Installing Pathways is very simple. You start by downloading the "self-decompressing Zip file" to any folder of your choice on your PC. The file that you download is an install program, so you simply run it on your computer and follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
The first time you use Pathways after installation, a license window will be displayed. There is a selector to choose between the "Free Edition" or the "Plus Edition" software, the latter of which includes extra features. Depending on your choice, one of two license agreements will appear in the lower window. In the case of the "Plus Edition" you must also enter an activation code to prove that you purchased the Plus Edition license.
If you would like a more detailed explanation, continue reading this web page. You will see some illustrations of what you can expect to see.
Install Details:
The file that you download will have a name such as "PathwaysV2R2-A.EXE". This is a program file that is a "self-decompressing ZIP archive." Essentially it is an install program that contains other files within it that are used during the install process.
After the download is complete, find that file on your computer using Windows Explorer, and then double-click the filename. This will cause Windows to run the program. Here are the steps you will follow after that:
A window will appear as follows. Click the "Setup" button to extract the necessary files and invoke the Pathways install process.
A window will appear as follows to warn you to close other programs.
This is a recommended precaution but it is usually not essential. If you are ready to proceed, then click O.K. If you are unsure of what to do, a more detailed explanation follows here:
Pathways uses the Visual Basic V5 DLL files, which are stored in the Windows System folder. These files are shared with any other programs on your system that were written with Visual Basic V5. If up-to-date DLL files are not already in your Windows System folder, then the install program will copy new DLL files. If other programs are running that use those files, however, the installer will be unable to replace them, and the install will fail. That is why it is recommended to close other programs during the install.
If the install failed for that reason, however, you could simply close all other programs and try the install again.
Most programs that run on a typical PC do not use obsolete versions of these particular DLL files, and hence it is usually possible to install Pathways when other programs are running. If you want to leave programs running and see what happens, then just click O.K. to proceed.
To play it safe, however, you can switch to any other running program by pressing ALT-TAB and then you may exit that program. Remember that many programs require you to save files if you want to keep your work, so remember to save before closing! After you have closed any programs that you want to close, you can press ALT-TAB until the Pathways installer is again in the foreground. Then click O.K. to continue with the install.
Next, a window will appear as illustrated here:
If you want to install the software into a directory (folder) other than the one named, you can click "change directory" to make some other choice. Otherwise the software will be installed in the standard location indicated. (If you are unsure of what to do, then don't click "change directory.")
To begin the install process, click the button on the upper left of the window (the button with the picture of a computer on it).
As files are copied, a window will appear as follows. There is nothing you need to do except wait. Usually this takes only a minute or two (or perhaps just a few seconds if you have a fast system).
When the install completes, a message will appear and you must click OK to acknowledge that you have seen it:
Now the software is ready to use! To run Pathways, click on "Start", then "Programs", and finally "Pathways".
The first time you use Pathways, a window will appear where you are asked to accept the license agreement. There are two choices at the top of the window (to activate the "Free Edition" or the "Plus Edition"), and one of two license agreements will appear at the bottom of the window depending on your choice. Either license is fairly short and written in easy-to-understand terms, so it shouldn't take you long to read it. When you are satisfied that you wish to accept the license, click the "I Agree" button on the license window.
After that, Pathways will offer to run a short tutorial to show you how to use some basic features. Also Pathways comes with a complete online manual which can be viewed by choosing "Help" from the "Help" menu.
Typically our customers begin with the Free Edition, and later they may decide to buy a Plus Edition license. When they buy the Plus Edition License they obtain an activation key that must then be entered into the Pathways license window.
To display the license form, you would choose "license" from the "help" menu in Pathways. You would then click the "Plus" selector button, which will cause a box to appear where you can type the license key. Also at the same time as you chose the "Plus" selector, the Plus Edition license will appear on the window. When you click "I Agree" at the bottom of the window, the process is complete.
If you wish to de-install Pathways, click on the "add or remove programs" icon in the Windows Control Panel. Find Pathways in the list that is presented, and click on it. Then click the "remove" button.
When Pathways is removed, all program and help files will be deleted. However, if you created some files using Pathways and left those in the Pathways program folder or any subfolder (such as an "Our Plans" folder that typically gets created when you use Pathways), those files will remain. In the event that you wish to delete those too, you may do so using Windows Explorer.