ABS® Tips and Troubleshooting

Question or Condition (How do I...)

Tip

Change Return Address in the word processor?

       OR

Put my logo in the word processor letterhead?

       OR

Put my scanned signature in letters.

       OR

Edit the word processor templates.

Step-by-step procedure is in the User Manual.

Templates control to looks of letters created by the word processor. To edit the ABS word processor: templates: 

1. Open word processor (pretend to print a letter to anyone).

2. Click Edit | Templates

3. You should find 4 template files. 

This applies to the ABS word processor. See user manual for more details or help with MS Word templates.

Backup my data to CD?  I get an error message when I try.

To avoid problems, restart Windows on all system prior to backing up. If/when you restart the server, do it after all workstations have been shut down. This will tend to assure proper system performance while backing up.

The most common problem is trying to use disks that have not been formatted. They don't come pre-formatted like diskettes do, so you must format them yourself. You should use CD-RW disks. Use the software that came with your computer to format the disk. Note: This is more difficult with Windows XP. If you have trouble formatting your CD, consult your hardware supplier or local technician.

Hint: If you are backing up to diskettes, replace diskettes once a quarter. When the seasons change, so should your diskettes.

See user manual for more details.

Restore Data from a backup?

If possible, you should restore from the PC that did the backup. The backup remembers the path to the computer/folder where the data came from. So it always tries to restore to the same folder. That's why it is a good practice to backup and restore from the server, if you can.

Hint: the backup file is named ABS2DATA.ZIP. It is WinZip, or PKZip compatible. If you can't restore with our software (rare), you can try using PKZip for Windows. Click here to download their free reader.

We only support the ABS backup system. If you are backing up with another system (i.e. tape backup), we can't help you. We simply don't have expertise on all possible 3rd part systems. Contact your supplier.

Because we hear this all the time, we have taken some steps to protect users from themselves. With later releases of version 2.6, we started making "just in case" copies of your database. They will be located in your data folder on the server. If you have been taking advantages of the free, downloadable upgrades you will find files named ABS2DATA_COPIED.XXX, where XXX represents the day of the week (MON for Monday, TUE for Tuesday, etc).

If you are savvy with Windows you can replace ABS2DATA.MDB with one of those files (make a copy just in case). If you are unsure how to do this, download the Disaster Recovery Aid from this web site. It will help you recover.

Caution: This is not a substitute for your backups. If you have a hardware failure, or a real disaster such as a fire, the files we copy for you will be lost along with the database -- they are on the same hard drive.

Print Mailing Labels?

Mailing labels are created from the Predefined Queries. They print on Avery 5160 label sheets or equivalent (3 across by 10 down).

Click Queries | Predefined

After filtering and sorting your desired query, simply click the tool bar button with the icon that looks like a roll of mailing labels.  

Mail Merge?

Mail Merge is done from the Predefined Queries.

After filtering and sorting your desired query, simply click the tool bar button with the icon that looks like an envelop. That will take you to the word processor where you will see field names rather than actual names and addresses. At this point, you must enter whatever text you wish to send as the body of the letter. 

Once the letter is ready to send, you should "Merge to a new document". In the ABS word processor that is a menu choice: File | Merge to new document.

Merging to a new document done differently in Microsoft Word, however the concept is the same. There should be a tool bar button that allows you to merge to a new document. 

In either word processor, once you have merged to a new document, you can print that document. 

Hint: For large mail merges (over 100 pages) we suggest using Microsoft Word. 

Export Data to MS Excel (and other file formats)?

Exporting data is done via Queries: Predefined, Folio Reconciliation, or Carrier Renewal Premium By Date Range.

After filtering and sorting your desired query, simply click the tool bar button with the icon that looks like a diskette. That displays an "Export" dialog box where "Save in" lets you pick the destination drive and folder, and "Save as type" lets you choose the type of export. Your choices are:

ASCII comma delimited (.TXT)
Comma Separated Value (.CSV)
Microsoft Excel (.SLK)

After the exported file is created, you will be asked if you want to open the file. If you export to .SLK, but don't have MS Excel installed on your computer, you will receive an error message, however the .SLK file will still be usable on a system that has Excel installed.

If you use a spreadsheet other than Excel, the .CSV format may be more suitable. Experiment.

Add a new workstation?

Note. This assumes the Server is already setup properly.

1. The new PC must be connected to the network.

2. Windows must be a member of the same Workgroup, or Domain.

3. Install ABS Agency Builder onto a PC local drive (such as C:\). during this process you will be asked if this is a Stand Alone, Network Server, or a Network Client. Choose Network Client

4. A Configuration Window opens as the last part of the installation. Use the window on the left to locate the data folder on the server. You should select My Network Places (or Network Neighborhood on older computers).

5. Using My Network Places, locate the server computer, then select the ABS2 folder on that computer. If you have selected a path to the database, the right side of the Configuration Window will tell you it is configured as a Network Client. If you don't see that, it isn't configured properly. Your local computer tech should be able to help.

Note: We discourage the use of Mapped drives. They will work, but can be more troublesome under some conditions.

Add or change server computers

The only difference between an ABS Client (workstation) and an ABS Server is the Server has data, and the workstations don't (or shouldn't). 

•  To turn an existing workstation into a server, backup the data from the server and restore it to the new workstation. Then Share the Data Directory (usually C:\ABS2). Then Configure the data path for the other workstations (click Start | Programs | ABS | Configure Data Path)

• To install a new computer as a server, install ABS Agency Builder onto a PC local drive (such as C:\). during this process you will be asked if this is a Stand Alone, Network Server, or a Network Client. Choose Network Server. Make sure the ABS2 folder is shared with full permission. You may need to configure the data path for other workstations (see Add a new workstation above).

Meaning / Solution

OR

The procedure entry point GetIUMS could not be located in the dynamic link library msdart.dll

OR

Other error messages having to do with entry point.... in Windows XP

The actual cause seems to be a faulty installation of Windows XP, Service Pack 2. As near as we can tell, the dynamic link library MSDART.DLL is used by the program that installs Service Pack 2 so it cant be replaced because it is busy. Then when other programs attempt to use programs contained in the library (i.e. GetIUMS), it isn't there because the installed MSDART.DLL is out of date (probably Service Pack 1 level). We suggest that you Google for: getiums msdart.dll entry point 
This should return a lot of traffic on the subject. You can also search for articles in MSDN. At the time we posted this web page, there was only one, but it did offer a solution. Unfortunately, it didn't mention symptoms that were a perfect fit for what happens to ABS. However, the solution fixed the ABS problem.

This message occurs when ABS Agency Builder is unable to find the database. It means the path to the server is not correct OR the server is not available. Make sure the Server is operating, and the network is working properly. 

If you have been using ABS on this workstation for some time but suddenly get this message, it usually means your network password has expired on the Server. Naturally, this assumes nobody has been screwing with the system or user permissions.

This happens when the computer is running version 2.5 but others have been upgraded to version 2.6. It can happen if only one computer is upgraded to 2.6. Then any system with 2.5 will generate this message. Simply upgrade all the computers to the same version. The latest can be downloaded from this web site.

Note: The Evaluation Version is the full install, just like we put on the CDs we ship. If you are upgrading from 2.5 to 2.6, this is what you should download, not the upgrade.

Important: Program upgrades must be installed on all computers, not just the server.

This happens in ABS version 2.6 when one or more computers have been upgraded to a new version of 2.6 but not all. For example, if Sam is running 2.6.14.863, and Delilah is running 2.6.16.893, Sam will get this message. Normally the program will display this message and continue working. It is just a warning that your system wasn't upgraded when someone else's was.

Important: Program upgrades must be installed on all computers, not just the server.

This normally means your database has been corrupted, but it might be a symptom of something else such as a faulty network connection. Before restoring your data, reboot your computers. This mean power them down, and unplug the power cord for one full minute (60 seconds or more). Do the same with network hubs/switches/routers.

If a power-down reboot doesn't fix the problem, you will probably need to restore from a recent backup.

Note: Data corruption is rare. If you must restore on a regular basis, there is probably something faulty with your system. The most common cause of frequent corruption is a faulty network connection or network interface card (NIC).

For example: if you installed ABS on the server, into D:\ABS2, then copy the file named MTDB from C:\ABS2 into that folder.