vLetter Online Support - Installation in Windows
The following instructions address issues related to installing
the vLetter software for Windows.
Do I need special privileges to install the software?
Yes. You need to have "administrative" privileges on your computer to install any software. Most home users are the "administrator" for the computer. If you are installing at a work location, and software is normally installed by a computer tech, you will need to have a computer tech install the software for you (check with your company's policy before buying or installing our software at your work location).
What kind of configuration does my computer need to install the software?
- vLetter 4.5: Our installer works best with a standard Windows 98 - XP operating system.
- vLetter 4.6: Our installer works best with a standard Windows XP - Vista operating system.
- Windows Vista: Our 4.6 version software is compatible with Vista.
- vLetter 4.5:
Our software does install in Vista, but Vista currently prevents the Handwriting and Plain Text buttons from working in Word. You can use the vLetterWriter to create handwritten text to paste into Word, or you can use the SigSoft Handwriter to convert text to handwriting in Word. Contact us to learn how to update your 4.5 version software to 4.6 for Vista.
Can I install or run the software over a network?
- No. The software license needs to be accepted on the local machine, and the conversion utilities we provide use the local machine's Windows Clipboard.
How do I install the software from a CD?
1. Close all open applications.
2. Insert your CD into your CD drive. NOTE: To view the contents of your CD, go to your desktop and double-click the My Computer icon, then double-click the CD.
3. Now find the file (e.g. 123456.exe) and double-click it. This is a self-extracting package which contains all the files needed for installation.
4. Choose "Accept" to begin the installation, or "Cancel” to Quit.
5. Choose "Install" and "OK" to finish installation. Then Restart your computer.
How do I install the software from an Email download?
1. Download the .EXE file from the email and SAVE it to your hard drive. Do not attempt to run the file over an internet connection. Save it to a location where you can easily find it (like the Desktop or a special "downloads" folder that you create).
2. Close all open applications.
3. Now find the file (e.g. 123456.exe) and double-click it. This is a self-extracting package which contains all the files needed for installation.
4. Choose "Accept" to begin the installation, or "Cancel” to Quit.
5. Choose "Install" and "OK" to finish installation. Then Restart your computer.
NOTE: This download file is what you should burn onto a CD-R as a backup, or find another way to make a backup copy, in case your computer crashes or you should get a different computer. Replacement copies of custom fonts are available for $10.
The install file will not run, or hangs up for a long time. What can I do?
- The installer usually runs on the first try, but if it does not, keep trying. Some users with Dell computers have reported this problem, but the software eventually installs after several tries.
- You can also try booting the computer into Safe Mode, then installing the software. Safe Mode loads only the minimal elements that Windows needs to run, so that other programs cannot interfere with installation. Once you install the software, let the computer reboot normally.
To start in Safe Mode: Restart your computer, and immediately press F8 before the Windows logo appears. When you see a list of startup options, choose Safe Mode (use your arrow key), or Safe Mode with Networking if you need to use a network logon for Windows. When Windows is booted into Safe Mode, you should see the words "Safe Mode" on the desktop wallpaper.
Can I install the software on more than one computer?
- Yes, however, the software license doesn't allow you to use it simultaneously on more than one computer. For example, you and your secretary are not allowed to be using it at the same time on 2 different computers, but you both may use it at different times on the different computers.
- If you need to use the software on more than one computer simultaneously, you can purchase a 2nd system license, or a site license (for 5 or more computers). Contact us for more information and pricing.
My computer hangs up during installation. What's wrong?
Some computers have security or anti-virus programs that run in the background and interfere with installation (particularly Dell computers). You should be able to install the software in Safe Mode.
1. Close the installer, and restart your computer. While you can still see the initial DOS screen, hold down the F8 key until you see a menu of startup options.
2. Choose to start in Safe Mode, or in Safe Mode with Networking if you need to sign in with a user name and password.
3. Once the computer has completely loaded into Safe Mode (you should see a "Safe Mode" graphic as the background), locate the vLetter download, or the vLetter CD, and double click the install file to go through the installation process.
4. Once installation is complete, restart the computer again and let it start up normally.
OK, it's installed. How do I start using it?
- Go to Start > Programs > vLetter and choose the Read Me.pdf file. Read it onscreen, or print it out. The Read Me file explains how to use your handwriting so it looks its best!
Where are the vLetter files stored?
- The main programs and documents are all stored in C:\Program Files\vLetter.
- To see where they were distributed during installation read the "To Remove Installed Files" section of the Read Me file (Start > Programs > vLetter).
I can't find all the the files mentioned in the C:\Program Files\vLetter location.
- In some folders, certain files are not visible unless you change the settings. Go to Tools > Folder Options, then click the View tab. Under Advanced Settings, go to "Files and Folders," then to "Hidden Files and Folders," then select the option to "Show hidden files and folders." Then click OK.
Can I custom install this on a different drive other than the C: drive?
It is best to install the software to the C: drive, especially if Microsoft Office is also installed on the C: drive. If you attempt to install on another drive, the installer will not be able to find Microsoft Office in order to install the vLetter Toolbar for Word.
My upgraded or modified handwriting or signature didn't install.
- Your original handwriting may still be installed with the same name as your upgraded or modified handwriting. The new handwriting won't overwrite the original handwriting, so you have to remove the old one. Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Fonts. Delete any "TT" file which has your handwriting's name. Then reinstall your upgraded or modified vLetter font.
- Your registry may be retaining the old font's registration. You need to delete the old registration info before reinstalling the new font. Here is the procedure:
1) Go to Start > Run.
2) Type in: Regedit.exe
3) Go to Hkey_Local_Machine > Software > Microsoft > Windows > Current Version > Fonts.
4) Select your font.
5) Delete it.
6) Close Regedit.
7) Reinstall the software.
When I try to install my upgraded Windows version 4 font, I get the message "The font is already installed. Do you want to overwrite it?" Do I need to uninstall my old font before installing my new version 4 font?
- If your earlier version font had exactly the same name as your upgraded font, you need to remove to old one from the Windows Fonts folder before installing the new one. Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Fonts; right-click on your old font and choose Delete. Then try installing the upgrade again. If you still get the message, try restarting your computer. If after restarting, you still get the same error, you may need to remove the old font from the registry (see steps above). Experienced users can do this on their own; first timers are advised not to attempt this.