WinPawn hardware & software requirements:

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

• We recommend laptops over desktops since laptops stay on when power goes off and prevent data corruption. Just change the Power Options to never put the computer to sleep when connected to outside power. Laptops are much smaller piece of furniture than desktops. It is easy to get decent large screen size in laptops nowdays. But chain them down so they don't "walk away".

• Windows XP is a good OS. Vista is not recommended. If you cannot get 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).

• WARNING: Do not use Microsoft Excel or similar software to view or modify WinPawn database files. Winpawn data files are not spread sheet files. And even though Excel can read dBase files it can destroy their data memo files.

• Uninstall any virus protection software. It attempts to take over the PC and often blocks operation of other software and slows down software to a crawl. Instead of active virus protection make sure the windows firewall is turned on and disable automatic updates. Click here for windows firewall instructions.

  ZoneAlarm is also a good free firewall. It protects two ways - prevents unauthorized programs from sending your 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 preloaded software from your new PC. It often is resident in volatile memory and accesses the manufacturers website to frequently badger you with their products and slow down your PC.

• 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.
  Here is how to get (more) full administrative control to do things needed with WinPawn.
  Open Computer folder.
  Right Click on drive C: and select properties.
  Select Security tab
  Click Advanced button
  Click Edit Button
  Select line with Administrators (plural) and OK button.
  Select Administrators line and click change permissions.
  Click Edit button to set permissions
  Check full control and check all things for Administrators
  Click OK OK to get back to Advanced Security settings
  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. You should have full control of your PC.

• 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.