Troubleshooting DataMate Software
Versions 7.0, 7.1, & Private label brands

A. Comport Setup with meter connection to transfer data.

1. Double check connections between RS-232 cable and Waterlink Express meter with comport on computer.

2. Select the header DATABASE from the home screen.

3. Select “test waterlink”.

4. Version 7.1 will show “comport setup wizard”.

5. Click “next” at this prompt.

6. The program will say “verify that the meter is connected to the computer”.

7. Click “next” at this prompt.

8. Program will say “reading comport 1. Press the Chlorine or Bromine button on the meter to transmit data”. The software will say “meter found” or will continue to search for data (indicated by the blue gauge bar that will be increasing). If the software does not immediately find the signal, press the Chlorine or Bromine button on the meter repeatedly, trying to confirm the signal.

10. If software does not recognize the meter than continue the search on comport 2. Be sure that the user presses the Chlorine or Bromine button on the meter for each new comport that is searched. The software will search up to comport 4. If this does not work, check for alternative comports on the back of the computer and plug the RS-232 cable to this comport. Also, the comports may need to be activated under the “add new hardware” icon within their control panel settings. If the computer hardware is set on comport 5 or higher the user will need to change the settings to comport 1, 2, 3, or 4.

11. If the computer only has an USB port than the user must install an USB splitter cable which will connect into the RS-232 cable. The USB splitter cable that is recommended is the USB-?? that can be purchased from the USB Gear Company at their website www.usbgear.com or order from the LaMotte Company using code#5-0101.

12. Version 7.0 will give the option to “search for waterlink”. Click this option and then a window will prompt “validate by pressing a button on the Waterlink”.

13. Press either the Chlorine or Bromine button firmly. A message will appear saying one of two things:

a. “Meter found” At this point, the connection has been made and the meter will send data to the software. This is also indicated by a highlighted “blank” field in the water analysis screen.

b. “Unable to locate meter. Waterlink option disabled” If this is the case, try to make the connection one more time. After two attempts to make the comport connect, than click the icon labeled “comport set up” at the lower right hand corner of this screen. The same sequence of prompts will follow. If the meter is not found, go back and try from the heading database again until the meter is found. If this does not work, check for alternative comport to plug into on the back of the computer. Also, the comports may need to be activated under the “add new hardware” icon within their control panel settings.

B. Backup Data

1. This function allows the user to save their database files onto floppy disk or another area in their hard drive in case of an emergency (hard drive crashes, etc…).

2. Select the header “database” and then click “backup data”.

3. The default is set to send the files to a “backup” folder in the same location where the original program is installed (C Drive/Dmate folder). This will defeat the purpose of saving the data in case of an emergency because the files will still be stored in the same location as the original files.

4. Switch the destination path to another location in the hard drive, or select the A drive to transfer the files onto floppy disk.

5. The 7.0 version will transfer 17 files to be saved.

6. These are: Avlabels.dbf, Avlabels.nsx, Chemical.dbf, Chemical.fam, Chemical.nsx, Customer.dbf, Customer.nsx, Dealer.dbf, Dealer.nsx, Dealer.smt, Defaults.dbf, Defaults.nsx, Recom.dbf, Recom.nsx, Recom.smt, Test.dbf and Test.nsx.

7. The files are saved and can be imported to an existing DataMate 7.0 database at anytime.

C. Transfer of data files from floppy disk into a newly installed 7.0 program

1.Go to the C drive and find the folder where the Datamate program is located.

2. Open the Datamate folder and then open the “Data” folder.

3. Go to the “Edit” header and choose “select all”.

4. Then go to the “File” header and choose “delete”.

5. The original files will be erased and the files from the floppy disk can be transferred in.

6. There are a few ways to do this. The method you choose will depend on how well the customer follows your advice. Also, some computer configurations appear different, making this process tricky to explain at times.

7. You can choose “Restore Data” from the “Database” menu. Then select the source from where the data is being taken and click copy to have those files transferred in.

8. Another method is to go to the C drive and open the Datamate folder where the program is located. Open the Data Folder and set up the empty data folder screen next to the screen that shows the data files when you open the A drive. You can then left click and drag each file into the data folder, one by one.

9. Once all files are transferred into the data folder, close all windows and the Datamate program can be opened from the normal desktop shortcut. All the information from the saved files (previous customer database, product line edits & recommendations) will now show up in the newly installed Datamate program.

10. At this point, reindex the program as a precaution and the program is ready for use.

D. Installation of Datamate 7.1 over existing 7.0 versions

1. When Datamate 7.1 is installed on a computer that already has an existing version of 7.0, the files from the 7.0 version will automatically be transferred into the 7.1 program during the installation. Following is a description of prompts that will need response.

a. Data Backup: Old files have been located in the specified data folder; do you wish to backup these files? Click YES to this prompt.

b. Copy New Data Files: Do you wish to copy the new Datamate 7.1 data files to the specified folder? Click YES to this prompt.

c. Update Data: You have copied the new data files into the data folder and old data files have been located. Do you wish to update the old data files? Click YES.

2. Next, reindex the program and the customer database will be updated.

E. Networking

1 First you must install DataMate onto the primary computer, which the other computers will eventually share from and also install DataMate on the secondary computer(s).

2. Then create a shared folder on the primary computer. To create shared folder, locate the DataMate data folder on the primary computer and right click it. Select sharing. Click shared as option. Click “full” under access type. A password can be set up, but this is optional. You can name the folder anything, such as “data”. Also, you must know the name of the primary computer before proceeding to the next steps. To find the name, right click network neighborhood, and select properties and the identification name is listed.

3. Now you must map the network drive on the secondary computer. Right click on Network Neighborhood. Go to Map Network Drive. There will be a drop list of different drives available (usually the E drive is next in line). Select the drive you want to use and then type the name of the primary computer into the path field. For example, if the primary computer is named Spiderman, type \\spiderman\data into the path field. Then designate/check off the “Reconnect at log on” prompt.

4. Finally, you are ready to set the data directory in the dmate program on the secondary computer. Go to database, then set data directory. You will see the primary computer name listed in the Network Data Directory Selection. Select the primary computer name and click OK.

F. ERROR Codes

1. “Error 2100” This is a windows error message that may occur when the program is first opened and the user tries to advance from one area of the program to another. Try reindexing (see below) the program, and this should rid of the message.

2. “Access Violation Error at Read of Address” Check to make sure the user does not have the software opened twice. Many times the user will work in the program, minimize it, then eventually come back to the computer and open the software from the desktop shortcut rather than opening the minimized window. This can create problems.

3. “Floating Point Error Division by Zero” This error may occur after test results are entered into the water analysis screen and the user tries to print a report. Check the customer’s pool/spa setup information and verify that the pool volume, sanitizer type, and surface type are filled in. If any of this information has been omitted, this error will show when trying to print the report. Also, if the user types over top the drop bar products in the sanitizer field or other drop down fields under customer information or water analysis screen this error will occur.

4. “ISO Error” May occur if the customer tries to back up data to a floppy disk in case of emergency. This error means that their floppy disks do not have enough space available and they will need to back up the data onto a new disk. Backing up data is extremely important so that they will always have a copy of their customer database in the event of an emergency (computer system crashes, etc…).

5. “Invalid Class Type Caste Error” Occurs when trying to print a test report or preview a test report and there is no printer connected to the computer.

G. Miscellaneous Tips:

1. Report text is coded in black as well as color ink on the software. If the customer’s test report shows some text, but not all, they should check the printer cartridge and replace if necessary with a new color cartridge.

2. Reindexing: When all else fails, have the user reindex the program. From the first page of the software, click the menu “database”, then drag down and select “indexing”. The program will reindex (organize all data files) and this will often eliminate error messages. Once the program has reindexed, go to the water analysis screen (the beaker icon) and check to see if there is a recognizable customer at this page. If the fields are blank, delete this blank customer by clicking the X icon. If need be, continue deleting blank customers until a valid customer appears. Perform this every few days or as often as necessary.

3. Deleting Indexes: If “Following is a list of computers currently running Dmate” occurs, yet the software is not networked, you should delete the names in the list. Then reindex the program and even restart the system if need be. If the same message reoccurs, delete the nsx (index) files from the data folder. The program should now work fine (the nsx files are recreated when the program is opened for the first time after deleting them).