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This page contains answers to common questions handled by our FieldWorks support staff

1. How do I get the Freshwater module to run on a Network ?

2. Problems printing data in the Species Distribution and Statistics module ?

How do I get the Freshwater module to run on a Network ?

Windows NT / 2000 Network: Freshwater module installation

Copy all the database files (biofile.*) from the installation directory e.g. C:\Program files\Fieldworks into a new directory e.g. H:\fwdata on a server drive to which all users have full write access.

To enable the Freshwater module to access the database the redistributable Borland Database Engine must be installed. If you are already using software which requires this database engine, this step is not necessary.

2.1.Installing the Borland Database Engine on the server

Open Explorer

Go to Program Files\ fieldworks\ bdeinst\ and run setup.exe

Click Continue
Click Continue and then click Install.

This will add the Borland DatabaseEngine

to the C:\idapi directory on the hard drive.

1.2. Setting up the database engine on the server

Run the database configuration utility, bdecfg.exe, from within the C:\idapi directory.

2.2.1.Drivers page:

Select the PARADOX driver. The NET DIR parameter needs to be set to give the location of the pdoxusrs.net file which will be created when the database is first accessed. It can be created in any directory you choose e.g. setting the parameter to H:\ fwdata will create it in the ‘drivers’ directory of the C: drive (N.B. the specified directory needs to exist and must have full read/write access for all users) . Do not use long i.e. more than 7 characters for directory names as configuration utility does not support them and an error message will result.

2.2.2.Aliases page :

Select New Alias and type Waterworks as the new name

Click OK

2.2.3 System page:

Change the LOCAL SHARE parameter to TRUE.

Save changes by selecting File.. Save..and then close the database configuration utility. Alternatively, close the database configuration utility and save changes when prompted.

Run the Freshwater module on the server and then close it. This will create the pdoxusrs.net file.

2.3. Setting up each workstation

Each workstation needs to be able to locate the pdoxusrs.net file and the database files, otherwise the Freshwater module will not run.

A solution is given below :

2.3.1 Setting up the database engine on the workstation

Either :Copy the idapi directory from the server to each workstation so that there is a C:\idapi on each workstation and run bdecfg.exe from within the C:\idapi directory. This may result in configuration errors on some systems

Or : Copy the \fieldworks\bdeinst directory from the server and run setup.exe to install the Borland Redistributable Database Engine on the workstation, as outlined in 2.1 above. Run bdecfg.exe from within the C:\idapi directory.

2.3.1.1 Drivers page

Select Paradox and set the NET DIR to the location of the pdoxusrs.net file on the server (as set in 2.2.1 above) by clicking and finding the location of the file on the mapped drive on the server.

Select the mapped drive and directory and the pdoxusrs.net file will appear in the file list

Click on the pdoxusrs.net file and it will appear in the File name: box.

Click OK.

2.3.1.2. Aliases page

Click on the Aliases tab

Select New Alias and type Waterworks as the new name
Click OK.
The Alias must point to the mapped location of the database files. Set the PATH to the mapped location of the database files on the server

2.3.1.3 System page:

Change the LOCAL SHARE parameter to TRUE.

Save changes by selecting File.. Save.. and then close the database configuration utility. Alternatively, close the database configuration utility and save changes when prompted.

This completes the set up of the database.

2.3.2. Shortcuts

Set up shortcuts on each workstation to the mapped drive on the server, either to the fw.exe module, which provides access to all modules purchased or to fwater.exe , which provides direct access to the freshwater module.

Troubleshooting

1. When running bdecfg.exe on the server there may be a problem in persuading it to recognize changes in the location of the NET DIR. It may be necessary to delete the existing C:IDAPI directory and reinstall the bde (Borland Database Engine) from the \Program Files \Fieldworks\bdeinst directory by running setup.exe.

2. A general protection fault will occur if the pdoxusrs.net file or the database files on the server are not located in a directory which has full read / write access for all users. The error message may refer to problems in finding or saving the pdoxusrs.lck file.

3. Check that the pdoxusrs.net file and the database files are not in a directory with a name with more than 7 characters. It is possible to usae long names but standard shortened versions must be used e.g. \databasefiles should be shortened to \databa~1

4. If previous attempts have been made to set up the database, there may be several pdoxusrs.net files on the server or workstation. Find and delete all instances of the file except the one in the location on the server.

Summary instructions for network installation

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Problems printing data

The program was originally written when most schools had large numbers of Windows 3.1 machines (1998) - it was therefore written using 16 bit code and the tools available at that time were limited and the printing is primitive.

It is planned to re write the printing code by mid 2002. To obtain full control over final printed format, copy and paste data into a spreadsheet programme such as Microsoft Excel and print from there.

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Last modified: June 08, 2003