Install CTI Navigator 

see "Download, Install or Access CTI Navigator" for current information.

CTI Navigator Desktop can be installed in any Microsoft supported version of Windows from 98 through 8. Before installing, close all other programs (and it may be helpful also to temporarily disable any antivirus or disk protection program on your computer). For Windows 8, 7, Vista, XP or 2000, ensure that your user account in Windows has administrative privileges (such as Computer Administrator). To review your Windows User Account status, click Start > Control Panel > User Account.  

Instructions on how to install CTI Navigator Desktop depend on (1) what version of Windows into which you are installing CTI Navigator, and (2) how you want CTI Navigator to access MLS data (inside your computer or over the Internet).  If you install only the program, it will be set by default to access MLS data over the Internet when you login. This is the normal installation. If you want to be able to run CTI Navigator without being on the Internet (especially useful for laptop or netbook computers), you should install both the program and data. 

The CTI Navigator Desktop program and MLS data can be installed from installation disk(s) or from files downloaded from the Internet. The fastest, most reliable and most versatile way to install CTI Navigator is from fresh installation disks obtained from your local MLS office if available. The program must be installed before data can be installed. 

CTI Navigator Desktop also can be installed and run for multiple MLS associations on the same computer for users who are active members of more than one MLS using CTI Navigator. See the related article below, Run CTI Navigator for Multiple MLS, for instructions on installing for more than one MLS. 

Download Overview 

If you want to download CTI Navigator Desktop (program and/or MLS data) over the Internet and do not need procedural installation instructions, you can download the appropriate file for your MLS association as follows : 

Alternatively, you can use the pre-specified MLS links on the "Download, Install or Access CTI Navigator" webpage (also listed in the related articles section at the end of this web page).

Note 1: MLS code. To download the file directly, you will need to know the 3-letter code for your local MLS. If you do not know this code, it can be determined by contacting CTI (see "Contact CTI Tech Support" in the related articles below); or by opening the CTI Navigator login screen on a computer with CTI Navigator already installed > click the Setup button > the first 3 letters in the Internet Server Address box are your MLS code.

(If the NavDeploy installation does not work for your computer, a DCOM installation of the program can be downloaded and run from www.ctimls.com/Downloads/OLD/{YourMLScode}Nav.exe. This is very rarely needed and should be used only if instructed to do so by CTI tech support. A DCOM installation usually also requires running the "Set DCOM & Tunneling" patch - which can be run by clicking the preceding link or from  Download CTI Navigator in the related articles below.)

Installation Instructions {Extensively Revised- see Download, Install or Access CTI Navigator instead}

For installation instructions, choose the type of installation you prefer by clicking on the appropriate topic below:

Install in XP or earlier versions of Windows {see Download, Install or Access CTI Navigator instead}

PROGRAM. To install the CTI Navigator program in Windows XP (and earlier versions): 

Whether installing the program from disk or from the Internet, select "Next" at the bottom of all the installation wizard screens to setup a normal installation in the default "C" drive. (Note: if you prefer to install on a drive different from "C", when prompted for the Destination Directory change only the drive letter in the installation path.) After installing the program, install the data and/or re-start Windows. If you installed from a file that was saved to your desktop, this file can be deleted, but delete it only after it has been run/opened locally, the installation has completed successfully (creating the CTI Navigator icon CTI icon on you desktop), and you have re-started Windows. 

You may need to configure any Internet Security programs in your Windows (such as a firewall) to allow the CTI Navigator program to access the Internet. See the related article, "Configure Security Settings in Windows...". 

DATA. To install MLS data in Windows XP (and earlier versions): The entire MLS database (which includes all photos and, where available, taxes for all properties) is so large for most MLS's that, though possible, it is not recommended to download and install everything over the Internet. Instead of downloading data from the Internet, it is much faster and more reliable to install the entire MLS database from disk. Note: MLS data can be installed only after the CTI Navigator program has been installed and should be installed on the same drive as the program. 

After installing the data from disk or from the Internet, re-start Windows (if it was not previously re-started after installing the program). Then update manually by selecting Start > all Programs > CTI Navigator > Update Manager > Update button. Close the Update Manager screen when the update completes. Note that if you installed listing data from the Internet rather than from disk, the initial update will take an unusually long time because it will automatically download all MLS photos along with any changes in the program and listing data into your computer. 

After all the data is installed, whenever your computer is connected to the Internet, click Update instead of OK on CTI Navigator's login screen. This will keep the MLS data inside your computer up-to-date with the master MLS data on the Internet. You also can schedule Windows to run updates for you (see the related article, "Schedule Automatic Updates for CTI Navigator"). Updates contain only the changes to the program and main database. If your computer is not connected to the Internet, you can click "Work Offline" to prevent the program from attempting to connect to the Internet to download new data or photos. (For more details, select "Logging In" under Getting Started in CTI Navigator's built-in Help. See related articles, "Using Help in CTI Navigator".)

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Install in Windows Vista or Windows 7 {see Download, Install or Access CTI Navigator instead}

Windows Vista, 7, and 8 have a "User Account Control" (UAC) protection feature that requires you to specify whether to "Allow" programs that need access to windows system files to run with Administrative privileges. Therefore, when installing or running CTI Navigator in Windows Vista or later, you should  select "Allow" on any User Account Control prompt (or temporarily disable the UAC - as described in the related article, Using Windows Vista and Windows 7). In general, Windows 7 does not display the UAC Allow prompt as often as Windows Vista. 

PROGRAM. To install the CTI Navigator program in Windows Vista or Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit version): 

Whether installing the CTI Navigator program from disk or from the Internet, select "Next" at the bottom of all the installation wizard screens to setup a normal installation in the default "C" drive. (Note: if you prefer to install on a drive different from "C", change only the drive letter in the installation path.) If you are installing only the program into Windows Vista, re-start Windows after the installation completes. If you also are installing data, you can install the data before or after re-starting Windows. 

If they do not automatically configure themselves, some Internet Security programs in your Windows (especially firewalls) may need to be set to allow the CTI Navigator program to access the Internet. Also see "Configure Security Settings in Windows..." in the related articles below. 

DATA. To install MLS data in Windows Vista or Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit versions): The entire MLS database (which includes all photos and, where available, taxes for all properties) is so large for most MLS's that, though possible, it is not recommended to download and install everything over the Internet. Instead of downloading data from the Internet, it is much faster and more reliable to install the entire MLS database from disk. Note: MLS data should be installed on the same drive as the CTI Navigator program. 

Note 2: Most computers run a 32-bit version of Windows. However, a 64-bit computer processor can run either a 32-bit or a 64-bit version of Windows. Programs and their associated data are stored in a different folder in a 64-bit version of Windows.  Therefore, before attempting to install data into CTI Navigator, determine whether your computer is running the standard 32-bit (the most common) version or the advanced 64-bit version of Windows. If you are uncertain, you can determine which version of Windows is running on your computer by going to Start > Control Panel > System > in the System section under the "System Type", look for either 32-bit or 64-bit Operating System. 

To install MLS data, follow the instructions below appropriate for your version of Windows Vista or Windows 7.  

Install Data in 32-bit Windows 

Install Data in 64-bit Windows

After installing the data (from disk or from the Internet) into Windows, re-start Windows (if this was not done previously after installing the program). Then update CTI Navigator manually by selecting Start > all Programs > CTI Navigator > Update Manager > Update button. Close the Update Manager screen when the update completes. Note that if you installed listing data from the Internet rather than from disk, the initial update will take an unusually long time because it will automatically download all MLS photos along with any changes in the program and listing data into your computer. 

After all the data is installed, whenever your computer is connected to the Internet, click Update instead of OK on CTI Navigator's login screen. This will keep the MLS data inside your computer up-to-date with the master MLS data on the Internet. You also can schedule Windows to run updates automatically (see "Schedule Automatic Updates for CTI Navigator" in the related articles below.) Updates contain only the changes to the program and to the main database (including deleting obsolete data and photos) since the last update for this computer. When your computer is not connected to the Internet, you can click "Work Offline" to prevent the program from attempting to connect to the Internet to download new data or photos. (For more details, select "Logging In" under Getting Started in CTI Navigator's built-in Help. For instructions on using the help function inside CTI Navigator, see "Using Help in CTI Navigator" in the related articles  below.)

General Notes:

  1. For information relevant to running CTI Navigator in Windows Vista or Windows 7, see the related article, "Using Windows Vista and Windows 7."
  2. Do not delete a downloaded installation file until after it has been opened locally, the installation has completed successfully (creating the CTI Navigator icon CTI icon on you desktop), you have re-started Windows, and you have successfully logged into CTI Navigator.

  3. If the CTI Navigator shortcut icon on your Windows desktop does not work correctly, you can delete it and manually create a new shortcut by right-clicking on a blank space of the desktop > select New > Shortcut > Browse button > browse to C:\Program Files\CTI Navigator\CTI Navigator.exe. Then, to run CTI Navigator in Windows Vista or Windows 7 after manually creating a shortcut,  right-click on the CTI Navigator icon on the Vista desktop > select Properties > click the Compatibility tab > under Privilege Level, check "Run this program as an Administrator" > click OK. The first time you open the program, right-click on the CTI Navigator icon > click "Run as Administrator" > click Allow.  

  4. CTI provides a special ".mobi" website where registered MLS members can use an Internet-enabled cell phone (Android, Blackberry, iPhone, Palm, etc.) or wireless device (such as Apple iPad) to access selected MLS data through their web  browser. You do not need to install anything to access this mobi website. However, the MLS information displayed at this site is formatted to fit the smaller screens of wireless devices, and you will not be able to add or revise MLS data, or create CMA documents at this website. For login authentication, your cell phone must support "cookies." (See "Use Cell Phone or iPad to Browse Mobile Website" in the related articles below.)

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Set Path to Local Data

The install program on installation disks automatically sets the path to data (or taxes where available) if the data is installed from the disk. However, if you download listing data (or taxes) from the Internet into a computer that did not previously have MLS data (or taxes) installed, you must manually enter in CTI Navigator's setup the path to the downloaded data (see also the warning below). 

To set the path to local MLS data for CTI Navigator: 

  1. On CTI Navigator's login screen click the Setup button. 
  2. Select the Data Files tab.
  3. Change the Location from Internet to "This Computer." [Do not change the Internet server address.]

To set the path to the local tax file (if installed) for CTI Navigator:

  1. On the login screen select the Setup button.
  2. Select the Data Files tab and ensure the Location is set to This Computer.
  3. Right-click in the path beside This Computer and Select All (or use Ctrl/A on your keyboard to Select All).
  4. Right-click again in the path beside This Computer and select Copy (or use Ctrl/C on your keyboard) to copy the data path into Windows clipboard.
  5. Select the Tax File tab and select This Computer under Location. 
  6. Right-click inside the box directly across from This Computer and select Paste (or use Ctrl/V). 
  7. Click at the end of this path and add \Data\ . 
  8. Click OK. 

After adding local data (and/or taxes), it is advisable to update to ensure that the data is current and can be updated. To update, click the Update button as you login or you can update manually before trying to login. To manually update without logging into CTI Navigator, click Start > all Programs > CTI Navigator > Update Manager > Update button. If the update fails, see "Fix Update Problems" in related articles below.

Warning: the first update after downloading data from the Internet can take an unusually long time because CTI Update Manager will automatically download any missing photos (this means all photos if you have not previously installed photos). Largely for this reason, it is recommended that MLS data and photos be installed from disk rather than downloaded from the Internet. 

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Set Data to Internet option

If you already have both the program and data installed correctly, you later can set the program to access MLS data over the Internet (instead of internally). This may be useful for example, if you upgrade your Internet service to broadband (DSL, cable, or fiber-optic), or if there is a problem with the MLS data on your computer (see "Fix Error Messages" in related articles below). You do not need to re-install the program. To set CTI Navigator to always access MLS data over the Internet, open the CTI Navigator login screen > click the Setup button > under the Data Files tab (and, where available, under the Tax Files tab), click the button in front of "Internet" (which also un-selects "This Computer") > click the OK button. (This is not recommended for laptops or any computer that does not always have Internet access.) 

If you install (or change setup to use) only the program, there is no Update button on the login screen. This is because when running only the program, it must access MLS data (including verifying your login password) from CTI over the Internet (instead of inside your computer). Therefore, when only the program is installed (or selected in Setup), CTI Navigator cannot run without access to the Internet. 

If you get a server error after setting CTI Navigator to use MLS data over the Internet, see the related article, "Fix Remote Server does not exist or is unavailable". For other update issues see "Fix Update Problems" in related articles below.

Reclaim Used Hard Drive Space

If you previously installed MLS data but now have switched to set CTI Navigator to access data over the Internet (see preceding section), you can remove the old data and photo files so their storage space can be reused on your hard drive as follows:

  1. Open Windows Explorer (not the Internet Explorer) and browse to the location where CTI Navigator is installed for your MLS. 
  2. Under the folder for your MLS, select the Data folder and delete the Mls.mdb file in this folder. Be careful to delete only this one file which has only one capital letter and only one "s" (i.e., do not delete MLS.mdw, Mlss.mdb, or Dic.mdb). 
  3. Under the folder for your MLS, select the Photo folder . Then
    1. Right-click on and Rename the Photos folder (such as to PhotosX)
    2. Left-click on the folder for {YourMLScode} (above the PhotosX folder) to select it. Then 
      1. in the top menu of Windows Explorer, select File > New Folder
      2. type the word Photos and press the Enter key. Be sure this Photos folder is at the first level of indentation under the folder for {YourMLScode}. (It should be directly above and aligned with the PhotosX folder.)
    3. Left-click on the PhotoX folder. Then copy the two files named MLSPhotoA.jpg and "No Photo Available.jpg" from the  PhotoX folder and paste them into the Photos folder that you created in the previous step. 
  4. Minimize the Windows Explorer screen.
  5. Log into CTI Navigator and preview any Report that includes photos for any listing. If viewing Reports successfully displays the photos for the listing, open the Windows Explorer (click where you minimized it to the taskbar at the bottom of the screen) and delete the PhotosX folder. Be careful to delete the old folder that you re-named earlier, not the Photos folder that you created with only two files in it. 

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Install in Windows on Mac Computers by Apple

CTI Navigator is written in Microsoft code for the Windows operating system (OS). Apple uses an entirely different computer code for the Mac OS and iPhone/iPad OS. Even though the iMac and MacBook use Intel processors, they still use an Apple operating system which does not run Microsoft's Windows code natively. However, there are several possible ways to run Windows applications (such as CTI Navigator) on some Apple computers, depending on what processor and which version of operating system is on the Mac computer.  

  1. If you have a Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor, you can purchase or upgrade your operating system (OS) from Apple to Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard (or later). Then use Apple's Boot Camp assistant to install Windows XP (with Service Pack 2 or 3), Windows Vista, or Windows 7 (purchased separately) to run in a special partition of your computer's hard drive. Windows applications can then run using the Windows OS and Windows drivers in this partition. This is the newest and fastest way to run Windows applications on the widest variety of Macs, but it requires you to re-start your computer to switch between Mac and Windows OS. See the "Apple Boot Camp" related article below for Apple's description of running Windows and Windows applications on your Mac using Boot Camp.
  2. If your Mac uses an Intel processor (such as MacBook, MacBook Pro, 2006 or later iMac, Mac mini with IR sensor, or Mac Pro) running Mac OS X Tiger 10.4 or higher, you can purchase either a program called VMware Fusion™ for Mac from VMware or a program called Parallels for Mac from Parallels, Inc. to create a Windows "Virtual Machine" inside your Mac (see the related articles below, "VM Fusion for Mac" and "Parallels Desktop for Mac"). Both virtualization programs support multiple versions of Windows (98 through Vista) as well as Linux, and do not require re-booting to switch between Mac and Windows OS environments. These programs also can run within a Boot Camp partition and can share files between Mac and Windows applications. Note that running both Mac and Windows OS at the same time requires a minimum of 1 GB or more of memory in your Mac. These virtualization programs will not run on any PowerPC Mac. 
  3. If your Mac uses the PowerPC G5 processor, you can purchase from Microsoft a program called "Virtual PC" to emulate Windows (XP) on a Mac (see the related article below, "Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac"). Emulation software tends to run slower than other approaches, but you do not need to purchase a separate copy of Windows and do not need to choose between operating systems when starting you computer. Virtual PC 7 will not run on Intel-based Macs.
  4. If you have an Apple iPad (or iPhone) you will not be able to install or run the full-featured CTI Navigator program on your device. However, you still can access MLS data on any cell phone or Apple device with Internet service by going to CTI's website for mobile devices. (See General Note #4 above regarding the mobi website; for details see "Use Cell Phone or iPad to Browse Mobile Website" in the related articles below.)

After Windows or Windows emulation software is installed, running and updating successfully on your Mac computer, then follow the appropriate steps to install CTI Navigator into the version of Windows running on your Mac (as described previously on this webpage). 

Any questions regarding installing and running Windows applications (such as CTI Navigator) on a Mac should be directed to the appropriate software provider that you are using to run Windows applications on the Mac (such as Apple, Microsoft, VMware, or Parallels). CTI does not support Mac based issues.

As an alternative to running or emulating Windows on your Mac, you may try the  browser-based version of CTI Navigator. The browser-based version will run on an Intel-based Apple Mac computer using OS X 10.4.11 or later, and the latest version of the Firefox or Safari browser. Check with your local MLS office to determine if your MLS is participating in the beta test of CTI Navigator Web. For more information, see "Tutorials for Browser-based CTI Navigator Web" in the related articles below.

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Related articles and Internet links:

To return to CTI's menu of Help & Tutorials, click here or use the back arrow at the top of your Internet browser.

 

 

rev. 04.19.2012