TAXWISE CLONES AND COMPUTER WORKSTATION NUMBERS
Revised for TaxWise 2009
SUMMARY
This paper describes the process of cloning configured TaxWise installations from one
computer to others. The assignment of a TaxWise workstation number to a computer
can interfere with the successful creation of a TaxWise clone on that computer. This
paper describes how to manage the TaxWise workstation number on a computer which is
used as a clone source. The procedures are current for TaxWise 2009, and we expect
them to be similar, if not the same, for TaxWise 2010. The document will be revised if
changes are needed for TaxWise 2010 after the software is released.
INTRODUCTION
What is a TaxWise clone?
A TaxWise clone is a fully or partially-configured TaxWise installation consisting of a
complete UTSyy folder that can be used to transfer the configured TaxWise installation
from one computer (called the clone source computer) to other computers (called the
clone target computers).
Generally, the UTSyy folder from the clone source computer is copied onto a CD or a
flash drive, from which it is then copied onto a clone target computer. The TaxWise
workstation setup program, \UTSyy\TWTech\setup.exe, is then run to install the
TaxWise program into the Windows system on the clone target computer. The details of
the process vary depending on the specific cloning techniques and tools that may be used.
Despite its name, the “TaxWise workstation setup program” is used to install both
network and non-network TaxWise installations on clone target computers.
Clones are used widely in the AARP Tax-Aide program. Some states distribute a
training CD with process-based training files, a prior-year TaxWise clone file that
includes the state’s tax module and a preset training EFIN and matching registration
code, the files for the state’s version of the Volunteer Workbook, and various other files,
to any volunteer (not just new volunteers) for practice and study. Try to make the use of
this CD as simple as possible for volunteers. We find that volunteers who have practiced
TaxWise use with this CD are much better prepared when they come to the training
classes and also during the first week at a tax site.
Clones are also very useful and save a lot of time when setting up several computers for
your District or State for the tax season. But clones are not supported by CCH and they
typically will not assist if you have problems with an installation that used a clone.
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TAXWISE CLONES AND COMPUTER WORKSTATION NUMBERS
Revised for TaxWise 2009
What is a TaxWise workstation number?
A TaxWise workstation number is a three-digit number between 100 and 999 that
uniquely identifies a computer that can participate in a TaxWise client/server network. A
[first] computer that participates in any TaxWise client/server network is required to have
an assigned TaxWise workstation number that is different from the TaxWise workstation
numbers that are assigned to any of the other computers that participate in any TaxWise
client/server network with that [first] computer. A computer that never participates in a
TaxWise client/server network is not required to have an assigned TaxWise workstation
number, although it is permitted to have an assigned TaxWise workstation number.
WHAT’S NEW ABOUT CLONING IN TAXWISE 2009?

For 2009, the TaxWise workstation setup program, \UTS09\TWTech\setup.exe,
requires that a valid TaxWise workstation number be assigned to the computer on
which it is running. This was not required by the TaxWise workstation setup
program in earlier years.

For 2009, the TaxWise workstation setup program detects whether the Windows
component “Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1” is installed on the computer on
which it is running. If not, it attempts to download this component from the
Microsoft download website and install it. This can cause confusion and can
significantly delay the installation of TaxWise on the clone target computer.
HOW TO HANDLE THE .NET FRAMEWORK 3.5 SP1 ISSUE:
If the operating system is Windows Vista or Windows 7, it already has this program.
For Windows XP, if the system is regularly on the Internet with Windows Update turned
on, it’s probably already installed. To check, go to START, then “Control Panel,” then
“Add or Remove Programs.” If the “Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1” file is listed, it
is already installed on this computer.
If any clone target computer needs .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 installed, you can use the
following steps to obtain it and add it to your TaxWise clone media:
 Use your web browser to go to the www.microsoft.com web site.
 In the box labeled “Search Microsoft.com,” enter “.NET Framework 3.5 SP1”
 Click on the button to search the Microsoft web site.
 Download the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 file to the C: drive. This is the install
file for the .NET Framework program. (The file was named dotnetfx35setup.exe
when downloaded; that name may have been changed on the Microsoft web site.)
 Now copy C:\dotnetfx35setup.exe to the CD or flash drive that contains your
TaxWise clone [UTSyy folder].
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TAXWISE CLONES AND COMPUTER WORKSTATION NUMBERS
Revised for TaxWise 2009
Before running the TaxWise workstation setup program on a clone target computer, first
install .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 by double clicking on the dotnetfx35setup.exe file on
the CD or flash drive that contains your TaxWise clone.
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TAXWISE CLONES AND COMPUTER WORKSTATION NUMBERS
Revised for TaxWise 2009
HOW TO HANDLE WORKSTATION NUMBERS WHEN USING THE FL1
CLONE TOOLS
Some AARP Tax-Aide volunteers use a set of tools called the FL1 Clone Tools for
cloning TaxWise. These tools were developed by Lee Boszak, an AARP Tax-Aide
Technology Coordinator in FL1 District 11. They are not supported by the AARP TaxAide National Technology Committee or the AARP Tax-Aide National Technology
Manager. An introduction to these tools is posted in the TaxWise section of the
Technology page of the AARP Tax-Aide ExtraNet, www.aarp.org/tavolunteers.
Version 8 of the FL1 Clone Tools was developed for cloning stand-alone installations of
TaxWise. Version 10 provides full support for TaxWise client/server networking, as well
as for stand-alone TaxWise installations. If you are using the FL1 Clone Tools, their
author strongly recommends that you use Version 10, and NOT Version 8, of those tools
whether or not you are using TaxWise client/server networking. This recommendation is
made because the change that was made to the TaxWise workstation setup program for
2009, requiring the assignment of a TaxWise workstation number, interferes with the
correct operation of the Version 8 clone tools, but does not affect the operation of the
Version 10 clone tools. Users of the FL1 Clone Tools should read, study, and rely on the
FL1 Clone Tools Version 10 User Guide for guidance regarding TaxWise workstation
numbers and TaxWise setup.
THE REST OF THIS PAPER IS NOT INTENDED FOR USERS OF THE FL1
CLONE TOOLS.
HOW TO HANDLE WORKSTATION NUMBERS WHEN NOT USING THE FL1
CLONE TOOLS
Care must be taken when preparing clones of the TaxWise program for general use. The
computer on which a TaxWise clone is prepared should be a stand-alone computer
without an assigned TaxWise workstation number. A TaxWise clone prepared on a
source computer that has an assigned workstation number may not install properly on
other computers.
How workstation numbers may interfere with creating a TaxWise clone:
A situation where TaxWise apparently "misbehaves" on a clone target computer can
often be traced to a TaxWise workstation number being assigned on the clone source
computer. Then the "cloned" setup files may have information in them that may not
match the values that were set on the clone source computer.
A TaxWise workstation number is automatically assigned to a computer if the computer
is used on a LAN where only the "server" computer has a copy of TaxWise and all other
computers access TaxWise on the "server" computer. Starting with TaxWise 2009, a
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TAXWISE CLONES AND COMPUTER WORKSTATION NUMBERS
Revised for TaxWise 2009
workstation number is also assigned whenever the TaxWise workstation setup program
[\UTS09\TWTech\setup.exe] is run. A computer with an assigned TaxWise workstation
number maintains its setup information in the file \UTSyy\setup.nnn, where “nnn” is the
TaxWise workstation number assigned to the computer. This differs from a computer
without a TaxWise workstation number, which maintains its setup information in
\UTSyy\setup.0.
The following paragraphs describe how to detect and remove the TaxWise workstation
number from a clone source computer so that a valid clone can be prepared that will
install correctly on other clone target computers.
Before a TaxWise clone is prepared, the following items should be verified
and corrected as necessary:
(1) Open the x:\UTSyy\ directory (where x is the drive on which TaxWise is installed and
yy is a year, e.g. P:\UTS09\) and check for all files named SETUP.* (where * is any
value). Delete all SETUP files except for SETUP.0 (the extension is zero). [If you want,
you can copy SETUP.364 (or any other workstation setup file) to SETUP.0 before
deleting all except the SETUP.0 file. This will set the defaults the same as for
workstation 364.]
(2) Check to make sure that the computer does not have a workstation number (see
instructions below).
(3) Check all desired setup values and defaults; then carry out the clone procedure.
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To check (and delete if necessary) the workstation number for any Windows
computer:
(1) Right-click on "MY COMPUTER".
(2) Select "Properties"
(3) Click on the "Advanced" tab
(4) Click on "Environment Variables"
(5) In the bottom panel “System variables,”
(a) Scroll down to the bottom of this panel.
(b) Look for a line that reads: "WORKSTATION nnn"
(where “nnn” is the workstation number).
(c) Highlight this line, then press the "Delete" button.
(6) Click "O.K.", then "O.K." again to exit.
This effectively resets the workstation number to zero which is the workstation
number for a stand-alone computer.
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TAXWISE CLONES AND COMPUTER WORKSTATION NUMBERS
Revised for TaxWise 2009
MORE TECHNICAL DETAILS ON WORKSTATION NUMBERS AND
TAXWISE:
The key is where TaxWise stores the "Workstation number".
SETUP.0 is created when TaxWise is first installed, and you go through the very first
SETUP process to register the EFIN. If the TaxWise workstation setup program is ever
run, a workstation number [nnn] will be assigned and a new SETUP.nnn file will be
created in which setup information is stored. If that computer is ever used in a TaxWise
client/server network, additional SETUP.nnn files will be created if the computer is used
as a TaxWise server for other computers. There will be a SETUP.nnn file for every
workstation, including the server, where “nnn” is the workstation number.
The workstation number is also "set" in the Windows Registry - completely separate
from any of the TaxWise installation files. That Windows setting will persist even if
TaxWise is uninstalled and the entire TaxWise folder UTSyy is deleted. The TaxWise
workstation number is maintained in the System Environment Variables and can be
accessed as described above.
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