Version 15 Frequently Asked Questions

Last reviewed: 01/17/2011
Article ID: R11268

The information in this article applies to:

Summary

This article provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Version 15 Tabs3 & PracticeMaster software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to run SETUP.EXE on every workstation?
Yes, SETUP.EXE must be run on every workstation accessing Tabs3/PracticeMaster to install program and help files locally on each workstation. This is necessary in order to access help files on each workstation, as well as provide faster loading times. If the software is installed at the server and only shortcuts are installed at each workstation, users will be unable to access help files.
For users utilizing Terminal Services or Citrix, please see KB Article R11284 - Using Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software on Terminal Services or Citrix.
Whenever I press F1 or the Help icon, one of the following messages is displayed. What does this mean?
"The PracticeMaster Help file you're trying to open is not installed locally. While at the workstation, please run SETUP.EXE from the Tabs3 data folder on the server to install PracticeMaster and its Help file locally. If SETUP.EXE has already been run, refer to KB article R11228 for additional troubleshooting steps. (www.support.tabs3.com)"

"The Tabs3 Help file you're trying to open is not installed locally. While at the workstation, please run SETUP.EXE from the Tabs3 data folder on the server to install Tabs3 and its Help file locally. If SETUP.EXE has already been run, refer to KB article R11228 for additional troubleshooting steps. (www.support.tabs3.com)"
This message is typically the result of one of the following situations.
 
Situation #1 - This message can indicate the Help files for the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software have not been installed locally on your workstation. For the Help files to work properly, they must be installed on each workstation. Run SETUP.EXE at each workstation from the current working directory (i.e., the program directory on the server) and confirm that your shortcuts point to the local directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\Tabs3). You can confirm where your shortcuts point by right-clicking the icon and selecting Properties.

Situation #2 - If SETUP.EXE was run on the workstation after the software was converted to Version 15, it is possible that the shortcut used to start Tabs3 was not updated or is an old shortcut that still points to the network directory. You can confirm where your shortcuts point by right-clicking the shortcut and selecting Properties. The Target and Start in fields should point to the local drive. You can also check where the software is running from by starting the software and opening the Help | About window. The Current Working Directory should point to the network location and the Program Directory should point to a directory on the local drive (e.g., C:\Program Files\Tabs3). If the shortcuts are not pointing to the local directory, simply delete the shortcuts and rerun SETUP.EXE at the workstation. Make sure you click Yes when asked if you want to update shortcuts.

Terminal Services/Citrix Note: The SETUP.EXE file will only need to be run once by a Terminal Services computer, no matter how many users log onto the workstation remotely. The following will need to be performed for each Terminal Services computer. Before running SETUP.EXE, delete any shortcuts to the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster programs for each user on the workstation. Once SETUP.EXE is complete, a single set of desktop shortcuts will have been created. These desktop shortcuts will need to be copied to all other users' Desktop directory, which for Terminal Services in Windows XP is C:\Documents and Settings\<userID>\Desktop, whereas in Vista is C:\users\<userID>/|Desktop. (Note: Locations may be different for Citrix). Once the shortcuts have been copied to all other users' desktops, delete the shortcuts from the All Users directory (otherwise users will have two sets of shortcuts). Once users have their own shortcuts, they are free to add startup options as desired.
 
When running SETUP.EXE on each workstation, do I have to login using each user's name and password, or can I just log into each workstation as any user to run SETUP.EXE?
You do not need to log into each workstation using each individual user's Windows User ID and password. Instead, you can log into each workstation as an administrator and run SETUP.EXE. The Setup program will always create icons in the All Users | Desktop folder, regardless of who you log into the workstation as. Therefore, you also have the option of asking users to log into their workstations to run SETUP.EXE at their convenience. When each Windows user then logs into the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software, the STI.INI file will be copied into the appropriate user-specific folder.
 
I was running the Version 15 conversion and the following message was displayed: "The Conversion program has encountered an invalid GLS Data Path for one or more GLS Clients. Please review the STCONV15.LOG file located in the program directory to determine which GLS Client(s) have an invalid GLS Data Path. Once you have fixed the invalid Path(s), you will need to run STCONV15.EXE again to convert your data. Detailed information regarding how to resolve the invalid GLS Data Paths can be found in Knowledge Base Article R11234 at www.support.Tabs3.com." What should I do?
If you are seeing this message, it means that one or more of your GLS Clients is stored outside of the current working directory. To continue with the Version 15 conversion, you will need to move the client(s) to a separate folder under the current working directory. Follow the steps in R11234, "Messages During the Version 14 to Version 15 Conversion," to resolve this issue.
After updating to Version 15, the software is not remembering my printer settings, window sizes and last used timekeeper settings. What happened to these settings?
This typically occurs when SETUP.EXE was not run on the workstation. Running SETUP.EXE will move the STI.INI file to the correct location. Prior to Version 15, the STI.INI file was stored in the protected C:\Windows directory. To comply with changes in file permission for the Windows Vista operating system, it was necessary to move the STI.INI file out of the protected C:\Windows folder. Therefore, the STI.INI file is now unique to each Windows User ID.
 
The new location is determined according to your current operating system. For the Windows Vista operating system, the STI.INI file is stored in the C:\Users\<User Name>\AppData\Roaming\Tabs3\ on each user's workstation. In Windows XP, the STI.INI file is stored in the C:\Documents and Settings\<User Name>\Application Data\Tabs3\ on each user's workstation. If you have run SETUP.EXE and no STI.INI file is found, check your Windows User rights to the folder, and then go to C:\Windows. If the STI.INI file is in the Windows directory, copy and paste it to the appropriate new location and reopen the software.
 
After the conversion completed, I found a new subdirectory called "STV14OLD." What is it and can I delete it?
During the Version 15 Conversion program, outdated program, help, and data files are moved to the STV14OLD folder under the Tabs3 Current Working Directory. It is not necessary to delete this folder, because it will be removed automatically during the Version 16 conversion. However, you may remove this folder if hard drive space is limited.
 
After updating to Version 15.3, I found a new subdirectory called "STV15OLD." What is it and can I delete it?
During the Version 15.2 or 15.3 update, or when reinstalling Version 15 software using a serialized program CD, any outdated program, help, and data files are moved to the STV15OLD folder under the Tabs3 current working directory. This folder can be deleted, but it will be recreated again each time you update, so this is not recommended.
 
A new employee forgot his password. Previously when this occurred, I logged in as a manager and looked up the user's record in System Configuration. However, the password is no longer shown. How can I view his password?
You can't. In prior versions of the software, this was displayed in the System Configuration program. However, for security reasons, passwords are no long displayed in System Configuration. Passwords are now disguised and displayed as a series of dots in the User Configuration window (File | Open | Users) of System Configuration. Therefore, rather than viewing the former user's password, you will need to create a new password for the User ID in User Configuration. This can be done by entering a new password, and then confirming the password and saving the changes.
 
After converting, I noticed there was a new user in the System Configuration User file named STCONV15. What is this new user and can I delete it?
The STCONV15 User ID is an inactive user and not a logon user. It is created during the Version 15 conversion for any records that do not have a User ID specified in protected fields. We recommend retaining this User ID in the User file. Deleting the User ID can cause Data File Integrity Check Error 145s (invalid User ID) if there were records that were assigned this User ID during the conversion.
As an alternative to deleting the User ID, you could use the Rename User ID program to change the name of the User ID, or use the Reassign User ID program to assign the records to an existing User ID. Be aware that these comprehensive utility programs require super exclusive control of all Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software and may take some time to run.
 
Can I convert from Version 11 to Version 15?
Yes, but you must install and convert to Version 14 before converting to Version 15. This must be done using the Version 14 CD, because the Version 14 conversion requires a Pre-Conversion Analysis before you may continue. If you do not have a Version 14 Update or Program CD, contact our Sales department for a recopy.
I recently purchased a few CompuLaw rule sets with the Version 10 Rules Engine. Do I have to update PracticeMaster to Version 15.3 when I update the CompuLaw Rules Engine?
Yes, you will want to update the PracticeMaster software at the same time as the CompuLaw Rules Engine. Doing so will ensure that the CompuLaw rule sets will continue to integrate with the PracticeMaster software. PracticeMaster Version 15.3 and later will integrate with CompuLaw's Version 10 Rules Engine, whereas PracticeMaster Version 15.2 and prior only integrates with CompuLaw Version 9. If you choose to update CompuLaw without updating PracticeMaster, you will not be able to use the court rules databases until PracticeMaster has been updated to Version 15.3.
 
I just updated both CompuLaw and PracticeMaster, but now the message, "Unable to Connect to the CompuLaw Database," is being displayed. What can cause this, and how can I successfully integrate with CompuLaw?
This message occurs when the workstation or file server cannot connect to the CompuLaw SQL Server. This can be caused by a missing or invalid COMPULAW.INI file in the PracticeMaster current working directory, or the SQL Server is not accessible or incorrectly configured. For troubleshooting information, refer to KB Article R11317, "Troubleshooting CompuLaw Integration." If this message persists, please contact CompuLaw Technical Support at (800) 444-0215 for further assistance.
 
How do I preview a report in Version 15.2 (or later)?
The Preview option is no longer one of the Print Dialog window options. Instead, simply click the Preview button next to the OK button in the Print Dialog window.
 
How can I keep headers for each page from being included in the report I save to Excel format?
You can do this by printing to an Excel file without first previewing the report. Otherwise, when viewing a report in the Preview window, each page is displayed with a header. Therefore, if you select the Print option from the Preview window, the Print to File output will include headers for each previewed page. However, if you print directly to File from the Report options, the headers will not be included.
 
When saving a report to Excel, why can't I overwrite the original report by using the same filename?
When saving a new Excel report with the same file name as an existing Excel file, the new report will be saved to a new worksheet in the existing Excel workbook file. The main reason this functionality is provided is to make it easy to append monthly reports to the same Excel file as different worksheets. This is done so that you can easily compare reports from one month to the next, without having to open separate Excel workbooks.
 
How do I e-mail statements to a client?
You can do this by creating individual PDF statements, and attaching the documents to new e-mails. KB Article R11282, "E-mailing Tabs3 Statements" provides step-by-step instructions regarding how to e-mail individual statements.
 
I printed a batch of statements to PDF (using Individual PDF statements). Where can I find a list of which statements were just printed?
You can use the PDF Summary document to do this. If you selected to print to the DropBox, the summary will be named either Draft_Statements.PDF or Final_Statements.PDF. If you used print to File, and then selected PDF, you would have been asked to name the file, rather than having it named automatically.
 
I am interested in accepting credit cards for payments in Tabs3 and deposits in Tabs3 Trust Accounting software. Do I have to open two merchant accounts from TSYS Merchant SolutionsSM?
Yes, since trust account funds are typically deposited into a different bank account than the one in which Tabs3 payments are deposited, you will need to set up two separate merchant accounts. However, our relationship with TSYS Merchant SolutionsSM (formerly First National Merchant Solutions®) lets you designate a different bank account for the fees associated with the trust bank account. This allows trust funds to be deposited into one account, and fees taken out of another account. More information regarding the Credit Card Processing feature is provided in KB Article R11265, "Credit Card Processing Frequently Asked Questions."
 
Why am I unable to write off an amount for a specific timekeeper on a specific statement?
In order to write off a fee amount for a specific timekeeper on a specific statement, the client will have to be set up with the Receipt Allocation by Invoice option selected on the Setup tab of Client Information (File | Open | Client). This option allows the software to track due figures for each invoice, rather than a total balance due that is tracked for the client as a single amount. If the client is not set up as Receipt Allocation by Invoice, this setting can be changed up until a payment, write off, or credit is applied to the balance. Once a payment, write off, or credit is applied to a balance, you will not be able to change this setting, and therefore you will not be able to write off an amount for a specific timekeeper on a specific statement.
 
Why isn't Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software supported on a wireless network?
Wireless networking, while very convenient, is not as stable as a wired connection. Wireless networking can drop connections due to intermittent signal strength to the workstation. As a result, wireless networks are not recommended or supported. Using a wired connection to the network eliminates the possibility of intermittent signal strength causing issues. 
 
Is there a way to automatically tell other users when they need to exit the software?
Absolutely! This feature is only available for the Client Server Version of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software. Selecting an exclusive task while others are logged in will display a Conflicting Activities window. This window allows you to click the Notify button to send a message to other users, asking them to finish their tasks and exit the software.
 
What is eNote, and where can I find it in the PracticeMaster software?
eNote is the intra-office messaging system available for the Client Server Version of PracticeMaster Premier. You can find it by either selecting the eNote icon on the main task folder, or selecting eNote from the File menu (File | Open | eNote). For more information about eNote, refer to the KB Article R11246, "PracticeMaster eNote Frequently Asked Questions", contact your local reseller or consultant, or our Sales department at (402) 419-2200.
 
Can I try the Client Server Version (CSV) of the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software before buying it?
Absolutely! Simply contact your local reseller or consultant, or our Sales department at (402) 419-2200 for information regarding our CSV Net 30 Trial Plan. For additional information, refer to the KB Article R11261, "Client Server Version (CSV) Net 30 Trial Plan."

References

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY, INC. OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

© 1999-2012 Software Technology, Inc.   All rights reserved. Terms of Use
The maker of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster
Tabs3, PracticeMaster, and the “pinwheel” symbol (The "Pinwheel" symbol is a Registered Trademark of Software Technology, Inc.) are registered trademarks of Software Technology, Inc.
e-Mail Suggestions for the Knowledge Base to: kb@Tabs3.com
Technical Support via e-mail is not available.
Knowledge Base:   http://support.Tabs3.com
Web Site:   http://www.Tabs3.com