WinPawn Windows recomended settings:

Most reputable Windows PC brands less than a year old should do fine for Winpawn.

• We recommend laptops over desktops since laptops have battery backup power and prevent data corruption. Change the Power Options to never put computer to sleep when connected to outside power. It is easy to get decent large screen size in laptops. But use a security cable so they don't "walk away".

• Windows XP was a good OS. Vista is not recommended. If you do not have Windows XP then Windows 7 Home edition Pro is the next best recommendation.

• Either inkjet or laser type are recommended printers. Canon inkjets are generally better quality. Old style dot matrix printers are not recommended due to poor print quality, high prices and servicing difficulties.
• For label printing 30 labels/page is the best and most economical choice. You just re-instert the sheets for next label - WinPawn keeps track of which label was used last. The 30/sheet labels are available as removables so that they do not leave paper streaks on the item.
  For single label printing on thermal printers, etc. scroll down the "Free Main. Updates" page (buutton).

• Do not use Microsoft Excel or similar software to view or modify WinPawn database files. Winpawn data files are not spread sheet files. Excel can destroy WinPawn data memo files.

• Uninstall or disable any active virus protection software. It often blocks operation of WinPawn and other software. You can still run virus scan at end of each day just do not have it active in memory. Make sure the windows firewall is turned on and disable automatic updates. Click here for windows firewall instructions.

  To avoid viruses do not use WinPawn PC for web browsing. Use another PC and simply transfer any needed files from internet to WinPawn with a USB memory stick.

  ZoneAlarm is a good free firewall. It prevents unauthorized programs from sending or getting info over internet without your permission. Windows firewall only prevents outside software accessing your PC. For free ZoneAlarm Click here. Note that you will have to authorize ZoneAlarm to access your remote PC too.

• Uninstall unnecessary other software. The PC should be dedicated to your business using WinPawn. Don't take chances with software that could take control of the PC and interfere with Winpawn operation.

• Disable C: drive write caching to protect your data:
  Method 1
  • Open up My computer
  • Right-click your local C: drive disk and select Properties
  • Click on the Hardware tab
  • Select your hard drive and click on Properties
  • Click the Policies tab
  • Uncheck the box "Enable write caching on the disk"
  Method 2
  • Goto control panel and open Device Manager
  • Expand Disk drives list.
  • Double click on the system hard drive
  • Click the Policies tab
  • Uncheck the box "Enable write caching on the disk"

• Getting Full Administrative Control
  Windows 7 has gone beserk with security and permissions control. Getting full administrative control is full of obstactles even when you are the administrator.
  1. Allow WinPawn to write extra files to the PC - police reports, exporting data, etc.
  Open Control Panel / UserAccounts
  Select your account (you should be the administrator)  Click on "Change User Account Control Settings"
  Slide the bar to the bottom (Never Notify) and hit OK.
  Exit control panel and restart the PC (make sure WinPawn is closed first)

  2. Get (more) administrative control to do things needed with WinPawn.
  Open Computer folder.
  Right Click on drive C: and select properties.
  Select Security tab
  Select Administrators (plural) (you)
  Click Edit Button
  Select line with Administrators.
  Check full control.
  Click Advanced button
  Click Owner tab and then Edit button and then select Administrators and OK
  Select Effective Permissions tab (isn't this stupid after already setting permissions?)
  Click Select button and then Advanced button and then Find Now button and select Administrators and OK OK and then give full control to Administrators.
  Hit OK, etc. to get out to normal desktop view.
  Exit control panel and restart the PC (make sure WinPawn is closed first)

• Optimize windows for performance rather than visual effects. For Windows XP click here. For Windows 7 click here.

• Overheating PCs can do strange things. Every year remove the cover from your desktop PC and blow out the dust with forced air - especially around the CPU cooling fan and the big cooling fan. On laptops simply blow into the fan holes and other vents. In dusty environments do this more often.