| Moving Elite Reporter Databases From One PC to Another |
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If you need to;
- Setup a new computer to run Elite Reporter on
- Restore a backup of the databases onto a new computer
- Copy a complete "Elite System" ...
Then follow these steps;
- Make a backup from the PC you want to copy from.
- Make a copy of the complete "db" directory (this is your database - it contains all your setups and configurations).
This is located in "C:\Program Files\Elite ID\Elite Reporter".
Backup the complete directory and all files within it.
- Make a copy of all your raw data files.
These are located in "C:\EliteData". Backup this directory and all files and directories within it.
- On the New PC, install the complete Elite Software CD. Install everything.
- On the New PC, get into Windows Explorer then;
- Rename the new PC's "db" directory to "blank_db".
- Copy the "db" from your old PC into the new PC.
Remember to put it into "C:\Program Files\Elite ID\Elite Reporter"
- Copy the "EliteData" from your old PC into "C:\". This restores your old raw data files.
- Check if you setup Elite Reporter to print a logo (see the "Maintain ... System" menu option). If you did, make sure you copy the logo to the new computer in the same place or you must alter the configuration of Elite Reporter.
- Exit Windows Explorer.
- Run Elite Reporter. It should run as if it were on the OLD PC - same passwords and all your data saved as well.
| Database Problems and Problem Solving |
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Databases and the Elite System
The Elite System uses a high performance database system (called an "engine") that has over the years and on many sites proven itself to be a reliable and excellent system.
We must stress that the Elite System is both robust and reliable. If we could find a better system - we would adopt it.
As of October 2002, we have approximately 500 sites running the Elite System across Australia. The number of problems we have is very few indeed.
Without exception, the cause of database problems is one (or more) of the following;
- Pressing "reset" when Elite Reporter is running.
- Computer crashing when Elite Reporter is running.
- Another software program clashing with the database engine.
- Power failure while Elite Reporter it running.
- Raw Unloader data files from old software raising integrity errors (we can easily fix these - just call us).
This page contains information that will help you avoid problems and also information about how you can fix a broken database set of files.
Things to Do
Close Elite Reporter down when you are not using the computer. By doing this, if you have a power failure or something else goes wrong in the computer then the Elite System should not be damaged.
Making a regular backup of the "db" folder is always a good idea.
Same for the "Raw Data" files - see our Data Backup section.
Things to avoid
Pressing reset or shutting the computer down while Elite Reporter is running is almost guaranteed to cause problems.
If you are using the computer and there is a power failure - there is a good chance of database trouble also.
Repairing Damaged Databases - Table Repair
Some damaged databases may be repaired using a utility program we supply. This is called "Table Repair".
Please Note:
Not all damaged databases can be fixed with the Table Repair utility program.
Starting Table Repair
Depending on the version of the Elite-CD you installed - Table Repair may be run by;
Option-1:
Select "Start" ... "Programs" ... "Elite-ID" ... "Table Repair"
or if it is not in the menu then ...
Option-2:
Use Windows Explorer to select the file "C:\ProgramFiles\EliteID\EliteReporter\dtutil32.exe".
Then double-click on it to run the program.
Using Table Repair
In the "Table Alias" section at the top left ... select "EliteID".
Then, in the "Table Name" section at the top right, select the database you want to try to repair.
You can now press the "Rebuild" button. This will attempt to rebuild your file for you.
Integrity Check Failures
This is not a database error - it is an indication that the raw data file you are trying to import into Elite Reporter has some problem.
Elite Reporter will not import raw data files that do not pass some basic integrity checks.
Please send any raw data file with integrity check faults to us at Elite-ID . We may be able to fix the problems for you. Note - the integrity checks are designed to (and will) stop data corruption and altered data from being inserted into the Elite System databases.
Key Violation Errors
These are serious. They prevent you from adding any records (data) to a database. They are caused by the fundamental structure of the database becoming corrupted.
The only solution to this kind of problem is to write down the error message that is shown on the screen and then contact Elite-ID. We will then tell you what files you need to eMail to us to fix.
Rebuilding A destroyed system
If you have completely destroyed your database system then you can still recover all your information so long as you have two things;
- A List of the serial numbers of the iButtons™ and the locations they are installed at ... and ...
- Your raw data from the Wands and Unloaders
Contact us at Elite-ID and we'll talk you through the procedure ... until we get this page finished!
Please
or call
.
| Making Elite Reporter Multi-User |
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Using Elite Reporter From a number of PCs
Some of our clients want to put the "Elite System" onto a network and allow access from a number of computers.
This allows you to;
- Run reports from any computer
- Import data into the databases from any computer
- Unload XL Memory Unloader units into a shared area
You cannot;
- Import on more than one PC at the same time.
- Import data on one PC and run reports at the same time on another PC
- You can't change configurations (e.g. change buttons or locations) at the same time as another PC is generating a report
- Import on more than one PC at the same time
New or Existing Installation
Changing an Existing Installation
We assume you have been using the "Elite System" on a stand-alone PC. You have installed buttons, wands, centres, locations etc. You also have a number of downloads.
A new Installation
If you have never run the Elite System before - just install it from the CD. This will create a set of blank database files onto your PC that you can then move onto a network area for multi-user operation.
Setting up Multi-User
To do this work you must use Windows Explorer to copy a number of sub-directories. If you are not sure about using this Windows program, then please get assistance.
Then follow these steps;
- Create a shared area on the network.
- Give all users wanting to access Elite Reporter full access to that area.
- Assign the SAME drive letter to the area for all users (ie. map the storage on each PC to the same drive letter). For example "S:". This is extremely important.
- From the computer you have installed the Elite System in, COPY the database files into the shared area. Copy the complete "db" directory - it is located in "C:\Program Files\Elite ID\EliteReporter".
- If you have been using the Elite System, you will have some unloaded data. Copy it also into the shared area. It is located in "C:\EliteData". Copy the complete "EliteData" and all its sub-directories into the shared area.
- For example - your shared area should look like this now;
S:
db
EliteData
UnloadedData
- On each OTHER computer you want to run the Elite System from, install the Elite-CD. Install it to run on Drive C - use the suggested defaults. This installs all the support files that are required to access the databases into each PC.
- Now on each PC you must tell it where the data is now located (on your shared network area). You do this by using the "BDE Administrator" program in control panel.
- Exit any programs you are running.
- Get into "Control Panel" ("Start" > "Settings" > "Control Panel")
- Get into the "BDE Administrator" option - double click on it (note: if the option is not in control panel then you have not properly installed the Elite-CD).
- On the left hand side is a list of "Aliases". Select the "EliteID" alias then delete it. Yes ... delete it.
- Next, at the Object menu, use the "New" option. This will create a new alias (usually called "standard").
- Rename the alias to "EliteID". Spell it carefully!
- On the right hand side of the screen is an option called "Path". In that area select the shared network area where you have your database installed. The example above would have "S:\db".
- When the path is shown correctly, press the "Object Apply" option. This will save your setup.
- Exit "BDE administrator".
- Run Elite Reporter. It should run as if it were on the OLD PC - same passwords and all your data saved as well.
- Repeat the above for each PC you want to have access to the data.
- You can also configure your XL Unloader program (use a later version please ... V3.5 or better) to save data you unloaded into the shared area.
- Get into the XL Unloader program.
- Select the "Configure" option
- In the unload directory, type in the name of the shared unloading directory.
From the above example, use "S:\EliteData\UnloadedData".
- Close the configure screen
- Repeat for each PC
You can now unload on any PC and it will be put into a shared network area and any PC can import the data and or generate reports.
- Now that you have successfully centralised all your data ... Make Sure You Back It Up Regularly!!
Fault Finding and Fixing
Missing Files
This happens if you have NOT setup the alias using the "BDE Administrator" program properly.
Elite Reporter uses data files that are pointed to by the path you setup in the EliteID alias. If this is not correct then Elite Reporter won't find files and your system won't work.
Not all PCs see the same files
If you have not changed the alias in a PC to point to the network data files, it will point to the wrong place and won't work as you would want.
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