Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Why am I not running the latest version of the software?
Why is my assessor map showing in a blank white window?
How do I make the Search Captions larger?
Can I override the fixed format font?
What is the recommended minimum hardware?
How do I export to Top Producer 6i?
My Norton security has quarantined MicroBase Plus. How do I get it back?
Questions about version 4.6
How do I install MicroBase Plus 4.6?
How do I install the .NET Framework without administrator's privileges?
I am getting an 'Application will not start' error message. What do I do?
What reported problems are there with the latest version 4.6?
What about installing the Version 4.6 software on a network?
How do I find my Version 4.6 configuration files?
MicroBase Plus version history
Show me the MicroBase Plus 4.5 revision history
Show me the MicroBase Plus 4.6 revision history
Why am I not running the latest version of the software?
Our software updates itself automatically from time-to-time as we make changes. This does not affect the data you download from our servers, only the functionality of your desktop software. Some of our Windows 11, 10 and Windows 8.1 installations are not automatically upgrading from our version 4.6.0 or earlier due to new security features in these operating systems. You can review your software version number from Help->About MicroBase.
This update issue has been corrected in version 4.6.1.0 and later, but we still need to get your current installation upgraded to at least our May 2021 release of version 4.6.1. We believe the reliable way to do this is for you to install our digital certificate as a trusted publisher.
To accomplish this, on each machine you wish to upgrade, logged in as the user who uses MicroBase Plus, please, for Microsoft browsers like Internet Explorer or Edge, click this link or type it into the browser address bar — note it is case-sensitive — and allow the process to complete:
For other non-Microsoft browsers such as Chrome, please click this link and let the process complete:
If you see a message that 'Windows protected your PC', just click More Info to reveal a button marked Run Anyway that allows you to complete the process.
Neither of the above processes install (other than briefly to run the process) any software on your machine other than, if you allow it, the needed certificates.
When run, this will open a window and give more details about, and any ramifications of, installing our certificate, and ask permission to install our certificate. It will also explain how it can be removed if you wish.
Once complete — it takes seconds — next time you start MicroBase Plus and connect to the servers, you will see in the lower left status bar a message that you are updating, then one that it is complete and will be activated on your next restart of MicroBase Plus. When you then restart MicroBase Plus, you will be running the latest version as can be seen by checking at Help->About MicroBase and you will see a date of 5/15/2021 or later and version 4.6.1.0 or later at the bottom of the dialog. With the certificate installed, there should not be further issues with Windows 10 and Windows 11 blocking our upgrades.
You should not need your account credentials, but some small number of upgrades have nonetheless been asked for them — this is outside our control, unfortunately. If you do not have your credentials at hand, please email to support@microdecisions.com with a request and we will send them to the contact on the account.
Back to TopWhy is my assessor map showing in a blank white window?
Microsoft in about early July 2019 issued a large update to the operating system, and deprecated a certain image format - meaning that images in that format would no longer display - including our assessor maps. Within a few days, we had updated all our assessor maps to display with this Windows update.
However, if you downloaded a map before this date, it will be stored on your machine in the old format and will not display. There are two way to get the maps to display - either delete the map, or reinstall MicroBase Plus.
To reinstall MicroBase Plus, just go to Windows Programs and Features and uninstall MicroBase Plus and go to our web-site at Downloads (or Support->Downloads from any page) and follow the instructions to install. You will need to re-enter your credentials and will lose any customization of your prior installation.
To manually clear your map cache is not so simple, because Micosoft have buried this away on your computer. First follow the instructions here How do I find my Version 4.6 configuration files? and with these files you will also see a MAP directory. Deleting this directory will delete all your cached assessor maps, or you can open the directory and see a list of two character county names, and just delete those counties for which you want to delete the maps. To delete maps individually, just open the county directory and delete the file with the filename corresponding to the township/range/section you had entered in the map selector on the MicroBase Plus Assessor Map window. When you again attempt to access this map, it will be downloaded again from our servers and will display correctly.
Back to TopHow do I make the Search Captions larger?
If the captions on the boxes in the search screen are too small, add lines similar to the following in the [Configuration] section of the MBWPLUS.INI file:
- DefSmallFontName = ARIAL
- DefSmallFontSize = 8
A fontsize of more than 8 does not work well. The capitalization of the font name is not important. Arial is a good font to pick, though you can pick any font on your system that supports the fontsize you stipulate - True Type fonts will support all font sizes.
See How do I find my Version 4.6 configuration files? for how to access your MBWPLUS.INI file.
Back to TopCan I override the fixed format font?
The font used in the fixed format detail may be overridden. To do so, add lines similar to the following in the [Configuration] section of the MBWPLUS.INI file:
- DefFixFmtFontName = ARIAL
- DefFixFmtfontSize = 8
The default unless overridden is Verdana with a size of 8pt. It should not be necessary to change this unless your printer is having difficulty with the Verdana font.
See How do I find my Version 4.6 configuration files? for how to access your MBWPLUS.INI file.
Back to TopWhat is the recommended minimum hardware?
MicroBase Plus will run on almost any machine running Windows 7 and later, but there are certain considerations to enhance your use. MicroBase has been designed around large video resolutions and running the highest resolution you can on the largest monitor you can will give you the best experience - especially if you are using the maps, plats, deeds or aerials. A minimum would be 800 x 600 resolution on a 17" monitor. For aerials, make sure you are running in a 24-bit color (16.7 million colors) mode at least. Using aerials with lots of annotations will tax your machine's resources, so at least a 2 GHz Pentium class machine is recommended - a slower machine will give slower performance in other areas also. 2 GB RAM is really a minimum - again the more memory, the better the maps, plats and aerials will perform.
For best data downloading speeds, please get a broadband Internet connection and access MicroBase that way.
In summary, MicroBase Plus will run on almost any hardware, but the faster and better the hardware, the better will be the experience, as with any software.
Remember that MicroBase Plus version 4.6 and later needs Windows 7 or later.
Back to TopHow do I export to Top Producer 6i?
Do the following:
- Start MicroBase and complete your search and retrieve records to export.
- Go to File on main menu.
- Select Export.
- Select Top Producer Detailed template and click Exit.
- Give the records a file name in the dialog box and click Save.
- Minimize or close MicroBase.
- Start Top Producer.
- Go to Setup on menu.
- Go to Import data... and select ASCII file import....
- Select Detailed Property - Import and select the Database destination and click OK.
- (If you want to create a new database, please see the Top Producer documentation.)
- From the Drives box, select the drive where you saved the file above.
- From the dialog box on the right, locate the directory.
- From the dialog box on the left, find the file you saved above and click OK.
- When the Select contact type dialog is displayed, select those required.
- The records will import into Top Producer.
- Go to File on Top Producer main menu.
- Select Select database… and pick the database into which you imported if that is not your current database.
- Go to File then Address book and review imported records.
- Changes can now be made on individual records.
If you use a contact manager other than Top Producer, please refer to the instructions regarding importing records from another database for assistance.
Please see the Downloads page.
Back to TopMy Norton security has quarantined MicroBase Plus. How do I get it back?
Please see this Symantec link.
Back to TopHow do I install MicroBase Plus 4.6?
Please see the Downloads page.
Back to TopHow do I install the .NET Framework without administrator's privileges?
Version 4.6 and later of MicroBase Plus require version 4.7.2 of the .NET runtime from Microsoft. This runtime allows us to add additional features to the product, automatically update the software, and modernize our software to run on Windows 10 and later machines. The latest version of MicroBase Plus only runs on Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 or later of Windows. Windows 10 includes the .NET 4.7.2 Runtime by default, but users of Windows 7 and 8.1 may have to install the .NET 4.7.2 Runtime in order to use the latest version of MicroBase Plus.
When you go to our web-site downloads page and install the product, if missing, the .NET runtime will be installed for you if you select the '...with Microsoft component installer' link. However, if you do not have sufficient permissions to do this, please try the following manually.
To install the .NET 4.7.2 runtime software from Microsoft, open up your web browser and go to https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/thank-you/net472. You will see predominantly displayed on the page that loads Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2, and the installation will download. However, the installation may still require administrator rights.
Back to TopI am getting an 'Application will not start' error message. What do I do?
The system used to update your MicroBase Plus software is Microsoft's ClickOnce technology.
You may have other ClickOnce software installed - so you should try all these steps before you delete the ClickOnce software cache that absolutely will fix the problem.
First, check to see if you have a Norton Security product installed. This may be preventing the installation. See My Norton security has quarantined MicroBase Plus. How do I get it back?
Next, try to start the application again from the shortcut on your start menu (MicroBase -> MicroBase Plus). You might try this twice.
Next, go to Control Panel and use Programs and Features (Add/Remove Programs in eaarlier Windows versions) and find the MicroBase Plus entry and click and select Remove the application from this computer.
Note if you do not get a dialog saying Choose the type of maintenance you need, but, for instance, see a large blue window, you may not be uninstalling the correct version of MicroBase Plus.
Next, go to Downloads and install again.
If you are still seeing the error, even after perhaps trying more than once, you will have to delete your ClickOnce cache.
To do this, first find the ClickOnce cache as follows.
Click the Start button and in the Run or Search box type "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Apps\2.0" (including the double quotes) to launch the file explorer opened at your ClickOnce cache directory. Note you may need Administrator settings to do this and you may need to adjust your Folder settings so that the Local Settings directory is visible (Show hidden files and folders), but likely will not.
At this directory, you might like to browse down into the directories to see if there are any other software products in this cache you would like to keep.
They may have mangled or confusing names, but you may spot something you recognize. If you do delete something you might otherwise need, being that it is in the ClickOnce cache, you can likely go to the provider's web-site and just quickly reinstall it.
Now - just delete the two directories you see - the Data directory and the other one with the odd mangled name like LEQKG12.VAN.
Lastly, go to Downloads and install again.
If you delete the cache, you will need your login id and password again to reinstall.
And, please, if you have this problem, drop us a note to support@microdecisions.com so we can log it and perhaps tell Microsoft.
Back to TopWhat reported problems are there with the latest version 4.6?
None
Back to TopWhat about installing the Version 4.6 software on a network?
The install location of version 4.6 and later of MicroBase Plus is under the control of the Windows operating system, the reason being that it uses the Microsoft ClickOnce technology to seamlessly update your software in the background. One prior version of the installation is also maintained and can be rolled back by using the Programs and Features item in Contol Panel.
As such, each user must individually install the software.
Back to TopHow do I find my Version 4.6 configuration files?
In version 4.6, the configuration files MBWPLUS.DAT and MBWPLUS.INI are in the ClickOnce cache and unfortunately difficult to find.
Click the Start button and in the Run or Search box type "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Apps\2.0" (including the double quotes) to launch the file explorer opened at your ClickOnce cache directory. If you do not see a Run or Search box, try the Windows Key and R. Note you may need Administrator settings to do this and you may need to adjust your Folder settings so that the Local Settings directory is visible (Show hidden files and folders), but likely will not.
Once at this directory, click on the Data directory, and keep opening each successive directory until you come to some labeled similarly to mbnp..tion_0dcad61c061b7744_0004.0005_50dd73340aaccf02
The two most recent are the data directories for your two most recent installations of MicroBase Plus. Open the more recent, and continue opening directories until you see the MBWPLUS.DAT and MBWPLUS.INI files.
If you need to edit one or more of these files, make sure that all copies of MicroBase Plus on this machine are closed. Note that MBWPLUS.DAT is periodically overwritten with updates - but there is no need to edit this file unless instructed to do so by technical support - and MBWPLUS.INI will not be preserved through a fresh installation.
Back to TopShow me the MicroBase Plus 4.5 revision history
MicroBase 4.5.0.2
The following files were upgraded with the 4.5.0.2 release (04/21/11) of MicroBase Plus.
- MBNPlus.exe 4.5.0.1
- MBNForms.dll 4.5.0.1
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.5.0.2 release:
- Area search toolbar moves down the screen when repeatedly opening the search window.
- Search window resizing can cause software to fail.
- Adding a custom annotation can cause software to fail.
- Street maps can not be configured from the context menu.
The following features were added or removed:
- New USPS postal rates and forms were provided.
MicroBase 4.5.0.3
The following files were upgraded with the 4.5.0.3 release (06/14/11) of MicroBase Plus.
- MBNPlus.exe 4.5.0.2
- MBNForms.dll 4.5.0.2
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.5.0.3 release:
- None
The following features were added or removed:
- Street maps were updated.
MicroBase 4.5.1.0
The following files were upgraded with the 4.5.1.0 release (06/24/11) of MicroBase Plus.
- MBNPlus.exe 4.5.0.3
- MBNForms.dll 4.5.0.3
- MBNImage.dll 4.5.0.1
- MBNPrntPrv.dll 4.5.0.2
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.5.1.0 release:
- Adobe PDF driver caused crash.
The following features were added or removed:
- Street map find address function removed.
MicroBase 4.5.2.0
The following files were upgraded with the 4.5.2.0 release (01/07/13) of MicroBase Plus.
- MBNPlus.exe 4.5.0.5
- MBNDBase.dll 4.5.0.1
- MBNLayout.dll 4.5.0.1
- MBNMaps.dll 4.4.9.1
- MBNPrntPrv.dll 4.5.0.4
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.5.2.0 release:
- Allow searching in 2013 and later.
The following features were added or removed:
- Upgrade to target .NET 3.5.
MicroBase 4.5.3.0
The following files were upgraded with the 4.5.3.0 release (09/24/14) of MicroBase Plus.
- MBNPlus.exe 4.5.0.6
- MBNDBase.dll 4.5.0.2
- MBNForms.dll 4.5.0.5
- MBNLayout.dll 4.5.0.2
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.5.3.0 release:
- Correct error when searching user disk for prior installation.
- Correct situs to read CR (County Road) instead of SR (State Road).
- Make situs field wider to prevent truncation of characters.
The following features were added or removed:
- Updated street maps.
- Updated USPS 3602R form.
- Added field for sales date including the day of the month.
MicroBase 4.5.4.0
The following files were upgraded with the 4.5.4.0 release (10/31/14) of MicroBase Plus.
- MBNMail.dll 4.1.0.5
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.5.4.0 release:
- None.
The following features were added or removed:
- Enhanced barcode feature to handle USPS Intelligent Mail Barcodes.
- Updated USPS 3602R form.
MicroBase 4.5.5.0
Version 4.5.5.0 was an internal build and not distributed.
MicroBase 4.5.6.0
The following files were upgraded with the 4.5.6.0 release (07/29/15) of MicroBase Plus.
- MBNMail.dll 4.1.0.7
- Every other file had its revision number increased by 0.0.0.1 to accommodate the new technology platform.
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.5.6.0 release:
- None.
The following features were added or removed:
- Updated USPS 3602R form to May 2015 version.
- Upgraded whole product to latest technology platform.
MicroBase 4.5.7.0
The following files were upgraded with the 4.5.7.0 release (01/04/16) of MicroBase Plus.
- MBNPlus.exe 4.5.0.7
- MBNDBase.dll 4.5.0.4
- MBNLayout.dll 4.5.0.4
- MBNMaps.dll 4.5.0.1
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.5.7.0 release:
- Searching on 2016 dates.
The following features were added or removed:
- None.
MicroBase 4.5.8.0
The following files were upgraded with the 4.5.8.0 release (12/31/18) of MicroBase Plus.
- MBNPlus.exe 4.5.0.8
- MBNDBase.dll 4.5.0.5
- MBNForms.dll 4.5.0.7
- MBNLayout.dll 4.5.0.5
- MBNMail.dll 4.5.0.8
- MBNMaps.dll 4.5.0.2
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.5.8.0 release:
- Rollover date was updated to allow searches in 2019.
The following features were added or removed:
- Street maps were updated.
- Handling of bows for the building sketches was added.
Show me the MicroBase Plus 4.6 revision history
MicroBase 4.6.0.0
The following files were upgraded with the 4.6.0.0 release (5/14/19) of MicroBase Plus.
- All assemblies updated to version 4.6.0.0
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.6.0.0 release:
- Unable to push updates to Windows 10 installations.
The following features were added or removed:
- USPS forms updated.
- Shading added to building sketches.
- Day of transfer, rather than just month, now showing on fixed formats.
- .Net infrastructure retargeted to .Net 4.7.2.
MicroBase 4.6.1.0
The following files were upgraded with the 4.6.1.0 release (5/15/21) of MicroBase Plus.
- All assemblies updated to version 4.6.1.0 except MBNCabinet.dll, MBNLayout.dll, MBNPrntPrv.dll.
The following reported problems were fixed in the Version 4.6.1.0 release:
- The list of plat sheet for some plats were not being displayed correctly.
- A couple of minor Y2K items were updated since in 1999 when we implemented this, 2021 seemed like the distant future.
The following features were added or removed:
- USPS forms updated.
- Street maps updated.
- SSH communications protocol optimized and overhauled to latest encryption standards.
- Upgrade of code base to latest compiler language features.
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