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  CAC (Common Access Card) help for your personal computer

STEP 2:  INSTALLING / UPDATING THE CAC READER DRIVER

Plug in your CAC reader NOW

NOTE:  Please check and make sure your CAC reader installed BEFORE you attempt to download the drivers below.  Most of the time, the New hardware wizard will install the CAC reader automatically, negating the need for you to install the driver manually.

To Verify whether your driver did or did not install, follow these instructions:

Plug your CAC reader into your computer before proceeding

Vista & 7:  Right click Computer, select Properties, Device Manager link (upper left corner of the screen), scroll down to Smart card readers, select the little triangle next to it to open it up.  If your smart card reader is already listed, you can go to the next step of installing the DoD certificates.

XP:  Right click My Computer, select Properties, Hardware tab, Device Manager button, scroll down to Smart card readers, select the + next to it to open it up.  If your smart card reader is already listed, you can go to the next step of installing the DoD certificates.

If it did not install correctly...  Try this first:  Go to Device Manager (Instructions are above), scroll down to Smart Card readers, right click the CAC reader that shows up below Smart Card Readers.  It could also be under unknown devices.  Select Uninstall.  It will give you a message.  Once it is uninstalled, unplug the reader from your computer.  Wait a few moments, then plug it back in.  It "should start to install itself.  If that doesn't work, keep reading for other ideas below.

IF you do not see Smart card readers when checking, THEN follow along with the steps below.

To install a driver onto your computer for a CAC reader, you will need to first download the correct driver for the hardware you purchased, I have some drivers for: USB Readers, Keyboard, & laptop card readers. 

PROCEED TO STEP 3 ONCE YOU'VE COMPLETED YOUR VERIFICATION OR INSTALLATION

  Unzipping -

Windows 7, Vista, or XP- Save the zip file to a location of your choosing.  Once you have the zip file downloaded, open the zip file (Windows built in zipping program).  Copy the folder inside to a new folder.  It will unzip the contents, (This is the folder you will need when you are doing the steps below).  You can also use the Extract All Files button (on the left under Folder Tasks, under File, Extract All).  It will then ask where you want to save the file too.  I recommend just putting a backslash ( \ ) at the end of the location already on the screen.  

WinZip- Use the Extract button.   It will ask you where you want to save the extracted files to, I recommend your desktop.  Click the desktop icon on the left.  Push the little yellow folder in the upper right corner of this active window.  It will prompt you for a name for the folder (type in CAC Driver).  Hit OK, then select Extract (lower right corner of this window).  You should now see your new folder on your desktop to open up.  Keep this for a later step. 

Updating the Driver -

Windows 7 & Vista - Right Click on Computer, Select Properties.  Click the Device Manager link (on the left side of your screen).  Select the little triangle next to Smart Card Readers.  Right click the SCRx31 USB Reader, Update Driver software.  Browse my computer...  Select Browse and then desktop (or wherever you decided to make the folder).  Select the folder and then OK.  Next, Your driver will be installed.

Windows XP - Right Click My Computer, Select Properties, Go to the Hardware tab, Select Device Manager, Select the + next to Smart card readers.  Right click on SCR33x USB Smart Card Reader.  Select Update Driver, then No, not at this time, Next, Select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced), Next, Unselect Search removable..., Select Include this location in the search:, now hit Browse, find the folder we made a few moments ago.  All you have to do is select the folder and hit OK, Next, It should do the rest on its own.  Select Finish when complete.

For the Dell Keyboards - Double click the .exe files, they will self install

FIRMWARE UPDATE for SCR-331 Reader

(Can only be completed using a Windows computer)

This "should" fix the following problems:

1. Card reader is not recognized

2. Shows up as "STCII Smart Card Reader"

3. Does not read your new "Gemalto TOP DL GX4 144K" or "Oberthur ID One 128 v5.5 Dual" CAC.

4. Does not read your CAC when using your MAC

5. Trying to use the Windows 7 built in Smart Card service instead of ActivClient.

CHECK SERVICES to make sure Smart Card is running

If the CAC reader is still not seen by ActivClient, make sure that the Smart Card service is running

Here's how:  Go to Start, Run, type in Services.msc   Scroll down to Smart card, double click it and set it to automatic and click Start

If you are unable to start it, it doesn't show up, or it acknowledges you have a CAC in the reader (but you can't access it) review the files below that corresponds with your version of Windows 

Windows 7 - 64 bit

Windows 7 - 32 bit

Windows Vista - 32 bit

Windows Vista - 64 bit

Windows XP

Alternate cure for XP

Anytime you adjust the Registry it is a very good idea to back it up first)

Here are some more ideas for getting the Smart Card service to start.

Here are the links that show the library dependencies for the smartcard service.

 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc776447(WS.10).aspx

 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc783853(WS.10).aspx

 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc787544(WS.10).aspx

 http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb204778(VS.85).aspx

 http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd401509(VS.85).aspx