MDR: Update Data Copies

Update Data Copies

How to convert old Report Generator data copies to the new MDR database format.

Note: This procedure only applies when working with MDR Capture programs in the version ranges of 1.XX.XX and 2.XX.XX.

Step 1: 

If the database is in the Access 97 format and needs to be converted to the Access 2000 or 2002 format, open Microsoft Access. Select Tools, Database Utilities, Convert Database, To Access 2000 or 2002 format. Choose the database that needs to be converted. Click Convert. Select the database file name that you would like Access to create. Click Save. After the conversion finishes, you will have a copy of the file in both formats.

Step 2:

In order to update the database structure properly, we need to direct the MDR Capture program at the database. We do not want the program to be online and capturing new information when this is done, so there are two options. Install MDR Capture on another computer that has Access on it, or take one of the existing MDR Capture programs offline to do this. 

If installing a new MDR Capture program, confirm it is the same version as existing MDR Capture programs on the network to insure the same database structure will be created. Open the program and change the MDR.MDB file path to the location and file name of the data copy that needs to be converted. Do not configure the network settings as we do not want this program to come online. Save, close, and re-open the MDR Capture program. As soon as the program comes up with the MDR Offline screen, the database structure has been updated. This may take a long time depending on the file size and may appear that the program has locked up, but it has not, and it is updating the tables and fields in the file.

If using an existing MDR Capture program, go into Setup and change the Server IP address to an invalid one so that the program will not come online after converting the database. Change the MDR.MDB file path and name to that of the data copy that needs to be converted. Save, close, and re-open the MDR Capture program. As soon as the program comes up with the MDR Offline screen, the database structure has been updated. This may take a long time depending on the file size and may appear that the program has locked up, but it has not, and it is updating the tables and fields in the file. After it has finished, enter Setup and change the Server IP address back to the correct address, and change the MDR.MDB file path back to the correct location and file name. Save, close, and re-open once more and it should come back online.