Not everyone will encounter the same issues, most of which are not technical errors, but simply questions. We hope giving you information about them at this time helps you later as you are learning the new system.

Installing on a New PC?  Transfer Files with the Vault...

If you don’t have a backup of your appraisal files, we  offer an online service called The Vault. It uses your Internet connection to upload a copy of your files to a secure location on our servers, protecting your files and offering you the option of sharing them between PCs more easily.  Plus, our Exact utility makes it easy to transfer settings, such as your EDI and signature setup, as well as databases like your QuickLists to any PC anytime.  For more information, go to http://www.alamode.com/vault.

Getting Help:  Manuals & Training Videos

The initial screen on the WinTOTAL CD has links to our Quick Start Guide and full user manual.  Once you have installed, access the manual from the program menu, or from inside the program under Help.

• Access the latest documentation online at: http://www.alamode.com/download/athena/help/manual.pdf
• Be sure to see our "Quick Start" training videos online at:  http://www.alamode.com/training/quickstart/

Accessing the Tech Doc Library from Inside WinTOTAL

All of the technical documents mentioned are accessible from inside the WinTOTAL application, as well as being available on our web site. From WinTOTAL’s Appraisal Desktop, click the Solution Center icon under the Shortcuts heading. On the Solution Center screen, click Tech-Doc Library. Here you’ll find technical documents sorted by product and category. You can also search for the appropriate document by keyword.

Operating System & PC Hardware Recommendations

WinTOTAL runs best on Windows XP.  If you've bought your computer in the last 3 years, it's probably okay for WinTOTAL.  Just try it.

Windows 98 is also sufficient, although we are seeing an increasing number of issues where this old operating system can't handle too many simultaneous applications.  (Windows 98 users are 4 times more likely to have an "unexplainable" malfunction in the software which requires much more time troubleshooting!)   Look for us to discontinue Windows 98 support about the same time Microsoft does in 2006.

See Tech Doc 4310 for System Recomendations

Windows 95, NT Workstation  and Windows ME are not supported operating systems for WinTOTAL due to inherent limitations in these out-dated systems.  If you’re running either of these operating systems, it’s really time to upgrade.  Even Microsoft no longer supports these operating systems.

Windows NT Server is currently supported as an operating system on a dedicated server only.  In other words, WinTOTAL is installed and resides here for access by your workstations, but the server PC is not used as a workstation where someone actually works in the WinTOTAL program.

Antivirus Software & WinTOTAL

Antivirus software is more aggressive than it's ever been.  While vital to your PC's reliability, it also interferes with programs like WinTOTAL that routinely go online for data and updates.  Left at the defaults, most firewalls and virus scanners will block WinTOTAL's functions.  Here's some help in configuring common antivirus systems. See our general antivirus and firewall Tech Doc, 4016, for more information about configuring these programs to work with WinTOTAL.

In general, if something isn't working in WinTOTAL, try disabling your antivirus system to see if that's getting in the way.  Then, try our tips on configuring them to allow WinTOTAL to function properly.

Installing on a Network

WinTOTAL has been designed to run in a multi-user environment. Implemented properly, the benefits gained by sharing data, consolidating resources, and centralizing management of the system are enormous. Chapter 16 of our user guide is dedicated to the networking.

Setting up PDF Creation

WinTOTAL has built-in PDF capabilities to remove the need for third party software to generate your reports.  We've even made a video that shows you this tool in action step by step.  Just point your browser to: http://www.alamode.com/training/aurora_printing/

Square Footage Changes or Blanks Out in your Reports

This is typically due to a transfer option you’ve set in either the Sketch PowerView or the Area Calculator. The data is not simply disappearing; rather it’s being overwritten by another calculation. See Tech Doc 4515 for assistance.

Site Dimensions & Site Area Blanks Out on the Major Form

As with the square footage, this is typically due to setting the option to Transfer blank site info into the major form from the Sketch PowerView. See Tech Doc 4519 for assistance.

Setting Up a Digital Signature

WinTOTAL can use any standard JPG, BMP or GIF for your signature.  Just use any desktop scanner to create it.  The biggest stumbling block most people encounter is the resolution (it needs to be 300 dpi) and the cropping (clear out any white space around the signature).  Tech doc 4304 has some additional details on the process.

WinTOTAL Reports a Problem with an OCX or DLL File

This is often due to a file not being registered properly on your system – often because of a conflict with another program or driver on your computer. See Tech Doc 4150 for assistance.