Home Forums Discussions Problems Transfering V4 database to Vista computer

Hello, all,
I posted earlier in the week about having difficulty installing to my Vista computer, because of several issues, the latest of which was database tuner problems, also there were several imported files missing. After a lot of aggravation, I decided to try installing it to an older, XP computer, and this seems to work fine (and it can see ALL of the imported items), but the XP computer is old and may need to be replaced soon, anyway. I was able to install V4 on the Vista computer connecting to the database on the XP, but I really need the database on the Vista computer. I tried copying and pasting the entire folder, but then I get an error message stating that database connection was lost. I tried Amazing Utilities to reset the path, but it crashes and is no help at all. So I needed to re-install V4 to the Vista (after doing a system restore) connecting with the database in the XP, which is not what I want. Any suggestions? What could I be doing wrong?
Thanks!

hb,

OK, you lost me a little there. And, I am sure I will be less help than those who have already upgraded to V4. I haven't yet.

But, it sounded like (if I can move ahead a bit) that at one point you had the database on XP, and you had installed V4 to Vista. You were able to connect so everything was fine. But, you need the database on Vista.

So, you copied and pasted the folder to your Vista. OK, fine? Where? Did you copy to C:\Program Files\Amazing Charts? Or somewhere else? Did you copy over the original on Vista?

So, now you have the database somewhere on Vista. So, when you open AC on Vista, it would still be looking for the database on XP, so it would have correctly stated your connection was lost. At that point, why couldn't you have just browsed to the database on the Vista PC? You shouldn't necessarily have to do this given the database is on the same PC now (Vista), but is it shared?

Are these all clean installs? In other words did you have to convert data from V3 to V4? Because if they are clean installs, then I don't know why after installing V4 to Vista, you wouldn't consider the database there? Unless there is data left over from XP. If there is, how much? If it is a trivial amount, just make the installed databse on Vista your database? Am I missing something?

Bert,
thanks for your reply and questions. I'm sorry it's so confusing, it hasn't been easy ever since I got the Vista computer. I'll try to reconstruct what transpired:
I started a small practice with AC on my laptop, this was a few years ago. Then I added another computer for my front desk (that's the XP I'm talking about), then I bought a Vista in August so I could retire the aging laptop. It was difficult to install and transfer the data from the Laptop to Vista so the others could see it, so tech support had me create a special folder within the Public folder, and that solved the problem. This was, of course, way before V4, and now my Vista won't cooperate, gave me problems with SQL configuration, which I solved by using the 3 sub-installer downloaded from the help page. So I installed it, and I kept getting this message to use the data tuner, which I did but it didn't to any good as it still wouldn't go on to the migration process. At some point, I was able to install it, but then my imported files were missing (sorry, I can't recall how I got it to install, as you can see, I've been on this for too long).
So, now, I got it at the XP along with the database, while at the Vista, I had it installed on the original special folder in Public, I tried to copy the XP folder into Vista, I tried to navigate to this copy and it loses the connection. So I gave up for today, will try again tomorrow.
It's either my fault or Vista's fault, I'm inclined to blame Vista for all my troubles
Thanks, again, sorry for this confusing nightmare!

You are right about Vista in that Microsoft has changed the folders that certain files install to. I am not sure, still, why it hasn't worked well for you. I wish I could be more helpful -- I have a virtual Vista network completely with SBS on my computer to "play" with, and I have run AC 4.0 on this with no issues. But, because I don't use it daily and am forced to fix issues that come up, I don't have a good working feel for it.

I am not sure why you aren't able to put the database on Vista and connect to it there. I suppose, short of troubleshooting it with you (glad to do but not sure how helpful I would be given the above), you could bite the bullet and purchase a few computers. You may want to purchase a better PC for your receptionist and then buy a standalone high-performance computer as a pseudoserver. (Install Windows XP Pro with SP3 and use it ONLY for the database. You could still use your Vista computer. Remember, the standalone could still be entered back into the fray if you added other PCs. Not to get into it but eventually actually go with Client/Server, but I don't want to get that thread going again, lol.

I have little idea about your complete situation nor do I know how good your IT was, but it seems a bit strange that one would HAVE to use the public folder for sharing.

There are a ocuple of issues.

You should have been able to copy the AC folder on the XP. If you couldn't there may be a problem with your hard drive.

You may have to go to amazing utilities and on the first menu, disconnect from the databases, otherwise it will say databases are busy, then you should be able to copy it.

I haven't a clue why your import items won't copy. Again, I am suspicious about your hard drive.

Another option is to take a backup off the XP and reinstall into the Vista. Make sure the XP has the latest version. I believe (and could be wrong) anything before 4.0.52 needs to be updated to play with 4.0.60. Perhaps the differing versions is why it is asking for a database tuner.

Wendell makes some good points. But, usually, when you reopen the program, it will bring up the window to browse to the database.

Get a 3rd computer, run XP Pro and put everything there. Don't use the PC for anything anything else. Or reformat and install XP Pro.

BUT, HERE IS THE QUESTION OF THE DAY THAT WENDELL AND I FORGOT TO ASK:

This isn't Vista Home is it?

Please tell me it's Vista Business or Ultimate.

Programs that require writing to files are usually install their "write" files to "c:\users\public\documents"

This is not the same as your "My Documents" SQL Server "NORMALLY" installs its database (mdf) and log files(ldf) to c:\program files\microsof sql server\mssql.1\msql\data

That is the normal configuration. I'm not sure if AC4 has a special configuration.

George,

I haven't used Vista that much, although I have 20 copies of the damned thing.

So, I will defer to you. Wouldn't you really want to run Business or Ultimate (in that it contains business) in this situation if you are going to run SQL? I am not sure if he is using Home, but the fact that he said he bought a computer with Vista, it makes me suspicious.

Update:
It is shortly after 2 PM on a lovely Sunday afternoon and I'm here in the office ready to scream bloody murder about this thing. I tried to detach the databse from the XP and onto the Vista, and I kept getting messages that it couldn't move the database because there was already a copy in it. So I tried creating a new, empty folder, transferring the database into it, then installing V4 on the new folder, but then when I try to connect with this database, it can't make a connection. Amazing Utilities keeps freezing when I try to do things like reset the data path or repair the connection, and now I can't restore the database back to the XP. I get the IT guy with the eyeglasses trying to make me go through those 4 steps, but it either has trouble starting or stopping the SQL service, or it says it can't write to the database. I've been at this for four hours today (plus most of the day yesterday) and have nothing to show for it.

So..., I've had it with this and reverting back to V 3.7.15. I don't expect to try again until absolutely necessary, but I'm extremely disappointed at this whole process, but thanks anyway for your suggestions.

http://www.box.net/shared/j1eamxkhcl

First, take a look at this JPG. If you right click at the red spot, it will reset your paths. Don't use the Amazing Utilities thing. Not sure if it will help, but maybe the crashes will go away.

Since, you get get back to 3.7, I would simply suggest taking a break, then uninstall EVERYTHING that has to do with AC on the Vista computer. Then reinstall 3.7 with all your data and then install V4 and convert. I don't see why tha wouldn't work.

WHAT VERSION ARE YOU USING?

It's probably best if I take a break. As far as that red button, I have never seen it, (except for your link), how to I make it come up?
Which Vista version? Do you really want to know? I didn't say anything since you said not to tell you :-)
It's Home Premium (don't shoot me :-)
Is there any hope?
Thanks again for your help.

Well, Vista Home is not meant to be networked. It definitely would be unable to joint a domain. While I can't say that is your entire problem, I wouldn't think it is helping.

On a few articles online, it said Vista Home Basic and Premium were supported for SQL Express.

The following article had reservations and talked about an add-on if the SQL were XP-based:

http://www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/94169/sql_server_94169.html

As for the "red dot" lol; sorry, there is no red dot. That was just there to show you where to put your cursor when you right click. If you right click anywhere between your practice name the line where it says "Electronic Medical Record System," it will allow you to change the path.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932593

The following is a good article if the problem is that IIS (Internet Information Services) is not running or is not configured properly. The purple writing on a grey background is a bit frustrating, but it looks like it may be helpful.

http://msmvps.com/blogs/martinpoon/...t-during-system-configuration-check.aspx

Thanks for the clarification. As far as the Vista networking issue, I don't know. I got into this mess because first, I couldn't get the regular installer to install SQL, then when I did the 3 sub installers, I was able to do so, but then I got the problem with the database tuner, for which I don't have any solutions, maybe if that problem got solved, I would be able to avoid all the other problems I had. I'll try your suggestion about resetting when I get around to trying again to re-install V4 (I rolled everything back to V3.715).
Thanks!

Success!!!!
Finally, I did it! ...but don't ask me how, I tried so many things it's all a blur. I had tried at some point to install in a new folder called Amazing Charts V4 in the Public folder, I couldn't get it to work because it kept telling me it couldn't find the code.mdf file, I searched and found several copies from prior installation attempts, copied it and dropped it in the folder, then I had to do this for code.ilf file, meds.mdf file, meds.ilf file, (I think those were the extensions) and it finally worked! I did had to copy and paste the imported folders from the V3 folder, and for a while my XP wasn't connecting to this database, turned out that was a Norton issue, but now everything works...
except for the Amazing Backups, when I try to do a backup it (AB) freezes and crashes, I guess that's another new thread.

Congrats! Glad you got it work. It does sound like a new thread, and it will be difficult based on your description, lol. Nice work, though.

By the way, your .mdf files are your main database files. You .ldf files are your log files. So, .ilf is actually .ldf.

Cheers!