A new twist on the familiar "changing the database" quest.

[CCUMC - Office]

Hi folks...

I have PowerChurch 11.5 installed on PC1 "from" the P Drive (server). It is receiving it's data from the data file on the P Drive.
It looks like this:

Data Directory: P:\PCPLUS115\data

I have PowerChurch 11.5 improperly installed on PC2 "from" the P Drive (server) but a new file was created due to the duplication of the installation. This is receiving it's data from the data file in this alternate folder on the P Drive.
It looks like this:

Data Directory: P:\install09042014\data

What specific steps do I take in order to properly install PowerChurch 11.5 from the P Drive so that the software will "see" the proper data directory? (I presume that uninstalling the entire "install09042014" will be one of these steps?)

Thank you...

Signed...
Normally I Know What I'm Doing (a/k/a Bob)

[NeilZ]

Hi folks...

I have PowerChurch 11.5 installed on PC1 "from" the P Drive (server). It is receiving it's data from the data file on the P Drive.
It looks like this:

Data Directory: P:\PCPLUS115\data

I have PowerChurch 11.5 improperly installed on PC2 "from" the P Drive (server) but a new file was created due to the duplication of the installation. This is receiving it's data from the data file in this alternate folder on the P Drive.
It looks like this:

Data Directory: P:\install09042014\data

What specific steps do I take in order to properly install PowerChurch 11.5 from the P Drive so that the software will "see" the proper data directory? (I presume that uninstalling the entire "install09042014" will be one of these steps?)

Thank you...

Signed...
Normally I Know What I'm Doing (a/k/a Bob)

I'm going to assume that the C:\Powerchurch directory is shared off the server, not the C:\Powerchurch\PCPLUS115 directory. The former is correct, the latter is not.

1. Completely uninstall PCPlus on the second computer using the Add/Install Program, or Programs & Features (depending on Windows version) found in the Control Panel. On Windows 7, when I look the only entry I find is one that says Powerchurch Plus 11.5 Runtime Files select and uninstall.

2. Make sure the server drive is properly mapped as the "P" drive on the second computer. Then open the P: drive, and go to the PCPLUS115\INSTALL directory, and double click on the netsetup115 program to reinstall Powerchurch on that computer.

This should fix all issues, and set the proper paths on the second machine.

[CCUMC - Office]

Thank you Neil...

Now that I know what questions to ask a bit, I can work with you to dial this in.

You said:

I'm going to assume that the C:\Powerchurch directory is shared off the server, not the C:\Powerchurch\PCPLUS115 directory. The former is correct, the latter is not.

Regrettably, the original installer (NOT me ) did the latter in this case. On both of the PCs, the directory is C:\ProgramData\PowerChurch\PCPLUS115. So, I believe my next step is to get the correct data from PC1 saved/backed-up, etc. and then follow whatever directions you provide to align both PCs with a Program directory that is shared off of the server instead?

Am I correct?

Thank you!

[NeilZ]

Thank you Neil...

Now that I know what questions to ask a bit, I can work with you to dial this in.

You said:

I'm going to assume that the C:\Powerchurch directory is shared off the server, not the C:\Powerchurch\PCPLUS115 directory. The former is correct, the latter is not.

Regrettably, the original installer (NOT me ) did the latter in this case. On both of the PCs, the directory is C:\ProgramData\PowerChurch\PCPLUS115. So, I believe my next step is to get the correct data from PC1 saved/backed-up, etc. and then follow whatever directions you provide to align both PCs with a Program directory that is shared off of the server instead?

Am I correct?

Thank you!

Hmmm ... before we get into this, lets verify a few things:

1. Operating System on the two PCs -
2. Is there a third machine used as a server ?

If there's a third machine used as a server, then the WORKING PC is using the database that is located on the server, so the only thing you need to do is a standard Powerchurch backup to be on the safe side.

The way Powerchurch is networked, there is no data that resides on the local client computer, everything comes from the server.

Let me know about 1 & 2, and then I'll know which way to suggest.

[CCUMC - Office]

I will verify from the office on Monday...thank you for your patience.

[NeilZ]

I will verify from the office on Monday...thank you for your patience.

Not a problem ... you're the patient one, I just sit and answer if I can

[CCUMC - Office]

Here's a hodgepodge of data that I think will be helpful - including the questions that have been asked.

The server is a system of its own. It is a Dell PowerEdge 2650 - here's the configuration link - http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/ ... figuration

On the server itself, I see:
Computer==>DriverC300Gb (C:)==>PowerChurch==>PCPLUS115
Note: Still has PCPLUS10

I, then, have three more PCs - Acer Veriton X2610G running Windows 7 Pro OA

So - when all is said and done - I need to have all three PCs accessing PowerChurch from the same location on the Server - so that they will all share the same data.

[NeilZ]

Here's a hodgepodge of data that I think will be helpful - including the questions that have been asked.

The server is a system of its own. It is a Dell PowerEdge 2650 - here's the configuration link - http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/ ... figuration

On the server itself, I see:
Computer==>DriverC300Gb (C:)==>PowerChurch==>PCPLUS115
Note: Still has PCPLUS10

I, then, have three more PCs - Acer Veriton X2610G running Windows 7 Pro OA

So - when all is said and done - I need to have all three PCs accessing PowerChurch from the same location on the Server - so that they will all share the same data.

OK ... in that case, I would verify that all three PCs are accessing the SERVER for their data, and were not setup as standalone machines. If they indeed are accessing the server, then you won't lose any data when you do the following:


First off, on the server, SHARE the C:\Powerchurch directory using standard File Sharing with FULL PERMISSIONS to all. The Dell configuration for the machine didn't show an OS installed, so if its Windows Server its been a while since I've used that, but I'm fairly sure it has a simple file sharing/directory sharing capability.

You should be able to start PCPlus on the server, do so, and do a Powerchurch database backup.

On the client machines:

1. Using the standard Windows 7 Programs & Features application in the Control Panel, uninstall Powerchurch from each machine.
2. Unmap the previous Powerchurch directory from the "P:" drive (if that was used).
3. MAP the shared C:\Powerchurch directory as "P:" on the computer.
4. Open the P: drive, and enter the PCPLUS115 directory, head to the INSTALL directory
5. Double click on the Netsetup115.exe program to install PCPlus locally. The system will do the rest.
6. Click on the PCPlus icon installed on the desktop to see if everything works and you're accessing the database.

This should insure that all the machines are setup properly, and are correctly connected to the server.

Hope this helps.

[CCUMC - Office]

Say a prayer (and cross some fingers and toes)

[CCUMC - Office]

Almost there!

OK...I took all of the steps you gave me with one exception.
I have backed up the "correct" data from its improper location on PC1 and it is now sitting on PC1's Desktop.
Before I do the uninstall scenario on PC1, how will I be pulling the correct data into the data file where it belongs on the newly-mapped shared drive?
I think that will make sense on its own. Let me know otherwise.

Thanks.

[NeilZ]

Sorry to take so long to get to this ...

Almost there!

OK...I took all of the steps you gave me with one exception.
I have backed up the "correct" data from its improper location on PC1 and it is now sitting on PC1's Desktop.
Before I do the uninstall scenario on PC1, how will I be pulling the correct data into the data file where it belongs on the newly-mapped shared drive?
I think that will make sense on its own. Let me know otherwise.

Thanks.

OK ... if I understand you correctly. You used the PC1 'client' to do a backup. You do realize that if PC1 is correctly configured, and I'm assume that it was accessing the Server's database properly, then all you did was backup the database from the server. PC1 had no separate database of its own.

In which case, you can uninstall without a worry, since the data does not reside on PC1 at all, and removing PCPlus will not affect that data whatsoever. That said, check the PCPlus desktop icon's properties on PC1, the target path listed should look something like this:

Code: Select all

"C:\PowerChurch\PCPlus115\pcstart115.exe" "P:\Powerchurch\PCPLUS115\"

Note, a on a client, its perfectly OK to have the NetSetup115.exe program put the local components in the Program Files (x86) directory as long as everyone on the client computer has admin privileges. Its not recommended by the Powerchurch techs however.

HOWEVER if the icon shows something like

Code: Select all

P:\Powerchurch\PCPLUS115\pcplus115.exe

Then hold off, do not uninstall, as whoever installed Powerchurch did it using the server's 'P' drive as an external (but local) hard drive.

In this case, just open the COMPUTER icon, head to the P:\ drive and install using the netsetup115.exe as directed in the earlier post. This should correctly set PC1 to properly use the server.

As far as the backup, I would never backup to the 'Desktop', always backup the server to a directory on a local computer's hard drive, external hard drive, or CD/DVD.

[CCUMC - Office]

Don't worry about the time...it's been a problem for months, it can wait a few more hours.

Let me double-check on this part...

The Target path actually looks like this:

"C:\program Files (x86)\PowerChurch\PCPlus115\pcstart115.exe" "P:\PCPLUS115\"

Also, if it matters at all to you, the Start In path shows:

"C:Program Files (x86)\PowerChurch\PCPLUS115"

The appears to be a combination of the two things you described. The not-preferred x86 option and the P: Target path in general.

I don't think you want me to uninstall under this condition. I did note that each time I have tried to install the netsetup115.exe off of the P:\ drive, it has imported an old set of data...not the one we want now.

(By the way, I wouldn't normally backup to the Desktop either - I have an external drive coming in for this purpose)

Your thoughts?
(I would not be averse to remoting you in to the computer if you want to just look at it on your own without the back and forth - for YOUR time's sake).

[NeilZ]

Don't worry about the time...it's been a problem for months, it can wait a few more hours.

Let me double-check on this part...

The Target path actually looks like this:

"C:\program Files (x86)\PowerChurch\PCPlus115\pcstart115.exe" "P:\PCPLUS115\"

Also, if it matters at all to you, the Start In path shows:

"C:Program Files (x86)\PowerChurch\PCPLUS115"

The appears to be a combination of the two things you described. The not-preferred x86 option and the P: Target path in general.

This is talking about the PC1 machine ?? Again, I would have the local path be "C:\Powerchurch\PCPLUS115\pcstart115.exe" and so on, but as I mentioned, if the users all have admin privilages in Windows 7/8 its OK.

I don't think you want me to uninstall under this condition. I did note that each time I have tried to install the netsetup115.exe off of the P:\ drive, it has imported an old set of data...not the one we want now.

(By the way, I wouldn't normally backup to the Desktop either - I have an external drive coming in for this purpose)

Your thoughts?
(I would not be averse to remoting you in to the computer if you want to just look at it on your own without the back and forth - for YOUR time's sake).

OK ... I see the issue now.

In reality the PC1 machine IS using a database that is not the one on the Server. For if it was, you would have the same data on all three machines, as all the clients should be accessing the database on the server. That's what the Netsetup115.exe program does. It sets up the data connection to the server where the main database should reside.

Now the question is, what is the difference between the databases?? Could you explain that to me. Is it a difference in membership, accounting, contributions ??

[CCUMC - Office]

Yes, that was on PC1.

The difference between the databases is exactly what you describe. All of the data on the database we want is "current" while the other has data from when version 10 was still running.

Let me ask you something. If I have the backup of the "current" database in hand (on a flashdrive), can I uninstall all of the versions of PowerChurch that currently exist, do a fresh install of PC11.5 in the proper fashion, and use the back up to get the data I need?

[NeilZ]

Yes, that was on PC1.

The difference between the databases is exactly what you describe. All of the data on the database we want is "current" while the other has data from when version 10 was still running.

Let me ask you something. If I have the backup of the "current" database in hand (on a flashdrive), can I uninstall all of the versions of PowerChurch that currently exist, do a fresh install of PC11.5 in the proper fashion, and use the back up to get the data I need?

I agree, have the PCPlus v11.5 install disk handy at the server. I would do it as follows. It may take some time but you'll get the data & program installed correctly.

1. Backup PC1's Powerchurch database using the built-in backup utility to a flashdrive. This saves everything

2. Press the Alt-F1 keys to bring up the ABOUT window and get the Registration Number that is listed.

3. Log on to the server directly. Use the Windows Programs & Features app to uninstall Powerchurch 11.5 from the server. If you see v10 there, you can leave it alone, you may need it for access to older data.

4. At the server, use the V11.5 installation disk to install the program to any drive on the server you want, if it has two disks, use D: The path should be (x is your drive) x:\Powerchurch\PCPLUS115 (I believe this is the default, if it doesn't appear as such, change it to that path). Plug in your flashdrive too ..

5. Once installed, start up the program ON THE SERVER, do NOT select the choice of UPGRADING from a previous version. This will be a new install. The system will ask for your Registration Number (see step 2), and church info. Fill it in. It will then create an empty database. I forget if it then closes or not, but in any case close the program. Then open it again (redundant maybe ..), go to the Utilities Menu, Backup&Restore, and select restore, and browse to the backup file on the flash drive. It will restore that database backed up from PC1, then reindex everything then close.

Reopen Powerchurch and head to the HELP menu, select the DOWNLOAD Maintenence Release item. Let the system download the update. Exit Powerchurch, restart again, and the update will be applied.

6. Share the x:\POWERCHURCH directory, don't go any lower in the tree than that. Use simple sharing, and give FULL RIGHTS to change/update to all.

7. Head to each one of the client computers (you DO NOT need the V11.5 install disk any longer), and

• Uninstall v11.5 using Programs and Features
  Map the shared x:\POWERCHURCH directory to the "P:" drive
  Open the P: drive, click on PCPLUS115, then the Install directory.
  Select the Netsetup115.exe program and click it to run
  it will then setup the client properly

Once the process is complete, bring up Powerchurch and make sure that what you see, is what you want to see. I suspect it will be.

Once all this is accomplished, each computer will be accessing the server for its data, and there will not be any issues with different data.

Once you get that external hard drive, you should then setup automatic PCPlus backups ON THE SERVER using the pcbackup115.exe program, and Windows Task Scheduler. You can check the PCPlus documentation for more info on that. This is a good process, even if you have your server doing full disk backups, this allows you to have a current PCPlus backup, and to email a backup offsite for storage.