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NoteSmith Current Issues

This page should be the first place you look for NoteSmith technical support answers. We keep it up to date with common questions we see during different times of the year, so if your issue is here, then there is no quicker way for you to get an answer to your question. We highly recommend you print this page, which was last updated on Wednesday, January 18, 2012.

Dodd Frank Act: Also known as either the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or HR 4173, this act promises sweeping reforms of the finance industry. The act was signed into law last summer and is effective in 2011. The federal government promised to release sample documents, some of which are currently available for public comment, but right now they are not finalized. As samples are published, NoteSmith 2012 will be modified and new forms will be available by freshening your program files.
     Meanwhile, NoteSmith 2012 has been changed to provide the data specifically mentioned in the wording of the Act on relevant customer reports so that your correspondence will be compliant with the latest published information. Even though you have a new program CD, be sure to 'freshen' your program files from the File, Online menu to get these most recent changes. NoteSmith 2010 and earlier versions are not compliant, of course, since the Act was passed months or even years after their release dates.

PDF and Windows7-64 bit: To install the NoteSmith PDF Converter on 64 bit versions of Windows, go to the FAQ/Freshen page.

OLE errors: OLE errors affecting certain NoteSmith features, including start up and running backups, are caused by the Windows Installer on your computer not being able to register program files with Windows that are needed by NoteSmith. Registration informs Windows as to the location of certain files when NoteSmith requests to use them. This happens on a small percentage of machines during installation from the CD and is caused by security settings. If you get warning messages with OLE in them, follow the on screen directions to exit, restart as an Administrator, then to restart normally. NoteSmith will handle the registration of the necessary files.

Net Installation: We see Net installation questions all year and every Net installation problem has been a result of not following exactly the 5 simple steps on page 43 in the manual. Frequently, it is due to hiring an outside consultant who does not realize this must be done exactly. Since we have to support users all across the country, and outside it, we have to require strict adherence to our installation.
     If you know how to share a folder and map a folder to a drive letter, do the installation yourself in 2 minutes, or read the topic in the NoteSmith manual to see how easy it is, then do it yourself in 2 more minutes. Note the you must share and map to the Princeton folder, not the NoteSmith2011 folder. The setup is designed this way specifically so you do not have to redo any of this work again in 2012.

Freshen: Modifications made to the program since NoteSmith was released can be found on the FAQ/Freshen page. We encourage you to freshen your new installation because we always make minor changes early in the year based on customer feedback. If you have a problem using File, Online, Freshen in your NoteSmith program, return here and choose the Freshen link above.
     Net users should freshen just the server and, before starting NoteSmith on the server, start it on each workstation, which will freshen itself directly from your server. Depending on security settings on the workstation, you may have to right click the NoteSmith icon and choose Run As Administrator, let the program copy the files, ignore the data not found error, exit, then restart normally to access your data.

Word2010: Word2010 adds significant security measures to DOC files, mostly enabled by default, which prevent a variety of interactions with your data. To enable mail merging with existing DOC files, start Word2010, then go to File, Options, Trust Center, choose the Trust Center Settings button, then Trusted Locations, then Add New Location. You can locate the recommended folder above so Word will not block mail merging from this folder. Be aware that if you save a malicious file to this folder, Word still will access it so keep your internet security software current and active.

Activation: NoteSmith is fully functional when it is first installed. It will let you know when it needs activation, which will be within the next few weeks, and cannot be activated until it requests. Until such time, you have full access to all NoteSmith features. Please refer to the Activation and Deactivation topics in the front of the manual.
     The activation routine is now about a full decade old! The only people who have activation problems are those who did not follow the directions. The activation routine will work properly if you follow directions and is designed not to work if you do not follow the directions. Read the manual.
     When entering your CD key at the site, be sure to use all caps, put dashes as shown between each 4 characters, and type carefully. Print the last page which displays your Response Number when the site requests and follow the directions! Save that page in back of your manual. NoteSmith non-Pro users can retrieve only 1 number from our site and Pro users up to 2. NoteSmith Net Servers can retrieve only 1 and Net Workstations up to 5 unless you bought the additional 20 pack. You have to type the Response Number into your NoteSmith program to activate it. Go to Help, Technical Support, Activation.
     Use that same tab to access the Deactivate button ONLY if you want to remove the software to install it instead onto another computer. Do NOT deactivate because you cannot get it activated. Read the manual first!

Deactivation: Spam, viruses, and hard drive failure may cause your computer to malfunction. If it does, and you suspect you'll need to replace your hardware, go immediately to File, Utilities and choose Backup. Back your data up to new media (new USB flash drive or new diskette). Don't risk copying potentially damaged data over the top of a good backup. Then go to Help, Technical Support, Activation and press the Deactivate button with your printer on and full of paper. Print that receipt and we can provide you with a replacement activation on your new computer. You will not be able to run NoteSmith on that old computer once you deactivate.


Risk Based Pricing: The Federal Reserve Board and Federal Trade Commission established new rules for 2011 to keep consumer borrowers informed of how their credit scores affect their ability to borrow. If you make loans where the terms are decided based on a consumer’s credit report, and that consumer is offered an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) “materially less favorable” than most of your customers, you need to provide the applicant a “risk based pricing notice.” This applies to consumer based, personal, or household loans and excludes loans to small businesses. There are details, including exceptions, available at the FRB.gov and FTC.gov web sites. Contact your local, knowledgeable legal advisor to see if and how you need to comply. Download and edit the sample RiskBasedPricing.doc or RiskBasedPricing.txt.

 

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