The CD-ROM included with this book can be used with Windows computers. It installs files that use software programs that need to be on your computer already. It is not a stand alone software program. In accordance with U.S. copyright laws, the CD-ROM and its files are for your personal use only.

Please read this appendix and the "Readme.htm" file included on the CD-ROM for instructions on using the CD. For a list of forms and their file names, see the end of this appendix.

Note to Macintosh users: This CD-ROM and its files should also work on Macintosh computers. Please note, however, that Nolo cannot provide technical support for non-Windows users. This CD-ROM and its files should also work on Macintosh computers. Please note, however, that Nolo cannot provide technical support for non-Windows users.

Note to eBook users: You can access the CD-ROM files mentioned here from the bookmarked section of the eBook, located on the left-hand side. You can access the CD-ROM files mentioned here from the bookmarked section of the eBook, located on the left-hand side.

How to View the README File To view the "Readme.htm" file, insert the CD-ROM into your computer's CD-ROM drive and follow these instructions:Windows 2000, XP, and Vista1. On your PC's desktop, double-click the My Computer My Computer icon. icon.2. Double-click the icon for the CD-ROM drive into which the CD-ROM was inserted.3. Double-click the file "Readme.htm."

Macintosh1. On your Mac desktop, double-click the icon for the CD-ROM that you inserted.2. Double-click the file "Readme.htm.."

Installing the Files Onto Your Computer

To work with the files on the CD-ROM, you first need to install them onto your hard disk. Here's how:

Windows 2000, XP, and Vista

Follow the CD-ROM's instructions that appear on the screen.

If nothing happens when you insert the CD-ROM, then: 1. Double-click the My Computer My Computer icon. icon.2. Double-click the icon for the CD-ROM drive into which the CD-ROM was inserted.3. Double-click the file "Setup.exe."

Macintosh

If the Homebuyer's Toolkit CD Homebuyer's Toolkit CD window is not open, double-click the window is not open, double-click the Homebuyer's Toolkit CD Homebuyer's Toolkit CD icon. Then: icon. Then: 1. Select the Homebuyer's Toolkit Homebuyer's Toolkit folder icon. folder icon.2. Drag and drop the folder icon onto your computer.

Where Are the Files Installed?

Windows

By default, all the files are installed to the Homebuyer's Toolkit Homebuyer's Toolkit folder in the folder in the Program Files Program Files folder of your computer. A folder called folder of your computer. A folder called Homebuyer's Toolkit Homebuyer's Toolkit is added to the is added to the Programs Programs folder of the folder of the Start Start menu. menu.

Macintosh

All the files are located in the Homebuyer's Toolkit Homebuyer's Toolkit folder. folder.

Using the Word Processing Files to Create Documents

The CD-ROM includes word processing files that you can open, complete, print, and save with your word processing program. All word processing forms come in rich text format and have the extension ".rtf." For example, the Personal Loan Terms Worksheet discussed in Chapter 7 is in the file "LoanTerms.rtf." RTF files can be read by most recent word processing programs including MS Word MS Word, Windows WordPad WordPad, and recent versions of WordPerfect WordPerfect.

The following are general instructions. Because each word processor uses different commands to open, format, save, and print documents, refer to your word processor's help file for specific instructions.

Do not call Nolo's technical support if you have questions on how to use your word processor or your computer.

Opening a File

You can open word processing files in any of the three following ways: 1. Windows users can open a file by selecting its "shortcut."i. Click the Windows Start Start button. button.ii. Open the Programs Programs folder. folder.iii. Open the Homebuyer's Toolkit Homebuyer's Toolkit folder. folder.iv. Open the RTF RTF subfolder. subfolder.v. Click the shortcut to the form you want to work with.

2. Both Windows and Macintosh users can open a file by double-clicking it.i. Use My Computer My Computer or Windows or Windows Explorer Explorer (Windows 2000, XP, or Vista) or the (Windows 2000, XP, or Vista) or the Finder Finder (Macintosh) to go to the (Macintosh) to go to the Homebuyer's Toolkit Homebuyer's Toolkit folder. folder.ii. Double-click the file you want to open.

3. Windows and Macintosh users can open a file from within their word processor.i. Open your word processor.ii. Go to the File File menu and choose the menu and choose the Open Open command. This opens a dialog box. command. This opens a dialog box.iii. Select the location and name of the file. (Navigate to the version of the Homebuyer's Toolkit Homebuyer's Toolkit folder that you've installed on your computer.) folder that you've installed on your computer.)

Editing Your Document

Here are tips for working on your document.

* Refer to the book's instructions and sample agreements for help.* Underlines indicate where to enter information, frequently including bracketed instructions. Delete the underlines and instructions before finishing your document. Delete the underlines and instructions before finishing your document.* Signature lines should appear on a page with at least some text from the document itself.

Editing Forms That Have Optional or Alternative Text

Some forms have optional or alternate text: * With optional text, you choose whether to include or exclude the given text.* With alternative text, you select one alternative to include and exclude the other alternatives.

When editing these forms, we suggest you do the following: Optional text. Delete optional text you do not want to include and keep that which you do. In either case, delete the italicized instructions. If you choose to delete an optional numbered clause, renumber the subsequent clauses after deleting it. Delete optional text you do not want to include and keep that which you do. In either case, delete the italicized instructions. If you choose to delete an optional numbered clause, renumber the subsequent clauses after deleting it.

Alternative text. Delete all the alternatives that you do not want to include first. Then delete the italicized instructions. Delete all the alternatives that you do not want to include first. Then delete the italicized instructions.

Printing Out the Document

Use your word processor's or text editor's Print Print command to print out your document. command to print out your document.

Saving Your Document

Use the Save As Save As command to save and rename your document. You will be unable to use the command to save and rename your document. You will be unable to use the Save Save command because the files are "read-only." If you save the file without renaming it, the underlines that indicate where you need to enter your information will be lost, and you will be unable to create a new document with this file without recopying the original file from the CD-ROM. command because the files are "read-only." If you save the file without renaming it, the underlines that indicate where you need to enter your information will be lost, and you will be unable to create a new document with this file without recopying the original file from the CD-ROM.

Using PDFs and Government Forms

The CD-ROM includes forms in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Some of these form files were created by U.S. Government agencies, not by Nolo.

To use them, you need Adobe Reader Reader installed on your computer. If you don't already have this software, you can download it for free at installed on your computer. If you don't already have this software, you can download it for free at www.adobe.com.

Some of these forms have fill-in text fields. To use them: 1. Open a file.2. Fill in the text fields using either your mouse or the TAB key to navigate from field to field.3. Print it out.

Opening a Form

PDF files, like the word processing files, can be opened one of three ways: 1. Windows users can open a file by selecting its "shortcut."i. Click the Windows Start Start button. button.ii. Open the Programs Programs folder. folder.iii. Open the Homebuyer's Toolkit Homebuyer's Toolkit subfolder. subfolder.iv. Click the shortcut to the form you want to work with.

2. Both Windows and Macintosh users can open a file directly by double-clicking it.i. Use My Computer My Computer or Windows or Windows Explorer Explorer (Windows 2000, XP, or Vista) or the (Windows 2000, XP, or Vista) or the Finder Finder (Macintosh) to go to the folder you created and copied the CD-ROM's files to. (Macintosh) to go to the folder you created and copied the CD-ROM's files to.ii. Double-click the specific file you want to open.

3. Both Windows and Macintosh users can open a PDF file from within Adobe Reader Reader.i. Open Adobe Reader Reader.ii. Go to the File File menu and choose the menu and choose the Open Open command. This opens a dialog box. command. This opens a dialog box.iii. Tell the program the location and name of the file (you will need to navigate through the directory tree to get to the folder on your hard disk where the CD's files have been installed).

For further assistance, check Adobe Reader Reader's help. Nolo's technical support department is unable to help with the use of Adobe Reader Reader.

Filling in a Form

Use your mouse or the TAB key to navigate from field to field within these forms.