PAC Mate BX and
QX 4.1 Update
Release 4.1 for the PAC Mate™ QX and PAC Mate BX offers several
new features and performance improvements.
New Features
Downloading and Installing Release 4.1
New Ways to Access Online
Help
The PAC Mate's online help access has been streamlined to make it easier
to obtain help.
- Control Help – Press F1 on the PAC Mate QX (DOTS
1-4-5-6 CHORD on the PAC Mate BX) to hear a description of
the currently selected control. A control is any object or field that
appears in a dialog.
- Context Help – Quickly press F1 (DOTS
1-4-5-6 CHORD) twice to hear a complete description of the
entire dialog, application, or window that is currently open.
- System Help – Press WINDOWS Key, H (F4,
H) to access and hear in-depth help about the current application
or dialog.
- Windows Help – Press JAWS Key+W (DOTS
2-4-5-6 CHORD) to hear a list of Windows commands frequently
used to operate the PAC Mate.
- Keyboard Help – Press JAWS Key+1 (DOTS
1-4-5-6-8 CHORD) to hear Keyboard help, which allows you to
safely explore keyboard commands without actually performing the command.
For example, when you turn on Keyboard Help mode, and press a key, the
PAC Mate tells you what the selected key does without executing the
function. To quit Keyboard help, press JAWS Key+1 (DOTS
1-4-5-6-8 CHORD) again.
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FSEdit Enhancements
FSEdit is an essential tool for anyone needing word processing capabilities.
In PAC Mate 4.1, it becomes even more powerful, as illustrated by the
following enhancements.
- You can have two FSEdit documents open simultaneously. This allows
you to easily copy and paste text between the documents.
To do this, first open an FSEdit session and choose a file. Next, open
a second FSEdit session and choose another file.
Once you have two FSEdit sessions open, use ALT+TAB
(for PAC Mate QX) or F5 (for PAC Mate BX) to open the
Recent Applications menu and shift focus between the two open FSEdit
documents.
- The Cursor Position feature lets you hear the current location of
the cursor by its line and column position relative to the total number
of lines in an FSEdit document. Use CTRL+SHIFT+W to
find the cursor's position using the PAC Mate QX. Use DOTS 2-4-5-6-8
CHORD to find the cursor's position using the PAC Mate BX.
The PAC Mate reports the current line number out of the total number
of lines in the document. It also provides the cursor's column position.
For example, you may hear the cursor's position reported as line 11
out of 19, column 6.
- The Move Cursor Position feature lets you move the cursor forward
or backward in a document based on a specific number of characters,
lines, or words.
To move the cursor on a QX, type CTRL+SHIFT+G X Y (DOTS
3-4-5-6 CHORD X Y on a BX), where X is a negative number (place
a minus sign before the number) indicating how far back the cursor will
move, or a positive number indicating how far forward the cursor will
move, and Y is the letter C for character, L for line, or W for word,
which indicates the type of cursor movement.
- Use Continuous Braille mode when layout and formatting are not important
to you, such as when reading an e-book. Continuous Braille mode ignores
hard carriage returns within a paragraph. It shows the carriage return
as a blank space and continues the flow of text instead of leaving the
remainder of the braille display blank. To turn on Continuous Braille
mode with a QX, press CTRL+R. With a BX, use DOTS
1-2-3-5 CHORD. (Bookshare.org users should remember that a
free utility to unpack Bookshare books on the PAC Mate can be downloaded
from the Freedom Scientific Web site at: http://www.freedomscientific.com/
fs_products/PACmate_BookShare_Unpack.asp.)
- Storage location and folder information is retained once a file has
been opened. This means that when you want to open another file located
in the same storage location and folder as the previously opened file,
you do not have to reenter this information in the Open File dialog.
- When a file is first saved, the first line of the file name is automatically
written to the File name text box in the Save or Save As dialog. This
provides a recognizable file name if the file must be saved in a hurry.
You can overwrite this text by entering another file name into the text
box.
- Improvements have been made to FSEdit’s Find command. It is
now much easier to search backwards through a document. After performing
the initial word search in a document, additional word searches can
be repeated by pressing F3. This can occur in either
a forward or backward direction.
For more information about FSEdit, refer to the PAC
Mate QX User's Guide or the PAC
Mate BX User's Guide.
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FSCalc Enhancements
FSCalc’s expanded features and scientific calculator functions
make it one of the best calculators available in any accessible PDA.
- Volatile and permanent (non-volatile) calculator memories are available
in FSCalc. This allows you to store up to 200 volatile memories using
easy to remember memory names composed of combinations of up to 20 letters
and numbers, beginning with a letter. Volatile memories can be used
to store results for use in numerous calculations during an FSCalc session.
FSCalc provides 32 permanent locations that are maintained even if the
PAC Mate is turned off. These locations are named m00 through m31. Saving
information to one of these locations saves it permanently until you
remove it.
FSCalc’s menus have been rearranged to present items in to more
logical groupings and to better include the new algebraic, trigonometric,
and hyperbolic functions included in version 4.1. The following is an
overview of the new menu structure:
- General Display menu – Allows you to set the calculator’s
precision to a fixed number of decimal places up to a maximum of 12
digits. For example, if the calculator’s precision is set to 4,
the result of the square root of 3 appears as 1.7321.
Other General Display functions allow you to convert decimal values
to fractions and decimal values to scientific notation. For example,
a quarter can appear as 0.25 or ¼.
- General Memory menu – Allows you to clear both volatile and
non-volatile memory locations; clear only the 32 non-volatile memory
locations (m00 to m31); clear only volatile memory; and finally take
a snapshot and dump all of the calculator’s memory locations to
a text file.
- Trigonometric Functions menu – You can calculate results for
the following trigonometric operations:
Arccosine, arcsine, arctangent, arctangent2, cosine, cotangent, radians
to degrees and degrees to radians, sine, and tangent.
- Hyperbolic Functions menu – Includes the following hyperbolic
functions:
Hyperbolic cosine, hyperbolic sine, and hyperbolic tangent.
- Math Functions menu – Includes the following mathematical functions:
Absolute value, average, division, exponential operation, factorial,
floating point remainder division, natural log, log base 10, power,
random calculation, reciprocal, root, rounding, square root, truncation
- Statistical Functions menu – Allows you to perform average,
maximum, median, minimum, standard deviation, and sum calculations.
- Base Conversions Functions menu – Allows you to perform the
following calculations:
Hexadecimal to decimal; octal to decimal; binary to decimal; decimal
to hexadecimal; decimal to octal; and decimal to binary.
- Conversions Functions menu – Includes the following non-base
conversions:
Temperature conversions such as Celsius to Fahrenheit and Fahrenheit
to Celsius; linear conversions such as inches to centimeters and centimeters
to inches; feet to meters and meters to feet; yards to meters and meters
to yards; miles to kilometers and kilometers to miles; volume conversions
such as gallons to liters and liters to gallons; weight conversions
such as pounds to kilograms and kilograms to pounds; ounces to grams
and grams to ounces; and wind chill temperature index calculations
For more information about FSCalc, refer to the PAC
Mate QX User's Guide or the PAC
Mate BX User's Guide.
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New Braille Features
- The PAC Mate now has the ability to display secondary braille languages,
letting you view non-English documents using the correct braille code.
This feature can be used independently of the free secondary speech
language Add-Ins that are available at: http://www.freedomscientific.com/
fs_downloads/PACmate_2.5_languages.asp.
The PAC Mate allows you to use braille in two different languages. You
can toggle between your primary braille language and secondary foreign
braille language by using JAWS Key+S, L (S
CHORD, L). For more information about configuring primary and
secondary braille languages, refer to Multiple Braille Settings
in the PAC
Mate QX User's Guide or the PAC
Mate BX User's Guide.
Braille languages are selectable from the Secondary Braille combo box,
which appears in the Braille Settings dialog.
- Braille Study mode, already considered a useful tool for those teaching
braille and for those studying braille independently, has been expanded
so that it is now available throughout the PAC Mate.
When Braille Study mode is turned on, pressing a cursor router over
a contracted braille sign causes the PAC Mate to identify the contraction.
Pressing the key behind the cursor router key causes the PAC Mate to
speak and spell the whole word, providing context to the contraction
sign.
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PM-Checkbook
A checkbook register is available as a Pocket Excel workbook. Use it
to keep track of debits and credits in your checking account.
Select PM-CHECKBOOK.exe
to download and extract the checkbook register to your computer or CompactFlash
card. (The file extracts to the default folder C:\PAC_Mate_Checkbook.)
Next, use ActiveSync to copy the file PM-CHECKBOOK.xls
to your PAC Mate.
Using PM-Checkbook for the First Time
- Open Pocket Excel and locate the file PM-CHECKBOOK.xls
in the list view.
- Press enter to launch Pocket Excel and open the workbook.
- Enter your checking account balance in cell C1. This automatically
populates cells C2 and C3, the Current Balance and Reconciled Balance
cells.
If your first entry is a check, enter your check number in cell A7.
Enter the date in cell B7.
If the transaction is a check, enter the amount in cell C7. If the transaction
is a deposit, enter the amount in cell D7.
Enter the payee’s name, company, or organization into cell E7,
and enter any comments about the transaction into cell H7.
Do not enter data into cells G7 or I7 since these cells contain formulas.
- Cell F7 is simply labeled as “X.” This column is intended
to indicate when the check amount is actually debited from or deposited
to your account. Once you know that the check has posted, place an X
in this column, which causes your Reconciled Amount (cell C3) to reflect
the changed amount. This also changes the data that appears in column
I.
- Repeat step 3 to continue entering credits and deposits in the checkbook
register.
- When you are finished, save the file as described in Saving PM-Checkbook.
Saving PM-Checkbook
The following describes how to save the file to a PAC Mate memory location
or CompactFlash card using Pocket Excel.
- Press the ALT Key (F2), choose
Tools, and press ENTER.
- Choose Save Workbook As and press ENTER.
- Enter a file name in the Name text box, and, if necessary, select
a folder from the Folder list box.
- Select main memory, flash disk, or storage card in the Location list
box. Main memory and flash disk store the file on the PAC Mate. Storage
card saves the file on to the CompactFlash card.
- Choose OK.
What is Reconciled Amount?
Unlike the “Current Balance” which is calculated based upon
the amounts of the checks and deposits you have entered into the checkbook,
the reconciled balance is calculated based upon the actual amounts of
the checks which have posted to your account (the actual amount of funds
taken from your account). This lets you keep track of the actual amount
of funds available to you in your checking account and also makes you
aware of any checks which have not cleared.
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New Informational Commands
The following informational commands have been updated or added to the
PAC Mate QX:
- JAWS Key+ENTER, A – PAC Mate version
information
- JAWS Key+ENTER, L – Query battery power status
- JAWS Key+ENTER, C – Hear which braille language is currently
in use
- JAWS Key+ENTER, P – Hear which braille language is configured
as the primary
- JAWS Key+ENTER, S – Hear which braille language is configured
as the secondary
- JAWS Key+ENTER, N – Hear the network adapter card's IP
address
The following informational commands have been updated or added to the
PAC Mate BX:
- I CHORD, A – PAC Mate version information
- I CHORD, L – Query battery power status
- I CHORD, C – Hear which braille language is currently
in use
- I CHORD, P – Hear which braille language is configured
as the primary
- I CHORD, S – Hear which braille language is configured
as the secondary
- I CHORD, N – Hear the network adapter card's IP address
Return to list of features
Additional PAC Mate Commands
Use the Say ASCII Value command to hear the decimal
number equivalent of an ASCII character.
- Type JAWS Key+, (where you hold down the JAWS Key while pressing
the comma key three times quickly) for the PAC Mate QX.
- Type 3-6 CHORD three times quickly to hear the ASCII decimal
value for the PAC Mate BX.
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Resco Audio Recorder
Resco Audio Recorder for PAC Mate is a powerful recording tool that
is intended for use by students and professionals alike who need to record
using their PDA. It provides the following features:
- Custom interface designed especially for the PAC Mate, which takes
all of the mystery out of using this powerful application.
- Tagging feature lets you mark any part of a recording so that it
can be cut out and placed in its own audio file or in a special audio
file along with other tagged material. You can then discard the rest
of the original recording keeping only the parts you need.
- Record directly to a CompactFlash card instead of filling your PAC
Mate’s main memory.
- Convert recordings from .WAV formats to the more compact MP3 format.
- A free, 14-day
evaluation can be downloaded from the Freedom Scientific Web site.
Select Resco Audio
Recorder for information about purchasing, registering, and using
the application.
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Updated Third-Party Program Support
Freedom Scientific has updated script support for AOL® Instant Messenger™
(AIM®).
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New Look to the ActiveSync Window
PAC Mate version 4.1 introduces new functionality for the way PAC Mate
interacts with the ActiveSync application. The ongoing synchronization
status is now spoken and displayed.
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UK English Keyboard Settings
The Keyboard Settings function now supports UK English. This option changes
the keyboard layout to be compatible with UK English. To open keyboard
function, select Settings from the Start menu, and then select Keyboard
Settings from the Personal tab page.
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PAC Mate BX Keyboard Driver
The new PAC Mate BX keyboard driver is now included as part of Release
4.1. In the past, you had to download and install the driver from the
Freedom Scientific Web site.
The driver makes the Perkins-style keyboard on the PAC Mate BX behave
similar to the keyboards of Freedom Scientific's classic notetakers. Users
have reported improved typing accuracy even when entering Braille at a
high rate of speed.
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Updated Basic Training Audio Files
The PAC Mate audio files that describe how to use the PAC Mate have been
updated to address new functions available in Release 4.1.
To download and listen to the training files, select PAC
Mate Training Headquarters and then select the Audio Downloads link.
Return to list of features
ScanTalker™ 2.0
PAC Mate 4.1 supports the newest release of ScanTalker, Freedom Scientific’s
product identifier. Using bar code scanning technology, ScanTalker lets
you easily identify items by reading the manufacturer’s bar code
printed on the package or container.
In conjunction with PAC Mate 4.1, the latest version of ScanTalker supports
the Metrologic scanner, an omni-directional bar code scanner that makes
identifying products easier and faster than ever.
ScanTalker supports numerous databases that recognize over 1 million
products. The following are a few examples.
- Product database of over 285,000 grocery and over-the-counter pharmaceutical
items
- Product database of over 90,000 health and beauty aids
- Product database of over 320,000 audio and video compact discs and
DVDs
- Product database of over 500,000 general merchandise items
- Expandable databases that allow you to enter or edit product information
- Quick Scan Mode for fast item searches
For a free update for ScanTalker 1.0 users, go to the ScanTalker
2.0 Update download page.
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Updated FSDN Now available
For persons with an interest in writing scripts for applications running
on the PAC Mate, the Freedom Scientific Developer Network file has been
updated to include new script functions and a link to the PAC Mate 4.1
script source.
Read the Functions Reference
Manual and download the FSDN
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PAC Mate 4.1 User Documentation
Select this link to access
PAC Mate 4.1 documentation and other PAC Mate user documentation.
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What does it cost?
The 4.1 update costs $115. It is a free download to BX and QX series
PAC Mate owners who own release 4.0 or whose units are under warranty
or Annual Software Agreement (ASA). Do not download this update if you
have a PAC Mate BNS or TNS. Also, if you received your new PAC Mate BX
or QX model after July 2006, you should already be running 4.1. There
is no need to update.
To verify what version is installed on your PAC Mate, do one of the following:
- Press JAWS Key+ENTER, A on the QX or DOTS
2-4 CHORD, DOT 1 on the BX. These commands are valid for PAC
Mate 4.0.
or
- Press JAWS Key+F1, A on the QX or DOTS 1-4-5-6
CHORD, DOT 1 on the BX. These commands are valid for PAC Mate
3.0 or earlier.
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How do I get it?
If your PAC Mate QX or BX is not under warranty or ASA, call 1-800-444-4443
to order your update for $115 on CD or $144.95 on a CompactFlash card.
If your unit is currently under warranty or ASA or is running release
4.0, have your serial number handy, and go to the download
page for the PAC Mate BX and QX series. Your
serial number is a seven digit number in braille on a label on the bottom
surface of the PAC Mate. If this is no longer readable, you can also retrieve
it by doing one of the following:
- Press JAWS Key+ENTER, A on the QX or DOTS
2-4 CHORD, DOT 1 on the BX. These commands are valid for PAC
Mate 4.0.
or
- Press JAWS Key+F1, A on the QX or DOTS 1-4-5-6
CHORD, DOT 1 on the BX. These commands are valid for PAC Mate
3.0 or earlier.
Important: Be sure that you enter your PAC Mate serial
number and not the serial number of your PAC Mate Portable Braille Display.
Once you enter your serial number,
if you are qualified for a free upgrade, you will be taken to a download
page. You should be prepared to download before starting the process,
as you will only be able to download it a limited number of times. The
file is 17.5 MB so please allow sufficient time for the bandwidth you
have to handle the download. When you are in the download phase, do
not close your browser.
Download PAC Mate Release 4.1
When the dialog box opens:
- Select a location (such as your computer's desktop) where you will
easily find the downloaded file. The file is named pm4_1_enu.exe.
- This self-extracting zip file prompts you for a location to place
the file which will be extracted. Again, select a location where you
can easily find the file.
- The extracted file is named nk.rom. It is approximately
17.5 MB.
- Once you have extracted the file, you may delete the pm4_1_enu.exe
file.
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Installation Overview
There are several steps you must follow to complete the installation
of this update so that you do not lose data or impair programs installed
on your PAC Mate. Review each of the following steps, and be sure you
allow yourself adequate time to complete them.
Before Installing the 4.1 Update
- If you subscribe to Audible.com, deactivate your Audible Player
- If StreetTalk is installed on your PAC Mate, save the License.txt
file to a CompactFlash card or onto your computer's desktop. The file
is located in \\DestinatorApps\Destinator\Common\Activation.
- Store files on a CompactFlash card, or run ActiveSync and store files
on your computer
Installing the 4.1 Update
- Download the update to your computer
- Move the update to a CompactFlash card
- Insert the CompactFlash card with the update in your PAC Mate, and
press the reset button on the bottom of the unit
After Installing the 4.1 Update
- Delete the old ActiveSync partnership on your computer
- Create a new ActiveSync partnership with the exact same name
- Synchronize your PAC Mate with your computer.
- Reinstall third party applications and drivers, if any, and reactivate
Audible Player
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Step-by-Step Update Instructions
Before Installing the Update
- Use ActiveSync to synchronize your PAC Mate with your computer.
- If you have the Audible Player from Audible.com on your PAC Mate,
start Audible Manager, open the Devices menu, and choose Activate/Deactivate.
Follow the steps to deactivate your PAC Mate. This will redeposit your
Audible authorization in your account so you can install and reactivate
the Audible Player after updating your PAC Mate.
- Store all the files you currently have in your PAC Mate's main memory
onto a CompactFlash card or onto your computer’s desktop. For
more information on synchronizing, refer to your PAC Mate documentation.
Note: If StreetTalk is loaded
on your PAC Mate, save the License.txt file to a CompactFlash card
or onto your computer’s desktop. The file is located in the
following location: \\DestinatorApps\Destinator\Common\Activation.
- Plug in the battery charger, and connect it to your PAC Mate. Check
the battery status on the Today screen to ensure that the PAC Mate is
operating on AC power.
WARNING: Do not use Sprite
Backup because it restores the old system files over your newly installed
release 4.1 update.
Installing the
4.1 Update
- Transfer nk.rom to a CompactFlash card. If your
computer does not have a card reader, place the CompactFlash card into
your PAC Mate and copy nk.rom to My Computer/Mobile Device/My Pocket
PC/Storage Card while connected with ActiveSync.
- Disconnect from your PC and remove all peripherals from the CompactFlash
slots of your PAC Mate. Insert the CompactFlash card into your PAC Mate
and perform a hard reset by pressing a paper clip or stylus into the
hole in the bottom of the PAC Mate for 3 to 4 seconds. For more information
on locating the reset button, refer to your PAC Mate documentation.
- It should take approximately five minutes for your PAC Mate to reload.
During this time it will periodically emit a series of tones as it progresses
through each stage of the process. Once the installation is complete,
JAWS will say, "Welcome to your new PAC Mate with JAWS for Pocket
PC, version 4.1 build 061."
Note: If this is not what your
PAC Mate says, verify what build is installed by doing one of the
following:
Press JAWS Key+ENTER, A on the QX or DOTS
2-4 CHORD, DOT 1. These commands are valid for PAC Mate version
4.1 or later.
or
Press JAWS Key+F1, A on the QX or DOTS 1-4-5-6
CHORD, DOT 1 on the BX. These commands are valid for PAC
Mate versions 3.0 and earlier.
If this step indicates that your PAC Mate is still running a version
other than 4.1, the update was not successfully installed. In this
case, you can try again with a different CompactFlash card, or you
can place an order for a 32MB CompactFlash card containing the new
software.
After Installing the Update
- Start ActiveSync on your computer while your PAC Mate is still disconnected.
Your PAC Mate should be listed as disconnected. If necessary, press
ALT+F, and then choose Mobile Device. Select your PAC
Mate's name using the DOWN ARROW key and press ENTER.
- Press ALT+F and press UP ARROW
until you find "Delete Partnership." Then press ENTER.
Be sure to record the exact name of the partnership you are deleting,
including upper and lower case letters and underscores. Choose Yes when
asked if you are sure you want to delete the partnership. Then choose
No when asked if you wish to delete the synchronized Files folder.
- Set the correct time zone on your newly-updated PAC Mate. Do this
before proceeding to the next step.
- On the PAC Mate, open the Start Menu, move to Settings, and press
ENTER or DOT 8. In the Settings dialog,
move to the System page, select About and press ENTER
or DOT 8. Navigate to the Device ID page.
- Give your device the exact name you recorded earlier. Press ENTER
or DOT 8 to close the dialog.
- Connect your PAC Mate to the PC. The Connection Wizard asks if you
wish to create a Standard or Guest Partnership. Select Standard Partnership
and press ENTER or DOT 8. If prompted
for a name, give the partnership the identical name as the one you recorded.
Press ENTER or DOT 8.
- Be sure to select the Files check box as one of the items you want
to synchronize.
- After you have finished establishing the partnership, the unit begins
the synchronization process. A message displays: "The following
information type on your mobile device has items that have not been
synchronized with this computer before." Press DOWN ARROW
to select "Replace the items on my device with the items on this
computer." Activate the OK button. The files that
were saved to the computer are now being placed back in your PAC Mate's
My Documents folder, and the synchronization process continues.
Restoring PAC Mate Applications
To restore your previously-installed PAC Mate applications:
- Press ALT+T in the ActiveSync window on your computer
to open the Tools menu. Choose Add/Remove Programs. This displays a
list of the programs and drivers you have previously added to your PAC
Mate, if any. Move through the list with the arrow keys and press the
SPACEBAR to check those you want to reinstall, and
then choose OK. If you have many programs, you may
want to do this only a few at a time, especially if any need additional
configuration steps on the PAC Mate.
Note: If you were previously using PAC
Mate version 2.5 or earlier and had downloaded and installed the USB
Mass Storage Driver from the Freedom Scientific Web site, you do not
need to reinstall it after installing release 4.1. The updated driver
is included in the release.
- Delete the nk.rom file from the CompactFlash card.
- Perform a new backup of your PAC Mate. Do not restore a previously
completed backup, as this will undo the upgrade process.
Note: If one of the programs
you reinstalled is the Audible Player, start Audible Manager on your
computer and reactivate your device (press ALT+D,
then press CTRL+A).
If StreetTalk™ was installed on your PAC Mate, reinstall Destinator
and the Destinator build 97 update.
Next, reinstall the Licenses.txt file that you saved prior to updating
your PAC Mate. Make sure to copy the file to the same location as
before: \\DestinatorApps\Destinator\Common\Activation.
Finally, reinstall StreetTalk. If you correctly reinstall the Licenses.txt
file, all fields in the Registration dialog are completed, and all
you have to do is select OK when prompted to complete
the process.
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