no changes are necessary.
Case Master Briefcase If you are using Case Master Briefcase and you have Briefcase data checked out, you must check in the Briefcase data BEFORE reinstalling Version 10. The installation program will not permit installation of program files unless all Briefcase data is checked in or the Briefcase Check Out status is cleared for all users. (Note: If the Briefcase Check Out status is cleared, the Briefcase data that is checked out can never be checked in.)

REFERENCES

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