Q:  How do I install CTECS Connect 2 in a server configuration?

A:  In short, here is how you install CTECS Connect 2 in a server configuration. This assumes you will be using the MSDE SQL server supplied on the CTECS Connect 2 program CD as the database server and not an enterprise version of MS SQL server.

Install CTECS Connect 2 in typical fashion on the Windows computer designated as the "server". Then install the Connect software in custom mode and do a "Client Only" install on all of the client machines that will be connecting to the "server".

Run Connect on the server and create at least one Term and several Users.

Now launch Connect on one of the client machines. The software will attempt to connect to a database on the local machine but after about 60 seconds will fail and display a dialog box asking for the location of the database server. Use the following info:

Server Name: "server" (actual network name of your server) Database: VTECS_DATA

User: vtecs

Password: C0nn3ct (capital "C", zero and a three)

This should attach the client to the "server". Log in as one of the users you previously created and you are set.

Q: Why can't I complete the installation process?

A1:  Users on Windows 2000 or Windows XP must be logged in as Administrators. If, during installation of the SQL server, the progress bar progresses about half way and then backs off, giving an error, you are probably not logged in, in Administrator mode.

The installation of CTECS Connect™ 2 requires the modification of the Windows registry and configuration of services for the database server. These modifications to Windows require Administrative access to the system.

A2: If you have Administrator rights but cannot complete installation-- On some systems, a patch released by Microsoft causes SQL 2005 installation to fail. This is usually but not always limited to new pc's that came with Windows XP SP3 installed.  This issues can be solved by running Windows Installer Cleanup Utility. Download this utility from: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968749

NOTE: Send the LOG file to Tech Support; it will contain information about why installation failed. Search for a ".log" file with the date of the attempted installation. The log file name may be similar to:  SQLSetup000 _______.log

Q:  How can I reinstall CTECS Connect after uninstalling the Connect application and MSDE (Microsoft SQL Desktop Engine)?

A:  Never uninstall MSDE on Windows XP. However, if it has been already been uninstalled, refer to this bulletin: Support bulletin VTECS20060816.txt 

Once you successfully completed the steps in the Support bulletin, run the typical Connect installation.

Q:  What if I upgrade to Windows Vista?

A: Do not install CTECS Connect 2 under Windows Vista! The CTECS Connect 2 database will stop functioning if a Windows Vista upgrade is performed!

CTECS Connect 2.2 client software runs under Windows Vista but Microsoft SQL Server does NOT (the database that stores Connect information)! You can install the Microsoft SQL Server portion of the software on server machine (Windows 2000 or XP) and install the client portion of CTECS Connect on a Windows Vista machine.

Q: Where do I find supporting information on using CTECS Connect 2?

A: Software updates, current Release Notes, the Connect Manual and other information is available here on the CTECS website on the Connect Support page.  The CTECS Connect 2 program CD contains the Manual (Quick Reference) and Release Notes.

Q:  How do I backup the records that I have entered into Connect?

A: 

1. Go to Tools, Database Maintenance, Click <Export> (Procedure)

2. Click on the icon to the right of the blank field (File).

3. In the small window that pops up, select a folder for the exported data file to be stored in by double clicking on the folder name then key in a File Name (Note: Initially the field contains "*.mdb", .mdb must be the file extension.)

4. Click <OK>

5. From the Table drop down list, click on the data table to export  (select "all" to get all of your records) The table's contents is displayed.

6. Select Record Restriction "All Records" or "Specific Records" (default is "All Records") If  "Specific Records" is selected, the user checks the desired items to export.

7. Click <Begin Transfer>

8. When the export is complete, a message to that effect is displayed.

Q: What do I need to enter in the Server name dialog box when I start Connect?

A: Here is the information to enter for server, database, user and password:

(local)\vtecs                
VTECS_DATA
vtecs
C0nn3ct (be sure that you enter a capital letter C the number 0 then nn3ct)

NOTE: Users installing from a CTECS Connect program CD with a date prior to November 2008, must enter "(local)" instead of "(local)\vtecs" for the Server Name.

Also, refer to the Connect 2 Release Notes available at http://www.ctecs.org/connect2files.htm; this issue is addressed in detail in section 4.3.

Q: Why do I keep seeing the Server name dialog box at program startup?

A: The Server Name dialog box appears at program startup when the software cannot connect to the database server. Usually this means that the database server is not running. You can use the SQL Server Manager icon in the taskbar to start and stop the SQL server.

If the database server regularly does not start at system boot up, use the SQL Server Manager icon in the taskbar to set the Auto-Start option.

If the database is not installed on the same machine as the client that is unable to connect to the database, then the server name property is incorrect. Please verify that the server name is the name of the computer running the Connect 2 database.

Q: I cannot connect to the database. Is it running/installed?

A:  Open the Task Manager (press Alt-Ctrl-Delete) and see if you can find the entry "sqlservr.exe" in the list under the Processes tab. If so, that means the database is running. If it is not in the list, it needs to be started. Run the following program and hit the green arrow to start the database.

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\80\Tools\Binn\sqlmangr.exe

You can also check the "Add Remove Programs" from the Windows Control Panel, to see if "Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine" is installed. If it is not, then rerun the install from the CTECS Connect 2 program CD.

Q: The Connect program stopped working. Why?

A: Windows may have Compressed the SQL Database master files. MS SQL Server will not allow any database files to be compressed. You must  manually uncompress and then attach the database files.

Q: How can I move the information in Connect 2 from my old computer to my new computer?

A: To export your data, go to the "old" computer and follow these directions.

1. Go to Tools, Database Maintenance, Click <Export> (Procedure)

2. Click on the icon to the right of the blank field (File).

3. In the small window that pops up, select a folder for the exported data file to be stored in by double clicking on the folder name then key in a File Name (Note: Initially the field contains "*.mdb", .mdb must be the file extension.)

4. Click <OK>

5. From the Table drop down list, click on the data table to export  (select "all" to get all of your records) The table's contents is displayed.

6. Select Record Restriction "All Records" or "Specific Records" (default is "All Records") If  "Specific Records" is selected, the user checks the desired items to export.

7. Click <Begin Transfer>

8. When the export is complete, a message to that effect is displayed.

9. On the other pc, import the file that was created (in step 2 above) by using the Import function in Connect.

Q:  Why do I get the splash screen and nothing else when I start Connect?

A:  It appears that one of the upgrades supplied by Microsoft for protecting against one of the many Worm viruses, creates an issue with Connect running and attaching to the database.

Please follow the instructions below to resolve this issue:

1. Download and install the latest MDAC upgrade from Microsoft, found at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6c050fe3-c795-4b7d-b037-185d0506396c&DisplayLang=en then restart your computer.

2. Request, download and install the Connect 2 update from the CTECS website: Connect Support.

Run the Connect update file on both the client and the database.

Q:  Why is my computer running more slowly after installing CTECS Connect™ 2?

A:  CTECS Connect 2 uses the Microsoft technology: SQL Server 2000. The version used is  Microsoft SQL Desktop Engine. Use of this technology can cause slow-downs on slower computers or computers with the minimum RAM requirement.

Users can use the SQL Server Manager icon in the taskbar to start and stop the SQL server when they are not using the CTECS Connect 2 system. NOTE: If users receive a dialog box asking for the server name, database, user and password, then they have not restarted SQL server after turning it off.

Q:  When I try to print, I receive the error, "Application defined or object defined error." What do I need to do?

This compressed batch file registers the reports used by Connect 2.1. Save this file on your computer then run it. Reg_ActiveRpts1.exe

Q:  When I save a report as a Word file, the report formatting is not maintained. How can this be fixed?  

Download and install the newest version of CTECS Connect 2, click here.

Q.  During installation, a System Administrator Password is requested; what is the password?

CTECS Connect does not require a password. If a System Administrator password is requested, download this file, MSDE_Auth_Mode.exe, run it on your computer, then restart installation. 

Basically SQL can be installed in two login modes, Windows and Mixed.  CTECS Connect 2 requires Mixed.  This program allows a user to change the preinstalled SQL server login mode so the software can be installed.  Do not run the MSDE Auth Mode program on a server.