database management and technical support of edexpress
TRANSCRIPT
Session 9- 1
Session 9
DatabaseManagement and
Technical Support ofEDExpress
Session 9- 2
Introductions
n Who is this session geared for?n Evaluationsn Questions
Session 9- 3
Agendan Hardware and Platform setupn Optimizing your system for EDExpressn Installation and Setup tipsn Preventive Maintenancen Utilitiesn Solutions to Common Errorsn Other technical tips
Session 9- 4
“Behind the Scenes” ofEDExpress for
Windows
Session 9- 5
Type of Applicationand Database
n MS Access 97 with Visual C++ GraphicInterface
n 32-bit EDExpress uses DAO DLL (DataAccess Object/Dynamic Link Library) filesto communicate with database
n MS Access updateable SQL rather thanC++ SQL.
Session 9- 6
Software design
n EDExpress has a very modular designand each version changes the databasestructure
n Upgrades must be made in version ordern No versions can be skippedn Since files are registered in the registry
you must install every version to thesame directory
Session 9- 7
Versions
n Each program year stands separate fromthe year before and the coming year
n Version format is: X.Y.Z– X equals program year
– Y equals module added
– Z equals the service release #
Session 9- 8
“Setting the Stage”:
Hardware and PlatformSetup
Session 9- 9
Future HardwareRequirements
n Are imminentn Will probably include 128 MB RAM and
400-800 MHz Pentium Processorn If you want multi-tasking capabilities you
will want to go above the MINIMUMrequirements
Session 9-10
PC Configurationn 32-bit EDExpress for Windows can only be
run in Windows 95, 98, Windows NT 4.0and now Windows 2000
n The AUTOEXEC.BAT file must contain• SET TEMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP• SET TMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP
n The CONFIG.SYS file must contain• FILES=120• BUFFERS=32
Session 9-11
Network Configuration
n Three network operating systems aresupported:– Novell 3.x or higher– NT 4.x or higher
– Windows 2000
n No other network operating systems aresupported. This includes peer to peernetworks
Session 9-12
Networking
n EDExpress databases should not reside onhigh traffic servers
n EDExpress traffic should not be routedthrough high traffic routers/bridges/etc.
n Have sufficient RAM to service the serverwithout slowdowns
n Database should be in an environmentwhere data delivery does not get slowed
Session 9-13
Networking (cont.)
n Make sure the Financial Aid Dept. hasaccess to a minimum of 600 MB of serverspace
n If you are running through an NT gatewayto a Novell server, the permissions/rightsand ownership must be equivalent on bothservers
Session 9-14
Novell Specific Settings:
n Make sure AUTOEXEC.NCF file on NetWareserver console contains:• Set Maximum Record Locks Per Connection=10000
n For immediate changes without rebooting theserver, type these commands at the consoleprompt
n Directory rights should be set to:• W - Write F - File Scan R - Read• C - Create M - Modify E - Erase
Session 9-15
Novell notes:
n You cannot have a paths longer than 46characters and also have specialcharacters (for example blanks, “_”, “-”)in that path
n Novell Client Version 2.2 has beenshown to cause irregular printing issues
Session 9-16
NT Specific Settings:
n Maximize throughput for file sharing· At the server control panel go to Start |
Settings | Control Panel | Network. OnNetwork screen choose the Services Tab.Double Click on the Server icon in thewindow labeled Network Services, thenchoose Maximize Throughput for FileSharing
Session 9-17
NT Specific Settings(cont.)
n Both the location and the size of the pagingfiles on the NT server are important to thefunctionality of the software
n The folder and the files (Expres02.mdb andExpres02.ldb) must be owned by thefinancial aid group
n Permissions must be Change or better
Session 9-18
NT Notesn Your database directory name is case
sensitive on your NTFS servern You must be logged in with administrative
rights to a new NT Workstation to installsoftware
n If the person installing has full controlpermission s/he will claim ownership ofthe folder and cause initialization errorsfor others
Session 9-19
Windows 2000
n Everyone logging into EDExpress on aWindows 2000 Professional operatingsystem must be a “Power User”
n Unlike NT Users, in Windows 2000 areconsidered “restricted users” and cannotchange system files - in this case theycannot register the DLL’s in the registry
Session 9-20
Printing Setup
n EDExpress prints with LaserJet printersn DeskJet, Inkjet, BubbleJet printers are
often incompatible with EDExpress andare not supported
n EDExpress prints best using a PCL5edrivers
n The printer that you will be printing tomust be set as default
Session 9-21
“Jumping In”:
Installation and Setup
Session 9-22
Installation Options
n Stand Alone– Full - installs all files locally
– Custom - select modules you want to install
n Network Server– Installs database only on network
n Network Workstation– Full - installs all files except database– Custom - select modules you want to install
Session 9-23
Full versions VersesService releases
n Full version upgrades modify (and canoverwrite) the database
n Service releases simply upgrade DLL’s onthe local drive; and therefore do not affectthe database
n Service release version numbers are notreflected in the opening splash screen
Session 9-24
Uninstalling
n Always uninstall before reinstallingn Uninstall removes all DLL’s which are not
shared from 4 install directoriesn Uninstall updates the registryn Uninstall removes the database !!!!n Uninstall does not remove the install.log
(for auditing purposes)
Session 9-25
Program Directoriesn \Program Files\EDESuite\EDExpress for Windows -
2001-2002 - Main application target directory(EDExpress specific files)
n \Windows\System or \WINNT\System32-Systemshared DLL target directories (i.e. MFC42.DLL,MSVCRT40.DLL)
n \Program Files\Common Files\MicrosoftShared\DAO - all Data Access Object DLL’s will belocated here
n \Program Files\Common Files\EDEShared - Nolonger used for for EDExpress
Session 9-26
Directory for NetworkServer
n Default directory is first availablenetwork drive\EDExpres02
n You can specify a UNC pathn You can map a drive for the database
using a drive letter specificationn You can change the path to the
database during the install or any timelater
Session 9-27
Install Tips
n Install the most recent version (except forservice releases) of the software if you arejust beginning
n Once you have data you must upgradeincrementally
n Do not skip upgrades unless you are doing afull install to a new PC
n Upgrade each PC before you open thesoftware and allow it to do the one timeupdate
Session 9-28
Install Tips (cont.)n Reboot, then open each version of the software
to allow the one-time update to modify thedatabase structure before installing nextversion (i.e. open 7.1 before installing 7.2)
n Doing an install of ver 7.x will not affect datafrom any other program year
n Perform preventive maintenance before youbegin
n MAKE A BACKUP OF THE DATABASE
Session 9-29
Why Download OneDisk at a Time?
n The school has poor/static filled phone lines
n The FAA has a slower modem
n The FAA has to put it on floppy disk
n The FAA needs to have access to thecomputer while downloading
n The FAA has had problems downloading thefull version
Session 9-30
Unpacking the Files withthe One File Option
n Find the downloaded file in the directoryyou put it into and double click on it
n Unpack to the temp directory (usuallyC:\temp or C:\Windows\Temp)æ Note: the unpack procedure asks if you
want to install to the c:\temp
n Click Finish and the Install will begin
Session 9-31
“Keep it Humming”:Preventive
Maintenance
Session 9-32
PC Maintenancen Perform regular hard disk maintenance
– SCANDISK
– DEFRAG
n Delete all files from \temp directory,“*.chk” and “found.*” files from rootdirectory
n Clear internet cache on a regular basisn Run Virus Scan programs regularly
Session 9-33
n Maintain adequate free hard drive space(bare minimum 600 MB)
n Use a surge protector with modemprotection
n Exit programs and shut down gracefullyn Backup, Backup, Backupn Limit multitasking while running EDExpress
PC Maintenance
Session 9-34
Repair and Compact
n Run utilities weekly or when you see un-predictable/random behavior or error messages
n Repair first to fix database errors
n Follow with Compact to create a new, organizedcopy of EDExpress database– Compact defragments and re-indexes database,
making it smaller and faster– Compact will succeed only if PC has enough free hard
drive space for 3 copies of database
Session 9-35
Where to Repair andCompact 32-bit Database
n Under tools|utilities menu in the softwaren From Microsoft Access 97 only (not
Access 2.0, Access 95, Access 7 orAccess 2000)
n From separate utilityCompactandRepair.exe
Just Do IT!
Session 9-36
Verify Database
n Checks for data relationship integrityn Always run Repair Database and
Compact Database prior to and afterrunning Verify Database
n Run this utility from the tools |utilitiesmenu from within the software
n Run Verify Database weekly
Session 9-37
Utilities on a LANn Repair, Compact, and Verify will fail if
users are logged into EDExpress or ifthere are record/user locks
n Database utilities lock users out of thedatabase
n High traffic on a network can causeEDExpress utilities to fail
n Incorrect network configuration can causethe database to be lost during compact
Session 9-38
Tips for Running Utilities
n Copy database to the local drive to runutilities if errors do not clear after runningutilities on the server
n If running the utilities within the softwarefails, try running the utilities from Access97 or with the compactandrepair.exe
n If repair fails, try compact first, then repair
Session 9-39
“What Happened?”Solutions to Common
Errors
Session 9-40
Most Install Errors AreCaused by:
n Skipping a versionn Installing one version in one directory and a
second version in another directory or driven Installing with other programs runningn Hard drive needs to be cleaned upn Failed downloadn Incorrect rights/permissions or ownership
Session 9-41
Install error notes:n MFC42.DLL is in use during install
n Some versions of Norton Anti-Virus v 5.0 willcause install errors
n The Compaq Intelligent Manageability must beuninstalled to successfully install EDExpresssoftware
n Turn off everything before you begin the install
n You may need to boot to safe mode to do theinstall
Session 9-42
Common Install errors
n ComponentMoveData had the following...Media Name...
n Version Mismatch...n Update failed...n Setup requires a different version of
Windows. Check to make sure you arerunning setup on the platform it wasintended for
Session 9-43
Resolutions for theComponentMoveData Error
n ComponentMovedData Error is an InstallShield Wizard write error resulting from aconflict or system configuration issue
n Is there is enough hard drive and RAM?n Have you done normal preventive
maintenance on your PC?n Is there a temp directory? Is it empty?
Session 9-44
Resolutions for theComponentMoveData Error
n Do you have set temp and set tmp lines inyour autoexec.bat file?
n Are programs running, that you cannotclose?
n Are you using an unusual path to data?n Did you reboot after uninstall?
Session 9-45
Resolutions for theComponentMoveData Error
n Did you close all other software?n NT Workstation must have Service Pack 5
or highern Are you logged in with admin permissions
to the NT Workstation?n Are your paging files set sufficiently high?
Session 9-46
Skipped Version Errors
n Error opening table in A Export Apps:QRYother tables...
n “Dr. Watson Error “exception: access errorcaused by expres01.exe " (NT)
n 'This program performed and illegaloperation and will be shut down...invalidpage fault in module unknown...’ (Win9.x)
n Item Not Found in this Collection…
Session 9-47
Resolving SkippedVersion Errors
n Database structure is not correctn Restore a backup from an earlier version
and upgrade sequentiallyn If database contains only applications, you
must reinstall a new database and rebuildn If you have Direct Loans or extensive
packaging or Pell data contact CPS forfurther assistance
Session 9-48
DLL Related Errorsn Invalid page fault in module
KERNEL32.DLL– On closing student records– On opening the software– With a program abnormal termination
n Invalid page fault in moduleCTL3D32.DLL on initializing the software
n Invalid page fault in moduleMSVCRT.DLL when trying to export
n Invalid page fault in module MFC42.DLL
Session 9-49
Resolution to DLLRelated Errors
n Make sure Windows is calling the correctfile when multiple copies of the DLL exist
n Check the version of the DLL in question,rename and reinstall
n EDExpress will install the correct version -if the file is not in use
Session 9-50
Resolution to DLLRelated Errors
n EDExpress does version checking soit will not overwrite a newer file
n Frequently the file in question is notthe file that is out of date - but notalways
n Apply all Windows Service Packs
Session 9-51
Rights/Permission/Network configurationIssues
n Ordinal Number 6451 could not be locatedin MFC42.dll
n Componentmovedata errors referencingthe updatedb.mdb
n File Exception Result Code #5n During password reset, you get the
message that the database could not befound
Session 9-52
Update Failed
n This is a result of a local environmentalissue– Insufficient drive space– Insufficient RAM– Insufficient free system resources– Not having run the program utilities
n Resolution:– Clean up the hard drive– Restore a backup; run repair and compact on it
and try to rerun the updatedb.mdb
Session 9-53
Invalid Page Fault InModule MFC42.DLL
n This error indicates that the programcannot find the database
n Rights, Permissions, Ownershipn MFC42.DLL is the incorrect versionn Hardware failure between the PC and
Servern Mapping or network configuration issuesn Damaged network connection
Session 9-54
Invalid Page Fault…
n Pointing to incorrect database ( are youpointing to the correct database or lastyears database?)
n Trouble writing to the hard drive.n NT ownership of database/permissions or
case sensitivity on an NTFS partitionn Insufficient hard drive spacen Database corruption
Session 9-55
Printing Errors
n Printing issues are usually a result ofusers not printing to the default printer orusing incorrect print drivers
n Common printing errors:– Printing off the right hand side of page
– Page breaking incorrectly
– Instead of text a series of vertical andhorizontal lines are printed
Session 9-56
“Everything Else”
Other Issues
Session 9-57
SYSADMIN User ID
n Define password for SYSADMIN uponinitial logon following full install orpassword reset
n Reserve SYSADMIN for administrativepurposes (clearing locks, security); donot use for everyday processing tasks
n Record and retain password forSYSADMIN in safe and reliable place
Session 9-58
Changing Database Location
n EDExpress 5.x and above uses DAO(Data Access Object) drivers tocommunicate with database– Database location stored in Registry rather
than odbc.ini– Tool to change database location provided
within EDExpress
Session 9-59
Changing DatabaseLocation (cont.)
n Where to change database location– Within EDExpress if the database is missing
or has been renamed.
– Within EDExpress if the database wascopied.
– Within the Registry Using Regedit orRegedt32 commands.
Session 9-60
Changing DatabaseLocation Within EDExpress
n From the Help\System Information menuchoose Files Information tab
n Click Registryn Using + signs and folders click on the
path: EDESuite\Year01\Expressn Choose edit from the edit menu and
enter new pathn Close EDExpress and reopen it
Session 9-61
Using Regedit/Regedt32to Change Database
Locationsn We do not recommend this method of
changing your database locationn If you have no other options then contact
your System Administrator or CPS -R&R(research and resolution) team forassistance
Session 9-62
Clear Files/Clear Locks
n Clear Files clears all data from a selecteddatabase table– Accessed from Tools|Utilities|Clear Files– Can now only clear some databases
n Clear Locks is separate from Clear Files– Record Locks Database
• Clear record locks for a single user
– Accessed from Tools|Utilities|Clear Locks
Session 9-63
Missing/DuplicatedExtensions
n File box under import does not displaythe file extensions
n File extensions are duplicated(sara01bk.004.004)
n File extensions will not automaticallyincrease incrementally
Session 9-64
Respect Your Database
n Meet the hardware requirementsn Use surge protector with modem
protectionn Maintain adequate free hard drive spacen Spend some time reading installation and
setup instructions and tipsn Limit multi-tasking
Session 9-65
Respect Your Database(cont.)
n Exit programs and shut down gracefullyn Maintain a Production Schedulen Backup, Backup, Backupn Use Virus Protectionn Attend Session 11, EDExpress from a
School’s Perspective
Session 9-66
Production Schedule
n Avoid database damage: always scheduleglobal activities at times when no otherusers are accessing the databasen Receive/Import early in the dayn Do update functions during the dayn Export/Send data late in the day
Session 9-67
CPS Customer Service800/330-5947 Fax: 319/358-4260
SFA TECH:http://www.ed.gov/sfatech/listserv.html
E-mail: [email protected]
TDD/TTY: 800/511-5806
Further Assistance
Session 9-68
Questions?