I just implemented my test AC beta 6 yesteday and everything seems Ok. Took me about 3 hours. I the type don't like to read guide or help, so I don't know what they telling you in there. They might tell you better.
As a semi-retired senior, I don't want to rush, so I give my beloved doc one week to play with the Test AC, again at 3 and 4 in the morning. Oop, I just asked you to help her to not working till sunrise!
and plan to have my test moves to production next week after my fishing Sat morning
Disclaimer, use this info at your own risks.
Here is my quick guidelines for those who hate tech toys (many docs) but love free money. You even can make your MAs to read this and do it for you while you watch.
In million dollar IT projects, to deploy a new system, 3 phases, testing phase, development and productive phase. Here I skipped the 2nd phase but always like to have Test.
- Get a better, 2gig or more computer to be used as server and another not in service to be used as front. Preferably a better new one for test server, only 500.00 or more now a day (this could become main server if needs be)
We still using XP and probably don't bother with win7, at least for sometimes as all my self-assembled, 3 year old PCs, 20 of them, still running 24/7 fine.
Back up your Amazing Charts on the main server, uncheck those exclude images and imported boxes in the back up advanced section, it take a while (depend how big your database is, ours is around 8 Gigs). Copy this file into a folder on your test Sever, and remember its location.
Download version 6 Beta,and its database tuner separate exe files. Copy these two files into a folder in your TEST Server pc, share them so all computers to be installed AC6 can have access.
TO BE SAFE NOW DISABLE YOUR WIRELESS OR NETWORK CONNECTION, UNPLUGGED THE NETWORK WIRE TO THE TEST SERVER AND FRONT. (I used two old PCs and they kept looking for the old version 5 Amazing Charts on our main computer. You can change the path by right click on the login window but Amazing charts not allows you to do that if the installation not yet completed).
Install beta AC6 on both TEST server and front. I used two Pcs with AC5 already installed without the database. It takes a while so do them both at a same time. Say YES when it asks you is this the main computer for the Sever and NO for the front.
After the installation, open ACs on both Pcs.
For the TEST Server, the practice data is empty and it would ask you for info, ignore and close, just to make sure it starts up OK.
For the TEST front pc, it would ask you for the path to the database on main, the Amazing Charts XML file, open your networks icon and browse to the name of your TEST Server/Program File/Amazing Charts
Make sure the Firewall on the TEST Sever turn off. Go to Control Panel and click on Firewall.
Also right click on Program Files/ Amazing Charts/ Sharing and make sure to allow full access /read/write..., the default is SHARED and READ only.
(I saw errors on my Test front when it said not able to write to the database on the Server after succcesfull installation and restart, then I had to go in and check the WRITE box, I don't remember for sure but all older versions, you have to Share your Amazing Charts manually, but all this beta 6, the sharing setting is automatic).
Find the Backup Restore Utility exe file in the Amazing Charts folder, right click to pin it to Start list for convenient access.
Click on the Backup Restore icon and follow the instructions, it would look for the enc backup file to restore your TEST server's blank database, you did copy from your main server at the start of this note. It would take sometimes to restore.
You might have to run the database tuner one more time.
Now ENABLE and RECONNECT your wireless and network. We didn't want our test PCs to communicate whatever to our production machine as human or unexpected error could always happen.
Open AC on the TEST Server and Front everything should be ok, latest data there. Sweet thing is that there a Meaningful use button right in the main AC window so we can check to see what needs to be done.
Keep copy and restore backup enc files for couples days to do the test and one last time before doing full upgrade on the main server. The good thing is that now you have two Servers, the Test one can be come a backup.
I've been using this trick that I copied the everyday backup (without images and imports) to our backup server, and once a while doing the restore to see the back up still running ok, then I just compared the date on the imported items on both Main and Backup and copy the one just been modified or added only.
This would be kind of dirty backup that can be done often and only do a full restore using full backup (with images and imports). Our clinic is about to see 10 gig soon and doing with 10 gigs is not fun.
I just read yesterday that some docs in TX already received the initial checks. How come they got it so quick but not us, most ACs users are smaller group, that means we should have those funding first. DAVE if you read this, I don't think you care. haha.. we deserve your stick by not working underserved. We like to entertain and wearing shorts year round.
Any problem then you can just go to our online AC support angels and let them take over your PCs to fix any errors . I love them as they are so efficient. But like most I don't like to ask for help unless running out of time or energy.
