Support

Use the frequently asked questions below to find help on any issue you may have. If you still have problems, feel free to contact us and our friendly staff will get back to you as soon as they can.

Frequently Asked Questions

Purchasing

Can I upgrade from the Lite Edition to the Personal Chef Edition?

Absolutely! What's more, we will discount you $10 towards the purchase of the Personal Chef Edition. To get the upgrade price, you will need to contact us by phone.

I had on old MenuMagic Lease, and it expired. How can I get MenuMagic running again?

For Lite Edition users, or people wishing to switch to the Lite Edition, you will need to purchase a new copy.

For Personal Chef Edition users, you can purchase a new copy of MenuMagic at a reduced rate by contacting us by phone.

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Installing

How do I get an access code? / My access code does not work.

To retrieve an access code:

  1. Log in to this web site (use the e-mail address and password at the top.)

  2. Once logged in, click on the "Access Code" link at the top.

  3. Write down both your User ID and Access Code (make sure to differentiate between the number zero and the letter "O".)

  4. Launch MenuMagic and enter your user id and code, then click the unlock code.

  5. If your MenuMagic already is unlocked, you can still enter a new code by launching MenuMagic, and choosing "About MenuMagic" from the help menu. Then click on the "enter new access code" button.

Tips when entering your access code:

  • Make sure that the date on your computer is set correctly. To check, double click on the time area in the lower right hand of your computer.

  • Remember that the access code is date sensitive. If you retrieve your access code yesterday, it will not work. You will need to get a new access code today.

  • Remember to differentiate between the number zero and the letter "O" when reading and typing both your access code and user id.

  • Make sure you entered the correct user id. It is listed on the same page that gives an access code.

Live Outside The U.S.?

Some MenuMagic users outside the US have experienced problems entering their access code on certain versions of windows. You may need to make sure that your Window's regional settings are temporarily set to "English, US" when you enter your access code.

If you continue to have problems with your access code, feel free to contact us.

How do I install MenuMagic on Windows Vista?

Follow the instrunctions on the Vista installation guide.

I am having trouble running the MenuMagic installer/update installer/trial installer I just downloaded.

Some versions of Microsoft Windows like to think that they are smarter than their user. (Hint: They're not... You were doing things correctly.) When you download our installers, Internet Explorer sometimes likes to remove the extension to the file. This three letter extension tells windows that what you downloaded was an installer application. When Internet Explorer does this, your downloaded file may look like a blank piece of paper with the upper right corner turned down and not the installer icon (blue square with two white triangle-thingies)

Luckily, this is easy to fix. Select (highlight) your downloaded installer file and press your f2 key (renaming the file) Replace the name with "MenuMagic Setup.exe". The file's icon should change to the blue square with two white triangle-thingies and you should be able to launch the installer properly.

How do I install MenuMagic on a second computer?

MenuMagic's license allows you to install MenuMagic on as many machines as you want. We only ask that if you plan on having multiple people using MenuMagic at the same time, you purchase a separate license for each person.

With that said, it is fairly easy to get another copy of MenuMagic running:

  1. Follow the instructions on backing up your data file on your current computer running MenuMagic.

  2. On the new computer, download the update installer to your desktop and install MenuMagic.

  3. Make sure you are logged in to our site, and retrieve a new access code.

  4. Launch MenuMagic and enter your new code - unlocking MenuMagic.

  5. Your MenuMagic should be running on your new computer. You should notice that the default data file is installed. Quit MenuMagic.

  6. Follow the instructions on how to restore a backup. Keep in mind you are backing up on one computer and moving the backup to the same location (typically C:\Program Files\MenuMagic\) on the new computer.

If you continue to have problems, feel free to contact us.

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Using MenuMagic

How do I backup / move my MenuMagic data?

All of your data inside MenuMagic - recipes, customers, menus, and shopping lists - are stored in a single file: CHEFS.mdb (you may or may not be able to see the three letter "mdb" extension). This file is typically between 4 - 12 MB in size. It is located in the same folder that MenuMagic was installed to (typically C:\Program Files\MenuMagic\ .) If you are familiar with the Windows file system, you can simply copy this file to another location (preferably on another storage device like a CDR or USB thumb drive)

If you are not very familiar with the windows file, the following instructions step you through using MenuMagic's integrated back up to make a copy of your data and move it to another device, such as a USB thumb drive

  1. Launch MenuMagic

  2. From the "File" menu, choose "backup".

  3. A confirmation window will appear to confirm that you want to make a backup. Press the "Ok" button.

  4. MenuMagic will make a backup of your data file. It will make a backup that looks like "MMBACKUP-20080101-B1.MDB". The number corresponds to today's date. The program will show a window displaying the direct location of the backup. This is where the backup is created and where we will be navigating to. Press the "Ok" button.

  5. Quit MenuMagic

  6. Locate and double click the "My Computer" icon. This will either be located on your desktop, or in your start menu.

  7. Windows will show your "My Computer" window. Double click on the C: hard drive icon (most likely called "Local Disk (C:)".)

  8. Find the folder titled "Program Files" and double click on it. (You may need to click on the "show hidden files" link on the left)

  9. Find the folder titled "MenuMagic" and double click on it. (You may need to click on the "show hidden files" link on the left)

  10. Find your MMBACKUP file with your date on it. (Some versions of windows cuts the name off, so you may need to look on the date of the file to see when it was created).

  11. Right-mouse click on the file. A menu should appear.

  12. Choose "copy" from the menu.

  13. Close all the windows and re-open your "My Computer" window.

  14. If you haven't already plugged in your USB thumb drive, do so now. You should see the thumb drive show up in the "My Computer" window.

  15. Double click on the thumb drive icon.

  16. In the thumb drive window, right-mouse click on some white space (not directly on any file icons). A menu will appear.

  17. Choose the "paste" option. If you do not see a paste option, or it is grayed out, repeat this process starting from step 7.

You have successfully backed up your data file to your thumb drive!

If you have any problems, feel free to contact us.

How do I restore / finish moving my MenuMagic data?

If you directly moved copied your CHEFS.mdb file, simply copy your backup CHEFS.mdb to the folder where MenuMagic was installed to (typically C:\Program Files\MenuMagic\ .) This will replace the existing CHEFS.mdb file with your manual backup.

If you used the integrated MenuMagic backup and copied the file to a USB thumb drive, follow these instructions:

  1. Make sure the thumb drive is plugged into your computer.

  2. Locate and double click the "My Computer" icon. This will either be located on your desktop, or in your start menu.

  3. Windows will show your "My Computer" window. Double click USB drive icon.

  4. Find your MMBACKUP file and right-mouse click on it. a menu will appear.

  5. Choose "copy" from the menu.

  6. Close all the windows and re-open your "My Computer" window.

  7. Locate and double click the "My Computer" icon. This will either be located on your desktop, or in your start menu.

  8. Find the folder titled "Program Files" and double click on it. (You may need to click on the "show hidden files" link on the left)

  9. Find the folder titled "MenuMagic" and double click on it. (You may need to click on the "show hidden files" link on the left)

  10. In the MenuMagic window, right-mouse click on some white space (not directly on any file icons). A menu will appear.

  11. Choose the "paste" option. If you do not see a paste option, or it is grayed out, repeat this process starting from step 7.

  12. Launch MenuMagic.

  13. From the "File" menu, choose "restore".

  14. A window will show all the backups in your system. Highlight the backup with the date you made from the thumb drive and press the "Restore Backup" button.

Your data backup is now restored!

How do I import MME recipe files into MenuMagic?

Before starting, make sure your mme file is somewhere you can find it. We recommend saving it to your desktop.

  1. Launch MenuMagic.

  2. Click on the "Recipes" section.

  3. In the recipes window, from the "File" menu choose import recipes.

  4. An open file window will appear. If you saved your MME file to the desktop, make sure you are looking in your desktop, and click the file you want to import.

  5. Click on the "Open" button.

  6. If you are importing a locked recipe collection, MenuMagic will prompt you for an install code. You can retrieve this code by logging in to this site, and then going to the recipe collections page.

    If you know the file you are importing is not locked but is still asking for an import code, then your import file is probably corrupt, and you will need to either re-download or re-save your export (mme) file.

  7. MenuMagic will display a confirm window that you are about to import the recipes. Press the "yes" button.

Your new recipes are now in MenuMagic!

How can I export a MenuMagic report to send to my clients?

There are two main methods to save reports as files. These files can be e-mailed to a client, or stored for your records.

If you need to make changes: If you need to modify a report before sending it (for instance if you want to add extra information or additional formatting) you can use the integrated "export" feature in MenuMagic. To do this follow normal printing procedures for the report, but instead of pressing the "print" button, choose the "export" button. This will prompt you for a file name, and save the report in raw text format.

You can then open this saved text file in a word processor and re-format and add any information you would like. It can be tricky, as exporting to a text file strips much of the report's original formatting and graphics from the file.

If you would like to create a PDF file: We recommend this route if you simply want to save the report to a file in order to send it unmodified to your client as an e-mail attachment.

First, you will need a PDF printer. This is print driver software that, inste4ad of sending to an actual physical printer, sends the report to an Adobe PDF file. You can get PDF print drivers by purchasing the full version of Adobe Acrobat, or by downloading a FREE pdf print driver such as PDFCreator or CutePDF.

Once you have a PDF print driver, simply print the report to the PDF printer. The print driver will prompt you for a file name and presto! you have a PDF version of your report you can now e-mail to your client.

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Troubleshooting

I am running Microsoft Vista, and my data disappeared!

More than likely, you did not follow the modified installation procedure for installing MenuMagic on Vista.

For more information, feel free to contact us.

I get the error: "Please Enter MS JET OLE DB Initialization Information".

The error "Please Enter MS JET OLE DB Initialization Information" refers to the CHEFS.mdb file being having it's read only attribute set, or the data file is corrupt.

To check to see if your data file's read only attribute is set:

  1. Locate and double click the "My Computer" icon. This will either be located on your desktop, or in your start menu.

  2. Windows will show your "My Computer" window. Double click on the C: hard drive icon (most likely called "Local Disk (C:)".)

  3. Find the folder titled "Program Files" and double click on it. (You may need to click on the "show hidden files" link on the left)

  4. Find the folder titled "MenuMagic" and double click on it. (You may need to click on the "show hidden files" link on the left)

  5. Find your CHEFS.mdb (you may not be able to see the three letter extension).

  6. Right-mouse click on the CHEFS file, and choose "properties" from the menu that appears

  7. On the file window that appears, look for a check box title "read only". Make sure it is unchecked.

If the read only attribute is not checked and you are still having problems, feel free to contact us.

I am receiving a "Run-Time" or "E-Fail Status Error".

Typically this is caused by Windows, or another program interfering with MenuMagic. We suggest checking the following:

  • Make sure you are up to date with all of your windows updates. This is the most common cause of rn time problems.

  • Quit other programs running before launching MenuMagic.

  • Download and install any applicable system patches we have.

  • Backup your data file, and then uninstall and re-install MenuMagic. During reinstallation, make sure there are no other applications (including system tray icons in the lower right hand corner) running. If you cannot quit the program, you may be able to temporarily disable it during the installation process.

If you are still having problems, you may be experiencing data corruption. Please contact us.

I am having problems printing reports.

Make sure you have the latest print drivers for your printer. Visit the manufacturers web site for details and instructions on getting the latest print drivers.

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Recipe Collections and Recipe Exchange

How do I install recipe collections?

Follow these steps:

  1. Click on the "download collection" link. When your web browser prompts you for options to either "open" or "save to disk", make sure to choose "save to disk".

  2. Your web browser will then prompt you for a save location. We recommend saving to your desktop so you can easily remember and see where the file is.

  3. After successfully saving the file to your desktop, run through the instructions on how to import an MME file.

Logged In?

If you have purchased MenuMagic, and need to download locked recipe collections, make sure you are logged in.

How do download and install recipes from the recipe exchange?

Follow these steps:

  1. Search the recipe exchange and find the recipe you want to download.

  2. Click on the "download recipe" link. When your web browser prompts you for options to either "open" or "save to disk", make sure to choose "save to disk".

  3. Your web browser will then prompt you for a save location. We recommend saving to your desktop so you can easily remember and see where the file is.

  4. After successfully saving the file to your desktop, run through the instructions on how to import an MME file.

Don't See the "Download Recipe" link?

Make sure you are logged in. Only users who have purchased MenuMagic can log in and download recipes from the exchange.

How do I add my recipes to the recipe exchange?

Follow these steps:

  1. Launch MenuMagic

  2. Navigate to the "Recipes" Section

  3. Highlight the Recipe you will be adding to the exchange.

  4. From the "File" menu, choose "Export Recipes"

  5. MenuMagic will prompt you for a file name and location to save your export. Name the file "MyRecipe" and save it to the desktop.

  6. Quit MenuMagic

  7. Launch your web browser, and go to our web site.

  8. Log In

  9. Navigate to the recipe exchange

  10. Click the "Add Your Recipe" link at the right.

  11. On the add page, click the "browse" button, and choose the MyRecipe file on your desktop.

  12. Click the "upload recipe" button.

You are now sharing your recipe with other MenuMagic culinary professional on the exchange!

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