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w
w w . r o c k b a s e . c o . u k
Commonly
Asked Questions - Problem Fixes - Error Messages |
This
list covers the most frequent points raised by callers asking for
technical support - if you require more detailed assistance with
any of these items or help with a different question please ring
the Technical Support Department at Cravenplan Computers Limited
on 01747 858012 (08:30-18:00 UK Time, Mon to Fri) assistance is
sometimes available outside these hours, if not an answering machine
will take your message and we will call back as soon as possible.
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Alternatively
you can email us at: chris@rockbase.co.uk
- We always respond to email - if you don't get an answer within
48 hours please assume we have not received your query and re-send
it. |
Backing
up |
How
can I back up my additions and corrections
All additions and corrections you enter are saved in a file
called ROCKMAIN.MDB which is stored in the \rockbase\data\full directory
on your hard disk. Notes, (in the 5 notes fields), are also stored
in this file. Make a copy of this file to a diskette or tape in
order to have a backup. Keep the disk or tape in a different place
from the computer (preferably a different house) in case of theft
or fire. Version 2.14 now features a backup option off the file
menu |
"Permission
Denied" This message can be displayed when trying to use the
backup option - it occurs after displaying tracks and musicians
(even if they are no longer on display). If this happens either
close and restart RockBase Plus or use the Windows + Close all Windows
then Windows + New menu functions - you can then backup the additions.
A better fix will be incorporated into a future release.
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Exporting
your additions & changes |
How
can I send you my additions and corrections for inclusion in the
next release of RockBase Plus
Use the "File" + "Export New Data" options to display a dialogue
box. Select the drive and directory in which to place the export
file, (by default this will be the \rockbase directory), you may
wish to change this to the location of your email uploads e.g.
C:\CSERVE\UPLOADS - Note the chosen location.
Unless
previously exported data has been lost or overwritten before being
sent to us then use the "New Data Only" radio button option and
press "OK". This will create a file called EXPORT.MDB (ROCKBASE.TXT
in version 2.11 or earlier) in the chosen directory. Please note
that a file called EXPORT.LDB is also created but this is NOT
required by us and can safely be ignored.
Run
your internet access or email program e.g. netscape and go to
our web site at "https://www.rockbase.co.uk/faq.htm"
which is this page. Click here to email us at: data@rockbase.co.uk
(use this email address only for sending exported data) Create
a new message and use the "attachment" or "attach file" option
to point to the previously saved export.mdb or rockbase.txt file,
enter any message text then press "send". Your data will now have
been sent to us for inclusion in the next release, thank you.
Find out about our reward scheme by clicking
here.
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Is
it better to send you my updates daily or wait until I have more
data
Although we are happy to receive data in any quantity, if you
are intending to enter lots of new data or corrections, (for example
you are cataloging your entire collection), then it is better to
input a decent amount of data before using the export function.
The first time you run RockBase Plus after you have added/amended
100 releases which have not yet been exported you will be prompted
to export the data. This is probably as good as any point at which
to do so. - Thanks again to all those sending data - check out the
Key by key guide to adding or amending entries |
How
do I enter compilation albums
RockBase was not really designed to handle compilation albums
as the supplier who provided the data for RockBase did not enter
compilations in his data when the database was designed and had
no intention at that time to do so. As dealing with compilations
would have compromised the database design it was felt best to
stay within the ideal database design.
In
version 2, however, it became possible to add your own data and
a number of users have asked how to treat compilation albums.
The
official and best method is to enter the tracks for each artist
as a separate title - this allows you to search for artist, track
or musician. If an album contains ten tracks by five different
artists then you would enter them as five different titles (each
with two tracks), (this is not as bad as it sounds because most
of the data is retained on the entry screen between entries).
An alternative is to enter the artist as "Various Artists" and
enter all the tracks on one title. This will mean that although
you can search by track title you would not know the artist who
recorded that track and furthermore you could not find the track
by searching for the artist name.
I
hope this helps - if any of you have found better ways to deal
with compilations please let me know.
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Windows 7 |
RockBase doesn't work under Windows 7
Because
RockBase was written in 1996 it is sadly not supported under Windows 7 - there is a Web based version under development but in the meantime you may wish to try the following solution (at your own risk).
Solution: It may be possible to run RockBase under a virtual Windows 95 environment. I know of one user that has managed to do so and these are the instructions he has provided (please let me know if you find they need amending).
Download the following file (70Mb) http://osvirtual.net/images/Windows_95.7z and extract the file, open the folder and you will see a folder called “Windows 95”, copy that folder into this location : Documents > Virtual Machines Open VMware player, Click on “File” then click on “Open a virtual machine”, navigate to “Documents > Virtual Machines > Windows 95” and select the “Windows 95” blue icon. You might get prompted about taking ownership, if you do, take owner ship. When you start the VM you may also get asked something, choose the “I copied it” option.
The Virtual Machine player can be found here - http://downloads.vmware.com/d/info/desktop_downloads/vmware_player/3_0
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Other Problems |
Doesn't
display albums (or singles) I know I've entered (or seen before)
Check
the preferences for the "Show Albums", "Show Singles" and "Show
Both" options. If you are expecting to see an album title but
no albums are displayed you may be set to show singles only.
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I
can't see the notes for any entries displayed
Notes are only displayed when the one line per release option
is in use and you did not search musician or track data. Because
notes relate to a release not a title (you may own the lp and cd
version but not the cassette for example) we cannot show the notes
unless each release is on display.
Solution: Check the preferences screen to see if the one
line per title option is checked - if so uncheck it. |
"Slow
response when double clicking on a release to get tracks and musicians"
Problem reported by Rob Smith, Rob had found version one to be
very quick (approx 1 second) when requesting track and musician
info. After installing version 2 he found it was taking up to
18 seconds to return the tracks/musicians. Further investigation
lead to the discovery that by turning off 32 bit file access option,
in the Windows 3.1 control panel, the response time could be brought
down to about 7 seconds. We are currently trying to improve on
this but in the meantime you may like to try the same thing.
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Error Messages |
"Disk
I/O error" May occur if the CD-Audio player is running under
Windows 95 - if so shut down the CD-Audio player.
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"Incompatible
Database Version" OR "File Not Found" Message shown on running
RockBase Plus v2
Reason: Problem occurs in Windows 95 because another application
(unknown at present but believed to be Sound Choice Lite from Cambium
Development Inc - also part of the Value Pack within Microsoft Office
for Windows 95) puts an older version (03.00.0528) of the file VBDB300.DLL
in the \windows\system directory.
Solution: Copy the file VBDB300.DLL (03.00.0529) from the
\rockbase directory into the \windows\system directory replacing
the older version. If you are the cautious type you might like to
rename the existing file in \windows\system from VBDB300.DLL to
VBDB300.SAV before overwriting it with the newer version although
we have never heard of any problems from users not doing so - the
latest version is reported to be fully backward compatible.
Solution in more detail: Open Windows Explorer by clicking
on the Start Button then choosing "Programs" then "Windows Explorer"
Select view menu option then choose options - make sure the radio
button "Show all files" is selected (otherwise dll files are not
displayed). Click on OK button Scroll down the list of folders in
the left window (directories) until you see one called "Windows"
- click on the small plus sign beside the folder name. This will
show all it's subfolders, one of which will be called "System" Scroll
back up the list of folders in the left window until you see one
called "Rockbase" - click on the folder icon beside the folder name.
This will display a list of the files in the folder within the right
hand window. Locate the file called "VBDB300.DLL" within the right
hand window (scrolling down the list if necessary). Click once,
with the right hand mouse button, on the file icon with this name.
Choose the copy option from the list which is displayed. Now find
the System folder beneath the Windows folder in the left hand window
and click once with the right hand mouse button on the word "System".
Choose the Paste option from the list displayed. You will see a
warning message saying "This folder already contains a file called
"VBDB300.DLL" would you like to replace the existing file?" Press
the button marked "Yes" Close Windows Explorer by clicking with
the mouse on the X in the top right of the window - You can now
run RockBase Plus! (Enjoy it) |
Can't
print selected data Check that sufficient GDI memory is available
- close some other programs down and re-try
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"Unable
to connect - incorrect session parameters" message when printing
selected data
Reason: Problem occurs because another application (unknown
at present) puts a newer version of the file CRPE.DLL in the \windows\system
directory.
Solution: Rename the file in \windows\system from crpe.dll
to crpe.sav then copy the file crpe.dll from the \rockbase directory
into the \windows\system directory.
NOTE: Although this will let RockBase printing work you
may find another application using the Crystal Reports Print Engine
may stop working correctly - if so you will have to undo the changes
described on the previous line. We are in touch with Crystal for
a better solution to this problem |
"DDE
requires DDEML.DLL" message on running setup program You are
trying to install RockBase Plus version 2 on Windows 3.0 - sorry
but you need to upgrade to Windows version 3.1, 3.11 or Windows
95. |
"Out
of memory" message during installation Caused by having a different
version of Setupkit.dll in the \windows\system directory. Cure is
to rename the version in the \windows\system directory. This then
forces RockBase to use the file on the CD-ROM allowing installation.
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"Object
variable not set" after adding a track to the second new title
added in a session this then caused an error "cannot have duplicate
key" after restarting RockBase and attempting to add another track
Solution: this bug has been fixed in version 2.02 - Click here to
download the latest version
(315Kb) |
"Table
Main already exists" when using cumulative search mode with
titles amended by you. Solution: this bug has been fixed in version
2.02 - Click here to download the
latest version (315Kb) |
"Can't
have duplicate key" when adding a note to a second release in
any session. Solution: this bug has been fixed in version 2.06 -
Click here to download the latest
version (315Kb) |
Can't
Open "~rb00001.tmp" You do not have a line "Set Temp = ........."
in your autoexec.bat file and therefore RockBase cannot find one
of it's temporary files.
Solution: Create a directory off the root called temp (C:\temp)
then enter the line "Set Temp = C:\temp" in the file Autoexec.bat
in your root directory. |
"Can't
show non-modal form when modal form is displayed" when trying
to access Notes via button on corrections / amendments screen.
Solution: this bug was introduced in version 2.02 - fixed
again in version 2.03 and later - Click here to download the
latest version (315Kb) |
"Select[...]...INTO
MAIN in c:\windows\temp\~RB00001.tmp from [...] is corrupted or
isn't a microsoft access database"
A message box containing a longer but similar message to that
above can appear when searching after aborting a search by using
alt + ctrl + del if the full database has been copied to the hard
disk and the attribute is not set to read only. Version 2.12 and
subsequent versions now automatically set the file attributes to
read only.
Solution: Copy the full database back into the \rockbase\data\full
directory on your hard disk from the RockBase Plus CD-ROM (you do
not need to re-install the program). Set the read only attribute
on the file rockbase.mdb so that the error cannot occur again |
"Reserved
error (-8194); there is no message for this error"
Can occur when the program tries to attach to the file "rockbase.mdb"
if the full database has been copied to the hard disk and the attribute
is not set to read only.
Solution: Version 2.12 and subsequent versions now automatically
set the file attributes to read only. Click here to download the
latest version (315Kb) |
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©
Cravenplan Computers Limited
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