1. It is important to backup your estimates and databases on a regular basis to protect against data loss. It is also recommended to keep a backup of your estimates and databases off-site and away from your computer.

2. The BACKUP ESTIMATE feature creates a file named ESTIMATE32.ZIP and contains your estimate files. The BACKUP DATABASES feature creates a file named DATABASE32.ZIP and contains any customization to your databases (price changes, custom items) and your client information.

3. When backing up your estimates and databases, HomeTech Advantage does not allow you to choose which estimates or databases you wish to save. The backup feature automatically saves all files. When you go to restore the backup file you then have the option to select the file(s) you wish to restore.

BACKUP ESTIMATES AND/OR DATABASES

1. Open the HomeTech Advantage program.

2. Close any open estimates if necessary (Choose FILE, choose CLOSE) to get to a blank estimate window.

3. Choose FILE. Choose DATA BACKUP AND RESTORE.

4. Choose the appropriate tab (ex. BACKUP ESTIMATES or BACKUP DATABASES).

5. Select the location where you want to save the backup file (ex. Floppy Drive or Other Drive/Directory).

6. If you select OTHER DRIVE/DIRECTORY, you need to choose a location for the backups. From the upper box that appears, use the pull-down menu to select the appropriate drive (ex. C:\). From the lower box that appears, browse to the location where you want to save the backup file, and double-click the folder (to open it) you want to save the backup file in.

7. Choose BEGIN.

8. The white status bar at the bottom of the window will tell you when the backup is complete.

9. Choose EXIT when finished.

RESTORE ESTIMATES AND/OR DATABASES

1. Open the HomeTech Advantage program.

2. Close any open estimates if necessary (Choose FILE, choose CLOSE) to get to a blank estimate window.

3. Choose FILE. Choose DATA BACKUP AND RESTORE.

4. Choose the appropriate tab (ex. RESTORE ESTIMATES or RESTORE DATABASES).

5. Select the location where the backup file is saved (ex. Floppy Drive or Other Drive/Directory). If you choose Floppy Drive, go to step # 8.

6. If you select OTHER DRIVE/DIRECTORY, you need to choose the location where the backups are saved. From the upper box that appears, use the pull-down menu to select the appropriate drive (ex. C:\). From the lower box that appears, browse to the location where your backup file are saved, and double-click the folder (to open it) where the backup file is saved.

7. If you have chosen the correct location, the file “ESTIMATE32.ZIP” or “DATABASE32.ZIP” will appear in the ‘ZIP FILE’ BOX. Click to highlight the word “ESTIMATE32.ZIP” or “DATABASE32.ZIP” in the ‘ZIP FILE’ BOX.

8. At this point, your estimate or database list will appear in the larger box on the right-side of the screen. The user can pick individual or multiple files to restore, or simply choose “RESTORE ALL ESTIMATES/DATABASES” to restore all the files in the backup.

9. Choose BEGIN.

10. The white status bar at the bottom of the window will tell you when the restore is complete.

11. Choose EXIT when finished.

HomeTech Advantage 3.x

BACKUP & RESTORE(CD-ROM/R/W Drive)

SEE ALSO:
Backup And Restore
Backup And Restore (Client Information)

PROBLEM: User cannot make an estimate backup or database backup directly to their CD-ROM/R/W drive from within the Data Backup And Restore feature in the HomeTech program.

SOLUTION: Make sure your CD Drive is in fact capable of“burning” CD’s. If you cannot create your own CD’s, you will have to make your backups to another format (ex. Zip Drive, Floppy Drive, or Hard Drive).

Most CD Burners come with their own software, or drivers, and this software must be used to transfer the information from the user’s computer to a CD disk. Therefore, backing up or restoring to/from the HomeTech Advantage program to a CD disk requires an additional step.

This step requires that you first make your HomeTech backup to your hard drive (ex. C:\). Then, using your CD Burner software, transfer the HomeTech backup file to the CD disk. Likewise, when restoring HomeTech backups from a CD disk you will first want to save the backup file from your CD disk to the hard drive on your computer (ex. C:\).

When files are saved to a CD disk the properties are changed to “READ ONLY”. Once the backup file (ESTIMATE32.ZIP or DATABASE32.ZIP) is saved back to the hard drive from the CD disk, the user must change the properties back to the original format.

Open WINDOWS EXPLORER (Right-click on the START button, choose EXPLORE) or MY COMPUTER (Probably an icon on the desktop) and locate the backup file (ESTIMATE32.ZIP or DATABASE32.ZIP) on your hard drive (ex. C:\) that you uploaded from the CD disk.

Right-click on the file name, choose PROPERTIES. Uncheck READ ONLY, Check ARCHIVE, choose APPLY.

You may now continue with the DATA BACKUP AND RESTORE procedure from within the HomeTech Advantage program as normal (SEE ALSO BACKUP & RESTORE).

CLIENT INFORMATION (Client Information Has Been Deleted)

SEE ALSO:
BACKUP / RESTORE
BACKUP / RESTORE (Client Information)

PROBLEM: When opening an estimate, user gets message stating that “Client Information Has Been Deleted”. Is typically caused when the user ‘restores’ their estimates but not their databases. The client information is stored in the database backup in a file named ADVANTAG.mdb.

SOLUTION: Is typically caused when the user ‘restores’ their estimates but not their databases. The client information is stored in the database backup in a file named ADVANTAG.mdb.

Need to do one (1) of the following:

1. Re-enter the client information for that estimate, or choose a client from the existing client list if possible.

2. Restore the ADVANTAG.MDB file from the DATABASE32.ZIP backup file if you have a current backup.

CONTRACT SPECIFICATIONS (Editing & Printing Contracts)

PROBLEM: When trying to type in the lined area, the lines move over and the contract does not print as it appears on the screen.

SOLUTION: Completely remove the lined area from the contract form before typing the new text. Then type in your text and reprint the contract form.

COVER PAGE (Modifications)

PROBLEM: User wants to modify their cover page for an individual estimate or for all future estimates.

SOLUTION: The cover page can be modified for individual estimates or for all future estimates. The cover page screen can be accessed from within the HomeTech Advantage program by choosing the EDIT pull-down menu and then choosing EDIT CLIENT INFORMATION. Click on the COVER PAGE tab. At this point the user can add and/or remove text and merge fields as desired to customize their cover page.

NOTE 1: To remove/delete a merge field from the cover page, the merge field must be HIGHLIGHTED and NOT BLINKING. To do this left-click once on the desired merge field (the merge field will be highlighted and blinking. Then, while holding the left mouse button down, drag your cursor across the merge field. If done correctly the merge field will still be highlighted but not blinking. At this point the user may choose DELETE from their keyboard to remove the merge field.

NOTE 2: If the user modifies the cover page with an estimate open, the changes will apply to that estimate only. If the user modifies the cover page with no estimate open, the changes will apply to all future estimates and the cover page then becomes the user’s default cover page.

HomeTech Advantage 3.3, 3.4

DATABASES (ADDING OR REMOVING HOMETECH DATABASES)

PROBLEM: Not all databases the user has purchased are active in the HomeTech Advantage program, or user wants to remove one or more databases from their computer.

SOLUTION: User needs to reenter/reset databases by using their new password and the installation CD. Complete the following steps:

1. Close HomeTech Advantage and all other open programs. Get back to your desktop.

2. Insert the installation CD and the ‘Welcome to HomeTech’ should automatically appear. If this screen does not appear, choose START then RUN. In the run screen type “CD DRIVE LETTER”:\LAUNCH.EXE.

3. Choose NEW INSTALL OR UPGRADE.

4. On the ‘Setup Type’ screen, choose ADD OR REMOVE A DATABASE.

5. Enter the NEW PASSWORD.

6. Choose ‘YES’ to add or remove the appropriate database(s).

7. Exit the Installation.

DELETING AN ESTIMATE

1. Open Hometech but do not open an estimate.

2. Choose FILE.

3. Choose DELETE.

4. An estimate list window will appear. Choose the estimate that you want to delete.

5. Choose OK.

DIMENSIONING TABLE (Internal Offsets)

PROBLEM: When choosing internal offset in the dimensioning table, the floor square footage does not change.

SOLUTION: Internal offsets are based on the assumption that the offset is a continuation of the same floor of the room (Example. A closet inside a rectangular room), and therefore floor square footage does not change when internal offset is chosen.

DISPLAY SETTINGS

PROBLEM:

1. Can’t see the OK or CANCEL buttons on the Client Information screen.

2. Can’t see all of the HomeTech screen.

3. The HomeTech screen does not fill the entire HomeTech window.

SOLUTION: Check the following settings in DISPLAY PROPERTIES (With your cursor somewhere on your desktop, RIGHT CLICK, choose PROPERTIES).

In DISPLAY PROPERTIES choose the SETTINGS TAB.The recommended SCREEN AREA setting for the HomeTech program is 800 x 600 pixels. You may have to try several settings to find one that works for your particular monitor.

Choose ADVANCED.

Choose the GENERAL TAB.

Choose SMALL FONT or NORMAL FONT. If your monitor won’t accept SMALL FONT and keeps defaulting back to LARGE FONT, then select OTHER font size and adjust as necessary (ex. 96 DPI).

NOTE: If your monitor can’t handle the recommended settings and you still can't see the OK and CANCEL buttons, you can use ALT+O to accept the client information you entered in the client information screen.

DUPLICATE DATA (Duplicate Client Data)

PROBLEM: Get a message saying “Duplicate Record Detected” when entering Client Information.

SOLUTION: Try one or more of the following solutions:

1. Check to see if the client information already exists in the client list. If so, click on the client name from the client list and use the existing Client Information for that particular client.

2. If the client information does not appear in the client list, then CANCEL and go back to a blank estimate window. Choose UTILITIES, choose REPAIR ESTIMATE DATABASE, then choose OK. Choose UTILITIES, choose REPAIR ALL OTHER DATABASES, then choose OK. Create the new estimate again and reenter the Client Information as normal.

EMAILING BACKUPS TO HOMETECH

RUN-TIME ERROR # 3021 No Current Record

PROBLEM: 'Receive Run-Time Error # 3021 No Current Record' when trying to export to QuickBooks Pro using the QuickBooks interface.

SOLUTION: Check to make sure the client information has not been deleted from the estimate in the HomeTech program.

Choose EDIT. Choose EDIT CLIENT INFORMATION. Reenter client information as necessary. The only information field that must be entered is the last name, and it must be entered in the last name box/field.

ERROR (Run-Time Error # 3201)

SEE ALSO:
1. BACKUP AND RESTORE (BACKUP AND RESTORE SAVED FILES)
2. EMAILING BACKUPS TO HOMETECH

PROBLEM: When transferring items into an estimate, get “Run-Time Error # 3201 – Can’t add or delete a record because a more current record is required in tbl estimate phase".

SOLUTION: Usually caused by conflicting versions of the HomeTech databases/programs (Example. HomeTech 3.1 database restored to a HomeTech 3.3 program).

Email backups to HomeTech for proper conversion.

ERROR (RUN-TIME ERROR # 3420)

RUN-TIME ERROR # 3420 Object invalid or block no longer set.

PROBLEM: Receive this error message when trying to add or edit offset dimensions.

SOLUTION: User has to choose/highlight which offset they are working with.

Then enter the offset dimensions.

Choose internal or external offset.

Choose OK.

ERROR (RUN-TIME ERROR #6)

PROBLEM: Get 'Run-Time Error # 6 – Overflow' when trying to access the INDEX under the HELP pull-down menu, or when trying to access the help menu button on the toolbar.

SOLUTION: User cannot use the help pull-down menu or the help menu button with Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

These users have to access the help menu by using the F1 button on their keyboard.

INSTALLATION (Customer Information Page)

PROBLEM: When installing the HomeTech program, on the CUSTOMER INFORMATION PAGE the NEXT button is not active / highlighted.

SOLUTION: You must enter a user name, company name and serial number (if applicable).

LAMI INSTALLATION (QUARTERLY UPDATE)

INSTALLING THE QUARTERLY LAMI:

1. Open the HomeTech program.

2. Insert the 3-1/2 floppy, Quarterly LAMI disk into your floppy drive.

3. Click on the LAMI pull down menu at the top of the window.

4. Choose QUARTERLY LAMI UPDATE.

5. Select the 3-1/2 floppy drive (probably the a: drive) from the top right of the window.

6. Your LAMI area will appear in the lower left box. Make sure it is highlighted and click OK.

7. Click YES to Default LAMI Area is ...

8. Check to make sure the correct LAMI has been loaded by clicking on the pull down VIEW menu at the top of the window and choosing DATABASE WINDOW. Your current LAMI will be displayed at the top of the database window.

NOTE: These instructions are for installing these files from a 3-1/2 floppy disk. If you are installing these files from email attachments, you will first want to download these files to your computer (ex. My Documents), and where these instructions ask you to browse to your floppy drive you will then want to browse to the location where you saved these files (ex. My Documents).

OFFICE MANAGER PLUS LINK

In the HOMETECH Estimator, choose UTILITIES, choose SET CONFIGURATION.

In the SYSTEM CONFIGURATION tab/screen, there is an OFFICE MANAGER PLUS DIRECTORY box in the middle of the right-side of the screen. There is also a larger DIRECTORIES BOX at the lower right of this screen.

In the DIRECTORIES BOX at the lower right, double-click the C:/ FOLDER at the top of box. Scroll down to find a folder named PROGRAM FILES.

Double-click the PROGRAM FILES folder to open it.

Scroll down to find a folder named OFFICE MANAGER PLUS. Double-click the OFFICE MANAGER PLUS folder to open it.

Drag the OFFICE MANAGER PLUS folder up to the OFFICE MANAGER PLUS DIRECTORY box above and release the folder into the box. This will automatically fill out the path name for the Office Manager Plus Directory.

If Office Manager Plus was installed in the default directory, you will have the following path in the Office Manager Plus directory box: C:\Program Files\Office Manager Plus.

At this point the link between HOMETECH ADVANTAGE and OFFICE MANAGER PLUS has been established.

PRINT FORMAT (Quantity, Cost, and Price)

PROBLEM: When choosing Quantity, Cost, and Price print format, the overhead and profit line totals do not appear at the bottom of the print preview screen.

SOLUTION: Try the following:

1. Choose another print format.

2. Transfer the estimate to RTF (Rich Text Format) and type the appropriate information into the RTF version. See also RTF FORMAT for additional information.

3. Type the appropriate overhead and profit line totals into the print preview screen and change any necessary calculation totals as necessary.

Print immediately as you cannot save changes in the print preview screen. This applies to HomeTech 3.4 and HomeTech 3.3.

QUICKBOOKS PRO (Budget Report Format)

PROBLEM: User can not retrieve a HomeTech Estimate exported into QuickBooks Pro when using the BUDGET INFORMATION format. In QuickBooks, VIEW ESTIMATE is not active.

SOLUTION: When transferring an estimate in BUDGET INFORMATION format, QuickBooks Pro does not create an estimate in QuickBooks but rather QuickBooks sends the estimate directly into the chart of accounts. Therefore, in QuickBooks VIEW ESTIMATE will not be active.

QuickBooks' users have to know how to set up their chart of accounts and how to retrieve the estimates from the chart of accounts.

QUICKBOOKS PRO (Estimate Costs)

PROBLEM: When transferring a HomeTech estimate into Quickbooks, the estimate costs all show zeros but the prices are listed.

SOLUTION: When transferring an estimate into Quickbooks, you need to specify the HomeTech markup being used. Quickbooks automatically sets the markup to zero therefore prices are shown and costs are shown as zeros. Setting the markup in Quickbooks will then generate price figures.

RENAMING AN ESTIMATE

1. Open HomeTech, but do not open an estimate.

2. Choose FILE.

3. Choose OPEN.

4. An estimate list window will appear. Click on the estimate name you wish to edit and position your cursor as necessary. Edit the estimate name as required.

5. Choose OK.

6. Choose YES to save the correct title change.

RTF FORMAT (Saving Into RTF Format)

RTF (Rich Text Format) is the format used by most word processors.

To save an estimate in RTF follow the directions listed below:

NOTE: When saving to the RTF format, the estimate name can not have any weird characters or punctuation in the title (ex. , . / ; : \ * ? @ ! $ % ( ) etc.). Use only common alphabet text or numbers.

1. Open the estimate.

2. Choose FILE.

3. Choose PRINT, and select the format. Note that not all print formats have the option to save into RTF. If it is a valid print format it will have a save menu at the top of the print window.

4. Choose SAVE.

5. Choose SAVE IN RFT FORMAT (It will look like not a lot happens).

6.Choose EXIT to exit the print preview screen.

7. Minimize the HomeTech program.

8. Open your word processor.

9. Choose FILE.

10. Choose OPEN.

11. In the open window Look In the C:\ drive. Double click PROGRAM FILES folder under the C:\ drive. Double click the HOMETECH32 folder. Double click ESTIMATES folder.

12. In the open window, make sure in "Files of Type" to select ALL WORD DOCUMENTS or RTF(RICH TEXT FORMAT).

13. Choose the estimate you want to open.

RTF FORMAT (Bookmark Not Defined)

PROBLEM: An estimate saved in RTF (Rich Text Format) and opened in with a word processor has a repeating message on the page Bookmark Not Defined.

SOLUTION: The estimate is actually located below the repeating message. Delete the message and retype the cover page information. This error is caused because the HomeTech font is not recognized by the word processor.

RTF FORMAT (Cover Page Header)

PROBLEM: When opening an estimate in RTF (Rich Text Format) with a word processor (ex. Microsoft Word) there is a header on the estimate cover page.

SOLUTION: To remove the header from the cover page, do the following:

DOUBLE CLICK on the header to outline / highlight.

From the pop-up menu that appears, choose PAGE SETUP (the icon may look like an open book).

From the LAYOUT TAB, choose DIFFERENT FIRST PAGE.

Choose OK.

Close the Pop-up menu.

SAVE AS

NOTE: Use the SAVE AS function to save an estimate under a new name while keeping the original estimate. You will want to 'SAVE AS' to the original, unchanged estimate (ie. Do the 'SAVE AS' before you make any changes to the original estimate). DO NOT make changes to the original estimate and then 'SAVE AS'. You will get an error message. Remember that after you 'SAVE AS' you will have to close the ‘original’ estimate and then open the ‘new’ estimate.

1. Open Hometech.

2. Open Estimate (Choose FILE, choose OPEN, choose estimate, choose OK).

3. Choose FILE.

4. Choose SAVE AS.

5. An estimate list window will appear. Type the new estimate name in the white box at the top of the screen.

6. Choose OK.

7. At this point the original estimate will still be open. To open the new estimate, close the original and then open the new one.

UNINSTALLING THE HOMETECH PROGRAM

NOTE: Be sure to BACK-UP your estimates and databases before removing the HomeTech program or copy the COSTBOOKS and ESTIMATES folders from the HomeTech32 folder to your hard drive (ex. My Documents).

NOTE: To completely remove the HomeTech program, three folders/items must be removed. The three folders/items are listed below with their respective paths/addresses. The detailed instructions for removal follow.

FOLDERS/ITEMS TO REMOVE:

1. HOMETECH32 C:\Program Files\HomeTech32

2. INSTALLSHIELD INSTALLATION INFORMATION C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information

3. HTWIN32.ini C:\Windows\HTWin32

4. HomeTech Previous (version 3.3/3.4) C:\program Files\HomeTech Previous

DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Close the Hometech program.

2. Open WINDOWS EXPLORER (Put your cursor over the START button and RIGHT CLICK. Choose EXPLORE).

3. Unless specified, work from the left side of Windows Explorer in the navigation tree.

4. Scroll up until you see your main drive ( ex. C:\ ). You should have a minus sign (-) to the left of the drive. If you have a plus (+) sign, left click the plus sign to change it to a minus sign and expand the folder to view it's contents.

5. Under your main drive (C:\) look for a folder named PROGRAM FILES.

6. Left click on the plus sign (+) next to PROGRAM FILES to expand the folder.

7. Under PROGRAM FILES look for a folder named HOMETECH32.

8. Left click on the word HOMETECH32 to highlight it.

9. DELETE the HOMETECH32 folder (1. Choose FILE, choose DELETE, or 2. Choose the DELETE button on your toolbar). Choose YES to confirm deletion. Also delete the HomeTech Previous folder beneath the HOMETECH32 folder. Choose YES to confirm deletion.

10.Under PROGRAM FILES look for a folder named INSTALLSHIELD INSTALLATION INFORMATION. You may not see this file listed as it is a hidden file.

If you see the file listed go to # 12. If you do not see the file listed go to # 11.

11. Scroll up as necessary until you see the PROGRAM FILES folder. Left click on PROGRAM FILES to highlight. Choose the VIEW pull-down menu. Choose FOLDER OPTIONS (NOTE: FOLDER OPTIONS may be located under the TOOLS pull-down menu). Choose the VIEW TAB. In the middle of the large white box, you will see a folder named HIDDEN FILES. Choose SHOW ALL FILES/SHOW HIDDEN FILES. Choose APPLY. Choose OK.

12. Left click on the word INSTALLSHIELD INSTALLATION INFORMATION to highlight it.

13. DELETE the INSTALLSHIELD INSTALLATION INFORMATION folder (1. Choose FILE, choose DELETE, or 2. Choose the DELETE button on your toolbar). Choose YES to confirm deletion.

14. Left click the minus sign next to PROGRAM FILES to close the folder.

15. Under your main drive (ex. C:\) locate a folder named WINDOWS.

16. Left click on the word WINDOWS to highlight it.

17. At this point move to the RIGHT-SIDE of your WINDOWS EXPLORER screen. Click SHOW FILES if necessary.

18. Scroll down to locate the item (not a folder) HTWIN32.INI.

19. Left click on the word HTWIN32.INI. to highlight it.

20. DELETE the HTWIN32.INI. item (1. Choose FILE, choose DELETE, or 2. Choose the DELETE button on your toolbar). Choose YES to confirm deletion.

21. At this point your HOMETECH program is completely removed.

VERSION NUMBER (Determining The Version Of HomeTech Advantage On Your Computer)

To determine the version of HomeTech Advantage installed on your computer follow the following steps:

Choose the HELP pull-down menu at the top of the HomeTech screen.

Choose ABOUT HOMETECH ADVANTAGE. The version number will be in the middle of the window that appears.

VIEW OPTIONS (Book Grid Views)

PROBLEM: User has Grid View chosen and wants to switch to Book View. User selects Book View from UTILITIES - SET CONFIGURATION DATABASE DEFAULTS, and selects OK. User then goes back into the database window and it still shows Grid View format.

SOLUTION: CLOSE the estimate and the HomeTech program to reset any changes made after user has made the selection to Book View.

NOTE: The Kitchen & Bath Database is so large that when Book View is selected it automatically reverts back to Grid View (the default).