Due to the nature of computers and computer databases, it is possible from time to time to get partially corrupted index files. This is normally due to a power failure on the computer on which the records are stored. Eco Time however provides a built in file manager that provides an easy way of rebuilding indexes. You would normally only use the File Manager option if requested to do so by your Support Consultant.
In previous versions of Eco Time, namely TNA 2000, TNA 4, TNA 5 and TNA 6, doing maintenance on TPS files was done by accessing the File Manager through the User or Configuration module. This has changed in Eco Time.
Exclusive File Manager
Although the File Manager is still accessible from the User and Configuration module, one will note that some of the key buttons such as Freshen, Build, Fix, Verify Guids and Release have been hidden.
The File Manager now operates in exclusive mode. This means that none of the modules such as User, Configuration or Server can now be run when the Exclusive File Manager is open. If the Exclusive File Manager is accessed while the User or Configuration module is open, it will automatically close the User or Configuration module down.
The Exclusive File Manager will however not close the server module but utilization of buttons Build / Release / Fix / Freshen will not be granted until the server is manually closed. This improved way of doing maintenance allows the File Manager to exclusively repair each file without any updates or changes to the specific file in need of a fix.
The Exclusive File Manager can only be access from the application folder with a command line parameter. This is added to a shortcut created to the Configuration module by using the /FileManager switch e.g.C:\CSTime\Config32.EXE /FileManager.
The following buttons are disabled for SQL installations: Build, Freshen, Release and Fix.
When file maintenance is in progress, the following screen will make its appearance and if left, will open the module you selected to open as soon as the maintenance is complete.
Also, during exclusive file maintenance mode, no auto updates will be invoked by the server module.
The following information and options are available from the Exclusive File Manager window:
File List. The File information window is used to displays the following information:
File: This is a list of all the system files. When a file is selected, agreentick will appear on the left hand side of the file name and the file information will be highlighted.
Records: This is used to display the number of records that are contained in the particular file.
Disk Name: This will display the directory address of where the particular file resides on the PC.
Tag All button: When selected, all the system files will be selected.
Untag All button: Selecting this button will de-select all the files.
Build button: This button is used to rebuild all the indexes and keys of the tagged files and is the most common action taken. This is normally performed when problems arise due to corrupt indexes and keys are present and errors are detected.
Release button: This button will try and release records of the tagged files if they are locked.
Fix button: This is generally the last resort and is used to try and recover corrupt files that have been tagged.
Freshen button: This is generally the second option used when problems are encountered and makes a duplicate file of the tagged files and then copies the records into the new file before deleting the old and possibly corrupt file.
Info button: This is used to get the number of records and path directory for the tagged files.
Verify Guids button: This is used to verify that all database files have unique id's.
Close: Used to close the File Manager window.
Build Files
The option is used to rebuild all the indexes and keysof the files that have been selected.
To build new files proceed as follows:
In the Exclusive File Manager window, select all files that are to be built .
Click the Build button. The system data files will be created and a Progress window will be displayed.
Once the build has completed, the File Manager window will again be displayed and the Records column will display the number of records that are contained within the file (should be 0 for a newly built file).
Release Files
This option is used to release any records that are in the selected files.
To release file records, proceed as follows:
In the Exclusive File Manager window, select the files for which the records must be released.
Click the Release button. The records for the selected data files will be released and a Progress window will be displayed as this operation is performed.
Once the action has completed, the File Manager window will again be displayed.
Fix Files
This option is used to fix damaged files.
To fix files, proceed as follows:
In the Exclusive File Manager window, select the files that are to be fixed.
Click the Fix button. The records for the selected data files will be released and a Progress window will be displayed as this operation is performed.
Once the action has completed, the File Manager window will again be displayed.
Freshen Files
This option is used to create a new file and transfer the existing records to the newly created file and is performed if a file is suspected of being corrupt.
To refresh files, proceed as follows:
In the Exclusive File Manager window, select the files that are to be re-freshed.
Click the Freshen button. New files for the selected files will be created and the existing records will be transferred to these new files. A Progress window will be displayed as this operation is performed.
Once the action has completed, the File Manager window will again be displayed.
View Information on Files
This option is used to view information about selected files.
To view information on files, proceed as follows:
In the Exclusive File Manager window, select the files for which information is to be viewed.
Click the Info button. Information on the selected files will now be gathered and a Progress window will be displayed as this operation is performed.
Once the action has completed, the File Manager window will again be displayed and the information for the selected files will be displayed.
Due to the nature of computers and computer databases, it is possible from time to time to get partially corrupted index files. This is normally due to a power failure on the computer on which the records are stored. Eco Time however provides a built in file manager that provides an easy way of rebuilding indexes. You would normally only use the File Manager option if requested to do so by your Support Consultant.
In previous versions of Eco Time, namely TNA 2000, TNA 4, TNA 5 and TNA 6, doing maintenance on TPS files was done by accessing the File Manager through the User or Configuration module. This has changed in Eco Time.
Although the File Manager is still accessible from the User and Configuration module, one will note that some of the key buttons such as Freshen, Build, Fix, Verify Guids and Release have been hidden.
The File Manager now operates in exclusive mode. This means that none of the modules such as User, Configuration or Server can now be run when the Exclusive File Manager is open. If the Exclusive File Manager is accessed while the User or Configuration module is open, it will automatically close the User or Configuration module down.
The Exclusive File Manager will however not close the server module but utilization of buttons Build / Release / Fix / Freshen will not be granted until the server is manually closed. This improved way of doing maintenance allows the File Manager to exclusively repair each file without any updates or changes to the specific file in need of a fix.
The Exclusive File Manager can only be access from the application folder with a command line parameter. This is added to a shortcut created to the Configuration module by using the /FileManager switch e.g.C:\CSTime\Config32.EXE /FileManager.
The following buttons are disabled for SQL installations: Build, Freshen, Release and Fix.
When file maintenance is in progress, the following screen will make its appearance and if left, will open the module you selected to open as soon as the maintenance is complete.
Also, during exclusive file maintenance mode, no auto updates will be invoked by the server module.
The following information and options are available from the Exclusive File Manager window:
File List. The File information window is used to displays the following information:
File: This is a list of all the system files. When a file is selected, agreentick will appear on the left hand side of the file name and the file information will be highlighted.
Records: This is used to display the number of records that are contained in the particular file.
Disk Name: This will display the directory address of where the particular file resides on the PC.
Tag All button: When selected, all the system files will be selected.
Untag All button: Selecting this button will de-select all the files.
Build button: This button is used to rebuild all the indexes and keys of the tagged files and is the most common action taken. This is normally performed when problems arise due to corrupt indexes and keys are present and errors are detected.
Release button: This button will try and release records of the tagged files if they are locked.
Fix button: This is generally the last resort and is used to try and recover corrupt files that have been tagged.
Freshen button: This is generally the second option used when problems are encountered and makes a duplicate file of the tagged files and then copies the records into the new file before deleting the old and possibly corrupt file.
Info button: This is used to get the number of records and path directory for the tagged files.
Verify Guids button: This is used to verify that all database files have unique id's.
Close: Used to close the File Manager window.
The option is used to rebuild all the indexes and keysof the files that have been selected.
To build new files proceed as follows:
In the Exclusive File Manager window, select all files that are to be built .
Click the Build button. The system data files will be created and a Progress window will be displayed.
Once the build has completed, the File Manager window will again be displayed and the Records column will display the number of records that are contained within the file (should be 0 for a newly built file).
This option is used to release any records that are in the selected files.
To release file records, proceed as follows:
In the Exclusive File Manager window, select the files for which the records must be released.
Click the Release button. The records for the selected data files will be released and a Progress window will be displayed as this operation is performed.
Once the action has completed, the File Manager window will again be displayed.
This option is used to fix damaged files.
To fix files, proceed as follows:
In the Exclusive File Manager window, select the files that are to be fixed.
Click the Fix button. The records for the selected data files will be released and a Progress window will be displayed as this operation is performed.
Once the action has completed, the File Manager window will again be displayed.
This option is used to create a new file and transfer the existing records to the newly created file and is performed if a file is suspected of being corrupt.
To refresh files, proceed as follows:
In the Exclusive File Manager window, select the files that are to be re-freshed.
Click the Freshen button. New files for the selected files will be created and the existing records will be transferred to these new files. A Progress window will be displayed as this operation is performed.
Once the action has completed, the File Manager window will again be displayed.
This option is used to view information about selected files.
To view information on files, proceed as follows:
In the Exclusive File Manager window, select the files for which information is to be viewed.
Click the Info button. Information on the selected files will now be gathered and a Progress window will be displayed as this operation is performed.
Once the action has completed, the File Manager window will again be displayed and the information for the selected files will be displayed.