Frequently Asked Questions: PSC / Percon Products

IntelliTrack v3.2c

1. How can I use a portable data terminal to create new asset records in my database?
2. Why does the IntelliTrack portable program sometimes run out of disk space while rebuilding data key files?
3. The size of label I am using in my bar code printer is not an available choice in the bar code label printing function.
4. When I try to perform a normal IntelliTrack job I get a system error that says "Function isn't available in expressions".
5. Which release of Access works with my IntelliTrack software?
6. When I click on the Database window button, a message appears telling me I'm using Runtime Access. How can I use the full version of Access 97? (32 bit)
7. How can I enable Access menus and toolbars in IntelliTrack?
8. How can I get my program to load (security error message)? (16 bit)
9. How can I get out of "Demo Mode" and fully enable all features in IntelliTrack? (32 bit)
10. How can I change the names of data fields?
11. IntelliTrack will not run and may not even load if Access 2000 has been installed on the PC.
12. Errors occur when attempting to print bar codes from IntelliTrack in Windows NT.
13. How can I use a portable data terminal to create new asset records in my data base?
14. When uploading or downloading from the portable the following error message appears: "Can´t find installable ISAM."
15. When I try and open IntelliTrack, I get a "Compile error in hidden module: SysModule" error message.

1.  How can I use a portable data terminal to create new asset records in my database?

Warnings
This example deals specifically with collecting data with a Falcon portable data terminal. To follow these steps and have them work, the Falcon must have the Fixed Assets program sent to it and the communication setting (baud rate) on the PC needs to be the same as when the Falcon was programmed.

Solution
The primary purpose of using a portable data terminal (PDT) is to make it easier to track where your assets are. It is possible to use a PDT to collect new asset numbers and have the new data records for those assets automatically created on the PC when you upload the data. However, the design of the data relationships within IntelliTrack Fixed Assets (the way the data works) requires certain fields that are not collected by the PDT. (For more information on this data relationship, see the Related Information section below.) The programs that run on the PDTs in conjunction with the Fixed Assets software have been designed to prompt the user for the Description and Serial# if the asset scanned is new. These are the only two additional prompts available on the PDTs that work with Fixed Assets.

To use a PDT to collect new asset information, follow these steps (these steps use a Falcon data terminal as the example. The same method can be used for the PT2000 data terminal with some minor differences in how the data is downloaded.

Ensure that the PDT you are using has had the related Fixed Assets program loaded onto it. (See the User's Guide for more information on how to load the program.)

In order for the Falcon to know to prompt for the description and serial#, the Falcon has to know that the asset scanned is a new one. It does this by comparing the assets as they are scanned with a lookup table (or master list) on the Falcon. This means that a lookup file of asset numbers (at least one) must be downloaded to the Falcon before descriptions and serial numbers can be collected for new assets.

To download asset information to the Falcon, from the main menu, click on the Import/Export button. On the Import/Export screen, click on the Send Data to Portable button. This will bring up a screen that has six options including Return to Menu. (If you only see three option buttons it means that you have not set the Falcon as your current portable. Go to the Utility button off of the main menu and then to Portable Settings to change this.)

From the data download screen, click on the Clear Files button to delete any old data files from earlier data transfers. Now click on the Asset/Description button to create the asset lookup file.

On the next screen you can choose to include just Asset#s or Asset#s and their corresponding descriptions in the download file. You can also choose a range of asset#s to include in the download. To cause the Falcon to prompt for descriptions and serial numbers for new assets you need at least one asset for the file. Select an asset number that you know you will not e collecting. (If there are no assets#s to pick from in the From Asset and To Asset list boxes, it means that you do not have any assets in the database. You will need at least one asset# to download even if you have to create a dummy asset for this purpose.)

Once you have selected the range of assets (or asset) to send to the Falcon, click on the Do It button (the button with the exclamation mark [!] on it). Acknowledge the verification box that comes up and then acknowledge the message when the asset file creation is complete.

Now that the asset file exists you can download it to the Falcon. To do this, from the main menu of the Fixed Assets program running on the Falcon, press the F3 key (Send/Receive) and then the F3 key to receive data from the PC. Acknowledge the message telling you the transfer protocol and baud rate being used (if you see one) by pressing a key. The Falcon is now waiting to receive the file from the PC. Connect the Falcon to the PC (or place the Falcon in the Falcon Dock that is connected to the PC. On the PC, click on the Send Data button and then acknowledge the message asking you to ensure the portable is connected and turned on. The file should now transfer to the Falcon.

Once the transfer is complete, the Falcon can be used to collect data. When an asset number is read that is not on the list downloaded, the Falcon will prompt the user for Description and Serial#. Both of these fields are optional and you can skip them by pressing Enter.

Once data has been collected, from the main menu of the Falcon, press the F3 key and then the F2 key to prepare the Falcon to send the data to the PC. On the PC, from the Import/Export menu, click on the Receive Data from Portable button, acknowledge the message and, if needed press a key on the Falcon to start the transfer.

Once the data file has transferred from the Falcon to the PC (and the DOS transfer window has been closed) you will see the collected data records on the Upload screen. These records need to be completed before the new assets scanned will correctly upload into the database. The one important piece of data that the system does not have is the Item#. The Item# is the link between the asset number and the descriptive information for that asset like description, manufacturer, model#, etc. (See the Related Information section below for more information on how Asset#s and Item#s relate.)

Using the descriptions you put into the Falcon at the time the assets were scanned, click on the drop box in the Item# field of the first data record. From the list of Item#s and descriptions, choose the Item# with the description that most closely matches the asset scanned on that record. If you cannot find one you can type a new Item# into the field and the system will allow you to add a new Item# right then.

Even though the Item# is used internally by the Fixed Assets database, processing uploaded records without an Item# is possible (meaning it will not give you an error) but it is not advisable as it will create an asset with no description associated to it. This means that in order to process new asset records scanned with the portable, you will need to manually choose (or create) Item#s for every collected data record on the upload data screen.

Once you have manually linked the new assets on the upload screen to new or existing item#s, when you process the records by clicking on the "Do It" button on the upload screen the new asset records will be created. Any serial numbers entered will be reflected in the data and the assets will be assigned to the location where they were scanned.

Related Information
In order to understand how to use Fixed Assets to track your assets, you need to understand the relationship of Depreciation Classes, Item#s and Asset#s. Simply stated, Depreciation Classes define how certain groups of assets are depreciated, Item#s define common types of assets and Asset#s define the individual assets themselves. For example, the Depreciation Class "Computers" could define how all computer equipment is depreciated, the Item# "MON-112" might identify the common characteristics of a type of computer monitor while Asset# "SP114529C50" might be the serial# that is used to identify a specific monitor.

Since most organizations tend to have several of the same kind of asset, sharing the common characteristics of those assets makes the database more efficient. Likewise, many different kinds of asset types are depreciated the same way so grouping them together is more efficient. The relationships between Depreciation Class, Item# and Asset# were put in place to save data storage space and to reduce the work required to input and maintain the data itself.

If Fixed Assets did not use these relationships, tracking hundreds of pieces of computer equipment with dozens of those being the same kind of monitors, you would have to record the common fields of data (depreciation method, description, manufacturer, model#, etc.) dozens times each even though they are the same. By using a common depreciation class for all computer equipment and an Item# to identify these characteristics, you only store the common characteristics once. Then, that one stored reference is used as often as needed.

There are two main benefits of this data relationship, less space is required to store the data and updating the data is much easier. If a characteristic of a certain Item number changes, you only have to make that change in one place even if you have many of them. The only real down side to this relationship is that you have to define the different Depreciation Classes before you can completely define an Item#, and you need to define an Item# for every kind of asset. While it is possible to create Asset#s without Item#s, the description of the assets are linked to the Item# and not directly to the assets themselves. This means that it is impossible to store the description for an asset without first creating an Item# for that kind of asset.

2.  Why does the IntelliTrack portable program sometimes run out of disk space while rebuilding data key files?

Warnings
THIS FIX IS ONLY FOR FALCON 320 or 330 portables. It will not work on a 310. It should work for all versions of IntelliTrack. Download the file IT-005.EXE. (49kb)

Solution
The fix includes 3 procedures:

• Adds another RAMDRIVE using the unrealized 6 megs of memory. This will be drive "E".
• Changes the IntelliTrack startup routine to boot from the "E" drive instead of the "D" drive.
• Copies the customer's existing data from the "D" drive to the "E" drive.

Installation Instructions

1. Download the file IT-005.EXE. (49kb).
2. Verify that the Falcon has the IntelliTrack program installed on it before you begin.
3. Run the file IT-005.EXE that you downloaded and unzip the compressed files to the default directory on your hard drive (C:\fix).
4. Open an MSDOS window and type "CD c:\fix" to change directories to the new folder.
5. Verify that the falcon is connected to a COM port on the PC.
6. If your falcon is connected to COM1 type "Download" and press the enter key. If your falcon is connected to COM2 type "Download 2" and press the enter key.
7. On the falcon switch to the "C" drive (type "C:\") then type "LD" and press the enter key.
8. You should see the files transfer, after a minute or so the falcon will prompt you "Press CTL ALT DELETE at the same time to restart your falcon"
9. Press "CTL ALT DELETE" at the same time as the screen instructions say.
10. During reboot, the portable will probably report "Critical Data Loss Drive F Press Any Key To Continue". This is OK just press a key.
11. The portable should start the IntelliTrack program and store all data to the new "E" drive.

You will need to repeat these steps each time you choose to reprogram the Falcon from IntelliTrack.

History
IntelliTrack came out before Percon/PSC had the 320 in its product line. One of the limitations of any of the IntelliTrack supported portables is the amount of memory in the unit. The 320 has 8 megs but the choice was made not to add the extra memory to the "D" drive. Instead the unused 6 megs are reserved for extended memory. Since none of our IntelliTrack portable programs use extended memory the extra memory of the 320 is not realized.

The "Key" Issue
UPG uses "KEY" files to facilitate the item, location, order and user lookups. In effect if the customer's text files all together exceed about 400k it is possible that there will not be enough memory on the "D" drive of a Falcon to create the keys.

3.  The size of label I am using in my bar code printer is not an available choice in the bar code label printing function.

Warnings
IntelliTrack is written in MS Access and any modification to any part of IntelliTrack requires a good working knowledge of Access functions and may require experience in Visual Basic as it is used within Access. PSC does not directly support IntelliTrack internal code.

If a person has enough experience in Access to go inside the forms and reports, follow the code, and understand what is happening, that person should be able to do modifications to the code successfully. However, if a person does not have enough experience to follow the code and understand what it is doing, they SHOULD NOT be making modifications.

Modified IntelliTrack code is not supported by PSC.

Solution
IntelliTrack uses simple Access reports to print bar code labels. This means that new labels can be added and existing labels can be modified using MS Access. Here are the steps to follow to create a new bar code label. These steps should be sufficient in detail for an experienced Access developer to follow.

Process Steps

1. Find an available label that is similar to the label you need and note the Label Format of the label as seen on the Bar Code form in IntelliTrackLabel
   • Example
     Label Type: Item#
     Label Format: Avery 5161 Inv
2. From the main menu, click on the Database Window button. (If you are not running IntelliTrack in full Access mode, you will need to exit IntelliTrack, open MS Access 97 and then open up the main IntelliTrack MDB file for the module you are using while holding the shift key down. This is an Access shortcut to get you into the database without starting the autoexec macro.)
3. Once you are in the database window of the front end IntelliTrack module, click on the Reports tab and find the report with the same name as the Label Format you noted in step 1.
   • Example
     Label Format: Avery 5161 Inv
4. Open the report in Design mode and then save the report as a different name. Name the new copy something that makes sense to you.
   • Example
     New Report Name: Custom 3x3 Label
5. Alter the new report format to match the label size you need.
   • Example
     Change the report to be 3" by 3", adjusting the bar code field to fit inside the new size.
6. Following are some items to be aware of when defining reports for label printing:
   • The total size of the defined report needs to be the same exact size as the labels on which you are printing or smaller. Defining a label size in the report definition larger than the size registered in the Windows print driver will cause one or three blank labels to be created in between each printed label. (Just like blank lines in a word processing document will cause a blank page to print.)
   • The large blank field on the label report is for the bar code. A bar code needs to have blank space on the label on either side of the bar code itself if it is to be correctly read by a scanner. (This is called the "quiet zone.") This means that you cannot have the bar code field up against the left or right side of the report area or the resulting code may not read.
   • The Qty field you see in the label report is not printed and is required by the printing process. Simply move it to an "out of the way" place on the label but DO NOT delete it.
   • Since this is a simple Access report, company icons or information that is consistent for each label can also be added to the label format.
7. Once you have modified the label to the desired format, save and close the label report.
8. Click on the Macro tab and run the macro called ZZAUTOEXEC. This will get you back into the normal IntelliTrack interface.
9. From the main menu, click on the Utility button and then on the Add/Edit Labels button.
10. Select the appropriate Label Type. This should be the same as the label you copied originally.
11. Click on the Add button (upper left) and then enter the Label Format, Description and Report Name information on the empty data line. This information will appear on the list of bar code labels. The Format and Description information can be whatever you want it to be. The Report Name must be the name of the new report you created.
    • Example
      Label Format: Custom 3x3 Label
      Description: 3 " by 3 " label
      Report Name: Custom 3x3 Label
12. When the data is filled in, click on the close button (upper right) to save the data and close the form.
13. Now go back to the Bar Code Label form and the label you have added should show up on the list of labels.
14. If you have entered the name of the report incorrectly or have other trouble with the list of labels, this list is maintained in a table called "Labels." You can go directly into that table using Access and delete or fix troublesome labels references.

Related Information
IntelliTrack uses simple Access print commands to print both reports and bar code labels. If you find that reports or labels you create look good in the preview mode but do not print correctly, you have discovered a problem with the print driver you are using and need to contact the printer manufacturer.

Like most Windows applications, Access uses the print driver to create the print preview. This is what gives Windows its "What You See Is What You Get" (WYSIWYG) feature. Any difference in how the report previews and how it prints is a function of the print driver and not of IntelliTrack.

4.  When I try to perform a normal IntelliTrack job I get a system error that says "Function isn't available in expressions".

Warnings
Always create a backup copy of data prior to doing any experimental functions with IntelliTrack.

Solution
This solution requires that Microsoft Access 97 be installed on the PC from which you are attempting this fix.

1. Go to your shortcut properties target line (see Related Information below for help), slowly scroll to the end of the line and see if you have a switch in the command line that says /runtime.
2. If you find the /runtime switch, change the switch to say /decompile. If you do not find the /runtime switch in the command line, type /decompile at the end of the target field.
3. Click the OK button to close and save the icon.
4. Press the Shift key and, while holding the Shift key down, use the icon to start up your application. Access will open in the background so you will see it on the task bar but the Access window will not come up.
5. Let go of the Shift key after 5 seconds or so.
6. Click on the Access task on the task bar to bring up the window. Access will need a short time to complete the decompile process after which a message box will display indicating that the IntelliTrack code has been converted to your current version of Visual Basic. Acknowledge this message by clicking on the OK button.
7. You are now at the database window of the IntelliTrack database. Click on the Modules tab, click on the module called Utilities and then click on the Design button at the right of the screen.
8. You are now looking at some of the Visual Basic code that controls IntelliTrack. Without changing anything on the screen, click on the word Debug on the very top menu bar and choose the option called "Compile and Save All Modules".
9. Once the cursor comes back to normal, click on the File menu bar option and choose the "Exit" option to close the code module, the database and Access.
10. Go back into the target line of the IntelliTrack shortcut and remove the /decompile switch from the end of the shortcut properties target line. If you replaced the /runtime switch with /decompile, change it back to /runtime and save the icon by clicking on the OK button.
11. Start up the application using the icon and you should no longer get the "Function not available" error.

Related Information
To get to your properties:

1. Right click on the Start Button
2. Select open
3. Double click on Programs
4. Double click on the IntelliTrack 3.2 icon
5. Right click on the IntelliTrack module Icon you are running
6. Select Properties
7. Click on the shortcut tab

5.  Which release of Access works with my IntelliTrack software?

IntelliTrack software was created using Microsoft Access Visual Basic and it is fully compatible with Access database software. This means that you can use Access to customize the tables, fields, relationships, and formatting of an IntelliTrack database.

A standard installation of IntelliTrack software uses a "runtime" version of Access, which provides all of the Access features and functionality that most IntelliTrack users need. However, if you wish to have full control over your IntelliTrack database, you must have a full version of Access installed on your system. Once this is done, you will need to disable the runtime version of Access in IntelliTrack.

6.  When I click on the Database window button, a message appears telling me I'm using Runtime Access. How can I use the full version of Access 97? (32 bit)

Reference: Information on enabling Access 97 with release 3.2

Please download the reference guide above.

7.  How can I enable Access menus and toolbars in IntelliTrack?

Reference: Information on enabling Access 97 with release 3.2

Please download the reference guide above.

8.  How can I get my program to load (security error message)? (16 bit)

IntelliTrack software ships with a "security key" that attaches to the printer port of a PC. When IntelliTrack is installed a "security driver" driver is also installed to the Windows/System folder. The driver allows the PC to recognize the key. The security key and driver, working in conjunction, are required for IntelliTrack to run.

If IntelliTrack does not detect the presence of a key in the printer port, the program will not run. There are several reasons why this might happen: the security is either not installed or is installed improperly; the security driver is not loaded; your system requires an updated driver; or the printer port of your computer has not been enabled in the BIOS setup (for details see the setup section of the manual for your computer).

Security Key And Driver Troubleshooting
Condition: IntelliTrack launches but will not open

1. Make sure the security key is attached to the computer's printer port without any intermediate hardware. You may attach your printer or other parallel interface device to the printer port, but no other device between the security key and the port. If you had to use a "gender changer" in order to connect the security key to a port on your computer, you are probably connecting the security key to the wrong port.
   • Note: Many users will attempt to attach the security key to a serial port because of the mistaken idea that a printer is already using the printer port and, therefore, that the port cannot be used for another device. However, the IntelliTrack security key passes data through the port to the printer as though the printer were connected directly to the port.
2. Cold boot the PC. Sometimes a port on a PC can get locked up or otherwise confused. Shut your PC down and then turn it off. Start your system and try again.

Approximately 50 percent of security issues are resolved by following the above instructions. If your system is still experiencing problems try the following:

Determine whether the security failure relates to the physical key itself, to the port on your computer (hardware) or its configuration (software), or to the security key driver installed in Windows.

1. Confirm that your key is the correct key for your version of IntelliTrack. The key must match the version of IntelliTrack with which is has shipped. All keys are labeled with the name of the corresponding IntelliTrack version. If you have any doubts about the correctness of the key that came with your software, contact your dealer. The keys also have a part number which can be referenced for confirmation purposes. On rare occasions, a key may be incorrectly labeled for the version with which it has shipped, and, consequently, will not work.
2. Try another security key if one is available. IntelliTrack is sold in single and five user network versions. If yours is the network version, then you should have other keys available for testing. Connect a different key to your printer port, reboot your computer, and try running IntelliTrack.
3. If possible, try running IntelliTrack with your security key on a different PC. Sometimes the printer port of a PC is improperly set up or configured. Trying to run IntelliTrack with your security key on a second PC will immediately help determine whether your computer has a port issue.

Additional Steps

1. If you have a new computer that has never been used to print a document before, set up the printer and print a test page or use our key finder. This will determine whether your printer port is enabled and functioning properly. If the printer doesn't work on your computer, try moving it along with the cable to a different computer. If the printer and cable work on a second system, then there is a strong possibility that the port on your computer isn't properly configured in Windows or is disabled in the BIOS setup.
2. If you or someone in your organization feels competent to enter the BIOS setup of your computer (this is usually accessed during the boot stage by pressing the DEL key), you can check there to confirm that the LPT1 port is properly enabled. Similarly, this port should be checked in the Windows/Control Panel to ensure that there are no IRQ conflicts and that IRQ and memory settings match those in the BIOS setup.
3. Some older computers use a cable from the mother board to the printer port which may be disconnected, improperly connected, or faulty. If the printer and/or key finder do not work on your system and you have checked to ensure that the port is enabled in the BIOS setup and properly configured under Windows, you or someone in your organization may want to open the case of your computer and check that the port is properly connected to your system board.
4. If the key works on a different computer and you have tried steps 1 and 2 above, but IntelliTrack still enters demo mode on your system, there is a chance the security drivers were not properly installed into the Windows/System folder. You can try reinstalling the IntelliTrack software or reinstall these drivers manually by downloading them and running the sentinel16.exe program on your system (consult the readme.txt file included with the download). Be sure to reboot your computer after carrying out these steps.
   • Note: NT users should be aware that "administrator privileges" are required to install any software. 

IntelliTrack Quick Reference Troubleshooting

The printer port is disabled:
Go into your computer's BIOS setup (typically accessed upon boot up by pressing the DEL key) and verify the printer/LPT1 port. Check to confirm that the port is enabled, set to "ECP", and make note of the IRQ and memory address settings. After entering Windows, confirm that the settings match those in the Windows/Control Panel/Device Manager.

The printer port is improperly configured:
Windows 95/98 automatically configures devices that are attached to the system. Nevertheless, Windows sometimes configures devices incorrectly. To reset the Windows printer port configuration settings, go to Device Manager in the Systems icon in the Control Panel (from the desktop right click My Computer/Properties and select the Device Manager tab). Locate and highlight the LPT1 port, then delete it. Reboot your system and Windows will reconfigure the port. If you have Windows NT, see your systems administrator.

The printer port is not physically connected to the motherboard:
If all these steps fail to correct the port problem, you may need to verify that the port is properly connected to the motherboard. some older PCs connect the printer port to the motherboard through a ribbon cable. If that cable is disconnected or improperly attached, the port will not function. Seek out an experienced PC technician to check the motherboard-to-printer port cable connection.

The security key driver is not installed:
Reinstall IntelliTrack.  (see the readme file that accompanies the key driver files). NT users must have administrator privileges in order to install software drivers.

The security key driver conflicts with installed software or hardware drivers:
Conflicts with installed software or hardware drivers may be difficult to troubleshoot because of the wide range of possibilities and combinations on any given computer. Fortunately, such conflicts with the security key driver are rare. If you encounter such a conflict and wish to attempt troubleshooting, you must be sure that you are booting into a "clean" Windows session. This means that you should have no programs loaded in the Startup folder. There also may be conflicts with video card drivers or other hardware drivers. If you suspect that one of these may be a problem, then try substituting a different driver of a given hardware component.

9.  How can I get out of "Demo Mode" and fully enable all features in IntelliTrack? (32 bit)

IntelliTrack software ships with a "security key" that attaches to the printer port of a PC. When a IntelliTrack is installed a "security driver" driver is also installed (this resides in the Windows/System folder of the PC). The security driver allows the PC to recognize the security key. The security key and driver, working in conjunction, are required for IntelliTrack to run in "fully enabled" mode.

If IntelliTrack does not detect the presence of a key in the printer port, the program will run in "demo mode." Demo mode disables some of the features of the fully enabled mode and restricts the data file size to a maximum of 25 records.

You can determine whether your installed IntelliTrack software is running in demo or fully enabled mode. If the the word "Demo" appears in the title bar of the IntelliTrack window, you will not be able to use all the features of fully enabled mode. Note: if you have purchased IntelliTrack software with a security key and the word Demo appears on the title bar, this does not mean you have Demo software installed on your PC. Rather, it means that the security is either not installed, or installed improperly, or else the security driver is not loaded. There is the additional possibility that your system requires an updated driver for your system and/or the printer port on your computer has not been enabled in the BIOS setup (for details see the setup section of the manual for your computer).

Security Key And Driver Troubleshooting

Condition A: IntelliTrack Comes Up In Demo Mode

1. Confirm that your key matches the version of IntelliTrack with which it shipped. All keys are labeled with the name of the corresponding IntelliTrack version. If you have any doubts about the correctness of the key that came with your software, contact your dealer. The keys also have a part number which can be referenced for confirmation purposes. On rare occasions, a key may be incorrectly labeled for the version with which it has shipped, and, consequently, will not work.
2. Make sure the security key is attached to the computer's printer port without any intermediate hardware. You may attach your printer or other parallel interface device to the printer port, but no other device between the security key and the port. If you had to use a "gender changer" in order to connect the security key to a port on your computer, you are probably connecting the security key to the wrong port.
   • Note: many users will attempt to attach the security key to a serial port because of the mistaken idea that a printer is already using the printer port and, therefore, that the port cannot be used for another device. However, the IntelliTrack security key passes data through the port to the printer as though the printer were connected directly to the port.
3. Cold boot the PC. Sometimes a port on a PC can get locked up or otherwise confused. Shut your PC down and then turn it off. Start your system and try again. The word "demo" should no longer appear in the title bar.

Condition B: IntelliTrack Comes Up In Demo Mode With Security Key Properly Attached

1. Approximately 50 percent of security key issues are resolved by following the above instructions. If your installed software continues to come up in demo mode then the next step is to determine whether the failure to enter fully enabled mode relates to the physical key itself, to the port on your computer (hardware), or to the security key driver installed in the Windows/System folder, your port configuration under Windows, or your computer's BIOS setup (software).
2. If one is available, try another security key. IntelliTrack is sold in single and five user network versions. If yours is the network version, then you should have other keys available for testing. Connect a different key to your printer port, reboot your computer, and try running IntelliTrack.
3. If possible, try running IntelliTrack with your security key on a different PC. Sometimes the printer port of a PC is improperly set up or configured. Trying to run IntelliTrack with your security key on a second PC will immediately help determine whether your computer has a port issue.

Additional Steps

1. If you have a new computer that has never been used to print a document before, set up the printer and print a test page or use our key finder. This will determine whether your printer port is enabled and functioning properly. If the printer doesn't work on your computer, try moving it along with the cable to a different computer. If the printer and cable work on a second system, then there is a strong possibility that the port on your computer isn't properly configured in Windows or is disabled in the BIOS setup.
2. If you or someone in your organization feels competent to enter the BIOS setup of your computer (this is usually accessed during the boot stage by pressing the DEL key), you can check there to confirm that the LPT1 port is properly enabled. Similarly, this port should be checked in the Windows/Control Panel/Device Manager to ensure that there are no IRQ conflicts and that IRQ and memory settings match those in the BIOS setup. As a last resort, you can try deleting the LPT1 port and reboot your system. Windows should detect this port and reconfigure it. This may correct the problem.
3. Some older computers use a cable from the mother board to the printer port which may be disconnected, improperly connected, or faulty. If the printer and/or key finder do not work on your system and you have checked to ensure that the port is enabled in the BIOS setup and properly configured under Windows, you or someone in your organization may want to open the case of your computer and check that the port is properly connected to your system board.
4. If the key works on a different computer, and you have tried steps 1 and 2 above, but IntelliTrack still enters demo mode on your system, there is a chance the security drivers were not properly installed into the Windows/System folder. You can try reinstalling the IntelliTrack software or reinstall these drivers manually by downloading them and running the sentinel.exe program on your system (consult the readme.txt file included in the download). Be sure to reboot your computer after carrying out these steps.
   • Note: NT users should be aware that "administrator privileges" are required to install any software drivers to a computer on the network. Hence, problems that appear to be related to specific software may involve user settings and/or privileges at the network level. To correct these, contact your network administrator. 

IntelliTrack Quick Reference Troubleshooting

The printer port is disabled:
Go into your computer's BIOS setup (typically accessed upon boot up by pressing the DEL key) and verify the printer/LPT1 port. Check to confirm that the port is enabled, set to "ECP", and make note of the IRQ and memory address settings. After entering Windows, confirm that the settings match those in the Windows/Control Panel/Device Manager.

The printer port is improperly configured:
Windows 95/98 automatically configures devices that are attached to the system. Nevertheless, Windows sometimes configures devices incorrectly. To reset the Windows printer port configuration settings, go to Device Manager in the Systems icon in the Control Panel (from the desktop right click My Computer/Properties and select the Device Manager tab). Locate and highlight the LPT1 port, then delete it. Reboot your system and Windows will reconfigure the port. If you have Windows NT, see your systems administrator.

The printer port is not physically connected to the motherboard:
If all these steps fail to correct the port problem, you may need to verify that the port is properly connected to the motherboard. some older PCs connect the printer port to the motherboard through a ribbon cable. If that cable is disconnected or improperly attached, the port will not function. Seek out an experienced PC technician to check the motherboard-to-printer port cable connection.

The security key driver is not installed:
Reinstall IntelliTrack. (see the readme file that accompanies the key driver files). NT users must have administrator privileges in order to install software drivers.

The security key driver conflicts with installed software or hardware drivers:
Conflicts with installed software or hardware drivers may be difficult to troubleshoot because of the wide range of possibilities and combinations on any given computer. Fortunately, such conflicts with the security key driver are rare. If you encounter such a conflict and wish to attempt troubleshooting, you must be sure that you are booting into a "clean" Windows session. This means that you should have no programs loaded in the Startup folder. There also may be conflicts with video card drivers or other hardware drivers. If you suspect that one of these may be a problem, then try substituting a different driver of a given hardware component.

10.  How can I change the names of data fields?

Warnings
Changing field names is accomplished from the Utility menu in the installed IntelliTrack program. However, it is also possible to change a field name in an IntelliTrack database table using Microsoft Access. Since IntelliTrack uses field names to maintain links among tables and data fields, the program may cease to function properly if changes are made to the actual data structure using Access. If you have expertise with Access you may want to attempt such modifications, however, PSC will not support any changes made to an IntelliTrack program using Access.

Solution
Quite often a company will purchase PSC IntelliTrack software with the intention of creating a new inventory management system based on a preexisting system. In order to maintain continuity between the old and new systems, it may be desirable to retain certain category names and titles. Most new software, including IntelliTrack, uses default field names for typical categories such as item, description, and location. However, IntelliTrack allows you to easily change the names of the data fields to match those in use by your current inventory system.

1. From the Main Menu select Utility then User Defined Titles.
2. From the dialog box called UserTitlesFrm select a category (e.g. inventory, location, or customer/vendo) under the heading "Update User Titles."
3. A dialog box will open containing a table that shows how IntelliTrack relates default titles to actual data fields. The name of any title under the column heading "Normal Title" may be changed by typing a new name under the heading "Your Title." Finding the default title you wish to change may require you to scroll down the list of titles.
   • Note: There are a variety of different IntelliTrack modules, each with distinct features: Inventory Shipping Receiving, Fixed Assets, ToolRoom, StockRoom, Check In/Out. Consequently, the exact names of the default titles depend on the module you have and may differ from the example below.
4. The column heading "Field Type" and "Field Size" cannot be altered and are included in the dialog box as information only. The heading "Abbrev" corresponds to the field name as it appears on the PT2000 portable data collector. It may be modified, but its length must not exceed the display capacity of the portable's screen. (Note: Only certain data fields are used in the portable data collector. A check in the box in the "Portable" column indicates whether a given field is used on the portable or not and cannot be changed without a specific modification to IntelliTrack. The revised titles will be reflected, where applicable, portable data collector after the portable is reprogrammed.)
5. Once the title fields are updated, click the dialog box exit icon to save changes and to return to the previous menu. Select any other titles you wish to change by selecting the category whose titles you wish to modify, or return to the Utility and/or Main menu by clicking click the dialog box exit icon. When you exit the title group menu, IntelliTrack will process the changes you have made to the file corresponding to UserTitlesFrm (when prompted click OK). This process may take a few minutes.

The new field names will now appear on the applicable IntelliTrack forms, reports, and portable screens.

11.  IntelliTrack will not run and may not even load if Access 2000 has been installed on the PC.

Warnings
Using the cleanup/uninstall utilities associated with the procedures listed here will uninstall ALL office products including Outlook and any Office suite development applications like VB. Ensure you have backed up important data BEFORE running these uninstall utilities.

The problems explained in this document exist because of how Microsoft chose to design the way Access 2000 works. The steps explained in the following instructions are troublesome but are necessary if any Access 97 application is to be loaded on a PC that has, or ever has had, Access 2000 installed. Please forward any complaints to Microsoft.

Related Information
The following two files are referenced in the Solution area of this document. You will need to download them before trying to perform the steps in the solution noted below.

eraser97.zip - 1.05mb.

eraser2k.zip - 149kb.

The following statements, when taken together, explain why the steps in the solution area are necessary to have an Access 97 application (like IntelliTrack) and Access 2000 reside on the same PC and both work.

1. Access 2000 cannot run Access 97 database applications without converting them to Access 2000.
2. IntelliTrack versions 3.2 and 3.2C are written in Access 97 and have areas of internal program code that deal with program security. The "permissions" to modify or convert these code areas have been disabled to protect the internal integrity of IntelliTrack as a Percon product. This means that IntelliTrack cannot be converted to Access 2000.
3. When installing Office 2000 with Access (or Access 2000 by it self), if the default or "Typical" installation option is used, one of the final steps in the installation process is to automatically delete any previous installations of Office (or Access) that are on the PC. This includes any Access 97 files used by existing installations of IntelliTrack. When IntelliTrack is run after installing Access 2000, the system will automatically try to use Access 2000 to open IntelliTrack and you will see one of several errors displayed depending on how the command used by the icon for IntelliTrack is structured. The bottom line here is that it simply will not work.
4. Access 97 will not properly install if there are entries for Access 2000 in the Windows registry.
5. IntelliTrack will not install the core Access runtime files if there are entries for Access 97 in the Windows registry.
6. Using the standard "Uninstall" feature of Access 97 or Access 2000 will NOT remove associated registry entries. This means that, in order to totally remove Access 97 or Access 2000 from your PC, you need to use an additional cleanup utility.

Solution

If you currently have IntelliTrack running and want to install Access 2000, follow these steps:

1. Before you start, find and write down the current path of the Access 97 files that IntelliTrack is using.
2. Install Access (or Office) 2000 and choose the "Custom" install option. Perform the installation accepting all of the default options EXCEPT these:
   • Ensure that the install path for Access 2000 is different than the current path of Access 97 that you wrote down in step #1.
   • When you see the screen that allows you to erase all previous versions of Office (or Access) software, MAKE SURE IT IS NOT CHECKED.
3. Once the installation finishes, you will have Access 2000 on the system in addition to Access 97.

If Access 2000 is, or has ever been, on your PC and you need to install or reinstall IntelliTrack, follow these steps:

1. If Office 2000 is currently on the PC, back up any data or document files and uninstall Office 2000.
2. Use the Office 2000 Uninstall and Cleanup utility, ERASER2K.EXE to clean the Windows registry of all Office 2000 entries.
3. Use the Office 97 Eraser and Cleanup utility, ERASER97.EXE to clean the Windows registry of all Office 97 entries.
4. If you want to run IntelliTrack with full Access 97, reinstall Access 97 at this point, reboot the PC and open up Access 97 to ensure it is working.
5. Now reinstall IntelliTrack, reboot the PC and open IntelliTrack to ensure it is working.

Once IntelliTrack is working, find and write down the current path of the Access 97 files that IntelliTrack is using.

Install Access (or Office) 2000 and choose the "Custom" install option. Perform the installation accepting all of the default options EXCEPT these:

• Ensure that the install path for Access 2000 is different than the current path of the Access 97 files that you wrote down in step #1.
• When you see the screen that allows you to erase all previous versions of Office (or Access) software, MAKE SURE IT IS NOT CHECKED.

Once the installation finishes, you will have Access 2000 on the system in addition to Access 97.

12.  Errors occur when attempting to print bar codes from IntelliTrack in Windows NT.

If bar codes will not print, then there are compatibility issues between Bars and Stripes and Windows NT.

1. Download it012_setup1.exe. - 276kb.
2. When the download is complete, go to the desktop and double click on the icon. This will execute the program and update your files.
3. Reboot your computer and then print bar codes through IntelliTrack.

13.  How can I use a portable data terminal to create new asset records in my data base?

Warnings
This example deals specifically with collecting data with a Falcon portable data terminal. To follow these steps and have them work, the Falcon must have the Fixed Assets program sent down to it and the communication setting (baud rate) on the PC needs to be the same as when the Falcon was programmed.

Solution
The primary purpose of using a portable data terminal (PDT) is to make it easier to track where your assets are. It is possible to use a PDT to collect new asset numbers and have the new data records for those assets automatically created on the PC when you upload the data. However, the design of the data relationships within IntelliTrack Fixed Assets (the way the data works) requires certain fields that are not collected by the PDT be filled in. (For more information on this data relationship, see the Related Information section below.)

The programs that run on the PDTs in conjunction with the Fixed Assets software have been designed to prompt the user for the Description and Serial# if the asset scanned is new. These are the only two additional prompts available on the PDTs that work with Fixed Assets.

To use a PDT to collect new asset information, follow these steps (these steps use a Falcon data terminal as the example. The same method can be used for the PT2000 data terminal with some minor differences in how the data is downloaded.):

1. Ensure that the PDT you are using has had the related Fixed Assets program loaded onto it. (See the user's manual for more information on how to load the program.)
2. In order for the Falcon to know to prompt for the description and serial#, the Falcon has to know that the asset scanned is a new one. It does this by comparing the assets as they are scanned with a lookup table (or master list) on the Falcon. This means that a lookup file of asset numbers (at least one) must be downloaded to the Falcon before descriptions and serial numbers can be collected for new assets.
3. To download asset information to the Falcon, from the main menu, click on the Import/Export button. On the Import/Export screen, click on the Send Data to Portable button. This will bring up a screen that has six options including Return to Menu. (If you only see three option buttons it means that you have not set the Falcon as your current portable. Go to the Utility button off of the main menu and then to Portable Settings to change this.)
4. From the data download screen, click on the Clear Files button to delete any old data files from earlier data transfers. Now click on the Asset/Description button to create the asset lookup file.
5. On the next screen you can choose to include just Asset#s or Asset#s and their corresponding descriptions in the download file. You can also choose a range of asset#s to include in the download. To cause the Falcon to prompt for descriptions and serial numbers for new assets you need at least one asset for the file. Select an asset number that you know you will not e collecting. (If there are no assets#s to pick from in the From Asset and To Asset list boxes, it means that you do not have any assets in the database. You will need at least one asset# to download even if you have to create a dummy asset for this purpose.)
6. Once you have selected the range of assets (or asset) to send to the Falcon, click on the Do It button (the button with the exclamation mark [!] on it). Acknowledge the verification box that comes up and then acknowledge the message when the asset file creation is complete.
7. Now that the asset file exists you can download it to the Falcon. To do this, from the main menu of the Fixed Assets program running on the Falcon, press the F3 key (Send/Receive) and then the F3 key to receive data from the PC. Acknowledge the message telling you the transfer protocol and baud rate being used (if you see one) by pressing a key. The Falcon is not waiting to receive the file from the PC. Connect the Falcon to the PC (or place the Falcon in the Falcon Dock that is connected to the PC. On the PC, click on the Send Data button and then acknowledge the message asking you to ensure the portable is connected and turned on. The file should now transfer to the Falcon.
8. Once the transfer is complete, the Falcon can be used to collect data. When an asset number is read that is not on the list downloaded, the Falcon will prompt the user for Description and Serial#. Both of these fields are optional and you can skip them by pressing Enter.
9. Once data has been collected, from the main menu of the Falcon, press the F3 key and then the F2 key to prepare the Falcon to send the data to the PC. On the PC, from the Import/Export menu, click on the Receive Data from Portable button, acknowledge the message and, if needed press a key on the Falcon to start the transfer. (This is basically the reverse of the process in Step #7.)
10. Once the data file has transferred from the Falcon to the PC (and the DOS transfer window has been closed) you will see the collected data records on the Upload screen. These records need to be completed before the new assets scanned will correctly upload into the database. The one important piece of data that the system does not have is the Item#. The Item# is the link between the asset number and the descriptive information for that asset like description, manufacturer, model#, etc. (See the Related Information section below for more information on how Asset#s and Item#s relate.)
11. Using the descriptions you put into the Falcon at the time the assets were scanned, click on the drop box in the Item# field of the first data record. From the list of Item#s and descriptions, choose the Item# with the description that most closely matches the asset scanned on that record. If you cannot find one you can type a new Item# into the field and the system will allow you to add a new Item# right then.
12. Even though the Item# is used internally by the Fixed Assets database, processing uploaded records without an Item# is possible (meaning it will not give you an error) but it is not advisable as it will create an asset with no description associated to it. This means that in order to process new asset records scanned with the portable, you will need to manually choose (or create) Item#s for every collected data record on the upload data screen.
13. Once you have manually linked the new assets on the upload screen to new or existing item#s, when you process the records by clicking on the "Do It" button on the upload screen the new asset records will be created. Any serial numbers entered will be reflected in the data and the assets will be assigned to the location where they were scanned.

Related Information
In order to understand how to use Fixed Assets to track your assets, you need to understand the relationship of Depreciation Classes, Item#s and Asset#s. Simply stated, Depreciation Classes define how certain groups of assets are depreciated, Item#s define common types of assets and Asset#s define the individual assets themselves. For example, the Depreciation Class "Computers" could define how all computer equipment is depreciated, the Item# "MON-112" might identify the common characteristics of a type of computer monitor while Asset# "SP114529C50" might be the serial# that is used to identify a specific monitor.

Since most organizations tend to have several, if not many, of the same kind of asset, sharing the common characteristics of those assets makes the database more efficient. Likewise, many different kinds of asset types are depreciated the same way so grouping them together is more efficient. The relationships between Depreciation Class, Item# and Asset# were put in place to save data storage space and to reduce the work required to input and maintain the data itself.

If Fixed Assets did not use these relationships, tracking hundreds of pieces of computer equipment with dozens of those being the same kind of monitors, you would have to record the common fields of data (depreciation method, description, manufacturer, model#, etc.) dozens times each even though they are the same. By using a common depreciation class for all computer equipment and an Item# to identify these characteristics, you only store the common characteristics once. Then, that one stored reference is used as often as needed.

There are two main benefits of this data relationship, less space is required to store the data and updating the data is much easier. If a characteristic of a certain Item number changes, you only have to make that change in one place even if you have many of them. The only real down side to this relationship is that you have to define the different Depreciation Classes before you can completely define an Item#, and you need to define an Item# for every kind of asset. While it is possible to create Asset#s without Item#s, the description of the assets are linked to the Item# and not directly to the assets themselves. This means that it is impossible to store the description for an asset without first creating an Item# for that kind of asset.

14.  When uploading or downloading from the portable the following error message appears: "Can´t find installable ISAM."

This error can be caused by invalid information in the Windows Registry or by a missing or corrupted dynamic link library (.dll) file.

Download the ISAM Error Fix executable file (4.69mb). When the download is complete, go to the desktop and double click on the icon. This will execute the program and update your files.

Reboot your computer and try to up or download using the portable.

15.  When I try and open IntelliTrack, I get a "Compile error in hidden module: SysModule" error message.

When OK is clicked in the error message box, an Action Failed message box appears that contains Macro Name, Condition, Action Name, and Arguments fields.

There appear to be two potential causes:

1. A year 2000 product is installed such as Microsoft Office or Visio. This problem is caused by a missing ActiveX control (a file with a .ocx extension).
2. Windows 98 installed on a new PC. In this case, there are missing Dynamic Link Library files (files with a .dll extension).

Solution
To resolve this problem you will need Microsoft Access 97 and the missing .ocx or .dll file.

1. Open Access 97.
2. Hold down the Shift key and select the Ittool database.
3. Click on the Module tab.
4. Click on any module that does not begin with SYS and click on Design.
5. Click Tools, Select References.
6. In the References message box look for the row that begins with MISSING, and select it by clicking in the check box.
7. In the References message box, Path: will indicate which file is missing (e.g. C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\COMCTL32.OCX).
8. Locate this file. Missing files can usually be found on another PC that has Microsoft Office 97 installed.
9. Copy this file to your WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory.
10. Close IntelliTrack.
11. Repeat steps 1 through 4.
12. Click Tool - ActiveX Controls. An ActiveX Controls message box will appear.
13. Scroll through the Available Controls to see which ones are using the missing file.
14. The Control Location will indicate what file a control is using.
15. Register all occurrences of this .ocx file by clicking on Register then browsing to the WINDOWS\SYSTEM folder and selecting the file.
16. Close the ActiveX Controls message box.
17. Click on Debug - Compile and Save All Modules.
18. Click on Macros - zzAutoExec to load IntelliTrack.

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