HELP  *  SUPPORT  *  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

We have created this document in an effort to assist users of the BROWNtech Document Management System

 

 

To go directly to a particular section, Click on the section in the ‘Contents’ section below.

To search on a particular word/topic, use the Windows <Ctrl/F> function and enter a search value.

 

 

Contents:

 

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.. 1

·         OPERATING SYSTEMS.. 1

·         BROWSERS.. 2

 

VIEWING/PRINTING.. 2

·         BROWNtech IMAGE PLUG-IN.. 3

·         JAVA APPLET. 3

·         TECHNICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRINTING PROCESS.. 4

·         PRINTING PLANS.. 4

 

DOWNLOADING IMAGES OF DOCUMENTS.. 4

 

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS.. 5

·         Viewing. 5

·         Printing. 6

·         BROWNtech Plug-in.. 6

·         Java Applet 7

·         Print Cart 8

·         Internet Explorer 8

·         Firefox. 8

·         Safari 8

·         Adobe. 8

·         Other 9

 

CONTACT US.. 10

 

 

 

 

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

 

 

 

OPERATING SYSTEMS

The BROWNtech Document Management System works successfully with the following OPERATING SYSTEMS:

 

Operating System/Version

Note

Windows XP and Higher

 

To Determine the version of Windows you are running,

Click Start, Control Panel.  In Control Panel, double-click System

Mac OS X 10.6.4

You must use the Java Applet for viewing/printing documents

 

You are welcome to try other operating systems, and we would appreciate being notified whether you are successful or encounter problems.  You must use the Java Applet for viewing and/or printing documents.

 

 

 

BROWSERS

The BROWNtech Document Management System works successfully with the following BROWSERS:

 

Browser

Version

Viewing/Printing

Requirements

Microsoft Internet Explorer*

Versions 6 and Higher

BROWNtech Plugin or Java Applet

Must be set to accept cookies: Tools, Internet Options, Privacy: Set to medium or lower

Must be set to refresh pages automatically: Tools, Internet Options, General, Settings:

 ‘Check for newer version of stored pages’ must be set to Automatic

Safari

5.0

Java Applet

 

Firefox

9.0.1

Java Applet

 

Google Chrome

16.0.912.75

Java Applet

 

 

You are welcome to try other operating systems, and we would appreciate being notified whether you are successful or encounter problems.  You must use the Java Applet for viewing and/or printing documents.

 

*Please note:  ONLY the version of Internet Explorer that comes with Windows will work.  AOL users can connect through the AOL network but, once connected, must launch Internet Explorer to access the public search.  Outlook users should not use the Microsoft Outlook Internet Search icon or address bar to connect to the public search.  You must launch Internet Explorer separately to access the public search.

 

POP-UP BLOCKERS

The print cart uses a pop-up technique.  If a pop-up blocker is used, it must either be disabled or configured to permit them from the public search web site.

 

Note: On occasion installing software (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader) installs a toolbar in Internet Explorer and some toolbars contain a pop-up blocker.  The following Internet toolbars are known to have pop-up blockers:  Google, Yahoo, MSN.  Also, many anti-virus products such as Norton and McAfee include pop-up blockers.

 

 

 

 

VIEWING/PRINTING

 

 

 

Please note:  Cut/paste/clipboard does not work when viewing images.  The clipboard is disabled while viewing images.  To use the clipboard, close the image view window.

 

There are TWO methods for viewing and printing on the public search website – the BROWNtech Image Plug-in and the Java Applet.

 

BROWNtech IMAGE PLUG-IN

The BROWNtech Image Plug-in is the preferred method for viewing/printing images when using Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Internet Explorer for your browser.

 

Installation

A link to install the plug-in can be found here:

  1. http://www.browntech.com/Public/WebViewer/Plugin.htm
  2. On the next screen, click where instructed to install the current version of the Plug-in.
  3. When asked if you want to run or save the file, click ‘Run’.
  4. Leave all the defaults, and continue through the screens and allow the Plug-in to install.

 

Using the Plug-in

Once installed, you must let the system know you want the Plug-in to be your default viewer.

  1. Start at the Main Menu (the one with all the search options listed), and select ‘Set Viewing/Printing Preferences’.
  2. If the Plug-in has successfully installed, the first gray box will be entitled ‘Image Viewing and Printing Preferences’.  There will be two choices – ‘Browntech Java Applet’ and Original Browntech Image Plugin’.
  3. On the next page, select ‘Original Browntech Image Plugin’ and click ‘Save’.
  4. Exit the site and go back in.  You will most likely get a bar at the top or bottom indicating that your computer wants to run an add-on.  Allow the add-on to run by clicking the appropriate box.

 

You should be all set at this point to View and Print using the BROWNtech Image Plug-in.

 

 

JAVA APPLET

The Java Applet MUST be used for viewing and printing using operating systems other than Microsoft Windows and browsers other than Microsoft Internet Explorer.  There are also some cases where people using Windows and Explorer will be directed to use the Java Applet which may eliminate some viewing and printing issues with the BROWNtech Plug-in on certain computers.

 

What are the requirements for the Java Applet?

You must have the Sun MicroSystems Java Virtual Machine (Java VM) installed on your PC.  We recommend version 1.6.0_1 or higher.

 

Installation

The first time you try to view or print using the Browntech Java Applet, you may receive the Windows message "No Java Installed" or you may just get a blank window when you try to view and/or print.  If you do, you must install the Java Virtual Machine or our Applet will not work.  To do so:

  1. On the "No Java Installed" page, click on the link for www.Microsoft.com/java.
  2. Scroll down to the section titled ‘Java Runtime Solution’ and click on Sun Microsystems Java to install Java VM.  Note that you can use this link now, or in the future, to install and/or verify the currency of your Java VM.  You may be required to install an ActiveX control.  You must also accept the agreement.
  3. Do not install the Google Toolbar or, if you do, make sure you disable the pop-up blocker or your Print Cart will not work.

 

Using the Java Applet:

  1. Start at the Main Menu (the one with all the search options listed), select ‘Set Viewing/Print Preferences’.
  2. On the next page, if you have a choice, select the Browntech Java Applet.
  3. Click on ‘Save’ (Click ‘Save’ even if the ‘Browntech Java Applet’ is already selected or is your only option.)
  4. Back at the Main Menu, click on ‘Set Viewing/Print Preferences’ again.
  5. Click on the link to Sun Microsystems Java VM.
  6. When the Sun page is displayed, click on ‘Verify Installation’.
  7. Read the resulting page.  If it says you do not have the latest version, follow the instructions to download and install the latest version.
  8. You may need to reboot your PC.
  9. The first time you view or print with the Applet, you will receive the message “The applications digital signature is invalid.  Do you want to run the application?”  You may get this for publisher ChiefProjects, ActiveTree Inc, Thawte and Browntech.  If you do not check the box next to “Always trust content from this publisher”, you will get the message every session.  You must click on “Run” or the Applet will not work.

 

 

TECHNICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRINTING PROCESS

  1. The Plug-in displays "retrieving document list".
  2. ITC is used for an HTTP download of the text list of image files.  If the list does not correctly download, the Plug-in will display "Document List not Generated".
  3. The Text list is parsed, and each file is downloaded using the ITC in binary mode on port 80 and saved in the default windows temporary directory.
  4. Following each download, the file is retrieved from the windows temp directory and sent to the printer.

 

PRINTING PLANS

Please note:  Currently, plans CANNOT be viewed or printed using the Java Applet.  They can only be viewed and printed using the BROWNtech Plug-in.

 

The printed image size and orientation (portrait or landscape) is determined by your printer’s settings.  You must set the printer settings prior to requesting the print.  Note that the settings will apply to all items in the print cart so, if you are printing a large plan, you might want to have just the plan(s) you want printed at a specific size in the cart.

 

 

 

 

DOWNLOADING IMAGES OF DOCUMENTS

 

 

 

You can download images of documents, plans, etc. by installing a free PDF converter that looks like a printer to your system.  The free converter is available at www.PrimoPDF.com.  Follow the instructions on the download page and, when you want to capture the image rather than print it, select the PDF printer from the printer selection dialog box.

 

To highlight and print just a portion of a plan or document, print to a PDF using Primo PDF.  You can then (in Adobe) click on Tools/Select & Zoom/Snapshot Tool, and then highlighting and print the section you want to print.

 

 

 

 

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

 

 

Viewing

PROBLEM:

You try to view a document, and get a gray box in the middle of the screen telling you that you need special image handling software to view or print documents on this site, and the following warning is at the top of your screen: “This website wants to run the following add-on: ‘BrownTif.ocx’ from ‘Control name is not available’.  If you trust the website and the add-on and want to allow it to run, click here…”

SOLUTION

This seems to happen consistently after upgrading to Internet Explorer 8, and is easily remedied by doing the following steps:

 

1.       Click on the bar at the top with the message.

 

2.       Click on ‘Run Add-on on All Websites’.

 

3.       You will get a message that says, ‘Do you want to run this ActiveX control?’  Click ‘Run’.

 

4.       You will get bumped out of the website.  At this point, if you go back in, you should be able to view with no problem.

 

 

PROBLEM:

When trying to view you get the message “Error 13, type mismatch”.

SOLUTION

This may be caused by a setting in your firewall that is blocking the retrieval of the image from the server.  Temporarily disable your firewall and try again.  If the problem does not go away, contact your firewall support team.

 

 

PROBLEM:

When trying to view you get the message “4515 - Can’t open file”.

SOLUTION

1.       Make sure you are up to date with patches supplied by Microsoft.  (The .NET install/update is not required).

 

2.       Occasionally installing a “Windows Update” may corrupt temporary IE files and/or cookies.  The following was recommended to one customer by Microsoft:
Try emptying the cache and object folders: In Internet Explorer, click on Tools then Internet Options.  On the General tab/Temporary Internet Files, click on Settings, then on View Files.  Highlight and delete all the files, then click on View Objects and delete all the objects.  Deleting the cookies may result in losing data stored by web sites visited previously and should only be done if this is understood that the information may have to be re-entered when the site is visited again.

 

3.       Make sure AOL is not being used to call up the site.

 

4.       Some firewalls may cause this error and prohibit the Plug-in from downloading images.  If you suspect this is the case, contact your system administrator.
If you are using a Linksys router, make sure your firmware is up to date; contact Linksys.

 

5.       This may happen with slow modem connections.  The viewer times out trying to download the image.

 

 

PROBLEM:

When you try to view or print, you get the message “Error 429. You do not have an appropriate license to use this functionality”.

SOLUTION

This may happen if you are using the version of Internet Explorer that comes with MSN or AOL.  Use the version of Internet Explorer that comes with Windows.

 

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Printing

PROBLEM:

You try to print an index listing or an invoice and get the message, “The Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to print Listings.  Please download Adobe Acrobat Reader from http://www.adobe.com

SOLUTION

You most likely have downloaded Adobe X Reader.  Download version 2.03 of the Browntech Image Plugin.  You must be using this version of the plugin if you have Adobe X.

 

 

PROBLEM:

The print option is not available.

SOLUTION

Either the document has not been scanned or your Internet security setting is blocking cookies.

 

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BROWNtech Plug-in

PROBLEM:

You downloaded the Browntech Image plug-in, but your computer is not recognizing that you have it when you go into ‘Set Viewing/Printing Preferences’.

SOLUTION

1.       The problem is most likely caused by Active-x control being disabled.  To remedy this:

2.       Click on ‘Tools’, ‘Manage Add-ons

3.       Look for the Active-x control add-on.  If it’s disabled, highlight it and click ‘enable’

4.       Exit Explorer, then reopen and go back into the website. 

5.      At this point, if you select ‘Set Viewing/Printing Preferences’, you should see ‘Original Browntech Image Plug-in’ as a choice.

 

 

PROBLEM:

When you try to install or uninstall version 2.x of the Browntech Image plug-in, you get one of the following messages:

 

“A feature you’re trying to use is on a network resource but it is unavailable.  Click ‘OK’ to try again, or enter an alternate path to a folder containing the installation package ‘Browntech Image Plugin 2.01.msi’ in the box below.”

  OR

“Error 1316. A network error occurred while attempting to try and read from the file Browntech Image Plugin 2.01.msi.”

SOLUTION

Click on the following link:

 

http://www.zolved.com/synapse/view_content/20113/Error_1316__A_network_error_occurred_while_attempting_to_rea

 

Follow the step-by-step instructions, and you should be able to uninstall/install successfully.

 

 

PROBLEM:

You try to install a new version of the Plug-in, the system indicates that you must remove the old version first but your system cannot find the files to uninstall it.

SOLUTION

Re-install the old version of the Plug-in and then uninstall it.  Old versions are available at www.browntech.com/Public/WebViewer.  The 3 digit version is imbedded in the file name, make sure you select the version you are trying to remove.  Click on the version you need and go through the install process and then try to remove it.  If you are still unable to uninstall it, fill out the form at the end of this document.

 

 

PROBLEM:

When trying to download or install the Plug-in, you get the message “1335 – Data1.cab is corrupt and can’t be used”.

SOLUTION

The problem is most likely caused by an out of date Windows installer.  At the bottom of the page that you download the Plug-in from is a link to update the installer.  Update and install the Plug-in again.

 

 

PROBLEM:

The Plug-in does not work with Apple computers.

SOLUTION

To view and print with Apple computers, you must click on the ‘Set Viewing/Printing Preferences’ link at the bottom of the Main Menu.  Read the Java notes and update your Java VM if necessary (or if you are unsure if you have the latest version).  Then select the ‘Browntech Java Applet’ and click on Save.  The window may or may not close after you make your selection.  If it does not, close it by clicking on the close button.

 

 

PROBLEM:

You download the latest Plug-in and when you try to view, you get a message telling you to download the latest version.

SOLUTION

This happens with IE versions before 5.5.  You must install IE 5.5 or later.  This may also happen if you pick “save” rather than “open” when downloading the Plug-in.

 

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Java Applet

PROBLEM:

You select the Java Applet but keep getting the message “You need special image handling software to view or print”.

SOLUTION

This happens when the Plug-in was selected as your choice when it was uninstalled.  The fix is to reinstall the Plug-in, use ‘Set Viewing/Printing Preferences’ to select the Java Applet as your preference (remember to click on Save) and then uninstall the Plug-in.  We are working on eliminating this problem.

 

 

PROBLEM:

When you try to view using the Java applet, the applet launches, the image builds, and then shows a black page, with or with the words 'Not A True Copy'.

SOLUTION

You may not have enough Java heap memory.  Below the image, there is a line that says “If no image is generated and there is no obvious explanation, please check the Java heap space by clicking here: Estimate Java heap memory “.  Click on this link, and your Java heap memory will be calculated, and there is a chart to show how much memory you should have.  If your Java heap memory is too low, click on the ‘Changing Java Heap Space’ link shown, and follow the very simple instructions that follow.  This should resolve the problem.  NOTE: If you upgrade to the latest version of Java, even if you’d increased your java heap space previously, it may revert back and you many have to do it again.

 

 

PROBLEM:

You are using the Java Applet and the document image does not appear and/or you get the message “Applet not inited” at the bottom of the page.

SOLUTION

Your Java Virtual Machine may be out of date (we recommend version 1.6.0_1 or higher).  See the section above on Java Applet Installation Notes and click on the Sun Microsystems link.

If you are up to date, check your browser to make sure you have Java enabled.  In Internet Explorer, click on Tools/Options and then click on the Advanced tab.  Scroll down to the section titled “Java (Sun)” and make sure the “Use JRE x.x.xxxx for <applet>” is checked.

 

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Print Cart

PROBLEM:

The print cart will not display.

SOLUTION

The print cart is a pop up.  Turn off software that stops “pop ups” or configure it to allow them from the public search IP address.  See note 5 at the top of this page. Try holding down the shift key and the ctrl key at the same time while on clicking on Show Print Cart.  (That by-passes many pop-up blockers.)  If you have XP with Service Pack 2 installed, it automatically blocks pop-ups, see the note above about SP2.  There is an excellent guide on how to disable many pop up blockers available at http://www.nacubo.org/Documents/prof_dev/PopUpBlockers.pdf.  There is also a good tool that will help you detect if you have a pop up blocker available at http://www.ualr.edu/scholars/files/pop-up.html.

 

 

PROBLEM:

The print cart does not empty after you have printed your document(s).

SOLUTION

Check the following setting:  In Internet Explorer, click ‘Tools’ and ‘Internet Options’.  Under the ‘General’ tab, under ‘Browsing history’, click on ‘Settings’.  ‘Check for newer versions of stored pages’ should be set to ‘Automatic’.  If it isn’t, change it to ‘Automatic’, and click ‘OK’.  This should resolve your problem.

 

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Internet Explorer

PROBLEM:

You installed Internet Explorer version 7.x and can no longer view or print documents.

SOLUTION

Uninstall the Plug-in and then and reinstall it using the link on the public search pages.  In at least one circumstance, updating the Java Runtime environment (http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp) fixed the problem.

 

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Firefox

PROBLEM:

You are using Firefox, and a box comes up that says, “Program is trying to close this page”

SOLUTION

  1. In the address bar where the url is keyed, enter “about:config”.

 

  1. Go to the parameter “dom.allow_scripts_to_close_window.

 

  1. If it is not already “true”, right click on it and select Toggle so it changes to “true”.

 

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Safari

PROBLEM:

You are using Apple Safari and your problem is not resolved above.

SOLUTION

You may have pages stored in your cache.  To clear your cache, click on Safari and then on Empty Cache.

 

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Adobe

PROBLEM:

You download the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader and when you try to print a listing, you get a message telling you to install Adobe.

SOLUTION

1.       You may have more than one version of Adobe on your PC.  Uninstall all versions of Adobe and download the latest version.  Note that if you have Adobe 8.x, you will need to be running version 1.98 or higher of the Browntech Plug-in.  If you have Adobe 9.x, you will need to be running version 2.00 or higher of the Browntech Plug-in.

 

2.       Your Java Environment might need to be updated.  You can verify your currency and update it at Sun Microsystems Java VM.

 

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Other

PROBLEM:

When you click on a search option (possibly other links too) the page opens in a new window rather than in the panel on the right.

SOLUTION

The most likely cause is that the site has gone “secure” and is using “https” rather than “http” and you are accessing it using an entry in your Favorites.  Change your Favorites entry to use “https”.

 

 

PROBLEM:

When you click the “Previous” or “Back” button, you get the message “Page cannot be displayed”.

SOLUTION

This may happen when your Temporary Internet File cache is full.  To clear it, launch IE and click on Tools/Internet Options.  Then, under Temporary Internet files, click on the “Delete Files” button.

 

 

PROBLEM:

You are prompted to indicate what program should be used to load WW400R.PGM.

SOLUTION

This may happen if you log in through AOL.  Use IE.

 

 

PROBLEM:

The first page/log in page displays with HTML.

SOLUTION

This may be a proxy server problem.  In the LAN settings address field the format needed to be http://servername/.  The problem was the last “/”.  Contact your system administrator.

 

 

PROBLEM:

Support indicates that your firewall may be the problem and your technical team wants to know more about how images are viewed and printed.

SOLUTION

Viewing images:

 

  1. Microsoft Internet Transfer Control (ITC) is used for a binary download of the image file.

 

  1. The file is downloaded through internet explorer on remote port 80 and saved in the default windows temporary directory.

 

  1. The Plug-in displays "download complete!"

 

  1. Following download, the file is retrieved from the windows temp directory and shown in the viewing window.

 

 

 

IF YOU DID NOT FIND YOUR PARTICULAR PROBLEM LISTED ABOVE…

 

We have found that many problems can be resolved by running Microsoft Windows Update.  Use the link http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp, choose the Custom button and install all the non-critical Recommended Windows updates as well as the Critical Updates and Service Packs and any Driver Updates that are available.  We have found that some problems are resolved by updating Internet Explorer to version 6.  You will need Administrator privileges to install the updates.  You do not need to install the “Media Player” or the Language updates but they will not conflict with the Browntech Plug-in if you do.  You will need to access the Windows Update site several times and may have to re-boot your computer several times too.  The process may take an hour or so but, in our opinion, it is a good idea to keep your computer up to date as a preventative maintenance measure.  If you have questions about the advisability of this recommendation, you should contact someone other than BROWNtech for a second opinion.

 

 

 

 

CONTACT US

 

 

 

OTHER PROBLEMS

Click the Create Support Request button to create and submit a support request: