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CAC (Common Access Card) help for your personal computer

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This single page has everything you need in ONE place to successfully install and use your CAC on your home computer.

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Note: This is only IF your computer did not automatically install the driver

To install a driver onto your computer for any of the CAC readers on the first page, you will need to first download the correct driver for the hardware you purchased, I have drivers located at http://militarycac.com/cacdrivers.htm.

Unzipping -

Windows XP or Vista- Save the zip file to a location of your choosing. Once you have the zip file downloaded, open the zip file (Windows XP 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 hit 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 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.

Windows Vista - Right Click on Computer, Select Properties. Select Advanced system settings (left side of screen), select Continue if you get the Windows needs your permission message. In the System properties window, select the Hardware tab. Click the Device Manager button. Scroll down to Smart Card Readers. Select the + next to it. 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.

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

NOTE: If you are using an SCR-331 CAC Reader on Vista and are still having problems getting the reader to be recognized by ActivClient, you should try updating the firmware on the reader. http://militarycac.com/files/SCR331FirmwareUpdateProcedure.pdf

ActivClient is the software that allows your CAC reader to communicate with your Windows OS (Operating System)

Other branches of the military visit: http://militarycac.com/activclient.htm#get_the_ActivClient_software

Army personnel can Click this link to go to AKO files:

https://www.us.army.mil/suite/folder/7757881

Login to AKO, Click the folder titled ActivClient 61, Click the link titled ActivClient 6_1 for CAC. Select Save, you should now be prompted to Open or Run, Save, and Cancel. Since this file is 29.9 MB, I recommend to Save [to a location you can find in a little while].

NOTE: This version works on both Windows XP and Vista (32bit versions).

NOTE: If you own Vista 64bit version, click the folder titled ActivClient 6 1 64Bit (Vista), then click the link titled: ActivClient 6_1 for CAC x64 BN39. Select Save, download to a location of your choice.

If you are unsure which version you have, here is how to find out:

To check XP, Right click My Computer, Properties. If it doesn't say 64 bit, you have a 32 bit Operating System. To check Vista, Right click Computer, Properties. Under System, System type you see either 32 or 64 bit Operating System.

Once downloaded, open the .zip file titled: ActivClient 6_1 for CAC, double click Start.exe (the one with the little white box with a blue line across the top), it will give you a Compressed (zipped) Folders Warning. Select Extract All, Next, It will now ask to put it in the same folder as where you downloaded it at. I recommend just putting a back slash ( \ ) at the end of what it shows in the directory. Select Next, (it is now extracting your files into a new folder). Once it finishes, you can leave the Show extracted files box checked, push the Finish button. From inside the newly opened folder, Double click on Start, Run, Install, Install / Upgrade Now, Run, Next, Select "I accept the terms...", Next, Next (on setup type), Install, (It might prompt you to close some of your open programs). Uncheck the Show the readme file box (unless you want to read it). Hit Finish. You should be safe to install Pure Edge and Approve It now, then restart your computer.

PLEASE NOTE: The following Operating Systems are NOT SUPPORTED by the ActivClient applications mentioned above: any x64-bit edition of Windows (other than a special 6.1 version for Windows 64bit Vista), Windows ME, Windows NT 4, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition or any earlier versions of Microsoft Windows and non-Microsoft OS' such as

(Apple or Linux Picture of Penguin representing Linux )

http://militarycac.com/apple.htm http://militarycac.com/linux.htm

If you want the CAC software to access AKO or digitally sign forms, you'll need the latest DOD Certificates

Visit https://www.dodpke.com/InstallRoot/ to download the latest DoD Certificates

Right click, Save target as on the InstallRoot 3.08A.zip file to a location of your choice. Once it is downloaded, go to the location you just downloaded it to. Double click the zip file and then double click on Extract all files. Pay close attention to where it wants to save the file to. I recommend putting a backslash ( \ ) at the tail end of the location. This will create a folder where it will put the files into. NOW you can double click the InstallRoot_v3.08A file. It will be the one that is 364KB in size and file type will be Application. The other file is a text file. You might be prompted to Run the file, after you select Run, you will see a black screen flash up, and have a bunch of stuff scrolling down the screen. This program just installed all of the latest DOD certificates to your computer.

NOTE: If the DODPKE site is not working, you can also download the DoD Certificates from the DoD PKE (Public Key Enablement) website on AKO:

https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/474113

Click on downloads, scroll down to InstallRoot v3.08 (A, B, J & S) Executable. The download link will be in blue under the mentioned header

Pure Edge Viewer is a new forms program the Army is migrating to and will eventually replace Formflow).

https://ascp.monmouth.army.mil/scp/nocost/pure_edge.jsp

NOTE: You may have to register for this site when you get there. You will be using it a few more times. So, it is well worth your time.

Click the Link Titled: Download Software, (you will be prompted to logon with your AKO (or CAC now)). Click the link titled: PureEdge Viewer application, I recommend Saving it to a location like your desktop or My Documents. Once it is downloaded, double click the file titled: PEViewer650DODJ12 (Custom IFCX-v3)(14Feb06), Select Run, Yes, Next, Yes, Next, Next, (uncheck Launch the application box), Finish

To get DA forms go to the Army Publishing Directorate website http://www.apd.army.mil/ , click on the DA Forms button http://www.apd.army.mil/USAPA_PUB_formrange_f.asp under EForms, find the form you want (in the range of form numbers). Right click the XFDL link to the right of the form you want, Select Save Target As. Save it to your computer and you will have the form for later. You can also click the link, it will open up your Pure Edge software automatically. You will use the Save As link at the top of the page to save your form.

The Approve It software makes it possible for you to digitally sign forms utilizing your CAC on some DA forms (like OER's & NCOER's) when using Pure Edge Viewer program

https://ascp.monmouth.army.mil/scp/nocost/silanis_approveIt.jsp

Click the Link Titled: Download Software, now click on link titled: Silanis ApproveIt Desktop Software, I recommend Saving it to a location like your desktop or My Documents. This is a large file (30 MB), so, it could take while to download. Once it is downloaded, double click the file titled: AGM-ApproveIt-5-8-2.zip, Copy the folder titled: ApproveIt 5.8.2 to your desktop (this extracts the files). You may also select Extract all files. Double click the setup file. (It might just say setup, it will be an icon that looks like a little computer), Select Run, When this program finishes installing, it will just end. My recommendation is to visit Add/Remove Programs (XP), Programs and Features (Vista) to make sure the software installed. You now need to restart your computer.

You can use this sample form http://militarycac.com/files/a3161.xfdl to test your digital signature on.

NOTE: I have had numerous emails informing me that the Sign stays "grayed out" after installing 5.8.2 on Windows Vista. The only correction I'm come up with is uninstalling 5.8.2 and going back to ApproveIt 5.7.

I have noticed that it depends on the CA of your card (in XP), if you have CA-15 or below 5.8.2 will work. If you have CA-16 or higher 5.8.2 does not work.

If you are using Windows XP and the Sign stays "grayed out" please attempt this first http://militarycac.com/uninstApproveIt.htm If it still doesn't work try the link below to get the ApproveIt 5.7.4 software.

CAVEAT: Several people have informed me that there doesn't seem to be any problems with ApproveIt 5.8.2 on Vista 64 bit edition.

ApproveIt 5.7.4 can be downloaded from https://www.us.army.mil/suite/folder/4156397. You will have to request access to get to the file. Any AKO user can register to this Knowledge Center, and it is an auto-approval process once they register.

If you have problems getting it from AKO, contact me http://militarycac.com/questions.htm , I'll reply to you with the link where the software can be downloaded from. Please select "Approve 5.7 Software link."

You may have to do this before digitally signing your first PureEdge form:

Close PureEdge (if it is open). Go to: C:\Program Files\ApproveIt\,

double-click the icon that looks like a wrench titled: "AprvCfg.exe". On the Signature

Method tab, make sure the radio button is on the bottom choice - "Sign using a

certificate or smart card." Don't change anything else. Click Apply, then OK

After you click "Sign" in PureEdge, it may take a few minutes for the list of

certificates to pop up. Be patient. Choose the certificate that doesn't say

Email, and put a check in the box that says "Use this certificate as default" (if this is your personal computer).

Digitally signing a form is not really that confusing

With a form open and your CAC inserted in the card reader

Single click the area that looks like a little slanted pen with some writing after it

Read the disclaimer, hit OK

Click the word Sign

Select your name (the one without the word email in it), then OK

You should see your name, once you do, click the word Sign

It will prompt you for your PIN, type it in, then select OK

Once you read Signature is valid, Select OK

You have now signed your form

If your organization uses DTS (Defense Travel System) you will need DBSign

http://www.defensetravel.osd.mil/dts/site/index.jsp

When you go to the above link, it will check for DBSign. It will then give you a link to download it from

VISTA USERS: Go to Tools, Internet Options, Security tab, Click on trusted sites, Click Sites button, add in https://www.defensetravel.osd.mil and https://dtsproweb.defensetravel.osd.mil, (now is a good time to add in https://www.us.army.mil also), click add, close this window, then click OK

Some problems and cures:

If you still have problems with the above version of DBSign. Visit https://www.us.army.mil/suite/folder/14110934 you will be auto approved once you authenticate with your AKO account. Download the file titled: DBSignWebSigner_3[1].0.0.1 NOTE: IF you have any problems with this please link please contact CW2P Danberry

Disclaimer: The following cure is for Home Users Only. Do not attempt this on your Government Computer.

Open Internet Explorer, go to: Tools, Internet Options, Security and click on the Internet Security option. UNCHECK the box for Enable Protected Mode.

Symantec Antivirus

https://www.acert.1stiocmd.army.mil/Antivirus/Home_Use.htm

Note: There are now only 2 versions available, one for 32 bit, & one for 64 bit processors. (Most users have the 32 bit version). To check XP, Right click My Computer, Select Properties. If it doesn't say 64 bit, you have a 32 bit Operating System. To check Vista, Right click Computer, Select Properties. Under System, System type you see either 32 or 64 bit Operating System.

(I've noticed that when you install this version that most websites are blocked by the Firewall). My recommendation is that you do not install the Firewall when you install on your home computer. Continue to use the Windows XP or Vista Firewalls.

Discounts on New Computers obtained through the Army Small Computer Program (Now called CHESS (Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions)).

https://ascp.monmouth.army.mil/scp/b2b/vendors.jsp

You will "Punch-out" to whatever company you wish to purchase through through CHESS

Microsoft Home Use Program (HUP)

https://ascp.monmouth.army.mil/scp/software/hup.jsp

Microsoft Home Use Program (HUP) allows individuals to get a licensed copy of Microsoft Office desktop applications to install and use on a home computer. The HUP is available to all Army personnel. This includes Active Duty, Reserve, Guard, and Civilians currently employed by the US Army. Contractors ARE NOT eligible. (The products are priced around $19.95 each) These products include: Office Enterprise 2007, Project Standard 2007, Visio Professional 2007, Office SharePoint Designer 2007, Office 2004 and 2008 for MAC.

Instructions:

PLEASE NOTE: You will need to scroll down towards the bottom of the page (once you logon with your AKO account). Look for the sentence in red and read it. Highlight the program code number, (Right click and copy it). Now select the link https://hup.microsoft.com The next screen is self explanatory. You must use your AKO email address. Paste in the number into the program code box. Now wait for an email from them on your AKO account (This can take up to a few hours). When you get the email you must use the special [one time only use] link. Click the tab titled Microsoft Office Desktop Programs. Select a product family from the drop down. Once you have selected the product you want, Select Add to Basket. Fill in your billing information. You can select a different ship to address. Select Proceed to checkout (lower right corner). Fill in your credit card information. Select I accept. Now wait for your product to be delivered via USPS. IF you want other titles, you have to go through the entire process again.

NOTE: You are only authorized to order 1 copy of each software title. If you attempt to order again, it will give you an error after you try to purchase the software.

A fix to one of Windows Vista's most annoying features (in my opinion)

User Access Control message. Here is a registry hack to turn User Access Control off (right click, save target as on DisableUACforAdmin.reg), then double click it. You will not have to enter the registry with this small .reg file as it will automatically change the location in the registry for those of you who are uncomfortable working in the registry. I use this registry hack on my Windows Vista computers and do not get the annoying message saying that I'm not safe. If you feel you should have it after turning it off, here is another .reg file to re-enable the UAC (right click, save target as on Re-EnableUACforAdmin..), then double click it.

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If you have questions or suggestions for this site, contact CW2P Michael J. Danberry

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Last Update or Review: Friday, 02 January 2009 05:29

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