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Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
How do I make the Search Captions larger?
What is the recommended minimum hardware?
How do I export to Top Producer 6i?
Questions about version 4.5
How do I install MicroBase Plus 4.5?
I do not have administrator privileges - how do I install Microsoft's .NET Framework?
I am getting an 'Application will not start' error message. What do I do?
What reported problems are there with the latest version 4.5?
What about installing the Version 4.5 software on a network?
How do I find my Version 4.5 configuration files?
Show me the MicroBase Plus 4.5 revision history
Questions about version 4.0
How do I install MicroBase Plus 4.0?
What reported problems are there with Version 4.0?
What about installing the Version 4.0 software on a network?
How do I find my Version 4.0 configuration files?
Show me the MicroBase Plus 4.0 revision history
How do I make the Search Captions larger?
If the captions on the boxes in the search screen are too small, add lines similar to the following in the [Configuration] section of the MBWPLUS.INI file:
- DefSmallFontname = ARIAL
- DefSmallfontsize = 8
A fontsize of more than 8 does not work well. The capitalization of the font name is not important. Arial is a good font to pick, though you can pick any font on your system that supports the fontsize you stipulate - True Type fonts will support all font sizes.
Back to TopWhat is the recommended minimum hardware?
MicroBase Plus will run on almost any machine running Windows 98 and later, but there are certain considerations to enhance your use. MicroBase has been designed around large video resolutions and running the highest resolution you can on the largest monitor you can will give you the best experience - especially if you are using the maps, plats, deeds or aerials. A minimum would be 800 x 600 resolution on a 17" monitor. For aerials, make sure you are running in a 24-bit color (16.7 million colors) mode at least. Using aerials with lots of annotations will tax your machine's resources, so at least a 1 GHz Pentium class machine is recommended - a slower machine will give slower performance in other areas also. 256 MB RAM is really a minimum - again the more memory, the better the maps, plats and aerials will perform.
For best data downloading speeds, please get a broadband Internet connection and access MicroBase that way.
In summary, MicroBase Plus will run on almost any hardware, but the faster and better the hardware, the better will be the experience, as with any software.
Remember that MicroBase Plus version 4.5 and later needs Windows XP or later.
Back to TopHow do I export to Top Producer 6i?
- Start MicroBase and complete your search and retrieve records to export.
- Go to File on main menu.
- Select Export.
- Select Top Producer Detailed template and click Exit.
- Give the records a file name in the dialog box and click Save.
- Minimize or close MicroBase.
- Start Top Producer.
- Go to Setup on menu.
- Go to Import data... and select ASCII file import....
- Select Detailed Property - Import and select the Database destination and click OK.
- (If you want to create a new database, please see the Top Producer documentation.)
- From the Drives box, select the drive where you saved the file above.
- From the dialog box on the right, locate the directory.
- From the dialog box on the left, find the file you saved above and click OK.
- When the Select contact type dialog is displayed, select those required.
- The records will import into Top Producer.
- Go to File on Top Producer main menu.
- Select Select database… and pick the database into which you imported if that is not your current database.
- Go to File then Address book and review imported records.
- Changes can now be made on individual records.
If you use a contact manager other than Top Producer, please refer to the instructions regarding importing records from another database for assistance.
Back to TopHow do I install MicroBase Plus 4.5?
Please see the Downloads page.
Back to TopI do not have administrator privileges - how do I install Microsoft's .NET Framework?
Version 4.5 and later of MicroBase Plus require version 3.5 of the .NET runtime from Microsoft. This runtime allows us to add additional features to the product, automatically update the software, and modernize our software to run on Vista and Windows 7 machines. The latest version of MicroBase Plus only runs on Windows XP or later of Windows (which includes Windows Vista and Windows 7). Vista and Windows 7 include the .NET 3.5 Runtime by default, but users of Windows XP may have to install the .NET 3.5 Runtime in order to use the latest version of MicroBase Plus.
When you go to our web-site downloads page and install the product, if missing, the .NET runtime will be installed for you. However, if you do not have sufficient permissions to do this, please do the following manually.
To install the .NET 3.5 runtime software from Microsoft, open up your web browser and go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=333325fd-ae52-4e35-b531-508d977d32a6&displaylang=en. The title of the page that loads should be Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. There are complete installation instructions on this page. Choose the Download button to download the installation program for the .NET 3.5 runtime. The installation will require administrator rights.
Back to TopI am getting an 'Application will not start' error message. What do I do?
The system used to update your MicroBase Plus software is Microsoft's ClickOnce technology.
You may have other ClickOnce software installed - so you should try all these steps before you delete the ClickOnce software cache that absolutely will fix the problem.
First, try to start the application again from the shortcut on your start menu (MicroBase -> MicroBase Plus). You might try this twice.
Next, go to Control Panel and use Add/Remove Programs (Programs and Features in Vista) and find the MicroBase Plus entry and click and select Remove the application from this computer.
Note if you do not get a dialog saying Choose the type of maintenance you need, but, for instance, see a large blue window, you may not be uninstalling the correct version of MicroBase Plus.
Next, go to Downloads and install again.
If you are still seeing the error, even after perhaps trying more than once, you will have to delete your ClickOnce cache.
To do this, first find the ClickOnce cache as follows.
Click the Start button and in the Run or Search box type "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Apps\2.0" (including the double quotes) to launch the file explorer opened at your ClickOnce cache directory. Note you may need Administrator settings to do this and you may need to adjust your Folder settings so that the Local Settings directory is visible (Show hidden files and folders), but likely will not.
At this directory, you might like to browse down into the directories to see if there are any other software products in this cache you would like to keep.
They may have mangled or confusing names, but you may spot something you recognize. If you do delete something you might otherwise need, being that it is in the ClickOnce cache, you can likely go to the provider's web-site and just quickly reinstall it.
Now - just delete the two directories you see - the Data directory and the other one with the odd mangled name like LEQKG12.VAN.
Lastly, go to Downloads and install again.
If you delete the cache, you will need your login id and password again to reinstall.
And, please, if you have this problem, drop us a note to support@microdecisions.com so we can log it and perhaps tell Microsoft.
Back to TopWhat reported problems are there with the latest version 4.5?
None
Back to TopWhat about installing the Version 4.5 software on a network?
The install location of version 4.5 of MicroBase Plus is under the control of the Windows operating system, the reason being that it uses the Microsoft ClickOnce technology to seamlessly update your software in the background. One prior version of the installation is also maintained and can be rolled back by using the Add/Remove programs item in Contol Panel (Programs and Features in Vista)
As such, each user must individually install the software.
Back to TopHow do I find my Version 4.5 configuration files?
In version 4.5, the configuration files MBWPLUS.DAT and MBWPLUS.INI are in the ClickOnce cache and unfortunately difficult to find.
Click the Start button and in the Run or Search box type "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Apps\2.0" (including the double quotes) to launch the file explorer opened at your ClickOnce cache directory. Note you may need Administrator settings to do this and you may need to adjust your Folder settings so that the Local Settings directory is visible (Show hidden files and folders), but likely will not.
Once at this directory, click on the Data directory, and keep opening each successive directory until you come to some labeled similarly to mbnp..tion_0dcad61c061b7744_0004.0005_50dd73340aaccf02
The two most recent are the data directories for your two most recent installations of MicroBase Plus. Open the more recent, and continue opening direectories until you see the MBWPLUS.DAT and MBWPLUS.INI files.
Back to TopShow me the MicroBase Plus 4.5 revision history
MicroBase 4.5.0.2
The following files were upgraded with the 4.5.0.2 release (04/21/11) of MicroBase Plus.
- MBNPlus.exe 4.5.0.1
- MBNForms.dll 4.5.0.1
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.5.0.2 release:
- a) Area search toolbar moves down the screen when repeatedly opening the search window.
- b) Search window resizing can cause software to fail.
- c) Adding a custom annotation can cause software to fail.
- d) Street maps can not be configured from the context menu.
The following features were added or removed:
- a) New USPS postal rates and forms were provided.
MicroBase 4.5.0.3
The following files were upgraded with the 4.5.0.3 release (06/14/11) of MicroBase Plus.
- MBNPlus.exe 4.5.0.2
- MBNForms.dll 4.5.0.2
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.5.0.3 release:
- None
The following features were added or removed:
- a) Street maps were updated.
MicroBase 4.5.1.0
The following files were upgraded with the 4.5.1.0 release (06/24/11) of MicroBase Plus.
- MBNPlus.exe 4.5.0.3
- MBNForms.dll 4.5.0.3
- MBNImage.dll 4.5.0.1
- MBNPrntPrv.dll 4.5.0.2
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.5.1.0 release:
- Adobe PDF driver caused crash.
The following features were added or removed:
- Street map find address function removed.
How do I install MicroBase Plus 4.0?
Please see the Downloads page.
Back to Top
What reported problems are there with Version 4.0?
The following problems have been found due to problems in third party software that MicroBase Plus relies on. Please also check the ReadMe.htm file shipped with your release for latest or other issues.
Trouble Printing a Map Selection
Older versions of the Hewlett Packard LaserJet 4L printer driver have a bug whereby they print the wrong part of a map when you select part of the map - specifically, they print the top half of the map when you select the bottom half and vice versa - as if the map were in on its side in a mirror.
You can try another printer driver e.g. the LaserJet III series, or get an updated driver from HP or Microsoft.
It has been reported that on some machines and some printers, the arrow and image annotations do not print. Please contact customer support if you see this so we can try and resolve it.
Trouble Printing with some Printers
Models of the Hewlett Packard OfficeJet Series 500, Hewlett Packard DeskJet 690C Series and Hewlett Packard DeskJet 870C Series may get an error Unable to start your print job - please check your printer and try again. This error has been researched thoroughly by us and we have concluded that it is an HP printer driver problem. The work-around is to, the first time you print from MicroBase after it is loaded, select Properties from the print dialog, then select OK. This somehow triggers the print driver to load and print correctly thereafter.
Annotation on Complex Images on Slow Processors
When several annotations are place on an exceedingly complex vector map or a large color aerial, processor speed becomes important. You may find that response time slows to a crawl.
List Column Ordering
Occasionally, the data displayed in the view list does not match the captions after moving the order of the fields. This is an issue with third party software and has been resolved in version 4.5. Scrolling may correct the display.
Back to TopWhat about installing the Version 4.0 software on a network?
This FAQ answer refers to version 4.0 only.
MicroBase Plus by default installs all its files in the installation directory (and subdirectories thereof) selected during installation.
The following keys can be added to the [Configuration] section of the MBWPLUS.INI file to relocate these directories/files:
| AuxPath | e.g. HLPFILE, CASS files |
| TmpPath | Spool directory for database |
| DATPath | MBWPLUS.DAT |
| MapPath | Local copies of downloaded maps/plats/aerials) (MAPS or PLATS or AERIALS) |
| StrPath | Street maps (STREETS) |
| DwnPath | Downloaded files temporary store (DOWNLOAD) |
| NdxPath | Index files (INDEXES) |
For the last four, the items in parentheses are the names of the subdirectory checked by MicroBase Plus within the root directory you stipulate.
So, for instance, to have MicroBase Plus search for the street files in C:\MyHome\Streets add this line:
- StrPath = C:\MyHome
To look for MBWPLUS.DAT in D:\User, add:
- DATPath = D:\User
Note that any files in the DOWNLOAD subdirectory WILL be deleted after installation of software MicroBase Plus has downloaded. This is one reason for the protection that MicroBase Plus forces by appending these fixed directory names to the given root name. Additionally, it is clear from the contents of the default directory structure which files need to be relocated to the stipulated directory.
Although the above options are available for accommodating abstruse network configurations, they are not necessary to our knowledge.
If the product is reinstalled, the installation routine will write files in the default directories and the updated files must be relocated to the required locations.
However, the location and type of the spool directory is important for a network installation, since different copies of the software should not share spool files with the same name. By default, MicroBase Plus is network ready and creates the spool files with unique names in the Windows temporary directory, but the following keys can be used to override this. The keys can be placed in the [Configuration] section of MBWPLUS.INI
- NoUseWinTempDir = true
Forces MicroBase Plus to use the MicroBase Plus application directory for spool files instead of the Windows temporary directory stipulated by the TEMP or TMP environment variables.
- TempNameFixed = true
Forces MicroBase Plus to use a fixed spool filename instead of a unique variable name generated by Windows.
These keys really only have a use for a non-networked installation where the user does not want spool files in the temporary directory and/or wants to reuse the spool file names to obviate the possibility of large spool files being left in the directory over time (which can only happen if MicroBase Plus is not closed down properly).
On startup, MicroBase Plus looks for the MBWPLUS.INI file as follows:
- It checks directory given by the MICROBASE environment variable.
- If not set, it checks the current directory.
- If the file is not found there, it uses the application directory.
So the most common MicroBase Plus network setup is where all the files except for MBWPLUS.INI are on a server and each user has a copy of MBWPLUS.INI in their own current directory, given in the MicroBase Plus shortcut.
Back to TopHow do I find my Version 4.0 configuration files?
In version 4.0, the configuration files MBWPLUS.DAT and MBWPLUS.INI are in your installation directoy - usually C:\MBWPlus.
Back to TopShow me the MicroBase Plus 4.0 revision history
MicroBase 4.0.3
The following files were upgraded with the 4.0.3 release (01/31/06) of MicroBase Plus.
- MBWPlus.exe 4.0.3
- MBWDBase.dll 1.0.13
- MBWComm.dll 1.0.12
- MBWMail.ocx 1.0.4
- MBWMaps.dll 1.1.6
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.0.3 release:
- a) Sorting of datasets containing over 32768 records was corrected.
- b) Mailings to a single Zip code were corrected.
- c) The PWSTREET.INI file is no longer installed in the Windows directory.
- d) Field sizes were increased to accommodate document numbers.
- e) Rollover year for DAT version dates updated to 2010.
The following features were added or removed:
- a) New postage forms and rates were provided.
- b) Several new counties were added.
- c) CD-ROM logic was removed.
- d) Direct dial logic was removed.
MicroBase 4.0.4
The following files were upgraded with the 4.0.4 release (04/17/06) of MicroBase Plus.
- MBWPlus.exe 4.0.4
- MBWDBase.dll 1.0.14
- MBWComm.dll 1.0.13
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.0.4 release:
- a) Rollover year for DAT version dates updated to 2010 for grid.
- b) Communications control would fail under some dialer configurations.
The following features were added or removed:
- a) New street maps were provided.
- b) Several new counties were added.
- c) Mapping logic for North Florida was added.
MicroBase 4.0.5
The following files were upgraded with the 4.0.5 release (02/16/07) of MicroBase Plus.
- MBWPlus.exe 4.0.5
- MBWComm.dll 1.0.14
- MBWMail.dll 1.0.5
- MBWMaps.dll 1.1.8
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.0.5 release:
- a) Administrator privileges were required under Vista.
- b) Tray labels would not print under Vista without Arial Narrow fonts installed.
The following features were added or removed:
- a) Additional northern county mapping capabilities were added.
- b) Several new counties were added.