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Home   •   Support and Training  •  Academics  •  SciFinder Scholar  •  Technical Support  •  Installing SciFinder Scholar - Windows

Installing SciFinder Scholar for Windows

Installing SciFinder Scholar on Windows is a two-step process.

1. Install the SciFinder Scholar program software.
2. Add a copy of the site.prf  file that is unique to your college or university

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Step 1: Software Installation

• Locate the SciFinder Scholar installation file that you previously downloaded to your computer.  The file is generally named sfsyyyy.exe, where yyyy is a year such as 2007
• Run that file by double-click on the file name or by right-click and then choose Open from the pop-up menu.
• Follow the prompts
  • The default install path is C:\sfschlr\ , that may be changed.
  • A Typical install is recommended
  • Answer No to the question "Do you have a disk labeled Custom Site Files?", except if your SciFinder Scholar Key contact has provided a special floppy disk
  • Accepting the suggested program group folder is recommended
  • The question "Do you want to install SciFinder Scholar Toolbar now?" gives you an option to install a plug-in Toolbar in MSIE (only) that allows you to start SciFinder Scholar searches by using copy and paste from web pages in your browser.  If you answer No, but later want to install this option, a separate Toolbar installer may be downloaded.
  • The final installer screen gives you an option to test your connection to the servers at CAS.  This test will work without a site.prf file.  If the connection test fails, you may wish to refer to Troubleshooting Connections

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Step 2: site.prf file

• The site.prf  file is a small "key" file that will unlock SciFinder Scholar for your use.  This file must be present in the SciFinder Scholar application folder (C:\sfschlr\ by default) for SciFinder Scholar to connect to the SciFinder servers at CAS.
• The file is created by each college or university.
• It should be available to you from
  • The Intranet site from which you obtained the SciFinder Scholar installer
  • Your Library
  • Your SciFinder Scholar Key Contact - often a librarian or someone in the Chemistry department
  • CAS does not have copies of this file
• The file is encrypted and, generally, will be corrupted if opened using an text editor or similar program.  So, be sure that you copy and not open the site.prf file.

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For further assistance, contact CAS Customer Care.