Make a Backup of Software and Data

The first step to performing a significant operation on any software application is to backup both the software and associated data files before you begin. Therefore, we recommend that you proceed with the instructions in this bulletin only after you have recorded a new backup of your Skills Manager folder, including all sub-folders and files. Do not rely on a backup that was recorded last month, last week, or even yesterday, unless you are willing to perform all of the work that has transpired since the backup was recorded in the event data is lost while relocating the application. If you do not know how to backup your files, contact your computer services department or our technical support department.

Install the Software

Next, install Skills Manager to the new computer using the most recent CD-ROM you received from Crown Pointe Technologies. Carefully follow the installation instructions provided with the CD-ROM. Remember, you will be prompted to enter a license key code the first time Skills Manager is accessed after installation. This key code was provided with your original software disc, either in a letter or on the disc sleeve.

Upgrade to the Latest Version of the Software

You should also take this opportunity to check for a more current version of the software. Compare the version number displayed on the Skills Manager login form with the version posted on our web site. You can download the latest version from our Web site if your organization has an active software maintenance and support service agreement with us. A password is required to install all downloaded software upgrades and you can acquire the password by contacting our technical support department.

Create New Data Folders

Next, you will create some data folders on the new computer in preparation for receiving the data stored on the old computer.

On the new computer:

Create a new SET01 folder by doing the following . . .

1. Launch Skills Manager

2. Enter your User ID and Password (The User ID must have administrator privileges)

3. Click the "Insert" button on the Login form to create a new data set

4. Enter "01" in the Set Number and "Organization Name" in the Set Name

5. Click OK to save your changes (You will be returned to the Login form.)

6. Click OK on the Login form (You will enter Skills Manager and a new data folder and several files will be created automatically.)

7. Exit Skills Manager

8. Skills Manager is now prepared to receive the SET01 folder from the old computer.

Repeat the process above for each of the data sets (SET02, SET03, etc.) that will be moved to the new computer.

Copy Data from the Old Computer to the New Computer

You will need to copy the data folders and files associated with Skills Manager from the old computer to the new computer. The steps required to accomplish this will depend on the configuration of your computer system.

Skills Manager is capable of managing up to 99 individual data sets, or databases. Each data set is stored in a separate folder (SET01, SET02, SET03, etc.) within the DATA folder as illustrated in the figure above. You may have one or more data sets at your location. SET99 contains training data that is installed automatically with the software and it will not need to be moved.

Using a network connection . . .

If the new and old computers are networked together, the operation is quite simple. You will use Windows Explorer to copy the SET01 folder, with all subfolders and files, from the old computer to the new computer. You can use either the copy-and-paste method or the drag-and-drop method to perform the copy. Copy-and-paste is the easiest. If you are not familiar with Windows Explorer you should contact your computer services department or Skills Manager technical support for assistance.

Copy-And-Paste Method

Launch Windows explorer and locate the Skills Manager folder. The folder is named SMGR by default, however it may have been renamed at your location. Expand the folder tree so that you can see the SET## folders as illustrated in the figure above.

1. Right-click on the SET01 folder that will be copied. (A popup menu will appear.)

2. Choose "Copy" from the popup menu.

3. Navigate to the computer where the data will be moved to.

4. Locate the Skills Manager folder and expand the folder tree so that you can see the SET## folders as illustrated in the figure above.

5. Right-click on the DATA folder. (A popup menu will appear.)

6. Choose "Paste" from the popup menu.

7. You will be warned of duplicate files. Respond to the message by replacing all duplicate files.

Repeat the process for each of the data sets at your location.

In addition to moving the data folders, it is very important that you also copy a file named "dataset.tps" located in the SMGR folder. This file tells Skills Manager how many data folders have been established and some important information relating each one.

If your computers are not networked, you will need to transfer the data from one computer to the other using a removable storage medium with a capacity sufficient to accommodate all of the data. A Zip Disk or a CD-R/CD-RW should work fine.

Using a Zip Disk . . .

When using a Zip Disk to perform the transfer, both computers will need to have an internal Zip Drive or one external Zip Drive that can be moved between the computers as needed. You will use Windows Explorer to copy the SET01 folder on the old computer, with all subfolders and files, to the Zip Disk. If you are not familiar with Windows Explorer you should contact your computer services department or our technical support staff for assistance.

You will use the Cut-and-Paste Method instructions described in the previous section to copy the data from the old computer to the Zip Disk, and then again from the Zip Disk to the new computer.

Using a CD-R/CD-RW . . .

When using a CD-R/CD-RW to perform the transfer, the old computer must have a CD-R/CD-RW drive capable of writing to a CD-R/CD-RW disc. The new computer will only need to read the disc so a CD-ROM drive will be sufficient there. You will use the special software packaged with your CD-R/CD-RW drive to copy the SET01 Folder, with all sub-folders and files, to the CD-R/CD-RW disc. Consult the CD-R/CD-RW software manual for instructions. (We cannot provide assistance with this software as there are quite a number of products available and each is unique in operation.)

Next, you will insert the CD-R/CD-RW disc into the new computer where you will use Windows Explorer to copy the SET01 folder from the disc to the hard drive. When copying the data to the new computer you will be warned of duplicate files. You should respond to the warnings by replacing the existing files. If you are not familiar with Windows Explorer you should contact your computer services department or our technical support staff for assistance.

Uninstall Skills Manager from the Old Computer

The Skills Manager software license states that you have been granted permission to install the software on one computer only. When you have successfully installed the software on the new computer, copied all data files into place, and verified that everything is working you should uninstall Skills Manager from the old computer to remain legally compliant with the software license.

To uninstall Skills Manager, navigate to the Windows Control Panel and click on the Add/Remove Programs menu. Locate and click on Skills Manager in the list programs and then click on the Add/Remove button. The uninstall program will remove all files that were installed when the program was setup. Folders and files that were created by the program after it was installed will remain. These items need to be deleted manually using Windows Explorer. To accomplish this, locate and click on the SMGR folder and press the delete key. You will be prompted to confirm the delete operation.

by Steve Wesner

Crown Pointe Technologies, Inc.

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