In the last post, we talked about the importance of keeping the most current version of ClientBase on your desktop. I remember the days when panic set in because an update to the Weissmann Reports just came in the mail (a series of floppy disks).  Times have changed and it is all online.

To upgrade to the most current version just follow these 6 simple steps:

1. Head over to the TRAMS website and download the most current file. You can find it here. Bookmark this page! Save the file where you will remember it. I created a folder on my desktop called DOWNLOADS and have directed my browser to put all downloads in there.
2. Close ClientBase.
3. Back Up Your database. At this point, you are going to want to make sure no one else is logged in. This will insure you have the most current data as your backup in case something bad happens.
4. Navigate to the file you just downloaded and give it the old double click. The program will self extract and do it’s thing. Most of the default settings are fine. There is a question about creating a backup file and I usually select that just to be safe. I never had to use it but you never know. Once it is done, there will be a message and all you need to do is click OK and you are almost done.
5. The final step is to make sure your database is in synch with the engine that powers it. Many people forget this step and it results in a call for help. Go into your START menu and then ALL PROGRAMS and find the TRAMS folder.  In here is a little file called CB+ Update.  Click on this. You will be prompted for the user name and password and then click OK. You will get a warning saying it is updating from one version to the next. Click OK and it will do it’s thing. When done, Click OK.
6. Start ClientBase again and go to HELP–ABOUT CLIENT BASE and verify that the correct version is there.  Voila!

Now if you have ClientBase networked (multiple PCs working off the same database), you will need to update all the desktops in your network.  Once you do the main one (the server) the others will not be able to talk to it to retrieve information (remember we synched the databases). So, go to each workstation and repeat what you did above EXCEPT THE CB+ UPDATE step.

From each workstation you should be able to navigate (using the MY NETWORK PLACES) to the server machine. Find the file that you downloaded from TRAMS and give it the double click and it will run.  If you cannot access that machine (your IT people may have prevented access across the network), just go to TRAMS again and download the file to that machine and go from there.

If you are downloading multiple copies of the file, I have found that the easiest way is to work in circles, download on one machine, then download on the next whicle the first is downloading, move to the third, etc. When you are done, you can do the install on the first and while that is running, start the install on the second, third…you get the picture!

Tags: Back Up, General Tip, Upgrading