TAX-AIDE

Windows 7 Upgrade

Chris Hughes - NTC

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TAX-AIDETCS Conference Call Sept 2013 2

Windows 7 Imperative

● Microsoft support for Windows XP ends April 8 2014

● CCH Taxwise support for Windows XP ends April 15 2014

● Windows XP systems must not be used to prepare Tax-Aide tax returns after April 15, 2014. This includes personal and site computers

● All Windows XP systems must be upgraded to Windows 7 before the 2015 tax season or be removed from tax preparation activity.

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Windows 7 - Mandatory

Why Mandatory Using Windows XP after Microsoft and CCH

TaxWise support ends will expose taxpayer data to greater security risks. ● No more Security patches and updates.● No more support● Hackers

TCS Conference Call September 2013

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Current Status

● Approximately 5600 systems of the approximately 10,000 systems to be upgraded are done.

● The upgrade is done via re-imaging of both Tax-Aide procured systems and donated systems.

● Access to the ftp site to get the image is via www.taxaideaarp.org

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Current Status (2)

●Approx 860 systems have no IDC data

●Win 7 upgrade REQUIRES IDC data before the upgrade can be done.

● IDC data added to existing systems in inventory by sending to TaxAideTech.

● If IDC was run in 2012 but not in 2013 it has been brought forward.

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NLK Eligible Systems

● The Windows 7 National License Key (NLK) is for upgrading Windows XP, Vista, and NEW FOR 2013 Windows 7 Home Premium systems.

● A system already running Windows 7 Professional is not eligible for the NLK. Its Product key can be saved in the database

● NLK only available via automated key install during image installation

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Individual System Status

● The IDC program captured data to support National License Key installation. mr_manufacturer, mr_serial_number, current

machine readable Windows installation info.

● System Validation Database from this data Database is queried by License image installation

software The status of a system in the database can be

queried with http://www.taxaideaarp.org/NLKAccess/queryhome.htm

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Issues (1)

● We have some really old systems e.g. Dell Latitude D600

● Driver issues, IDC data issues, Windows image issues please email or call TaxaideTech.

● Recent examples Strange mr_serial . . . . – will work D600 Win 7 uses Windows XP network drivers –

works

● Using the very latest image will save considerable Windows Update activity and time

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Issues(2)

●Use a flash drive for re-imaging Increasing problems with DVD

writer/reader compatibility issues If using a DVD use verify on the writer

and run the cdcheck program (download from www.cnet.com)

● Some activation issues. If in doubt do nothing and let Windows handle it.

TCS Conference Call Sept 2013 9

TAX-AIDE

Windows 7 Upgrade

●Questions??

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