PROSPECTIVE CUSTOMERS - TRY IT!  We invite you to download and install the CHS Software in order to try it!  When CHS is installed, it will always open connected to our 'Fantastic Builders, Inc.' demo data.    While it is connected to our demo data, you will be able to use all features except for things like setting up new jobs, vendors, employees, or customers.  Data can be entered for an 'empty' demo job, so you can test how the program works.

CHS CUSTOMERS - ALERT!  CHS Customers should NOT download and install the latest CHS software unless your maintenance contract or license is current.  It WILL overwrite your current version, and will NOT work with your data file unless your maintenance contract or license is current at the time of download.   If you have purchased or licensed the CHS program AND your maintenance contract is current, follow the steps below to download the latest CHS update.

If needed: Click this link to send us an email requesting your maintenance or license Expiration Date.

Be sure to identify yourself with your company name in the email.

2nd Important ALERT!  After the updated CHS program is installed and linked to your data file, you may need to email us to request your Client ID, Client Password, and Data Key to activate the program.  Please plan your installation for Monday through Friday during our regular business hours.

IMPORTANT!  For Successful Install, Please READ and FOLLOW EVERY STEP!

STEP 1 - You will need a User Name and Password to download the CHS software install package.  This is NOT the same as your Customer ID and Password.  To receive the User Name and Password, use the link below to send us an email, OR call us at 512-693-4103.  If you are a prospective customer, please state that in your email and provide your Company Name, Contact Name, and Address.  If you are a CHS Customer, please state that in your email with your Company Name and Contact Name.

Click this link to send us an email requesting the User Name and Password for Downloads.

We will answer your email within a day.

STEP 2 -IMPORTANT!

• BEFORE downloading the CHS Software, you should mark this web site as a "trusted" site so the files will not be placed in a 'blocked' status on your computer.  The way to do this may vary depending on your internet and browser providers.  For Internet Explorer browsers, try this:

  • Look for the 'Tools' button on your browser toolbar.

  • Select 'Internet Options'

  • Select the 'Security' tab

  • Click on 'Trusted Sites'

  • Click the 'Sites' button

  • On the 'Trusted Sites' window, Uncheck the 'Require server verification....' sentence.

  • Then use the 'Add' button to add this web site to trusted sites.

STEP 3 - DOWNLOAD THE INSTALL PACKAGE.  Follow ALL of the instructions below to download the appropriate Install Package.

FIRST!  If you have been using CHS, do this! -> Open the CHS program on your computer and write down the path to your company's data file!  The path  is shown under your company name on the first window that opens.  It can look something like this:  C:\CHS Data\xxxxxx.mdb with drive letters and folder names.  (You will need to know where your data file is located in order to 'link' the updated CHS Program to your data.)  If you have more than one data file, you should link to each data file and write down the path to each data file.

SECOND!  Use My Computer to check to see if you have CHS_Downloads folder on your C: hard drive.  Open the folder to make sure there is nothing that you have put in there on your own that you need to keep.  IMPORTANT!  The download WILL replace all the contents of that folder.  If there is something in that folder that you need to keep, move it to another folder.

THIRD:  Follow the steps below to download the install package.

a) Click one of the links below to Download the Install Package.  After you click the appropriate download link, enter the User Name and Password (see Step 1).

b) When the window pops open to select Open (or Run) or Save, BE SURE to select Open (or Run).  Do NOT use the Save button (UNLESS that's the only option your computer gives you). Do NOT check 'Close this window when download completes.'

c) Wait until the download is complete.

d) After the download is complete, a window will open with an 'Unzip' button.  Just click the 'Unzip' button.

e) Wait while the folder is being unzipped.  When you see the word 'Finished', click the Close button.

Download the Install Package For Windows 7

(NOTE:  Don't miss the Windows 7 troubleshoot note in Step 7.)

OR

Download the Install Package For Vista

(NOTE:  Don't miss the Vista troubleshoot note in Step 6.)

OR

Download the Install Package For Systems Prior To Vista

IMPORTANT:  EVERYONE NEEDS TO DOWNLOAD THE FOLLOWING:

Download the CHS Instructions Folder

After the download, you will need to use the Installation Instructions provided in Step 5 below.

STEP 4 -It is possible that your Internet Browser will mark the downloaded files or folders as 'blocked' without letting you know.  This shouldn't happen if you followed the Steps in Step 2.  However, you should check.  To check, follow these steps:

• AFTER download, use My Computer or Windows Explorer to navigate to the CHS_Download folder on your C drive.  Double click on it to open it.  If it won't open try the following steps on the CHS_Download folder.

• Right click on each file or folder and select 'Properties'.

• On the Properties window,  select the 'General Tab'.

• If there is an 'Unblock' button anywhere, click it. 

• Then click 'Apply'.

IF DOWNLOADED FILES ARE NOT VISIBLE ON YOUR VISTA COMPUTER, TRY THIS:

• Go to Start and select Control Panel
• Click on 'User Accounts'
• Turn User Access control OFF.

STEP 5 - Print the Installation Instructions by clicking the link below.  Follow ALL of the instructions on the printout to install the CHS software and then you will be done!

Click this link to open and print the Installation Instructions.

If you have any problems opening the CHS program after it is installed, PLEASE read the Troubleshoot Information below, or call us at 512-693-4103.

STEP 6 - VISTA Troubleshoot Note - It's possible that the configuration of your permissions on Vista may cause some problems with the CHS program being located in the Program Files\CHS folder.  After you have installed CHS, and linked to your data file, try using the icon to 'Compact CHS Program'.  If you receive an error about not being able to delete a file and you end up being linked back to our Fantastic Builders demo file, the CHS.mdb program needs to be moved out of the Program Files folder and into another folder on your hard drive.  Please call us for help because we will need to assist you to change the 'Target' and 'Start In' paths for your icons that start or compact the program.  (512-693-4103)

TROUBLESHOOT INFO!

If you have recently made any changes or updates to your operating system OR to your Internet browser, it is possible that Microsoft changes will cause you to receive the following message when trying to open one of our CHS Access databases:

“Microsoft Access cannot open this file. This file is located outside of your intranet or on an untrusted site.”

Some fixes for the above message are suggested by Access experts and Microsoft.  They are listed below.  Please discuss these with your local network technician before trying them.

1. Try opening up your Internet Explorer and going to “Internet Options” under the “Tools” menu. Go to the “Security” tab and select “Local Intranet” then hit the “Sites” button. Uncheck the box marked “Automatically detect intranet network.” On some systems, this might then allow you to place check marks in 3 places about Including sites and paths.  After placing the check marks, Apply the new settings and your Access database should open without problems.

   NOTE:  If you do not have a "Tools" button on your IE browser toolbar, try finding "Internet Options" by going to your Control Panel and looking for something to do with "Network or Internet Connections".  Then look for "Internet Options".

    

2. Another idea:  It could be that Windows does not trust the source of the file your are trying to open.  This often occurs after an upgrade to operating systems or browsers. You need to tell windows to trust this site.
   1. Open Internet Explorer
   2. On the menu bar click Tools-->Internet Options
   3. Click the Security Tab
   4. Click Trusted Sites (it is an image of a green circle with a checkmark in it)
   5. Then click the Sites... button  
   6. Add the site name to the list of trusted sites.  (see hint below)
   7. Click Add
   8. Make sure the checkbox at the bottom that is labeled 'Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone' is not checked
   9. Click OK on the 2 windows, and close out Internet Explorer

   Hint from one expert:  "The drive I needed was mapped to the letter O, so after unchecking the box at the bottom, I typed O:\ and the name of the folder I needed. In the box below appeared the actual location of the drive over the network. No fancy drive names with lots of backslashes needed."

    

3. Also, these Microsoft articles may help resolve the problem:
   • http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=303650
   • http://support.microsoft.com/kb/815141

Upload / Download Data Files

The link below is to be used by customers that need to transfer their data files to us OR to receive data files from us. 

Use the link only if we have instructed you to use it.  We will give you the ID and Password at that time.

Upload/Download Your Data File