Time Billing Essentials Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started I am a novice at using a computer - what is the easiest why to get started? What username and password do I use to get started? How can I purchase Time Billing Essentials? When logging on the system says my user is already logged on. What is wrong? I have been blocked from accessing the program. What should I do? Updating and Installing What is the quickest and easiest way to install the demo? I have just updated to a new version and when I start I get told that a field was not found. Why? After installing new version the system continues to run the old version? How do I Zip my files for attachment to an E-mail message? Is it possible to run two copies of Time Billing Essentials on one computer? I want to renew an existing License, how do I do this? How do I install an additional terminal onto my system?

I am a novice at using a computer - what is the easiest way to get started? Here is a simple way to get started. First follow the instructions to install the program. Then as soon as you start the program use the HELP button, click the 'All the Basics' and the the 'Getting Started' menu sections and read these items - Getting Started and Password Entry. Now scan all the topics and read any that you think are interesting. Finally remember that there is context sensitive help for every screen. Click F1 to view this help each time to open a new form. Do this until you really understand how it all works. Finally a word of encouragement. The system has been designed to be as easy as possible to use. Get passed the setting up and you will find that it is really easy to run your time recording and will save you masses of time - so invest a little in getting familiar with how it works. Back to top ...

After installing new version the system continues to run the old version? You have probably installed the program into the wrong folder. You may find you have a nested situation such as C:\TimeBillEssentials\TimeBillEssentials - check the properties of your start up Icon and make sure the program is in the right place. Try searching for TimeBill.Exe and check how many there are! Back to top ...

What username and password do I use to get started? When you first logon to the system you will be asked for a username and password. The demonstration system is distributed with Passwords option ON. When you first start you will need to use the user name of admin and password admin. You should replace this user name and password as soon as you start using the system live. This can be done using Setup / Password Change. Back to top ...

How do I Zip my files for attachment to an E-mail message? 1. You need to have the WinZip program to do this. If you don't, you can get it from http://www.winzip.com/. Then install it on your system. 2. Open your Windows Explorer 3. Go to the folder C:\TimeBillEssentials\Data, or wherever you installed your program. 4. Check that the files displayed in the right window seem to be about the program, i.e. several files with names of BillingGroup, BillRunRecords, Clients etc. 5. Now, in the right side of the Explorer screen, press Ctrl + A (Hold down the Control key and press A). This should select all your files on the right hand side. 6. Now right click with the mouse over the selected files and select WinZip and 'Add to Data.zip'. 7. This will create a new file in the same folder called Data.zip. You will find it at the bottom of the list of files. 8. This file can now be sent by attaching it to an email. Right click the Data.zip file and select Send to Mail Recipient. 9. This opens your email service and you can send it with any message. Back to top ...

What is the quickest and easiest way to install the demo? It is recommended that, unless you are an experienced user, you use all the system defaults offered. This will install your program into the C:\ folder and create shortcuts on your desktop, quick-start and Start | Programs sections. If you decide, after using the demonstration system, that you would like to buy Time Billing Essentials, please select Setup and License details from the menu and use F1 Help, attached to that screen, to guide you through the process. Once we receive your information, sent automatically from the program, and receive notification from the payment service that your payment has been processed we will send you a Customer Code to unlock your program. Back to top ...

How can I purchase Time Billing Essentials? To purchase Time Billing Essentials you must license the program using License Details in the Setup menu and send a cheque to: - Sentinel Software Brookvale La Rue du Pont St John JERSEY JE3 4FF We can only accept Sterling cheques or BACS transfers. Please make it payable to Sentinel Software. For the amount please contact the office. The amount due depends upon the System configuration selected and the number of staff with access. There are also additional features such as QuickBooks Interface, Payroll and GST interconnection if required. In order to get your copy of Time Billing Essentials correctly licensed you must go to the Setup | License Details menu option and using F1 follow the help provided. When you reach the payment page just close the browser, ignoring the opportunity to make the payment. The procedure outlined in the help will guide you through and automatically transmits your registration details to our on line registration system. This will enable us to return your Customer Code in order to complete the Licensing process. Your code will be sent by email as soon as your cheque has cleared. Back to top ...

Is it possible to run two copies of Time Billing Essentials on one computer? You can only run one copy on the same Computer. The system holds the location of the data and therefore each copy of Time Billing Essentials needs to be installed on its own computer. Back to top ...

I want to renew an existing License, how do I do this? To renew an existing License go to Setup and License Details on the main menu. From the License Details screen click the [Request Renewal of License] button. The system will take you to the website pricing page where you will find the applicable annual fee for your required system and will also create an email ready to send to Software Essentials requesting the renewal. Upon receipt of this email and your fee a new Customer code will be issued. If you wish to change anything about your license please include details in this email but do not make changes to your license data until told to do so. Back to top ...

When logging on the system says my user is already logged on. What is wrong? If the system has your password registered as still in use and no other user can log on to the system you can clear all users as follows. Start the system and at the log in screen enter CLEAR ALL in the user name field in upper case. No Password is required. Click OK and this will reset all user records to 'not logged on'. Once this is done you will be able to start the system again, using your normal log on procedure. All other user will also have to log on once more. This method will not Unblock a Password that has been blocked due to three incorrect attempts. Back to top ...

I have just updated to a new version and when I start I get told that a field was not found. Why? If the first message you get after running an update is, say "txxxxx : Field 'yyyyy' not found", this means that the table txxxxx should have found a field called yyyyy and the system cannot find that field. It is most probable that you have not run the Payroll Data Update Utility at the end of the Update process. Re-run the Update and be sure you click the big button in the middle of the Utility before closing that form. Back to top ...

I have been blocked from accessing the program. What should I do? If you enter the password three times incorrectly the system is designed to block that user access. To regain access you must ask someone else with access to 'unblock' your user. If you have forgotten your password you will also need to ask them to reset you password. Read the help on these topics. If you are the only user you will need to seek support to regain access. EMail to support telling them of your predicament and they will tell you how to regain access. Back to top ...