Instructions for Updating Older Software Versions

Update instructions for ERMS version 5.2 and RTMS version 6

Why should I install updates?

  1. Our software products are constantly evolving
    • New Features are added
    • Improvements are made for performance and reliability
    • "Bugs" are fixed as they are reported
  2. Updates are made to allow our products to maintain compatibility with current versions of windows.

But I am happy with what I have and do not want to risk problems that an update might cause!

  • Believe us, we sometimes feel the same way you do. It seems like every time we install a new update from Microsoft or anyone else, it produces "unintended consequences". It is frustrating and it can cost time and money! However, the lessons we have learned from "skipping" updates has caused us to reach the conclusion that we are better off installing each new update as it arrives and suffer the relatively small consequences involved rather than the "radical changes" that occur when we have skipped some updates. As you know, we post updates almost every day of the week. We certainly do not recommend that you install every update. If you are happy with your product, then we suggest the following:
  1. Look for announcements related to "major" changes. For example, when our products were updated to new versions of Visual Basic or when we updated our software products for compatibility with Windows 2000.
  2. Within a few weeks after this type of release, we recommend that you install the update. This will insure that you are remaining close to current technology, but not necessarily on the "bleeding edge".

How do I know what is changed?

  • Watch the Updates page. This page will have alerts of Major Changes. For example, after updating to provide for Windows 2000 compatibility, an entire new "systems files" update was required. There is an announcement to allow you to requests a new update CD. The CD was suggested because the changes represented over 100 MB. Plus we used the CD to provide new Help files and training movies. Almost 600 MB of information.

What does it cost to Update?

  1. Maintenance updates are FREE for clients with current maintenance agreements.
  2. For clients without a maintenance agreement, call for pricing.

Update Steps:

  1. Make sure you know the answers to the following questions:
    • What product group am I using?
      • ERMS - Software for the General Rental Market and the Construction/Fabrication Industry
      • RTMS - Oilfield Rental Software
    • Which Database Engine do I use?
      • Microsoft Access
      • SQL Server
    • What is my download password?
      • The download password (required to extract the files). If you do not remember the password, either call us or send an email identifying yourself and a request for the password. We will send it back or we will call you with the password.
    • Where is my "Updates" folder?
      • For Microsoft Access users, this folder is one level below your data files. For example, when you start your program, the opening screen displays a text box labeled "DBPATH". This path points to your data folder. Example: DBPATH = \\server\data\houston.mdb The Data folder is \\server\data\ and the updates folder will be \\server\data\updates.
      • For SQL Server users, your system administrator has established the path of the updates folder. Please consult your system administrator or call Corporate Services, LLC for assistance.
  2. Download the files you wish to update and save them in any folder you wish (make sure you make a note of where you save the files)
    • Start with VerifyDB - the VerifyDB is used to update your databases and also compacts and repairs any damages that might have occurred during normal usage.
    • Next select updates for any and all programs for which you are licenses.
    • On the download page, beside each file, you will find the date that the file was updated and its size. You can compare this to the date of the version you are running. (Normally clicking the "Support" menu or the "Help" menu will provide you with information about the date your version was compiled. If not, then you may look in Explorer, select a detail View and check the compile (modification) date of the file. You may also click your right mouse button and select "properties" to get the compile data and version number of the file.
  3. The files you downloaded are in "zip" format. Use one any of the "zip compatible" programs (i.e. PKZip, WinZip, etc) to extract the files. You will be prompted for your password. The files should be extracted to the "updates" folder. Note, if you do not have a copy of a zip program, you can download a version from http://www.winzip.com/ or http://www.pkware.com/
  4. Review any "read me" files that might be contained in the Zip archives for special instructions and follow them.
  5. Ask all users to exit the program.
  6. Close ALL other programs that you might have running. Because Windows does not do a good job of memory management, it might be worth your effort to "re-boot" your machine before proceeding.
  7. MAKE A BACKUP - you will never regret making a backup of your files. While the updates will normally proceed without a problem, it possible to lose data in the event of a problem. A backup will be your only way of "getting back to normal".
  8. If you skipped the Backup Step, then go back and make a backup or be prepared to suffer the consequences!
  9. After insuring that ALL users have exited the program and AFTER completing a backup of your program, then restart the primary program (ERMS or RTMS). This process will initiate the automated update.
  10. If you have never updated the program before, you may be asked for the location of your "local" or "preference" database.
    • The easy way to find the name of your preference database is to use your right mouse button, click on the "shortcut" you use to start the program and look at the tab that contains the "target". In the "target", you will see something like "C:\Program Files\ERMS\ERMS.exe" or "C:\Program Files\RTMS\RTMS.exe"
    • If this is all that you see in the Target, then you are using the default preference database. For ERMS users, the default name will be Elocal.mdb. For RTMS users, the name of the file is Local.mdb. If you are running the program from your local machine, the files will be loacated in your C:\Program Files\XXXX\ folder where the XXXX is either ERMS or RTMS
    • If the target is followed by a space, and then more information, the additional information is the name of your preference database. The additional information typically will look like \\server\ERMSorRTMS\pref%USERNAME%.mdb. Where USERNAME is your windows login name. For example, if your Windows login name is Jo hn, the your preference database name would be prefJohn.mdb
  11. Once you have provided the update program with the information about your local database, then the rest of the update will proceed without your assistance. Then your program will restart.
  12. If the Update program reports ANY errors, you should not attempt to proceed, but should contact Corporate Services, LLC for assistance. Any failure of the update program indicates a potential problem with your database or possibly that some users failed to exit the program.

Contact us for more information.