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Software Support - eBahn® Version 2.5

Development of eBahn® version 2.x ended at the end of 2004. eBahn® version 2.x will not be supported after 2007. You will need to upgrade your software to the current version of eBahn® for continued support.

For more information on how to upgrade to the current version of eBahn®, please use the following link:

http://www.bentleypublishers.com/ebahn/v3/upgrade.htm

Minimum System Requirements (ver. 2)
Windows®
  • Windows® 98® / ME® / NT® / 2000® / XP®
  • 64 MB RAM (128 MB recommended)
  • 100+ MB of free hard disk space
  • CPU - Appropriate for your version of Windows. Pentium II or higher recommended.
  • 800 x 600 resolution x 256 colors (1024 x 768 recommended)
  • 8x or faster CD-ROM drive (application requires cd-rom in cd-rom drive during operation)
  • Optional: 300 dpi printer
  • Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6.0
  • Acrobat Reader 4.0 or 5.0
Please use the links below for FAQs, Downloads, and upgrade information.
Top Issues - Frequently Asked Questions (ver. 2.5)
eBahn® General
What is eBahn® Reader? eBahn® Reader is a software application which allows you to access automotive technical repair information (eBahnŽ Content Packs) from your computer.
What is an eBahn® Content Pack? An eBahn® Content Pack is a chunk of automotive content that can be viewed from your computer through the eBahnŽ Reader software application. Currentley available eBahnŽ Content Packs include platform based automotive repair information.
Installation and Using Program
Do I need the CD in the drive to view the eBahnŽ Content Packs? If you chose the Minimum Installation option during install you will need the CD in the drive.
Can I copy the eBahnŽ Content Packs to my hard drive and run without the CD? Yes. You can either choose to copy the eBahnŽ Content Pack to your hard drive during the installation process (Maximum install) or you can choose to copy the eBahnŽ Content Pack to your hard drive after you have already installed. This is done in the top menu: Tools > Copy data to hard drive.
Can I install to a different directory than the default? Yes. You should be able to install to any directory you would like.
If I selected Minimum Installation, then I decide I want to copy the eBahnŽ Content Pack to my hard drive, do I have to install again? No, you do not need to reinstall. Open the eBahnŽ Reader program and in the top menu bar, select 'Tools', then select 'Copy data to hard drive'. If you have more than one eBahnŽ Content Pack installed, select the appropriate vehicle.
If I already own an eBahnŽ Content Pack that came with eBahnŽ Reader Version 2.0 and I download eBahn® Reader Version 2.5 for FREE can I utilize the 'Copy Data to Hard drive' feature? Yes. Open the eBahnŽ Reader program and in the top menu bar, select 'Tools', then select 'Copy data to hard drive'. If you have more than one eBahnŽ Content Pack installed, select the appropriate vehicle.
If I already own an eBahnŽ Content Pack that came with eBahnŽ Version 1 and I download eBahn® Reader Version 2.5 for FREE can I utilize the 'Copy Data to Hard drive' feature? No. The eBahnŽ Content Pack from a version 1 CD is not compatible with eBahnŽ Reader version 2.0 or higher. Please see the Upgrade eBahnŽ Reader page.
Registration and Licensing
What's the registration and security about? The eBahnŽ Content Pack for each vehicle (or platform) must be "activated" through a registration process. If you are connected to the internet, you can get an "activation key" for a particular set of repair content 24 hours a day / 7 days a week through the eBahnŽ Reader product itself. If you don't have an internet connection, you can get an activation key during our normal business hours over the telephone or with fax.
The security scheme is a burden, why bother? Unfortunately, the security scheme for the first version of eBahnŽ Reader was not strong enough. Over time, many of us were getting offers to buy bootlegged versions of our own manuals free or for a few dollars. The audience for our product is somewhat limited and it became impossible to compete with our own product being given away or sold for .05 on the dollar.
Why can't I install my eBahnŽ Content Packs on more than one computer? We are committed to producing a world-class product. This requires significant and continuing investment. Because of problems with bootlegging we have implemented a robust licensing model for the eBahnŽ Content Packs.
Can I transfer the eBahnŽ Content Pack from one computer to another? Yes. Please contact the Support Team to transfer an installation. For security reasons, transfer of content activation keys cannot be done online. There are some limits on frequency of license transfer. Click here for the FAQ which addresses this issue.
Can I run eBahnŽ from another computer over a network? No.
Multi-seat licensing:
If content "activation" is tied to one computer, what do I do if I want the eBahnŽ Content Pack on more than one computer? 		Multi-seat pricing: If the same end user purchases a second copy of the same repair manual we offer a 50% discount off the list price of the second manual. This offer only applies when the second copy is bought directly from us.

Your option is to buy the second manual simultaneously with the first, or within 60 days. To be eligible for buying the 2nd copy later, the first copy has to have been bought and registered with us already. Please let us know that you are buying your second copy of the same manual, otherwise we may not realize you are eligible for the discount.

Our goal has been to make the list price for a repair manual as low as possible, and to keep the licensing secure but simple. Floating license and other more complicated 'multi-seat' licensing techology just won't work for a $99.95 product. We aim to be competitive in price and believe we are at the low end of the price range / high end of the quality range for factory repair content. If anyone has benchmarking information that we should consider, please write Michael Bentley with your perspective.
Frequent License Transfers:
"I have two shops and will need to transfer my license between machines a couple of times per week. Is this a problem?" 		The idea behind the license transfer function was
-enough security to prevent bootlegging;
-reasonable support for our customers' legitimate need for administrative flexibility.

In pricing the product, our expectation is that we are prepared to generate new activation keys for a customer about once in a 30 day period, with a maximum of 4 new keys over the coming couple of years. We want to work with you, but suggest that, if you need constant access to the system on multiple workstations or laptops, it will be easier for everyone to take advantage of our multiple copy pricing.

License Resale:
"I am selling my EuroVan next week. Can I sell my license to the new owner?" 		Sure. We will work with you both to treat the sale as a license transfer. Please update us with the contact information for the new owner as well as your contact information, so that we don't block activation of content by the new owner when they contact us for their activation key. The new owner will have to pay a service fee of $45 in order to cancel and disable the serial numbers on your account (the older one) and transfer the license to their new account. We will also upgrade the account to the current version of eBahn.
Updates/Upgrades/Downloads/Service Packs
Can I upgrade my older version of the software? Yes. Upgrades are available for those who own previous versions of the software. Go to the Upgrade eBahnŽ Reader page, the Update eBahnŽ Content Packpage, or get in touch with Customer Service for more assistance.
What about upgrades to eBahnŽ Reader version 2.5 once I've downloaded it or bought a disk? (Feature enhancements and bug fixes). Version 2.5 of eBahnŽ Reader is a fully functioning product, ready for prime time. Nonetheless, we are interested in your suggestions, and are working every day on enhancements to software compatibility and functionality. Enhanced releases of eBahnŽ Reader version 2.5 will be available over the internet free of charge during the product life of eBahnŽ Reader version 2.5. Please see the Downloads / Service Packs page.
How do I get Service Packs or enhancements? Application enhancements will be available for eBahnŽ Reader. They are made available only over the internet as "service packs". The best way to update the application is to launch eBahnŽ Reader while your computer is connected to the internet. Pull down the "Help" menu and go to "Online Updates". Reader will send version details to our website and recommend any service packs that may apply to your version.

Alternatively, you can go to our downloads page, Downloads / Service Packs page, read the comments and select the approapriate service pack.
Note: After download, you will need to close the eBahnŽ Reader before you run the service pack.

How do I update my eBahnŽ Content Packs? Please see our Update eBahnŽ Content Packs page.
Miscellaneous
I have suggestions for how you can make a better product, who do I tell? End user suggestions have a major impact on our development work. Please let us know about your suggestions, annoyances, and other comments, by writing to us.
Can I run this program on Windows 95? Windows 95 is not officially supported by eBahnŽ Reader version 2 or higher. Today, Win95 is "unsupported" but it mostly works as long as your hardware meets the minimum spec. As we add features and enhancements to the eBahnŽ Reader, we cannot ensure compatibility with Win95. By the end of 2002 it is very likely that the eBahnŽ Reader won't run on Win95. Unless you plan on upgrading from Win95 to a later version of Windows sometime in the next year it is probably not a good idea to buy an eBahnŽ Reader version 2 product.
Is Mac Supported? Mac is currently not supported for eBahnŽ Reader version 2 or higher products. Click here for more information.
I get an incomplete registration screen (Error 500) & it does not display the Installation Code. eBahnŽ Reader uses components of Internet Explorer (IE) and can be affected by your IE security settings. Session Cookies must be enabled in order for the eBahnŽ Reader to function. If allowing session cookies doesn't work, please contact the Support Team.
Does eBahnŽ Reader use any "cookies"? "Session" cookies yes. "Persistent" cookies, no.
eBahnŽ Reader uses components of your Internet Explorer (IE) installation. If you don't have IE on your machine, we supply a copy as part of installation but don't make it your default browser.
Session Cookies need to be enabled for our program to function. Unlike persistent cookies, session cookies are erased when you exit the program. We do not capture cookie information related to your use of eBahnŽ from your cd-rom. General questions about cookies are addressed in our Privacy Policy.
Do I need to be on the internet to run the CD manual? No. A connection to the internet is *not* necessary even though the application does use components of a web browser. Service Packs, however, are only made available over the internet. Service Packs can, however, be copied to a disk / cd and installed from a local drive on the machine running eBahnŽ Reader.
I have ZoneAlarm. When I use the manual, it tries to connect to the internet. I tell it not to and the manual does not work. For now, either disable ZoneAlarm when using the manual, or allow it to connect to the internet.
I cannot see Adobe Acrobat files (wiring diagrams, technical bulletins). Why? The eBahnŽ Reader uses Adobe Acrobat Reader to display certain information, such as wiring diagrams. Installation of the eBahnŽ Reader includes the free Acrobat Reader. Some users may have previously installed and customized a version of Acrobat or Acrobat Reader, which may cause the eBahnŽ Reader to not display certain information. To reconfigure Acrobat Reader, look over these instructions.
Version / Release History - eBahnŽ ver. 2.5

Ver 2.5, Release 1
2002.dec.16
original release

"The Bentley manuals are worth having, even for the car owner who never intends to perform major repairs. Anyone can learn from them."

- Road & Track