Tips to keep your computer running smooth for tax season

This article includes general maintenance tips from ProSeries Technical Support. The suggestions provided in this article are for informational purposes. For assistance with any of the following tips, contact your local IT professional, network administrator, hardware manufacture, or software provider.

Tips for Microsoft Windows

• Microsoft Windows updates
  • Keep the Operating system up to date with Critical Microsoft updates and some Optional Microsoft updates. If Windows updates fail, a Local IT Professional or Microsoft should be contacted to correct the failed updates as soon as possible. See Update Windows 10 for more details.
• DPI (dots per inch)/Font scaling settings
  • ProSeries products are designed to operate at normal levels of DPI or font scaling. The Windows operating system allows users to increase the scaling factor to help increase the size of text, icons, and other elements on-screen. Setting this value to be above 100%, especially when working with high-resolution displays, is known to cause visual elements of ProSeries to display incorrectly or not at all. For more information on correcting DPI Scaling related issues with visual elements in ProSeries, see ProSeries Menu Options Truncated, Cut-off, or Screen Appears Distorted.
• Update device drivers
  • Microsoft Updates doesn't always update external devices, or hardware components. Some devices require their own updates. Make sure all device drivers are updated to the most recent version. Refer to the Printers section of this article for more information regarding Printer Drivers. For additional information and assistance with updating drivers, see Update drivers in Windows 10.
  • For maximum performance of your PC and undisturbed work experience, you must keep your system drivers up to date with the latest versions. Though modern Windows OS such as Windows 10 and Windows 11 automatically update drivers through OS updates, many of them might often remain outdated. Follow the steps below to update the device driver:
    1. In the search box on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager.
    2. Select a category to see names of devices, then right-click (or press and hold) the one you’d like to update.
    3. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
    4. Select Update Driver.
    5. If Windows doesn't find a new driver, you can try looking for one on the device manufacturer's website and follow their instructions.
  • Follow the steps below to reinstall the device driver:
    1. In the search box on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager.
    2. Right-click (or press and hold) the name of the device, and then select Uninstall.
    3. Restart your PC. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver.

Third-Party Products and Background Process Tips

• Configure real-time scanning
  • While antivirus programs serve a great purpose in protecting your computer, some antivirus programs have real-time scanning features. If the real-time scan is scanning your program folder when the program is trying to perform a specific function it can cause slowness, or even block the program from completing the function, resulting in a crash. To avoid conflicts, we recommend excluding the ProSeries installation folder and data folders from the real-time scanning. See How to exclude ProSeries from real-time system scans.
• Configure firewalls:
  • Firewalls are now on every computer to help protect your system from malicious use. Some firewalls can see online functions in ProSeries as a threat and block the connection. To prevent this we recommend configuring the antivirus to trust ProSeries. See Firewall configuration and internet access for ProSeries

Network Tips

• Wireless Routers
  • A 100Mbps+ network environment is required by the ProSeries System Requirements. Most wired network connections will meet or exceed this speed and are the preferred connection type for reliability and security. However, modern wireless routers labeled with the 802.11N or 802.11AC standards both can meet and exceed this system requirement speed and offer plenty of reliable and secure options.
  • Wireless routers labeled with only the 802.11A, B, or G standards offer a maximum typical bandwidth of only up to 54Mbps. These routers may introduce performance, reliability, or security issues due to their age and lack of modern, standard networking features. ProSeries recommends a wireless router with at least the 802.11N wireless standard.
  • For larger networks or networks with multiple wireless devices (computers, printers, smart phones, tablets), ProSeries recommends a wireless router with the 802.11AC wireless standard. For more information on which router type and model to choose, consult a local IT Professional.

Printer Tips

• Printer Memory
  • ProSeries sends high-resolution print jobs to the printer. These print jobs can be very large at times. To avoid any slow printing or other printing-related issues, ProSeries requires a printer with at least 32MB of onboard memory. Printers with less than 32MB of onboard memory are known to suffer from slow printing and increase print errors.
• Print Drivers
  • ProSeries is designed to work with Printer Command Language (PCL)  Version 5e and above. Some printer manufacturers will release multiple printer drivers, even multiple versions of PCL drivers. Make sure the driver remains up-to-date. In the even that printing isn't functioning or not producing expected printed results, check for alternative printer drivers for the printer manufacturer or a local IT Professional.
• Raster Vs Vector Configuration
  • Some printers will perform differently depending on how they're configured to render text and graphics to be printed. It may be possible to resolve printing issues or improve printer performance by adjusting how the printer will render items to be printed. Not all printers can change this setting, however, some printers do. See ProSeries Printing Slow on Some HP LaserJet Printers and Printers from Other Manufacturers for examples. For more information regarding a specific printer contact a local IT Professional or the printer manufacturer.