Frequently Asked Questions about Ta1ks
How can I install an updated version without losing my data.
Updates for Ta1ks consist of 2 new files, Ta1ks.exe and Ta1ks.hlp. These are packaged into a setup file named suta1ks.exe. The simplest approach is to execute suta1ks.exe and allow it to replace your older versions of these 2 files with the new ones. This will not disturb your data files. If your old version is located at C:\Ta1ks you can accept the defaults when running suta1ks.exe. If it is in another location you will need to enter that path when suta1ks.exe asks for the location. It is good practice to make a backup copy of your program and data files before installing any update.
Are there any special considerations when running Windows Vista or Windows 7?
Yes. Although nothing special is needed to run the Ta1ks program with Vista or Windows 7, the help file included with Ta1ks depends on a Windows system file named WinHlp32.exe. Beginning with Vista, this file is no longer automatically included with Windows. To use the Ta1ks help system with Vista or Windows 7, you will need to download and install WinHlp32.exe. It is available free of charge from Microsoft. Copy one of the following links into your browser's address bar:
For Vista:
go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=82148.
For Windows 7
www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=258aa5ec-e3d9-4228-8844-008e02b32a2c
For Windows 8
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35449
Ta1ks crashes on exit and/or fails to print. Can AOL software cause this?
Yes, AOL antispyware software will prevent Ta1ks from operating correctly. Here are some possible solutions:
Go to: AOL Safety & Security Center screen Click on Tools (pull down menu) - Select Program Permissions Click on "Add" at bottom of screen - On "Select Program Screen" find and click on ta1ks.exe and it will be added to list of programs that are allowed by the spyware program.
or
Open the AOL Safety and Security Center and remove the check that enables Antispyware. Apply that change and close the safety center. Next right-click My Computer and select Manage. Select the Services item in the left hand list and search the right-hand list for CA Pest Patrol Realtime Protection Service. Open it's properties and change startup to Manual. Reboot your computer and check the Services again to verify that CA Pest Patrol Realtime Protection Service is NOT running.
or
Uninstall all AOL software. Inspect the Services dialog to verify that no AOL software is running especially CA Pest Patrol Realtime Protection Service.
The program displays 'oops' and I can't access the schedule or history.
You will need to download and install the current version of Ta1ks. Install it right over the old and the oops will go away and your history and schedule will return.
The 'Our Congregation' button is disabled. How can I enable it?
You will need to use the Congregations button at the upper right to add at least 2 congregations including your own. Then the 'Our Congregation' button will be available.
The 'Hospitality' and 'Readers' buttons are disabled. How can I enable them?
From the main menu open the Preferences dialog. Enable the Hospitality and/or Readers options.
I need to schedule talks more than 20 weeks in the future.
Use the spin button at the upper left of the Summary tab to advance the working weeks.
How can I e-mail reports?
A good way to e-mail any of the reports is to install a 'print to pdf' driver. This software acts like any other printer except that instead of printed output, it creates a pdf file containing the output. Thus, anything that can be printed in Ta1ks can be attached to an e-mail.
How do I move the Ta1ks program with data to a new computer?
All that is necessary is to copy the entire Ta1ks folder onto the new computer. No installation routine is needed. Some possible methods are:
Zip up the Ta1ks folder on the original computer and attach the zip file to an email. Open the email on the new computer, detach and unzip the Ta1ks folder to drive C: Create a shortcut to Ta1ks.EXE inside the folder. Ideally the folder should be C:\Ta1ks.
Copy the entire Ta1ks folder to a floppy disk or USB device. On the destination computer, copy the Ta1ks folder to drive C: Create a shortcut to Ta1ks.EXE inside the folder.
Use your CD burning software to copy the Ta1ks folder to a CD. On the destination computer, copy the Ta1ks folder to drive C: Use Windows Explorer or the ATTRIB command to remove the Read-only attributes from the Ta1ks folder and all files inside. This step is usually necessary when a CD is involved. Finally, create a shortcut.