Hello Everyone,

As a low-vision individual, in order to access Microsoft Windows PC Notebook and Netbook computers I use a screen reading/refreshable Braille software solution, developed by Freedom Scientific, call JAWS (Job Access with Speech).

Recently, upon purchasing an Acer Aspire One Windows XP Home Edition Netbook, I immediately wiped the 160GB disk drive clean and installed Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows Beta 7. 

Before installing Jaws on my new Netbook, I consulted with tech support at Freedom Scientific and was told that while the current version of Jaws, v10.x Professional, would run in Windows 7, it could only be installed as a 40-minute demonstration application. 

Just so you know, like many fine software products, Freedom Scientific graciously allows anyone to run its software packages, at no charge, in 40-minute mode to determine if the product will meet their needs.  Please note that this 40-minute mode is a fully functioning version of the application, however, at the end of each 40-minute period, the computer must be rebooted.  In order to remove this 40-minute limitation, you must purchase a license for the product.

Given my enthusiasm for being among the first to experience the new Windows 7, I decided to install Jaws even if it meant having to reboot the computer every 40 minutes. 

It didn’t take long to grow tired of this demonstration version especially when it felt as though Jaws would wait until a critical moment in my session to begin giving me a 6-minute countdown to reboot time. 

Tonight, I’d had enough and resolved myself to figure out how to get a fully functioning activated version of Jaws running in Windows Beta 7. 

In short, I was successful in accomplishing this.  To say that I am a “happy camper” would be the understatement of the new year.  Smile) 

For those of you who wish to install Jaws 10.x Professional on Windows Beta 7, do the following:

1.
Make sure that you have at least one remaining JAWS activation key on the Freedom Scientific licensing server.

2.
Locate your JAWS authorization CD.  Note, if your computer does not have a disc drive, copy your unique activation key to either a thumb-drive or to a Folder on the computer.

3.
Login to Windows Beta 7 with administrative privileges.

4.
Make sure your computer has a live Internet connection.

5.
Make sure you run the Windows Update utility until all critical updates have been installed.

6.
From within the Windows Beta 7 Control Panel, under User Accounts, completely disable UAC (User Account Controls).

7.
Install JAWS for Windows v10.x Professional.

8.
Allow JAWS to launch in 40-minute demonstration mode.

9.
From within the JAWS interface, check for updates and install if any are available. 

10.
Upon completion of installing any JAWS updates, reboot your Windows Beta 7 computer.

11.
Upon reboot, confirm that your computer has an active connection to the Internet.

12.
When JAWS starts, the JAWS Activation Wizard will launch. 

13.
Choose to proceed with the JAWS activation process.  Follow the on-screen instructions.  Please note that activating JAWS may take a few minutes so be patient. 

14.
Once Jaws has been successfully activated, either reboot the computer or close and restart JAWS. 

15.
At this point, for each user account on your computer, launching JAWS for the first time from within a user account will Cause the JAWS Setup Wizard to launch. 

16.
Follow the JAWS Setup Wizard prompts.

17.
Finally, remember to return to the User Accounts, in the Windows Beta 7 Control Panel and re-enable UAC (User Account Controls).

That’s all there is to it.

Enjoy,

Mark