Frequently Asked Questions

How do I upgrade to a new version?

How do I pay for an upgrade?

How do I open Backup files to verify that they are correct?

How do I move my software to a new computer?

Will OWL Software run on an Apple Mac?

How do I access data on a network or a different data set.

What is your refund policy?

How do I upgrade to a new version?

Upgrades can be divided into two categories:  major upgrades and minor updates.  

Minor updates are those with the same primary version number as your current software (e.g., 2.0.11 to 2.9.332) and are always free.  For minor updates, just download the new version and install it over top of your existing version.  The setup program will not overwrite any of your existing data when it installs the new version.

Major upgrades are those with a higher primary version number than your current software (e.g., 2.8.33 to 3.1.11).   To upgrade, download and install the new version then go under the file maintenance section and choose the Upgrade Data option to transfer data from your old version to the new version. By default, upgrade versions are installed into a different directory than earlier versions so you can still go back to your old version if you choose not to purchase the upgrade.

How do I pay for an upgrade.

Upgrade pricing is available only directly from OWL Software and is not available for on-line ordering.  If you are upgrading from an earlier version we recommend you download and install the new version. Once installed, click the Buy Now button on the startup screen.  If you wish to pay by check or money order, you may do so by calling 877-353-7297 in the USA or 952-646-5331 international.

How do I open Backup files to verify that they are correct?

Backup files created using the data backup option in OWL programs are not intended to be manually opened. Opening backup files using any other program could damage them. 

To ensure that the backup files are correct, use the following procedure.

     1. Run reports to show the current status of your data.

     2. Run the Backup option.

     3. Run the Restore option.

     4. Rerun the reports and compare the results to those generated in step 1.

How do I move my software and data to a new computer?

In the age of Windows applications, programs cannot be simply copied from one computer to another. They must be installed.

To install the software use the setup file from the original disk or the original downloaded setup file. Run the setup file to install the program.

If you don't have the setup file and you are registered for the current version of the application, you can re-download it from our downloads page. Setup files for old versions are available for one year after the release of a new version.

To transfer your data, run the program on the old computer and choose the backup data option to backup your data to a removable disk. Once the backup disk has been created, run the software on the new computer and choose the restore option to copy the backup data files to your new computer.

Will OWL software run on an Apple Mac?

While all new Macs can run Windows as a separate boot sector, we recommend using one of the windows emulators that enable you to run PC programs side by side with your Mac programs. Parallels Desktop for Mac is simply the world’s bestselling, top-rated, and most trusted solution for running Windows applications on your Mac. With Parallels Desktop for Mac, you can seamlessly run both Windows and Mac OS X applications side-by-side with speed, control and confidence.

How do I access data on a network or a different data set?

Some users wish to have the data on a network drive so that it can be accessed from multiple computers. Other users want to have an independent data set that they can access. The steps to accomplish this are basically the same.

1.  Create a new folder on your hard drive where either the shared data set or the new data set will be stored.

2.  Copy the data files to the new folder. Data files are all of the files in the program directory that end in ".dbf" and ".dbt". Note that some programs do not have any .dbt files.

3.  If you are doing this to create a 2nd data set then create a new shortcut on your desktop by making a copy of the original shortcut. Rename this shortcut so that you can identify it as different from the original. If you are simply setting up access to data on a network then you can skip this step.

4.  Edit the properties of the program shortcut (right click the shortcut and choose properties). Under the shortcut tab, edit the "Start In" directory so that it points to the new data folder.

Once you have completed the setup, it is best to verify that the edited shortcut is accessing the correct data set.

What is your refund policy?

All of our software is available to download and try for up to 30 days before it is purchased. This provides every potential user with the opportunity to fully evaluate the programs before they are purchased. Once purchased, we do not offer refunds.