Converting and Updating CSV Software

Last reviewed: 07/19/2010
Article ID: R11177

The information in this article applies to:

• All Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Versions 14.1 (and Earlier) Users Updating to Version 14.3
• Version 14.3 Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Client Server Version (CSV) Software

Summary

When updating or converting to CSV Version 14.3 for the first time, a data conversion program must be run. This article provides information for updating and converting to Client Server software (CSV).

• Procedures & QuickStart Instructions
• CSCONV14.EXE Conversion Program
• Why Data Must Be Converted
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Error Messages
• References

Procedures & QuickStart Instructions

Depending on which version you are updating, upgrading, and/or converting from, the steps to do so will vary slightly. However, in all cases the Tabs3/PracticeMaster Client Server Version software must be installed before the STI Server software.

The following links include QuickStart instructions for Client Server installations:

CSCONV14.EXE Conversion Program

When upgrading to Version 14.3 Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Client Server Version (CSV) software, a data conversion program must be run.

The Client Server Data Conversion program is installed during the STI Server software installation. This conversion program is started automatically at the completion of the installation, or it can also be run manually by double-clicking the CSCONV14.EXE file in your Tabs3/PracticeMaster program directory.

Clicking the Convert button, as shown in the following figure, will initiate the conversion process. If other users are currently in the software, a Conflicting Activities window will be displayed and the conversion will not proceed until all users have exited the software.

The following figure is an example of what the window looks like while the conversion is running.

Note: Clicking the Cancel button before the Data Conversion completes successfully will cause a series of errors (53/1310/1020) when attempting to log into the software.

Upon completion, a "Conversion Successful" message will be displayed as shown in the following figure. Clicking OK will close the Client Server Data Conversion window.

Why Data Must Be Converted

The data files must be converted in order for them to be utilized with transaction processing. Transaction processing is a database technology introduced with Version 14.3 CSV software that provides enhanced database reliability. Detailed information regarding transaction processing is available in KB Article R11175, "Transaction Processing."

CSCONV14.LOG file

A log file (CSCONV14.LOG) is created and written to each time the Client Server Data Conversion program (CSCONV14.EXE) is run. This log file records the start date and time of the conversion, the files that were successfully converted, whether the conversion was aborted (i.e., by selecting the Cancel button), and the completion date and time of the conversion. (Note: The log file only contains information regarding the last conversion that was run.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all installations of Version 14.3 CSV need to run the conversion utility?

No. If your firm is installing Tabs3 or PracticeMaster for the first time, no conversion is needed. Any firm that has used Tabs3 and PracticeMaster before Version 14.3 will need to run the CSCONV14.EXE utility, which is started automatically after the installation of the STI Server software for Version 14.3. This conversion utility prepares the data for use with the new features added into Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Version 14.3 CSV.

Does the STI Server need to be shut down during installation?

Yes. The installer will shut down any version of STI Server that is running before copying files, but if this would fail for some reason the installation will not continue. Shutting down the STI Server manually before attempting the installation will not hurt anything, and may prevent complications.

Can the installation be performed over the network?

The Tabs3, PracticeMaster, and Tabs3 Financial software can be installed from any workstation that is networked with the server. The STI Server Version 14.3 CD MUST be installed at the server locally. During installation, the STI Server installs files to locations outside the main Tabs3/PracticeMaster directory. If the STI Server CD is not installed on the server, these files will not be placed in the correct directories and the STI Server will not work, thereby preventing Tabs3 software from being able to run successfully.

Can the STI Server installation be performed using a mapped or network drive letter?

No. The STI Server CD requires a fixed drive (Local Hard Disk drive) to be entered in the path during installation.  Mapped, Network, and Removable Disk drives will cause the installation to fail.  For example, let's say the Tabs3/PracticeMaster software is installed to D:\applications\STI, which is mapped to S:\  When installing the software, use the D:\applications\STI path when prompted during the installation instead of S:\ .

My firm is upgrading to Version 14.3 CSV from a Version 14.1 Single User license. Does the Conversion Utility need to be run on our data?

Yes. Any data entered into Tabs3, PracticeMaster, or Tabs3 Financial software that will be used by Version 14.3 must be converted for use by CSV Version 14.3. The only situation that would not require a conversion of the data is if the Tabs3, Tabs3 Financial, or PracticeMaster packages have never been installed before, therefore there is no data to convert.

How can I tell if my data has been converted?

If you start Version 14.3 software but have not run the CSCONV14.EXE program to convert the files to CSV data, you will receive the following message:

Error (53) occurred while attempting to open the user file. The program will now exit with an error. The CSCONV14.EXE program must be run before this program can continue.

If your CSV data has been successfully converted, Help | About will show a Version of 14.3.x.x AND a Server Name.

When do I have to run the conversion?

The conversion program must be run before using any Version 14.3 Tabs3 and PracticeMaster CSV software. It will be started automatically after installing the STI Server software. Upon successful conversion, the program does not need to be run thereafter.

If I need to cancel the conversion, can I run it again?

The conversion program can be multiple times, but it only needs to be run successfully once. If you cancel the conversion before it completes, simply run the program again.

The Report Accelerators will not start for some reason.

There are many reasons that the Report Accelerators may not start. Firewalls, pathing issues, installation being performed from an invalid location, and network issues could all cause the Accelerators to not start. For detailed troubleshooting information on the Accelerators, see KB Article R11182 - Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Accelerators.

Error Messages

The Client Server Conversion program has encountered an invalid GLS Data Path for one or more GLS Clients. Please review the CSCONV14.LOG file located in the program directory to determine which GLS Client(s) have an invalid GLS Data Path. As a result, the software is running without Client/Server functionality. Once the GLS Data Path has been manually fixed, you will need to run the CSCONV14.EXE program to convert the data. Detailed information regarding how to resolve the invalid GLS Data Paths can be found in Knowledge Base Article R11177 at www.support.Tabs3.com.

Click OK to clear the message. The CSCONV14.EXE program will close without the conversion having been run. You will need to rerun CSCONV14.EXE after fixing the invalid GLS Data Paths.

 

CSV Version 14.3 software requires that the GLS Data Path for all defined GLS clients be relative paths AND be located in a folder under the current working directory. This is required in order for HotBackup to back up data for all GLS clients. Previous versions of GLS did not have this requirement.

The conversion program has detected that one or more of the GLS clients does not meet this criteria. The CSCONV14.LOG file will indicate which GLS client(s) have an invalid GLS Data Path. You must address these invalid paths by editing the GLS Data Path, which may require moving the GLS client data.  KB Article R11191, How to Move GLS Clients, includes step-by-step procedures regarding how to move GLS client data. Alternatively, if the GLS Client is no longer used, the GLS client can be deleted; however, you will want to make sure that this is the desired course of action.

 

Invalid GLS Data Paths must be addressed before you will be able to use the Client Server version of the software. Once you have addressed the invalid path, rerun the CSCONV14.EXE program from the server (located in the Tabs3 program directory).

Technical Note: Whenever possible, the CSCONV14.EXE program will change the GLS Data Path to a relative path that matches the current working directory. If this change is made, it is done so silently and is noted in the CSCONV14.LOG file. If it is not possible for CSCONV14.EXE to resolve the discrepancy (e.g., the GLS Data Path is located on another drive), this message will be displayed. 

 

The Client Server software must be installed before the data can be successfully be converted.

This error message typically occurs when the STI Server is installed before the Tabs3 & PracticeMaster CSV software is installed. The Client Server data conversion program is executed immediately after installing the STI Server software and requires the Tabs3 & PracticeMaster CSV software to already have been installed. Clicking OK will abort the conversion and result in a 2060-1-0-0 fatal error. You must install the Tabs3 & PracticeMaster software, and then run the CSCONV14.EXE program manually by double-clicking the CSCONV14.EXE file in your Tabs3/PracticeMaster program directory.

The conversion program will only run on Version 14 data. Please run the conversion program stconv14.exe for more information.

This error message will occur when the Client Server Data Conversion program is run in a directory with Tabs3/PracticeMaster data that is Version 12 or earlier. You must convert your data to Version 14 prior to running CSCONV14.EXE (as directed in the QuickStart instructions).

This error message can also occur if no data is present for an installed program. This can occur if a new software system was purchased and installed at the same time as the new CSV software. In this situation, you must:

1. Uninstall the new program (i.e., the program with no data).
2. Manually run the CSCONV14.EXE program.
3. Re-install the new program.

Unable to lock the Task File

This message indicates that the STI Director Service is unable to lock the Task File.

Cause:  This error occurs if the Client Server Data Directory path is incorrect or the STI Director Service has insufficient rights to the Client Server Data Directory.

Solution:  The following is a list of ways to troubleshoot:

• Incorrect Client Server Data Directory: Make sure the Client Server Data Directory is valid from the server's point of view. If it is a new install, use the following steps to copy and run HBQ. If it is an existing dataset that has already been working, then use the following steps below to edit the DataDirectory registry key.

New Installs - Copy and Run HBQ

1. On the server where the STI software is installed, insert the STI Server CD.
2. Close out of the installation window if it automatically runs.
3. Open My Computer.
4. Right-click the CD drive and select Explore.
5. Double-click the Server folder.
6. Right-click HBQ.EXE and select Copy.
7. Paste HBQ.EXE into the program directory.
8. Double-click HBQ.EXE in the program directory to run the program.
9. Type "Y" and press Enter to run HBQ.EXE, as shown below.



Existing Installs - Edit DataDirectory Registry Key

1. On the server where the STI software is installed.
   1. Click start, and then select Run.
   2. Type REGEDIT into the field.
   3. Click OK.
2. Verify that the Data ID in the Registry matches the Data ID in System Configuration.
   1. Open System Configuration.
   2. Select Utilities | Change Data ID from the System Configuration menu bar.
   3. Write down the Data ID found here.
   4. Back in the registry editor, expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
   5. Expand Software.
   6. Expand Wow6432Node (64-bit Operating Systems only).
   7. Expand STI.
   8. Expand HotBackupV14.
   9. Select the key that matches the Data ID written down in step c.
3. Verify that the DataDirectory String has the correct value. If it does not, edit the value to have the correct Client Server Data Directory path. Also verify that your ExeDirectory String has the correct value. These path's both need to be valid from the server's point of view.

CAUTION: Editing the Windows registry is typically not recommended because of potential problems that can occur when not done properly. Tabs3 and PracticeMaster is not responsible for edits made to the registry. Any registry changes should be made by your network administrator or a qualified professional. (Tabs3 Support personnel do not have the necessary training to help you with Windows registry changes.)

WARNING: The following disclaimer is used by Microsoft regarding editing of the registry: "Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk."

IMPORTANT: Microsoft recommends making a back up copy of the registry files before editing the registry. Refer to Microsoft documentation for details on how to back up the registry.



• Insufficient Rights: Make sure the STI Director Service is logging on with an account that has sufficient rights to the Client Server Data Directory. We have had instances where the Local System Account permissions have been limited, which prevents the STI Director Service from locking the task file.

To view the log on account the STI Director Service is using use the following steps:

1. From the Windows Control Panel, select Administrative Tools.
2. Double-click Services.
3. Right-click the STI Director Service from the list of services and select Properties.
4. Select the Log On tab. Here it will indicate what log on account the STI Director Service is using.

Note: The STI Director Service and the STI Server Service must use the same log on account; otherwise, the services cannot communicate with each other correctly.

Error 53/1310/1020

When starting a Version 14.3 Client Server Version (CSV) software product that has not yet been converted from the standard version to CSV, a message similar to the following may be displayed:

Error (53) occurred while attempting to open the user file. The program will now exit with an error.
The CSConv14.exe program must be run before this program can continue.

Clicking OK on this message will generate a 1310-14-53-0 error. You need to stop the STI Director service and then run the Client Server Data Conversion program (CSCONV14.EXE) located in the Tabs3 program directory. If you fail to stop the STI Director service before running CSCONV14.EXE, you will receive a 1020-1-32 error.

 

Once the conversion has successfully completed, restart the STI Director service before starting the software again.

References

• KB Article R11196 - Tabs3 & PracticeMaster Client Server Resources
• KB Article R10712 - Client/Server Overview
• KB Article R11175 - Transaction Processing
• KB Article R11176 - CSV Troubleshooting and Technical Information
• KB Article R11195 - Version 14.3 Update Procedures
• KB Article R11173 - Version 14.2 Update Procedures
• KB Article R11182 - Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Accelerators

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