If you require support please refer to the list of Frequently Asked Questions below. If you cannot find an answer here or in the COW2000 online help, our support team will be pleased to assist you.

Configuration Accounts Management
"I can't find the Print button to print my reports"
You may have installed COW2000 on a new computer or changed your Windows settings and found that when you open a COW2000 report you cannot find the Print button.  This is probably because the print button is hidden behind the Windows taskbar.
Answer : Set the taskbar's auto-hide property to true.
~ You will need to change a setting on your taskbar. This is the grey panel, normally at the bottom of the screen which shows icons for each program you are running.
~ Right click on an unused area of the taskbar and select 'Properties'.
~ A settings dialog will be shown. Ensure the 'Auto-hide' check-box is checked. ~ Click on the OK button to save the changes. ~ Your taskbar will now only show when you bring the mouse cursor to the bottom of the screen.
"I'm having trouble entering dates"
Date problems are usually related to the Windows date settings.  This may have been set to U.S. date format when the computer was supplied to you.
Answer : Set the Windows date format to UK English
~ From the Windows Start menu, select Settings - Control Panel and open "Regional Options".
~ If "English (United Kingdom)" is not selected, select it from the list and click OK to save.
~ Re-start COW2000.  If there is still a problem, try re-starting your computer.
"How often should I backup my data?"
COW2000 makes it easy to backup your data using the Utility | Backup menu.
Answer : The more often you backup your data the better!
~ To backup your data select "Backup data" from the Utility menu.
~ COW2000 will prompt you for the target backup disk and directory.
~ Ideally, you should backup your data on a regular basis, such as every month.
~ It is also a good idea to backup your data before and after you make any major changes to the accounting data you hold.
~ Loss of data can be a major headache. And may result from an unexpected quarter, such as computer breakdown or theft.
~ Backup today - better safe than sorry!
"What is the best way to manage share splits and consolidations?"
A share split occurs when the investor receives a multiple number of shares in exchange for their existing holding. The value of each share is correspondingly reduced. A consolidation is the inverse process where an existing holding is reduced and the value of each share increased. This will cause various accounting problems, such as a distortion of profit/loss firgures for the share if not managed properly.
Answer : This is best managed by creating two entries for the same share.
~ First identify any shares which have been sold before the split occurred.
~ Rename all the shares "Sharename" to be something like "Sharename-Pre-Split".
~ Sell all your current holdings at their cost price, on the same date they were purchased.
~ Create a new share called "Sharename" and repurchase the shares, applying the split.
~ Sold shares must be excluded from the repurchase.
~ For each remaining original purchase, repurchase at the gross cost price, on the original purchase date, adjusting the number of shares and the price per share according to the split.
~ The company issuing the shares should provide full details of the reorganisation to facilitate this.
Here is an example.