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3.70. EstiMate freezes when we click the 'New EstiMate' button?

>I have reinstalled Estimate to one of our work stations and for some reason when we click on 'New Estimate' it freezes Estimate and we have to control-alt-delete to get out.
>Any suggestions?

Yes. This type of behavior is very unusual for EstiMate. When it does occur it is usually due to one of three reasons: 1. A poor or corrupt installation of EstiMate. 2. Issues with the windows operating system.(Including not enough memory or low system resources) 3. Issues with the physical hard drive itself.

We suggest the following as a starting point.
1. Uninstall EstiMate and delete the EstiMate directory. (detailed instructions below)

2. Run a thorough scandisk. On most computers the scandisk utility can be accessed by clicking Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Scandisk. Make sure the * thorough * option is checked and run the utility. (Note: this will take awhile). If the utility finds errors then contact a windows support technician and have them make the necessary steps to resolve it. If the Scandisk runs and does not find errors proceed to step 3.

3. Run Defrag. The disk defragmenter can be accessed by clicking Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter. (Note: defrag can take awhile also please be patient.) This step is recommended because your files can get spread out all across the hard drive and the drive can get bogged down trying to get all the files needed to run you application smoothly. The defragmenter puts the files in all in one place for quicker more efficent access.

4. Reinstall EstiMate and attempt to run it again.


Below are the instructions for uninstalling and reinstalling EstiMate.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have important data entered into EstiMate such as estimates, jobs, substrate prices, and the like you will want to back up your data *first* as following the instructions below will eliminate any existing data and replace it with new default data files. If not backed up any pre-existing data files will be LOST.

If you do not have data files you want to keep then skip the backup procedure and go directly to the uninstalling directions.

To back up your data:

* On the computer you want to back up data on, click Management>backup/restore and the backup/restore data files window will appear, with the backup tab in the forefront.

* Click the backup button on the right. From the 'save as' dialog box click the 'save in' drop down list at the top and choose 'Desktop', 'My Documents', '3-1/2 floppy A' or other drive/location you may have in mind. Then enter a name for the file in the file name field at the bottom and click the save button to backup the data.

To uninstall EstiMate:

1. Close EstiMate and any other programs that are open.

2. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.

3. Double Click on the add/remove programs icon.

4. Highlight 'EstiMate Sign Estimating Software' and click the Add/Remove button.

5. Choose 'Automatic' as the uninstall method if prompted.

6. Go thru the uninstall wizard until you get to finish.

7. Close the add/remove programs icon and close control panel.

NOTE: If you get a message about uninstalling a file that is no longer used click the button that says 'Yes to All'.

To Delete the EstiMate directory.

1. Right click on your start button and choose 'Explore' to bring up windows explorer.

2. Look thru the list of folders on your left until you come to one called Program Files.

3. Click the plus sign to the left of the program files folder to open it.

4. Search for the EstiMate folder and click on the folder * once * to highlight it.

5. Press the delete key on your keyboard.

6. If you get a prompt that asks if you want to send the folder contents to the recycle bin say yes.

7. Close windows explorer.

You have now uninstalled EstiMate and deleted the EstiMate directory, so you are now ready for a fresh re-installation of the software.

Place your EstiMate CD-Rom in the CD-Rom drive, choose 'Install EstiMate' and click the next button to go thru the installation screens until you come to the What To Install Screen and choose 'Complete Installation' and click the next button thru the remaining screens. This will install EstiMate on your computer.

If you did the backup and need to restore your data back into EstiMate, the procedure follows:



* Start EstiMate on the new computer and click Management>backup/restore.

* On the Backup/restore data files screen click the restore tab then click the restore button on the right.

* From the open dialog that appears, click the 'look in' drop down box at the top and point it to the 3-1/2' floppy A or other drive/location you may have stored the data. When the data file appears ( it will have the .ebk file extention) click on it to highlight it and click open.

* EstiMate will restore your data.