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Meet Larry Carley, Founder of CarleySoftware
Frequently Asked Questions about Carley Software
This page updated April 24, 2013.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CARLEY SOFTWARE?
To provide basic training and system knowledge in a quick reference format. Each program covers a specific topic,
and is designed to help you better understand the subject. Content typically includes
basic operating theory and principles, and basic troubleshooting procedures that can be applied to MOST vehicles regardless of year, make or model.
All of the content in my quick reference guides is 100% original content written by yours truly. I've been an automotive technical writer and editor for over 30 years, and this is my life's work. If you want to know more about me, my qualifications or background, Click Here. Carley Software is not a big corporation. I'm just one guy working out of his basement.
HOW IS THE INFORMATION PRESENTED?
My CDs are not training videos or eLearning courses. They are quick reference guides that provide a lot of information in one place. The main program menu provides topic buttons that take you to each section within the
program. Within each section is one or more articles about the topic plus pop-up illustrations.
NOTE: The material in my programs is written to cover as broad a range of vehicle applications as possible. In some programs, repair information is provided for specific vehicle applications. But in most cases, repair procedures are "generic" and apply to almost any vehicle. The programs do NOT contain vehicle specific service manual procedures or specifications.
NOTE: If you are looking for repair manual information, wiring diagrams, etc.,
to fix your car, your best source would be a factory service manual, your vehicle manufacturer's technical information website, or to subscribe to a service information provider such as ALLDATAdiy.
My goal is to provide basic information that will help you UNDERSTAND the various vehicle systems so you can diagnose and repair common car problems. People who buy my products are typically automotive do-it-yourselfers, student technicians, and automotive technicians who want to broaden and upgrade their skills.
If you are an ASE certified Master Tech with years of experience, you probably do not need my software. Your should know most of this stuff already. However, if you would like to achieve that level of expertise, my software can help you get to that level.
ARE THE QUICK REFERENCE GUIDES AND ARTICLES AVAILABLE IN PRINT (BOOKS)?
No. Books are very expensive to print, expensive to mail and are obsolete the day they come off the press. Software is inexpensive to produce, cheap to mail or download, and can be easily updated at any time.
If you prefer to read text on paper rather than a computer screen, most pages within each program have a PRINT button that allows you to print out the text and/or illustrations.
IS CARLEY SOFTWARE AVAILABLE IN STORES?
No. I've tried repeatedly to get various auto parts retailers to carry my software, but so far it's a no go. You can only get it here online at www.CarleySoftware.com.
PS - If you see anybody else selling my software online, on ebay (except for my own listings), let me know because it is probably an illegally pirated copy of my software. Let me know!
Please report software piracy to our email address at the bottom of this page and/or to NoPiracy.org. Thank you.
WHO USES CARLEY SOFTWARE?
* Do-It-Yourselfers to understand, diagnose and repair their own cars and trucks.
* Automotive Instructors and trainers for classroom training and reference.
* Automotive Students to supplement classroom textbooks.
* Automotive Technicians for reference and self-training, to upgrade their skills and to study for ASE certification tests.
WHAT ABOUT UPDATES?
All of my products are an ongoing work in progress and are updated with new content from time to time as the need arises. Any significant software updates will be noted on the individual product pages with a date and description of what has been added. If there is no update notice, you can assume the product is current. I do not post update notices for relatively minor changes or additions unless the change is important.
Anyone who purchases any of my software products always receives the latest version. If you bought a program several years ago and want the most current version, just send me your old CD and $10 ($15 for Everything CD users) and I will send you the latest update. If you purchased a program as a download, email me a copy of your PAYPAL payment receipt page and $10 for the latest download version.
WHAT KIND OF COMPUTER AND OPERATING SYSTEM ARE REQUIRED?
Carley Software will run on any Windows PC with Windows XP, Vista or 7 (32-bit for software purchased prior to 2010, and 64-bit for software purchased since 2011). If you are purchasing a software product on a CD, you will need a CD-ROM or DVD drive that can read CD-R (writable) disks. Sorry, no MAC/apple version is available. English only.
It is possible to run CarleySoftware and other Windows applications on a MAC, but it requires a third party utility program to do it. For more information on this subject, see our Tech Support page.
IS OUR SOFTWARE AVAILABLE ON CDS OR AS DOWNLOADS?
All products are available on CDs, and most can also be purchased as downloads (the file is emailed to you as a zip file attachment). The only products NOT available as a download is the Everything CD (files are too large to email).
Our software can also be purchased on a USB flash drive by special request.
NOTE: Programs ordered as downloads are emailed to you as ZIP file attachments. To open a zip file, you need Windows XP, Vista, 7, WINZIP or a similar utility
program. If you don't know how to download and open ZIP files, order the CD version instead.
ALSO NOTE: Some email servers (such as gmail, corporate, school and military servers) block incoming emails that contain zip files or program files to protect against spam and viruses. This may require sending you the program at a different email address.
ALSO NOTE: If your mailbox is full, or you have a free email account that will not accept attachments larger than 1 MB in size, you will not be able to receive your product as a download.
FOR ADDITIONAL DOWNLOAD HELP, CLICK HERE
FOR INSTALLATION HELP OR TECH SUPPORT, CLICK HERE
NOTE: Windows and other anti-virus programs can sometimes create download or installation problems depending on how your anti-virus protection is set up on your computer. For more information on dealing with anti-virus issues, click here or see below:
CD WON'T RUN OR SOFTWARE INSTALLATION PROBLEMS?
Anti-virus programs may prevent the CD from running when you place it in
your hard drive. Or it may prevent you from opening the zip file if you
order a download program.
If this is happening, temporarily disable your anti-virus program. Then turn
your computer off, then back on again. When Windows is up and running again, you should be able to run the CD or open the download zip file.
If you want to install the software from the CD on your hard drive, click on START in the Windows Taskbar, then click on RUN, then type D:\SETUP. The setup program on the CD will now install the software on your PC hard drive.
NOTE: If your CD/DVD drive has a different letter designation, use that letter instead of D in the software setup command.
After successfully downloading or installing the software, re-enable your anti-virus program and restart you computer. You should be good to go now.
WHAT IS OUR RETURN POLICY?
Very simple: NO RETURNS OR REFUNDS ON SOFTWARE.
This is why I don't give refunds. Once a customer has downloaded a program, I have to assume they have opened it and are using it. That's sort of like asking for a refund after you've watched a movie because you didn't like the plot or the acting, or returning a book to the book store after you've read it.
So please read the product description before you place your order. I want you to know what you are buying and to be happy with your purchase. If you have a question, email me at the address below.
WHAT IS THE WARRANTY ON THE SOFTWARE?
If a CD is defective or is damaged in the mail, we will replace it FREE for up to 30 days from the date of purchase.
If you scratch, break or otherwise damage a CD after 30 days from the date of purchase, just return the damaged CD with $10 and I will send you a replacement CD that includes the latest version of the software (if it has been updated since your purchase).
HOW DO YOU ORDER PROGRAMS?
If you want to use a credit card, return to the MAIN MENU and click on the title button of the product you wish to buy. When that page opens, scroll down and
click on the BUY NOW button to purchase the program on a CD or as a download.
CLICK HERE if you wish to order by regular mail and pay by check or money order.
We also accept PURCHASE ORDERS from schools (sorry, no POs or CODs from individuals). Email us for our FAX number.
DO WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS?
Yes, but only through the
PAYPAL online credit card service. We do not process credit cards over the phone.
HOW SOON WILL YOU GET YOUR SOFTWARE?
Online orders are processed MANUALLY when I receive notice that payment has been made. That means I have to be at my computer to send you your order. It is not automatic. I can usually send you your program within a couple of hours (sometimes 10 minutes or less if I'm online), and almost always the same day.
NOTE: YOUR ORDER MAY BE DELAYED IF you place your order on a holiday, over a weekend, late at night, or when I am out of the office. Your order will be shipped the next business day, or as soon as I return to the office. I will always try to acknowledge and mail your order ASAP.
If you are paying by mail with a check or money order, your order will be mailed to you as soon as your payment clears.
Software on CDs and mail orders are sent to you by FIRST CLASS mail. Please allow 4 to 5 business days for domestic mail delivery, and 10 to 14 days (or longer!) for international mail delivery. Sorry, we have no control over the speed of delivery once your package is in the mail.
INTERNATIONAL ORDERS: Many countries charge a duty tax on incoming mail. We are required to fill out a form at the post office that lists the value in US dollars of your purchase. It is YOUR responsibility to pay any duty taxes that are due when you receive your package at your local post office. Your post office may not delivery your package until you have paid any taxes that are due.
DO YOU NEED A SITE LICENSE?
You may install our software on your own personal computer(s) for your own use. You may NOT share it with others, or make any of the content available on the internet. The Everything CD for schools comes with a multi-user site license so the software can be used on multiple PCs by multiple users within the school building.
RESTRICTIONS: Software is copyrighted intellectual property, and subject
to protection under U.S. copyright laws. DO NOT copy, share or redistribute ANY software you have purchased.
Articles and program text can be printed out for classroom use, your own personal use or
for in-house employee training - but NOT for publication, resale or distribution
over the internet or by any other printed or electronic means.
MORE QUESTIONS?
Email questions to: 
(NOTE: the blue button above is not a "live" email button.
You must enter the address manually to send us email. This is done to minimize SPAM.
CarleySoftware
PO Box 129
Westmont IL 60559
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